Professor: M. Reber
Classroom: N/A
Office: L41 Hours: 4:30-5:30 p.m. (T/Th in office, M/W online) Web Site:
Email:
Phone: (408) 864-5565 rebermarrietta@fhda.edu
http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/reberm/
Course Texts


Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Argument
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
by Barnet and Bedau. 8 by Eric Schlosser. th Edition.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (available online, but having a printed version is useful and cheap) .
Course Introduction
This course develops critical thinking skills and the ability to apply these skills to reading and writing. We develop analytical and argumentative academic essays based on reading of complex texts, and the use of outside research leading to analysis, comparison, and synthesis and a documented research paper. In particular, we will examine how food and rituals related to food reflect identity, family and heritage, health, ethnicity and culture, morals and religion, social class, and political position.
Student Learning Outcome Statement (SLO)
You can expect the following learning outcomes by successfully completing this course:

Apply critical thinking skills to writing and complex readings.

Demonstrate academic (analytical, argumentative) writing based on reading of complex texts.

Demonstrate analysis, comparison, synthesis, and documentation of independent research.
Course Objectives
In the course of taking this class, you will:

Develop critical and analytical skills in the reading and analysis of a variety of texts, including visual images and other nonverbal texts.

Develop a sequence of argumentative and analytical essays with integrated reading that demonstrates the interdependence of reading, writing, language, and thinking.
Course Evaluation
The point break down for grading in the course is shown in the table below:
Assignment Points Score
Quizzes (10 x 10 pts each) 100
Journal (10 x 10 pts each) 100
Participation/Peer Reviews 50
Compare/Contrast Essay 100
Persuasive Essay (timed)
Literary Analysis Essay
Research Paper
100
100
150
Total 700
You are evaluated on a 100% scale (93-100% = A, 90-92 = A-, 87-89% = B+, 83-86 = B, 80-82 = B-, etc.).
Course Assignments
Quizzes.
You take a timed online quiz each week by Wednesday before midnight. Quizzes measure understanding of readings assigned for the week. Quizzes are closed book and must be completed within 5 minutes of beginning.
Start assigned readings the week before and study them carefully or you won’t be able to answer quiz questions.
Consider printing readings to annotate them. No make-up quizzes are allowed. I drop your lowest quiz score.
Journal.
Each week you post a journal entry in response to a prompt by Friday before midnight (about 300 words).
Entries must be reflective and offer insight into course themes and readings. Though less formal and more personal than essays, journal entries must show critical thinking and be well written and organized. Classmates respond to your entries, so share appropriately. Include the journal # and a unique title. 11 entries are assigned, but you must post only 10. All journal entries are evaluated cumulatively at the end of the quarter and receive one grade overall.
M. Reber 4/16/2020 1

Participation. You are required to participate in weekly online forum discussions by Monday before midnight to respond to classmates’ journal entries and essay assignments from the previous week. Each Friday, students post a journal entry to the forum; by the following Monday, you must write substantive, insightful comments in response to at least 3 classmates’ journal entry strings. You must also give thorough, robust, and detailed comments on the essay thesis statements and drafts of classmates in your group on specified weeks. You receive one grade at the end of the quarter based on the frequency and quality of your participation during the quarter.
Compare/Contrast Essay.
Using Suzanne Britt’s piece as an example, compare/contrast two or three different populations and their relationship with food. Your classification of populations could be based on ethnicity, culture, religion, economics, moral considerations, or simple food preference/taste. Choose an angle that is unique and interesting. Avoid over-simplified stereotypes unless using them for comic or ironic effect. (1000 words)
Persuasive Essay (timed).
Take a stand on an assigned topic related to food and its significance. Use rhetorical devices to persuade your reader to share your viewpoint. Include compelling quotes. An analysis of the opposing side of your argument is necessary to convincingly present your position. Pay close attention to style, organization, and writing skills covered in course materials. Proofread for correct grammar and usage. (1000 words)
Literary Analysis.
You write an essay that explores food and its uses in Wilde’s plays: The Importance of
Being Earnest . This essay must be a careful analysis of elements within the work (theme, symbolism, characterization, etc.) rather than a plot-based or touchy-feely response. You must offer a unique interpretation of meaning or significance in the play that you support with evidence and quotes from the primary text and secondary sources (such as quotes from academic journals) to support and elaborate on your ideas. Find a unique and argumentative food angle in the play and explore it in an interesting way. (1000-1500 words)
Research Paper.
You write a research paper that demonstrates your ability to synthesize and analyze ideas and texts we have discussed in class as well as research you conduct on your own. See EWRT 2 Research Paper and
Research Paper Rubric documents for more information. (1500+ words)
Course Policies
Drop Policy. You will be dropped automatically from the course if you:

Fail to log in to Catalyst by Wednesday before midnight the 1 st week of class.

Fail to complete more than 1 assignment (quizzes, journals, responses, essays) during the first 3 weeks of class.

Fail to login or submit assignments for a whole week at any point during the quarter without prior explanation.
Assignment Format.
Post essays/research paper on Catalyst as a .doc or .docx and follow MLA requirements.
Use the naming convention: (assignment name) by (your last name). For example, Research Paper Draft by Reber
Email Format.
Be sure to start each subject line with “EWRT 2z:” and then a brief description for every email.
Online Communication.
All writing must use proper capitalization, spelling, and punctuation (no text lingo.)
Midnight Deadlines.
The Catalyst system does not accept submissions after 11:55 p.m., so submit by 11:55 p.m.
Late Papers and Assignments.
Assignments must be posted to Catalyst before midnight (by 11:55 p.m.) on the date due or they receive no credit. I reserve the right to make exceptions to this policy at my discretion. Please notify me before the deadline if you have an emergency or conflict when possible.
Plagiarism and Cheating.
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas in direct quote, paraphrase, or summary form and submitting them as your own. Students who plagiarize or cheat will be automatically failed for the quarter. Cheating includes using materials while taking quizzes, claiming someone else’s work as your own, copying in any form, or compromising your academic integrity. You must prove your work is your own.
Class Disruption Policy.
Disruptive behavior is not tolerated and could result in being dropped from the class.
You can express strong disapproval of others’ views but making rude or insulting comments is disruptive.
Extra Credit.
I allow extra credit worth up to 3% of the total class points. You can: share a recipe and its significance, attend a WRC workshop and write about it, summarize/respond to a relevant article. Due by Week #11.
Last Day to Drop with a “W.”
The last day to drop with a “W” is Friday, February 26 th . No automatic Ws.
Assistance. For academic counseling, contact Renee McGinley at x. 5865 or at mcginleyrenee@deanza.edu
.
For personal counseling, contact Adrienne Pierre at x. 8784 or at pierreadrienne@fhda.edu
.
Writing Help.
For drop-in tutoring, see the Writing and Reading Center (WRC) in ATC 309 or visit http://faculty.deanza.edu/writingcenter . For online tutoring, visit the Online Writing Assistance Center at http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/writingcenter/ . For ongoing skills help, see the Tutorial Center in L-47.
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Week Dates Topic
M. Reber
1
1/4-
1/10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1/11-
1/17
1/18-
1/24
1/25-
1/31
2/1-
2/7
2/8-
2/14
2/15-
2/21
2/22-
2/28
Course Intro,
Identity, and Food
Food, Family, and
Traditions
Food, Culture, and
Ethnicity
Food, Culture, and
Ethnicity (cont.)
Taste, Trends,
Morals, &Religion
Food and Status
Food, Social Class, and Power
Food, Social Class, and Power (cont.)
Reading Due (see Catalyst for added readings)
“Butter” – Alexander
“The Joy of Food ” – National Geographic
“The Importance of Eating Together”– Atlantic
“Tips on Becoming an Active Reader”
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 1
Assignments Due by Midnight
Mon: Log in to Catalyst
Wed: Quiz #1
Login by midnight or be dropped
Fri: J1: Me and my food poem
Look ahead to Week 2
Eat, Pray, Love: Excerpts– Gilbert
“A Family Supper” – Ishiguro
“8 Reasons to Make Time for…”– CNN.com
Fast Food Nation pg 1-88 – Schlosser
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 2
EWRT 2 Research Paper Assignment
Research Paper Rubric
Fast Food Nation pg 91-190 – Schlosser
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 3
“Soul Food” – Baraka
Fast Food Nation pg 193-276
– Schlosser
“Too Many Bananas” – Counts
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 4
Developing a Thesis
Thesis and Organization
“Do It Yourself Heroes”-Gibbs
Comparison and Contrast
Compare/Contrast Essay Rubric
“The Health-Food Diner” – Angelou
“That Lean & Hungry Look” – Britt
“Religion and Food” – Garduno Diaz
“Carnivore’s Dilemma” – National Geographic
“Why are We So Fat?” – National Geographic
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writ -Ch 5&6
EWRT Peer Review
Researching and Documenting Sources
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Readings
Garlic and Sapphires pg 1-79 – Reichl
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writ -Ch 7
Documenting Sources MLA-selected readings
Mon: Read and briefly reply to all J1s (1-2 lines); then choose and respond to three J1s in depth
Wed:
Fri: J2: Food and my family
Look ahead to Week 3
Mon:
Wed:
Quiz #2
Respond to three J2s
Quiz #3
Fri: J3: Fast Food Nation #1
Look ahead to Week 4
Mon:
Wed:
Fri:
Quiz #4
J4: Fast Food Nation #2
Look ahead to Week 5
Thesis: Compare/Contrast Essay
Mon:
Wed:
Fri:
Respond to three J3s
Respond to three J4s and all thesis statements in your group
Quiz #5
J5: My food preferences
Draft: Compare/Contrast Essay
Look ahead to Week 6
Garlic and Sapphires pg 181-233 – Reichl
“Eating with Immigrants” – Higashi
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 8&9
Understanding/Using Elements of Argument
Tips for Writing a Timed Essay
Tips for Argumentative/Persuasive Essays
Persuasive Essay Rubric
“The New Face of Hunger” – Nt’l Geographic
“Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? ” – Bittman
“Eating Together as a Family…” – Huffington
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writ -Ch 10&11
Earnest : Act I – Wilde
“Reading & Writing About Literature”-Barnet
4/16/2020
Mon: Respond to three J5s and all essay drafts in your group
Wed: Quiz #6
Fri: J6: Childhood school lunch
Final: Compare/Contrast Essay
Look ahead to Week 7
Mon:
Wed:
Respond to three J6s
Quiz #7
Fri: J7: Garlic & Sapphires
Thesis: Research Paper
Look ahead to Week 8
Mon: Respond to three J7s
Wed: Quiz #8— Earnest Act I
Fri: J8: Hunger, lifestyle & obesity
Persuasive Essay (timed)
Look ahead to Week 9
3

9
10
11
12
2/29-
3/6
3/7-
3/13
3/14-
3/20
3/21-
3/27
Food, Social Class, and Power (cont.)
Earnest : Acts II-III – Wilde
Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing -Ch 12
Textual Analysis Rubric
How to Write a Critical Analysis
Literature & Drama PPT
Literature/Drama Terms
Student Sample: Textual Analysis by Schaff
Mon: Respond to three J8s
Wed: Quiz #9— Earnest Act II
Fri: J9: Earnest Textual Analysis
Draft: Literary AnalysisEarnest
Look ahead to Week 10
Food, Social Class, and Power (cont.)
Food, Love, and
Celebration
FINALS WEEK
“The Sandwich Man” – McCarty
“Champion of the World”—Angelou
“The Communal Table” – Nat’l Geographic
Mon: Respond to three J9s & all drafts in your group
Wed: Quiz #10— Earnest Act III
Fri: J10: Holiday Food Tradition
Final: Literary AnalysisEarnest
Look ahead to Week 11
Mon: Respond to three J10s
Wed: Quiz #11
Fri: J11: Course reflections
Research Paper Draft
Look ahead to Week 12
Mon: Respond to all research paper drafts in your group
Wed: Final: Research Paper
*This schedule is a working outline and is subject to changes at any point during the quarter. I reserve the right to add or delete readings or assignments/exams, change point allocations for assignments, and to change topics at my discretion at any time.
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