EWRT 1A: Composition and Reading
Winter 2016
Professor: M. Reber
Classroom: L47
Office: L41 Hours: 4:30-5:30 p.m. (T/Th in office, M/W online)
Phone: (408) 864-5565
Email: rebermarrietta@fhda.edu
Web Site: http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/reberm/
Course Texts
 Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing by John R. Trimble. 2nd Edition.
 The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz.
 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (available online, but having a printed version is useful and cheap).
Course Introduction
This course serves as an introduction to university level reading and writing, with an emphasis on analysis. We
closely examine a variety of texts (personal, popular, literary, professional, academic) from culturally diverse
traditions. We practice common rhetorical strategies used in academic writing. We focus on composition of
clear, well-organized, and well-developed essays, with varying purposes and differing audiences, from personal
to academic. In particular, we will examine how food and rituals related to food reflect identity, family and
heritage, 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:
 Practice writing as a multi-step process including planning and revising with attention to varying purposes,
audiences, and rhetorical strategies.
 Read and analyze rhetorically and culturally diverse narrative & expository texts from a variety of perspectives.
Course Objectives
In the course of taking this class, you will:
 Examine various forms of discourse, read culturally and rhetorically diverse narrative and expository texts
and analyze them from a variety of perspectives.
 Generate ideas and topics for essays; compose essays with varying purposes and audiences; formulate and
support theses; integrate and organize ideas; develop a personal style/voice appropriate to purpose and
audience, identify and practice common rhetorical strategies for academic writing, and engage in a multistep writing process, with particular attention to planning and revision.
Course Evaluation
The point break down for grading in the course is shown in the table below:
Assignment
Quizzes (10 x 10 pts each)
Journal (10 x 10 pts each)
Personal Narrative
Compare/Contrast Essay
Persuasive Essay (in-class)
Literary Analysis Essay
Final
Points
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Total
700
Score
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 quiz online each week by Thursday at 5 p.m. Quizzes measure your understanding of
readings assigned for the week. Quizzes are closed book and must be completed within 5 minutes of beginning.
No make-up quizzes are allowed. I drop your lowest quiz score.
Journal. Each week you write a journal entry in response to a prompt on Catalyst (about 300 words). You must post
the entry online by 5 p.m. on the date due AND bring a printed copy to class to get credit! (Entries are stamped at
the beginning of class. Unstamped entries can be submitted for final grading but are eligible for ½ credit.) Entries
must be reflective and offer insight into course themes and readings. Though more personal and less formal than
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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 (see Assignment Format). 11 entries are
assigned but only 10 required. The entire journal is due at the end of the quarter and receives one grade overall.
Personal Narrative. In the style of Elizabeth Gilbert (chapter 27), write a true account of a meaningful personal
experience you have had with food. Choose a significant meal, trip, holiday, or celebration in your life and retell
the story as if happening in the present with description to make the reader feel he/she is there. Your tone could
be humorous or serious and your purpose could be to entertain and/or educate. Your narrative should be written
in an interesting, engaging style that draws us in and brings location, characters, and food to life. (3+ pages)
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 around 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. (3+ pages)
Persuasive Essay (in class). For this essay you take a stand on an assigned issue/topic related to food and its
significance. Use rhetorical devices to persuade your reader to share your viewpoint. 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. (3 pages)
Literary Analysis. You write an essay that explores food and its uses in Wilde’s play: 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. (3-5 pages)
Final. Your final exam will be predominately essay in a timed environment. Topics will demonstrate your
ability to analyze and synthesize readings and themes discussed throughout the course and to draw connections.
Course Policies
Drop Policy. You will be dropped automatically from the course if you:
 Fail to log in to Catalyst by Thursday at 5:00 p.m. the 1st 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. Assignments must be typed, stapled, and follow specified guidelines. Journals and essays
must be double-spaced and include a heading in the upper left-hand corner (line 1: your name; line 2: course title
and my last name; line 3: assignment name; line 4: the date). The title appears centered on the next line.
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. Cell
phones must be turned off during class. If your phone rings audibly, you must bring treats for all to the next class.
Late Assignments. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If you come late, your score is dropped 10%.
Assignments are not accepted after class has ended on the date due. Contact me ASAP in case of an emergency.
Attendance. More than 2 unexcused absences is grounds for dropping you from the class (or 1 absence during the
1st week). 2 unexcused tardies=1 unexcused absence. Talk to me in advance if you have a conflict or emergency.
Extra Credit. I allow extra credit worth up to 3% of the total class points. You can: bring a recipe/food to share,
attend a WRC workshop and write about it, summarize/respond to a relevant article. Due the class before the final.
Last Day to Drop with a “W.” The last day to drop with a “W” is Friday, February 26th . 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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EWRT 1A Schedule
Week Topics
1
Course Intro, Identity, and Food
Date Reading Due
1/5
1/7
2
Food, Family, and Traditions
1/12
1/14
3
Food, Culture, and Ethnicity
1/19
1/21
4
Food, Culture, and Ethnicity
1/26
1/28
5
Taste, Trends, Morals, &Religion 2/2
2/4
6
Food and Status
2/9
2/11
7
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Food, Social Class, and Power
“Butter” – Alexander
“The Joy of Food ” – National Geographic
“The Importance of Eating Together”– Atlantic
Tips on Becoming an Active Reader
Eat, Pray, Love: Chap 21– Gilbert
“A Family Supper” – Ishiguro
“8 Reasons to Make Time for…”– CNN.com
Eat, Pray, Love: Chap 23, 27, 34, 35– Gilbert
“Food of Love” – Cheek
Thinking Well – Trimble
Narration and Description
Personal Narrative Rubric
“Soul Food” – Baraka
The Sweet Life in Paris pg 1-76 – Lebovitz
Ch 2: Getting Launched –Trimble
The Sweet Life in Paris pg 77-138 – Lebovitz
Ch 3: Openers – Trimble
The Sweet Life in Paris pg 139-213 – Lebovitz
Ch 4: Middles – Trimble
The Sweet Life in Paris pg 214-269 – Lebovitz
“Too Many Bananas” – Counts
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
Ch 5: Closers – Trimble
Ch 6: Diction – Trimble
Ch 7: Readability – Trimble
EWRT Peer Review
Researching and Documenting Sources
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Readings
Ch 10: Revising – Trimble
Ch 11: Proofreading – Trimble
Documenting Sources MLA-selected readings
Garlic and Sapphires pg 1-34 – Reichl
2/16 Garlic and Sapphires pg 35-79 – Reichl
“Eating with Immigrants” – Higashi
2/18 Garlic and Sapphires pg 181-233 – Reichl
Understanding/Using Elements of Argument
Tips for Writing a Timed Essay
Tips for Argumentative/Persuasive Essays
Persuasive Essay Rubric
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Assignments Due
Q1 (online by 5 p.m.)
J1: Me & my food poem
J2: Food and my family
Q2 (online by 5 p.m.)
J3: Food field trip
Q3 (online by 5 p.m.)
Draft: Personal Narrative
Final: Personal Narrative
Q4 (online by 5 p.m.)
J4: Vignette of my culture
or ethnicity
Thesis: Compare/Contrast
J5: My food preferences
Q5 (online by 5 p.m.)
Draft: Compare/Contract
Final: Compare/Contrast
Q6 (online by 5 p.m.)
J6: Childhood school lunch
Q7 (online by 5 p.m.)
J7: Garlic and Sapphires
3
8
Food, Social Class, and Power
9
Food, Social Class, and Power
10
Food, Social Class, & Power
11
Food, Love, and Celebration
12
6:15-8:15 p.m.
2/23 “The New Face of Hunger” – Nt’l Geographic
“Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? ” – Bittman
“Eating Together as a Family…” – Huffington
2/25 “Reading & Writing About Literature”-Barnet
Earnest: Act I – Wilde
3/1 Earnest: Acts II – Wilde
Textual Analysis Rubric
3/3 Earnest: Act III – Wilde
How to Write a Critical Analysis
3/8 Student Sample: Textual Analysis by Schaff
In-Class: Persuasive Essay
J8: Hunger, lifestyle, &
obesity
3/10
Q10 (online by 5 p): Act III
J10: Holiday food tradition
3/15 “The Sandwich Man” – McCarty
Final: Literary Analysis
3/17 “Champion of the World”—Angelou
“The Communal Table” – Nat’l Geographic
Q11 (online by 5 p.m.)
J11: Course reflections
Course Journal
3/22 FINAL EXAM
Final Exam: Essay-based
Q8 (online by 5 p.m.): Act 1
J9: Earnest Textual Analysis
Q9 (online by 5 p.m.): Act II
Thesis: Literary Analysis
Draft: Literary Analysis
*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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