North Arkansas College
English 1023-05: Composition II
Spring 2012 Syllabus
3 Credit Hours
Course Time and Location: MW 2:30-3:50 p.m., M137
Instructor: Tim Coone
Office: M132
Office Hours: MWF 9-11 a.m.; TR 1:30-3:00 p.m.; and by appointment.
Office Phone: 870-391-3224
E-mail Address: tcoone@northark.edu
Required Texts
Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. Print.
Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell, eds. Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting,
Writing. 7th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011. Print.
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.
Catalog Course Description
Instruction continues [from ENGL 1013] to emphasis developing students’ writing skills but also
introduces the literary genres: prose fiction, drama, and poetry. Students prepare and write a
research paper dealing with a literary work [the novel]. Student-instructor conferences
individualize instruction each semester.
Prerequisites
A student must receive a “C” or better in English 1013 in order to enroll in English 1023.
Next Course in Sequence
None
Audience, Rationale, and Anticipated Outcomes
English 1023 is designed to prepare students with the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills
necessary for success in other college courses and in their personal and professional life beyond
college. The course requires critical thinking and problem solving skills applicable across
disciplines; life skills such as teamwork, interpersonal relationships, ethics, and study habits;
clear oral and written communication; use of technology; and discussion of issues relevant to a
diverse global society. Therefore, it specifically addresses five of the six General Education
Learning Outcomes listed in the North Arkansas College Catalog as part of North Arkansas
College’s Philosophy of General Education.
Course Objectives
When you have completed ENGL 1023, you will be able to:
 relate the requirements of the four literary genres to the contents of a particular short
story, novel, play, or poem
o assessed through in-class writings, essays, and exams
 articulate a response to literature in class discussion and writing
o assessed through in-class writings, essays, and research paper
 use and document external sources correctly
o assessed through essays and research paper
 integrate external sources into your own arguments
o assessed through essays and research paper
Course Requirements
Each student will write five essays (3 pages minimum plus Work Cited page) and a research
paper (6 pages minimum plus a Work Cited page) in MLA format. Guidelines for each of these
papers will be distributed in class. There will also be a midterm exam and a final exam. In
addition, there will be quizzes and exercises, both in-class and out.
Grading:
Five analytical papers (3x100 and 2x50)
Research paper
Mid-term exam
Final
Peer evaluation
Annotated Bibliography
Random quizzes and exercises
400
150
100
100
50
50
150_
1,000 points possible
Percentage Grading:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
Late Work
I will deduct one letter grade for each day a paper is late. In addition, there will be no
opportunities to make up quizzes or exercises. However, I do recognize that emergencies do
occur; therefore, if for some reason your house lands on a witch and you must travel by yellow
brick road to find your way back home, I will make an exception. Also, if you come to me in
advance with a good reason, I may make an exception.
Attendance and Incompletes
According to the Northark Student Handbook, as well as the North Arkansas College Catalog:
It is the responsibility of faculty members to advise their classes, in writing, of their
attendance and makeup policies. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any absences and
the possibility of makeup work with the instructor as soon as possible.
Students are expected to attend all class meetings and officially withdraw from courses they
are no longer attending. However, if students fail to withdraw, their instructors will not allow
them to remain on class rolls when it becomes clear that excessive absences prevent the
student’s successful completion of the course. Once an instructor has determined that a
student has missed too many classes to pass the course, the instructor will officially withdraw
the student rather than allowing the student to remain on the class roll and receive an “F” at
the end of the semester.
In addition, because I feel that students who represent Northark in their extra-curricular activities
should not be penalized for an absence, I will not count an absence if the student does the
following:
 provide me with a list of days, in advance, when the student will be absent
 provide me with the time, in advance, in which the student is leaving on a particular day
 come by my office within two days after the student has returned to discuss missed class
It is my opinion that you are here as a student first; therefore, your participation as a student must
remain paramount.
Tardiness
You should be in your seat ready to begin when class begins. I certainly understand that circumstances
may arise which would prevent you from being on time once or twice, but regular tardiness reflects a lack
of respect for course, instructor, and peers. Therefore, if your tardiness becomes a problem, it will affect
your absences and/or grade. For example, I reserve the right to count every tardy as half an absence
and/or deduct ten points for every tardy.
Academic Dishonesty
Just don’t do it! No cheating or plagiarism! If I suspect you of academic dishonesty, I will act in
accordance with the guidelines put forth in the Student Handbook. Be sure you familiarize
yourself with the definition of academic dishonesty within your handbook.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs
North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special
accommodations need to first contact Special Services in Room M184. After registering with
Special Services, contact me to go over your special needs. All students will have equal access
to my classes.
Additional Information
 No eating or drinking in class
 No sleeping in class
 Everyone will be treated with respect in class, including your instructor
 Turn off cell phones and pagers during class
Tentative Schedule
Week One (Jan. 9-13)
M— Introduction to class
W— Chapter Four (Kirsner & Mandell 70-82) and chapters 6-12 introductions
Week Two (Jan. 16-20)
M—No Class: MLK, Jr.
W— Chapter One (Kirsner & Mandell 2-35); “The Secret Lion” (Rios 453-57)
Week Three (Jan. 23-27)
M— Chapter Two (Kirsner & Mandell 36-51); Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” (311-19)
W— Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” (276-91); workshop
Week Four (Jan. 30-Feb. 3)
M— Chapter Three (Kirsner & Mandell 36-51); Workshop
W— Paper One Due; “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” (Marquez 410-15)
Week Five (Feb. 6-10)
M— “Everything That Rises Must Converge” (O’Connor 439-49)
W— Workshop
Week Six (Feb. 13-17)
M— Chapter Fourteen (Kirsner & Mandell 468-79); “My Papa’s Waltz” (Roethke 647); “We
Real Cool” (Brooks 525); Paper Two Due
W— “Poems about Parents” (Kirsner & Mandell 646-52)
Week Seven (Feb. 20-24)
M— “Poems about Nature” (Kirsner & Mandell 652-58)
W— Workshop
Week Eight (Feb. 27-March 2)
M— Mid-term; Paper Three Due
W— “Poems about Love” (Kirsner & Mandell 658-62)
Week Nine (March 5-9)
M— “Poems about Love” (Kirsner & Mandell 662-71)
W— Workshop
Week Ten (March 12-16)
M— Begin Novel (Research project); pp. 594-622; Hacker (381-410); Paper Four Due
Workshop
W— Cont.
Week Eleven (March 19-23)
SPRING BREAK
Week Twelve (March26-30)
M— Workshop
W— Workshop
Week Thirteen (April 2-6)
M— Workshop; Annotated Bibliography Due
W— Workshop
Week Fourteen (April 9-13)
M— Peer evaluation for research paper (Bring two typed copies of completed paper; this
includes work cited page.)
W— Chapter Twenty-four (Kirsner & Mandell 736-58); Research Paper Due (#5)
Week Fifteen (April 16-20)
M— Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House (799-853)
W—Cont.
Week Sixteen (April 23-27)
M— Workshop
W— Drama Paper Due (#6); Review for Final
Week Seventeen (April 30-May 4)
Final: To Be Announced