ENGL 101/Gempeler
English 101 Tentative Course Schedule of Assignments
Fall 2012
This is a “tentative” course schedule, and I reserve the right to make changes as I deem
appropriate and necessary throughout the semester. Assignments appear the date they are
DUE. (Assignments should be typed/double spaced and in MLA format). I DO NOT accept
emailed assignments. Quizzes will focus on readings/assignments for that week unless
otherwise noted.
WEEK ONE
Tues, 8/21
Introduction to Class, Discussion of Syllabus, Readings, Course Requirements
and Blackboard.
Wed, 8/22
Fri, 8/24
Continue intro
Class Activity #1: Diagnostic Essay – Video: The Housing Meltdown (SoCal
Connected, January 2011)
WEEK TWO
Tues, 8/28
Thinking Rhetorically
Reading:
 Everything’s An Argument (EAA) Part 1 p. 3-94
HW # 1: EAA Response Questions p. 36 (#1 and 4); p. 51 (#1 and 3); p. 67 (#1
and 2); p. 93 (#1 and 3)
Thurs, 8/30
Identifying Arguments
Reading:
 EAA Part 1 p. 95-130
Class Activity #2: Annotate NYT Op Ed “I Carried a Gun”
WEEK THREE
Tues, 9/4
Identifying Arguments – Continue Activities & Discussion
Reading:
 Writing Matters (WM): “Writing Responsibly in the Information Age” p.38
 WM Part 2 “Thinking and Reading Critically” p. 116 – 136
HW # 2 – Find an Op Ed article and analyze the argument. Refer to Response
Question #2 on p. 130 of EAA. Be prepared to discuss your analysis.
Thurs, 9/6
Writing Rhetorically
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 13 “Style in Arguments” p. 417-439
 WM Part 7 “Style Matters” p. 516-581
ENGL 101/Gempeler
Video: “To the Contrary: Gun Debate” on PBS
[http://video.pbs.org/video/2261273337]
HW # 3: EAA Response Question #1 p. 439
Introduction of Essay 1: Current Event Response – 2 – 2 ½ pages – (DUE Friday
9/14
WEEK FOUR
Mon, 9/10
Writing Rhetorically Continue Activities and Discussion
*Late Start
Reading:
 WM Chapter 8 “Analyzing and Crafting Arguments” p. 141-167
 EAA Chapter 7 “Structuring Arguments” p. 170-205
Class Activity #3: Toulmin analysis activity, EAA Exercise #5, p. 207
Wed, 9/12
Writing Responsibly
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 19 “Evaluating and Using Sources” p. 549-563
 WM Chapter 15 “Using Information Responsibly” p. 263-281
HW # 4: WM “Summarizing” Exercise 15.1 p. 270, “Paraphrasing” 15.2 and 15.3
p. 275, and “Make It Your Own” p. 281 (use your current event article)
Class Activity #4 Blackboard BB Course Handout – Integrating Sources
Fri, 9/14
Continue Activities and Discussion
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 18 “ Intellectual Property” p. 536-547
 EAA Chapter 17 “Fallacies of Argument” p. 515-535
Writing Workshop: In-Class Peer Review (Reverse Outline)
ESSAY 1 DUE: Current Event Response (2 – 2 ½ pages)
WEEK FIVE
Tues, 9/18
Thurs, 9/20
Evaluating Sources: MLA Format/Intro to MSJC Library
Reading:
 WM Chapter 13 “Finding Information on the Web” p. 222-247
 WM Chapter 14 “Evaluating Information” p. 248-257
 EAA Chapter 20 “Documenting Sources” p. 566-585
HW #5: EAA Response Question #1 p. 598
Narrative Strategies
Lecture: Introduction of Essay 2: Personal Narrative – 2 pages (1000 words)
(DUE 9/28)
WEEK SIX
Mon, 9/24
Evaluating Visual Arguments
*LS
Reading:
 WM Chapter 14 “Evaluating Visual Sources” p. 257-262
 EAA Chapter 14 “Visual Arguments” p. 441-463
ENGL 101/Gempeler
BB Course Handout – Considering Audience & Purpose in
Arguments
Class Activity # 5: Explore the webpages for filmmaker Michael Moore and
radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
Answer the following questions for each site:
o Who is the intended audience?
o What is the purpose of the website?
o What types of arguments are implicitly and explicitly suggested
(just name a few)?
o Play judge (ignoring your personal bias) – Which site is more
effective in making its arguments? Identify specific examples and
reasons to support your choice.
Wed, 9/26
Fri, 9/28
Evaluating Visual Arguments – Continue Activities and Discussion
In-class ad analysis: Kenneth Cole Ad Archive p. 621 in EAA
HW #6: Analyze an ad’s visual argument, Response Question #2, p. 464 EAA.
Bring your ad and analysis to class to share and discuss.
Evaluating Visual Arguments – Cultural Stereotypes of the Body
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 21 “Evictions at Sorority,” “The Culture of Thin Bites,” and
“Television, Disordered Eating, and Young Women in Fiji” p. 601-619
Class Activity #6: Group discussion of readings
Introduction of Essay 3: Visual Evaluation – 2 ½ - 3 pages – (DUE 10/16)
ESSAY 2 DUE Personal Narrative Final Draft (2 pages/1000 words)
WEEK SEVEN
Tues, 10/2
Evaluating Visual Arguments – Cultural Stereotypes of Groups
Readings:
Group Readings Assigned
Group 1 – “Use of Indian Logos” and “Bonding Over a Mascot”
Group 2 – “Uncle Ben, Board Chairman”
Group 3 – “Disability and the Media”
Class Activity # 7: Present your group’s reading to the rest of the class. Be sure
to explain the essay’s primary argument, the intended audience, the criteria the
claims are based on, and the effect the argument has on the intended audience
Thu, 10/4
Argument of Definition
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 9 “Argument of Definition” p. 249-283
 WM “Revising, Editing, and Proofreading, and Formatting” p. 90-113
 WM “Writing Concisely” p. 516-523
Introduce Essay 4: Argument of Definition (3 ½ - 4 pages, DUE 10/26)
WEEK EIGHT
ENGL 101/Gempeler
Mon, 10/8
*LS
Argument of Definition: Friends?
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 22 “Social Networking Sites: Definition, History, and
Scholarship” p. 653-66
HW #7: EAA Response Questions #1 and 2, p. 668
Wed, 10/10
Argument of Definition
Midterm Prep
Class Activity #8: Prepare for Midterm Exam #1 (next class): Discuss the
distinction between social networking sites and social network sites. In pairs,
discuss how social network sites have played a role in your life.
HW #8: Interview a friend who participates in a social network site and write a
paragraph or two about how social network sites have played a role in your
friend’s life. Anonymity is fine.
Fri, 10/12
Reading:
 WM “Essay Exams” p. 487-493
Film: The Social Network
WEEK NINE
Tues, 10/16 Finish Film and prepare for Midterm Exam Essay #1 (next class)
Timed essay writing strategies
ESSAY 3 DUE Visual Evaluation Essay (2 ½ - 3 pages)
Thu, 10/18
Midterm Exam #1: Timed Film Response (2 – 2 ½ pages)
This is a timed exam that includes MLA questions as well as an essay response to
a question about the film.
WEEK TEN
Mon, 10/22 Causal Arguments
*LS
Reading:
 EAA Chapter 11 “Causal Arguments” p. 335-372
Class Activity #9: Group Discussion of EAA Response Question #1 p. 363
HM #9: EAA Response Questions #1 and 2, p. 363 (for #1, look up as much info
as you can find so you can discuss it in class)
Wed, 10/24
Causal Arguments: Privacy
Reading:
 EAA “A Friend of a Friend” and “One in Five” p. 669-674
HW # 10: EAA Response Questions #4 and 6 (create a multimedia argument), p.
675
Class Activity #10: Present your multimedia argument about digital privacy
Fri, 10/26
Causal Arguments – Continue Activities & Discussion
ESSAY 4 DUE Argument of Definition (3 ½ - 4 pages)
ENGL 101/Gempeler
WEEK ELEVEN
Tues, 10/30 Causal Arguments: Religion in Public Life
Reading:
 EAA “More Religion” p. 858-863
HW #11: EAA Response Questions #1, 2, 3, and 4, p. 863-864
Discussion
Thu, 11/1
Causal Arguments: Religion in Public Life
Reading:
 EAA “Evangelicalism Rebounds in Academe” p. 865-871
Class Activity #11: Group Work – Discuss reading and Response Questions #1,
2, 3, and 4 p. 870
WEEK TWELVE
Mon, 11/5
Causal Arguments: Diversity on Campus
*LS
Reading:
 EAA “In Defense of Intellectual Diversity” p. 922-927
Introduction to Causal Essay (6 – 7 pages DUE 11/27)
Wed, 11/7
Fri, 11/9
Causal Arguments: Diversity on Campus
Reading:
 EAA “The Trojan Horse of a Dark Design” p. 929-934, and “The Trouble
with Diversity” p. 963-969
HW #12: EAA Response Questions #1 and 3 p. 927-928, #1 and 4 p. 934, and
#1 and 4 p. 969
Causal Arguments: Diversity in Action
Documentary – Lemon Grove Incident
WEEK THIRTEEN
Wed, 11/14 Causal Arguments: Diversity in Action
Class Activity #12: Small Group Discussion of Film – What are the
causes/effects of racial/cultural bias?
Fri, 11/16
HW #13: Bring Causal Thesis and Outline to class
Class Activity # 13: Writing Workshop – Causal Essay Thesis and Outline
Introduce Research Paper (DUE 12/13)
WEEK FOURTEEN
THANKSGIVING BREAK (11/19—11/23)
WEEK FIFTEEN
Tues, 11/27 Research Proposal
Reading:
ENGL 101/Gempeler
 EAA Chapter 12 “Proposals” p. 373-414
ESSAY 4 DUE Causal Essay (6 – 7 pages)
Thu, 11/29
HW #14: Research ONE topic and bring to class two articles found online and
two articles found through a library database.
Class Activity #14: Working with documents/research
WEEK SIXTEEN
Mon, 12/3
Continue working with documents/research
*LS
Wed, 12/5
Research Proposal
Reading:
 WM Chapter 12 “Planning a Research Project” p. 210-221 and Chapter 16
“Writing the Research Project p. 282-295
HW #15: Create a Works Cited page for the FOUR articles from HW #14
Class Activity #15: Group Work – Creating a Collaborative Proposal Argument
Research Essay
Fri, 12/7
Continue Activities & Discussion
WEEK SEVENTEEN
Tues, 12/11 Class Activity #16: Writing Workshop—Research paper
HW #16: Bring to Class TWO copies of your Research paper
Thu, 12/13
Writing Workshop cont.– Research Paper
ESSAY 4 DUE Research Essay (8-10 pages)
Final Exam Prep
WEEK EIGHTEEN
Mon, 12/17 FINAL EXAMINATION: Timed Response to Film (2 – 2 ½ pages)
This is a timed exam that includes MLA questions as well as an essay response to
a question about the film Having Our Say.