English 1102: Composition II
Spring 2014
CRN: 414 Section C1 112 Academic Building MWF 8:00-8:50 Blue
CRN: 415 Section D 207 Academic Building
MWF 9:00-9:50 Green
Dr. LaRonda Sanders-Senu
Office: 103G Academic Building
Office Hours: MW 10:00-1:00 and TR 11:00-1:00
Phone: 678-359-5444
Email: lsanders-senu@gordonstate.edu
Website: http://www.gordonstate.edu/Faculty/lsanders-senu/
Welcome
Greetings and welcome to Composition II. If you take full advantage of this course, it can be of infinite value to you. No matter what
your major or ultimate career plans, you will never be able to escape writing. Learning to present organized, well-reasoned arguments
is a skill that will be of great benefit to you throughout your life. The ability to support arguments with thoughtful and thorough
scholarship will also be beneficial in both your academic and professional careers. This course will involve a great deal of discussion,
presentation of different perspectives, peer activities, reading, and research. Ultimately, it can be as enjoyable and beneficial as you
make it. This is an environment where we will all learn from each other and I am very excited about this semester.
Course Description
A composition course emphasizing interpretation and evaluation that incorporates a variety of advanced research methods
Course Objectives:
1. Students will be able to conduct independent research in a variety of disciplines and evaluate that research to
produce informed, thoughtful contributions to scholarly and professional issues.
2. Students will be able to craft their writing to suit a variety of audiences and rhetorical purposes in both electronic
and traditional formats.
3. Students will be able to apply critical thinking concepts such as inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, and moral
reasoning to their own texts and to the texts of others.
4. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate their own texts and the texts of others for tone, style, purpose,
audience, and errors of logic.
5. Students will be able to evaluate and synthesize a variety of primary and secondary resources with their own
thinking to create structured, persuasive, and sustained arguments.
Prerequisite
In order to be eligible to enroll in English 1102, students must have been exempted from or earned at least a C in English 1101
Required Texts
Selected Texts on my website (http://www.gordonstate.edu/Faculty/lsanders-senu/) and Desire2Learn will serve as texts. Students
will be responsible for reading, printing out, and bringing to class material from either my website or Desire2Learn as indicated on the
syllabus or by the instructor. I have not assigned a reading textbook for this class. This means that the material that is online is your
textbook. If you will not be able to print out materials and bring them to class, this is not the course for you. I reserve the right to
ask students to leave who do not have their reading material with them in class. (You will also need to purchase a folder with pockets
that will be used to submit final papers and supplemental material.)
Prentice Hall Reference Guide 8th Edition, Muriel Harris, Jennifer L. Kunka ( Boston: Prentice Hall 2011) ISBN-13: 978-0-20578231-4
Grading
General Scale
A = 100—90
B =89.9— 80
Paper Scale
A = 95 A- = 92 B+ = 88
F = 58 and so on.
C = 79.9—70
B = 85
D= 69.9—60
B- = 82
F = 59 and below*
C+ = 78
C = 75
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C- = 72 D+ = 68 D= 65 D- = 62
Homework and Class Work Grading Scale
√+ = A (100-90) √ = B (85) √- = C (75)
√- - = D (65)
NC= No Credit
Assignments
Paper One: In-Class Rhetorical Analysis
Paper Two: Newspaper Research Paper
Paper Three: In-Class Analysis of a Scholarly Text and Argument
Group Annotated Bibliography and Presentation
Paper Four: Argumentative Research Paper
Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
Participation, Homework, Class work, and Quizzes
10%
15%
15%
15%
20%
10%
15%
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, I will only discuss grade information with students in person. Grades are
calculated on a percentage basis. Therefore, it would be inaccurate for me to speculate about a student’s overall grade until the end of
the semester. There is a worksheet on the website designed to help students to estimate their own grades. Also, I will not discuss
specific absence information over email.
Outside of Class Paper Guidelines
 All papers should be double spaced and stapled
with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New
Roman font.

Make sure you print your papers in advance to
avoid tardiness and late papers due to printing
problems or other technological issues.

Papers are due at the beginning of class; all
papers that are not handed in at the beginning
of class are considered one day late.

Six points will be deducted for each calendar
day the paper is late.

Peer Review is a required activity that is
beneficial to both you and your classmates.
Absence on peer review day, incomplete drafts,
and inadequate peer reviews will result in a sixpoint deduction from your paper grade.


I do not accept papers via email.

Late Peer Review, class work, and homework
will not be accepted.
Turn in all preliminary work inside a folder
with final drafts (Including First Drafts, Peer
Review Drafts, outlines, and any other
supplemental materials that have been
assigned.) It is the student’s responsibility to
keep up with supplemental assignments and to
include them in your folder. I will not list, for
each assignment, what needs to be in the folder;
students should know that everything, with the
exception of sources, should be in the folder.
In-Class Paper Guidelines
The division requires a portion of your grade to be based on in-class writing. To fulfill that requirement, students will be required to
write two in-class papers. The topics of those papers will be announced in advance. Only authorized material is allowed during the
writing process. Students are not allowed to draft the paper or write any portion of the paper outside of class. I will treat all drafts of
the paper that are written outside of class, in whole or in part, as violations of academic integrity. Students who violate this rule will
receive a zero on the paper.
I will grade these papers with the same rigor as papers written outside of the classroom. They should reflect students’ skills as writers.
They should be fully developed. They should include an introduction, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion. They should
adhere to MLA guidelines and contain sufficient analysis. These papers should be written in print, skipping lines between each line of
text. Illegible portions will negatively impact your grade. Use blue or black ink. Students should bring sufficient paper or a bluebook
to class. Students will have approximately fifty minutes to write both papers. Students who are late on in-class writing days will not
get additional time to complete the assignment. Students who miss the in-class writing assignment will only be able to make it up if
they have a legitimate excuse. I reserve the right to decide if an excuse is legitimate or not. A ten-point deduction will be assessed if
a student is allowed to makeup the in-class paper within a two week period. If the paper is not made up within a two week period, the
student, even with a legitimate excuse, will not be allowed to makeup the assignment.
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Revisions
Students will have the option to revise either Paper Two or Paper Three. The revision will be due at the beginning of class two weeks
after the paper is returned, no exceptions not excuses. I will not accept revisions that are not submitted by the start of class two weeks
after the paper is returned. All revised papers should be typed, printed out and submitted in person. These papers should be substantial
revisions of the previous assignment, not just topical revisions that reflect surface level changes. Because this is a revision
opportunity, my comments on the revised paper will not be as extensive as my comments on the initial assignment.
Group Annotated Bibliography and Presentation
The Analysis of a Scholarly Text and Argument will be preceded by a group annotated bibliography and presentation that will be
based on the same text that you will use to write your individual paper. More information about this assignment will be forthcoming.
Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
The Argumentative Research Paper will be preceded by a Proposal and Annotated Bibliography, which states your intended focus,
discusses the debate, and reflects your preliminary research.
Participation
In order to earn an average participation grade (in the C range), you must fulfill five basic requirements:
1. Arrive on time
2. Be ready to discuss readings when called on
3. Be prepared with the book or readings in class
4. Complete class work and have homework completed
5. Listen respectfully
To earn a B, you must consistently fulfill requirements 1-5, and:
1. Volunteer questions or points of interest from readings to generate discussion
2. Willingly offer ideas in class; make sure your contributions are topical and thoughtful
To earn an A, you must consistently fulfill the above criteria and:
1. Show leadership in class discussions (break uncomfortable silences; respond to open-ended questions; challenge received
opinions; ask difficult questions)
2. Respond to other students’ ideas (not just mine) by asking questions or building on their points
You will receive a failing participation grade if you are excessively and/or frequently: (1) tardy; (2) unprepared for class; (3)
disruptive during class; or (4) occupied with activities other than those related to English. Please remember to turn off all cell phones
and to be respectful of other students and the instructor during discussions or lectures.
At the end of the session, you will receive a grade for all of the homework and class work that you have submitted. (All class work,
homework, and quizzes will be averaged together to form that grade.) You will also receive a grade that is based on my perception of
your participation in the course. These two grades will be averaged and reflect your final participation grade.
Attendance
Students may have up to six absences without penalty. All absences are considered the same, whether the absence is due to a
legitimate illness, a family emergency, or a desire to have an early weekend. No excuse is necessary for absences one through six.
Each subsequent absence (after six) will result in a six point deduction from the student’s final grade. NO EXCEPTIONS. Use your
absences wisely. You are responsible for all material missed. If you are absent, you are welcome to visit me during my next
scheduled office hours. I am happy to discuss material, but I will not re-teach all of the material that was covered during your
absence.
Please Do NOT come late to class. I understand that sometimes late arrival is unavoidable; however, chronic tardiness will adversely
impact your grade. Attendance will be called at the beginning of each class. Students who arrive after I have called roll must sign in
after class. If a student fails to sign in immediately after class, he or she will not be afforded that opportunity later. If chronic
tardiness occurs, I will begin to close the classroom door after I take roll. Students who are not inside the classroom when I close the
door should not enter the classroom. He or she will be marked absent for that class period. Three tardies will result in one absence.
Students who miss fifteen or more minutes of class will be counted absent for that class period.
You will have two out of class face-to-face conferences this semester. Conferences are required, and you will be informed in advance.
I expect you to be on time and prepared. Face-to-face conferences are held in my office. Failure to attend an individual conference
will count as three absences.
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Academic Integrity
The 2013-2014 Gordon State College Academic Catalog states that
Plagiarism is prohibited. It is assumed that the written work submitted for evaluation and credit is the student's own unless
appropriately acknowledged. Such acknowledgment should occur whenever one directly quotes another person's actual
words, appropriates another's ideas, opinions, or theories even when they are paraphrased, and whenever one borrows facts,
statistics, or other illustrative materials unless the information is common knowledge. (318)
Be mindful of this in your academic work. Academic integrity is a serious matter.
Types of Plagiarism:
Lack of Citation- Quotations that do not have proper citation or quotations that do not have accurate citation information.
Inadequate Paraphrase- A paraphrase that shares the same sentence structure and word choice with the original text
(Quotation), a paraphrase that changes the meaning of the original text, or a paraphrase that is not properly cited.
Patchwork Plagiarism- A text that is comprised, either entirely or in part, of improperly cited material from multiple
sources.
Wholesale Plagiarism- A text that is submitted by a student that is comprised of work that was written by someone other
than the student. This includes papers or sections of papers that are taken from the internet, purchased, retrieved from
reference books ,or written by an acquaintance, friend, or family member.
Self-Plagiarism-A text, either in its entirety or in part, that was written by the student and submitted for another course (or
the same course).
Using Unauthorized Material for In-Class Papers- Any drafts of papers, portions of papers, or other unauthorized material
that is used during in-class paper assignments is considered plagiarism.
Collusion- A text with which a student receives so much help from others that the assignment can no longer be considered a
valid representation of the student’s work. This includes excessive help from friends, family members, tutors, or other
classmates. All work should be an indication of the student’s ability. I reserve the right to refuse to accept an assignment
that reflects collusion between a student and any other person.
At my discretion, the penalty for plagiarism of any type may range from a lower grade, to a zero on the assignment, to a failure of the
course. I will inform the Vice President of Student Affairs of cases of plagiarism. Egregious instances of plagiarism or repeated
instances of plagiarism will result in referral to the Academic Judicial Committee. Please review the Student Code of Conduct.
ADA Services:
To qualify for ADA Services, you must see Counseling Services. Contact Counseling Services at 678-359-5585 if you have any
questions.
Friendly Note
Please ask if there is ever anything that you do not understand. Please come during my office hours or make an appointment with me. I am here to
help, and I want to help! I would also encourage you to utilize the Students Success Center, which is located in room 235 of the Student Center. The
tutoring staff there can help you in most of your courses. ( http://www.gdn.edu/successcenter/ )
Students are responsible for all written and verbal material that I introduce in class, post on the website, send through email, and place on
Desire2Learn. Make sure that you check your Gordon email frequently. I will use your gordonstate.edu address to communicate frequently.
Students are expected to always follow the schedule without being prompted by the professor, unless notified of specific changes.
I do not respond to emails after 5:00 pm or on weekends. If I do respond via email during those times, you should consider it a courtesy. I will try to
respond to all emails in a timely manner.
I will return paper grades within two weeks of submission. Please do not ask when papers will be returned prior to this two week period.
Students are required to wait at least twenty-four hours to ask questions about their paper grades. During that twenty-four hour period, students
should review both my comments and their paper to make sure that they fully understand their grade. Those questions should be asked during my
office hours.
I expect you to read the syllabus, your assignments, and any supplemental documents that I supply thoroughly. I am happy to answer any questions
that you have, but please make sure that your questions do not reflect your failure to read the materials that I supply.
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English 1102: Composition II
Spring 2014
CRN: 414 Section C1 112 Academic Building
CRN: 415 Section D 207 Academic Building
MWF 8:00-8:50
MWF 9:00-9:50
****We will discuss what is listed on the day that it is listed. Have texts read, printed, and with you.
****Schedule subject to chance with notice
****On specified days, we will meet in the Computer Lab (Academic Building 202)
Wednesday, Jan. 8 Introductions; HW: Read PH 1-29, Read Syllabus
Friday, Jan. 10 Discuss the Writing Process and Audience; HW: Read King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Read
Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” Speech
Monday, Jan. 13 Discuss Rhetorical Analysis; HW: Read President Bush’s Address to the Joint Sessions of Congress on
the 9/11 Attacks and Read Syllabus
Wednesday, Jan. 15 Discuss Bush’s Speech; HW: Begin Constructing Outline for Paper One
Friday, Jan. 17 Meet in Computer Lab, Prepare Outline; HW: Continue Preparing Outline for Paper One
Monday, Jan. 20 MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY
Wednesday, Jan. 22 Do In-Class Writing Rhetorical Analysis; HW: Review AJC Artifacts
Friday, Jan. 24 Introduce Paper Two, Do Newspaper Activity
Monday, Jan. 27 Microfilm Orientation; HW: Analyze Pittsburg Courier Artifacts
Wednesday, Jan. 29 Discuss Newspaper Artifacts; HW: Read Lytle’s Ch. 5 and 9 from America’s Uncivil Wars
Friday, Jan. 31 Discuss the 1960s and Watch Sex in 69: The Sexual Revolution in America; HW: Read Chapters 1
and 7 in Schulman’s The Seventies: The Great Shift in American Culture, Society, and Politics
Monday, Feb. 3 Discuss the 1970s and watch film; HW: Read Chapters 1 and 2 in Kallen’s A Cultural History of the
United States Through the Decades: The 1980s
Wednesday, Feb. 5 Discuss the 1980s and watch AIDS in America: A History; HW: Email me, in a MS word document,
a 200 word statement of your intended focus for Paper Two along with three thoughtful artifact log
entries by 5:00 on Feb. 7th; at least one entry should be about a visual text.
Friday, Feb. 7 Work on Artifact Log; HW: Read PH 382-399
Monday, Feb. 10 Discuss Plagiarism and Integrating Quotations Citation Exercise: Read PH 408-454 and
bring PH to class
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Citation Exercise
Friday, Feb. 14 Citation Exercise Continued, Discuss Paper Organization; HW: Do Research
Monday, Feb. 17 Meet in the Computer Lab, Historical Paper Organization Activity and Paper Workshop; HW:
Construct and Bring Outline to Conference
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Conferences
Friday, Feb. 21 Conferences; HW: Read PH 117-162 and 247-292
Monday, Feb. 24 Conferences; HW: Read PH 219-246 and 293-312, Bring PH to class
Wednesday, Feb. 26 Grammar, Style and Mechanics; HW: Finish Grammar Worksheet
Friday, Feb. 28 Grammar Workshop
Monday, Mar. 3 Peer Review, (Withdrawal Deadline)
Wednesday, Mar. 5 Paper Two Due, Discuss Academic Research, Introduce Paper Three; HW: Read Crane’s “The Blue
Hotel” and Donald Gibson’s “The Blue Hotel" and the Ideal of Human Courage”
Friday, Mar. 7 Discuss Crane and Gibson; HW: Decide which text you prefer and Read Story
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Monday, Mar. 10 SPRING BREAK
Wednesday, Mar. 12 SPRING BREAK
Friday, Mar. 14 SPRING BREAK
Monday, Mar. 17 Meet in the Computer Lab, Do Database Research, Work on Group Annotated Bibliography and
Presentation
Wednesday, Mar. 19 Meet in the Computer Lab; HW: Read Walker’s “Everyday Use” and Farrell’s “Fight vs. Flight:
Reevaluation of Dee in ‘Everyday Use’ and complete a Scholarly Article Analysis of Farrell’s text
Friday, Mar. 21 Discuss Walker and Farrell; HW: Read Hawthorne’s “Rappaccini’s Daughter”
Monday, Mar. 24 Presentation and Discuss “Rappaccini’s Daughter”; HW: Read O’Connor’s “Good Country People”
Wednesday, Mar. 26 Presentation and Discuss “Good Country People”; HW: Read James’ “Beast in the Jungle”
Friday, Mar. 28 Presentation and Discuss “Beast in the Jungle”; HW: Have Selected and Read Scholarly Article for
Paper Three
Monday, Mar. 31 Scholarly Article Analysis; HW: Work on Group Assignment
Wednesday, Apr. 2 Meet in the Computer Lab; HW: Read Behn’s Oroonoko
Friday, Apr. 4 Presentation and Discuss Oroonoko; HW: Read Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”
Monday, Apr. 7 Presentation and Discuss “The Fall of the House of Usher”; HW: Read “The Yellow Wallpaper
Wednesday, Apr. 9 Presentation and Discuss “The Yellow Wallpaper,” Group Annotated Bibliography Due; HW: Select
Your Sources
Friday, Apr. 11 Write In-Class Analysis of a Scholarly Text and Argument
Monday, Apr. 14 Meet in the Computer Lab Introduce Paper Four, Introduce Annotated Bibliography Assignment,
Conduct Database
Wednesday, Apr. 16 Computer Lab Research
Friday, Apr. 18 Work on Annotated Bibliography and Proposal Meet in Computer Lab
Monday, Apr. 21 Annotated Bibliography and Proposal Due; Research Sharing Exercise
Wednesday, Apr. 23 Conferences
Friday, Apr. 25 Conferences
Monday Apr. 28 Conferences
Wednesday, Apr. 30 Peer Review Discussion; Meet in the Computer Lab
Final Exam: Section C1 Friday, May 2, 2014 8:00-10:00
Final Exam: Section D Monday, May 5, 2014 10:15-12:15
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