English 1101 Composition ~ Syllabus for Fall 2009

Dr. Anna Dunlap Higgins ~ Academic 103L ~ (678) 359-5095 ~  a_higgins@gdn.edu

Office Hours:  MWF 8:30-9:00; M 11-2; W 11-12:30; TR 8:30-9:30

The Small Print Stuff:  Students enrolled in this course must meet the Regents Test requirements; register for the test by August 19th  ~ On my web page, you will find this syllabus and other materials.  I will announce in class when I post something new or make an alteration to our schedule—though no change to the major dates given today will occur unless we as a class have discussed the matter.  You may access Faculty Web Pages from the Gordon Home Page through the Quick Links menu.  Please note that you will also need to check your Gordon email for messages from me. If you do not have a computer at home, you will need to plan your schedule so that you can often use one on campus.  Unless previously approved by me, I accept no work via email.

 

 

Course Objectives

The Humanities Department requires that students who successfully complete English 1101 meet four important goals:  the literacy objective is that students must read, comprehend, and respond to college-level writing; the critical thinking objective is that students should develop or improve their ability to engage in synthesis, to reflect on the composition process and product, and to inquire into questions both personal and social; the process objective is that students should develop or improve their ability to recognize and apply complex writing processes, including the synthesis of primary and/or secondary texts; and the product objective is that students should develop or improve their ability to produce an organized, coherent, and developed essay demonstrating a mastery of Standard Written English and MLA format. We will achieve these goals via a Lit/Comp focus because stronger readers make stronger thinkers and stronger writers. 

 

Course Components ~Assessment & Evaluation

■Participation Grade:  Quizzes + Homework + Attendance + Reader’s Journal      10%

■In-Class Micro Movie Analysis (Narrative +Comparison/Contrast)                        10%

■In-Class Micro Literary Analysis (Definition)                                                         10%

■Practice Regents Essay (Argument)                                                                         20%

■Out-Of-Class Literary Analysis (Classification)                                                      25%

■Final Exam Essay (Literary Argument)                                                                    25%

 

Texts & Materials 

Our texts are the Prentice Hall Reference Guide, 6th edition and Henderson et al Literature and Ourselves: A Thematic Introduction for Readers and Writers, 6th edition.  You will also need pens (blue or black), loose-leaf paper, and materials for class notes and homework/Reader’s Journal. 

 

Policies & Etcetera

A.    Eligibility     In order to take this course, you must have exempted or successfully completed Learning Support English and Reading and the Compass. Ineligible students will be dropped from the roll. 

B.  Attendance & Make Ups    I strongly believe that there is a connection between

student success and dedication to classes that meet in person, so I give 10 points per day

for attendance.  If you are absent, you simply do not receive that day’s points.  I also see

your registering for this class as indicating that you can attend it, so I ask you to

write brief notes on the attendance sheet if you are ever late or absent explaining what

happened. Of course, “life happens,” so let’s now talk about make up work.  Homework

checks, rough drafts, quizzes, and in-class papers may be made up under the following

conditions:  you miss deadline only once or twice  all term, the schedule allows for a

make up, and you are prepared the very next day for hand in or retake.  Points will be

deducted for tardiness, leaving early, or any inappropriate behavior at my discretion. If

you miss 15% of the class days, you will not be allowed to make up anything.  Please be

advised that you are responsible for all information, changes, and requirements discussed

 in class, whether or not you are present.  This isn’t high school; if you miss a class, talk

 with at least one classmate. Gordon College requires that all English Composition

 students attend their written Final Exam at the scheduled time. 

C.  Out-of-Class Paper     I expect you to turn in this paper on its due date.  Unless you and I have discussed the matter beforehand, the late paper will either not be accepted or will receive a late penalty.      

D.  Conduct & Academic Misconduct     Please treat other students and me as you would have us treat you.  If you disrupt the learning of others, you will chat with me privately; if problems continue, you will chat with the Dean. You must also follow all college-mandated policies about academic conduct and academic honesty or risk an F for the term and a visit to the Dean’s Office.

E.  Numerical equivalents     The numerical equivalents for our grades are A+ 97; A 94; A- 90; B+ 87; B 84; B- 80; C+ 77: C 74; C- 70; D+ 67; D 64; D- 60; F is 59 and down, at my discretion or with Chair input.

F. Issues of an Advisement nature     Withdraws after Midterm receive a WF.  This term’s midterm date is October 8th.  Early registration opens Novemeber 2nd—watch your email/snailmail for correspondence from the Registrar and your advisor.

G. Special Accommodations     If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must first see Mrs. Kristina Henderson, Student Counselor.  Her office is on the second floor of the Student Center (678/359-5585).


Dr. Higgins’ Paper Evaluation Scale

 

A        

1.         Exceptional structure w/ no flaws in focus

2.         Beyond required relevant development

3.         Excellent mechanics (no major errors & few or no minors)

4.         Clear wording that also exhibits strong style (varied sentence structures, patterns, types, and lengths; lively yet careful punctuation; & appropriate yet thought-provoking word choices)

5.         Deeply provocative relevant content

 

B        

1.         Solid structure w/ no or few flaws in focus

2.         Required relevant development

3.         Strong mechanics (1 or 2 majors only and/or few minors)

4.         Clear wording that also exhibits good style (varied sentence structures, patterns, types, and lengths; lively yet careful punctuation; & appropriate yet thought-provoking word choices)

5.         Provocative relevant content

 

C         

1.         Good structure w/ perhaps a slight to somewhat substantial flaw

2.         Required relevant development, or a sentence under

3.         Solid mechanics (no more than 3 majors and/or few/some minors)

4.         Clear wording with some style, occasional awkwardness or weakness

5.         Content may be provocative in places, but not in others

 

D         

1.         Weak structure

2.         Under required development by two sentences

3.         Weak mechanics (4 or 5 majors and/or too many minors)

4.         Awkward wording and/or weak word choices and style

5.         Content may be provocative in places, but not in others

 

F         

1.         Serious structural error(s) 

2.         Unacceptable development

3.         Unacceptable error count (+five majors)

4.         Style may be brilliant or dull

5.         Content may be provocative or brain numbing

 

The Dr. H Code:  Please note the following codes/abbreviations.  RO (run on), CS (comma

 splice), Frag (fragment), S/V (subject/verb error), GR (nonstandard language usage), Sp (spelling error), ME (major

 error), WW (wrong word), WC (word choice questionable), RW (regents warning), DM/MM/FP (dangling

 modifier, misplaced modifier, faulty predication), Wdg (weak wording), TS (Thesis statement), ts (topic sentence),

 AQ (addressing the question), DEV (development/under sentence count).

Reader’s Journal Reading List

 

Directions:       In 1101 we use the Introduction and the first three units (Family, Men & Women,  and Vulnerability) of Literature and Ourselves.  For each Reader’s Journal entry, list the author’s last name, the title of the text, and the journal entry number (the total for the semester is 31 entries).  Next, provide answers to the questions about theme located in the “Questions for Engagement, Response and Analysis” Reader’s Boxes found in the Introduction.  Make sure to select the appropriate reader’s box for the genre:  essay (page 8), fiction/short story (page 13), poetry (page 17), or drama (page 21).  The Journal will be graded for thoroughness and effort, not “right” or “wrong” answers.  You would be wise to begin right away!  Also, notice which texts we’ll talk about in class because that may make your Reader’s Journal work easier.

 

Unit                  Genre                                                              Number Required

Family

                        Essays                                                             Choose two (2)

                        Fiction                                                             Choose four (4; including Cisneros)

                        Poetry                                                              Choose five (5)

                        Drama                                                             Choose this one OR the one in Men & Women OR the one in Vulnerability                               

Men & Women

                        Essays                                                             Choose two (2)

                        Fiction                                                             Choose four (4)

                        Poetry                                                              Choose five (5)

                        Drama                                                             Choose this one OR the one in Family OR the one in Vulnerability  

 

Vulnerability

                        Essays                                                             Choose two (2)

                        Fiction                                                             Choose three (3)

                        Poetry                                                              Choose five (5)

                        Drama                                                             Choose this one OR the one in Family OR the one in Vulnerability