Instructor: Cole Gelrod

Fall 2016

English Composition I

Instructor: Cole Gelrod

cgelrod@sd27j.net

303-655-8977

Room E 202
Class Page: http://27jschools.schoolwires.net/domain/530

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  This page will contain assignments, resources, and files for ENG 121
  

Meeting Times: M-F 1:35-2:25 in E 202 at Prairie View High School

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  In E 202 at Prairie View High School
  

Required Text: Ruszkiewicz, John J. and Jay T. Dolmage. How to Write Anything: A Guide and Reference with Readings. 3rd Edition. Boston: Bedford, 2015. Print.

Hello! Welcome to English Composition 1!

Course Description/Outcomes: English 121 emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a minimum of five compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive / argumentative writing. The course is one of the statewide Guaranteed Transfer courses. 45 Contact Hours. Prerequisite: ACT English score of 18 or higher; placement in to English 121 via the Accuplacer test; or, completion of 11th grade English with a B or higher and 3.0 unweighted GPA.

1. 
   Plan, write and revise multi-paragraph compositions that not only demonstrate competence in the following, but also function as an integrated whole: generating and exploring ideas; writing for a variety of purposes and audiences; and focusing and developing a thesis by exploring a variety of appropriate organizational strategies;
   

2. 
   Practice critical/logical thinking and reading skills – such as evaluation, analysis, synthesis and criticism – through written assignments that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing;
   

3. 
   Practice critical reading skills;
   

4. 
   Use accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling and will choose diction and usage appropriate to their writing purposes and audiences.
   

After completing Composition I, students should be able to 1) use the skills of critical thinking to analyze a document’s audience and purpose; 2) use the skills of problem solving, creative thinking, and written communication better to research, draft, revise and complete a college-level essay; 3) use the skills of effective oral communication to evaluate their peers’ essays, as well as essays from the reader; and 4) use the skills of ethical leadership, social responsibility, and global awareness to identify and engage in ethically and socially responsible written communication.

Attendance policy: Attendance is essential to class discussions, writers’ conferences, and understanding class material. Be aware: you may not make up missed in-class quizzes and assignments. You are allowed three (3) absences for emergencies, illness, etc. There are no excused or unexcused absences, so be careful with the three absences, and use them for unavoidable problems. Each absence after the first three will result in a 10% deduction from your Participation grade. More than 6 absences may result in failing the class.

Expectations and responsibilities for students:

Students should come to class prepared. Bring textbooks and writing tools each time. If we are going to work on drafts together, bring a draft. Failure to do so may lower the grade on that essay and your Participation grade. Read assignments on time so that you can participate in class discussions and exercises and succeed on quizzes, which may or may not be announced in advance. Quizzes are in-class assignments only and may not be made up later. Papers should be turned in on time with any drafts requested in order to receive full credit. Papers are due on the date and time assigned. Papers turned in one day late, without prior approval, will be assessed a deduction of 50%. Papers turned in past one day late will not be accepted for credit. If you are having trouble with an assignment and worry that it will not be completed on time, speak with the instructor before the assignment is due. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, the assignment still must be turned in on time. Small group discussions and question/answer sessions will occur almost daily, and you will not be able to participate fully without having done the reading. Participation in these groups is part of your grade. Quizzes will also be given to make sure you are keeping up with the reading.
Students with a disability or in need of support services are encouraged to contact the learning resources and support programs on each campus to arrange for accommodations and support services. The link to the learning resources and support programs is: http://www.frontrange.edu/Current-Students/Learning-Resources-and- Support-Programs/

and the link to the disability services support information is:

http://www.frontrange.edu/being-a- student/disability-services.
Classroom civility:

Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and respectful of the instructor and fellow students. Students are prohibited from using cell phones or sending or receiving text messages; cell phones and messaging devices should be placed turned off or on vibrate and in backpacks, purses, or pockets during class. If you are reading or sending texts or answering a cell phone, you will be asked to leave class and will be counted absent. Laptops may be used during class lectures to take notes only. If you are surfing the net, sending email, or working on assignments for another class, you will be asked to turn your computer off. Computers may not be used during group discussions or writers’ workshops and should remain closed during these times. Students are also prohibited from making offensive remarks, or engaging in other distracting or inappropriate behavior. Offensive or distracting behavior or language will result in, minimally, a request to leave class

Our college is committed to preserving a safe and welcoming educational environment for all students. As part of this effort, I have an obligation to report certain issues relating to the health and safety of campus community members. I must report to the appropriate college officials any allegation of discrimination or harassment. Sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and sexual exploitation, is considered a form of discrimination. In addition to reporting all discrimination and harassment claims, I must report all allegations of dating violence or domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and/or credible threats of harm to yourself or others. Such reports may trigger contact from a college official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like more information, you may reach the Title IX/EO Coordinator by emailing Paul.Meese@frontrange.edu or calling 303-678- 3707. Reports to law enforcement can be made with the local law enforcement agency or you may contact the campus security office at:

Boulder County Campus – 303-678- 3911

Larimer County Campus – 970-204- 8124

Westminster Campus – 303-404- 5411

If you would like a confidential resource, please contact Paul Meese, FRCC Executive Director of Human Resources. Further information may be found on the college’s web site at: http://www.frontrange.edu/being-a- student/campus-safety.

Plagiarism: Presenting another’s work or ideas as your own, even if you paraphrase or summarize the information in your own words, is dishonest. Plagiarized work will be given a grade of zero (0). Other types of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to buying or downloading essays from the internet, re-submitting work that was used in another class, revising or rewriting someone else’s essay or using their notes, outlines, or research to write a paper. Along with the zero, this behavior will be reported to FRCC and may result in penalties up to and including being removed from the course. From the FRCC Student Handbook:

Plagiarizing, cheating, or committing any other form of academic misconduct including, but not limited to, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of information, and/or helping someone else violate reasonable standards for academic behavior. Students who engage in any type of academic dishonesty are subject to both academic consequences as determined by the instructor and to disciplinary action as outlined in the Front Range Community College disciplinary procedures.

Grades: Grades will be based on the following: Writing Assignments: 80%

Classwork/Homework: 10%

Participation: 10%
Grade will be based on percentage of total points possible; remember that each absence over three will result in a 10% deduction from the Participation grade and that exceeding 6 absences will result in failing the course. Also, to earn credit you must achieve a grade of a C or higher:

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

below 60 = F

(Subject to adjustment)

9/6 – Last day to Drop the course

11/19 – Last day to Withdraw from the course

12/12 – Last day of class

12/15 – Final grades submitted

Week	Focus	Reading	Writing
1 8/19-8/26	Intro to Course & Writing Crash Course	TBD	Writing Memoir Reading Memoir
2 8/29-9/2	Narratives	Ch. 1, Ch. 27, Ch. 39 “The Pink Floyd Night School,” “Check. Mate?” “The Loser’s Club”	Draft Linear Narrative
3 9/6-9/9	Narratives	Ch. 39, Ch. 38 Persepolis excerpt, “Strange Tools”	Draft your Narrative *Narrative
4 9/12-9/16	Reports	Ch. 19, Ch. 2, Ch. 26	List of Research Q’s Develop Thesis Question
5 9/19-9/23	Reports	Part 7, Ch. 11 “Inner and Outer Beauty,” “The Running Shoe Debate”	List of Resources *Annotated Bibliography
6 9/26-9/30	Reports	Part 5 “How Laws are Made”	Draft Report *Report
7 10/3-10/7	Arguments	Ch. 3, Ch. 22, Ch. 35-37 “Stop Asking Me My Major,” “Play ‘Free Bird’,” “Duke’s Sexist Sexual Misconduct Policy”	Argument Idea Topics Claim for an Argumnet
8 10/10-10/14	Arguments	“Visualizing the BP Oil Spill Disaster”	Research Worksheet Outline for Arg. Essay Intro Paragraph
9 10/17-10/21	Arguments	Ch. 31, Ch. 33	Draft of Arg. Essay *Argument Essay
10 10/24-10/28	Evaluations	Ch. 4, Ch. 19, Ch. 25, Ch. 44 “Looking at the iPad,” “Stomping onto Broadway”	Brainstorm Eval. Items Evaluate one Item Complete reading lit. analysis book
11 10/31-11/4	Evaluations	Ch. 45-46, Ch. 48 “A Word from My Anti-Phone Soapbox”	Presentation on Local Evals. Bring Text to Class Draft Eval.
12 11/7-11/11	Evaluations	Review Ch. 38-39	Revised Drafts *Evaluation Essay
13 11/14-11/17	Literary Analysis	Ch. 7, Ch. 22 “Show Musical Good,” “Insanity: Two Women”	Annotate Sources
N/A	Thanksgiving Break
14 11/28-12/2	Literary Analysis	Ch. 26-28, Review 45, 46, 48 “Authentic Beauty”	Develop a Thesis Intro & Outline
15 12/5-12/12	Literary Analysis	Part 4	Draft of Lit. Analysis Revise *Literary Analysis Essay Presentation of Lit. Analysis

*indicates Writing Assignments – All Writing Assignments will be due on the Monday after the numbered week