English 1B: Critical Reading and Writing

Fall Semester 2000

San José State University
 
 

Professor Carolyn Sigler

Office: FO 106 Office Hours:

Phone/Voicemail: 924-4457 T-R 9:00-10:00 a.m.,

E-mail: csigler@email.sjsu.edu R 2:30-3:30

Web: http: www.sjsu.edu/faculty/csigler/ and by appointment

Class Web site: www.sjsu.edu/faculty/csigler/1B

Required Items

John Schlib and John Clifford, Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for Readers and Writers (Bedford)

Diana Hacker, Rules for Writers, 4^th ed. (Bedford)

College-level paperback dictionary (English only)

3-6 large blue exam booklets and 2 yellow exam booklets

Various popular magazines of your choice

An activated university or commercial e-mail account

Recommended Items

Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual (Bedford)

MLA Handbook, 5^th Ed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Welcome to English 1B, the second in SJSU’s two-part composition sequence. The prerequisites for this course include a passing grade on the English Placement Test (EPT) and the successful completion of English 1A with a grade of C or better. This course is designed to enhance the skills that you learned in English 1A, to help you to analyze the cultural texts you encounter every day, and to teach you to write the kind of coherent, persuasive and thoughtful essays which your professors will expect from you throughout your college career.

COURSE GOALS

1. To develop a fluency in the specific language and style of academic discourse;

2. To increase critical reading, thinking and writing skills;

3. To master the mechanics and techniques of writing including diction, sentence structure, paragraph form and overall organization;

4. To gain familiarity with a variety of research methods which will in turn be used for written assignments.

5. To explore various issues including race, class, and gender in literature and culture.
 
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING PERCENTAGES
Assignments will be evaluated in terms of a student's ability to express a focused idea clearly and persuasively. This will require a clear thesis, careful organization, appropriate diction and sentence structure, substantial support for one's points, polished expression and an awareness of one's audience. Library research will form a key component of several assignments. Course work includes reading assignments (see schedule below); two 4-5-page formal essays; a research project, which will begin with a 1-page proposal and annotated bibliography, and conclude with a 6 to 8-page formal research paper and oral presentation; three 1-hour in-class exams; a final exam; a series of short, informal writing assignments; and in-class informal assignments which will include frequent reading quizzes. Your attendance and participation in class will also affect your grade. In fact, much of the course work cannot be completed if you are not in class. Students having difficulties with specific writing and/or editing skills will be given individual assignments from Rules for Writers as needed over the length of the course.

2 out-of-class analytical essays (4-5 pages), revised and resubmitted with all drafts after editing sessions (10% each=20% of final grade).

1 research proposal (1-page) plus annotated research bibliography (5%)

1 research essay (6-8 pages) (15%) and oral presentation based on your research (5%).

3 in-class essays (5% each=15% of final grade)

Mandatory department final (20%)

Several non-essay assignments: class participation, writing workshops, quizzes, study questions, conferences, library activities, in-class and handbook writing assignments (20%).

• Out-of-class essays must use MLA format, be word-processed, free from mechanical errors, double-spaced, and printed in "best quality" using a standard 12-point font and one-inch margins.
• All essays must be completed and turned in for a student to pass the class.
• Simply turning in every assignment will not assure a passing grade?quality counts!
• Participation in class peer editing is mandatory in order to receive an "A" on any out-of-class essay. Full participation in the editing workshop requires that you bring a completed, word processed essay (which includes an introduction, a well developed body with appropriate support, and a conclusion) and attendance. You will not be given editing credit if your essay does not meet these minimum requirements.
REVISION AND LATE POLICY
Formal written assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the day in which the paper is due. Late papers will be graded down for each day they are late; papers will not be accepted later than 10 days past the due date. Students with a legitimate written excuse of an emergency that is verifiable, such as a note from your doctor, health clinic, legal subpoena, etc.can receive extensions for their papers if they contact the professor before the due date. As much of class time is devoted to the revision of essay drafts prior to their final due date, revision of graded work is allowed only in extreme cases. If you are confused or having difficulties with an assignment, use office hours or e-mail to ask about clarification before the assignment is due for peer-editing.

WRITING CENTER
After the diagnostic exam in the first week, a number of English 1B students will be referred to the Writing Center where they will enroll in the 2L class. For those students referred, regular attendance of 2L courses will be necessary for the successful completion of the 1B course. Any student is welcome to request a referral if s/he would like extra help with any aspect of writing.

FINAL EXAM
The mandatory department final exam for all English 1B students will be given on Saturday, December 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All students who normally work on weekends must arrange now to be available on this exam date.

GRADING POLICY
The following statement has been adopted by the English department for inclusion in all greensheets:

The department of English reaffirms its commitment to the differential grading scale as defined in the official SJSU catalogue ("The Grading System"). Grades issued must represent a full range of student performance: A = excellent; B = above average; C = average; D = below average; F = failure. Courses graded according to the A,, B, C, No Credit system shall follow the same pattern, except that NC (No Credit) shall replace D or F. In such classes, NC shall also substitute for W (Withdrawal) because neither grade (NC or W) affects students’ GPA.

In English 1B this scale is based on the following criteria:

• A = Excellent: The "A" essay is well organized and well developed. The paper has good topic sentences and is virtually free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Besides a clear and persuasive use of evidence and fluid transitions, an "A" essay contains a fresh insight which teaches the reader something new about the subject matter and maintains the reader's interest.
• B = Above average: The "B" essay demonstrates a good understanding of its subject, a clear and persuasive use of evidence, a certain level of ease of expression, and solid organization. However, it may contain some minor problem with mechanical flaws, organization, sentence variety, or analysis. It usually lacks the spark of originality and creativity that characterizes the insight found in an "A" essay.
• C = Average: The "C" essay makes a good attempt at all the assignment's requirements. It has a reasonable understanding of its subject matter but its ideas are frequently simplistic or over-generalized. The writing style is also more bland and repetitive than the style shown by "A" and "B" essays and it often contains a large number of flaws in grammar, punctuation, spelling and/or word choice.
• D = Below average: The "D" essay is poorly organized and generally unclear. It has inappropriate or inadequate examples, is noticeably superficial or simplistic, or contains serious mechanical and grammatical problems. A "D" essay may also reveal some misunderstanding of the assignment requirements.
• F = Failure: An "F" essay has not addressed the requirements of the assignment and is unacceptable work.


ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance is required and consists both of being in class on time, remaining for the entire class period, and being prepared with that day’s reading and writing in order to participate fully in class discussions, collaborative workshops, and in-class writings. More than four absences will likely lower your final grade in this course; furthermore, every three times you are late to class will count as an absence. In-class quizzes may not be made up; however, the lowest score will be dropped at the end of the semester. In-class essays may only be made up with prior notification and a written excuse of an emergency that is verifiable, such as a note from your doctor, health clinic, legal subpoena, etc.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The misrepresentation of another's work as one's own, whether the original work is published or not, is plagiarism and will result in a failing grade. The incident will also be reported to the dean of students for possible further action. All quotes must be enclosed in quotation marks or, when more than three lines, put in an indented block. Full citation of the original author and source must also be included. Copies of SJSU’s Policy on Academic Dishonesty are available in the office of the Dean of Student Services.

DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should register with the Disabled Student Services Department. Please advise the professor immediately of any special needs.

SCHEDULE
The reading assignments below are due on the day they are listed. This reading schedule may be slightly modified during the course of the semester, but students will be notified of any change at least one class day in advance. The pages on which you will find the daily reading assignments are listed in parentheses. You must attend class regularly in order to receive directions for the almost daily writing assignments which will accompany the daily reading assignments. Extended descriptions of the four formal papers will also be distributed in class.

    WEEK                TUESDAY                                    THURSDAY

1	8/29 WELCOME! Introduction to the class.	8/31 Diagnostic Essay Exam One (ungraded).  Bring blue book(s).
2	9/5 Making Literature Matter Chapter 1 (11-32).	9/7 Making Literature Matter Chapter 2 (43-72).
3	9/12 In-Class Essay Exam Two.  Bring blue book(s).	9/14 Making Literature Matter Chapter 7 (202-207; 221-230; 240-256). Rules for Writers sections 1c and 1d (19-23).
4	9/19 Making Literature Matter: Walker, "Everyday Use" (1420-27); Giovanni, "Legacies" (467-68); Soto, "Behind Grandma’s House" (474-75). Rules for Writers 2a-2c (23-29).	9/21 Making Literature Matter: Chapter 8 (566-574; 675-667; 1447-49). Extra Credit: Read "What Means Switch" (1109-22) and attend reading by the author, Gish Jen.
5	9/26 Conferences	9/28 Draft Editing Workshop Formal Draft of Essay One due
6	10/3 Essay One Due Begin Smoke Signals (film)	10/5 Finish Smoke Signals (film).
7	10/10 Discuss Smoke Signals; Making Literature Matter: (1016-20)	10/12 Orwell, "Shooting an Elephant" (1538-1543); Glaspell, "Trifles" (127-137)
8	10/17 Draft Editing Workshop Formal draft of Essay Two Due	10/19 Essay Two Due Library Presentation
9	10/24 Making Literature Matter: (1641-49). Rules for Writers 48a-d (367-83).	10/26 Draft Editing Workshop Formal Draft of Essay Three due.
10	10/31 Essay Three Due Rules for Writers 49-50 (384-394). Extra credit: Reading by David Sedaris.	11/2 Conferences
11	11/7 Conferences	11/9 No class: Library Work Day
12	11/14 Rules for Writers sections 51-54 (395-409).	11/16 Draft Editing Workshop Formal Draft of Essay Four due.
13	11/21 Optional Conferences	11/23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
14	11/28 Student Presentations	11/30 Student Presentations
15	12/5 In-class Essay Exam Three (practice final). Essay Four due.	12/7 Preparation for Department Final Exam
16	FINAL EXAM: Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. Bring yellow exam booklet(s).

CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO CLASS HANDOUTS
 

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES FOR WRITING AND RESEARCH
 

Textbook Sites

• Schlib's and Clifford's Making Literature Matter homepage
• Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers homepage

Research Tools

Bedford's Literary Links

Interactive tutorials on using the internet and other electronic resources

Resources for developing research skills

Diana Hacker's online guide to research and MLA documentation

TopLinks: a topical links database that guides you to the best links available on the most common writing topics.

The Online Books Page: a searchable database of about 7,000 online books.

Merriam-Webster online dictionary and thesaurus

Help With Writing

• Resources for Writers: A site with links to online dictionaries, thesauruses, grammar guides, style guides, and ESL resources
• Links to Online Writing Centers: This site provides links to many useful online writing centers across the country. Some of these sites include writing and research tools. Others have online tutoring services and writing handouts that are helpful to student writers
• Exercise Central: Exercise Central is a large collection of editing exercises available online that provide practice for mastering the skills of editing grammar, style, punctuation, and mechanics.
• Interactive Exercises for Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers:  Topics include ESL Troublespots, Grammatical Sentences, Word Choice, Punctuation, and Basic Grammar.
• Researchpaper.com: online guide to planning, writing and revising research papers.