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Required Texts and Supplies

• The Brief Bedford Reader, 9th ed., X. J. Kennedy & Dorothy M. Kennedy & Jane E. Aaron, paperback, ISBN 0312433182 [Companion Web site]
• A college-level dictionary approved by the instructor
• An email account and computer access to the Internet

Weekly Syllabus

(Subject to revision to meet changing conditions, or at the discretion of the instructor)
Download Academic Calendar 2006-2007 (PDF)

Week 1: 8/16-8/18

• Transition week

• Introduction: course philosophy, requirements, texts, etc.
• Go over syllabus and expectations for class
• HW: Buy textbook; read introduction and ch. 1, pp. 1-30

Week 3: 8/28-9/1

• Discuss Reading Critically
• HW: Read ch. 2, pp. 31-47


• Discuss Writing Effectively
• HW: Read ch. 3, pp. 49-72

Week 4: 9/4-9/8

• Discuss Using and Documenting Sources
• HW: Read ch. 4, pp. 75-86


• Talk about Narration
• HW: Read "Champion of the World" pp. 88-93 and "Fish Cheeks" pp. 94-98; begin work on Narration Essay

Week 5: 9/11-9/15

• Discuss Angelou and Tan essays
• HW: Read "The Chase" pp. 99-104


• Discuss Dillard essay
• HW: Read "Indian Education" pp. 105-113; finish work on Narration Essay

• Narration Essay due
• Discuss Alexie essay
• HW: Read ch. 5, pp. 117-125


• Talk about Description
• HW: Read "Arm Wrestling with My Father" pp. 126-133 and "Shooting Dad" pp. 134-143; begin work on Description Essay

Week 7: 9/25-9/29

• Discuss Manning and Vowell essays
• HW: Read "Silent Dancing" pp. 144-154


• Discuss Cofer essay
• HW: Read "Fly-Fishing for Doctors" pp. 155-159; finish work on Description Essay

Week 8: 10/2-10/6

• Description Essay due
• Discuss Canin essay
• HW: Read ch. 6, pp. 163-169


• Talk about Example
• HW: Read "On Compassion" pp. 171-175 and "Homeless" pp. 176-180; begin work on Example Essay

10/9: Columbus Day

Week 9: 10/9-10/13

• Guest lectures by Dasan Ahanu, Visiting Artist-in-Residence
  "Writing Personal Experience"
  Learning language and personal expression through spoken word poetry

Week 10: 10/16-10/20

• Discuss Ascher and Quindlen essays
• HW: Read "Black Men and Public Space" pp. 181-187


• Discuss Staples essay
• HW: Read "Signs" pp. 188-195; finish work on Example Essay

Week 11: 10/23-10/27

• Example Essay due
• Discuss Sanders essay
• HW: Read ch. 7, pp. 199-207


• Talk about Comparison and Contrast
• HW: Read "Neat People vs. Sloppy People" pp. 209-214 and "Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out" pp. 215-219; begin work on Comparison and Contrast Essay

Week 12: 10/30-11/3

• Discuss Britt and Barry essays
• HW: Read "Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts" pp. 220-226


• Discuss Catton essay
• HW: Read "Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa" pp. 227-234; finish work on Comparison and Contrast Essay

Week 13: 11/6-11/10

• Comparison and Contrast Essay due
• Discuss Sedaris essay
• HW: Read ch. 8, pp. 237-244


• Talk about Process Analysis
• HW: Read "How to Poison the Earth" pp. 246-250; begin work on Process Analysis Essay

Week 14: 11/13-11/17

• Discuss Saukko essay
• HW: Read "How You Became You" pp. 251-256


• Discuss Bryson essay
• HW: Read "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" pp. 257-267

Week 15: 11/20-11/24

• Discuss Mitford essay
• HW: Read "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" pp. 268-277


• Discuss Miner essay
• HW: Finish work on Process Analysis Essay

Week 16: 11/27-12/1

• Process Analysis Essay due
• Final exam review

12/4-8: Final Exams

Grading

• Narration Essay: 10%
• Description Essay: 10%
• Example Essay: 10%
• Comparison and Contrast Essay: 20%
• Process Analysis Essay: 20%
• Final Exam: 15%
• Quizzes, responses, homework, participation: 15%

Course Descriptions and Goals

English Composition I will emphasize the importance of expository writing, as well as writing from personal experience and turning abstract thought into coherent, correct writing. Classes will read and analyze short selections, and will be expected to use those discussions as a jumping off point in their own essay writing. Composition assignments are considered a process, and students are required to use a word processor for composition and revision.

Everyday activities in this class will focus on reading, discussion, critical thinking, and essay writing. Reading assignments may be followed by in-class written responses or quizzes (not listed on the syllabus). This, anytime you have a reading assignment, you should be prepared to take a quiz or write about that reading the next day. However, the better prepared the class is for discussion at each class meeting, the less likely you are to have quizzes and in-class writing assignments at subsequent meetings.

The word "discussion" on the syllabus can refer to a number of aspects of the reading -- the content, the rhetorical approach taken, the language used, the writer's point of view, or how the information might be incorporated into your own writing. Be ready to contribute if you would like to have an enjoyable discussion session.

These discussions of readings will run parallel with lessons and exercises in the style and mechanics of writing research essays. Please pay careful attention and keep up with daily coursework, as the skill building is essential to your ability to write choerent and properly documented essays.

This course builds upon previous composition experience, and you are expected to have and demonstrate an understanding of sentence structure and grammar, but grammar issues will be addressed during workshops and as necessary to meet the general needs of the class.

Course Objectives

• To compose strong sentences and paragraphs.


• To master the art of composing literate coherent essays.


• To see writing as a mixture of critical thinking, writing technique, vocabulary and grammar, all of which are essential to strong writing.


• To construct identifiable thesis statements, topic sentences, and conclusions.


• To show support consisting of logical details and examples.


• To use sentence structure and language that are both grammatically correct and varied enough to be suitable for academic writing

Attendance and Coursework Policy

1. According to college policy, students are allowed four unexcused absences for the course. Before the midterm point, a fifth unexcused absence will result in the student being dropped from the class. After the midterm point, each further unexcused absence will result in one full point being deducted from the student's final grade. Absences that are verified as excused will not result in any penalty. Student athletes must provide a schedule of practices, away games, etc. that might interfere with their attendance in class, or any absences will count as unexcused.


2. Students are expected to be in their seats when the class starts. If you arrive over ten minutes late to class, you will be counted as tardy. Two tardies will equal one unexcused absence.


3. It is the responsibility of the student to see the instructor about make-up options if you miss in-class quizzes or tests.


4. Students are expected to turn in all work on the due date. If an assignment is going to be late, you must discuss the situation with the instructor ahead of time. Each day late that an assignment is turned in, it will be automatically reduced a letter grade; after four days, it will automatically receive an F.


5. If a student must leave class early, he or she must let the instructor know at the beginning of class.


6. Cell phones are prohibited during class time. If your cell phone goes off in class, you only get one warning; after that, it belongs to the instructor.


7. Students are expected to be both attentive and respectful of their classmates and instructor. Attentive and respectful behavior includes the following:
   
   
   • Listen attentively to both the instructor and questions/comments by students.
   
   
   • Give the class your full attention; do not work from other classes; do not listen to CD/MP3 players; turn off all cell phones and/or beepers; do not talk with other students.
   
   
   • Do not leave and return while the class is in progress. If you need to use the bathroom or get a drink of water, do so before you walk in the door.
   
   
   • Food is a distraction and will not be allowed. You may bring in water to drink, but no sodas or sports drinks; other classes have to use the room after us, and we need to keep it as clean as possible.
   
   

The Writing Center

Please use the Writing Center in Boyer 306. It is there to help you, and there are student tutors who can give you additional help with grammar and writing topics that are difficult for you. Each of you should take advantage of this free service, but if a special note is made on your assignment that you need to go to the Writing Center on a regular basis, it is because the instructor is concerned that you will not be successful in this class without some additional one-on-one assistance, and it is a requirement for your success. All you do is go to Boyer 306 and set up an appointment time. If you do not take advantage of this opportunity, then you may have problems passing this class with a grade of C, which is necessary to proceed to your next required English class.