2/20/06 -- Instructor sick. See changes in the syllabus below.

3/28/06 -- See changes in the syllabus following Spring Break.

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]
• 1984, George Orwell, paperback, ISBN 0451524934
• A college-level dictionary approved by the instructor
• An email account and computer access to the Internet
• A "Collected Works" portfolio for turning in final assignments

Weekly Syllabus

(Subject to revision to meet changing conditions, or at the discretion of the instructor)

Week 1: 1/11-1/13

• Wed: Meet in Boyer Bldg., Room 201
  Introduction: course philosophy, requirements, texts, etc.
  List the essays in the book already read in ENGL131; write about each other's experiences in that class
• Fri: Go over syllabus and expectations for class
  Review and comment on each other's essays
  HW: Buy a copy of textbook; read "I Have a Dream" pp. 490-495

• Mon: Observance of MLK, Jr.'s Birthday (no classes)
• Wed: Short paper due on the writing experiences of a fellow student; discuss "I Have a Dream"
  HW: Contact information
• Fri: Introduction to Compare and Contrast using songs pp. 199-208
  HW: One-page informat C&C on songs using attribution
  Last day to add or drop a course

• Mon: Assignment #1 - Compare and Contrast Essay, due Feb. 6
  HW: Read "Neat People vs. Sloppy People" pp. 209-214 and "Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out" pp. 215-219
• Wed: Discuss "NP vs. SP" and "BC&SO"
  HW: Read pp. 56-72 on MLA Citation
• Fri: Make a Works Cited List
  HW: Read "Disability" pp. 13-15

• Mon: Discuss "Disability"
• Wed: Grammar Crammer
• Fri: Compare and Contrast peer review; bring your draft!

• Mon: Compare and Contrast Essay due
  HW: Documentation primer using "Too Much Pressure" pp. 450-455
• Wed: Continue with documentation; using in-text citations
  HW: Read "Division or Analysis" pp. 279-287; start reading 1984 (read Part One pp. 5-87 by 2/22)
• Fri: Assignment #2 - Division or Analysis Essay, due Feb. 24
  HW: Read "The Meanings of a Word" pp. 408-413 and "Being a Chink" pp. 414-420

• Mon: Discuss "Meanings" and "Chink"
  HW: Read "I Want a Wife" pp. 288-291
• Wed: Discuss "Wife"
  HW: Read "Shooting Dad" pp. 134-143
• Fri: Discuss "Dad"
  HW: Read "Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa" pp. 227-234; answer questions on Meaning and Writing Strategy

• Mon: Instructor sick (no class)
• Wed: Discuss "Childhood"
  HW: Read "Our Barbies, Ourselves" pp. 297-302
• Fri: Division or Analysis peer review; bring your draft!

• Mon: Division or Analysis Essay due; Discuss "Barbies"
• Wed: Assignment #3 - Research Essay, due Apr. 3
  Background for 1984 (socialism, Orwell's biography)
• Fri: Talk about goals for class and importance of reading 1984

• Mon: Begin discussing 1984; Oceania vs. Eurasia Eastasia
  HW: Author Presentations
• Wed: 5-minute Author Presentations
• Fri: No class

Week 10: 3/20-3/24

• Mon: Critical approaches to 1984
  Discuss possible topics for research papers: Ingsoc versus Democratic Socialism, the mutability of information (propaganda), privacy and civil liberties, the obliteration of sexual enjoyment, the destruction of language (Newspeak), perpetual war (War on Terror)
• Wed: Discuss 1984 parts 1 & 2
• Fri: Using supplemental sources for 1984; Approaches to Research
  Last day for withdrawing from course without penalty

• Mon: History according to 1984
• Wed: Discuss 1984 part 3
• Fri: Continue discussing 1984; Announce chosen topics for Research Paper

• Mon: Documentation Workshop
• Wed: Grammar Crammer
• Fri: Research Essay peer review; bring your draft!
  HW: Read "Argument and Persuasion" pp. 433-446

• Mon: Research Essay due on 1984
  Introduction to contemporary argument; discuss the process of writing an argument essay, including logical fallacies
  HW: Read "The FBI is Reading Over Your Shoulder" pp. 473-478
• Wed: Assignment #4 - Argument Essay, due Apr. 26; discuss "FBI"
  HW: Read "Why Don't We Complain?" pp. 456-463 and "Close Encounters with US Immigration" pp. 464-468
• Fri: Good Friday (no classes)

• Mon: Discuss "Complain" and "Encounters"
  HW: Read "No Name Woman" pp. 496-509
• Wed: Discuss "Woman"
  HW: Read "Shooting an Elephant" pp. 510-519
• Fri: Discuss "Elephant"
  HW: Read "The World of Doublespeak" pp. 347-356

• Mon: Discuss "Doublespeak"
  HW: Read "The Plot Against People" pp. 324-329
• Wed: Discuss "Plot"
  HW: Read "A Web of Brands" pp. 370-377 and "Live Free and Starve" pp. 378-383
• Fri: Discuss "Web" and "Starve"

• Mon: Argument Essay peer review; bring your draft!
• Wed: Argument Essay due
  Review for Final Exam
• Fri: Reading Day (no classes)

Grading

• Compare and Contrast Essay: 10%
• Division or Analysis Essay: 15%
• Research Essay: 25%
• Argument Essay: 15%
• Oral Presentation on Author: 5%
• Final Exam: 15%
• Quizzes, responses, homework, participation: 15%

Course Descriptions and Goals

English Composition II will continue the emphasis of English 131 on composition, but will emphasize writing in response to source material instead of from personal experience. Classes will continue to read and analyze short selections, but they now will be expected to demonstrate the ability to write critically in response to those works.

Students will also read and analyze a novel and learn to write a research paper based on that novel. Parenthetical citations and a Works Cited list must be included in order to fulfill the requirements of that research paper. Students must learn to incorporate their own opinions and theses in to their papers; plagiarism and close paraphrasing are unacceptable substitutes for critical thinking.

In spite of the changes in subject matter, English 132 is tied to English 131 through the continuing emphasis on turning thought into choerent, correct writing. As in English 131, 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 listen 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. Additionally, in order to avoid "crunch," you should begin reading the assigned novel three weeks before its stated discussion time.

This course builds upon the previous composition course, 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 discover the purposes for and techniques needed to create an effective research paper.
• To master the Modern Language Association (MLA) style of documentation.
• To read and analyze a novel.
• To continue the emphasis on using writing in the various disciplines

Attendance and Coursework Policy

1. According to college policy, students are allowed four unexcused absences for the course. Upon the fifth unexcused absence, the student will be dropped from the class. 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. Three 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. 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.