Valencia Community College
ENC 1101(21129)
Spring 2011
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:45 in bld. 5, rm. 258
Course Syllabus
Professor Brian Lysholm
Email-
Phone- 708-227-3361
Office Hours- Wed. and Thur. 4:30-6:00pm in bld. 5 main commons
Course Description
Prerequisites: Score of 83 on writing component of CPT or minimum grade of C in ENC 0012 or ENC 0012C or EAP 1640 or ENS 1441; also, score of 83 on reading component of CPT or minimum grade of C in REA 0002 and REA 0002L or REA 0002C or EAP 1620 or ENS 1421. Goals: Development of writing, including documented essay; instruction and practice in expository writing. Emphasis on clarity of central and support ideas, adequate development, logical organization, coherence, appropriate citing of primary and/or secondary sources, and grammatical and mechanical accuracy. Gordon Rule course which requires 6,000 words of writing. Minimum grade of C required if ENC 1101 is used to satisfy Gordon Rule and general education requirements. This course includes a learning activity designed to ensure competence in the basic use of computers.
Valencia Core Competencies
Valencia has defined four interrelated competencies—Think, Value, Communicate, Act—that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog. In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further your mastery of those core competencies. Additional information is available in the college Catalog.
ENC 1101 Computer-Based Learning Activity
To demonstrated competence with the basic use of computers, this course will include computer based activity. All major essays and portfolio assignments completed on a word processor, and we will include electronic research as a required component to our research essay. In addition, class updates, assignments, and communication will take place online via class email.
Academic Honesty
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to deceive. Sanctions, should a violation occur, are described in the Valencia Student Handbook or online at
Any dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the full assignment. Any repeat offense will result in an automatic failing grade for the course. Be aware that violations are reported to your dean and multiple violations can result in your expulsion from the college.
College Withdrawal Procedure
Valencia has withdrawal procedures and timelines in accordance with state legislature. The deadline to drop this course is January 18, 2011. The deadline to withdrawal from this course with a “W” is March 25, 2011. After that date, if you choose to withdraw, you will receive an F for the course.
Disability Services
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities and discuss specific needs with the professor. Visit valenciacc.edu/osd for more info. Please speak with the professor after class if you have any questions or concerns.
Required Materials
-Kirszner & Mandell. The Wadsworth Handbook. 9th ed. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage
Learning, 2005. (ISBN 978-1-4282-9193-5)
-Buscemi & Smith. 75 Readings Plus. 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
(ISBN 978-0-07-729257-7)
-A three-ring binder
-75-100 sheets of college-rule paper for binder.
-5 binder dividers
-1 pocket folder for daily use and 1 portfolio presentation folder.
Course Work
Since this course will meet only once per week, a majority of our writing and exploration will be done in class. Furthermore, it is absolutely essential to complete and annotate any scheduled readings before class. Sitting for three hours while we talk about something you didn’t read will be very boring. To ensure that we are all coming to class prepared, a reading quiz will be given at the start of class.
Our course will be composed of five main components:
-Major Essays: These essays must be typed and must followMLA Style. Please staple the pages together. All essays must be turned in during class or electronically via email the same day as class. Some essays will require peer workshops, however, and cannot be accepted via email.
-In Class Writing:We will conduct daily in class writing exercises directed at exploring and improving different aspects of the writing process. These will be kept in your binder and turned in periodically throughout the semester as well as for your final portfolio.
-Readings:There will be several out-of-class readings assigned with response questions. In addition, we will have many short in-class readings and discussion.
-Reading Quizzes:To ensure completion and comprehension of the reading assignments there will be short quizzes given on the assigned readings.
-Assignments:To facilitate the writing and research process, a series of assignments will be given to be completed within the week. Note: some assignments will require completion before our scheduled class and submission via email.
There will be four major essays for the semester, each consisting of pre-writes, drafts, and peer editing.
1 – Personal Narrative (3-4 pages)
The essay should reflect on a personal experience in support of a thesis.
2 – Persuasion (4-5 pages, plus citation)
The essay should discuss a polarizing topic and argue a position. We will engage in readings, research, and group debates.
3 – Literary Analysis (2-3 pages)
After learning the constructs of literary and comparative analysis, we will write an essay analyzing a text in support of a thesis.
4 – Investigation and Research (6-7 pages, plus citation)
What will begin as a collaborative project will end in you finding your own angle and composing an engaging research essay.
Class Final Portfolio
Your main grade for this course will be a portfolio consisting of your four revised and polished essays, a collection of your best in-class writings, and an explication of your work as a writer. More information on portfolio requirements will be given throughout the semester.
Attendance
Attendance is required. After two absences, an excessive absence warning will be email to you. Four unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. Please email me in advance if you know a day you will be absent.Communication is key here. I am willing to work around anything I know about in advance or within a day of the absence. It is not okay to tell me four weeks later, when I’ve already failed you from the class.
Every two tardies (entering class 10 minutes late) will equal one absence.
-Missed In Class Essays, Quizzes and Assignments: Missed coursework must be made up at home within one week of the missed class. Any work turned in after that will not be accepted for a grade. It is your responsibility to contact your instructor or a classmate to find out what you missed that day.
-Late Essays: You are allowed to turn in one out-of-class essay two days late with no grade penalty. This is your late freebie. After using up this late freebie, the essay will drop one full grade for each day it is late.
A Note on Missing Class
Absence from class is not an excuse for incomplete homework assignments or essays. In the event of an absence, the student is responsible for contacting the instructor about missed work before the next class meeting. The syllabus is not always an accurate indication of the assignment; changes will be made.
Grades
In order to pass this course you must earn a C or better for your overall course grade. Although I may award D’s for individual assignments, I will not award a D for a final grade. Without a C, you will not pass.
Portfolio………...…………………….…...60%
Quizzes and Assignments………….....…...25%
Participation, Completion and Timeliness...15%
Writing Folder
Every two weeks I will ask you to remove your class writings from your binder, place them in a folder with your name on it, and turn them in to me. I will give you comments and feedback for you to revise these writings for your final portfolio.
My Dog Ate My Homework
To be more understanding of your life and all of its complications and responsibilities, there are a couple of get-out-of-jail-free cards included in your grade. In addition to the late essay freebie, you will be allowed to miss any two assignments with no penalty to your grade. For example, if 12 assignments are given this semester, you will only be graded on 10. If you happen to do more than 10, they will count as extra credit. Note that the four major essays are exempt from this rule.
Classroom Etiquette
Students are expected to arrive prepared and on time, and to participate in classwork and discussions. They are expected to bring appropriate textbooks as well as writing materials to every class. Music will be allowed during designated writing times, as permitted by your instructor.
All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off or on silent mode during class. You will be given one warning per class for Etiquette Violations. A second warning will result in an “Absence” from class for that day. Please be respectful.
Getting Help
During the semester, we will have days in which class is released early. I will be available at those times for one-on-one help and advising. I encourage you to take advantage of this resource. If you have any questions or concerns please email me or call me. I am here to help you. In addition, the West Campus has a wonderful Writing Center in bld. 5, room 155. It is staffed with instructors and professors that give you one on one help with any writing assignment for any class. Take advantage of this free resource!
Tentative Course Schedule
Your class schedule will be posted on Atlas and emailed to you every two weeks. Our schedule will be updated and fine-tuned regularly to meet the needs and personality of our class. It is important to check your schedule regularly.
Jan. 12 Hand out syllabus and discuss course objectives.
Love Letters and Hate Letters.
Homework: read handouts from Parker, Lamott and Schuman.
Jan. 19Lunchboxes
We will discuss personal narratives and form.
Homework: Read E.B. White (pg. 53) and answer questions to turn in.
Due Jan. 26: First Draft of your Personal Narrative
Jan. 26Aging
Discussion of White. Lecture on editing and revising.
Turn in First Draft of your Personal Narrative.
Homework: Read Corin handout. Write a letter to a friend about something you miss.
Feb. 2Changing
Horoscopes
Talk about Some Machines and discuss epistolary form. Lecture on persuasion.
Homework: Newspaper writing assignment. Read Eighner (pg. 476) and answer questions (a-j).
Feb. 9Persuasion
Class exercises on persuasion and group collaboration on persuasive topic. We will engage in research and dialogue related to a controversial issue.
Due Feb. 16: First Draft of your Persuasive Essay.
Feb. 16Scandalsticks
Feb. 23Comparative Analysis
Due Mar. 2: First Draft of your Literary Analysis.
Mar. 2Vague Sentences
Mar. 9Spring Break.
Mar. 16Laryngitis
Mar. 23Group Presentations
Mar. 30Cut 20 Words
Apr. 6Bad Writing
Due Apr. 13: First Draft of your Research Essay.
Apr. 13Peer Revision day
Apr. 20Portfolio Workshop day
Apr. 27Final Portfolio Due
May 3Grades Posted on Atlas