Dr. Parthenia Grant, Ph.D.

English 101 Spring 2010 Sec. 0236 Wed: 12:15-3:30 Room: CSB 205

Office Hours: Tu/Th. 10:00-10:30 am;Wed: 10-Noon and 3:30-5:00; Thur: 3:30-4:30

Email: Phone: Office: 818 364 3419

Attendance: Required. Missing more than three classes may result in being dropped from class. To avoid being dropped, please contact instructor via email or voicemail regarding absences and when you will return to class. Email is preferable. When leaving a voice mail or email please STATE WHAT CLASS YOU ARE IN, include your complete name and repeat your phone number at least twice. Speak loudly, slowly and clearly. I cannot go over what you miss in class; thus, rely on notes from classmates, so get at least three student phone numbers. Call or email to let me know when you will return or if you need special assistance. Be specific. Keep in mind that you are responsible for turning in assignments or work missed while out of class and for viewing the films you missed. Students will be automatically dropped after the 3rd absence. Grading based on the following:

Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words as if they were your own. If you use material from someone else, give credit to the author or the source of that information. If you cannot remember who the author is or the source, then simply point out that the author is unknown.

Course Description: English 101 is a critical thinking class involving reading and writing. It is a requirement for the Associate of Art’s degree (A.A.) and for transfer to a four year university. Students will learn how to avoid logical fallacies, how to organize their ideas into essays, how to use research materials, MLA, how to write critically about literature. A variety of analytical strategies will be used to distinguish between deductive and inductive reasoning. Emphasis placed on writing, research and editing of critical thinking topics..

CLASS RULES: Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the class to prevent getting an F for not showing up and failing to drop the class in time. Attendance is mandatory and will make your life less stressful as everything you need to do an excellent job on your papers will be given to you through in class instructions and assigned readings.

Turn off all cell phones in class; no texting or answering calls in class. Any student caught texting or talking on the phone will be asked to put his/her phone on my desk for the duration of the class and pick it up when class is over. No gum chewing in class. No talking while instructor is talking or while another student is answering a question.

This is a critical thinking class. Students are expected to be open to ideas that differ from their own, to question everything and to research topics for themselves. If you are closed minded and intolerant of others, you should drop this class. Class discussions are intended to be friendly, respectful, uplifting and stimulating. Students must attend at least three library workshops on MLA, research, journal writing, etc.

Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course student will be able to:

  • Produce a unified essay of 1,000 words (4 pages) that shows a mastery of critical thinking, logical organization and mechanics through production of an essay in response to a writing prompt
  • Analyze and evaluate academic articles, essays and literature through in class exercise.
  • Produce a 2,000 wordresearch paper (8 pages) which utilizes library research materials and documents evidence.

Explanation of Grading: An “A” paper is an excellent essay and is free from careless grammatical, spelling, and organizational errors. It begins with a clear thesis. It has seamless transitions from paragraph to paragraph, never losing sign of its focal point. It draws a logical conclusion that answers a problem stated in the thesis. It meets the length requirement of the assignment. It has an original point of view that is lively and interesting to read. It has no format errors. An “A” represents a writing level of unusual polish and style, and often takes a surprising angle in developing the thesis. This level of writing shows consistent excellence and always surpasses assignment expectations. A “B” paper is a good essay and has many of the qualities found in an “A” paper, but it might have one too many writing errors. It often lacks the depth of explanation and originality seen in an “A” paper. It represents solid, readable writing that does what the assignment asks. “B” level writing demonstrates concrete support for claims, fine organization, and substantive thoughtfulness. A “C” paper is an adequate essay. It may have errors but not enough to hurt its clarity. It shows some of the qualities of an “A” or a “B” paper, but it does not develop the idea to its fullest. It is adequately organized but is rather simplistic. It satisfies all of the requirements of the assignment, but it lacks sufficient, concrete support needed to illustrate its assertions or prove its point. It also shows lapses in editing proficiency and contains careless errors. A “D” paper is inadequate. It contains all or some of the following problems; is too short, has many errors, lacks clarity and focus, lacks logical organization, rambles, is too general, or doesn’t satisfy the requirements of the assignment. An “F” paper is off topic, poorly written and contains too many errors.

Grades: Based on all work assigned. 1/3 = Homework, Journal and Class Participation; 1/3 = Midterm Paper; 1/3= Final Research Paper. 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D 59-Below=F

In-Class Editing Sessions:All papers are to be submitted to Pearson’s Smart Tutor for evaluation and changes made before emailing a copy to self for peer editing. Students will then email a draft of their paper to themselves for peer editing in class. The thesis statement must be underlined. Instructor will edit thesis statements while students peer edit in class.

Textbooks:Required: White Oleander J. Fitch and I Thought I Was The Crazy One by Grant

English Simplified with mywritinglab software. Course ID # is: english664566w

Criterion Software. Class ID# is: spring2010e1010236. Password is: 0236

EXPLANATION OF GRADING:

Midterm1/3 of grade is a 7 pageresearch paperon Paths to Liberation From The Ego, with 10 Works Cited, typed, MLA style with a minimum often direct and indirect quotes from the films and assigned readings, the more quotes, the better. Include sources outside of assigned readings and films. See sample student papers on website.

Final1/3 of grade is based on the bookWhite Oleander Assignment: A 4-5 page analysis paperwith Three (3)Works Cited, typed, double spaced, MLA style witha minimum of eight(8) direct quotes from the novel along with quotes from assigned textbooks and outside sources. Choose any of the following themes or combinations fromWhite Oleander: coming of age in a sexist society; mother/daughter relationships; foster care; resilient traits in overcoming obstacles; art as a means of salvation; sacred sex; transcending the ego through love and forgiveness.

Homework1/3 of grade consists of answering discussion questions, short analysis essays that help write the midterm,assigned readings and films; attendance; and participation in class discussions. Keepa double pocket folderto hold assignments, notes and research papers.

Week 1Review of syllabus; review of goals of the class; individual introductions of students; exchange of contact information among students and instructor. In class reading of Outliers 10,000 Hour Rule by Malcome Gladwell. In class viewing of BBC’s The Secret to Life.Assignment: One pageautobiographical essay analyzing what you learned from the film that can help you achieve your goals as a student or that can make your personal or professional life run smoother. HOMEWORK: download and read Body Temple excerpts from . Highlight quotes for use in research paper.

Week 2In class viewing of Kymatica. Discussion of film.Get registered into Criterionsoftware and mywritinglab this week.Reading Assignment: Greg Braden’s excerpts from Spontaneous Healing of Belief and The Divine Matrix, available as downloads from campus website.

Week 3In class viewing of The Matrix. Discussion of excerpts from Gregg Braden'sSpontaneous Healing of Belief and The Divine Matrix.Review of thesis statements, MLA, Works Cites, Rhetorical Modes,use of direct quotes; avoiding plagiarism; critical thinking.Assigned Reading: Emerson’s Essay on “Self Reliance” and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, available free from the internet.

Week 4Discussion ofEmerson’s essay on Self Reliance and Plato's "Allegory of the Cave” along with viewing of clips from You Tube on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Homework Writing Assignment:Write a paragraph about what you have learned thus far about illusion vs. reality and the role of the ego in confusing which is which.Submit to Criterion for editing and bring a copy to class to share.

Week 5In class viewing of Revolver. Continuation of discussion of assigned readings from Braden, Grant, Plato and Emerson. In class discussion of Logical Fallacies. Homework: Download questions on Revolver, answer them and bring to class in your folder for discussion.

Week 6Discussion of the ego in relationship to pain and suffering and the role of gratitude and forgiveness as paths to liberation from Chapter 8 in Body Temple Chapters).Homework Writing Assignment: Write one paragraph on what you learned about the role of gratitude, forgiveness and love as a path to liberation from the ego. Bring to class.

Week 7:Preparation for midterm theme: Paths to Liberation from The Ego. ASSIGNMENT: Bring thesis statement and opening paragraph to class for editing and review. Mandatory submission of complete rough draft to Criterion first and edit as many times as you can, then to Pearson’s Smart Tutor for a live person evaluation.

Week 8In class peer editing (mandatory attendance for peer editing or loss of a letter grade for non participation).

Week 9Midterm Paper due. Homework: In the book Crazy One, read Part II and Part III.

Week 10Discussion of Quotes from the website on White Oleander, themes for the final paper and the role of the villain in literature as a personality disorder. Discuss traits, character arcs, hero’s journey and dark night of the soul.

Week 11Discussion of the ego and integrity from Body Temple andthe ego as the villain in literature fromCrazy One.

Week 12Continuation of Discussion on White Oleander

Week 13 Review for final exam questions based on White Oleander.

Week 14In class editing of Thesis statements (mandatory). Submission of paper to Pearson’s Smart Tutor and Criterion for evaluation (mandatory)

Week 15Mandatory in class peer editing of final paper. Bring folder with all work to class.

Week 16Final exam based on questions from White Oleander. Final Paper due. Bring folder with all work to class.