English 1A: Critical Reading and Composition

“Art, Social Change and the Global Community”

Section: 015

Instructor: Carmen Johnston

Email:

Voicemail: (510) 723-6809

Office Hours: Mon 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Tues/TH 9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m., Wed 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Monday and Wednesday office hours will be held in EOPS, building 400

Teaching Assistant: Marvin Acerbos

Email:

Course Overview: English 1A is a college level English course. The main purpose of this class is to further your growth as a competent, and critical reader and writer. You will strengthen your analytical and composition skills through class discussion and the writing of several papers, including a research paper.

In this class we will continue examining issues of social justice. Our journey will begin looking at the role art can play in social change. How are we affected by the music, visual art and poetry in our lives? Does it move us to make a difference in the society? Historically, social movements have used art to spread their messages of liberation and solidarity. Anna Deaveare Smith uses art in her play Twilight Los Angeles to explore the different issues that led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. After we delve deep into our society issues in America, we will look at how those issues connect globally and how we might use art to educate.

The structure of this class is very experiential. Meaning, we will have a lot of games, group work, excursions, presentations and discussions. Your complete participation in all class activities will further your understanding of the concepts we explore and will enable you to pass the class. Furthermore, we will also be discussing sensitive issues such as race, class, gender and sexuality. We will spend a lot of time creating a safe environment where everyone’s voice can be heard and respected.

Course Work:

  • Readings (three books, and several essays)
  • Class Discussion
  • Group Work
  • Weekly assignments including journals and quizzes
  • 4 essays, including a midterm
  • Class presentations
  • Group projects

Required Texts and Materials:

Twilight Los Angeles:1992, Anna Deaveare Smith

Catfish and Mandala, Andrew Pham

OYO Book Project On Your Own

Grading Policy:

70% Written Assignments (Journals, Discussion Papers, Essays, Midterm)

30% Class Participation (Homework, Group Projects, Quizzes)

Grades will be given in the “A”, “B”, “C” format. Remember your final grade is based on your collective points. If you want to get a good grade in the class, make sure you complete all of your assignments!

Class Policies

  • Your consistent attendance is crucial. If you miss 6 classes or 4 consecutively without checking in with me, you will be dropped from the class.
  • We will be using Blackboard in this class, so you can keep up with missed assignments by utilizing the Blackboard site. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments.
  • There are no make-up quizzes, or exams.
  • Late papers will be accepted up to one week after the paper’s due date.
  • All Late papers will be taken down one full grade.
  • If you receive a “D” grade or lower on your 1st two papers you may write them over if you meet with me immediately. You have one week to turn in the rewrite.

Blackboard

“Blackboard is a password-protected, web-based course management system.” We will be using Blackboard to assist our learning environment. Our site will contain the syllabus, assignments used in class, a discussion board, as well as external links. You must be enrolled in the class to access Blackboard. Only enrolled students will have the password needed to enter our Blackboard site within the semester. We will be using Blackboard extensively in this course. If you are not familiar with Blackboard visit this link for more assistance:

Plagiarism:

Within the world of academia, plagiarism is a serious offense. It will not be tolerated in this class. If you plagiarize any assignment, you may receive and “F” on the assignment or fail the class. Depending on the depth of the offense, you may also experience further disciplinary actions from the college.

Plagiarism can include:

  • Passing off something written by another person as your own writing
  • Not giving credit to your sources for their ideas, information and words you have borrowed from them
  • Not quoting when you use an author’s exact words
  • Not changing the wording when paraphrasing

Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change)

Week / Assignment / Other Info
Jan 18 / The Art of Protest, “The Poetical is Political”
Jan 24 / The Art of Protest “Act Up Against AIDS”
Jan 31 / Finish The Art of Protest, “We Are Not the World”
Feb 7 / Essay #1/ Twilight LA
Feb 14 / Twilight LA / Feb 18-21 holiday
Feb 21 / Twilight LA Introduce Group Project/ Research Paper
Feb 28 / Twilight LA / March 3rd Flex Day
Mar 7 / Midterm (#2) /Library Visit
Mar 14 / Research Paper /Begin OYO Book Project
Mar 21 / Research Paper
Mar 28 / Research Paper 1st Draft / Apr 1st Flex Day
April 4 / Research Paper Final Draft (#3)
Apr 11 / Begin Catfish and Mandala
Apr 18 / Catfish and Mandala , / April 18-23 Spring Break
Apr 25 / Catfish and Mandala, OYO Book Project Due
May 2 / Catfish and Mandala
May 9 / Essay #4 due
May 16 / Group Presentations
May 21-27 / Group Presentations