English B1A – Expository Composition Instructor – Mr.Chris Dison
Spring 2017, Delano Campus
MW 1:00pm – 2:25pm, DST 119 Office 1007
Office Hours are Thursdays from 2pm – 6pm & by appointment
Required Texts/Materials
‘1984’ by George Orwell ISBN - 9780451524935
‘The Academic Writer (Brief Guide): 3rd Edition’ by Lisa Ede ISBN - 9781457632631
‘Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing’ by Elizabeth Losh, Jonathan Alexander, Kevin Cannon, & Zander Cannon ISBN - 9780312640965
A blank journal of some kind (used ONLY for this class) - either a black & white composition pad or a spiral ring notebook, 2 different colored highlighters, post-it notes, a stapler, and access to a computer and the internet.
English B1A Student Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of English 1A, the student will be able to perform the following: Read and think critically, including a variety of primarily non-fiction texts for content, context, and rhetorical merit with consideration of tone, audience, and purpose.
Evaluate and establish the credibility of print and online sources.
Demonstrate the legitimate use of scholarly sources by • using library and online reference materials. • incorporating summary, paraphrase, and direct quotes. • synthesizing multiple primary and secondary sources. • avoiding plagiarism.
Write essays out of class that • demonstrate the use of expository and argumentative or persuasive forms of writing. • reflect an orderly research and writing process. • use correct MLA form and documentation. • show evidence of drafting, editing, and revision to reflect an academic style and tone.
Write timed essays in class exhibiting acceptable college-level control of mechanics, organization, development, and coherence.
Available Points
1. Quizzes 15 (1x5 & 10)
2. Journals10
3. Homework10
4. Source Essay, Synthesis Essay25 (1015)
5. Final Research Paper & Bibliography35
Final Grade Percentages Websites
A: 90.0% – 100.0%Course Website -
B: 80.0% - 89.9%
C: 70.0% - 79.9%Turnitin.com – D: 60.0% - 69.9%
F: 59.9% - 0.0%
Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. Students arriving after I have taken attendance will be marked absent. Students leaving early or at the break will be marked absent. Don’t be late for class and stay the entire period. As stated in the Academic Regulations of Bakersfield College, “Instructors should drop a student from a course when absences number the equivalent of two weeks of class recorded from the first day of instruction.” Because of this, I will drop a student upon the 2nd absence regardless of the reason. My records are the final word on attendance. Since this course typically has a wait list, enrolled students must attend all class sessions during the first week or they will be dropped from the class.
Missed Classes: Each student is responsible for all material discussed in class and for all work assigned in class. The assigned homework can be found in the syllabus on our class website. You are responsible forreading the syllabus and/or contacting a fellow classmate for any information/assignments you miss.
Class Disruption: Talking at inappropriate times, cell phones ringing in class, texting during class, listening to musical devices, chronic lateness, taking class time to discuss personal matters, making the class wait while you get your work organized, applying makeup, or being intentionally disruptive are all actions which interfere with the learning of others and will not be tolerated in an adult, collegiate setting. This behavior will be addressed in class. Failure to correct the situation may result in the student being dropped.
Homework Info: All homework must be complete and correctto receive full credit. Late homework will be accepted; however, late work loses50% each day it is late. Late papers are NOT accepted. All writing assignments are due when class begins. Please contact me before an assignment is due to discuss an extension. No extra credit is available.
Quizzes: Quizzes are given at the beginning of class. If you arrive after the quiz has been handed out, you have missed it. There are no make-up quizzes or exams.
Supportive Services: Students with disabilities needing accommodation, including those who had an IEP in high school, should make requests to Disabled Students Programs and Services, Counseling Center, CSS 40 or Delano room 1001. Or call 661-395-4334 at BC, or 661-720-2000 in Delano. All requests for accommodations require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. Please discuss approved accommodations with me so we can work together to ensure your access and success at BC.
Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this class. If a student is suspected of plagiarism, he or she will fail the assignment, and additional sanctions by the college may apply. Keep in mind, failure to complete any one essay will most likely result in an unsatisfactory grade in the class, so don’t plagiarize. To prevent plagiarism, we will use Turnitin.com for all essays. If you have further questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please see me after class or during office hours.
Habits of Mind: What determines success is not circumstance, but habit. Habits of Mind at BC has many free tools intended to help you accomplish your goals in school. Only you can overcome the challenges you face this semester and in life. Start out successfully with these steps.
• Visit the Habits of Mind website:
• Download the app for Habits of Mind at Bakersfield College on your phone or tablet.
• Ask for help, do the work, and refuse to quit!
Success takes energy, planning, and strategies for both the expected challenges in school as well as the unexpected twists life can take. Ask me for more information. Now is the time to develop new habits!
My Responsibilities: As your instructor, it is my goal to ensure that each of you learns to become a more critical reader and writer. To accomplish this, I will demand a great deal of effort from each of you. However, I will expend the same amount of effort to help each of you achieve this goal. To this end:
- I will read drafts of any writing assignment and offer suggestions.
- I will review graded assignments and point out strong/weak points.
- I will help clarify anything you don't understand.
- I will meet with you individually.
Disclaimer: Your continued enrollment in this course, after reading the course syllabus, indicates to me that you will arrive to class with the required texts prepared to discuss the material and that when called upon you will make every effort to offer a thoughtful response using the text to support your opinions. The readings and video presentations in this class often deal with serious and controversial themes, so a certain level of maturity and tolerance is required from every student. We may encounter violent and/or sexually explicit material, as well as writings that pose difficult questions about religious or political beliefs. If reading about or discussing these topics makes you uncomfortable or upset, I suggest you consider enrolling in another course. Your continued enrollment in this class after reading this disclaimer implies your willingness to read and respond to all classroom assignments (and the opinions of your classmates) in a mature and thoughtful manner.
The Fine Print: I reserve the right to modify this syllabus as necessary.
Week 1 (Jan 16 & 18)
MCourse Introduction, Syllabus, Texts, Obligation Review, Journal Overview & practice
Getting to know you
Homework: Obtain class materials and textbooks;print syllabus and handouts.
WJ#1, Prewriting/Writing Process (Taylor Mali clip)
Homework:
Week 2 (Jan 23 & 25)
MJ#3, Parts of an Essay(Introductions, Body Paragraphs, Conclusions), Intro T/F worksheet (Jack Vale clip)
Homework:Do T/F worksheet
WJ#4, Discuss questions, Introduce 1984, Introduce article, Assign Source Essay
Homework: Read 1984 pgs. (1-63), Read & Annotate article, then completeSource Essay worksheet; Read AWR pgs. 441-455; Register for Turnitin.com (see syllabus for info)
Week 3 (Jan 30 & Feb 1)
MNO CLASS – Instructor Conference
J#5, Reading Quiz #1,Discuss 1984, Discuss Black Box Article
Homework:Work on Diagnostic Essay, Read 1984 pgs. (63-104)
WJ#6, Summary/Paraphrase/Quotation, In-text citations/Works Cited page
Homework: Read 1984 pgs. (105-156), Upload RD to Turnitin.com, Peer Review on Turnitin.com
Week 4 (Feb 6 & 8)
MJ#7, Reading Quiz #2,Sentence Variety, UG Words, Peer Review
Homework:Sentence Variety Worksheet, Finish Final Draft of Source Essay. Upload final Draft to Turnitin.com by 11:59pm.
WJ#8, Reading Quiz #3, Review 1984, discussion questions, introduce Synthesis Essay
Homework: Read 1984 pgs. (157-224), AWR pgs. 455-466
Week 5 (Feb 13 & 15)
MJ#9,Discuss 1984, Discuss Source Essay, Discuss & Assign Synthesis Paper
Homework:Complete Essay Organizer for Synthesis Paper
WJ#10, Research Questions, Paragraph Development, Articles (Drone Movie)
Homework: Read & annotate articles; Develop thesis for Synthesis Essay
Week 6 (Feb 20 & 22)
MHOLIDAY – NO CLASS
J#10,Research Questions, Paragraph Development, Argumentative Appeals Using Sources
Homework:Prepare journal for submission, Review Articles & Fill in Essay Organizer for Synthesis Essay – Bring to class!
WJ#11, Submit Journals,Structure of Argument – Toulmin Model, Review Essay Organizer
Homework:Write Rough Draft of Synthesis Paper, Read 1984 pgs. 225-274
Week 7 (Feb 27-Mar 2)
M
WJ#12,Research Question exercise, How to Research – Library/Database/Web, Parallelism
Homework:Read AWR pgs. 133-140. Do AWR ex. S1-1 & S2-1.Find Scholarly Article on your Final Research Paper Topic – Bring to class!
Week 8 (Mar 6-9)
MJ#13,Source Credibility, Primary/Secondary/Reference (Last day to earn a ‘W’ for withdrawal)
Homework:Find Scholarly Article on Synthesis Paper Topic – Bring to class! READ: 1984 pgs. 225-274. Prepare journal to submit.
WJ#14, Discuss & Assign Synthesis Paper, Submit Journals
Homework:Write PROSPECTUS for synthesis essay. Read 1984pgs. 274-312, AW pgs. 120-129, UR pgs. 80-110
Week 9 (Mar 13-16)
MJ#15,Reading Quiz,Final Review of 1984
Homework: Prepare for 1984 exam. Work on Rough Draft of Synthesis Essay.
WEXAM – 1984
Homework: Work on RD of Synthesis Essay.
Week 10 (Mar 20-23) – 3/24 ISLAST DAY TO DROP & RECEIVE A ‘W’
MJ#17,Film - 1984
Homework:Work on Synthesis Paper. Read AWR
WJ#18, Film (1984) continued. Avoiding Plagiarism, Logical Fallacies
Homework:Read AW pgs. 110-114& Handout
Week 11 (Mar 27-30)
MJ#19,Wordiness, Conciseness, Editing/Revision Strategies
Homework:Revision/Clarity Worksheet, Peer Review of Synthesis, Work on FD of Synthesis Paper
WJ#20, Paragraphing Strategies
Homework: Finish RD of Synthesis Paper, Submit to Turnitin.com by 1pm on 11/7
Week 12 (Apr 3-6)
MJ#20, In-class Peer Review
Homework:SubmitFD of Synthesis Paper to Turnitin.com by 1pm on 11/9
WJ#21, Topic Selection & Research Question; Annotated Bibliographies
Homework: Begin research for Final Research Paper; Complete Annotated Bibliographies 1-3
Week 13 (Apr 10 & 12)SPRING BREAK!!!!!!! (NO CLASS)
MJ#22, Counterarguments
Homework: Read AW pgs. 142-144, UR pgs. 167-170
WJ#23, Developing Evidence - Review
Week 14 (Apr 17-19)
MJ#24, Individual Meetings
WJ#25, Individual Meetings
Week 15 (Apr 24-27)
MIndependent Paper Day – Option: Visit Mr. Dison in class or Tutoring Center for individual help
Homework: Prepare Journals for submission, work on Research Paper
WFinal Class Meeting – Review Final Schedule, Submit Journals
Week 16 (May 1-4)
MWriting Day
WWriting Day
FINALS WEEK
Our final is May 10th from 12pm-1:50pm.