Freshman Composition I (ENC 1101)Fall 2011
Professor Alison D. Smith Office/online hours by appointment
Email:
Course Theme: (Re?)Viewing Contemporary American Culture
and Deciphering Fact from Fiction
REQUIRED TEXTS, MATERIALS AND SKILLS
Bulock, Richard and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook. New York: W.W. Norton &
Company, 2011. Print.
Ability to obtain and view class films/tv shows inside/outside of class
Work in group settings
Ability to find credible online articles corresponding to the visual texts
Main readings online/information/assignments on Atlas (Found under “Files” or “Links”)
Computer/internet/ATLAS knowledge/access/USB drive/library copy card
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
A score of 83 on the writing component of the CPT or equivalent score on other state approved entry test or minimum grade of C in ENC 0012 and ENC 0012L, or ENC 0012C or EAP 1640 or ENS 1441; also a score of 83 on REA 002 and REA 0002L or REA 0002C or EAP 1620 or ENS 1421.
VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT COMPETENCIES:
THINK VALUE COMMUNICATE ACT
All four of these key competencies will be utilized this semester in order for you as writers, researchers, and students to realize the import of being part of a shared community where your own voices and ideas are valued and you are called on to become proactive members in an academic setting.
INTRODUCTION AND COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This ENC 1101 course is designed to introduce students to the essay form and to provide instruction and practice in expository writing, including the documented essay. The emphasis is on clarity of central and supporting ideas, adequate development, logical organization, coherence, appropriate citing of primary and/or secondary sources, and grammatical and mechanical accuracy. This course includes several learning activities designed to ensure competence in the writing process, as well as in the basic use of computers/technology. Also, this course is all about what it means to be a critical thinker/reader/viewer/writer. Deconstructing Contemporary American Culture though visual texts is the theme of this course. One of the tenets of this class is to establish how “reality/truth” is portrayed in both the filmic documentary and reality television shows.
contemporary culturePart of Speech: / noun
Definition: / contemporary lifestyle and items that are well known and generally accepted, cultural patterns that are widespread within a population; also called pop culture
documentary
Part of Speech: adjective, noun, plural –ries, adjective
Definition:Movies, Television . based on or re-creating an actual event, era, life story, etc., that purports to be factually accurate and contains no fictional elements: a documentary life of Gandhi.
Movies, Television . a documentary film, radio or television program, etc.
reality televisionPart of Speech: / n
Definition: / a genre of television programming in which "real life" people are followed in a situation, game, etc.; also called reality TV, reality programming
Usage: / reality show, reality TV show n
All ENC1101 assignments and activities will be directed toward fulfilling the following:
- First and foremost, students will engage in invention, discovery, drafting, and revision as a deliberate writing process.
- Students will learn a range of available choices to produce effective writing for specific audiences.
- Students will examine and deconstruct how writing/language influences American culture.
- Students will utilize technology in various ways.
- Students will learn how to successfully research and correctly document selected topical essays according to MLA.
Through the viewing of current filmic documentaries and reality television shows, and three college- level/academic essay assignments, we will come to know writing as a process that is never fixed, but rather a fluid act that invites a plethora of perspectives like the topics we focus on this semester. Re-vision, as well as rethinking and rewriting are emphasized. To make these connections, we will engage in active and thoughtful classroom discussions, lots of group activities and presentations, peer responses, and formal and informal writings, and critical thinking. Please note: there are 100 points possible by the end of the semester.
The Withdrawal date is 4 November 2011.
GORDON RULE
To satisfy state requirements, students are required to complete multiple academic/college-level writing assignments and earn a grade of C or higher.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Formal Essays: 59 Points Total
Essay 1: “This I Believe” (with online component) 14 points
Essay 2: A Review15 points
Essay 3: Research/Argue a Workable “Truth” (documented essay) 30 points
SUBMISSION OF ALL ESSAYS
Each essay/text will undergo at least two drafts before a final grade is assigned to it. This may be done through peer editing/response and/or instructor conferencing. Failure to turn in one of these essays will result in failure of this course.
Each essay draft must be typed, double-spaced, meet the word requirement/length as per the assignment sheet, and avoid the use of contractions--with 1-inch margins and a standard 12-inch font (Arial, Courier, Times New Roman, etc.). There is a title page required (see example on Atlas).
Also, all your writings should include the snappiest title ever, be numbered according to MLA standards (consult the Little Seagull) as well as spell-checked, and free from typos and grammatical errors, and stapled all together. I will not have a stapler in the classroom.
If you do not submit your work as requested above, at least 2 letter grades will be deducted. I collect essays at the beginning of class, hence if you are late, you will also lose 2 letter grades.
Note: This class relies heavily on collaboration and is designed to follow a seminar format.
What this means is that we will all be learning from one another and writing with one another and constantly coming to know different ideas surrounding current issues and ways of thinking and writing. This is not a traditional lecture class! I will not dictate what you think but merely help you see ideas from different points of view and perhaps challenge previous assumptions.
CLASS PARTICIPATION, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS (10 points)
You are expected to come prepared to class. Please read any assigned texts before class, bring assigned texts with you according to the schedule, and anticipate lively discussions, peer presentations, group presentations, and in-class writings. Also, every class meeting you are required to annotate each assigned reading (take notes!) and/or bring two specific questions, concerns and/or academic comments related to the assigned texts (either written or visual) for the day to share with the class and illustrate your critical thinking skills.
INFORMAL RESPONSES (6 points)
During the semester I will ask you to reflect on the film(s) viewed in class, and you will produce a 1 page typed paper submitted the following Monday. No title page is required for these responses.
IN CLASS GROUP PRESENTATION/PROJECT (25 points)
Also, you will be placed in a group and will be working with these peers all semester long. Each group will be assigned a topic corresponding with the documentaries and reality tv shows viewed in class, surrounding critical commentary on contemporary culture and lead a compelling and creative class discussion per the class schedule. As a group be prepared to talk and present related material(s) and ask questions to the rest of the class for 25-30 minutes. All group members must participate in this presentation/project You must bring a well-organized typed handout the day of the presentation for me, detailing your plans for the presentation and highlighting significant points of the film documentaries and reality tv shows according to you and your group’s own reading/viewing interests and making of meanings. Also, you must use the technology provided in the classroom for your presentation—power point is heavily suggested. The purpose of these presentations is to examine how these topics play out in today’s culture and what are the main themes. What does this say about Americans/America? Are the assumptions and ideas presented in the visual texts accurate—fact or fiction? As a group you should also determine the intended audience and “what’s at stake” if change in our society does not occur. After this presentation, each group member will reflect on the presentation and write an individual one page essay to be submitted the following week. Consult the “Leadership of Class Discussion” handout found on Atlas.
Please note: If you miss this presentation, you cannot make it up. You merely lose 25 points.
POLICIES AND MORE
Attendance: Coming to all class meetings in a timely manner is desired. In other words, be here and be on time! After I take roll—that’s it. If you walk in after, it will equal one absence. More than 4 absences will result in failure of the course or withdrawal. Please contact me via the email address listed on the syllabus in extreme cases. However, you are responsible for all assigned work the date is it due.
Email: Please check your email regularly (before each class), as I will be providing additional instructions for assignments. It is imperative when emailing me you include your full name, class, and use proper “netiquette.” Well constructed emails are a must. I will only answer email from your Atlas account. Note: I do not respond to email on Mondays or Thursdays.
Late Work: Assignments are due when and where specified. I do not accept late work, nor do I accept work via email (unless we have arranged this in advance).
Classroom Space: Because this is an interactive class, we need to recognize that there will be multiple opinions expressed. I welcome these differences. Thus, it is imperative that every class member be treated with respect and not silenced. Hate speech will not be tolerated in this class. You will be asked to leave the classroom immediately, and you will have to meet with Dean Renn before allowed back in this class.
Plagiarism: Don’t do it! In “Why Writing Matters: A Guide To First-Year Composition”
this is defined as, “using someone else’s words or ideas, intentionally or unintentionally, without giving the source proper credit.”I am most interested in what you have to say; therefore, there is no need for plagiarism. However, if it is indeed determined that plagiarism has occurred, you may be subject to an academic grievance and/or failure of the course. Academic dishonesty (“cheating”) will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade.
Please see the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the Student Handbook (page 59).
Avoid Biased Language: This is a must. Sexist, hetero-sexist, racist, classist, and ageist (to name only a few) language is not allowed in the classroom. I find offensive and limiting labels extremelyproblematic, and I will not tolerate them in my class. Examples that are not acceptable are such words as “chicks,” “dykes,” “fags,” “crazies,” etc. Alike, do not use exclusive words like “firemen” when you mean “firefighters.” You will come to realize that word choice/diction is integral to successful writing.
Cell Phones: Please make sure they are turned off before class begins. If I see you texting in class I will mark you absent.
Other Electronic Devices: There is no need for your laptops, iPods, iPads, etc. to be turned on in class unless such is being utilized for peer presentations or have approved use by me.
Questions: It is imperative to revisit this document and any other assignment sheets for each essay often. This will eliminate many questions. However, if you are still not clear after rereading these texts, please feel free to email me or a peer!
Going Green: Everything you need for this class will always be posted on Atlas (under Files). You are responsible for printing out all documents. Of course, I will always go over printed material in class via the projector.
I highly suggest frequent visits to The Writing Center. This will highlight our commitment to collaboration, rewriting, rethinking, and re-vision, and hopefully you will gain some new and useful insight regarding your own writing processes and topics. The Writing Center is located in Building 5, room 155A. You must call 407-582-5454 for an appointment or physically go to the Writing Center to make an appointment.
NOTE: For Essay 3 (Research Paper/Documented Essay) you are required to go to the Writing Center and have the documentation record printed out and attached to your final draft. Please ask the consultant at the beginning of the consultation for this document. For this appointment make sure you request an hour long appointment. Make your appointment early in the semester because the Writing Center gets booked! Bring a typed draft to this appointment with specific concerns/questions.
Students with Special Needs: Any student with special needs that may affect his/her progress in this course should notify me as early in the semester as possible. Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class.
This syllabus is subject to change according to the instructor.
I WANT TO SEE YOU SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS. DO NOT FORGET THIS!
The Withdrawal date is 4 November 2011.
EDUCATION
Calling All Supermen and Superwomen! The losing battle in America’s public school system and what happens when the 3 R’s are replaced with the media’s GTL.
Waiting for Superman
Jersey Shore
Bowling for Columbine
HEALTH AND EATING HABITS
Is the King killing us? Sizing up America’s disordered eating behaviors.
Supersize Me
The Girls Next Door
Thin
WILDLIFE EXPLORATION
The real documentation of life and death of our animal planet: What you won’t find at Sea World.
March of the Penguins
Meerkat Manor
The Cove
FRINGE CULTURE
Bringing the OTHERED in: Redrawing the appearances of athletes and artists.
Dogtown and Z Boys
LA INK
MurderBall
RACE AND CLASS
The cost of being black: Conspiracizing rappers and “refugees.”
Biggie and Tupac
Run’s House
When the Levees Broke
Religion
Praying/Playing for God: The future of faith in Western Culture.
Jesus Camp
17 Kids and Counting
The Devil’s Playground