GEN 111 01
COLLEGE ENGLISH
Evelyn Taylor, Instructor Mon-Wed-Fri 9-9:50 a.m
Three Semester Hours Office: Presidents Hall
2013 Spring Semester Office Phone: 244-8159
Office Hours: M-W 10-1; T-Th 8-10 Home Phone (before 10 p.m.): 894-2197
(or by appointment) email:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course assists students in developing their writing skills to be used in a variety of situations and for a variety of audiences.
COURSE RATIONALE
The student considering culture from a Christian worldview must evaluate opposing positions, consider his or her own position, and present that position effectively. Critical reading, thinking, and researching contribute to this goal. In addition, evaluation and interpretation of literature provide insights into life and broaden the student’s perspective. Finally, the student seeking an internship as well as employment after graduation needs skill in preparing a résumé and other documents related to the job search.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student who satisfactorily completes this course should be able to:
a. Evaluate literature to determine theme(s), to gain insight into the author’s point of view, and compare that point of view with his or her own.
b. Read critically to evaluate opposing viewpoints on an issue and prepare a well-supported argument that reflects his or her position.
c. Research a topic of choice and prepare an 8 to 10-page research paper using MLA documentation.
d. Compose a résumé and cover letter.
e. Interpret and answer essay exam questions.
COURSE TEXTS
Patterns for College Writing, Twelfth ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell, Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012.
A Writer’s Reference with Writing about Literature, Seventh ed. Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers, Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011.
Supplies
A two-pocket folder (without the spine) for submitting drafts and essays
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance, Preparation, and Participation
a. Students are expected to be present and on time for class. If you are absent more than six class sessions, you will be dropped from class and receive the grade of FA (failure due to absences). Please read the appropriate pages in the Student Handbook for additional information. When you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.
b. I expect you to be prepared for class. Every student must have BOTH copies of the texts. Failure to bring them to class will result in an absence for the day. In addition, preparation involves completing assignments on time and being a productive and involved member of your group.
c. When you are in this class, you are to be focused on the class activities. Students sleeping (head on desk), doing other course work, playing with cell phones, and/or trolling sites on the computer will be counted absent.
d. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the course schedule. I will reduce the grade on a late assignment by one letter grade for each day past the due date. If you must be absent, please arrange to submit assignments early. You must complete all assignments to pass the class.
e. As a Christian, you are expected to be honest in all you do, and your work in this class is no exception. Consequences for plagiarism or dishonesty are clearly presented in the CCU student handbook. Please review.
Additional Information
a. If you miss an exam for family emergency, personal illness, or other emergency circumstances (approved by the professor), please contact me as soon as possible.
b. Please take care of personal needs before you come to class. Leaving class and returning disrupts the classroom environment. In addition, please turn off cell phones and place them out of sight before class begins. If your cell phone is in your hands or on your desk, I will ask you to place it on my desk until the end of class. If you are using a laptop, please sit in the first row.
c. Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical,psychological, or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director, Marie Reeves, within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office islocated in the lower level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room 153). You may alsocontact the office by phone (244-8420).
Assignments
a. You will complete a literature assignment.
b. You will complete two essays as assigned in class.
c. You will prepare an eight- to ten-page research paper on a topic of your choice. A number of preliminary assignments related to this paper will be assigned as part of your overall grade.
d. You will prepare a résumé and application letter appropriate for a job search.
e. You will complete three exams.
EVALUATION
Quizzes, preparation, and participation 50 points
Division/Classification/Literature Essay 100 points
Cause/Effect Essay 100 points
Persuasive Essay 100 points
Résumé and cover letter 100 points
Research Paper 300 points
Three exams 250 points
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date / Topic / AssignmentJanuary 23 / Introduction / Bring a copy of the syllabus to class
January 25 / Academic Writing, Format, and Expectations / A Writer’s Reference, pp. 67-77
January 28 / Literature Analysis / A Writer’s Reference, pp. L-3 to L11
January 30 / Writing about Literature / A Writer’s Reference, pp. L-12 to L-25
February 1 / Writing about Literature / A Writer’s Reference, pp. L-25 to L-35
February 4 / Division Classification / Patterns for College Writing, Ch. 12
February 6 / Division Classification / Patterns, pp. 460-463; 366-368
February 8 /
Peer Evaluation of Literature Analysis
/ Draft of Literature Analysis dueFebruary 11 / Cause/Effect Writing / Patterns, pp. Ch. 10
February 13 / Cause/Effect Writing / Patterns, pp. 363-365; Handout
Literature Analysis due
February 15 / Cause/Effect wrap-up
MLA Documentation / A Writer’s Reference, pp. 369-40 Review this material
February 18 / MLA Documentation
February 20 / Peer evaluation of cause/effect paper / Cause/Effect draft due
February 22 / Library Day—meet in classroom
February 25 / Persuasive Writing / Patterns, Ch. 14 (pp. 525-549)
Cause/Effect essay due
February 27 / Persuasive Writing / Patterns, pp. 553-563
March 1 / Persuasive Writing / Handout
March 4-8 / Spring Break
March 11 / Peer Evaluation of Persuasive Paper due / Draft of Persuasive essay due
March 13 / Intro to Research Paper / A Writer’s Reference, pp. 436-40
Patterns, pp. 703-4
March 15 / Choosing a topic / Persuasive essay due
A Writer’s Reference, pp. 331-34
March 18 / Choosing Sources / A Writer’s Reference, pp. 334-40
Patterns, pp. 708-710
Date
/Topic
/ AssignmentMarch 20
/Research Options—Annotated Bibliography
/ A Writer’s Reference, pp. 340-46; 358Topic proposal due
March 22
/Library Work Day
March 25
/ Collecting and Organizing Information (Outlining) / Annotated Bibliography dueA Writer’s Reference, pp. 353-59
March 27 / Mid-Term
March 29-31 / Easter Recess
April 1 / Workshop
April 3 / Working with Sources / A Writer’s Reference, pp. 361-66
April 5 / Working with Sources / Patterns, Chapter 17
April 8 / Conferences / Outline due
April 10 / Conferences
April 12 / Drafting and Revising
April 15 / Final questions with quiz / Two pages of research paper due with Works Cited
April 17 / Peer Evaluation of Research Paper / Five pages of research paper due with Works Cited
April 19 /
Workshop
April 22 /Business Writing
/ Research Paper due in my office by 12 NoonApril 24 /
Business Writing
April 26 / Business WritingApril 29 / Peer Evaluation of Resume and Cover Letter / Draft of Resume and Cover letter due
May 1 / Taking Essay Exams
May 3 /
Taking Essay Exams
/ Resume and Cover Letter dueMay 6 / Essay Exam
May 8 / Workshop
May 10 / Mid-Term Review
In the event of extenuating circumstances during the course of the semester, this course plan including
the proposed schedule, may be changed.