English 102 – Spring 2015

Lisa Simmons, Instructor; Adjunct Professor, TruettMcConnellCollege

; cell: 678-313-3616 (call or text)

(alternate email: )

class: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday weekly

office hours: before/after class on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and by request

Texts

DiYanni, Robert.Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, Sixth Edition. New York:

McGraw-Hill, 2007.Print.

Glenn, Cheryl and Loretta Gray. The Writer's Harbrace Handbook. 5th ed. Boston:

Wadsworth Cengage, 2013. Print.

Patchett, Ann. Bel Canto. 2005. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2008.

Course Description

English 102 is an introduction to the analysis, interpretation, and vocabulary of fiction, poetry, and drama, continuing students’ study of writing through expository essays, responses to literature, research-based writing, and essay/discussion tests.

Class Procedures

Each class will incorporate a variety of lecture, blogs, discussion, group and partner work, technology-based instruction, in-class writing, quizzes (on reading or literary terminology), reader response sheets, peer evaluation, revising, and editing.

I will maintain and update my webpage each class period. It is your responsibility to check the webpage often to stay informed.

Evaluation

Your final grade submitted to Truett McConnell at the end of the semester will be expressed as a letter grade (no plus or minus). The basic grading scale for the college is as follows:

A = 90 – 100

B = 80 – 89

C = 70 – 79

D = 60 – 69

F = below 60

(Your grade for JCCHS will be expressed as a numerical grade according to JCSS policy.)

I grade on a point system, so it will be easy for you to determine your grade percentage at all times. Do that! Here is how assignments will be weighted:

compositions/essays/research paper/projects50%

assignments/quizzes/participation30%

midterm/final exam20%

Attendance

Because you will attend class three days a week in 50-minute class periods, it is critically important that you are in class to participate in discussion and to receive instruction. Should an absence be absolutely necessary, please arrange a time to do make-up work within two days of returning to school. It would be helpful for you to have a buddy in the class who can update you on what happened in class, and you should certainly consult my webpage for updates and handouts.

As a responsible college student, you understand that all work is due on the assigned day—regardless of whether or not you are in class. The only exceptions are dire emergencies to be determined by the instructor. After several absences, you may be dropped from the class per the Truett McConnell attendance policy.

Behavior

  • Arrive on time with all materials.
  • Be an active participant in discussion by reading all texts and completing all assignments prior to class.
  • Complete all work by the due date.
  • Turn off your cell phone and keep it put away. Really.
  • If using a laptop in class (or if we are in the computer lab), demonstrate respectful behavior toward the instructor and fellow classmates by avoiding Facebook, YouTube, email, and other off-topic sites.
  • Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses that may result in a grade of zero for an assignment all the way to an “F” for the course. Do your own work.

Final Thoughts

I am excited that we can continue the work that you began first semester. I think you will really enjoy the good reading (short stories, poetry, drama, and a novel) we will be doing this semester. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or through email. I am looking forward to a wonderful semester!

Sincerely,

Lisa Simmons