Eng 112: College Composition II
The Norton
Introduction to Literature,
9th ed.,
Alison Booth, et al, Eds., 2005
Instructor: Tondalaya VanLear
Office: Warren
Hall, Room 413
Ph.: 863-2854
Email: tvanlear@dslcc.edu
Welcome to the second portion of DSLCC's College Composition courses. This class will explore three literary genres—Poetry, Fiction, and Drama—as well as introduce you to literary analysis. Your commitment to a focused reading and thoughtful exploration of the works assigned and discussed is a must for success in this course. Please remember: If you choose to short-change the time you devote to this course, your writings and overall results for this course will reflect that lack of preparation.
Course
Requirements:
v
Read your DSLCC syllabus, paying close attention to the guidelines this document
provides on expectations of essay construction/format and the information on
Plagiarism (pg. 8). Please let me know if you have any questions about this
syllabus.
v In this course, you are required to complete five essays. Each of the three formal genre-focused essays must be in MLA format and be at least 3 pages (not 2 or 2 ½ or 2 ¾……) in length. Your in-class writings will vary in length, often being a reaction/response. The fifth essay, your project writing, must be 5 to 7 pages. Any variation from this format in any writing will affect your final grade for that essay.
v Due dates for these essays and other assignments will be posted on the website and/or announced in class. Be sure to access the webpage for this class at least on a weekly basis to check for assignments and other requirements.
Any assigned work (hard copy) is to be turned in at the beginning of class--after that point your work will be considered late. Any work assigned as a Bb submission must be turned in (posted) by midnight of the day due unless otherwise noted. You lose a full letter grade for each day your work is late, regardless of what assignment may be due or the cause of the delay.
v For the first two essays, you have the option of rewriting if you want to improve your grade. This re-write, along with the original graded essay, must be turned in no later than one week from the time your work is returned to you. The resulting new grade, if it is higher than the original, will replace your first grade.
**This policy applies ONLY to the first two essays of the semester and then ONLY if those works have been submitted on time.
v Journals will be noted on the weekly web assignment page and posted on the Discussion Board link on Blackboard. To access this assignment, you will need to log in to your Blackboard account, click on this class link, and then click on the Discussion link in the button options.
Journal assignments are NOT optional and you are expected to respond in journal form (reaction-response) to each focus as it is stated. You will also be responding to your classmates, and again, this portion of the assignment is not optional and is covered under the written assignment policy. If you choose not to participate in any of this assignment or any other section, you will fail this course.
Don't slack on these journals—be honest and support your ideas. Your response will be evaluated on the basis of content/reaction/support, so use this assignment say what you think and why you think it. I will not lower your journal grade because you don't like a work, but your grade will be affected by the lack of support for that reaction. Writing a couple of sentences that give a generic response, either in your reaction or your response to a classmate, will merit a 0 on the assignment.
**Don't procrastinate on journal assignments. Posting times (noted on your response at the time you submit it) are important and provide ample opportunity for everyone in class to read and share reactions.
v Three exams will be given during the semester—one for each section of works examined. The date for these exams will be posted on the web and announced in class. I do not give make-up exams. If you are absent on exam day, you will receive a 0 on the test.
v In-class writings are unannounced, given on assigned readings/works, and only written in class on that day. I do not give make-up assignments for this work. If you are absent on the day of an in-class writing, you have a 0 for that writing.
v Each DSLCC student has an assigned email account to use for course correspondence/questions. If you are new to my courses, your first assignment is to email a brief message to me at my DSLCC address from your DSLCC account by 1/11/08. Again, this assignment is NOT optional. I will use your DSLCC email address for all notices/course information, so be sure to access your account and check it often.
v Attendance is not an option for this course. I expect you to be in class. You have 2 absences allowed in the semester for which you owe no explanation. To miss more than 3 additional class sessions is considered grounds for failure.
v If you do miss a class, you are still responsible for any work due on that date or any assignments made in class during that time. Make arrangements to get your assignment to me, and check with a classmate for any notes or additional work that has been given that day. Your absence does not excuse you from late penalties, completing course work, being aware of upcoming assignments/tests/due dates, or any notes given.
**All written assignments are requirements of this course. You may have other reading/written assignments, including articles or other scholarly works on various texts we explore, and your response will be submitted via Bb. Again, these assignments will be posted on the weekly assignments page and are NOT optional. Late policy applies to ALL assignments, regardless of whether they are turned in during class time or online.
Your failure to turn in any one of these assignments, regardless of its weight in the final evaluation, is considered grounds for failing this course.
Course Notes:
Your commitment to reading is critical, and not optional, in this course. Our class discussions will focus on a close examination of the assigned works, and your participation in that exchange of ideas will be a solid basis for your writings. Be aware that one reading of any text is not enough to successfully form a clear written analysis.
In order to complete each weekly assignment and be prepared, you must manage your reading time throughout the week. Read on a daily basis and "with muscle"—have a pen or pencil handy to jot down your response to the work, any questions you may have, or specific observations about the piece you can share in class. Keep a reading journal—when essays roll around you’ll be glad you have the “idea generators” that can develop as a result of these in-the-moment responses.
Class Project:
The research project for this course is outlined on the “Course Handouts” page for this class, at my main webpage. Click on “Course Handouts” and on “Eng 112” and you will find a list of handouts for the essays and other writings for this class. The Author Project is on that list. We’ll be working with this information during Week 3 of class.
This project centers on exploring a specific author's background and works. During the third week of class, you will be asked to review the list of contemporary authors given for your selection. Your selection must come from this list unless you have met with me to discuss and alternate choice.
After your author selection, you will begin developing a thorough look at this individual and her/his writings. You need to manage your time on this assignment, and I'll help you with that process as we look at specific parts of this project throughout the semester.
Course Objectives:
Students will gain an awareness of literary analysis and the critical thinking involved in producing a well-supported and concise essays. Students will also acquire an introductory knowledge of literature and its components, understanding how each aspect of a work contributes to the final piece and its impact, and utilize attention to purpose and audience in their writing. In addition, students will have opportunity to express their reactions verbally as well as in written assignments and exchange ideas with their classmates through open class discussion and group interaction.
Students with special needs:
Any student who may require instructional modifications/accommodations due to a documented learning, sensory, or medical disability should see me immediately to discuss these concerns.
**A Note on Plagiarism:
Carefully read the section on Plagiarism in your main syllabus (pg. 8) AND at the link on Eng 112 Course Handouts for “A Word on Plagiarism.”
DSLCC takes an act of plagiarism very seriously, and I fully support their policy. ANY work you hand is as your own should be just that—YOUR WORK. My focus as your instructor and as a fellow learner is to hear YOUR ideas and help you expand and explore YOUR reactions and responses. You have no excuse to plagiarize another individual's work.
Any act of plagiarism in this course will result in your failing this class, regardless of your other grades at the time. If necessary, I will pursue disciplinary action as supported by this college.
Grading: Final Evaluation:
3.6 to 4.0 = A Essays = 30%
3.0 to 3.5 = B Project/Presen. = 20%
2.0 to 2.9 = C Attendance = 20%
1.0 to 1.9 = D Journals/Other = 15%
0 to 0.9 = F Exams = 15%