Cape Cod Community College Spring 2008

Course Syllabus

                               

 

                                                        DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS

 

Prepared by the Department of Language and Literature

Department Chair’s Signature: _____________________________ Date:_________________

Division Dean’s Signature: ________________________________  Date:_________________

Date approved by Curriculum and Programs:  ________________    Effective: _____________

 

1.        Course Number:  ENL101

        Course Title: English Composition I

 

2.        Description: ENL101 is an introductory college composition course required of all students and prerequisite to all other college-level English courses.  It is designed to help students develop and express ideas clearly and effectively using standard American English through frequent writing and the study of rhetorical patterns of development. Students learn to write MLA style documented essays.

 

3.        Student learning outcomes.  Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

·         Write academic documents using standard American English.

·         Choose language appropriate to the audience and purpose of their writing.

·         Link coherent paragraphs using appropriate patterns of development.

·         Use a logical process of prewriting, composing, revising, and editing to create academic essays.

·         Demonstrate the construction of the formal academic essay.

·         Prepare a variety of academic documents using correct document format and the documentation style of the Modern Language Association.

·         Make a convincing written argument or expository discussion using accepted rules of logic and ethical interpretation of data.

·         Use specific examples to support a clear thesis.

·         Present credible information based on academic research.

·         Write a sustained research essay based on multiple credible sources using in-text citations and a list of works cited in the format of the Modern Language Association.

·         Incorporate direct quotations, indirect quotations and paraphrases in academic writing using proper citations in order to avoid plagiarism.

 

4.        Credits:  Three

 

5.        Required or elective: Required

 

6.        Satisfies General Education, Core or Distribution Requirement: Yes, satisfies three core credits

 

7.        Prerequisite(s):  Appropriate score on Computerized Placement Test or grade of C or better in ENL050 (Foundations in Writing) or ESL201 (English as a Second Language III)

 

8.        Level of Course:  Introductory

 

9.        General Statement of Evaluation:  The primary components determining the final grade are a two-hour essay final exam (20%); a library research paper (20%); additional writing assignments (such as quizzes, journals, revisions and the like) of varying lengths which total 4000-5000 words (60%).  Attendance and class participation may also be components.

 

10.     Content Outline of Course (Sufficiently detailed for the reader to ascertain the contents and topics for the course):

1 Orientation and writing sample

2. Audience, voice, purpose

3. The Writing Process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading

4. Essay structure: introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, conclusion

5. Rhetorical patterns of development

6. Critical thinking and logic

7. Developing and documenting a researched essay

8. Usage and sentence structure

 

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SPRING 2008

 

INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS

 

COURSE: ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1

INSTRUCTOR: CHRISTIE LOWRANCE

SECTIONS 49 and 50

 

1.      INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

 

This course will include lectures, class discussion, in-class writing exercises and activities, quizzes, peer editing, and individual conferences. Homework, readings, and related activities will be assigned regularly.

 

2.      EVALUATION AND GRADING

 

A final grade will be based on your work and effort in the following areas:

 

Composition: 3 essays (30%) and 1 research paper (20%)

Class work:  attendance, participation, homework, quizzes, observation notebook (30%)

Final exam: written essay (20%)

 

3.      ATTENDANCE

 

Attendance in this ENL 101 class is mandatory because the amount and type of work covered in a 75-minute class is impossible to make up. However, you will be allowed two emergency absences during the semester. Any additional absences beyond two will result in the loss of one point per absence. Anyone with six absences will be advised by the instructor to drop the course.

 

Be on time. Attendance is taken at the beginning of every class. Tardiness is distracting, inconsiderate, and irritating. If you come to class after attendance has been taken, you may be inadvertently counted absent; it is your responsibility to verify your attendance after class.

 

If you intend to drop this class, turn in a drop slip signed by your instructor.

 

Do not use a cell phone or other personal electronic device during this class.

 

BE ADVISED: It is possible to fail this course or to receive a significantly lower grade than you earned simply because of absences. Save your allowed absences for true emergencies.

 

4.      TEXT

 

College Writing Skills with Readings (7th edition) by John Langan. Bring your textbook to every class. We will use or refer to it throughout the semester. It is requested that you also bring a small pocket dictionary to class.

5.   MATERIALS

 

You will need a lined notebook for your Observation Notes and a loose-leaf ringed notebook for your homework, in-class exercises, quizzes, word lists, etc.  These materials will be collected periodically. Keep your essay papers together in a folder.  You will also need a stapler.

 

6.   READINGS

 

You will have additional reading and research assignments periodically.   

 

7.    CONTACT HOURS

 

 Three (3) hours per week

 

8.    REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPERS

 

Your written work is a primary learning tool in this class. Do not hesitate to ask questions Always do your best. Read over the instructor notes and comments on your returned papers.. Essays and other written assignments must meet the following requirements in order to be graded:  

 

·         Double spaced and neatly typed

·         Heading in upper right-hand corner

·         Heading that includes name, course, date, and assignment

·         Pages stapled at upper left-hand corner, NO folded corners or paper clips

 

In addition:

·         Essay assignments will include: a final draft, rough draft, writer evaluation, your pre-writing work, and a peer evaluation if available.

·         All work must be proofread before being printed.

·         Because your papers will include multiple drafts and other work, emailed papers cannot be accepted.    

 

BE ADVISED: Papers that do not meet these basic requirements will be marked R for “returned.” You will have one class period after receiving an R paper to make the necessary changes without penalty. After one class period, R papers will considered late.    

 

LATE PAPER POLICY:

 

Papers must be turned on the day assigned, if not in class, then in my mailbox dated and signed by an English Department faculty member by day’s end. Papers turned in after the date due are considered late. Late papers will be marked down. However, during the semester, you will be allowed one (1) late paper, meaning it will be turned in by the next class. Mark your allowed late paper as LO, or Late Option.

 

Papers that are more than one week late will receive an automatic zero (0).

REVISION PAPER POLICY

 

You will be actively revising your writing throughout the semester. If, however, you have a graded paper that you desire to improve, you have the option of revising it for a higher grade. Revisions must show substantial improvement in content, organization and style.

 

9.    OTHER CLASSWORK

 

You are expected to take notes during this class. Your final grade in this class will reflect your work and effort in the following areas:

·         Class participation

·         Homework and word lists

·         In-class writing activities and quizzes

·         Observation notebook

 

10.              PLAGIARISM

 

Plagiarism is using someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as your own. Buying an essay to present as your own is plagiarism. Using a document published on the Web without proper attribution is plagiarism.  Having someone else write an essay for you is plagiarism. Having someone so drastically edit your work so that it is no longer your work is plagiarism. Plagiarism can have severe legal, professional, personal, and academic penalties. Anyone found plagiarizing in this class will receive an “F” for the semester.   

 

 

11.     ADDITIONAL HELP

 

·                     The Writing Center offers special writing support, an outstanding resource. Call Christine

             Jacques, 508/ 362-2131, ext. 4931.

·                     The Tutoring Center offers one-on-one support with assignments, and group sessions for   

            help with spelling, study skills, grammar. Call 508/ 362-2131, ext. 4352.

·                     Learning disabilities. Contact Dr. Richard Sommers, N241, at 508/362-2131, ext. 4317 or

            the O’Neill Center, 508/ 362-2131, ext. 4337.

 

 

12.  ACADEMIC DEADLINES

Jan. 28             Last day to change a schedule

Jan. 28             Last day to drop with no academic record

Jan. 28             Last day to drop a course for 100% refund (less $35 deposit)

Feb. 4              Last day to drop a course for 50% refund

March 7           Mid-term warning grades due to the Registrar

March 17         Evacuation Day observance

March 17-21    Spring recess

April 4             Last day to withdraw from an academic class

April 21           Patriots’ Day observance

May 12                        Classes end

May 13-19       Final exam period

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE                                              SPRING 2008

 

Instructor: Christie Lowrance                                                 

Office: North 206

Office hours: TU/TH 11-12 Noon

Email: clowrance@capecod.edu

             christie.lowrance@verizon.net

PH: (508) 362-2131

 

Course: English Composition 1 (ENL 101)

Classes: Section 49: North Building, Room 104       TU/TH: 8:00 – 9:15 AM

               Section 50: Tech Building , Room G-02      TU/TH: 9:30-10:45 AM

 

 

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

           

College Writing Skills with Readings by John Langan will be the basis for class discussions, exercises and writing assignments. The text covers:

·         Basic principles of writing                     

·         Essay development  

·         Research skills

·         Sentence skills

·         Reading skills     

 

 

WEEK 1: Introductions

 

Jan. 22/ TU: Activity: Introductions, review course description.

                                     Discuss expectations and procedures, attendance and grading policies, assignment

                                     requirements. Review plagiarism, pp. 428-429. 

Assignment: Review Chapter 1, pp. 2-23; do Activities 1-5. 

Read Chapt. 34 (manuscript format) pp. 534-535

                     

Jan. 24/TH:  Activity: Diagnostic writing sample, discussion of semester’s work, grading                                                          

                      Assignment: Chapter 2, pp. 25-50, Activities 6-12

                        Essays:  “Three Passions,” pp. 636-645; activities include Reading Comprehension              

                        and Critical Reading ; do Assignment 1 or 3 as first entry in observation journal          

          Chapt. 35 (capitalization), pp.536-543; do activities 1-3

          Start Observation Journal

 

 

NOTE: Beginning today, you will make an entry per class (minimum 1 page) in your Observation Journal. Unless assigned, the topic is completely optional, but you should write about something you can physically watch or see, emotionally reflect upon, or intellectually ponder. The topic is not important; the process is. The goal is to develop your skill at internal and external observation by exploring and recording your own thoughts.   

 
 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 2: The Writing Process

 

Jan. 29/ TU: Activity:  Readings and comment: On Chesil Beach, Boston Globe, “Two Lives, Reclaimed”    

                     Assignment: Chapter 2, pp.  25-50  (the writing process) Activities 6-11    

                     Skills, Chapt. 36 (numbers), pp. 544-547, all activities

                                Chapt. 37 (apostrophe) pp. 549-556, all activities

                                Chapt. 38, (quotation)  pp. 557-564, activties 1-4, 2 review tests

                                Chapt. 40 (punctuation) , pp. 575-579, act. 1-5. Review tests      

                                Essay: “Shame,” p. 645-652. Do “Comprehension (1-10),

                                             Structure/Technique (1-4) and Critical Reading (1-4)  

 

Jan. 31/TH: Activity: Prewriting exercises 

                      Assignment: Chapt. 3, pp. 51-78, activities 1-6

                                               Make sure you have completed Capitalization activities, pp. 537-543

     Observation notebook: Assigned topic – Write about someone you know who has     

     self-respect. Does self-respect distinguish this person from others? If so, how? How   

    did this person “get” self respect? (Refer to “Shame” essay for ideas.) 

 

 

                             WEEK 3: Planning to Write

 

Feb. 5/TU Activity:  Thesis and support development, discussion, board work 

Assignment: (Continue) Chapter 3, Activities 7-19

                                         Chapter 23 (subjects and verbs), pp. 449-454, all activities

                                         Chapter 27, (subject verb agreement) pp.  492-497, all activities

                                          Essay, “A Legendary Moment”  pp. 678-683, Reading Comprehension and Critical                 

                                                                                              Reading sections.

 

 

Feb. 7/TH:  Activity:  Reading and in-class writing activity

                     Assignment: Read Chapters 7 (Essay), 8 (Description) and 9 (Narrative), pp. 170-221.

                                           Study these three chapters carefully. Activities are recommended, but       

                                           are OPTIONAL.                    

               Write ROUGH DRAFT for Essay #1, a descriptive narrative essay

                 (see Assignment sheet)                          

 

 

   WEEK 4: Beginning to Writing

 

Feb. 12/TU: DUE: ROUGH DRAFT, ESSAY#1

                        Activity: In-class writing workshop

                        Assignment: WRITE FINAL DRAFT, Essay #1

                         Read “The Professor Is a Dropout,” pp.  683-692; do all Comprehension and    

                         Critical Reading questions

                                          

 

Feb. 14/TH: DUE: FINAL DRAFT, ESSAY #1

        Activity: Essay writer evaluation, also observation sheet on essay #1

                        VALENTINES!

                      Assignment: Read Chapter 4 (organize and connect), pp. 79-104, all activities                                                           

                                                 Chapter 39 (commas), pp. 566-579, all activities    

                                                 Essay: “Here’s to Your Health,” pp.  723-729; do all Comprehension                       

                                                 Structure and Technique, and Critical Reading and discuss.

 

Begin collection of newspaper articles on subjects of potential interest for research topic

 

WEEK 5: Putting It Together  

 

Feb. 19/TU: Activity: Discuss papers

Assignment:  (See Feb. 14 Assignment)

                        Chapter 31 (adjectives and verbs) pp. 516 – 521, all activities

                        (For Observation journal, consider a topic for Writing Assignment #2 on page 239).

                                           

 

Feb. 21/TH: Activity: Discuss writing organization (Chapt. 4) grammar issues, papers

                     Check Observation notebooks

                     Assignment: Write draft, Essay #2, including pre-writing

                                                Read Chapter 5, pp. 106-138, all activities and review tests

 

 

                                                            WEEK 6: Writing with Accuracy

 

Feb. 26/TU: DUE: ROUGH DRAFT, ESSAY #2

                           Activity: In-class workshop                         

                           Assignment: Read Chapter 24 (Fragments) 455-468, all Activities and Review tests

                                               Write: Final Essay #2    

 

Feb. 28/TH: DUE: FINAL DRAFT, ESSAY #2

        Assignment: Read Chapter 25 (run-ons), pp. 469-481; all activities

                                             Chapters 32, 33 (misplaced and dangling modifiers) pp. 523-531; all act.

                                             Essay:  Seven Ways to Keep the Peace at Home,” pp. 750-761; do Comprehension

                                             and Critical Reading

 

                                                    WEEK 7: Writing with Precision

 

March 4/TU Activity: Guest speaker (tentative)

                    Assignment: Write Draft, Essay #3

                                           Chapters 29-30 (pronouns), pp. 503-515, all activities

                                          

                                       

Mar. 6/ TH:  DUE: DRAFT, ESSAY #3

                        Activity: Writing workshop

                      Assignment: Chapter 6 (writing revision), pp. 469-481; all activities 

 

 

 

                     March 7: Mid-term warning grades due at Registrar’s office.

 
 

 

 

 

 


                                                WEEK 8: Writing with Style

 

Mar. 11/TU: DUE: FINAL, ESSAY #3

                                Assignment: Chapter 17-19 (research, etc.) pp, 377-401; activities TBA

               

Mar. 13/TH: Activity: Discuss and plan Research Paper, to begin after break

                     Assignment: Chapter 20-22 (specialized writing), pp. 402-445, activities TBA                                        

                      Prepare proposal/evaluation on three possible topic proposals 

 

 

             WEEK 9: NO CLASSES

        

          SPRING BREAK!

 

     

WEEK 10: Research Paper Planning (Topic, sources, etc.)

 

Mar. 25/ TU:  DUE: THREE TOPIC PROPOSALS 

      Assignment:  Chapter 13 (comparison and contrast), pp. 287-310; act. TBA

                             Chapter 14 (definition), pp. 311-329; act. TBA  

                             Essay: TBA

 

Mar. 27/ TH: Activities: Topic selection

                       Assignment: Chapter 11 (process), pp. 243-263; activities TBA                         

                                             Chapt. 12  (cause and effect), pp. 265-286; activities TBA

                              Write Draft, research paper, Part 1: Issue/topic Definition 

 

       

WEEK 11:  Research Paper Writing

 

Apr. 1/ TU: DUE: Draft, Research paper, Part 1: Issue/topic Definition 

                                Activity: In-class workshop/discussion                                

                      Assignment: Read Chapter 14 (definition), pp. 311-329

                      Write FINAL draft, Part 1: Issue/topic definition  

 

 

Apr. 3/TH  DUE: FINAL, PART 1: ISSUE/TOPIC DEFINITION

                    Activity: TBA

    Assignment: Read Chapter 15 (classification), pp. 330-348; act. TBA

                                    Chapter 16 (argument), pp. 349-372; activities TBA

 

 

                                                WEEK 12: Refining writing

 

Apr. 8/TU: Assignment: Write rough draft, research paper, Part 2: Issue/topic Analysis  

                                          Chapter 42 and 43 (commonly confused words; effective word choice),

                                                                                           pp. 588-603; all  activities and review tests

                                  

Apr. 10/ TH:  Activity: WORKSHOP

                        DUE: Rough draft, PART 2: Issue/topic Analysis

                       Assignment:  Prepare Final draft, RP, Part 2: Analysis

 

 

                                                WEEK 13: Revision

 

Apr. 15/ TU    DUE: FINAL, PART 2: Issue/topic Analysis

                        Activity: TBA

                        Assignment: Prepare revision of graded papers (optional)

                                               

Apr. 17/ TH   DUE: REVISION PAPERS (optional)

                        Assignment: Read Chapter 18 (essay writing), pp. 324-354

                               

 

 

                               

                                        WEEK 14: Preparation of      Part 3: Issue/ topic Evaluation

 

Apr. 22/TU:  Activity: Discussion and planning research paper

      Assignment: Write ROUGH DRAFT, Part 3: Issue/topic Evaluation  

 

Apr. 24/TH: DUE: DRAFT, Part 3, research paper

                      ACTIVITY, In class workshop

                     Assignment: FINAL Draft, Part 3: Evaluation

                                               

 

                                         WEEK 15: CONCLUSION OF RESEARCH PAPER

 

Apr. 29/TU  DUE: FINAL, Part 3: Issue/topic Evaluation

                    Activity: Workshop, in-class work on research  papers

                    Assignment:  Prepare FINAL DRAFT, Research paper     

 

May 1/TH    DUE: FINAL DRAFT, RESEARCH PAPER

                     Activity: discuss, proof, correct   

                     Assignment: Prepare final Draft, RESEARCH PAPER

 

 

                                                WEEK 16: LAST WEEK OF CLASS WORK

 

May 6/ TU   DUE: FINAL COPY OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER

 

May 8/ TH   DUE: ALL WORK

                     FINAL CONFERENCE TO REVIEW WORK

 

 

 

FINAL EXAM:

DATE:

TIME:

LOCATION:

 

 

NOTE: This is a tentative listing of assignments, which may change as course needs change. If you are unable to attend class, check Blackboard for assignment updates.  

 

 

                                                        GRADING

                 

Your final grade will be based on your work in the following areas:

 

Four writing assignments:                

3 essays                                                      30% (10% each) 

1 research paper:                                25%                       

 

Final Exam                                                               20%

 

Attendance                                                         5%

Participation                                                      5%         

Observation Journal                                            5%

Homework                                                                5%

Quizzes/In-class work                                          5%