ENGLISH 1A: Composition and Reading 1
SYLLABUS Fall 2008

Required Items | Description | Objectives | Attendance Policies | Late Work and Safety Nets
 Grading Policies and Course Assignments | Academic Honesty | Writing Requirements |  MLA Info.

Required Items: 

Texts:

The Seagull Reader: Stories, (2nd ed.) Kelly
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, Wiesenthal (reserve copy available)
The Glass Castle, Walls (reserve copy available)
The Mosquito Coast, Theroux (reserve copy available)
English Simplified, (11th ed.) Ellsworth and Higgins (same book used for English A lab)
Course Packet of Handouts (in MC bookstore)
 

Additional Required Supplies:

Two large blue books from the MC bookstore (for your journal)
Additional blue books as required for exams
Two 10 x 12” or larger clasp envelopes (for submitting work)

Strongly recommended:

Readily available Internet and word processing access
USB drive, or similar device to save your work
Any college-level dictionary and thesaurus
A binder and binder paper
Highlighter pens
Post-it notes, post-it tabs
Small stapler

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Course Description:

English 1A is a transfer-level college freshman composition course that stresses critical readings, scholarly compositions, and research
applications. Students write exploratory and argumentative essays—at least one of which is fully annotated—based on class readings and
discussions. Upon entering the course, students are expected to understand basic English skills (including but not limited to the following:
an understanding of sound grammatical principles, the ability to make and support a claim/thesis, the ability to develop a multi-paragraphed essay,
and the proper use of MLA format and documentation) and are expected to acquire more sophisticated reading and composition skills throughout
the term. Students apply matters and measures of critical thinking skills to their assignments.

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Course Requirements, Objectives, and Expected Student
Learning Outcomes:

According to the Merced College Course Outline, all English 1A students are required to
read a minimum of 900 pages per semester and to write a minimum of 8,000 graded words per
semester.  To this end, students will read and respond in writing to a variety of fiction and non-fiction works
exploring the thematic ideas. This course will help you to recognize and to develop critical reading and thinking skills
and further apply them in college-level writing. Each student will complete numerous written assignments both in and
out of class. Participation in group and whole class activities is mandatory; this course requires you to be
an active learner.

By the end of the course, students should know how to write clear and logical prose and to read 
college-level texts closely and effectively. 

Expected Student Learning Outcomes:

According to the official Merced College Course Outline, by the end of this course,
students will learn to write clear and logical prose and to read college-level texts closely and effectively.

Specific areas of study in composition include:
A. Organize essays into appropriate form and structure
B. Prepare strong paragraphs
C. Construct effective language and style
D. Compose sound, reasonable claims and premises
E. Apply research skills by way of recognizing the different levels, types, and formats
of information including, but not limited to, primary versus secondary and popular versus scholarly
F. Employ careful revision practices

Specific areas of study in reading include:
A. Identify and evaluate main ideas and supporting ideas
B. Study historical and theoretical backgrounds of published material
C. Analyze rhetorical modes or techniques
D. Recognize and differentiate voice, tone, and point-of-view
E. Build and apply critical vocabulary
F. Formulate critical evaluation

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Attendance Policies:

Your enrollment in this class signifies your ability and willingness to complete the course work. If you are not
able to attend regularly or to complete assignments in a timely fashion, you are jeopardizing your own
academic success and ability to advance to the next level.

A reasonable number of absences would be no more than one absence per course unit: that 
means three absences for the semester.  Once you exceed this reasonable number, your
ability to continue successfully in this class may be jeopardized.

This class begins and ends on time and arriving late and/or leaving early disrupts the class and counts

against your attendance and participation points. Roll will be taken at each class. Save your absences for

when you are really sick or in a bind and be sure to communicate with your professor. You must leave a note

in my mailbox, a phone message, or an e-mail if you will be absent and you are responsible for

getting the required work to me via another student in this class or by arranging to have it brought to my

mailbox, office, or in person to me on campus as close to our class time as possible. Simply putting work in

my mailbox or under my door without a note or other means of contact will not be accepted. If you show up to

class the next day without contacting me prior to that, no previous work will be accepted. If you want

exceptions, breaks, or special consideration, my commitment to fairness and consistency may work

against you.

If you add this class after the first session, you must either make-up missed assignments or accept

the missing points. You are not automatically “excused” since you were not enrolled. Adds are limited

by space of classroom facility, course limit, and by absence policy above. It is the student’s

responsibility to drop the class if he or she no longer wishes to attend; however, I reserve the

right to drop you if you are not here the first day of class (especially if others are waiting to

add)  and/or for excessive absences during the semester unless notified otherwise.

Late Work:
I do not accept late work in this class (except for what is described in the next "Safety Nets" section). 

Assignments are due in the classroom at the beginning of class time on the day the

assignment is due. This policy is designed to reward responsibility and to discourage procrastination. Plan

ahead for potential technical, transportation, childcare, and other difficulties. It is acceptable to turn work in

early is you know you will be absent. If you miss in-class work including group work, quizzes, tests,

in-class writing, etc due to absence or incomplete attendance, you lose credit for this work. 

Extenuating circumstances may modify this policy; however, it is the student’s responsibility

to bring these circumstances to my attention as soon as possible (before class or at least the

same day) so that the necessary arrangements can be made. 

Test Policy:
A test may be rescheduled, but arrangements must be made prior to the test date. “No shows”
will not be allowed to make up tests. Again, extenuating circumstances may modify this policy, but it is
the student’s responsibility to communicate promptly.
 

“Safety Nets”:
During the course of the semester, each student will be allowed one rewrite of a written assignment, either an essay or mini-research project
(Essays #1-3 or Mini-Research Projects #1-2). Additionally, each student will be allowed one late written assignment, either an essay or mini-research
project (Essays #1-3 or Mini-Research Projects #1-2).

However, there are some limitations on these safety nets: a student may use the safety net only if s/he has turned in on time all other work required
for that particular written assignment. Furthermore, a student may not utilize both “safety net” options on the same assignment. The rewritten or late
assignment must be turned in with all other work for that assignment to my mailbox, office, or in person to me on campus, no later than the beginning
of the next class session. It is the student’s responsibility to write a short, but specific note explaining why s/he decided to rewrite the paper or why
the paper is late.

THESE OPTIONS DO NOT APPLY TO IN-CLASS WRITING ASSIGNMENTS OR TO THE LAST WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS OF THE
SEMESTER (Essay #4 or Mini-Research Project #3).

Extra credit assignments are offered periodically for students wishing to improve their grades. There is a limit to how many points you can accumulate
 through extra credit.

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Grading Policies and Course Assignments:

Grades serve as a measure of individual academic progress and achievement. Your performance on written assignments of all
types will be the primary source of your grades. In general, your essays will be graded for focus, organization, development,
grammar and mechanics, meeting minimum length requirements, and your overall ability to engage the assigned readings in a manner
appropriate to college-level work. Each type of essay will also have additional specific criteria and outcomes listed on the rubric.

Your final grade is based on the number of points you accumulate during the semester on all of your course
assignments.  The points you earn on these assignments will be weighted and converted into a percentage
that will give you a letter grade at the end of the semester. Graded assignments will be returned and grades
will be posted regularly throughout the semester.

Grading Scale:
90%-100% = A     80%-89% = B     70%-79% = C     60-69% = D    0-59% = F

Writing--Essays, Reading Journals, and In-Class Writing = 60%
Assessment--Quizzes and Exams (including Midterm and Final Exam) = 20%
Other--Group Work, Participation/Attendance, and Misc.= 20%

Course Assignments:

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Academic Honesty:

The intentional or unintentional presentation of information from another source as if it were your own is plagiarism.
In this class you must incorporate and document information correctly in order to avoid plagiarism. We will also utilize the website turnitin.com
All other forms of cheating, copying, or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Do not attempt to write an assignment for another student or
submit as your own an assignment written by another student. A failing grade on a plagiarized assignment and a formal complaint in your student
personnel file is the least I can do to enforce this academic law. Plagiarism on extra credit assignments will make you ineligible to do any further
extra credit work in the course. Depending on the severity of the incident, further consequences can include a failing grade for the course, being
dropped from the course, or academic probation.

Collegiate Behavior and Common Courtesy:
Students are expected to be punctual, prepared, and ready to participate. Everyone deserves the right to study and learn in an atmosphere that is relatively
free from distractions; therefore, before you enter class, please turn off and put away all cell phones/text messaging devices, MP3 players and headphones,
and all other personal electronic equipment that can cause disruption. During discussion students should listen respectfully, both to other students and to the
professor. I will not tolerate disruptive behavior in class and will ask you to leave if the problem persists. Food and beverages should be consumed outside.
Due to Merced College liability policies, persons not enrolled in the class should not be in the classroom.

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Student Contacts:
It is a good idea to get at least 2 fellow students’ names, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses in case 
you miss class or you need help on an assignment.
 

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Writing Requirements:

All parts of the writing process earn credit so it is imperative to keep all drafts for all essays as evidence of your process and progress.
The writing assignments serve to illustrate that the student has read and contemplated each text in more than a cursory fashion.

All essays and mini-research projects must be typed using standard MLA format (double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font, 1
inch margins all around, last name and page number in upper right hand corner, and Works Cited page as needed). See “MLA Format”
information on this syllabus and information in your English Simplified 11th ed., Ellsworth and Higgins, text. If using Word 2007, you will
need to change the default spacing and font. There are directions at the end of this syllabus.

Every essay requires prewriting and planning before beginning a rough draft. A rough draft is a work-in-progress, a completed attempt at the
assignment that is ready to be revised and edited into final draft form. Rough drafts must be TYPED, complete, properly formatted, and on time in order
to undergo a draft conference. No handwritten drafts. Throughout the semester, I am available to conference with you individually concerning your essays
and you can also utilize the Writing Center.

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Basic MLA Information:

Using Microsoft Word, set up your essays in correct MLA format following these guidelines:
(NOTE: If you have Word 2007, go to "Insert", then "Header" and type information accordingly)

MLA Format:

• Times New Roman, size 12 font
• Double-spaced
• 1 inch margins all around
• Header with last name and page number in top right hand corner
• Four line heading with inverted date
• Centered title

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MLA Citation

Use the following examples to document quotations from our texts and supplemental materials for this course:

                                                   Works Cited

“Excerpt: The Glass Castle: A Writer’s Account of Her Life Journey from West Virginia

           to New York City.” ABC News. 10 Mar. 2005. 25 Mar. 2007

           <http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/OnlyinAmerica/story?id=549259&page=1>.

Fox, Matthew. Rpt. in The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of

Forgiveness. Ed. Simon Wiesenthal. New York: Shocken, 1998. 143-48.

Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills Like White Elephants.” The Seagull Reader: Stories. 2nd ed. New

York: Norton, 2008. 203-208.

Theroux, Paul. The Mosquito Coast. 1982.  Boston: Mariner Books, 2006.

Walls, Jeannette. The Glass Castle: A Memoir. New York: Scribner, 2005.

Wiesenthal, Simon. The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness.

           New York: Schocken Books, 1998.

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THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE