English !"# | Composition II Science Fiction: Social Issues, Technology, & the Human Condition Section H#, Spring #"!$ T/Th !#:%"-!:&"pm (Arts Building A%!!) Length of Course: One semester Credit Hours: % Contact Hours: % IAI: C'"!R Instructor: Sarah Hughes email: shughes$(@ccc.edu Office Hours: T/Th !!:%"am-!#:""pm (L#&') Office Phone: ())%) $*!-*&$% Mailbox: L%#% Course Website: ccc.blackboard.com Writing Center: L#!% - http://www.ccc.edu/colleges/wright/departments/Pages/Writing-Center.aspx
Course Description: This course is about explorationof language, literature, and ideas. It is an intensive study of argumentative writing. Argumentative writing explores and contributes to conversations on intellectual and cultural issues. We will focus on crafting and investigating questions, writing clearly, and thinking critically. Because the theme is Science Fiction: Social Issues, Technology, and the Human Condition, well read a variety of short stories in the sci-fi genre. We will explore how the fantastical events and characters reflect and critique our ordinary world.
Course Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in English !"!. Entering students should also exhibit the following: The ability to frame and support a thesis in a clearly written and logically organized essay. The ability to employ rhetorical techniques (e.g. analysis, using evidence to support a claim, summary/paraphrase, concrete details) in writing. The ability to compose an essay without major or frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The ability to read critically and interpret sources.
Texts and Materials: Barnet, Sylvan, William E. Cain, and William Burto. Literature for Composition: An Introduction to Literature. !" th ed. New York: Pearson/Longman, #"!%. ISBN !%: ')*-"-%#!-*#'!)-) You will also need: Blackboard (Bb) Access: Many of our readings will be available on Bb, and it is your responsibility to print and bring your annotated text to class on the day the reading is due. Other materials (course content including syllabus, assignments, digital dropbox, etc.) are located on Blackboard, accessible through http://ccc.blackboard.com. A notebook for journaling and in-class writing exercises 2 Students Course is Expected to Serve: English !"# is intended to enhance communication skills, promote critical thinking, and prepare students for college-level research and analysis. English !"# is transferrable to four-year universities and is a general education requirement for two- and four-year degrees.
Writing Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes:
Throughout the Wright College Writing Curriculum, students will engage in practices and skills that demonstrate abilities in the following six competencies: 1. Process Engage in a recursive process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading Engage in a reflective process of evaluating their own drafts and those of others 2. Purpose and Audience Define the purpose and audience for each writing task Adopt a voice, tone, and level of formality appropriate to an academic audience Achieve the purpose of the writing task 3. Exposition and Argument Formulate and support an explicit or implied thesis Direct an argument or explanation to the designated audience Incorporate reasoning and explanations appropriate to the thesis and its supporting claims 4. Organization and Development Establish a clear framework of organization appropriate to the writing task and the thesis Employ rhetorical strategies consistent with the purpose of the writing task Incorporate effective rhetorical tools such as transitions, examples, explanations, concrete and relevant details Integrate students own ideas with those of others, using appropriate documentation Identify and avoid intentional and unintentional plagiarism 5. Mechanics While revising, editing, and proofreading, apply conventions of Standard Edited English, and eliminate surface errors that interfere with coherence and clarity 6. Critical Thinking/Reading Summarize, analyze, and evaluate the arguments, counter-arguments, and evidence in the writing of others
Requirements: At the end of this course, students will: !. Compose essay(s) that incorporate multiple sources and total at least #&"" words #. Correctly incorporate source material through paraphrase, summary, and quotation (and avoid plagiarism) on notes and in the text
Methods of Instruction: Combination of class discussion, lecture, small group work, and individual and group presentation.
3 Literacy: Literacy is more than simply reading and writingits learning ways of reading, writing, thinking, speaking, listening, persuading, informing, acting, and knowing, in college and beyond.
Basically, our aim this semester is to strengthen your writing, research, and critical thinking skills in ways that will benefit you in and beyond college. Well write a lot in this course, because writing is more a learned skill than a talent. Consistent practice is necessary for all successful writers.
Course Projects: Keep all formal and informal writing (including all drafts), preferably in digital format on your computer hard drive or a key drive. Make back-ups so that in the event of a computer glitch, you still have your work.
Formal Projects: Short Essay #1: Theme s t he Breaks For this essay, you will examine how a sci-fi short story represents one of our themessocial issues, technology, or the human conditionand what readers can learn about the theme from the story. #-% pages. Short Essay #2: Maki ng Meani ng For this essay, you will respond to a question about one of our short stories, using evidence from a collection of articles well read as a class. This essay reflects the process youll take on for the final essay. #-% pages. Mi dt erm Refl ect i ve Essay An in-class reflective essay on how youre meeting the Writing Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes and Course Requirements (see Syllabus p. #). Short Essay #3: Fi nal Research Proj ect Proposal Compose a formal proposal for your research project, citing sources. Note that these are preliminary sources and may or may not appear in your final project. #-% pages. Annot at ed Bi bl i ography A list of sources (journal articles, books, websites, etc.) that includes a summary and evaluation of each. In other words, it is a References or Works Cited page that has a brief paragraph under each citation summarizing the source and describing how it will be useful for your project. Fi nal Research Paper The culminating project of Eng !"#: Composition, which asks you to critically respond to a question with evidence from the text and outside scholarly sources. By completing this assignment, you will engage in college-level inquiry, research, and composition. *-!" pages.
Informal Projects: Readi ng Responses. Consist of a short summary (a few sentences at most) and a longer response (a long paragraph or two) in which you can explore something that occurred to you as you read: personal responses, questions, confusions, notable passages, ideas you identified or disagreed with) In-Cl ass Wri t i ng, including fastwrites or directed writing Peer Revi ews that youve written for other students in class St yl e not es or exerci ses 4 Grading: It is important to me that grading is as transparent as possible, and you will have many chances to improve your grade throughout the term.
This course values the process of writing. You will receive credit for submitting drafts, but they will not be graded. You will peer review your first draft, revise based on the feedback you receive, and then submit to me for feedback. Note that rough and second drafts must meet the minimum word-count for credit. The purpose of building in a drafting process is to give you the opportunity to revi se your writing before submitting for a grade. You will receive a grade when you submit the final version of each essay.
Class Policies: Writing Requirements: Approximately $ formal writing projects, #-% pages long, and an *-!" page research paper. Keep drafts and notes of all assignments. All final drafts must be typed and double-spaced and, unless otherwise indicated, be submitted electronically to the Blackboard Digital Drop Box. Outside sources, when used, must be documented according to MLA style (see Literature for Composition !$!"-!'). There will be other writing projects, both in and out of class.
Late Work: In-class writing, peer reviews, and homework cannot be made up. However, if you know that you must miss class, you may submit your homework assignment electronically through Blackboard in advance. When an essay is due, you must submit it on or before the deadline. Late papers are not accept ed.
Attendance: Much of what you will take away from this course relies on your active participation in class discussion, in-class writing, peer review, and group work, so your regular attendance is essential. If you are absent, you will not be able to make up missed work.
Definition/Statement of Active Pursuit of the Course: District and College attendance policies are listed in the college catalog and the Student Policy Manual: http://ccc.edu/Student/files/Student_Policy_Manual_*.#&."'.pdf.
At midterm, the professor must submit a grade that reflects the performance of each student. Students who do not demonstrate active pursuit of the courses objectives, regardless of their attendance in class, will receive an ADW and automatically be withdrawn from the class. That is, a student can attend every class and still Grading: Final Research Paper: Joining the Conversation %"% All drafts Midterm Reflective Essay !"% Formal Writing %"% All drafts of Formal Writing Projects (includes Short Essays !, #, &% and Annotated Bibliography) Informal Writing #"% Reading Responses; Peer Review Responses; Homework; In-Class Essays and Assignments Participation !"% Contribution to Peer Review and Class Discussions; Attendance
5 receive an ADW if he or she is not actively pursuing the courses objectives. Active pursuit in this class means that the students complete the assignments and participate in class activities.
Students who dont submit required and satisfactorily-written essays, who miss a substantial number of other assignments, and who choose not to contribute to in-class discussion and debate will receive an ADW at Midterm. Students who do not participate in class discussion may lose participation points equal to a whole letter grade.
No Show Policy: If a student registered for the course before the start time of the first class period, but !) did not attend the first # classes, or #) attended only ! of the first % classes and failed to notify the instructor of his or her intentions to continue the class, the Registrars Office will remove the student from the course. (Student Policy Manual, p. #&) http://www.ccc.edu/Files/studentpolicymanual.pdf.
Student-Initiated Withdrawal: It is the students responsibility to officially withdraw from courses by April )th. Failure to withdraw may result in mandatory payment of tuition/fees, forfeiture of financial aid eligibility, and/or a failing grade (Student Policy Manual, p. #() http://www.ccc.edu/Files/studentpolicymanual.pdf.
Academic Integrity: This class values research, creativity, and, above all, originality. We will spend much time in class learning to identify and avoid plagiarism and cite sources properly. If you have any questions at all about what constitutes plagiarism, please come talk to me.
Thi s cl ass has a zero-t ol erance pl agi ari sm pol i cy and utilizes TurnItIn.com software to ensure compliance. If Im not receiving your work, I cannot help you grow as a writer, a researcher, or a student. Violations of this policy will result in, minimally, a " on the assignment, but can also result in failure of the course or even expulsion from the college.
The City Colleges of Chicago is committed to the ideals of truth and honesty. In view of this commitment, students are expected to adhere to high standards of honesty in their academic endeavor. Plagiarism and cheating of any kind are serious violations of these standards and will result, minimally, in the grade of F by the instructor (Student Policy Manual, p. $") http://www.ccc.edu/Files/studentpolicymanual.pdf.
Student Conduct: City Colleges of Chicago students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is considerate of the rights of others and does not impede the educational mission of the College. Misconduct for which students are subject to College discipline (e.g. expulsion) may include the following: (!) all forms of dishonesty, such as stealing or forgery; (#) obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, or disciplinary proceedings; (%) physical or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person; and ($) carrying or possession of weapons, ammunition, or other explosives (Student Policy Manual, p. $!). http://www.ccc.edu/Files/studentpolicymanual.pdf.
Disability Access Center (DAC): Please note: Any student with a disability, including a temporary disability, who is eligible for reasonable accommodations should contact the Disability Access Center located in room L!%&, Learning Resource Center of the Wright North Campus or call ())%) $*!-*"!( as soon as possible.
6 Classroom Etiquette: Our classroom is a safe space for sharing and exploring ideas, for reexamining expectations, and for procuring knowledge. To do this, our classroom must be a respectful and encouraging place. Do not talk while the instructor or other students are speaking. Do not use your cellphone in class. All cellphones and similar electronic devices should be turned off and put away.
Peer Review Workshops: Because writing is social and collaborative, it is very important for writers to discuss their work with knowledgeable peers as they revise. The time devoted to workshops in this class is intended to serve three purposes: a) to see how other students handle assignments; b) to work on developing useful revising skills by helping others revise their work; and c) to get feedback on your own work before it is turned in to the instructor. Workshops may involve a discussion of student working drafts or they may focus on the work of professional writers working within a range of rhetorical situations. We will be engaging in small-group peer review workshops throughout the semester. As a class, we will discuss methods for providing effective peer review so everyone feels confident contributing. You will contribute to discussion during peer review and comment on drafts, submitting your comments to me for Participation.
Workshop Requi rement s: When assigned, you must have a complete draft of the project assigned for the Workshop Day. Failure to have this draft will result in a zero (0) on the rough draft in the grade book, which will impact your final grade. If you miss a Workshop Day, you must make a Writing Center appointment for feedback on your work, requesting a signed verification of your appointment.
The Writing Center: The Writing Center is a really useful resource for additional feedback on your writing and support at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and prewriting, to drafting, to revising. You can work with a Writing Center Tutor on focusing and developing your ideas, organizing and structuring your draft, polishing your grammar and mechanics, or anything else related to invention, composition, or revision. You can schedule a consultation with a tutor (generally %" minutes).
All Writing Center services are free. To schedule an appointment, visit L#!%.
This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class. 7 Course Calendar: The following is a tentative schedule of class activities, assignments, and readings for the semester. It is, of course, subject to change. The course will be updated week-by-week. Check Blackboard for updates. Readings that are not in the textbooks will be on the Blackboard site. LFC: Literature for Composition
Week Day In Class Assignment Due Reading Due ! Tue, Jan !$ Introductions Syllabus
Thu, Jan !( Discuss Readings Writing Strengths and Weaknesses In-Class Essay Shitty First Drafts (Lamott) # Tue, Jan #! Theme Discuss Readings Assign Short Essay !: Themes the Breaks
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (Dick) Pretty Boy Crossover (Cadigan) Thu, Jan #% Introduction to Research Writing and Methods Discuss Readings and Notes Notes on The Lesson of August #"#( & Essays Analyzing Theme August #"#(: There Will Come Soft Rains (Bradbury) The Lesson of August #"#( (LFC pp. #)-#') Theme (LFC pp. %&)-*) % Tue, Jan #* Embedding Summaries Short Essay !: Themes the Breaks Rough Draft LFC ch. * (Arguing an Interpretation), pp. #"'-## Thu, Jan %" Discuss Readings and Summaries Story Summary Out Of All Them Bright Stars (Kress) $ Tue, Feb "$ Integrating Sources into Essays (Summary, Paraphrase, & Quotation) Discuss Readings
Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman (Ellison) Slow Tuesday Night (Lafferty) Thu, Feb "( Supporting Claims with Evidence Assign Short Essay #: Making Meaning Short Essay !: Themes the Breaks Final Draft LFC Appendix A (Writing about Literature: An Overview of Critical Strategies), pp. !%'%-!$"( & Tue, Feb !! Effective Peer Review Synthesis Discuss Readings
Elisons Harlequin: Irrational Moral Action in Static Time (White) Elisons Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman (Bryant) Thu, Feb !% Short Essay # Peer Review & Revision Plans Short Essay #: Making Meaning Rough Draft (% copies) Developing an Argument (LFC pp. !)%-*) 8 ( Tue, Feb !* Structuring Arguments Discuss Readings
How to Talk to Girls at Parties (Gaiman) Delilah and the Space Rigger (Heinlein) Thu, Feb #" Meet in Library (Room L!%") for Presentation on Research and Sources Short Essay #: Making Meaning Second Draft Speech Sounds (Butler) Reason (Asimov) ) Tue, Feb #& Avoiding Plagiarism Discuss Readings
When It Changed (Russ) Winters King (Le Guin) Thu, Feb #) Brainstorming to Find the Right Research Topic Short Essay #: Making Meaning Final Draft
* Tue, Mar "$ The Thesis Statement Final Research Paper Research Topic
Thu, Mar "( Research Workshop (Meet in Computer Lab, Rm __________) Final Research Paper Thesis Statement Research: Writing with Sources (LFC pp. %"(-%!&) ' Tue, Mar !! The Paper Proposal Assign Final Research Project Proposal Conference Sign-Up Joining the Conversation: Critical Thinking and Writing (LFC !%#", !%)') The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas (Le Guin) A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings (Garca Mrquez) Thu, Mar !% Midterm: Reflective Essay (Meet in Computer Lab, Rm L!#*) Conference Sign-Up Work on Final Research Project Proposal Research (Final Research Paper) !" Tue, Mar !* Student/Instructor Conferences Final Research Project Proposal Rough Draft Research (Final Research Paper) Thu, Mar #" Student/Instructor Conferences Work on revising Final Research Project Proposal Research (Final Research Paper) !! Tue, Mar #& Student/Instructor Conferences Work on revising Final Research Project Proposal Research (Final Research Paper) Thu, Mar #) The Annotated Bibliography Assign Annotated Bibliography Final Research Project Proposal Final Draft Research (Final Research Paper) !# Tue, Apr "! Outlining the Final Research Project Compose Draft of Outline in Class
Research (Final Research Paper) Thu, Apr "% Writing Workshop Meet in Computer Lab (Rm L!#*) Typed & Polished Outline Annotated Bibliography Research (Final Research Paper) 9 !% Tue, Apr "* Final Research Paper Peer Review & Revision Plans Final Research Paper Rough Draft Research (Final Research Paper) Thu, Apr !" Writing Workshop Meet in Computer Lab (Rm ___________)
Tue, Apr !& Spring Break! Thu, Apr !) !$ Tue, Apr ## Meet in Computer Lab (Rm L!!&)
Thu, Apr #$ Writing Workshop Meet in Computer Lab (Rm ___________) Final Research Paper Second Draft
!& Tue, Apr #' Final Research Paper Q&A Meet in Computer Lab (Rm ___________) Bring % questions about research, writing, revision, or editing your Research Paper
Thu, May "! Writing Workshop Meet in Computer Lab (Rm ___________)
!( Tue, May "( Writing Workshop Meet in Computer Lab (Rm L!!&)
Thu, May "* Submit Final Research Paper Final Research Paper (Final Draft)