Columbus State Community College English Department

COURSE AND NUMBER:

English 250Intermediate Composition: American Experience E-MAIL: ewilliam@cscc.edu (note: no s) DEPARTMENT FAX: 614/287-5375

INSTRUCTOR: Edwin Williams

DEPARTMENT PHONE: 614/287-2531 or 614/287-3630 DEPARTMENT MAILBOXES: NH 420 CREDITS: 5 CLASS HOURS PER WEEK: 5

LAB HOURS: 0

Remember semesters arrive August 29, 2012. For information on how this will affect you, visit www.cscc.edu/semesters.

PREREQUISITE:

Completion of Essay and Research (English 102) or English Composition (English 111) with a C or better, or equivalent documented coursework from another college or university.

Note:

Students should take only one course in the series English 250, 251, 252, or 253. All of these courses fulfill English 367, the second level writing requirement at OSU.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: English 250 is an intermediate composition course that extends and refines skills in expository writing, critical reading, and critical thinking by having students analyze, discuss, and write about major topics pertaining to the theme of the American Experience in the United States, and the ways in which writers, artists, and the media have articulated this theme. Assigned texts will address such issues as race, culture, ethnicity, disability, class, gender, and sexual orientation, and will stimulate writing and facilitate an awareness of the interplay among purpose, audience, content, structure, and style. English 250 requires students to plan draft, and revise essays that represent a sophisticated application of expository skills and critical analysis, as well as refine skills in the areas of researching a topic, documenting sources, and working collaboratively.

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GOALS OF THE COURSE: Students will write expository and/or argumentative essays demonstrating their ability to select and employ appropriate rhetorical, analytical, and persuasive strategies using evidence to illustrate and support their ideas. Students will continue to use and refine drafting and revising strategies introduced in English 101/102 or English 111, and will submit multiple drafts of assignments for instructor and peer feedback. Students will gain extensive experience in analyzing, discussing, and responding in writing to a variety of texts with particular emphasis on the rhetorical strategies employed by a diversity of authors, artists, and media. Responses may culminate in longer pieces of written discourse. Students will practice listening, speaking, and/or online discussion skills and work in groups to produce oral presentations and/or collaborative writing assignments.

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES Columbus State Community College has defined a series of general learning outcomes that all students are expected to acquire before they graduate. English 250 (Advanced Composition: American Experience) addresses this need by providing students with the materials, methods, and instruction in how to:
Critical Thinking Synthesize, integrate, and connect information by writing essays using techniques of criticism and evaluation Demonstrate awareness of the difference between objective and subjective information (facts and opinions) Analyze information by reading and discussing professional and student writings Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between and analyze a variety of texts from historical, social, political, and thematic perspectives Effective Communication Write clearly and effectively in standard English appropriate to the audience and purpose by completing a series of formal essay, research paper, and journal assignments Utilize the appropriate methodology and rhetorical devices to write papers that support a controlling idea and are logically and soundly developed Demonstrate mastery of the steps of the composing process, including planning, organizing, writing, revising, editing, and proofreading Demonstrate reading comprehension at the appropriate course level by discussing and writing about assignments Converse clearly and effectively in standard English appropriate to the audience and purpose by discussing assignments in class and/or online Listen actively with understanding by participating in class discussions Community and Civic Responsibility Demonstrate an understanding of individual rights and responsibilities of group membership by collaborating with others on writing assignments and/or presentations Work collaboratively by reading student papers and discussing suggestions for improvement (peer revision and editing) and participating in discussion groups Demonstrate an understanding of the role of ethics in life and work by acknowledging all outside sources used in academic writing Demonstrate an understanding that humanity, by its nature, is diverse by reading and discussing diverse professional and student writings on topical issues Evaluate texts from a variety of perspectives by reading, discussing, and writing about professional and student writings on topics of cross-cultural interest Information Literacy Demonstrate the ability to select and arrange the appropriate amount of information (quantity) and to discern and arrange credible and relevant information (quality) in research essays Demonstrate responsible and effective use of electronic source material

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Use technological resources searching for and obtaining source materials for research essays Document all borrowed material using appropriate citation format appropriate to discipline/audience (e.g..MLA, APA)

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS REQUIRED (Upon availability) videotapes, audiotapes, and handouts. TEXTBOOKS AND COURSE MATERIALS The English 250 textbook is an electronic book, or E-book. The E-book is available in a print version at the Columbus State book store along with a code that will provide you with access to the E-book online. Your instructor will give you the guidelines for accessing the E-book online using your code. Required: English 250: For Columbus State Community College. E-Book. New York, NY: Pearson 2010 (available only at the Columbus State book store) Recommended: A collegiate dictionary and thesaurus. COURSE UNITS: Introduction Writing about Texts Kinds of Textual Responses (one OR more of the following) a. Writing about Literature b. Writing about the Arts c. Writing about Media Writing the Research Paper Working Collaboratively

I. II.

III. IV.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Lecture, class discussions, handouts, group work, audio-visual materials, Internet Materials, response journals, and student presentations COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Department Guidelines for all Courses in the English 250, 251, 252, 253 series.

30%

1.

Two short analytical essays (750 to 1,200 words each) investigating some aspect of the course theme. The first essay should respond to a text. The second essay should respond to multiple texts. A long (1,500 to 2,000 words) argumentative research essay on a topic selected by the student and approved by the instructor. This essay requires the use of secondary sources and must conform to standard MLA research essay format. Students must complete this essay using a series of process steps that are monitored by the instructor, including: Writing a proposal Preparing a tentative bibliography Writing an outline Writing a first draft Getting peer response Completing an oral presentation of the research project

30%

2.

20% 20%

3. 4.

Midterm OR final exam (essay format; 1,000 to 1,500 words). Class attendance/participation as measured through such activities as discussions of readings (in class or on Blackboard), reading journals, comprehension quizzes, written summaries, collaborative work, peer responding, and/or portfolio.

STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION: A B C D E = = = = = Excellent Good Average Poor Failing 90 -- 100 % 80 -- 89 % 70 -- 79 % 65 -- 69 % Below 65 %

ASSESSMENT: Columbus State Community College is committed to assessment (measurement) of student achievement of academic outcomes. This process addresses the issues of what you need to learn in your program of study and if you are learning what you need to learn. The assessment program at Columbus State has four specific and interrelated purposes: 1.to improve student academic achievement 2.to improve teaching strategies 3.to document successes and identify opportunities for program improvement 4.to provide evidence for institutional effectiveness. In class you are assessed and graded on your achievement of the outcomes for this course. You may also be required to participate in broader assessment activities. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT: As an enrolled student at Columbus State Community College, you have agreed to abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. You should familiarize yourself with the student code. The faculty at Columbus State expect you to exhibit high standards of academic integrity. Any confirmed incidence of Academic Misconduct, including plagiarism and other forms of cheating, will be treated seriously and in accordance with College Policy and Procedure. PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism, such as borrowing passages or whole documents from the Internet or presenting another authors actual words, ideas, organization, or conclusions as ones own, will not be tolerated. Students who borrow another writers material must document their sources accordingly. Students who present as their own the material written by others will be reported to the Dean and penalized. Because the penalty is severe, ranging from a zero for the assignment to a failing grade for the course to academic dismissal, all students should avoid the slightest hint that they have used borrowed material without giving credit. COURSEWORK EXPECTATIONS:

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Columbus State's policy states that students at schools receiving funds from the State of Ohio should be expected to do 30 hours of work for each credit earned. That means students should expect to spend about two hours on work outside of class for each hour spent in class (Policy Number 5-05). Students need to be aware of their out-of-class responsibilities, and they need to be aware that inability to fulfill the requirements for a course may mean failure. GENERAL CLASSROOM CONDUCT: English 250 is a composition course which requires in-depth discussions on topics that may, at times, provoke strong reactions in students. However, this course focuses on ideas, not feelings. A certain level of maturity and respect for the ideas of others (even when those ideas are different from one's own) is an absolute requirement of this course. Please respect a persons right to speak during a class discussion, including me. Please turn off communication devices Per college rules, there should be no eating, drinking, or tobacco use in the classroom. Visitors or recording devices are not permitted in the classroom without advanced permission from the instructor. Please do not bring children to class or leave them unsupervised in the building. ATTENDANCE: Because all classes in the English Department require a high degree of class participation, interpersonal interaction, and peer evaluation, students are expected to attend all classes. Students who do not or cannot attend classes regularly for whatever reasons, cannot demonstrate they have achieved the expected learning outcomes defined by the department and the college. Students with more than the equivalent of one week of absence may find their grades seriously affected; students with more than the equivalent of two weeks of absence may be in danger of failing. Faculty members are under no obligation to provide make-up assignments for students who have missed class. WEATHER CONTINGENCIES: Columbus State rarely closes for severe weather; however, if the college does close, major radio and television stations will carry such information. Assignments due on the day that the college is closed will be due the next scheduled class period. Students who live in areas which fall under a Level 3 Emergency (all roadways closed to non-emergency personnel) should not attempt to drive to the college even if classes are in session. However, students who miss class because of a Level 3 Emergency in their area are still responsible for assignments as indicated on the syllabus. It is your responsibility to contact me to determine how to make up the missed assignment. Policies are explained in the quarterly tabloid and on the college Web page (www.cscc.edu). LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Points may be deducted from assignments submitted late. DISABILITY SERVICES:

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It is Columbus State policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you would like to request such accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact your instructor or the Department of Disability Services, 228 Franklin Hall, 614/287-2570 (V/TTY). WRITING CENTERS: The Writing Center (102 Columbus Hall, 614-287-5717) is a free, on-campus services that may be beneficial to you. The Writing Center also offers consulting services at the Dublin and Westerville sites. You also have access to the Online Writing Resource Center, where you can submit papers electronically for review. You access the OWRC through your Blackboard page, under My Organizations.

FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENTS: Columbus State is required by federal law to verify the enrollment of students who participate in Federal Title IV student aid programs and/or who receive educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is the responsibility of the College to identify students who do not commence attendance or who stop attendance in any course for which they are registered and paid. Non-attendance is reported quarterly by each instructor and results in a student being administratively withdrawn from the class section. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for information regarding the impact of course withdrawals on financial aid eligibility. COURSE WITHDRAWAL: If you decide to drop this course, you must do so officially. Usually, you have until the beginning of the tenth week of the quarter to do this. Failure to withdraw officially from a course will result in a failing grade recorded on your transcript. Schedule Adjustment Forms are available from the Counseling/Advising Center or the Registration Office.

Rev. August 2011