Course Description:
Workshop in expository writing: strategies of, and practice in, analytical reading and writing about texts. Fundamentals of grammar and syntax. Frequent assignments in writing summaries, analyses, comparisons of texts, and such other expository forms as narration, description, and argumentation. Emphasis on writing as a process: invention, revision, editing. Satisfies Pathways Required Core English composition requirement. (Not open to students who have completed English 1.7.)
This class will serve as an introduction to college-level composition. During this course students will practice and perfect strategies for writing expository essays and for engaging with different kinds of texts. Students will read actively and think critically about course reading and assigned writing. Students will write both in and out of class, with an emphasis on drafting and revision. Class will be split between writing, working in groups, and discussing readings and student work. Students will focus on the following: reading critically and writing analytically; developing and supporting theses and arguments; summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing information from a variety of sources; structuring persuasive and cohesive essays; incorporating and integrating evidence into their writing using MLA documentation; editing and revising; using appropriate conventions of language, including correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
· Read and think critically
· Understand how language operates
· Express ideas–both orally and in writing–correctly, cogently, persuasively, and in conformity with the conventions of the discipline
· Conduct research
Course Requirements & Policies Materials
Michelle Obama, Becoming
Attendance & Punctuality: If you miss more than four classes, you will receive no credit for participation. Two latenesses count as one absence. Arriving more than 10 minutes late counts as an absence. A pattern of lateness will affect your grade.
Participation: Participation includes completing and commenting on the assigned reading, contributing to class discussion through listening and responding to classmates or the instructor, bringing required materials to class, and engaging in peer review and group activities.
NOTE: Cellphones must be silenced and put away during class. The use of cellphones and other electronics is not permitted in the classroom, except under exceptional circumstances. Students should inform the instructor about these circumstances.
Reading: Class discussion is a critical element of this course, and participation is essential. Students are expected to have closely read and be ready to discuss all readings on the day they are assigned. There will be unannounced reading quizzes. Bring the assigned reading to every class.
Assignments:
Essays & Other Writing: Students will write the following: a personal narrative (750-1000 words), two summaries (250-500 words each), an argumentative essay (1000-1250 words), a compare and contrast essay (1000-1250 words). Students will revise each of these essays. These essays must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font, and formatted with one-inch margins. In addition,students will have an in-class essay exam. Students will be asked to complete other assignments, such as journal entries, in-class writing, and reading responses.
NOTE: Essays are due at the beginning of class. The instructor will not accept essays submitted via email. Final Exam: English 1010 students must take a final exam. The exam is based on responses to two pieces of writing: one 5-7 page essay, distributed one week before the end of the term, and a second 1-2 page piece, distributed along with the question on the day of the exam. The exam will count for 20% of the final grade for the class. The instructor will discuss the test format in class.
LOOP workshop: The Brooklyn College Bulletin states the following:
All students in English 1010 will complete the required Brooklyn College library orientation, which will introduce them to the services and resources of the library, including access to and ethical use of its print and electronic resources.
Grading: The Brooklyn College policy on grading for English 1010 is as follows:
Grades for English 1010 are: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, NC or F. Note that the minimum passing grade is C-.Students who have completed all the course work but are not yet writing at the college level will receive a grade of NC; students who have not completed the course work will receive a grade of F.
Students who do not pass English 1010 must repeat it the following semester. The course may not be taken more than three times; students who receive three grades of F, NC and/or WU may be dismissed from the college.
NOTE: Essays turned in late will be penalized half a letter grade for each class meeting they are late. Late work will not be accepted after one week has passed from the original due date. If students miss a class during which an essay is to be submitted, students are still responsible for submitting (e-mailing) the essay on the same day AND bringing a hard copy of it the next time they attend class.
Possible grades are as follows:
A 93-100 A- 90-23 B+ 88-89 B 83-87 B- 80-82
C+78-79 C 73-77 C- 70-72
D+ 69-69 D 63-67
D- 60-62
F 59 or below
Grading Breakdown: Essays: 40%
Personal Narrative: 10 % Summaries: 10% Argumentative Essay: 10% Compare and Contrast: 10% Midterm Exam: 10% Final Exam: 20%
Other Assignments: 10%
This includes take-home assignments, in-class writing, and quizzes.
Attendance & Participation: 20%
This includes attendance, promptness, participation in class discussions and group work, etc.
Plagiarism: Brooklyn College's statement on plagiarism is as follows:
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found here.
Non-attendance Because of Religious Beliefs: Brooklyn College’s statement on non-attendance because of religious belief is located on page 66 of the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Bulletin.
Student Bereavement Policy: Brooklyn College’s statement on non-attendance because of religious belief is located here.
Important Dates
§ Tuesday, August 27 - Weekday classes begin
§ Monday, September 2 - Last day to add a course
§ Thursday, September 5 - Conversion Day; Classes follow a Monday Schedule, Last day to file for elective course Pass/Fail
§ Tuesday, September 17 - Last day to drop a course without a grade.
§ Tuesday, November 5 - Last day to withdraw from course with a W (non-penalty) grade.
NOTE: English 1010 is an Academic Foundations course. Brooklyn College’s policy on withdrawing from English 1010 is as follows:
Students are not permitted at any time to delete, drop, or withdraw from an assigned Academic Foundations course without obtaining permission of the academic department involved and consulting the Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success.
The full academic calendar, including many other important dates, and the undergraduate final exam “grid” are available on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
Instructor: Justin Gallagher
Email: jgallagher@gradcenter.cuny.edu
Phone: 505.500.4436
Office Hours: Mon. 9:30-10:30 Boylan 2311
English 1010
Fall 2019
Mon. and Wed. 8 to 9:15 Location: Boylan 3113
Course Schedule:
WEEK 1
Wed., 8/28:
Introductions
Review of syllabus and expectations
WEEK 2
Mon., 9/2:
Labor Day- No Class
Wed., 9/4:
Reading due: Becoming: preface, Becoming Me, chpts. 1-6
Thurs., 9/5
Reading due: Becoming: Becoming Me, chpts. 7-8
WEEK 3
Mon., 9/9:
Reading due: Becoming: Becoming Us
Wed., 9/11:
Reading due: Becoming: Becoming More, epilogue
WEEK 4
Mon., 9/16:
First draft of personal essay due- bring 3 copies to class for workshop
Wed., 9/19:
Reading due: George Saunders, “The Braindead Megaphone”
WEEK 5
Mon., 9/23:
Reading due: George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”
Wed., 9/25:
Reading due: Akiba Solomon, “Thugs, Students, Rioters, Fans: Media’s Subtle Racism in Unrest Coverage”
WEEK 6
Mon., 9/30:
No Classes Scheduled
Wed., 10/2:
Reading due: Ta-Nehisi Coates, “The Case for Reparations”
Final draft of personal essay due
WEEK 7
Mon., 10/7:
Reading due: Matthew Desmond, Evicted
Wed., 10/9:
No Classes Scheduled
WEEK 8
Mon., 10/14:
No Classes Scheduled
Wed., 10/16:
Reading due: David Wallace-Wells, from The Uninhabitable Earth
WEEK 9
Mon., 10/21:
First draft of argumentative essay due- bring 3 copies to class
Wed., 10/23:
Reading due: Paul Kingsnorth, “Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist”
Rebecca Solnit, “Men Explain Things to Me”
WEEK 10
Mon., 10/28
Reading due: Mark Greif, “Gut Level Legislation”
Final draft of argumentative essay due
Wed., 10/30
Reading due: Matthew Crawford, “The Case for Working with Your Hands”
WEEK 11
Mon., 11/4
Reading due: David Graeber, “Bullshit Jobs”
Wed., 11/6
In-class essay
WEEK 12
Mon., 11/11
Reading due: Durga Chew-Bose, “D as In”
Wed., 11/13
Reading due: Rebecca Solnit, “Men Explain Things to Me”
Craig Marks, “How a Hit is Made Now”
WEEK 13
Mon., 11/18
Reading due: Moira Weigel, from Labor of Love
Wed., 11/20
Reading due: Liz Pelly, “The Problem with Muzak”
WEEK 14
Mon., 11/25
First draft of compare and contrast essay due- bring 3 copies to class
Wed., 11/27
Reading due: David Foster Wallace, “Consider the Lobster”
WEEK 15
Mon., 12/02
Reading due: Jia Tolentino, “The I in the Internet”
Wed., 12/04
Reading due: Colson Whitehead, “City Limits”
WEEK 16
Mon., 12/09
Preparation for Exit Exam
Final draft of compare and contrast essay due
Wed., 12/11
Preparation for Exit Exam
