“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” –Anne Lamott
“In the middle of the world, make one positive step. In the center of chaos make one definitive act. Just write.” -Natalie Goldberg
“A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.” –Salman Rushdie
“Read, Read, Read, never stop reading. And when you can’t read anymore…write.”
–James Baldwin
COURSE OVERVIEW, REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Attendance, participation and reading for 1010 Composition are obligatory. Because this class revolves around reading and writing you should be prepared to discuss the assigned reading during every class. There will be an occasional pop quiz and we will also be utilizing LibGuides, this is the online source where you can find your readings. Each of the readings should be printed, and a hard copy of the readings should be brought to every class. If you do not bring a hard copy of the text, you will lose points on the participation part of your grade. It’s crucial to bring these readings to class because of the close reading element included in English 1010.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Lateness and frequent absences will affect your grade. More than one lateness counts as an absence. You are entitled to two unexcused absences for health or personal reasons, but for each additional absence, your final grade will fall by one half (ex: B to B-). If you have more than six unexcused absences, you will need to repeat the course. If you are to be absent because of religious beliefs please let me know in advance.
VERY IMPORTANT:
All phones/laptops/electronic devices should be turned off during class. If I see a cellphone or a laptop or any other electronic device out during class you will be marked as absent for the day. For emergency situations please step into the hall with your phone.
Late work:
All late work (essays or homework) will not be accepted after 1 week of lateness. If you are absent it is your responsibility to get the assignment from someone and hand it to me at the next class you attend.
Take Home Assignments:
All work that is handed in to me must be typed. I will not accept handwritten work unless it is in class writing. Please follow the MLA 8 guidelines when handing in assignments. We will go over MLA formatting in class. You can also visit the Writing Center or look on Purdue Owl’s online site www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/? for more clarity on MLA.
GRADING:
Essays: 50% of your final grade (there will be 4 essay assignments throughout the semester, one of these is an in-class essay)
Assignments: 10% of your final grade
Participation: 20% of your final grade
Final exam: 20% of your final grade
There will be a few surprise quizzes on the readings (these will count toward your total assignment grade percentage).
English 1010 courses follow a strict grading policy. The passing grade range for 1010 is A to C-. Students who don’t pass will receive and F or an NC and must repeat the course. The grade of F is a result of excessive absence, incomplete course assignments and/or plagiarism. A grade of NC is “no credit”. This grade is usually given to students who complete assignments but their work is not at a passing level yet.
A NOTE REGARDING THE REVISION PROCESS
Revision is a crucial part of the writing process. I will give you notes on all drafts however, that doesn’t mean that you should ONLY correct what I point out. It’s your job as students to revisit your writing and try to make improvements on aspects of your assignments that I may not have pointed out. We will go over the idea of revision in class, and I will always help you with the revision process. Revision is also a large part of final grades for essays.
A NOTE ON PLAGIARISM:
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 policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.
A NOTE REGARDING THE WRITING CENTER:
The Writing Center is located on the first floor in Boylan Hall. If you need an extra set of eyes and ears to help you with your papers or assignments I urge you to visit the college assistants who work there. It’s free and it’s a great way to improve your writing.
A NOTE REGARDING MY OFFICE HOURS:
My office hours are on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. right after our class in 2311 Boylan Hall. Please feel free to drop by and discuss your work with me and any other questions you might have about the class. If my office hours don’t fit into your schedule, just let me know and I will try to make accommodations to meet with you on a different day.
A NOTE REGARDING STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES
In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at (718) 951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services, please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.
Reference to the Student Bereavement Policy :
Reference to the state law regarding non-attendance because of religious beliefs:
(p. 66 in the Undergraduate Bulletin or p. 42 of the Graduate Bulletin).
A Note Regarding Respect:
We all have a voice and our voices are powerful. However, a lot of the time we speak without thinking. I ask that everyone remains respectful during our class time together. This means respect for each other, our similarities and our differences. We can agree to disagree but we must, as Ellen Degeneres suggests, “Be kind to one another”. This rule applies to everyone (even me!). This also means that none of us should make assumptions about anyone else’s experience.
English 1010 Composition
Tues./Wed./Thurs. 9:35-10:15 a.m
Fall 2019
Professor Keller
Email: Anna.Keller@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office: 2311 Boylan Hall
Office Hours: Thursday 10:30-11:30
Tentative Course Calendar
8/27 Review Syllabus, introductions and expectations
8/28 Becoming part 1. “Astonish me”. In class diagnostic essay.
8/29 Becoming part 1
9/3 Becoming part 1
9/4 Becoming part 2
9/5 No Class (Classes at BC follow a Monday schedule)
9/10 Becoming part 2
9/11 “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” Zora Neale Hurston Part 1
9/12 “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” Zora Neale Hurston Part 2
9/17 “An Indian Father’s Plea” Robert Lake (Medicine Grizzlybear)
9/18 Continue discussion on 2 previous readings
9/19 Essay 1 due Peer Review (Bring in 3 hard copies of your essay) the peer
review is part of your grade for this essay, if you miss the review you will
lose points on the final draft.
9/24 “Notes of a Native Son” James Baldwin
9/25 “Night” (an excerpt) Elie Wiesel Part 1
9/26 “Night” (an excerpt) Elie Wiesel (a lesson on dialogue)
10/1 No Class
10/2 “Consider the Lobster” David Foster Wallace Part 1
10/3 Revision of essay 1 due. Please attach the first draft to the second draft of
your revision when you hand it in.
10/8 No Class
10/9 No Class
10/10 “Consider the Lobster” David Foster Wallace Part 2
10/15 “The Case For Reparations” Part 1
10/16 “The Case For Reparations Part 1 continued
10/17 “The Case for Reparations” Part 2
10/22 “Against School” John Taylor Gatto
10/23 Part 2 “Against School” John Taylor Gatto
10/24 Thesis work “Men Explain Things to Me” by Rebecca Solnit and “The Careless Language of Sexual Vilolence” by: Roxeanne Gay
10/29 Essay 2 due Peer Review (Bring in 3 hard copies of your essay) the peer
review is part of your grade for this essay, if you miss the review you will
lose points on the final draft.
10/30 Peer Review Continued and Part 1 of “Notes of a Native Son” James Baldwin
10/31 Part 2 “Notes of a Native Son” James Baldwin
11/5 Revision of Essay 2 due
11/6 Part 2 continued “Notes of a Native Son”
11/7 “How To Tame a Wild Tongue” Gloria Anzaldua
11/12 “Mother Tongue” Amy Tan
11/13 T-chart…text to self/text to text with 2 previous readings
11/14 “City Limits” Colson Whitehead
11/19 Essay 3 due Peer Review (Bring in 3 hard copies of your essay) the peer
review is part of your grade for this essay, if you miss the review you will
lose points on the final draft.
11/20 Peer Review Continued
11/21 “Map Quest” Gary Shteyngart
11/26 “Looking for Work” Gary Soto
11/27 “Looking for Work” and “Map Quest” discussion on compare/contrast
element
11/28 No Class
12/3 In Class Essay Exam
12/4 In Class Essay Exam Part 2
12/5 Essay 3 revision due
12/10 Final exam review
12/11 Final exam review
12/12 Last Class
Final Exam TBA
