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ENGL 1010: English Composition-Student Version: Stoughton, Andrew Spring 2020

ENG 1010: English Composition-Student Version

Course Overview, Objectives

What is English 1010?

 

This course is a workshop in expository writing. Together, we will discuss, learn, and practice analytical reading strategies and methods of writing about texts. We we learn fundamentals of grammar and syntax, and complete frequent assignments in writing summaries, analyses, comparisons of texts, and such other expository forms as narration, description, and argumentation.

 

Perhaps most importantly, we will approach writing as a process rather than a product. We will explore all phases of writing from invention, to revision and editing. The course satisfies Pathways Required Core English composition requirement, and is not open to students who have completed English 1.7.)

 

Put simply, this class will serve as an introduction to college-level composition. Over the course of the semester, we will practice and perfect strategies for writing expository essays and for engaging with different kinds of texts. You will learn to read actively and think critically about course reading and assigned writing. As you might expect, we will be writing both in and out of the classroom, with an emphasis on drafting and revision.

 

Class time will consist of writing exercises, group work, and discussions of assigned readings and student compositions. Some of the things we will focus on include: 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.

 

This syllabus lists assigned readings, essays, and other activities. It is subject to change, but you will always be informed of any and all changes I make to it.

 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, we will aim to

  1. Read and think critically

 

  1. Understand how language operates grammatically and rhetorically

  2. Express ideas–both orally and in writing–correctly, cogently, persuasively, and in conformity with academic conventions and expectations

  3. Conduct research

Course Requirements and Policies

Course Requirements & Policies

Materials

 

  1. Freshman Common Reading (required): Michelle Obama, Becoming
  2. Course Packet (required): Online at https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/eng1010/readings
  3. Grammar Handbook (required): Online at https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/c.php? g=843866&p=6031222

 

 

Reading

Class discussion is a critical element of this course, and participation is essential. All of you are expected to have closely read, and to be ready to discuss, all readings on the day they are assigned. There will be unannounced reading quizzes (which, never fear, will be easy for those who have done the reading). Please be sure to bring the assigned reading to every class.

 

 

Participation

We are going to be learning and working collaboratively, which means that participation is key not only to your grade, but to your general success in the class as well. You will all be expected to complete and comment on the assigned reading, contribute to class discussion, bring required materials to class, and engage in peer review and other group activities.

NOTE: Cellphones must be silenced and put away during class. Laptops are only allowed in class on specific days, or with my permission (for instance, accounting for disability or other unique circumstances). I was in college myself not that long ago. I know what happens to even the best of us when we use our laptops to take notes.

 

 

Attendance & Punctuality:

Three or more absences will result in no credit for participation. A pattern of lateness will also affect your grade. If you are ill, or experience an emergency, please send me an email as soon as possible.

Assignments and Grading

All essays are due in person and by email at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified. I will only be grading physical copies of papers. However, I ask that you email me your papers as well in the event that you are ill on the day an essay is due, or in the event that your paper gets misplaced, and I need to print off another copy, or verify that you did in fact hand in the paper on time.

 

 

Essays & Assignments

In order to pass the class, you will write five essays, all of which must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and formatted with one-inch margins.

  1. A personal narrative (750-1000 words)
  2. Two summaries (250-500 words each)
  3. An argumentative essay (1000-1250 words),
  4. A compare and contrast essay (1000-1250 words)

You will revise each of these essays. In addition, you will have an in-class essay exam. You will also be asked to complete other assignments, such as journal entries, in-class writing, and reading responses.

 

 

Exams

  1. A midterm consisting of  an in-class compare and contrast essay.

2.A 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. We 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, unless I say otherwise. If you miss a class during which an essay is to be submitted, you 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

A-

 

93-100

90-92

B+

B

B-

88-89

83-87

80-82

C+

C

C-

78-79

73-77

70-72

D+

D

D-

68-69

63-67

60-62

F

 

 

Below 60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Breakdown: Essays: 60%

Personal Narrative: 10 % Summaries: 10%

Argumentative Essay: 15%

 

Compare and Contrast Essay: 15%

In-class Compare and Contrast Essay: 10%

Final Exam: 20%

Other Assignments: 10%

This includes take-home assignments, in-class writing, and quizzes.

Attendance & Participation: 10%

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 at this site: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies.

 

 

My Addendum to the Statement on Plagiarism:

Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are a waste of your time and mine. If you feel swamped by an assignment, if you’re struggling, if you had an emergency that prevents you from doing the work, if you’ve simply been behind and are now struggling to catch up— it doesn’t matter. Send me an email, or come talk to me during office hours or after class. We’ll figure it out. Your integrity matters more than any deadline. If you’re not doing the work yourself, there’s no point in either of us being here.

 

It can sometimes be difficult to know what constitutes plagiarism. Throughout the semester, we will discuss ways to avoid plagiarizing others’ work. When in doubt, ask me. As stated above, I have to report instances of plagiarism to the administration. I have no interest in having to do that, so just shoot me an email or talk to me after class if you’re ever worried about how to walk that line.

 

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: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/off_registrar/2017-2018_Undergraduate_Bulletin.pdf

Student Bereavement Policy: Brooklyn College’s statement on non-attendance because of religious belief is located here: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/initiatives/policies/ bereavement.php

 

 

 

 

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

♣Wednesday, October 16              Conversion Day – Classes follow a Monday Schedule

♣Tuesday, November 5                Last day to withdraw from a fall course with a

W (non-penalty grade)

♣Friday, December 13                   Reading Day

♣Saturday, December 14               Final examinations begin

♣Friday, December 20                   End of  fall semester

 

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.

Course Information

Brooklyn College

The City University of New York

English 1010  

Professor Andrew Stoughton

Fall 2018

0000 Boylan / 951-5195

3 hours and conference; 3 credits                   

AndrewJStoughton@gmail.com

Office Hours: Th, 3:00-4:00

Readings

Schedule

Course Schedule Week 1

8/27

  • Introduction to the class: goals, requirements, etc.
  • Syllabus
  • Student and instructor introductions
  • Readings : Becoming by Michelle Obama

8/29:

  • Reflections on writing: process, argument, rhetorical modes and strategies
  • Plagiarism
  • In-class writing exercise and group activity
  • Readings : Becoming by Michelle Obama

Week 2

9/3

  • Introductions & the diagnostic essay
  • Discussion of  and exercises in close reading & annotation
  • Readings: Becoming, “Notes of a Native Son” by James Baldwin

9/5

  • Conversion Day: Classes Follow a Monday Schedule

Week 3

9/10

  • Crafting a personal essay
  • Stages of  writing: What does revision mean?
  • Readings: Becoming, Solomon, Akiba “Thugs, Students, Rioters, Fans: Media’s Subtle Racism in Unrest Coverage” “The Careless Language of Sexual Violence” by Roxane Gay
  • Assignment: First draft of Personal Narrative due 9/17 for peer review. Revisions to be made for a second draft which will be due 9/24. You can find all of  the details for this on the assignment sheet given out in class.

9/12

  • Close reading and annotation: What it means to be an active reader
  • Summaries: An introduction and discussion
  • Assignment: Summary of  one article assigned in Week 3, due 9/17

Week 4

9/17

  • Summary vs Paraphrase
  • Summary vs. Analysis
  • Peer Review
  • Readings: “In Florida, Officials Ban Term Climate Change” by Tristan Korten; “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire” by Errol Morris
  • Assignment: Summary of one of the articles assigned in Weeks 3 or 4, due  9/24

•DUE: First draft of  Personal Narrative, Summary of  First Article

9/19

  • Arguments and Thesis Statements: Defining the bases of  the essay
  • Discussion and exercises on the topic

Week 5

9/24

  • Arguments and Thesis Statements: Defining the bases of  the essay
  • Discussion and exercises on the topic
  • Readings: “We Are Not All Created Equal” by Stephen Marche

•DUE: Second draft of  Personal Narrative, Summary of  Second Article

9/26

  • Arguments and Theses Continued
  • How to structure an argument
  • Readings: “The Last Feminist Taboo” by Marisa Meltzer

Week 6

10/1

  • How to select evidence to best support an argument
  • Continued discussion of  structuring an argument
  • Readings: “Confederate Memorials as Instruments of  Racial Terror,” Brent Staples
  • Assignment: First draft of the analytical essay due 10/10 for peer review. Second draft due on 10/22. You can find all of the details for this on the assignment sheet given out in class.

10/3

  • How to select evidence continued
  • Citation of  primary sources
  • Readings: “The End of History” by Ernest B. Ferguson

Week 7

10/8

  • How to effectively quote evidence from primary sources
  • Exercises in building arguments with evidence

10/10

  • Revision: approaches and strategies
  • Peer review of analytical essays
  • Assignment: Second draft of Analytical Essay due 10/22 along with brief description of  revision process.
  • Reading: “Consider the Lobster” by David Foster Wallace

DUE: First draft of  your Analytical Essay

Week 8

10/15

  • Revision and the construction of  an argument
  • In-class group activity: theses, arguments, and evidence Reading: “The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nahisi Coates

10/17

  • Group discussion of  revision and review
  • Revision and the construction of  an argument

Week 9

10/22

  • Introduction to the compare and contrast essay
  • Texts in Conversation
  • Reading: “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.

DUE: Second draft of  your Analytical Essay

10/24

  • Comparative thesis statements
  • Structure
  • In-class writing strategies
  • Reading: “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr.