Description
This class will serve as an introduction to college-level composition. During this course you will practice and perfect strategies for writing expository essays and for engaging with different kinds of texts. You will read actively and think critically about your reading and writing. You will write both in and out of class, with an emphasis on drafting and revision. Our time in class will be split between writing, work in groups, and discussion of the readings and your own work.
Course Objectives
-Students will practice the skills needed to write clear, effective, well-organized, grammatically correct and accurate essays.
-Students will develop critical reading skills through an annotated reading process, written responses and by participating in classroom discussions.
-Students will develop critical thinking skills by making connections, writing, revising, and peer reviewing.
Course Requirements & Policies Materials
1.Freshman Common Reading: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah
2. Course Packet: Online at http://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/1010/highnam_cole
3. Grammar Handbook: Online at http://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/1010/grammar_handbook
Attendance & Punctuality: If you miss more than five 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. Please tell me at the start of class if you have an emergency that requires you to pay attention to your phone.
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.
Writing:
A personal narrative (750-1000 words
Two summaries (250-500 words each)
An argumentative essay (1000-1250 words)
A comparative essay (1000-1250 words)
In-class comparative essay
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 format in class.
NOTE: Revision will be a part of the writing process for each of these essays. All writing must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font, and formatted with one-inch margins. Printed essays are due at the beginning of class. I do not accept emailed work unless you have my express permission or it is noted in the syllabus. You will periodically be asked to complete other assignments, such as journal entries, in-class writing, and reading responses.
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.
Grading Breakdown:
Essays: 60%
Personal Narrative: 10 %
Argumentative Essay: 10%
Comparative Essay: 15%
Summaries: 15%
In-class Comparative 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.
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.
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.
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
Monday, August 27 - Weekday classes begin
Sunday, September 2 - Last day to add a course
Wednesday, September 5 - Conversion Day; Classes follow a Monday Schedule, Last day to file for elective course Pass/Fail.
Saturday, September 8 - Weekend classes begin
Sunday, September 16 - Last day to drop a course without a grade.
Tuesday, November 6 - 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.
Brooklyn College The City University of New York
English 1010 Fall 2018
Professor Cole Highnam
Email: clhghnm@gmail.com
T/TH 2:15-3:30PM - 2304 James Hall
T/TH 3:40-4:55PM - 5313 Boylan Hall
Office Hours: W 12:00-2:00PM & by Appointment – 2311 Boylan Hall
Americanah by 
Course Schedule (Please note: class schedule is subject to change)
8/28 Introduction to course. In-class writing
8/30 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah.
9/04 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah
9/06 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah & Gloria Anzaldua, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”
9/11 NO CLASS
9/13 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah & Gloria Anzaldua, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Personal Narrative Due
9/18 NO CLASS
9/20 Roxanne Gay, “Peculiar Benefits”
9/25 Zora Neale Hurston, “How it Feels to Be Colored Me.” Summary 1 Due
9/27 Sue-Ellen Case, “Making Butch.”
10/2 Rebecca Solnit, “Men Explain Things to Me.”
Assignment A: LOOP Tour form of completion due (Library Online Orientation Program)
10/4 David Foster Wallace, “Consider the Lobster.” Summary 2 Due
Revision of Personal Narrative Due
10/9 Jamaica Kinkaid, “The Ugly Tourist”
10/11 Michael Sandel, “The Case Against Perfectionism”
10/16 Michael Sandel, “The Case Against Perfectionism”
10/18 George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”
10/23 George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”
Analytic Essay due
10/25 James Baldwin, “Stranger in the Village”
10/30 James Baldwin, “Stranger in the Village”
11/01 Teju Cole, “Black Bodies: Rereading James Baldwin’s ‘Stranger in the Village’”
11/6 Teju Cole, “Black Bodies: Rereading James Baldwin’s ‘Stranger in the Village’”
Revision of Analytic Essay due
11/8 Susan Sontag, “Regarding the Pain of Others”
11/13 Susan Sontag, “Regarding the Pain of Others”
Compare & Contrast Essay due
11/15 Edwige Danticat, “Another Country”
11/20 Lauren Slater, “The Trouble with Self-Esteem”
11/22 NO CLASS
11/27 Reading TBD based on class discussion
Revision of Compare & Contrast Essay Due
11/29 In-class Compare & Contrast Essay
12/04 Reading TBD based on class discussion
12/06 Finals Review
12/11 Finals Review
12/13 Reading Day, NO CLASS
Final Exam –– Friday, December 14, 10:30 – 12:30 —Room To Be Announced*
