Course Requirements & Policies

Materials

1. Freshman Common Reading: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah (required)

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 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:

This course is not like biology or history. For better of worse, you can’t just teach yourself the material right out of a textbook. Being here and participating is a crucial part of learning how to become a better writer, and moving on to English 1012 (which, like 1010, is a mandatory course).

If you miss more than four classes, you will receive no credit for participation. A pattern of lateness will affect your grade.

I realize things happen. Buses get stuck in traffic; emergencies strike. The most important part of this attendance policy is that you keep me informed. If you’re going to miss class, let me know in advance. If there’s an emergency, shoot me an email if circumstances allow it. If you simply cut class for a week and then return the next week, it’s going to be a problem.

Assignments and Grading

All essays are due in person and electronically at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified. In addition to handing me physical copy of your work, you will email it to me or post it on

Blackboard

Each of you will maintain a reading journal in which you will record your reactions to and thoughts about assigned readings. You may do this electronically, or by hand. Each week, you will post something about an assigned reading for that given week. These posts can be summaries. They can also contain your reactions to or thoughts on that reading. No matter what, they must contain at least one question. These are graded for effort and completion (i.e. doing your best on them will get you full credit).

Essays & Other Writing

In order to pass the class, you will write five essays, all of which must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point 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, 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.

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. 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:

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, however, 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

♣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.