Steven Federle                                        

English 1, Summer 2010, Section 60228 

Mon-Thursday, 8:30 – 10:20 A.M., Vallejo Center

College Composition

Class Communications:

*      Voice Mail: 707-864-7000 ext 5505

*      E-Mail: Steven.Federle@solano.edu. This is my preferred method to communicate.

*      Online paper submission: all papers will be submitted through Turnitin.com.  The class id # is: 3299993 ; password is: solano. You must register by the second class on June 15.

*  Online quizzes and other resources: be sure bookmark both this page and my website,http://www.federle.org, for important links and announcements. We will use resources on the Patterns for College Writing website, which you will find linked on my website. Registration is simple and free.  On this site you’ll find practice exercises, required quizzes, research materials. 

 

*  Please note: REGISTRATION WITH THE TEXTBOOK WEBSITE IS REQUIRED BY THE 3rd CLASS SESSION. If you don’t have Internet access at home, then you must use the library’s computer resources to participate in this part of our class.

 

*  Weekly Class Calendars, homework, and online grades can be viewed on my website.

Required Materials:

*      Patterns for College Writing, 11th Edition, by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell

*      The Long Valley, by John Steinbeck

*      A journal notebook (8 ½ x 11)

*      access to a computer and the Internet outside of class for email, typing essays, and completing online assignments

*      college dictionary (any paperback version is fine)

Course Description:

English 1 is a writing course which emphasizes critical reading, expository and argumentative writing, and mastery of library research techniques. It includes instruction and practice in critical thinking, in analytical reading and evaluation of written work, and in the methods of clearly communicating and supporting ideas in organized, coherent essays. Students are required to write 9 essays, one of which may be a research paper, based on essays, literature read in class, and/or personal experience (Assoc Degree Applic. - Transfer to UC/ CSU/Private).

 

Student Performance Objectives:

As a result of successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
1. Read college-level essays and/or imaginative literature accurately for the main points, inferences, and tone.
2. Evaluate critically the major ideas and their methods of presentation in the essays and/or imaginative literature read.
3. Write responsive, analytical essays based on thoughtful understanding of these readings or personal experience.
4. Write logical, effective essays which are coherent, well-organized, and well-supported pieces of communication in the appropriate rhetorical mode.
5. Understand the principles of research and documentation.

Course Requirements

1)Prompt Attendance: You are expected to attend all class sessions as we will do some important work each day. You are allowed three hours of absence (note that each class day equals 1.5 class hours). After these, your course grade will be lowered significantly. I also expect you to arrive on time and stay for the entire class period. Class begins promptly at 8:30 A.M.; you are responsible for any material you miss by arriving late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. If you must leave class early, please let me know in advance. Two early exits will also count as an absence.  Please do not bring food or drink to class; cell phones must be turned to silent ring, or off, when you are in class. I also hope that each of you will contribute significantly to our class discussions and group work. Be prepared to ask questions, raise concerns, and demonstrate your thinking skills.

2)Course Readings: Material should be read by the day it is listed as due on the syllabus. Please read actively by underlining the text or asking questions in the margin. You will complete assignments based on the readings as directed; use your journal for these exercises. You will use the textbook’s online site for some exercises, which will be submitted to me by e-mail; these will be required and graded.

3)Writing Journal: Each class I will give you a journal prompt. You should answer in a page or more for the following class. Often, these responses will serve as the prewriting that helps you get started on an essay. These are informal and offer a chance to explore many ideas and types of writing. Please bring the writing journal to class week as I may collect them or ask you to read some of your responses. You will also need the journal for some of your in-class writing.  

4) Essays: You will write four well-developed class essays. These writing assignments will start from ideas discussed in class and develop through in-class writing, workshops, peer review, and revision. Papers are due as assigned and submitted through turnitin.com. Late papers will not be accepted; please do not ask.  Keep electronic and printed copies of all your papers. All essays must be typed, using Times New Roman 12 font, and double spaced. You must also bring a quality draft and the appropriate peer review form for our peer review sessions. As part of each paragraph or essay writing assignment, each student must provide quality peer reviews for one other student; failure to provide reviews will affect your participation grade.

5)In-Class Midterm and Final Exams: In addition to the class essays, you will write a  major research essay that will act as the mid-term exam, and a major comparison/contrast literary analysis essay on Steinbeck’s The Long Valley that will act as your final exam. These exams will offer you the chance to demonstrate your writing and analytical skills, and should be the very best writing you have done to date in your educational career.

6) Grading: Grades will be based on work in the following categories: Class Essays (50%), online quizzes and exercises (5%), Mid-term Research Essay (15%), Final Literary Analysis Essay (15%), Attendance (5%), Participation & work ethic (includes peer reviews, and Steinbeck seminar (10%). The Solano College standard grading scale will be used (90-100, A; 80-89, B; 70-79, C; 60-69, D; 59 or less, F).

7) I will maintain a class calendar on www.federle.org.  You are responsible for checking the onlline calendar to make sure you are aware of all assignments.