Welcome to English 1A-53033
Reading and composition
Spring 2010 (4units)

Instructor	Ms. Stacy Ross	
Class Time	Tuesday, Thursday  8-9:50 am	
Class Location	(T) HUM  62, (TH) SOC 35 	
E-Mail	stacy.ross@reedleycollege.edu
ms.ross.09@gmail.com	
Office Hours	T & TH 8am- 9:50am 
as arranged	

Course Prerequisites
English 125 and 126 or placement by college assessment.

Course Description
Welcome to English 1A! This class serves to foster skills in reading, analyzing, and composing college-level prose, with emphasis on the expository: studying writing as a process exploring different composing structures and strategies editing and revising one’s own writing conducting research (gathering, organizing, evaluating, integrating, and documenting information,) culminating in a term research paper.
 
English 1A is equivalent to a freshman composition course at a four-year university.  The main goal of this course is to refine your reading and writing skills so that you can effectively express yourself at a university level.  This involves critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and comprehend other pieces of writing.  These are skills that we will work on and improve throughout the semester.   Along with these skills, we will develop and polish your vocabulary and sentence structure, grammar and mechanics, and understanding of academic essay structures.  

Course Outcome
By the end of this class you will be able to:
*  Write several revised essays, including a 5-7 page documented research paper.
*Arrange and integrate ideas in an essay form employing thesis statement, topic 
	   sentences, explanation of supporting data, introductions and conclusions.
* Develop a thesis for an argumentative or persuasive essay for its relevance, 
	   audience, and strength  
* Perform targeted research from valid sources, incorporate quotes and paraphrased 
	   text as support, and avoid plagiarism.
* Correctly employ the rules of citation and discriminate among resources, especially 
          internet sources for accuracy and validity.
* Use Standard American English for the various requirements of universities and the 
	   workplace (avoid using slang, conversational diction and sexist language) and 
	   following common usage guidelines.
* Plan essays in a variety of organizational structures depending on purpose and 
	   rhetorical mode.
* Craft increasingly mature and cogent writing, striving for clarity, power, rhythm, 
	   texture, tone and grace. 
* Practice revision of essays to achieve such writing.
* Edit essays for errors in sentence construction, punctuation and mechanics.  At first 
	   you will rely on the instructor’s guidance and your peers in these areas.  Ultimately, 
	   the student should perform these tasks independently with good accuracy.
* Write organized essays with thesis and adequate support independently within a 
          class period (timed writing).
* Generate ideas through various prewriting strategies such as outlining, free writing, 
	   or clustering.
* Plan and structure an essay with careful attention to answering the question.
* Compose timed writing responses to prompts.
* Proofread and practice self-evaluation. 
* Summarize and comprehend college-level prose
Reading assignments are intended to be models of various writing structures, organization, tone, and effectiveness through word chose and rhetorical mode.  They are examples and inspirations for your own writing.  Make sure you read them carefully, look up new vocabulary and are prepared to discuss the pieces.
Required Course Materials:
♦  Seeing and Writing 3 by Mcquade
♦  Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (Norton Critical Edition required)
♦ Awakening by Kate Chopin (Norton Critical Edition required) 
♦ Research & Documentation In the Electronic Age 2009 Mla Updated by Diana Hacker.
♦ A composition notebook 
♦  A folder to keep ALL drafts of your work.
♦  A memory stick or other reliable way to save ALL of your work.
♦  A dictionary and thesaurus.

Attendance Policy
Attendance is required.  Roll is taken at the beginning of every class meeting and you must stay for the entire period.  If you have more than 3 absences before the March 12 drop date, I will drop you.  I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences so please schedule your work and other appointments around our class time and do not bother to bring me a doctor’s note.  If you have a conflict and must miss class, you MUST contact me BEFORE you miss class--not after.  Absence will not serve as an excuse for late work; it is your responsibility to turn in your assignments on time regardless.  Assignments will always be updated and posted on Blackboard; it is your responsibility to check it regularly.  Do not be late! 3 tardies will count as an absence and will affect your participation grade.

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F =    0-59%

Grading:

70%   Essays (both in class and out of class)			
20%   Homework, In-class work, and Tests/quizzes
10%   Participation 
*  I do not grade on a curve.  Your earned points are converted into an overall percentage which will determine your grade.  You will be able to check your grades throughout the semester.
*  I do not GIVE grades, you EARN grades.  Your time and effort as well as my time and effort would be greatly diminished if it were any other way.  You are responsible for your own success!! Embrace it!
* Our goal is increased knowledge and mastery of effective writing, not Grades.  Therefore, some assignments will not receive points but are still required for completion. 
* Class participation includes being present in class and taking part in discussion, whether that is answering questions, asking questions, or participating in conversation. It requires you to have the class assignments read before coming to class.  

Assignment Requirements
♦  Quizzes and posting on Blackboard must be done on time, no late work will be 
    accepted. If you are absent and miss a quiz, you will not be able to make it up  
    UNLESS you contact me BEFORE the class period and I approve a make-up time.  If 
    you arrive after the quiz has been distributed, you cannot take the quiz. 
♦  Homework assignments will be due at the BEGINNING of the class period—print      
    your work before coming to class.  Being absent does not excuse you from a due date.   
    If you are not able to attend class, you must get your work to me before the due date.  
♦  Homework cannot be left in my box unless first discussed and approved by me. 
♦  In-class assignments are just that, to be completed IN CLASS.  If you miss an in-class 
    assignment you cannot make it up. SO BE IN CLASS!
♦ Papers turned in late will be given a one week grace period in which you may still
   turn in a paper but it will be docked one full letter grade. No papers will be 
   accepted after this grace period.
♦ Always keep a copy of your work, especially drafts that have been returned with my 
   comments.
♦ Keep all drafts and phases of your work (I may ask for them at any point).  
♦ Proofread! Please be sure to proofread your work before you turn it in.  This means 
   check it for spelling, punctuation, correct grammar, complete sentences, etc
♦ Format for every paper:
		• Typed		
• Times New Roman font size 12
		• Double Spaced	
• Put your name, date, class, and assignment title in   
                          the upper left-hand corner of your paper.
		• Always give your papers an interesting title.
		• All papers must be revised and typed in accordance with MLA   
                          guidelines.
• Word Processing Format: The most common word processing format is 
  Microsoft Word. If you use another word processing program, you will  
  need to find out how to save your work in Rich Text Format (RTF).  
  Guidelines for how to save in RTF are found under the Course   
  Documents tab of the classroom Blackboard.  Please do not use  
 Microsoft Works or any other program that does not allow for easy 
 conversion.

FINAL
Tuesday May 18, 2010
8:00-9:50am
Please plan accordingly!  There will be no accommodations made
for travel or other scheduling issues.  

Blackboard will be supplemental to this class.  This means that each student must have an e-mail address and access to a computer.  Quizzes, assignments, and other course documents, as well as grades, will be housed on Blackboard. 

A Quick Note on Blackboard Etiquette
Blackboard is a place for educated thought, discussion and communication.  It is not the appropriate venue for comments in the style of text message, nor is it appropriate to write in verbal slang as if you are emailing a friend.  Please remember that this is an English writing course so you should use proper punctuation and grammar when posting on Blackboard.  Thank you!

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s work as your own.  It includes but is not exclusive to another student’s work, the internet, books, journals, newspaper articles, speeches and lectures.  Plagiarism is cheating and will result in the failing of that assignment as well as the possible failing of the class.  
Final Thoughts
♦ Please realize that your instructor passionately loves literature and try your darndest to 
   share her enthusiasm.
♦ Please return the respect that I have for each of you, back to each other as well as to 
   me.
♦  Please believe that writing well (and accurately) is difficult for most of us but it is a 
    learned skill that can be practiced and nurtured until is becomes easier and more 
    effective.  Believe in your ability!!
♦  ASK FOR HELP!!! 
♦  Turn your cell phones and pagers to silent and keep them out-of-sight.  Yes—this 
    means that even text messaging is hereby outlawed in class.  If I see your phone in use  
    during class, you will be asked to leave class.
♦  Do not be late to class
♦  No eating in class—we are sharing a learning environment with other students 
    and they shouldn’t have to sit in or smell our mess.
♦  It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from this class should you choose to not 
    attend.  If you fail to do so, you will receive an “F.”  
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including alternate media requests, please notify me immediately.  Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.
Disruptive Behavior and Sexual Harassment 
Reedley College is committed to the principle that instructors and students must treat each other with courtesy and respect, and it will take action to enforce college policies regarding behavior that violates this principle. These policies are set forth in the student code of conduct at Reedley College. (RC Catalog 36) If you need a brochure, please ask.

Important Dates
January 12		First day of class
January 18 		MLK Jr. Day*NO CLASSES*
January 29 		Last day to drop and avoid a “W”
February 12-15		Presidents Day Wknd  *NO CLASSES*
February 16		Last day to change to pass/no-pass
March 12		Last day to drop classes
March 29-April 5          Spring Break!!! *NO CLASSES*