English 1A #70032	Summer 2013 – Ryan LaSalle  			             
MW PHY75  TTH HUM62  11:00 am-1:50 pm 
Contacts: ryan.lasalle@reedleycollege.edu  (559) 638-3641 ext. 3125
Office: Annex 2    Final drop date: July 8    
Textbook: A Writer’s Reference, Diana Hacker, 7th ed.

On Writing... 

This class aims at moving students closer to the model of an “expert” writer where one is able to make informed decisions (rhetorical considerations) about any writing task and employ a wide range of tools and strategies to write the best possible paper—not just any paper. It is designed to get students to think beyond their own personal experience and use sources not just as storehouses of information, but as works to engage, debate, and utilize to some greater end. Students will write essays with an emphasis on developing an effective introduction (and thesis) as well as crafting an appropriate body discussion that uses examples and evidence to support claims.

Aside from the mechanics of writing essays, we will be spending a fair amount of time working with ideas and improving content. Several essays will be brought in for discussion to yield material for our writing. These short works will be on a variety of subjects and we will look to cultivate observations, arguments, and ideas that will fulfill the expectations of effective college writing.
	
The Plan: (typical class period)		
1. Class business, general discussion.
2. In class lecture/reading/discussion/writing. Assignments will be from prompts that will be provided.
3. Out of class reading/writing. Usually tied to the in class assignment. 

Policies:  2 absences allowed without penalty. Subsequent absences result in a loss of participation points. Absences totaling more than one week (four classes) within the first 3 weeks of class may cause the student to be dropped from the class. Late work will be accepted for partial credit with instructor’s approval (5% deduction for each class day late). Note: this does not apply to the final project and its components. Tardiness should be avoided but in the rare event of coming to class late, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the roll has been updated. In the event of plagiarism (see Schedule of Courses for more information) the student will fail the assignment or the class at the discretion of the instructor (depending on the nature and severity of the offense).

Grading: Grading is based on a point system. 90% A 80% B 70% C 60% D 50% F (of total points available in class)
(1-2)   light papers 					4-5   pts.
(2-3)      main papers 					10 pts. 
(1)      annotated bibliography (for final paper) 	             10 pts.
(1)      rough draft of final paper 		                            5 pts.	
(1)      research based argument paper (as final) 	             25 pts.
           homework (various)                                                 1 pt.
           participation			      		 5 pts. 

*instructor reserves the right to make changes in this syllabus as deemed necessary or appropriate.
*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.