Integrated English 231 & 232

Fall 2010 & Spring 2011

“The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it.”—Ernest Hemingway

“Writing, when properly managed, is but a different name for conversation.”—Laurence Stern

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”—Mark Twain

Professor: Farrah Hilton

Location: 1110Consultation Hours: Mornings M/F

Phone: 703-6735Mon. 3:40-4:30 and by

Email: , appointment

Texts:

*Provided Texts:MacbethA Lesson Before Dying

The Sound and The FuryWhen the Ravens Die

The Kite RunnerAngela’s Ashes

The House of Sand and FogThe Color of Water

In addition to the above texts, there will be several supplementary books for the course, most of them novels. You are responsible for purchasing these books. Please be aware that reading assignments are based upon the texts I have, therefore, you need to have the same version as the rest of the class.

*Supplemental Texts (Purchase):A Thousand Splendid Suns

The Other Boleyn Girl (if time permits)

Course Objectives: (English 111)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate the ability to

  1. Use a process approach to writing papers.
  2. Revise for sentence completeness and clarity.
  3. Use a variety of rhetorical modes to develop, organize, and draft a paper.
  4. Wire for a variety of purposes, including informing, persuading, and reporting and documenting research.
  5. Use writing skills to do written assignments, complete formal papers, and write essay exams.
  6. Read, understand, and discuss the text materials.
  7. Demonstrate effective communication skills through oral presentations.
  8. Synthesize the above objectives into a research paper with MLA documentation and format.

(English 112)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate the ability to

  1. Summarize, paraphrase, and interpret essays.
  2. Understand and apply critical analysis while discussing texts.
  3. Present his/her own argument in essay form using MLA format.
  4. Synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using standard research format and style.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in an upper-level English III course.

Forsyth Tech English is a college-level course, which will encompass mostly study in British Literature, writing, and outside reading of novels and plays. I will teach the two courses, English 111 and 112, simultaneously so that you will have the study of literature and writing combined throughout the year rather than taught as two separate semesters, one of composition and one of literature/research.

You have chosen to take a class that is MUCH more academically demanding than the regular English curriculum, and you will be working quite diligently as a result. I must stress that this is not a class for those who want an easy grade with little effort. To do well, you will have to budget your time, apply yourself assiduously, read extensively (and comprehend what you read!), write often and well, revise your written work until it is excellent, do a lot of work outside of class, and stay alert during class. Students who neglect to pay close attention or listen carefully will be at a great disadvantage. I rarely repeat instructions, especially if I have given a written assignment sheet. This is a wonderful class, and I immensely enjoy teaching it; I hope that you will do well and will leave the class at the end of the year feeling that you have benefited from it.

Required Materials:*All supplemental texts*3-ring binder

*Blue/black ink pens*Pencils

*Loose-leaf paper*Agenda/organizer

Grading: English 111 and 112 will run concurrently this year; therefore, you will receive grades each quarter for your high school credit, but FTCC will receive your grades in December and May. At those times, I will send in both your first and second semester grades, respectively, and these grades will reflect credit for two college courses in the UNC system if you receive a minimum grade of “C” for each. First and foremost, I can share your college grade with you ONLY as you are officially a college student; however, parents can request a report of your high school grade. College grading is on a ten-point scale, however, it is possible to have a plus or minus attached to your grade. I say this because you will have two different grades—a college grade and a high school grade. For example, you might make a “B” in your high school class, but I may decide that you have earned a “B+” in your college course (especially if your grades are on the border—an 88 or 89 should be a B+). Progress reports (for your high school grade) will be given out three times per quarter.

There will be a required mid-term exam and final exam (no exemptions in a college class) in this course as well as several reading and writing assignments. Much of the writing will be based on your reading (critical analyses, comparison/contrast papers, situational papers, ethnographic studies, etc.), but there will be other types of writing as well, such as college application essays and personal essays. There will not be nearly as many grades as you are used to having (for example, you will be expected to read for homework, but there might not be any written work associated with the reading). Moreover, late work will NOT be accepted even for late credit. Student work will be evaluated extensively and fairly. Students are graded based on their performances NOT effort, and no effort grade will be given. This course is academically demanding and requires diligent and attentive work. Furthermore, in this course, like all college courses, student grades are FINAL and nonnegotiable.

Midterm Exam and Final Exam¼ of final grade

Essays and written assignments½ of final grade

Participation and other graded work¼ of final grade (quarter grades included)

Grading Scale:A=90-100B=80-89C=70-79D=60-69F=below 60

**NOTE: You MUST make at least a C in FTCC English to obtain college credit!**

Absences: If you are out of class for any reason (even if it is a field trip, illness, etc.), you are responsible for any work missed, including note-taking. Keep in mind that you only have 2 days of graces per SEMESTER, so use them wisely. If you are out of school on a day an assignment is due, you must have someone bring it to me or you must email it to me by class time. Otherwise, you have use one of your D.O.G.

D.O.G. (Days of Grace): You will have two days of grace each semester in turning in assignments. I realize that there may be a time that something happens to you that will prevent you from turning in an assignment on time. You may choose to use a day of grace for one late day or both of them to turn in an assignment two days late. No further grace periods will be given for any required work, INCLUDING ABSENCES! This means that you cannot be absent on a day when an assignment is due and expect extra time. If you are absent and you do not get your work to school, you have used one of your days of grace. This policy is NOT negotiable, as it is an I-School policy. I would suggest that you not use both of them on the first assignment. It is a long time to the end of the semester, knowing you have no more leeway! Also, remember this: it is better to turn in your assignment, even if it is not perfect, than to take a zero on it. Since you will be revising EXTENSIVELY, one bad grade will not mean failure.

Expectations: In order to provide an environment conducive to maximum learning, I have found that certain reasonable requests must be accepted and followed by students. I fully expect you to adhere to the following rules of this classroom. Maturity is a prerequisite, and behavioral problems or immaturity WILLNOT be tolerated. It is a privilege to be in this class, and anyone who chooses to disrupt the learning environment will be removed.

  1. No headgear (hats, bandannas, visors, stockings, etc.) or sunglasses will be allowed.
  2. Be in your seat, ready to begin class, when the tardy bell stops ringing.
  3. Be fully prepared for class everyday: pens, notebook, texts, paper.
  4. Do only your English work in this class unless you are completely finished with all of your assignments.
  5. Keep up with all of your materials, especially the ones I give you. I do not make several extra copies of the materials that I hand out. It is up to you to be organized and to keep up with your materials.
  6. Show respect for the materials in the classroom—do not deface or write on desks or leave your trash in the desks.
  7. Do not throw any material---book, pencil, pen, etc.---in my classroom.
  8. Use correct English in class, NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF LANGUAGE YOU USE OUTSIDE OF CLASS!
  9. Show respect for the rights and opinions of others; do not talk when others are talking or talk out of turn. We can discuss almost any issue as long as we do it in a civilized manner.
  10. NEVER sleep in class. I will not allow sleeping at any time in the classroom. The number one priority for you at school should be to improve your mind and to learn whatever material is being presented. Contrary to popular belief, YOU CANNOT LEARN WHILE SLEEPING!

Tardies: You will not come to class with an unexcused tardy. If you are tardy to class, the following actions will occur: 1st offense—warning, 2nd offense—15 minutes of after school detention with teacher, 3rd tardy—30 minutes after school detention with teacher and parent contact (should not occur in college course), 4th offense—referral to appropriate administrator, 5th offense—referral to appropriate administrator. Ten tardies in a quarter will equate to one absence in class.

Academic Integrity/Plagiarism: All graded work must be that student’s work. All student must sign the honor code statement. Violations of this policy will be dealt with under FTCC regulations and may result in receiving a “0” on the assignment, no course credit, an F on your transcript, and possibly suspension. In addition to the penalties imposed by FTCC, students will be punished as stipulated by the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools’ Honor Code Policy.

Plagiarism is a serious offense. Any ideas or words borrowed from a source, including Internet sources, even if they are paraphrased, must be cited in your writing. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT COMMITTING PLAGIARISM! You are all extremely bright or you would not be taking this class, and I know that you know how to cite research sources because you have written a research paper just last year, so use the knowledge you have, along with the MLA guides we have in our books, to be sure that you give proper credit to your sources.

Notetaking: It is essential that you get into the habit of taking notes on information given to you in class. There is a lot more lecturing in a college-level class than you are accustomed to, so take good, extensive notes. Also, it is a very good idea to take notes as you read outside of class, not only on content but on issues you might want to discuss about the works and questions you have concerning them. Using your reading reflection journal should facilitate this process.

Study Suggestions: Revision is a critical element of writing well. Hence, we will form groups to help you not only with writing but with understanding and analyzing texts. It would be beneficial for you to arrange your own peer groups outside of class so you may review one another’s papers, discuss texts, ask questions, or generate ideas. Revised papers that have been resubmitted for a second evaluation MUST be completely revised or they will not be accepted. Changing grammatical problems does NOT constitute revision.

Outside Reading: Everyone will be expected to read certain books for the class, and you will be reading the same selections, for the most part. It is important that you not get behind in your reading and that you understand the literary concepts that are truly germane to the texts. Reading is one of the most important activities of an educated person, and it is an integral part of any English curriculum, so I fully expect you to get used to reading the assigned work. We will discuss in class how you prefer to be evaluated on the outside reading. Under NO circumstances should you substitute a shortened version of the literary work (for example, Cliff’s Notes, Spark Notes, any INTERNET NOTES, and the like) for your reading. If I find out that you are using a shortened version, you will receive no credit for the book. Furthermore, you will be penalized with an academic integrity violation, which is accompanied by out of school suspension. If you are puzzled by some part of your reading assignment, then you may come in to see me before school and I will try to help you. I have planned for us to read the previously listed supplemental texts (in addition to the provided texts).

Inclement Weather Policy: In case of inclement weather, our class follows the WSFCS schedule. If school is cancelled, we will not meet. However, if WSFCS is on a 2 hour delay, FTCC classes meet 2 hours later (10am-10:45am).

English 231 and 232: Identifying and Confronting Personal Struggles

Tentative Syllabus

August 26—Outlining the course. Discussion of Academic Integrity. Graduation Project information.

Introduction to the course.

ENGLISH 231

The Principles of Good Reading and Writing: Understanding and Realizing Strengths and Weaknesses

College Application Essay and Resume’ Building—rough draft Aug. 31, Final Sept. 2 [NARRATIVE]

Writing the Thesis Statement: Sept. 9

Angela’s Ashes—Sept. 7-28 (video clips 27-Oct. 1)

Analytical Thesis Essay—r.d. Sept. 30, Oct. 5 (Sept. 30 workshop) [PERSUASIVE]

**NOTE: We will be working on MLA Conventions throughout Sept. and Oct.

Methods of Development: Overcoming Adversity and Dealing with the Past

When the Ravens Die--Oct. 5-28

Family Heritage paper—final Oct. 28 [DESCRIPTIVE]

Kite Runner—Oct.28-Nov. 16

Morality Paper OR Photograph Paper—r.d. Nov. 16, Nov. 18 (Your Choice of Assignment)

[Arugmentative/Research or Compare/Contrast]

Special Writing and Style: Myth, Reality, Superstitions: Faith and the Conflict between good and evil

A Thousand Splendid Suns— TOPIC OF TAKE HOME EXAM!

Macbeth—Nov. 18-Dec. 14

*Take home exam due Dec. 16*

ENGLISH 232

Critical Thinking and Reading: Dealing with Family Turmoil

The Sound and the Fury (Reader Response Journal)—Jan. 4-Feb.17

Analytical Paper—thesis Feb. 17, r.d. Feb. 22, final Feb. 24

Critical Writing, Occasions for Debate, Current Issues: Learning Lessons

A Lesson Before Dying—Feb. 24-March 15

Memory/Lesson paper—r.d. March 17, final March 22

Critical Writing, Occasions for Debate, Current Issues: Alienation, Social Commentary, and Rejection

The Color of Water—March 22-April 19

Ethnography essay—r.d. April 21, final April 26

Critical Writing, Occasions for Debate, Current Issues: Understanding the role of Class, Gender, and Race in attaining “Dreams”

The House of Sand and Fog—April 19-May 12

Life Story essay—May 3

Critical Analysis: Course Completion

Take Home exam:--May 3 assigned, DUE: May 14

**There will be projects incorporated into these units as well, and you will be provided with sufficient time to complete the projects well.**

RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY!

I understand the requirements set forth by the FTCC English curriculum and will do my best to adhere to the policies and to fulfill my obligation to the program.

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Student Signature

I understand the requirements set forth by the FTCC English curriculum and will do my best to support my child’s obligation to the program while encouraging him/her to be successful.

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Parent Signature

Academic Honor Code

2010-2011 School Year

I hereby attest that all work completed and submitted is that or will be that of my own. I solemnly affirm that I have not or will not maliciously, flagrantly, or knowingly committed/commit any form of plagiarism. Furthermore, I understand the consequences for plagiarizing as set for by Mrs. Hilton’s syllabus, ForsythTechnicalCommunity College, and the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.

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STUDENT SignatureDate