El Camino College Compton Center
Fall 2015
Course: English 1C—Critical Thinking and Composition
Instructor: Professor Roach
Section Number: 9381
Lecture Meeting Days: ONLINE (M and W are recommended study days.) Orientation Live Chat Q&A: Sun., Aug. 23 @ 8 p.m., PST
Due Date Times: 11:59 p.m. PST (Grace Period extends to Sunday after due date, at 11:59 p.m. PST except during final week of course.)
Instructor Information: (310) 900-1600, Ext. 2232 Distance Education Office: www.compton.edu/academics/distance-ed (VT140)
Instructor’s Office Location: D31-B E-Mail: ; ;
Office Hours: TTh 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 12:30 – 2:15 p.m. (Chat online during these times; only general questions because visible to class.)
IMPORTANT Supplemental Info: *Free Student E-mail: mail.elcamino.edu OR www.compton.edu > MyECC (upper left side) >Login or First Time User to set up “credentials” and check weekly or click “ECC email” near the top right)*Class Websites: https://myetudes.org (Username: First Name_Last or same as MyECC username Password: birth month & day as in 0129 for January 29) (Friendly Warnings: Accept downloads and recommended computer settings when entering the class website the first time to avoid technological problems, and do not change email from college email presetting or you may be blocked from the site! After log-in each time, always click ENGL 1C tab about 2 inches from top) and 2) www.turnitin.com (Code:10154854 Password: english1c) *Library: (310) 900-1648 (www.compton.edu/library). *Bookstore: (310) 900-1600 x2820
MISSION STATEMENT: El Camino College makes a positive difference in people’s lives. We provide excellent comprehensive educational programs and services that promote student learning and success in collaboration with our diverse communities.
I. Required Textbook:
(1) Muller, Gilbert. The McGraw Hill Reader: Issues across the Disciplines. 11th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2011. ($41 at www.textbook.com)
(2) Maimon, Elaine, Janice Peritz and Kathleen Yancey. A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for Writing and Research. 3rd ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2010. ($25) ( www.mhhe.com/awr3 )
(3) Pocket or Notebook College Dictionary with Thesaurus (highly recommended)
II. Course Description (catalog description): This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills and on the application of these skills to written argumentation. Students will examine logical reasoning and apply its principles when reading and writing analytic and evaluative essays about argumentative, persuasive, narrative, and expressive works and topics.
III. Course Prerequisites: Completion of English 1A with a grade of “C” or better is a prerequisite for enrollment in English 1C.
IV. EL CAMINO COLLEGE COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to
1. Read expository prose critically to distinguish between perception and inference, surface and implied meanings, fact and opinion
2. Analyze the way arguments are presented in readings and the media
3. Demonstrate the ability to organize and develop written arguments and compositions
4. Refine writing skills developed in English 1A: focusing a topic, formulating a thesis, providing support, and developing unity and coherence.
5. Evaluate the accuracy and cogency of arguments by identifying logical fallacies and drawing inferences from readings and media presentations.
6. Formulate and develop arguments and critical theories about issues, argumentative prose, and literary interpretations.
V. EL CAMINO COLLEGE Student Learning Outcomes: All essays and classwork offer practice so that at the end of the class, students will successfully (1) compose an argumentative essay that shows an ability to support a claim using analysis, elements of argumentation, and integration of primary and secondary sources; (2) identify and assess bias, credibility, and relevance in their own arguments and in the arguments of others, including primary and secondary outside sources; and (3) organize an essay in proper MLA format and will also be technically correct in paragraph composition, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and usage.
VI. ASSESSMENT:
The following activities will be used to assess specific competencies:
A. Summaries and evaluations
B. Typed Papers
C. Class discussions and informal debates
VII. EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The grading scale for the assignments and the course is 90-100%=A; 80-89%=B; 70-79%=C; 60-69%=D; etc.
Typed Paper #1Decision Making or Problem Solving Paper / 100 points (10%) / Grade Distribution
Typed Paper #2
Advanced Causal Argument / 100 points (10%) / 900-1000 points = A
Midterm
Literary Topic / 100 points (10%) / 800-899 points = B
Typed Paper #3
Evaluating Visual Arguments / 100 points (10%) / 700-799 points = C
Typed Paper #4
Critical Thinking Assignment(Research Paper) / 200 points (20%) / 600-699 points = D
Final Exam with Portfolio / 200 points (20%) / 0-599 points = F
Attendance, Group Assignments
and Classwork/Participation / 200 points (20%)
Total / 1000 points
VIII. Attendance (College policies apply):
A. Tardy Policy—Two tardies count as an absence.
B. Absence Policy— You may be dropped for missing 10% of course or one consecutive week of assignments. All assignments and the RESEARCH PAPER are necessary to pass the course. Twice weekly minimum, you should check-in to the website at Etudes.
IX. STATEMENT OF STUDENT CONDUCT: (ALL COLLEGE POLICIES APPLY.)
A. Instructor expectation of student conduct: Students should participate in all class sessions by taking notes, actively engaging in group sessions, and completing writing assignments. Textbooks and references should be consulted, including on the midterm and final exam.
TIPS: To open, read, fill, create, and/or save assignment documents, you need Microsoft Word for .doc and .docx files (free Open Office at www.openoffice.org or purchase at http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Student_Category_Page/flyout.true) and free Adobe Reader for PDF files (http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=JOPDC). If you are a Mac user, go to the internet with free Firefox for discussion postings: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/. Finally, download college email (mail.elcamino.edu) on your cellphone for weekly class updates.
B. Late/Missed assignment policy: There is no late work and all work must be completed to receive a grade for the course. However, let me know in advance if there is a scheduling conflict.
C. Academic conduct, cheating, plagiarism: You will be required to write about the reading assignments. At no time may you plagiarize the words or ideas of those nor other persons as your own. Place word-for-word copying in quotation marks and cite by author and page in parentheses at the end of the sentence; otherwise, there is an automatic “F” on the assignment and expulsion possible for repeated offenses with due process. Instead, note and practice proper citation of sources even for paraphrases in your own words. (See Catalog, p. 263.)
D. Lab Policy: Labs on campus offer available computers and tutoring, and cooperative compliance with all lab and library rules is required.
X. SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: If you study for a long time or reread information and still do not understand it or if you have a recognized disability, you need to contact me and the Special Resource Center in VT 109 (x2402) and the High Tech Center in VT 226-B (x2405) within the first week of class so that you can be diagnosed, offered study strategies, and/or receive reasonable accommodations. Also, see the Natural Reader link.
XI. Disclaimer Statement: Students will be notified ahead of time when and if any changes are made to course requirements or policies.
XII. SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS Analyzing American Arguments:
(Grace period extends to sunday after the due date at 11:59 p.m.)
KEY: MHR for McGraw Hill Reader; DPM for Discussion Private Messages in Etudes; ATS for Assignments, Tests, & Surveys; ec for Extra Credit
WK / Due Date / INTERACTIVE MODULETOPIC / OBJECTIVE / OUTCOME / PREPARATION
Live Orientation Chat -> / ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT
**Aug. 23 @ 8 p.m.-- or 10 pt. deduction**
1 / 8/24 / *Welcome: Explore class website-10 min. (http://myetudes.org (1) MyECC username (2) birth month & day as password as in 0129) - >
*Course introduction: language issues--using language ethically and workshop on sentences -> / *Inside, click ENGL 1C tab at top & explore tabs on left side. / *Click Course Map > “Getting Started” / Click next to progress to Activities & study >
Module 1 Writing Process mini-lecture (Chapt 2 MHR) / *Self Intro @ Class Discussions in DPM (10pts)
8/26 / Course introduction continued: understanding and evaluating claims--reasons, purposes, support, ambiguity, vagueness, complexity, assessing credibility, causal arguments, moral reasoning - > / Module 1 Advanced Argument mini-lecture and/or Chapt 2-3 in MHR- > / *Review of key terms @ ATS (15pts)
*Diagnostic Writing @ DPM (10pts)
2 / 8/31 / Intro to Paper #1
(Beauty, Body, & Science Debate)
-> / Module 2 Decision Making mini-lecture | Read Ellen Goodman’s “I Worked Hard for That Furrowed Brow” in MHR
9/2 / Module 3 Problem Solving mini-lecture | Read Dinesh D’Souza’s “Staying Human” / *Post reflections: Summary or Evaluation due @ Team Blog in DPM (20pts)
3 / 9/9 / *Debate #1 Outline (20pts)
(An evaluation of a personal decision or the societal problem @ Class Discussions in DPM)
4 / 9/14 / Writing Workshop (MLA format, Chapt. 4) -> / Complete, expand, revise, edit, and type final draft -> / *Paper #1 Draft and Peer Review
@ Team Blog in DPM (25pts)
9/16 / *Paper #1 Due (100pts)
(Decision-Making or Problem Solving)
[Note: Send to Etudes ATS and www.turnitin.com]
5 / 9/21 / Intro to Paper #2 (Education Debate)
Writing argumentative, evaluative, and analytic essays (prewriting, writing, and rewriting); topic selection (narrowing, evaluating validity and relevance); developing parts of the argumentative essay (strategies for organizing an argument or evaluation, including evidence, inductive and deductive reasoning); avoiding logical fallacies -> / Module 4 Advanced Causal Analysis mini-lecture | Read Douglass, Rodriguez, Gelernter, Walker, Plato, and/or Carson (See full titles @ Team Blog) Chapt.5 -> / *Post reflections: *Summary or Evaluation due @ Team Blog in DPM (20pts)
9/23 / *Debate #2 Outline @ Class Discussions (20pts)
6 / 9/28 / *Paper #2 Draft @ Team Blog in DPM
9/30 / Writing Workshop -> / Complete draft -> / *Peer Review @ Team Blog in DPM (25pts)
7 / 10/5 / *Paper #2 Due (100pts)
[Note: Send to Etudes ATS and www.turnitin.com]
10/7 / Intro to Advanced Literary Topics -> / Module 5 Advanced Lit. mini-lecture
8 / 10/12 / Read excerpts from Reed and Valdez (Handout) -> / *Post reflections: Summary or Evaluation due @ Team Blog in DPM (20pts)
10/14 / Evaluating point of view, inferences, and assumptions; understanding diction, identification, aesthetic distance, and focus; exploring satire, irony, paradox, over-statement, and understatement; evaluating authority; analyzing symbols, analogy, ambiguity, and imagery -> / *Midterm Timed Essay (100 points)
[Note: Send to Etudes ATS and www.turnitin.com]
9 / 10/19 / Intro to Paper #3 (Visual Arguments) -> / Module 6 Visual Arguments mini-lecture -> / *Find and post link for website or ad (10pts)
10/21 / Read Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Gloria Steinem, Deborah Ross, Farhad Manjoo, Ellen Lee, and/or Lakshmi Chaudhry in MHR (See full titles @ Team Blog) --Chapt. 2, 10-> / * Post reflections: Summary or Evaluation due @ Team Blog in DPM (15pts)
10 / 10/26 / *Debate #3 Outline @ Class Discussions in DPM (20)
10/28 / Writing Workshop #3 -> / *Draft Due @ Team Blog in DPM
11 / 11/2 / APA format (Chapt. 4) -> / Complete draft -> / *Peer Review @ Team Blog in DPM (25pts)
11/4 / Evaluating visual arguments -> / *Typed Paper #3 Due (100pts)
[Note: Send to Etudes and www.turnitin.com]
12 / 11/9 / Intro to Paper #4
(Choose an International Leader)
(Advanced Argument and Research) -> / Module 7 Review Advanced Argument mini-lecture | Read Jefferson, Stanton, and King in MHR (See titles @ Team Blog.)
-> / *Post reflections: Summary or Evaluation due @ Team Blog in DPM (20pts )
*Film viewing (optional)
Module 7 Research Writing mini-lecture -> / *Online library research orientation
13 / 11/16 / *Summary, paraphrase, and quote note cards (5ec)
11/18 / *Coordinate and prepare debate with sources -> / *Debate 4 Outline with Annotated Bibliography @ Class Discussions in DPM (100pts)
14 / 11/23 / *Research Paper Draft @ Team Blog in DPM
15 / 11/30 / Writing Workshop |Research @ dianahacker.com> / Complete draft -> / *Peer Review @ Team Blog in DPM (25pts)
12/2 / Evaluating political and advertising rhetoric: slanders, euphemism, innuendo, loaded questions, downplaying, avoidance, stereotyping, hyperbole, persuasive definitions; information tailoring and the news media: loaded language in reporting and advertising -> / *RESEARCH PAPER DUE in ATS (100 pts)
[Note: Send to Etudes ATS and www.turnitin.com]
16 / 12/7 / Module 8 Final Reflections / *Portfolio Revision Assignment
12/9 / *Final Portfolio, Part 2 (100 pts)
[Send to Etudes ATS and www.turnitin.com]
Final Portfolio: Collect all classwork, homework, journal entries, and papers in two pocket folder—your portfolio of work in the class on a range of important themes. It shows the progress you are making following the writing process for paper assignments; it should also be neat to present or display your work as well. Contents should include journal entries, prewriting and drafts, peer evaluations, notes/handouts, and final drafts.
IMPORTANT DATES
Web Registration Begins Monday, August 3, 2015
Second Drop for Non-Payment for Fall Classes Deadline
(For students who register July 15 – August 17) Monday, August 17, 2015
All Web Registration Ends (Full Semester Classes) Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Saturday Classes Begin Saturday, August 22, 2015
Weekday Classes Begin Monday, August 24, 2015
Online Add Period and Program Change Period Begins Monday, August 24, 2015
First Day to Apply for Fall Graduation and Certificates Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Last Day to Add Classes (Full Semester Classes – See Short Term Calendar) Friday, September 4, 2015
Last Day to Drop Without Notation on Permanent Record Friday, September 4, 2015
Last Day to Drop for an Enrollment Fee Refund (Full Semester Classes) Friday, September 4, 2015
Last Day to Challenge Residency Status for Current Semester Friday, September 4, 2015
Labor Day Holiday (Campus Closed) Monday, September 7, 2015
Last Day to Apply for Degrees and Certificates (Fall) Friday, October 9, 2015
Mid-Term Classes Begin Saturday, October 17, 2015
Veterans Day Holiday (Campus Closed) Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Last Day to Drop with a “W” Friday, November 13, 2015
Thanksgiving Holiday (Campus Closed) Thursday, November 26-Sunday, November 29, 2015
Last Day of Semester Friday, December 11, 2015
Winter Holiday Break – Campus Closed Thursday, December 24, 2015-Friday, January 1, 2016