ENGLISH 101: WRITING EXPRESSION
Bellevue Community College
Fall Quarter 2002
5
credits
Instructor: Professor Ryan Adams
Email:
Office: Humanities Department
Office Hours:
Schedule:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Composition principles are
explored through reading, writing, and analyzing professional and student
texts. Emphasizing audience awareness and individual and collaborative approaches,
the course teaches students the process of writing and seeks to improve the
quality of their writing in the areas of unity, coherence, style, development,
and mechanics. Students write in a variety of modes with different aims, and
for diverse audiences. In addition, students use library resources and
electronic tools to access information and compose, critique, and share
writing.
REQUIRED TEXTS and
MATERIALS
Kirszner and Mandell, The Blair Reader, 4th edition.
Williams, Style: Ten
Lessons in Clarity and Grace, 6th or 7th edition.
Please use a notebook to
keep all returned work, handouts and to take notes.
Please store all writing on
a 3.5 diskette that is formatted and compatible with BCC’s computers.
Throughout the course we
will be reading, discussing, and observing (through films) topics of cultural
significance. We will be doing what professionals in my field call “Cultural
Criticism.” This process will give us many issues to write about and explore in
class. Students are encouraged to come to class having read and thought
critically about the assigned readings, with questions and concerns written
down for class discussion. Quizzes will be derived from the readings and
lectures.
THE ESSAYS
The primary objective of
this class is to develop your skill with the writing process. After you write
your first draft and to aid you in your comprehension and revision, you’ll give
and receive critical feedback from your peers. Then you’ll “incubate” for a
brief period before revising your essay and handing it in to be graded. For all
essays, I’ll be evaluating several areas of proficiency. We’ll have some fun
too.
A PERSONAL NOTE
Above all, I want you to
succeed. How much you learn depends upon your work ethic as a writer in a
community of writers, providing drafts to group members on time, preparing oral
and written responses for peers, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to
reading, responding, drafting, revising and an unyielding quest for knowledge
and theoretical understanding. At no other time in your life will you have
such an opportunity for personal growth. Now is the time!
GRADING POLICY
For your benefit, I
calculate your grade using a basic point system. This way you can track your
progress and see just how well you are doing or if you need to improve in
certain areas.
|
Assignments |
Points
possible |
percentage |
Grading Scale |
|
Class
participation |
17 |
3.4% |
A = 90 – 100 |
|
Homework |
16.6 |
3.3% |
B = 80 – 89 |
|
Four
Quizzes |
16.6 |
13.2% |
C = 70 – 79 |
|
Descriptive
Narrative, Essay #1 |
50 |
10% |
D = 60 – 69 |
|
Comparative
Analysis, Essay #2 |
50 |
10% |
F = 0 – 59 |
|
Argumentative
Analysis, Essay #3 |
100 |
20% |
|
|
An
Introspective Analysis, Essay #4 |
100 |
20% |
|
|
Final
Examination |
100 |
20% |
|
|
|
500 |
99.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTENDANCE
The collective nature of our
class work demands active and dependable participation from all students. When
you are late or absent, you are inhibiting the learning process for other
students. Students who arrive late will not be counted as present. Repeated
absences will result in a lower course grade. Over three absences will result
in course failure. Requests for an “Incomplete” will be considered by the head
of the English department and myself, and are typically not likely to be
granted.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(numbers 5 and 6
are very important!)
1. Late work turned in
without prior clearance will be graded down significantly.
2. There are no make up
quizzes. If you miss a quiz, then you miss a quiz.
3. Plagiarizing or cheating
will be subject to BCC’s policies on academic integrity.
4. Students who exhibit disorderly, abusive or
bothersome behavior that interferes with the rights of others or which
obstructs or disrupts teaching will be dismissed from that class and dealt with
appropriately.
5. Most academic related
problems can be easily resolved by openly speaking with me in a timely fashion.
6. Above all, I am here to help you succeed with your
studies. Please let me know if you need assistance with an assignment or
clarification during a lecture. I’m glad to answer questions anytime!
COURSE SCHEDULE
All assignments are subject
to change depending on our rate of progress. All work should be completed by
the week it appears.
|
Week 1 |
Blair – Introduction p.1-9 |
|
Week 2 |
Style – Lessons One & Two Blair – p.125, 127, 140, 146, 113 |
|
Week 3 |
Style – Lesson Three & Four Blair – p.167, 173, 184, 189, 220 Literacy
Essay #1 first draft due for peer responses |
|
Week 4 |
Style – Lesson Five Blair – p. 89, 664, 682, 658, Literacy Essay #1 revised
draft due for grade |
|
Week 5 |
Style – Lesson Six Blair – p. 214, 449, 457, 232 Comparative Analysis
Essay #2 first draft due for peer responses |
|
Week 6 |
Style – Lesson Seven Blair – p. 395,
421 Comparative Analysis
Essay #2 revised draft due for grade |
|
Week 7 |
Style – Lesson Eight Blair – p. 98, 465, 469, 473 Argumentative Analysis
Essay #3 first draft due for peer responses |
|
Week 8 |
Style – Lesson Nine Blair – p. 581, 587 Argumentative Analysis
Essay #3 first draft due for grade |
|
Week 9 |
Style – Lesson Ten Blair – Review course material for final Introspective Analysis
Essay #4 first draft due for peer responses |
|
Week 10 |
No class: Thanksgiving
holiday |
|
Week 11 |
Final Examinations Introspective Analysis
Essay #4 first draft due for grade |