Syllabus!

San José State University
Department of English and Comparative Literature
English 1B, Composition 2 (GE C3), Sections 5, 10, 50, & 54 Spring 2011




Instructor:

Peter O'Sullivan


Office Location:

FO 128


Telephone:

(408) 924- 4663


Email:

peter.o'sullivan@sjsu.edu


Office Hours:

Mondays: 10:30 - 12. Wednesdays: 11:45-1:15.


Class Days/Time:

All Classes: MW. Sec 5: 7:30-8:45. Sec 10: 9:00-10:15. Sec 50: 1:30-2:45. Sec 54: 3:00-4:15


Classroom:

Sec 5: BBC 120. Sec 10: CL 218. Sec 50: BBC 221.

Sec 54: BBC 120.


Prerequisites:

Passage of Written Communication 1A (C or better) or approved equivalent.


GE Category:

Written Communication A2



Course Description

English 1B is the second course in SJSU’s two-semester lower-division composition sequence. Beyond providing repeated practice in planning and executing essays, and broadening and deepening students’ understanding of the genres, audiences, and purposes of college writing, English 1B differs from English 1A in its emphasis on persuasive and critical writing (with less attention paid to the personal essay), its requirement for fewer but longer essays, and its introduction to writing informed by research. Students will develop sophistication in writing analytical, argumentative, and critical essays; a mature writing style appropriate to university discourse; reading abilities that will provide an adequate foundation for upper-division work; proficiency in basic library research skills and in writing papers informed by research; and mastery of the mechanics of writing.

Prerequisites: Passage of Written Communication 1A (C or better) or approved equivalent.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives

Building on the college-level proficiencies required in English 1A, students shall achieve the ability to write complete essays that demonstrate advanced proficiency in all of the following:

· Clear and effective communication of meaning.

· An identifiable focus (argumentative essays will state their thesis clearly and will show an awareness, implied or stated, of some opposing point of view).

· An appropriate voice that demonstrates an awareness of audience and purpose.

· Careful attention to review and revision.

· Effective and correct use of supporting materials, including independent research (e.g., quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and citing sources);

· Effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and synthesis of ideas encountered in multiple readings.

· Effective organization and development of ideas at paragraph and essay levels.

· Appropriate and effective sentence structure and diction.

· Command of conventional mechanics (e.g., punctuation, spelling, reference, agreement).
Student Learning Objectives:

SLO 1: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to refine the competencies established in Written Communication 1A (as summarized below).

1A Student Learning:

· Students should be able to perform effectively the essential steps in the writing process (prewriting, organizing, composing, revising, and editing).

· Students should be able to express (explain, analyze, develop, and criticize) ideas effectively.

· Students should be able to use correct grammar (syntax, mechanics, and citation of sources) at a college level of sophistication.

· Students should be able to write for different audiences (both specialized and general)



SLO 2: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to use (locate, analyze, and evaluate) supporting materials, including independent library research, and identify key concepts and terms that describe the information needed.

SLO 3: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to select efficient and effective approaches for accessing information utilizing an appropriate investigative method or information retrieval system.

SLO 4: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to synthesize ideas encountered in multiple readings.

SLO 5: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to incorporate principles of design and communication to construct effective arguments.

SLO 6: Students shall write complete essays that demonstrate the ability to identify and discuss issues related to censorship and freedom of speech.
Academic policies

You are responsible for reading the SJSU academic polices available online:
http://www.sjsu.edu/english/comp/policyforsyllabi.html
Course Content

Writing: In English 1B, your assignments will emphasize the skills and activities in writing and thinking that produce both the persuasive argument and the critical essay, each of which demands analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. These assignments will give you repeated practice in prewriting, organizing, writing, revising, and editing. Your writing assignments will total a minimum of 8000 words and this word requirement will be met by writing a sequence of six to eight essays. At least one of your essays will require research. This 8000-word minimum does not include the final exam, quizzes, journals, or any brief or informal assignments but may include any major revisions of essays or assignments. A major revision is defined as rethinking or reworking an assignment rather than just correcting grammatical or structural errors. Your instructor has listed in this syllabus how you will meet the 8000 word minimum. You must write all formal essays to pass the course.

Reading: The reading in English 1B includes useful models of writing for academic, general, and specific audiences. Readings will be used consistently with the course goal of enhancing ability in written communication and reading. The majority of the readings are devoted to analytical, critical, and argumentative essays. However, other readings may include poetry, fiction, and drama. Your instructor will help you develop and refine strategies for reading challenging, college-level material.

Research: English 1B includes an introduction to the library and basic research strategies. You will learn to locate materials and use them effectively (i.e. paraphrasing, quoting, summarizing) as well as how to properly cite them. You will be required to write a traditional research paper or a series of short essays in which you use library research to inform your position or thesis. As part of this requirement, a University Librarian will lead one class session of your English 1B course.

Diversity: The assignments (reading and writing) in English 1B will address issues of race, class, and gender and will include the perspectives of women and diverse cultural groups in an inclusive and comprehensive manner whenever possible.

Course Materials: The English department suggests that a dictionary, a rhetoric (or rhetoric/reader), and a handbook are appropriate materials for this course.

The University Essay Final Exam: Twenty percent of your course grade comes from an essay final exam, graded holistically. This department-wide final consists of reading and responding to two or more college-level passages chosen by the English Department Composition Committee. You must take the final exam in order to pass the course.

Grading: The Department of English reaffirms its commitment to the differential grading scale as defined in the official SJSU Catalog (“The Grading System”). Grades issued must represent a full range of student performance: A = excellent; B = above average; C = average; D = below average; F = failure. Courses graded according to the A, B, C, NoCredit system shall follow the same pattern, except that NC, for NoCredit, shall replace C-, D, or F. In A,B,C,NoCredit courses NC shall also substitute for W (for Withdrawal) because neither NC nor W affects students’ grade point averages.



English 1B is no longer a NoCredit course. A failing grade is a failing grade.

In English Department courses, instructors will comment on and grade the quality of student writing as well as the quality of the ideas being conveyed. All student writing should be distinguished by correct grammar and punctuation, appropriate diction and syntax, and well-organized paragraphs.

SJSU Academic Integrity Policy: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty are required to report all infractions to the office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.htm. The SJSU rules against plagiarism are set forth in the SJSU Catalog, which defines plagiarism as the act of representing the work of another as one’s own (without giving appropriate credit) regardless of how that work was obtained, and submitting it to fulfill academic requirements. Plagiarism at SJSU includes, but is not limited to: (1) the act of incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts thereof, or the specific substance of another’s work, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as one’s own work. It is the role and obligation of each student to know the rules that preserve academic integrity and abide by them at all times. This includes learning and following the particular rules associated with specific classes, exams, and/or course assignments. Ignorance of these rules is not a defense to the charge of violating the Academic Integrity Policy.

Campus Policy on Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with DRC to establish a record of their disability. The DRC website is http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/.


Required Texts/Readings
Textbook

· Colombo, Cullen, and Lisle eds. Rereading America, 8th Ed. (RA) ISBN 10: 0-312-54854-0

· College-level dictionary

· Large bluebooks

· Yellow Examination booklets for the final

· Blue or Black pens


Other Readings

Additional readings can be found here: http://pposp2011.blogspot.com/
Classroom Protocol

Class will begin on time with quizzes or in-class writing first thing. These cannot be made up. The seventy-five minutes will be made up of in-class writing, lecture, and group work. Electronic devices should be silent and stowed during class time unless otherwise approved for class assistance. Participation is a must.
Assignments and Grading Policy

Reading: English 1B is a reading-intensive course meant to help you strengthen your reading and critical thinking skills. You will read many challenging passages from Rereading America and from other sources both provided by the instructor and found in your research. All readings listed on the calendar must be finished by the class time for the date listed. For example: If the calendar listing for December 25th includes Harris' “Reason in Exile,” you must have this essay read before we meet for class on December 25th. Class participation is based predominantly on the readings, so to ensure full credit you must complete the readings by class time and be prepared to participate orally and in writing.

Writing: English 1B is a writing-intensive course meant to prepare you for college-level writing, which will be required in all other classes, and which depends upon clear communication of meaning. All essay writing assignments are noted on the calendar and must be turned in by the beginning of class on the day they are due. All other writing assignments will be assigned during class and must be turned in on time. You will also receive assignment sheets with further instructions for all essays.

There are six essay assignments in this course: three in-class essays (including the ungraded diagnostic), two out-of-class essays, and a research-based argumentative essay.

All essays must be completed and turned in to pass the course.

In-class essay requirements: You must write all in-class essays in a large bluebook(s), using a blue or black pen. Use of loose-leaf paper will result in an automatic failure of the assignment. You may use a paper dictionary, but no thesaurus. In-class essays may not be made up except in cases of emergency; you must notify the instructor of the emergency and provide written documentation of the emergency; you must make up an in-class essay within one week.

Out-of-class essay requirements: You must type all out-of-class essays using MLA guidelines for formatting and citing. There will be significant point deductions for not using MLA, or for improper or missing citations. Part of MLA guidelines require the essay be typed in a 12-point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides, and with your name and page number in the header. I also require you to include a word count for every out-of-class essay, which you may place in the top of the essay (with your name, date, etc.), or at the end of the essay.

· Essays must be turned in on time, hardcopy to the instructor, which is at the beginning of the class period on the due date.

· Essays must be turned into turnitin.com. You will lose half your essay grade if you fail to submit to this website.

· Late Essay Policy: Essays can be turned in for full credit up to and including the day the instructor hands them back. After that, any essay turned in will lose 50% of its total score.

· Word length requirements are listed on the calendar and on essay assignment sheets.

· Specific instructions will be on assignment sheets.

· A note about minimum requirements: All minimum requirements listed on the writing prompts must be met in order to pass the assignment. Passing is a C. To receive an A you must exceed the requirements.

Research-based argumentative essay requirements: You will follow all instructions listed above for an out-of-class essay, and include a works cited page for this assignment.

· You must use six sources, and no more than one from our textbook for this assignment.

· This assignment will include multiple steps with separate due dates, which will be assigned in class.

· This essay must present an argument in the form of a proposal. An argument means that you take a position on a topic and try to convince your reader to agree with you, or see your point.

· This is not an expository essay; you will not simply write a report on a topic.

· You will choose your topic, within the instructor's guidelines and with the instructor's approval.

Turnitin.com: This class will use turnitin.com for every out of class assignment. To stave off any accidental plagiarism, you will be required to turn both your rough drafts and your final drafts to the site. This will also give me a chance to see your rough drafts and comment on them accordingly. Be sure to sign up for turnitin.com as soon as possible. Here are the codes for each section:

· Sec 05: 3769767

· Sec 10: 3769772

· Sec 50: 3769781

· Sec 54: 3769783

The password for each section is iwritegood.

Grading: All essays, except the diagnostic, will be graded using the Departmental Grading Policy, which is defined in the official SJSU Catalog under “The Grading System.” Essentially essay grades will be distributed by letter, A, B, C, D, F, and using the plus/minus system. For further details on the policy, see your SJSU Catalog.

· All essays out of class essays will be fully commented upon. Comments are a teaching tool and you are required to read them and institute whatever corrections are noted/suggested, and seriously consider making changes based upon any instructor comments/suggestions.

· Class participation figures heavily into the course grade, and can include discussion, in-class writing exercises, workshops, homework, etc.

Grade Distribution:

· Final Exam: 20%

· Research-based essay: 20%

· In-class essays: 15% (Diagnostic: 0%, Essay #4: 10%, Practice Final: 5%)

· Out-of-class essays: 25% (Essay #2: 10%, Essay #3: 15%)

· Quizzes: 10%

· Participation Assignments: 10%

Workshops: You will workshop at least one essay, and must follow workshop procedures in order to get full credit on that essay assignment and for participation.

· All workshops are structured group exercises in which you will give and receive valuable feedback on your writing.

· Workshops cannot be made up.

Conferences: For each major out of class assignment, I offer optional conferences. I will meet with willing students during our class period one day between the workshop and the day the final draft is due. All other students are encouraged to use that time to work on their final drafts.

Participation: Participation is made up of all in-class work, homework, reader responses, writing exercises, etc.

· You will earn points for all participation, which will be noted and turned back to you.

· Each participation assignment will be worth between 5 and 10 points for a total of 100 points over the course of the semester. That is 10% of your total grade.

Extra Credit: There is NO extra credit in this class. You earn your grade in this class, and grades are not negotiable.

Final Exam: The final for English 1B is a mandatory, university-wide exam.

· This exam cannot be rescheduled.

· The Final is on Saturday, 5/14/2011 at 10:00am. The location will be announced at a later date.

· Bring two yellow examination booklets, blue or black pens, and a paperback dictionary.

· The exam lasts two hours and you must stay the entire time.
Class Blog

Updated information about the class and supplemental readings will be frequently posted to the blog at http://pposp2011.blogspot.com/ and you are encouraged to visit it before each and every class. While there will be in class reminders whenever a reading from the blog is due, you are invariably responsible for accessing the material on there.
Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic calendar web page located at http://www.sjsu.edu/academic_programs/calendars/academic_calendar/ . The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Student Technology Resources

Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library.

A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and monitors.
SJSU Writing Center

The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff/.
Peer Mentor Center

The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic challenges to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators, offering “roadside assistance” to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free and available on a drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/



English 1B Spring 2011 Course Schedule

This Schedule is Subject to Change. Check the Blog, http://pposp2011.blogspot.com/ Regularly for Updates.




Week

Date

Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines

1



Wednesday 1/26/2011

Introduction; Syllabus; What is a Sentence? {SLO 1}


2



Monday 1/31/2011

Essay #1: Diagnostic Essay. Bring Blue Book and Pen. [800 words] {SLO 1, 3}

Assign Essay #2: Out of Class Rhetorical Analysis [1400 words]


Wednesday 2/2/2011

Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths (RA 1) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

True Women and Real Men (RA 515) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

De Tocqueville: How Americans Understand Equality of the Sexes (RA 520) {SLO 1, 3, 4}




3



Monday 2/7/2011

Devor: Becoming Members of Society (RA 527) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Cofer: Story of My Body (RA 537) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Rosin: A Boy's Life (RA 546) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


Wednesday 2/9/2011

Visual Portfolio (RA 568) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Kilbourne: Two Ways… (RA 575) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Morgan: From Fly Girls (RA 601) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


4



Monday 2/14/2011

Kimmel: "Bros…" (RA 608) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Kindlon: "Descent of Man" {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Salam: The Death of Macho {SLO 1, 3, 4}


Wednesday 2/16/2011

Workshop Essay #2: Out of Class Rhetorical Analysis {SLO 1,2,3}

Assign Essay #3: Out of Class Definition Essay [2000 Words]


5



Monday 2/21/2011

Conference Day for Essay #2.


Wednesday 2/23/2011

Soto: Looking For Work (RA 26) {SLO 1, 3 and 4}

Coontz: What We Really Miss About the 1950s (RA 32) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Gerstel and Sarkisian: The Color of Family Ties (RA 61) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


6



Monday 2/28/2011

Essay #2: Out of Class Rhetorical Analysis Due [1400 words]

Prop 8 (RA 79) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Morse: 8 is Not Hate (RA 81) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Marriage Equality USA: Prop 8 Hurt My Family {SLO 1,3,4}


Wednesday 3/2/2011

Wolfson: What is Marriage? (RA 89) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Sullivan: My Big Fat Straight Wedding {SLO 1, 3, 4}


7



Monday 3/7/2011

Mann: Report of the Mass. Board of Ed, 1848 (RA 116) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Moore: Idiot Nation (RA 128) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Gatto: Against School (RA 148) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Assign Essay #6: Out of Class Proposal Essay [3000 words]


Wednesday 3/9/2011
Workshop Essay #3: Out of Class Definition Essay {SLO 1,2,3}


8



Monday 3/14/2011

Possible Library Day

Otherwise Conference Day for Essay #3


Wednesday 3/16/2011

Likely Library Day


9



Monday 3/21/2011

Possible Library Day

Groening: School is Hell (RA 147) {SLO 1, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Anyon: Social Class (RA 169) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Kozol: Still Separate, Still Unequal (RA 219) {SLO 1, 3, 4, 6}


Wednesday 3/23/2011

Essay #3: Out of Class Definition Essay Due [2000 words]

Rodriguez: Achievement of Desire (RA 194) {SLO 1, 3, 4, 6}

Malcolm X: Learning to Read (RA 211) {SLO 1, 3, 4, 6}






3/28/2011 - 4/1/2011

Spring Break: No Class


10

Monday 4/4/2011

Visual Portfolio (RA 187) {SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Professor X: In the Basement of the Ivory Tower (RA 238) {SLO 1, 3, 4, 6}


Wednesday 4/6/2011

Essay #4: In Class Proposal. Bring Blue Book.


11



Monday 4/11/2011

Created Equal (RA 373) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Jefferson: Notes on the State of Virginia (RA 378) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


Wednesday 4/13/2011

Parrillo: Causes of Prejudice (RA 384) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Terkel: C.P. Ellis (RA 398) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

McBride: The Boy in the Mirror (RA 409) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


12



Monday 4/18/2011

Harris and Carbado: Loot or Find (RA 422) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Visual Portfolio (RA 439) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


Wednesday 4/20/2011

Fredrickson: Models of American Ethnic Relations (RA 449) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Buchanan: Deconstructing America (RA 462) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


13



Monday 4/25/2011

Martinez: The Crossing (RA 473) {SLO 1, 3, 4}

Hsu: The End of White America? (RA 497) {SLO 1, 3, 4}


Wednesday 4/27/2011

Overflow Day -- Will Announce


14



Monday 5/2/2011

Workshop Essay #6: Out of Class Proposal Essay


Wednesday 5/4/2011

Essay #5: In Class Practice Final [800 words]


15



Monday 5/9/2011

Conference Day for Essay #6


Wednesday 5/11/2011

Go over Practice Finals. Strategy session.


16



Monday 5/16/2011

Essay #6: Out of Class Proposal Essay Due [3000 Words]

Last day of class. Final Thoughts. Letter to Instructor.


Final Exam

Saturday, May 14

10:00am – 12:00pm, location TBD. Bring yellow book and paperback dictionary.



Important SJSU dates Spring 2011

Monday January 17 Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Day - Campus Closed (K)

Tuesday January 25 Spring Semester Begins

Wednesday January 26 First Day of Instruction – Classes Begin

Monday February 7 Last Day to Drop Courses Without an Entry on Record (D)

Monday February 14 Last Day to Add Courses & Register Late (A)

Tuesday February 22 Enrollment Census Date (CD)

Mon--Friday Mar 28-April 1 Spring Recess

Thursday March 31 Cesar Chavez Day - Campus Closed (CC)

Tuesday May 17 Last Day of Instruction – Last Day of Classes

Wednesday May 18 Study/Conference Day (no classes or exams) (SC)

Thur-Friday May 19-20 Final Examinations (exams)

Mon-Wed May 23-25 Final Examinations (exams)

Thursday May 26 Final Examinations Make-Up Day (MU)

Friday May 27 Grade Evaluation Day (G)

Saturday May 28 Commencement (C)

Monday May 30 Memorial Day- Campus Closed (M)

Tuesday May 31 Grades Due From Faculty - End of Spring Semester (G)