SYLLABUS

 

NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

English 1121

Professor Colleen Birchett, Ph.D.

cbirchett@yahoo.com

Conference Hours: 12:30pm-1:30 p.m.0, M-W (And by Appointment)

OVERVIEW

English 1121 develops skills in using both primary and secondary sources for research purposes, and literary criticism. It engages in writing and critical thinking processes of brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising, editing and publishing essays. Students gain experience with incorporating research from outside sources into expository, argumentative and literary critical essays.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to write argumentative essays that:

• critically respond in writing, to published articles;
• take a stance in reaction to the main thesis of an articles, using supportive information from professional journal articles;
• raise central research questions, locate alternative answers to such questions, and then select and effectively defend his/her answers to such questions;
• revise essays in response to feedback from peers and the instructor;
• edit essays for mechanical errors;
• avoid plagiarizing by summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting;
• employ MLA style for formatting and publishing essays.

ORGANIZATION

The course is divided into fiveI units, with the first one being introductory.

1. Introduction

This unit reviews (or introduces) basic concepts such as: elements of academic essays, basic methods of researching primary and secondary sources, use of MLA conventions, the course rubric, and academic writing style. It will also cover summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, in-text citations and Works Cited pages. In this unit, the student selects a broad theme as the general subject area for essays written for the term.

1. Expository Writing

In this unit, the student identifies and writes about a controversial topic related to the theme selected at the beginning of the term. S/he consults primary and secondary sources for an overview of the controversy, identifying competing answers to the central question. This research culminates in a five-page paper that identifies the problem, identifies the central question and summarizes competing answers to this central question. The essay employs MLA-style in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Throughout the unit, students collaborate in small groups, giving and receiving further insights into topics explored by his/her group and responding to related literaturArgumentative Writing

II. Argumentative Writing

Based on the research completed in Unit II, the student presents one answer to the central question, defends the answer (using outside research, data, and observations) and addresses the most salient challenge to his/her answer, raised by the opposing viewpoint. This process culminates in a five to seven-page research paper. Throughout the unit, students collaborate in small groups, giving and receiving further insights into topics explored by his/her group and responding to related literature.III

III. Literary Analysis

Throughout the term, students read short essays and fiction related to the themes at hand, and discuss them in small groups. In this particular unit, students also discuss such concepts as theme, plot, characterization, and literary elements as they relate to short stories related to their small group theme.  In this unit, students will also collaborate in small groups and complete related worksheets. The unit will culminate in the student composing a five page literary criticism of an assigned short story.  

COURSE TEXTS

Birchett, Colleen, Writing and Social Justice, (New York City College of Technology, New York, 2018)

Additional Assigned Readings, Videos, Handouts and Worksheets distributed in class

PREREQUISITES

English 1101

CONFERENCE HOURS

The standard conference hours are between 12:30pm – 1:30pm, but appointments can be arranged at other times. It would be best to contact the instructor by email to arrange a different time. I am also available on other days and times to conference via email.

OTHER COURSE REQUIREMENTS

To succeed in the class, students must:

• Access and use resources available on Blackboard;
• Type and submit essays, using appropriate MLA format;
• Submit essays as attachments to emails;
• Interact with peers in small groups and make meaningful contributions to the group’s work;

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Learning takes place during:

• lectures;
• small group work;
• general class discussions;
• computer lab sessions;
• reacting to videos;
• completing worksheets;
• composing journal entries;
• reacting to assigned readings and films.

Engagement with all of the above is considered class participation. Moreover, remaining on task in class is important. Therefore, all electronic devices (cell phones, IPODs, laptops, etc.) must be turned off completely. No texting is allowed.  One or more class sessions will be spent in the computer lab.  In the lab, it is important for everyone to be able to concentrate. That is why it is important for people not to socialize in the lab, but to focus on the assignment of that particular day.  If personal help is needed, it is much less disruptive to get it from the instructor than from another student.

Entering class late, not listening, and then disrupting other people’s ability to concentrate and complete lab assignments will result in a lowering of the offenders overall class participation grade. The amount of time spent examining the resources available on Blackboard is also figured into the class participation score.

ATTENDANCE

Some class time will be devoted to completing worksheets. Therefore, it is important to be in class and on time every time that the class meets. Abruptly walking in and out of class is considered disruptive, and will be computed into the total number of classroom absences. At the end of the term, the number of times late and absent will be computed into the class participation score. More than four absences can result in failure of the class. Students sign their names on an attendance sheet. If tardy, they sign the opposite side of the sheet and note the time. Students who stop attending before the end of the semester without officially dropping will be given a WU.  This is the academic equivalent of an F, and can adversely affect a student’s financial aid.  If the student drops officially, then the student receives a “W” which does not adversely affect the grade point average.  A student has up until the tenth week of the semester to withdraw without it counting in the student’s grade point average.

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR PAPERS

MLA style will be required for all essays.  The format for essays is the same as that posted in Rules of Thumb, the course text, and on the Purdue OWL website, which is posted on Blackboard.  See the English Department Handout distributed the first day of class. It contains a detailed description of the format and length of the essay assignments. Detailed Assignment Descriptions and suggested outlines will be distributed and posted on Blackboard, for each unit. The essays are to use supportive evidence from both print and non-print sources, both primary and secondary. The films are selected from those listed in the text, Lead, Follow or Move Out of the Way! Most are available through NetFlix, AmazonPrime  or YouTube.

ESSAY DUE DATES

• Bibliography and Worksheet #1 – 3/14
• Return Bib and Worksheet – 3/17
• Essay #1 – 3/26
• Return Essay #1 – 3/31
• Option to Revise Essay #1 – 4/7
• Essay #2 – 4/28
• Essay #3 – 5/14
• Practice Final Exam – 5/16
• Final Exam – 5/21

GRADES

MID-SEMESTER GRADES

At the end of the seventh week of classes (4/12), a mid-semester grade will be submitted to the registrar.  The grades at mid-term are:

• P (Passing)
• B L (Borderline Passing)
• U (Unsatisfactory)
• SA (Stopped Attending)

FINAL GRADING WEIGHTS

• Essays   60%
• Class Participation          20%
• Final Examination           20%

 MEETINGS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR

Each student should meet with the instructor at least once either during Unit I or during Unit II. The instructor will circulate a sign-up sheet during the first week of class. The student can request appointments on additional by email. The meetings provide the opportunity to detect if there are any problems in the development of the research papers. s. The student can bring a completed worksheet to the consultation. It is also recommended that students get help in developing the research papers from the writing consultants in AG31. The writing consultants will issue a receipt of the consultation and it will count towards the class participation score for the term.

COLLEGE POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

PLAGIARISM:  “Students who work with information, ideas, and texts owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting and citing sources.  As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity.  Accordingly, college prohibits academic dishonesty throughout CUNY and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion.  The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity maybe found in the catalog.” Plagiarized essays may be returned with the option of revision, depending upon  the extent of the plagiarism. Without revision, the essay will receive the grade of “F”.

CALENDARS

SEMESTER CALENDAR

• 1/29 –   Classes Begin
• 2/12 –  Lincoln Birthday, College Closed
• 2/19 –  College Closed
• 3/30 – 4/7 Spring Recess
• 4/11 – No Class, Classes Follow a Friday Schedule
• 4/12 – Midterm Grades
• 5/17-23 Final Exams

 UNIT SCHEDULES

Unit ONE:  INTRODUCTION

DATES	TOPICS	ASSIGNMENT
1/29 – 2/5	Introduction and Review Syllabus Blackboard The Course Text, Writing and Social Justice Selecting Term Themes Dividing into Teams Bibliographies Online Databases Internet Sources Plagiarism Rubrics and Grading Scales Attendance	From Rules of Thumb  “Shortcuts for ‘Word’” (90) Introductions,70, 75-76, 98 Bibliography, 136-149 Internet Sources, 114-117, 120-123 Plagiarism 119, 132 Blackboard  “Sizing Up a Website” (117) Worksheet for Essay #1 Sample Expository Essays On-line Text Unit ONE – Expository Writing

 

 

Unit TWO: EXPOSITORY WRITING

DATES	TOPICS	ASSIGNMENTS
2/7 – 2/14	Identifying and Exploring Controversies: Environmentalism and Immigration Sample Student Papers Small Group Discussions Panel Discussions	Reading Assignments On-Line Text Assigned Readings for Environmentalism and Immigration Worksheet ONE B
2/21 – 2/28	Assignment Description for Essay #1 Sample Student Essays Narrowing the Topic Practice: Summarizing, Quoting, Paraphrasing Small Group Discussion Large Group Discussion	FROM RULES OF THUMB “Seven Steps to a Research Paper” (111)  “Getting Information Online and at the Library” (121) BLACKBOARD  “Brainstorming Guidelines”  Brainstorming Worksheet for Essay #1 “Locating Journal Articles in NYCCT Databases” ON-LINE TEXT Unit ONE: Expository Writing Worksheet ONE A
3/5 – 3/12	Researching Notecard Systems Discussion of Controversies in Racism, Technology and Women’s Issues Outlines Small Group Discussion  of Topics Panel Discussions Outlines	FROM RULES OF THUMB “Outlining” (72-74) BLACKBOARD  “Microsoft Word Online Notecard Apps” “Notecard Aps for IPhones”  “How to Use Notecard Aps Note Card Tutorial on YouTube” “Social Loafing” ON-LINE TEXT Assigned Readings on Controversies in Racism and Technology Worksheet ONE B
3/14	Review of Opposing Viewpoints, Academic Search and Google Searches	FROM RULES OF THUMB Bibliographies” (159) and EasyBib From Library Instructional Resources Evaluating Internet Sources
3/19	MLA Documentation Discussion	From Rules of Thumb “Footnotes, Endnotes and Works Cited Page 136-149 “Exercises: MLA Parenthetical  Citations, 136-40 BLACKBOARD “Exercises: MLA Works Cited Page” INTERNET Sample “Purdue Owl MLA Works Cited Pages”   ESSAY #1 DUE  3/24

 

Unit THREE: ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

DATES	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT
3/26- 3/28	Argumentative Writing Power Points Essay Two Assignment Description JSTOR Sample Argumentative Essays Sample Arguments in Environmentalism and Immigration Small Group Work	BLACKBOARD POWERPOINTS: “Argumentation: What is it and What are its parts?” “Narrowing a Research Topic” “Brainstorming Controversies” “Controversial Topics” “Controversial Issues”. Sample Argumentative Essays ONLINE TEXT Unit TWO – Argumentation RETURN ESSAY #1   3/31
4/9 – 4/16	Videos about Controversies in Environmentalism and Immigration Panel Discussions on A Controversy in Environmentalism and Immigration	ON-LINE TEXT Assigned Readings on Environmentalism and Immigration Worksheet Two B
4/18	Audience Shark Tank Exercise	ASSIGNED READING: Shark Tank Website for One Selected Panelist HANDOUT Shark Tank and Worksheet
4/23 – 4/25	Videos about Controversies in Racism, Technology and Women’s Issues Panel Discussions	ON-LINE TEXT Assigned Readings of Controversies in Racism, Technology and Women’s Issues

Unit FOUR: LITERARY ANALYSIS

DATES	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT
4/30	Literary Analysis Power Point Short Stories Elements  of fiction: Theme Setting Characterization Plot Conflict Climax Point of View	BLACKBOARD: Handouts: “Fiction Sub-Genres” Power points “Literary Analysis”  “Characterization” “Conflict” “Setting” “Short Story Power Point”
5/2	Analysis of Short Stories Small Group Literary Circles	FROM ON-LINE TEXT Assigned Short Stories on Environmentalism and Immigration, Racism, Technology and Women’s Issues From “Rules of Thumb” Writing “About Literature” (101-107) Worksheet III B
5/7	Panel Discussions: Analyzing  Controversies in Short Stories	ON-LINE TEXT  Worksheet THREE – A
5/9 – 5/14	Panel Discussions	Prepare for Participation on Panel Discussions

 

Unit FIVE: FINAL EXAMINATION

DATES	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT
5/16	Take Practice Final Exam Practice Final Exam Discuss Practice Final	ESSAY #3 DUE: 5/7
5/21	FINAL EXAM	FINAL EXAM – 5/21

 APPENDIX