ENG 1121, English Composition 2
Spring 2013
Section: 5441
Time: Mon, Wed 11:30 – 12:45
Place: Namm 617
Instructor: Professor Sean Scanlan
Email: sscanlan@citytech.cuny.edu
Course Website: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/
scanlaneng1121-5441-spring2013/
Office Hours: Mon 3-4, Tues 4-5, & by appointment
Office: Namm 520, (718) 260-5123
Description: In English 1121, we will continue the work we began in English 1101. We will work on developing critical reading and writing skills as we write about works of literature. We will discuss four literary genres: non-fiction essays, the short story, the novel, and drama. Assignments will require students to write in different styles such as summary, citation, exposition, analysis, and research. In addition, we will utilize a new digital platform called OpenLab, which will help us to engage with each other’s writing and world outside of the classroom.
Prerequisite: Eng 1101 (3 hours, 3 credits)
Performance Objectives:
• Upon completion of English 1121, you will be able to:
1. Use critical reading skills to discuss works of literature;
2. Write clearer and more convincing essays;
3. Use MLA style of documentation in writing a research essay (MLA: Modern Language Association);
4. Use proofreading and peer review as techniques for improving your writing;
5. Experiment with different/appropriate writing styles for a given assignment;
6. Communicate professionally in different formats such as email, blog entries, and classroom discussion;
7. Discuss a range of authors and literary genres and styles.
• By the end of this course you will not be able to:
1. Answer every question (nor will all your questions be answered);
2. Understand everything;
3. Write in every academic style that you will need in the future;
4. Claim that you are done building your professional identity and professional network;
5. Know how to write like a professional writer;
6. Say that you are done with reading;
7. Say that you are done with writing.
Requirements:
1. Brief in-class and take-home assignments: free-writing, journal entries, summaries, and other informal assignments.
2. Four formal papers: many of your in-class and take-home assignments will be preparatory work for these essays.
3. Examination: the final is an in-class exam.
4. Class participation: this course is a performance, discussion, and skills course; it is not a lecture course. Your work—writing, discussing, listening, critiquing—will be at the center of our activities. This work requires you to be here in body and mind. You should come to each class prepared to speak about the assigned material. Such preparation may require you to reflect on class questions, concepts, and your classmates’ ideas. A good goal is to try to add to class discussion with at least one substantial comment or question during each class. Be proactive. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get notes, assignment sheets, etc. from a classmate. When you are absent, you should email me and perhaps to set up an office visit.
Required Texts: Both of these texts are available at the City Tech bookstore located at 259 Adams Street.
1. Lead, Follow, or Move Out of the Way: Global Perspectives in Literature. Eds. Monique Ferrell and Julian
Williams. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt, 2012. Print. [ISBN: 978-1-4652-0398-4]
2. Martell, Yann. Life of Pi. New York: Mariner, 2012. Print. [ISBN: 978-0-5478-4841-9]
Other Materials: Bring to class one sturdy notebook with paper for notes and at least one folder with pockets for handouts/assignments. Both spiral-bound or 3-ring are acceptable. You must devise a system to record, store, and organize the course materials. It is very important that you save all of your work for this class. Devise a filing system that allows you to maintain prior drafts and final copies of all major assignments, as well as your research notes, outlines, and written evaluations. In addition to keeping a copy of your work on the hard drive of your computer, save all final drafts of assignments on a stable format such as a flash drive or on a remote hard drive/server such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Docs. Never throw away or delete drafts or notes until after you have received your final grade. Computer/Printer malfunctions are not viable excuses for late or lost work.
Assignments and Grading: There will be times when your expectations and my evaluation do not match. I am always willing to explain my comments on your assignments, and to discuss ways in which your work might benefit from additional effort. Lower grades most often result from misunderstanding the assignment goals, and from insufficiently realized or poor executions of these goals. I do not grade beliefs or values. If you are unhappy with a grade, or unsure as to why you received such a response to your work, please make an appointment to see me.
The FOUR major essays should use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Computer spell- and grammar checkers help to spot some errors. In general, use carefully divided and constructed paragraphs and full sentences. The content should logically progress from one idea to the next in such a way that the entire essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Final grades are determined by the following:
FOUR Essays: (53%)
1. rhetorical analysis 10%
2. revised rhetorical analysis 10%
3. literature analysis 13%
4. research essay
part 1: annot. bibliog. 5%
part 2: research essay 15%
AND these categories: (47%)
* Journals and Quizzes 20%
* Participation 15%
* Final Exam 12%
_____________
100%
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in this discussion-based course. Arriving late or leaving early will count as a partial absence. City Tech’s policy states that four of more absences will result in a WU grade. I will not grant excused absences since three absences are permitted without penalty. Being absent is not an excuse for missing or late work: students are responsible for getting notes from a classmate and keeping up with the assignments.
2. Drafts and Typing: The essays will require organization, honesty, and clarity. In order to practice the process of writing, the essays will require drafts. All essays must be typed. If you have word processing questions, please ask me. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word, you can use Google Docs for free (https://docs.google.com/) or Open Office for free (www.openoffice.org/).
3. Late Papers: One full letter grade will be deducted for each day that an assignment is late. If an assignment is five days late, that assignment will receive a 0 grade.
4. Plagiarism: Is the unauthorized use of another person’s ideas, language, or research as your own, whether intentionally or unintentionally. City Tech does not tolerate plagiarism. Using proper documentation and textual analysis will help you avoid plagiarism. If you have any questions about plagiarism, please ask me. Any cases of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade and appropriate administrative measures. Please familiarize yourself with City Tech’s policies on academic honesty at:
http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/students/images/studenthandbook.pdf (pp. 89-92).
New York City College of Technology Policy on Academic Integrity:
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property 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, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York 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 may be found in the catalog)
5. Be on time: tardiness disrupts the entire class. Come prepared: turn off/silence all gadgets, please (see page 74 of the student handbook: “The use of cell phones is prohibited in classrooms, labs, the library, all theatres, and any other areas where instruction or an organized function is taking place.”)
6. The Atrium Learning Center: For each of the essays, you should take advantage of the writing tutors at the Learning Center. This is an excellent recourse for writers of all abilities. ATRIUM LEARNING CENTER: Atrium Building G-18, Director: Judith Rockway, Phone: 718-260-5874.jrockway@citytech.cuny.edu.
