FALL 2023 ENGLISH 1101 – D105

Professor: Sarah Schmerler

Email: sschmerler@citytech.cuny.edu

Course Location: Namm 517

Course meeting times: Mon and Thurs, 8:00 AM –9:40 AM

Weekly office hours: Mon 9:45 AM –10:45 AM

Welcome:

Welcome to City Tech and English 1101. We are living through a very difficult time in our city, country, and world, and trying to adapt. In our class, we will prioritize intellectual nourishment, community, and humanity. If you have any concerns about the course or college, or if there is any situation preventing you from participating, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Know that I am here to work with you.

Course Description:

A course in effective essay writing and basic research techniques including use of the library. Demanding readings assigned for classroom discussion and as a basis for essay writing.

Every City Tech (and CUNY) student takes Composition I, which features reading and writing assignments that will help prepare you for college and beyond. Together we will work on communicating effectively, building an argument, adapting your writing for different needs and situations, interpreting and responding to a text, incorporating and citing secondary source material. Sharing your own ideas and experiences and adding your voice to our discussions will enrich our class community.

Prerequisite:

CUNY proficiency in reading and writing

Course Meetings:

This course will meet twice a week for an hour and forty minutes in room Namm 517. Students must commit to scheduled class times.

Many times, I will ask you to respond to each other’s writing, which we will do IRL–in real time.  We will work on developing community in class, and also in our online writing work. This work is also required.

Skills Site

In conjunction with the Writing Center, the English Department has developed a skills site for all writing students, where you will find a lot of help. The site includes clear information on the grammar, the writing process, study skills and getting around City Tech. Check it out!

Course Website:

Class homework and messages from the instructor will be posted on our course’s OpenLab site. (This class does NOT use BlackBoard.) Students should check the course website frequently and stay up to date on the latest communications there. In particular, you will want to locate our WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT FOLDERS, as this is where you will find your homework assignments; you will also want to pay close attention to locating your STUDENT FOLDER, as this is where you will submit most all of your written work.

Inclusive Language:

Every student has the right to be addressed by their chosen name/preferred pronouns. These are to be respected at all times.

  • If you are comfortable doing so, let me know what your pronouns are.
  • If you do not feel comfortable sharing pronouns, we will address you/refer to you in class by your chosen name.
  • Update your chosen name in City Tech’s systems: Go to the Important Forms page and complete the Preferred Name Form.

Course Tools and Required Materials :

General and Electronic Materials

  • Access to and use of GoogleDocs and GoogleDrive. (The instructor will create a folder on GoogleDrive with your name on it. This is your personal STUDENT FOLDER and will house your assignment drafts and portfolio.)
  • Access to OpenLab (you should consider bookmarking important pages on our site like READINGS, ZOOM LINKS, and WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT FOLDERS for easy access)
  • A City Tech e-mail account
  • An English Style Guide (either in print or Online)
  • A dictionary (print or Online)
  • Access to an Etymological Dictionary (Online)
  • Access to, and familiarity with, Zoom (for Office Hours, et al)
  • Access to a computer printer

Materials/physical things you need to bring to class every day

  • Pens or pencils
  • Highlighting pens in the following colors: yellow, blue, pink, and one extra color of your choice
  • A minimum of one notebook that is dedicated exclusively to this class; you will also need a small portable notebook for your “field notes”
  • A folder in which to keep loose papers, handouts, readings, and other materials
  • Smartphone*
    • Your smartphone’s* browser bookmarked to the following resources:
    • Our OpenLab Site
    • The READINGS and ASSIGNMENTS pages of Our OpenLab Site
    • Any pending DISCUSSIONS on our OpenLab Site

*a laptop or other device besides your phone is also acceptable, provided you do not use it for other purposes during class. If you do not own a smartphone or laptop, then this material requirement is waived.

Required Readings

The required readings for this class will be provided free of cost Online on our OpenLab course site under the READINGS menu heading or as printed photocopies, distributed by the instructor. Suggested Readings: the instructor may also recommend that you purchase one or two items (a low-cost book, a newspaper, a magazine, etc.) based on your interests and personal research projects, TBA.

 

Grading Breakdown :

Unit 1                                                                                                 20%

Unit 2                                                                                                 20%

Unit 3                                                                                                 20%

Final Reflection                                                                                10%

Low-stakes Writing (Homework and In-class Exercises)         30%

 

All Major Assignments (Capstone Assignments for Units 1,2,3, and Final Portfolio with Reflection) must be turned in in order to pass this class!

You’ll see that “low-stakes writing and exercises” counts for 30% of your grade in this class. What does this mean? What is “low-stakes writing?” How is this calculated? Why is this such a high percentage?

In this class, you’re graded almost as much on your weekly low-stakes assignments, your timely attendance, and your active in-class participation as you are on your high-stakes Unit Capstone assignments. This means you have to be in class to get credit, and you have to keep up with the day-to-day activities and small weekly homework exercises to get that 30%.

This is because in this class, you’re not learning how to write one particular paper, or how to do one particular thing, you are learning about the process of writing (and reading—and researching) and all of those things require your presence and attention.

How will low-stakes writing be graded?

More or less, if you do the weekly homework and in-class writing exercises, as asked, and on time, you’ll get the credit. Each of these low-stakes assignments is worth a range of 1 to 3 points. And, they add up. Writing is largely about discipline and routine, so this is a good way to learn that—and to earn 30% of the credit for this course.

In short: good habits get formed on the day to day, and those good habits lead to good grades.

Late Paper Policy:

Assignments are due on the date given. If you have extenuating circumstances, I ask that you request an extension in writing–before the due date if at all possible. Be sure to put your class section number (or class day and meeting time) in the email. Also be sure to say the specific assignment for which you are requesting an extension. Do not simply request an extension on “the homework” or “the assignment from the other day.”

By the way: If you are noticing a pattern of not being able to produce work on time–if procrastination is a thing for you—please let me know. The sooner we can intervene, the better.

Revision Policy:

In this course , you can—and will!– revise all major units (known as Capstone Assignments) for your final portfolio (see Unit 4: Final Portfolio). Your new grade entirely replaces your old grade. You can also revise your units sooner than that if you feel you’d like more feedback. Please come see me during office hours if you’re confused about my comments or you’d like additional feedback.

Instructor’s Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism occurs when you present the ideas or words of another as your own. It is a severe crime in college. Plagiarism takes many forms, and your claiming “I didn’t know I plagiarized” will not save you from receiving an “F.” To be clear: I have zero tolerance for plagiarism; any assignment that evidences plagiarism of any form, including patchwriting, will receive an F. If you plagiarize more than once, you will be reported. If plagiarism continues in your work unchecked, you will be failed for the entire term.

This is the Library’s resource on Plagiarism.

For a full overview of CityTech’s Academic Integrity Policy, which includes academic sanctions see: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/academics/docs/academic_integrity_policy.pdf. If you are unfamiliar with the many forms of plagiarism, I can provide you with help and many resources to guide you away from this pitfall.

This is my current Integrity Policy, including the use of AI chatbots for completing assignments. It may be updated as needed.

University Policies:

Statement for Syllabi of Online Synchronous Classes

Synchronous classes resemble traditional on-campus in-person classes in that students must all be (virtually) present at the same time. Though they are conducted virtually, synchronous classes meet in real-time. Students must, therefore, commit to scheduled class times and sign onto their virtual learning platforms on schedule. During these classes, students will engage with the instructor and each other with online lessons, presentations, breakout rooms, and/or discussions. Active participation is an essential part of the learning process and is required of all enrolled students. A student who, for any reason, engages in non-class related activities during scheduled class times forfeits and loses the benefit of the education being provided.

Accessibility Statement:

City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies, and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, you can leave a voicemail at 718-260-5143, send an email to:  Accessibility@citytech.cuny.edu, or visit the Center’s website at  http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/ for more information.

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.[9]

Diversity Policies:

City Tech Diversity and Inclusive Education Syllabus Statement:

This course welcomes students from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the City Tech and CUNY missions, this course intends to provide an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and the mutual appreciation of differences so that together we can create an environment in which all students can flourish. It is the instructor’s goal to provide materials and activities that are welcoming and accommodating of diversity in all of its forms, including race, gender identity and presentation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, cultural identity, socioeconomic background, sexuality and sexual orientation, ability, neurodivergence, age, and etc. Your instructor is committed to equity and actively seeks ways to challenge institutional racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of prejudice. Your input is encouraged and appreciated. If a dynamic that you observe or experience in the course concerns you, you may respectfully inform your instructor without fear of how your concerns will affect your grade.  Let your instructor know how to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. We acknowledge that NYCCT is located on the traditional homelands of the Canarsie and Lenape peoples.

Support Resources:

College Writing Center:

Online writing tutoring is available through the Writing Center at City Tech! I encourage you to utilize their services. Keep in mind you’ll need to make an appointment ahead of time. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to squeeze you in at the last minute, especially during busy times, so plan ahead!

Advisors:

The transition to college is challenging for everyone. It is helpful to periodically reflect on how you are doing in your classes, and how your anticipated area of study (major) is progressing, as well as to plan next steps. Once advisement begins, you will be assigned a faculty advisor. During this period, if you have not been emailed and/or you do not see your advisor/appointment on CUNYFirst, go to your major’s homepage; there, you will find advisement details that will include contact information, as well as dates and times.

Student Success Center:

The Student Success Center is here to help all City Tech students tackle the challenges of college and keep moving forward to their degree. According to the team at the SSC, “We do this by listening to your needs, and working with you to create strategies and plans that move you closer to your goals. Come to us with any questions and we will help you get your answers.”

Additional Resources:

The Student Skills Site has a list of resources for First Year Students and the Student Success Center has a list of emergency resource services, including help with food, housing and mental health services.

English 1101 Learning Outcomes:

Departmental Learning Outcomes:

It is expected that at a minimum, students in ENG 1101 will:

Read and listen critically and analytically in a variety of genres and rhetorical situations: Identify and evaluate exigencies, purposes, claims, supporting evidence, and underlying assumptions in a variety of texts, genres, and media.

Adapt to and compose in a variety of genres: Adapt writing conventions in ways that are suitable to different exigencies and purposes in a variety of contexts, including academic, workplace, and civic audiences. When appropriate, repurpose prior work to new genres, audiences, and media by adjusting delivery, design, tone, organization, and language.

Use research as a process of inquiry and engagement with multiple perspectives: Learn to focus on a topic and develop research questions that lead to propositions and claims that can be supported with well-reasoned arguments. Persuasively communicate and repurpose research projects across a variety of contexts, purposes, audiences, and media. Demonstrate research skills through attribution and citation gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing both primary and secondary sources. Learn how to use appropriate citation styles depending on disciplinary and situational requirements (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).

Use reflection and other metacognitive processes to revise prior assumptions about reading and writing and transfer acquired knowledge into new writing situations. Students write reflections of their own reading and writing process from the beginning and throughout the semester with the intention to transfer their acquired knowledge about genre and composing practices into new writing situations.

Demonstrate the social and ethical responsibilities and consequences of writing: Recognize that first-year writing includes academic, workplace, and civic contexts, all of which require careful deliberation concerning the ethical and social ramifications concerning fairness, inclusivity, and respect for diversity. Write and revise for academic and broader, public audiences accordingly.

Compose in 21st– Century Environments: Learn to choose among the most current and effective delivery methods for different composing situations. Students learn to compose in new media environments, including alphabetic texts, still and moving images, sonic, and mixed media compositions. Use digital media platforms appropriate to audience and purpose.

CUNY Pathways Learning Outcomes:

A course in this area must meet all of the following learning outcomes. A student will:

  • Read and listen critically and analytically, including identifying an argument’s major assumptions and assertions and evaluating its supporting evidence.
  • Write clearly and coherently in varied, academic formats (such as formal essays, research papers, and reports) using standard English and appropriate technology to critique and improve one’s own and others’ texts.
  • Demonstrate research skills using appropriate technology, including gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing primary and secondary sources.
  • Support a thesis with well-reasoned arguments, and communicate persuasively across a variety of contexts, purposes, audiences, and media.
  • Formulate original ideas and relate them to the ideas of others by employing the conventions of ethical attribution and citation.

 

 

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