Spring 2022 ENGLISH 1101 – D448

Professor: Laura Westengard (she/they)

Email: lwestengard@citytech.cuny.edu

Course Site: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/westengardeng1101d448sp22/

Meeting Times and Location: Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 pm-1:40 pm in Namm 523A

Weekly Zoom Office Hours: Thursdays from 10:00-12:00 and by appointment. Office hours will be virtual (not in-person) and will meet on Zoom using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2540700526

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:

This is a course in effective essay writing and basic research techniques including use of the library. Demanding readings are 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, and incorporating and citing secondary source material. We will be reading pieces both for their inherent literary and informational value and as models for our own writing projects. 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 Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00 pm-1:40 pm in Namm 523A.These meetings are required.

Any homework assigned will be due by the start of each class meeting. I will post all the homework and announcements on our course website, so if you miss class you will still be responsible for checking the posted instructions and keeping up with missed work. Many times, I will ask you to respond to each other’s writing. We will work on developing community both in our classroom and in our online written community—by writing. This work is also required!

Course Website: 

This course will take place in person, but we will also use a course website on OpenLab where you will be asked to post assignments and contribute to other course related activities. You must sign up for an OpenLab account, participate in activities, and check the site daily because important instructions for completing assignments, class materials, and announcements, will appear there. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with our OpenLab site and find out where everything is. This is where you will find your assignments and post your homework. This is how we’ll keep in touch, so please check in on the website daily! You are responsible for being up-to-date and knowing what is on our course site, even if you have missed class. You are also responsible for checking your CityTech email daily. Please contact me if you are having trouble!

In order to set up your OpenLab account, you must activate your City Tech email. I will only send or reply to email from your City Tech email address, so make sure you set it up early and check it regularly.

Course Tools and Required Materials:

  • Almost all texts for this class will be posted on the OpenLab site. You will need to figure out a way to download, print, read, and annotate all assigned readings
  • The New York Times (create a free Academic Pass account with your City Tech email)
  • Access to Google Docs or Microsoft Word
  • An active City Tech email account
  • An OpenLab profile

Grading Breakdown:

Unit 1: Education Narrative 20%

Unit 2: Reflective Annotated Bibliography 20%

Unit 3: Writing in a New Genre 20%

Final Reflection 10%

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

You’ll see that “low-stakes writing” 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 as you are on your high-stakes essay assignments. A lot of this is the stuff we do in class as well as the less formal stuff you do at home. This means you have to be in class to get credit for it, and you have to keep up with the day-to-day 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 are the behind-the-scenes work.

How will low-stakes writing be graded?

More or less, if you do it, you’ll get the credit. You have to do it thoroughly and thoughtfully, and you have to do it in a timely manner. (If you’re having trouble with getting things done on time, please let me know.) 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.

Late Paper Policy:

Major essays are due at the date and time of the posted on OpenLab an announced in class. If your major assignment is not submitted on time, you will not receive credit for it. However, if you have a personal emergency or other circumstances that prohibit you from finishing your assignment on time, email as soon as possible so we can discuss your situation.

Revision Policy:

You will be responsible for peer review during class, which means that you will read the work of other students and offer meaningful feedback to help them make their essays as effective as possible. You are required to revise all of your essay drafts after the peer review workshop and before you submit your final draft. While I will not review an entire essay draft as an email attachment, I’m happy to answer specific questions over email and (even better!) I will conference with you in detail about your essay drafts and ideas during my office hours. Feel free to consult with me at any stage in your writing process.

You may choose to revise any of your essays for a new grade within two weeks of receiving your grade. Further, you may perform one additional revision of an essay at the end of the semester, which you will include in your final portfolio. I highly recommend that you make an appointment to discuss your revision plans with me well in advance of the deadlines so we can work together to improve your writing and your grade.

Please come see me during office hours if you’re confused about my comments or you’d like additional feedback.

Illness and COVID Protocols

We all know that the last few years have been unpredictable because of the evolving COVID-19 situation. If you feel sick AT ALL or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 DO NOT come to class. Email me right away to let me know your situation, and we will work together to make sure you don’t fall behind or lose points. If I am sick or exposed, I will notify you by posting an announcement on OpenLab, sending an email, and texting with instructions for how to proceed.

Following CUNY’s coronavirus protocols, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must properly wear a face mask (over both your nose and mouth) inside all CUNY campuses and office buildings. This includes while taking classes, working in a non-enclosed space such as a cubicle or other open seating, regardless of physical distance from others. For the safety of all, eating or drinking in class is not allowed. If you need to eat or drink, please briefly step outside of the classroom and maintain physical distance from others while doing so.

University Policies:

Covid-19 Student Conduct Protocol:

The City University of New York takes the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff very seriously. During the pandemic, we all have an obligation to behave in a responsible manner to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Responsible behavior extends to our off-campus and personal lives, which can affect your ability to transmit the virus on campus, including at a minimum.

Article XV of the CUNY bylaws requires that each student obey policies, regulations, and orders of the University/College. Students are reminded that the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public order pursuant to article 129a of the education law (“Henderson Rules”) prohibits:

  • behaviors that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health of others
  • behavior that interferes with the institution’s educational processes.
  • failure to comply with the direction of a University official

The University is committed to adhering fully to current and future directives about social encounters from the federal, state and local public health officials. Any student found in violation of these directives may be subject to discipline under article xv of the CUNY bylaws.

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.

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.

 

Print this page