Welcome to English 102 - The Early Bird Edition
Here is the syllabus for our course. Class activities and assignments will be posted the day of class.
This is just to get you started.
ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Fall 2017
First – Year Composition – 3 Credit Hours – English 102 T/TH 7:00-8:45 & 12:00-1:15
Instructor: Mrs. Patricia Eaton
E-mail: patricia.eaton@estrllamountain.edu
Blog: www.102eatonenglish.blogspot.com
Required Texts:
None – You are required to check the blog for links to readings, class work, and homework.
Note: The syllabus is subject to change. Daily updates will be provided.
Important: If you miss a class, be sure to contact me via CANVAS message after reading the blog. Feel free to ask questions and ask for help.
All work will be submitted on CANVAS.
Course Description
(Prerequisite: English 101 with a grade of “C” or better.)
English 102 builds upon skills developed in English 101. This course will require students to analyze and respond to text-based writing. Students will examine essays, short stories, and poetry. Students will be responsible for writing a minimum of three short critical essays to develop skills in textual analysis, written expression, and proper documentation. One of these writing assignments will be counted as an essay exam. These essays should be approximately three to five pages in length, typed, double spaced throughout, and have one-inch margins on all sides. Place your name, the date, and the course title in the upper left hand corner of the first page. Follow MLA formatting and guidelines for documentation.
In addition, students will be introduced to research strategies, note-taking, organization, and documentation in order to write well-developed and properly documented research papers. In completing research papers, students will demonstrate the ability to read difficult material with comprehension; to process information through quotation, summary, and paraphrase, and to integrate the ideas of others into their own sustained written examination of a subject.
The length of the research paper should be between 1,500-2,500 words.
In addition, numerous shorter writings will be completed.
Course Competencies
1. Develop skills in selecting, researching, analyzing, synthesizing, and documenting a 1,500-2,500 word research paper.
2. Compile a preliminary bibliography of potential research resources.
3. Use a variety of print and on-line library resources, including electronic databases, to locate information on the selected topic.
4. Use effective strategies for taking and organizing notes.
5. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate information found in research sources.
6. Paraphrase in language that is distinctly the student’s and quote source information accurately in order to avoid plagiarism.
7. Summarize a passage to reflect the central idea, most significant supporting details, or, and emphasis of the original work.
8. Compose an outline with an effective pattern of organization for the paper.
9. Compose a focused and clearly stated thesis for the paper.
10. Integrate cited information in summary, paraphrase, and quotations to support the thesis
11. Document information from research sources using MLA or APA documentation formatting.
12. Revise the draft of the paper, incorporating feedback received during editing, to produce a finished research paper that observes Standard English usage and manuscript form.
13. Explain and practice the principles of academic integrity throughout the research, writing, and revision process.
14. Write a minimum of three additional papers which involve critical reading and writing.
15. Write at least one argumentation paper which demonstrates sound, logical development.
16. Expose students to various forms of literary expression.
Abilities: Critical thinking and effective communication have been identified as essential to student success and will be integrated into this course. Critical thinking is defined as the ability to identify a problem, develop and implement strategies, evaluate information, reach conclusion, and respond to a problem. Effective communication is defined as the ability to respond to an audience, demonstrate clear sense of purpose, organize information, and deliver information using appropriate language.
Submission of Assignments: You must submit your assignments on CANVAS. Paper copies, unless specifically requested,
will NOT be accepted or graded.
Attendance Policy: Active participation is expected for successful completion in this course. In the event of an absence, students are expected to contact me by e-mail (
patriciaeatonaz@yahoo.com) or to visit the class blog at
www.eatonenglish102.blogspot.com
Students are expected to complete any homework for the missed day by the next class period. If a student misses more than three classes, Maricopa Community College District policy states, “An instructor has the option of withdrawing a student who has accumulated unofficial absences in excess of the times a class meets per week (Withdrawal Policy #3).” See the college catalog for a full description of the college’s attendance policy including official absences and religious holidays.
Official Absences
- Official absences are those that occur when students are involved in an official activity of the college, i.e., field trips, tournaments, athletic events, and present an official absence excuse form. Absences for such events shall not count against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department. Students who must miss a class for an official reason must obtain an official absence verification card from the appropriate vice president or designee and present it to the appropriate instructor(s) before the absence. Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work. If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized.
- Other official absences include jury duty and subpoenas. Appropriate documentation will be required. Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for makeup work. If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized.
- In the event of military commitments. Absences for periods of up to one week will not be counted against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department. The student is required to provide appropriate documentation of the specific orders, length of assignment and location. Prior notification must be initiated with each instructor to discuss make-up work. If the length of the absence will be longer than one week, the instructor and the student will determine whether there is sufficient opportunity for the student to make up the work. If it is determined that the length of absence for the military commitment provides an undue hardship on the student’s ability to make up the assignments, he or she will be provided an opportunity to request an incomplete grade or drop the class or, in the case of open-entry classes, the opportunity to request an extension.
- In the event of the death of an immediate family member, absences for periods of up to one week will not be counted against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department. Students should contact instructor(s) as soon as possible to arrange for make-up work. Appropriate documentation will be required (for example, a copy of the obituary or funeral program). In specialized programs that require clinical rotations, this regulation may not apply.
Religious HolidaysStudents shall have the right to observe major religious holidays without penalty or reprisal by any administrator, faculty member or employee of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Absences for such holidays shall not count against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department. At least one week before the holiday, students shall submit to their instructor(s) a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday and the reason why class attendance is impossible. Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work. If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized.
LateWork: Make-ups of in-class writing assignments are at the instructor’s discretion. Students turning their work in after the due date may be penalized by having the grade lowered five points per day in fairness to those students who met the deadline.
Tape Recordings and/or Video Recordings: In order to tape or transmit any class session or portion, a student must first seek permission from the instructor. In some instances, permission from the members of the class will also be required every time you plan to record. This includes FaceTime or other uses of technology that involve transmitting the class activities.
Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off or placed on “vibrate” during class. At no time should a student be sending text messages, sending e-mails, listening to music, or carrying on conversations. In the event of an emergency call, please excuse yourself from the room, take care of the situation, and quietly return to class.
Student Disabilities: If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. You are entitled to the accommodations. “Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the DRS office at the beginning of the admissions process to discuss accommodation needs and to request an alternate format of printed materials. Some accommodation may require three to four weeks notification. For more information, call 623-935-8935.
Grading Scale: Short essays are 100 points each. There will be several short essays and three fully developed essays. Longer essays count double. In order to earn full credit, drafts and revisions must be submitted with the final copy. Peer editing sheets are also required.
Research notes, drafts, revision, MLA works cited page, and MLA in-text citations are required.
Class participation is 100 points.
A= 90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=0-59%
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the process of borrowing information from other sources or individuals without giving credit. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Essays will not be accepted unless accompanied by pre-writing, notes, drafts, peer and self” editing marks, etc. This paper trail is proof of a student’s own work. Proof of plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment.
Classroom Misconduct: Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected within the academic setting.
Additional Information
Writing assistance is available at the EMCC Academic Success Center on the EMCC main campus.
Writing 623-935-8189
Drop-in Hours: Mon-Thur – 7:30 am-7:00 pm & Friday 7:30 am-4:30 pm
Final Thoughts: This course is designed to help you become a better writer, researcher, and reader. You will get out of the course what you put into it. You are expected to actively participate in readings, discussions, debates, and reports. Come to class prepared with readings and with required writings and notes. Conduct thorough research. At all times, give credit to the source of information by using proper documentation. Be on time. Be positive. Ask questions. Contribute your thoughts. Be tolerant of others and of ideas that differ from your own.
