English 1010 (25408) Fall 2013 Syllabus
Composition
I, or Welcome to Freshmen English
Instructor: J. Caroccio
Office Hours: Room
2311Boylan (Adjunct Room), Thursdays 11-12
Email: JCaroccio@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Days: Tuesdays &
Thursdays
Time: 9:30 - 10:45 am
Room: 4428N
(Ingersoll Hall)
Website: http://bccomp1.blogspot.com/
Course Objective:
The
Brooklyn College Bulletin describes English 1010 as, “A workshop in expository
writing: strategies of, and practice in analytical reading and writing about
texts. Fundamentals of grammar and syntax. Frequent assignments in writing summaries,
comparisons, analyses, of texts and such other expository forms as narration,
description, and argumentation. Emphasis on writing as a process: invention,
revision, editing.” All of which will culminate in an exit exam that
demonstrates the students mastery of English Composition.
For our purposes, this will mean a semester
spent reading. A semester spent thinking. A semester spent writing. We will accomplish
this by reading essays, fiction, memoirs, written speeches, interviews and
other types of texts with a focal point on expository writing. One cannot
become a good writer without becoming a good reader. The readings assigned are
meant to give you examples of thoughtful, coherent, and persuasive work. They are
also meant to evoke strong reactions, feelings, or thoughts in the reader. These
works are written from varying perspectives on a range of different social
topics. Understanding the material will require you to think critically and use
personal experience, knowledge and observations.
Writing for this course will help you better
understand what you read in this class (and outside of it), how to think
critically about what you read and, in the end, how to write about topics that
are meaningful to you for academic purposes. Through comparison and contrast
you can gauge the different sides of an argument and synthesize your own conclusion
on the topic. Academic writing is not an inherent skill, it is a laborious task
that requires practice to develop, which class will help you to do.
Class Expectations: Composition is a component of the Brooklyn
College curriculum. Some of you are in this class with no aspiration of taking
another English class while others will go on to major in writing-related
fields. Either way your time in this class is your responsibility and you are
the only one who is accountable for your education.
Ø Attendance
- It is expected
that you come to class on time, prepared with any assignments due that day, and
the reading in hand and read. You are allowed up to three unexcused absences,
after that your grade will be negatively impacted. If, for some reason there is
an emergency that restricts you from coming to class for more than three times
please contact me right away. More than 5 unexcused absences will result in a
failure for this class, as per Brooklyn College policy.
Ø Assignments
- You will be
assigned 6 formal essays, informal blog entries, and an exit exam at the end of
the semester. Late Work will be
accepted at the instructor's discretion and if accepted will be lowered by one
grade interval (B will become a B-). You are allowed to hand in one assignment late
without penalty so long as you inform the instructor 48 hours prior to the due
date.
Blog - This course
will have an outside of the classroom component that will provide a space for
initial responses to the texts that we will tackle in class. Responses should
be a question, comment, or critique you have with the text and not be a mere
summary. They are for your benefit because they can be used as a safe way to
experiment with style or technique and practice your writing. You are expected
to compose six blog posts throughout the semester. Two each month, so manage
your work and time wisely. These informal writings will not be graded but will
be checked over the course of the semester; on the first of Oct, Nov & Dec.
Formal Writing
– You will be assigned 3 short papers to compose at home, as well as revise, and
write 3 in-class essays. They should all be 2-3 pages in length. Essays written
in class should be written in blue or black ink. Short Papers should be typed, 12
point font, an appropriate font type (i.e. Arial or Times New Roman), double
spaced, one inch margins throughout and include your last name and page number
on the top corner of every page.
These
essays will ask you write instructive, analytical, persuasive, and comparative
types of writing. Some will be based on the texts we read in class, while
others will draw on your own personal experience. They should all conform to
standard formal English, have a coherent flow and express your own ideas.
Exit Exam - This is an in-class essay given at the end of
the semester that involves writing a concise essay on two texts by comparing
and contrasting the ideas and arguments in each work; one short piece will be
given to you on the day of the exam and the longer piece will be given to you
two weeks before the exam. This essay should demonstrate a reasonable mastery of
the mechanics and style of English composition as well as an understanding of
the two texts.
Ø Participation
and Conduct -
Active participation is expected in order to make this class and peer review
sessions successful. When you do participate, you will be courteous and
respectful to the instructor and to your fellow classmates. That means
refraining from offensive or harassing comments and disabling of electronic
devices. This class will be discussing topics that can be sensitive or
controversial, in the hopes that there can be an exchange of ideas and perspectives.
You are free to express yourself and with that freedom you will be expected to
defend your argument in an intelligent and professional manner.
Ø One-on-One
Conference – Every student is required to meet with the
instructor at least once throughout the semester. These conferences will be
scheduled ahead of time and will count toward your participation grade.
Ø Plagiarism - When you present someone else's ideas,
writing, or work as your own or if you insufficiently cite your sources you are
plagiarizing. In no way is plagiarism acceptable or tolerated. If one of your
assignments has been found to be plagiarized you will fail that assignment, and
can possibly fail the class and face academic disciplinary action. You can find
the full CUNY Academic Integrity Policy here: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies.
If you are unsure of whether or not you might be plagiarizing please check this
site or consult me before submitting your work.
Ø Required
Texts
o
A
Writer's Reference By Diana Hacker
o
The
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
o
All other required texts will be found on the
class website.
Ø Suggested
Texts
o
The
Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
o
Woe
is I by
Patricia T. O'Connor
Ø Grading
- Grades for
English 1010 range from an A+ to a C- & F. There is no grade of D given. A
grade of NC (No Credit) does not affect a student's GPA but is still non
passing. It can be given if a student has done the work for the class but isn't
yet writing on a level to pass the class.
Participation and Attendance - 10%
Blog Posts -
10%
Essays/Short Papers - 60%
Each In-class essay is worth 10% each
First draft and final draft of short paper are
worth 5% each.
Exit Exam -20%
Grading Scale
A+
|
A
|
A-
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B+
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B
|
B-
|
98-100
|
93-97
|
90-92
|
88-89
|
83-87
|
80-82
|
C+
|
C
|
C-
|
D+
|
D
|
D-
|
78-79
|
73-77
|
70-72
|
68-69
|
63-67
|
60-62
|
F
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|||||
60-0
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Resources:
Ø
The Learning Center, 1300 Boylan
Ø
The ESL Lab, 1408 Ingersoll
Ø
SEEK Tutoring, 1428 Ingersoll
Ø
Pudue OWl (Online Writing lab), http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Religious
Holidays: If you must miss class because of religious
observance that is your right. If this is the case then please contact the
instructor beforehand so you can set up an alternative arrangement as you will
still be held accountable for any work due in class.
Americans
with Disabilities Act: If you
have a disability, or suspect that you may have a disability, and need
accommodations you must register with the Center for Student Disability
Services at 138 Roosevelt Hall (718.951.5538.) You can contact the Director,
Valerie Stewart-Lovell, vstewart@brooklyn.cuny.edu. Once registered please
speak to me so we can set up accommodations for you
Tentative Schedule - Dates,
readings and texts are subject to change.
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||
Date
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Readings
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Assignments
Due
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Thu 8/28
|
In Class: Syllabus
|
In Class: Diagnostic Mini Essay
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Tue 9/3
|
The
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao p. 1 - 75
|
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Thu 9/5
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NO CLASS
|
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Tue 9/10
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Oscar Wao p. 76-201
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Thu 9/12
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Oscar Wao p. 202 – 261
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Tue 9/17
|
Oscar
Wao p. 262 - End
|
Draft
of 1st Short Paper
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Thu 9/19
|
Neil Gaiman - Coraline (text and
graphic novel)
|
|
Tue 9/24
|
No Reading
|
In-Class
Essay 1
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Thu 9/26
|
Gene Luen Yang - American Born Chinese
|
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Tue 10/1
|
Marjane Satapi - Persepolis: Story of Childhood
|
|
Thu 10/3
|
Alison Bechdel - Fun Home
|
Revision
of 1st Short Paper
|
Tue 10/8
|
Matt Dembicki (Ed) - Trickster
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Thu 10/10
|
Iilan Stavans - Latino USA: A Cartoon History
|
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Tue 10/15
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NO CLASS – Monday Schedule
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Thu 10/17
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Kathy Russell, et al - The Color Complex
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Draft
of 2nd Short Paper
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Tue 10/22
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Gloria Anzaldúa - Borderlands/La Frontera
|
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Thu 10/24
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No Reading
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In-Class
Essay 2
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Tue 10/29
|
Susan Muaddi Darraj – “It's Not an Oxymoron:
The Search for an Arab Feminism”
|
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Thu 10/31
|
Toni Morrison - Playing in the Dark
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Tue 11/5
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Jamaica Kincaid – A Small Place
|
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Thu 11/7
|
bell
hooks – Remembered Raptured
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Revision of 2nd Short Paper |
Tue 11/12
|
Taigi
Smith – “What Happens When Your Hood is the Last Stop on the White Flight
Express?” Erica
González Martínez – “Dutiful Hijas: Dependency, Power, and Guilt”
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Thu 11/14
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NO CLASS | |
Tue 11/19
|
Maxine Hong Kingston - The Women Warrior
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Draft
of 3rd Short Paper
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Thu 11/21
|
No
Reading
|
In-Class
Essay 3
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Tue 11/26
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NO CLASS |
CONFERENCES
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Thu 11/28
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NO CLASS
|
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Tue 12/3
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Past Exit Exam Student Essays
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Revision
of Third Short Paper
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Thu 12/5
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Past Exit Exam Student Essays
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Tue 12/10
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Past Exit Exam Student Essays
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Thu 12/12
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Exit Exam Prep
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Tue 12/17
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Final Exam 10:30 am-12:30 pm
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Room TBD
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