Frederick Community College

 

English Composition

EN 101 ONL- 1

SUMMER 2011

 

Class begins:  6/4/11

Class ends:  8/1/11

Last Day to Withdraw: 7/13/11

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:   Professor Murphy

Office:  N/A

E-mail:  kmurphy@frederick.edu

Phone Number:  443-812-4381

Contact Hours: email and  by appointment for in-person meeting

Campus Mail Box #:  817

           

Course Information:

 

Credits:  3

On-campus Meetings:  0

On-campus Exams:  1 proctored essay in testing center

Prerequisites:  EN 50A and EN 52 OR ESL 95 and ESL 99

 

Course Description:

Presents the basic techniques of exposition through the writing of essays and the study of prose models

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the semester, the student will demonstrate

1.      College-level communication skills by

§  writing effective, organized, clear, concise, grammatically correct English by

§  using appropriate stylistic options (tone, word choice, and sentence patterns) for a

specific subject, audience, and purpose (informing, arguing, or persuading). 

§  demonstrating the ability to understand and interpret both written texts and oral

presentations in English. 

§  understanding the critical role of listening in communication. 

§  demonstrating an ability to organize ideas effectively by

§ selecting and limiting a topic.

§ developing and supporting a thesis with relevant and well-reasoned material.

§ employing a logical plan of development and using effective transitions.

§  demonstrating an understanding of the conventions of the English language by writing

essays that are substantially free of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and

mechanics.

2.      Critical thinking skills by

§  evaluating evidence by differentiating among facts, opinions, and inferences. 

§  generating and evaluating alternative solutions to problems.

§  researching, analyzing, comparing, synthesizing, and drawing inferences from

readings and other research materials in order to make valid judgments and rational

decisions. 

3.      Social and educational values by

§  identifying and evaluating moral issues and conflicts.

§  displaying academic honesty and properly documenting source material. 

§  valuing the importance and responsibility of the individual. 

§  understanding the need for lifelong learning and its applicability to their educational

goals. 

4.      The value of a multicultural society by

§  acknowledging a plurality of cultural and personal values and demonstrating respect

 for the right of others to express their viewpoints.

§  working cooperatively in groups with diverse membership and contributing to the

group’s efforts with ideas and suggestions. 

5.      The use of technology by formatting papers and conducting research. 

 

 

 Instructional Methods:

 

Lecture, reading, on-line discussions about texts and student writing, instructor’s written comments on papers
 How this course is organized:

 

This course works like a face-to-face course in terms of course requirements and course outcomes, except class “meetings” are online and assignments are submitted electronically through Blackboard. The advantage of taking an online course is that students may log on to the course site and complete work at times that are convenient for them. However, just as in a face-to-face course, students are expected to keep up with the flow of the course and to submit assignments by the assigned deadlines. In other words, this is not a self-paced course with open-ended deadlines.

 

Generally speaking, assignments are due weekly. Specific deadlines and instructions on submitting assignments are posted in the course Blackboard site.

 

Texts and Course Materials:

 

Hacker, Diana.  The Bedford Handbook.  8th ed.  Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010  (required) or any recent edition of this handbook

 

Kennedy, X.J., Dorothy Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth.  The Bedford Guide for College Writers.

     8th ed.  Boston: Bedford/St.  Martin’s, 2008.  (required)

 

Progress Report:

 

By the end of the sixth week of the semester, the instructor will have graded and returned students’ first essay.  At this point, students will be able to evaluate their progress and decide if they need to make any adjustments (additional time devoted to course, tutoring, conference with instructor) to best assure their success in this course.

 

Evaluation Methods:

 

Tests / Papers / Projects / Participation

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

Essay 1: Compare/Contrast

10%

90-100% A

Essay 2: Text Analysis

10%

80-89%   B

Essay 3: In-Class Timed Writing

10%

70-79%   C

Essay 4: Definition/Background

15%

60-69%   D

Essay 5: Cause Effect

15%

0-59%     F

Essay 6: Final Research Paper

30%

 

Grammar Quizzes

5%

 

Discussion Board Participation

5%

 

                      TOTAL

100%

 

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

 

Student Services

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

 

 Participation Policy:

 

The course level class participation policy is designed to support the learning process. In order to maintain the highest quality of academic work, students are expected to participate fully in all course activities; therefore, it is to students’ benefit to logon to the course site at least five times a week to post assignments and receive updates.  The nature of an online class is such that it is very difficult to make up missed work, particularly missed discussion board posts.  Students who find that they must miss deadlines because of serious illness, emergency, religious holiday or participation in official college functions should inform the instructor immediately by leaving a message on her voicemail or by sending an email. If the face-to-face components of the course cannot be met because of serious illness, emergency, religious holiday or participation in official college functions, the instructor may explore make-up opportunities in different class participation formats as warranted. No matter the situation, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course. If class participation affects a student’s grade, the components of the course syllabus will be used to provide measurable units of class participation in course activities.

 

 Email Policy:

 

FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Topical Outline

This is a tentative course schedule. Changes will be made based on class progress. Students are expected to be aware of any changes made to the topical outline, as updates will be posted on the Blackboard website.

 

Week Number

Subject

Assignment Due

1

 

 

Lesson: This week you will learn about the writing process, patterns of development, purpose, tone and audience and how to format your essays. You will also read about the "C"' Standard of grading and read an overview of how to use the English Resource Booklet available online.

Essays Assigned: Essay 1 (Compare/Contrast) and Essay 6 (Final Research Paper)

The Bedford Guide (BG): Read

“Writing Processes,” pgs. 8-19;

“Part Two Introduction,” pgs. 53-54; and “Comparing and Contrasting,” pgs. 111-120,  “Strategies for Stating a Thesis and Planning,” pgs. 310-318;

“Strategies for Drafting,” pgs. 334-346

 

Links to Handouts: Read “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts,” and “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out.” “Say it with Screamers!!!!!” and “Three Wise Men and One Dope.”

 

Discussion Board: Answer questions about your writing process and about readings.

 

Access the link to MLA style on Blackboard and review the information on how to format your essays.

 

2

 

(Last Day to Drop: 6/9)

DUE by Sunday June 12th: First Draft of Essay 1 

Essays Assigned: Essay 2 (Please note that the final draft will not be due until July 4th, after you've received your grade for essay 1).

Lesson: This week you will learn how to read and evaluate texts.

BG: Read “Reading Process,” pgs. 21-27; “Evaluating,” pgs. 190-196;

 “Women Don’t Want Men? Ha!” pgs. 30-31 (This will be the basis for your second essay). “Capturing, Launching, and Citing Evidence Added from Sources,” pgs. A-13-A-18;

“Critical Thinking Processes,” pgs. 36-47

 

BH: Text Analysis: Read “Writing About Texts,” pgs. 568-480

 

Discussion Board: Answer questions on readings.

 

Bedford Handbook (BH): Review pgs. 226-233 on sentence fragments and 235-242 on run-on sentences.

Review pgs. 156-159 on mixed sentence constructions. Complete quizzes 1 and 2.

3

 

DUE by Sunday, June 19th: Research Paper Topic Question

Essays Returned: First Draft of Essay 1 

Complete the Library Tutorial.

Lesson:  This week you will begin learning about the elements of a good argument, using definition as a means of building an argument, and using sources effectively to support your argument.

Read the following in BG:"Proposing a Solution," pgs. 173-182; “Why Prisons Don’t Work,“ pgs. 168-169; “Taking a Stand,” pgs. 147-163; “Last Rites for Indian Dead,” pgs. 140-142; “Defining” pgs. 356-357; “Supporting a Position with Sources,“ pgs. 208-232; “A Question of Character,” pgs. 201-204; “Overworked!” pgs. 205-208;

Read the following in BH: “Constructing Reasonable Arguments,” pgs. 489-499 and pg. 591 (54d); 

Link to Handout: "Is Chocolate Really Good for You?"

Complete the library tutorial

 BH: Review pgs. 160-168 on misplaced and dangling modifiers; 354-382 on commas and pgs. 379-382 on semicolons

Complete quizzes 3, 4, and 5

4

 

DUE by Sunday, June 26th: Final draft of Essay 1 

DUE by Sunday, June 26th: MLA Citation Worksheet

Essays Assigned: Essay 3--Background section (and first part of research paper) and Essay 4--Cause/Effect (and second part of research paper). 

Lesson: This week you will learn about the cause/effect relationship, how to integrate quotes and paraphrases into your essays, and how to properly format your citations according to MLA style, and how to write a working thesis statement for your cause/effect essay (which will also be your working thesis for your final research paper)

Read the following in BG: “Explaining Causes and Effects,” pgs. 129-136

Read the following in BH: “Evaluating Arguments,” pgs. 505-516 “MLA Papers,” pgs. 589-608

Access the link to MLA style on Blackboard and review the information on how to cite quotations and how to set up a Works Cited page. This information is available in your English Resource Booklet and in your Bedford Handbook, 597-653.

BH: Review pgs. 392-398 on quotation marks and pgs. 409-418 on mechanics.

Complete quizzes 6 and 7

BH: Review pgs.147-155 on parallelism. Complete quiz 8

BH: Review pgs.169-174 on eliminating distracting shifts. Complete quiz 9

5

 

Due by Sunday, July 3rd: Final Draft of Essay 2

Due by Sunday, July 3rd: Working thesis statement for your final research paper

Essay Assigned: Essay 5--Timed Writing Assignment (to be completed in the Testing Center on campus)

Lesson: This week you will learn how to develop an argument and how to recognize and avoid logical fallacies.

Read the following in BH: “Conducting Research,” pgs. 530-554; “Evaluating Sources,” pgs. 555-571; pgs. 587-588 on writing a tentative thesis and a rough outline.

Complete quizzes 10 and 11

BH: Review pgs. 256-261 on making pronouns and antecedents Complete quiz 12

BH: Review pgs. 262-266 on making pronoun references clear. Complete quiz 13

6

 

 

 

(Last Day to Withdraw with a grade “W”: 7/13)

DUE by Wednesday, July 13th: Essay 5--Timed Writing

Lesson: This week you will learn how to format your formal outline and title page for your final research paper.

English Resource Guide: Review information on how to format your title page, outline and body of essay for final research paper.

Discussion Board: Answer questions on discussion board

 

BH: Review pgs. 268-278 on distinguishing between pronouns such as I and me. Complete quiz 14

BG: Read “Recognizing Logical Fallacies,” pgs. 162-163; “Explaining Causes and Effects,” pgs. 129-136

Complete quiz 15

 

7

 

DUE by Sunday, July 17th: Informal outline and working bibliography for final

DUE by Sunday, July 17th: Final drafts of Essays 3 and 4 (background essay and cause/effect essay)

Work on research paper

BH: Review pgs. 387-390 on apostrophes Complete quiz 16

BG: Read pgs. 263-266 on general information about writing in the workplace and pgs. 270 and 272 on writing an email.

Complete quiz 17

 

8

 

DUE by Sunday, July 31st: Final Research Paper

DUE by Sunday, July 31st: Extra Credit Assignments

 

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your summer!