ENGL M02 - Intro to College Writing - 73082

 

English M02: Legends, Lore, Lies

EnglishM02Fall2017.pdf

 

English M02: Legends, Lore, and Lies

Dr. Irina V. L. Wender

iwender@vcccd.edu

T/Th 1:00-2:15pm/2:30-3:45pm FH 212

(72817/73082)

Moorpark College/LLR Division Dean: Jane Morgan: 805 378-1443

 

This course will introduce college-level writing—focusing on composing clear, organized paragraphs and short essays that demonstrate the development and support of coherent central ideas with relevant reasoning and examples. This course also offers instruction in the writing process (preparation, organization, development, revision, editing) as well as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in preparation for success in English M01A. We are going to do this with the help of our primary anthology of readings, Legends, Lore, and Lies, numerous documentary films, the occasional news reel, and a handful of readings from other, no doubt, fascinating sources. The primary text for this course, Legends, Lore, and Lies, offers critical readings in five sections—urban legends, alternative medicine, the media's role in public gullibility, psychics and the paranormal, and pseudo-science—to demonstrate the importance of critical examination and the differences between an opinion or assertion and a supported claim. As we practice formulating the most essential building blocks of writing, the construction of clear, cohesive paragraphs, and essays, the book’s examination of skepticism will help us develop the critical thinking required for active reading and clear writing.

The goal learning outcomes of this course are as follows:

1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and analyze college-level readings through discussion and writings, such as summary and paraphrase. 

2. Use writing as a medium of academic and professional communication and self-expression.
3. Create sentences that contain structural variety and that use language appropriate to audience and purpose. 

4. Compose paragraphs that are focused, unified, coherent, adequately developed, detailed, and engaging. 

5. Apply the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, etc.) To composing essays. 

6. Construct a short, organized essay that develops a controlling idea. 

7. Employ strategies for completing in-class writings, including essay examinations. 

8. Observe the conventions of standard written English, with relative freedom from such errors as fragments, run-ons, and comma splices; faulty verb agreement; improper pronoun reference; and basic mechanical problems (spelling, punctuation, capitalization). 

9. Translate written reports into oral presentations and group projects. 


 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLASSROOM RULES AND DECORUM

 

There will be no computer use in the classroom. Class notes must be taken, and they must be taken on paper with a pen or pencil. ALL electronic devices (Cell Phones, iPods, PDAs, Laptops, etc.) will be turned OFF at the beginning of class. Vibrate mode is not considered off. A student who uses an electronic device while class is in session--this includes texting--WILL be removed from the roster. See me prior to class for emergency cases (pregnancy, illness, etc.). I hereby reserve the right to alter any of the conditions found herein as I see fit to ensure a prosperous learning environment throughout the semester.

 

Participation is vital to your success in this course. That means coming to class prepared to discuss the readings (always bring your textbook, notebook, writing implement) and actively contributing in class.

I suggest exchanging contact information with at least one other student in our class, because I will not be able to summarize the curriculum in an email if you happen to miss class. 

 

Attendance is mandatory. Roll will be taken every class. Students who miss more than five (5) classes (without a doctor’s note and without other arrangements) will fail the course. You are expected to arrive on time and stay the whole class period: do not arrive late; do not leave early. More than two instances of arriving late or leaving early will count as an absence. Arriving more than fifteen minutes late counts as an absence.

 

Fair Warning: Classroom incivility, disruptive and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. There will be no sleeping. You will be counted absent for that day.

If you find yourself having a difficult time with anything—attendance, writing, etc., please talk to me.

 

COMMUNICATION/EMAILING YOUR PROFESSOR

When emailing your professor, please use proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Always include a greeting (a simple “Hello” is fine) and a closing. Slang, text language, and internet acronyms are not appropriate for communication with your professor. All your communication should be respectful and professional. I will not respond to emails that do not meet these requirements. Please include a subject line that provides a specific title for the email. For example, instead of “Question” which is a very vague subject, you should write something like “Question regarding a comment on my essay.” [Do not send the following email: I MISSED CLASS, DID I MISS ANYTHING IMPORTANT?]

 

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (methods of evaluation to assure that our course objectives are being met.)

In-Class Writing: Notes, outlines, summaries, and analyses of texts. Responses to class discussions and reading assignments in the form of short weekly essays. Quizzes on assigned material  Handouts Grammar Quizzes Midterm Exam: Short Answers, In Class Essay One Major Essay Possibly a final creative project.

Grade Breakdown
Midterm	20%
Final	20%
Essay	20%
Homework Assignments	20%
In-Class work (including attendance and participation)	20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you are struggling with the readings and/or the assignments, please talk to me—special arrangements can be made and due dates can be extended. However, these arrangements must be made at least four days before the due date. (Communication is key to success in this classroom.)

FIVE RULES OF READABLE WRITING:

• Be concrete rather than abstract
• Use active verbs
• Put human beings in rather than writing impersonally
• Use shorter sentences
• Use simpler and more compact words 

 

 

Academic Dishonesty

Moorpark College takes academic honesty very seriously. Instructors, accordingly, have the responsibility and authority for dealing with instances of cheating or plagiarism that may occur in their classes. Such activities could include stealing tests, using “cheat sheets,” using unauthorized technology, copying off another’s test, or turning in someone else’s work as his/her own. Instructors have the responsibility to report instances of plagiarism or cheating to the Dean of Student Life. Academic dishonesty, in any form, is a violation of the Moorpark College Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section and, as such, is subject to investigation, charges of misconduct, and disciplinary consequences. 


Student Code of Conduct

Definitions: The following conduct shall constitute good cause for discipline, including but not limited to the removal, suspension or expulsion of a student.

1. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person or to one’s self.
2. Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing a weapon, including but not limited to, any actual or facsimile of a firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, or any item used to threaten bodily harm without written permission from a district employee, with concurrence of the College President or designee.
3. Use, possession, distribution, or offer to sell alcoholic beverages, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, other controlled substances or dangerous drugs while on campus or while participating in any college-sponsored event.
4. Presence on campus while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, other controlled substances or dangerous drugs except as expressly permitted by law. (Use or possession of medical marijuana is not allowed on any college property.)
5. Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
6. Causing or attempting to cause damage to District property or to private property on campus.
7. Stealing or attempting to steal District property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen District property or private property on campus.
8. Willful or persistent smoking (including e-cigarettes or use of similar mechanisms) in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the college or the District.
9. Engaging in intimidating conduct or bullying against another student through words or actions, including direct physical contact, verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling, social isolation or manipulation, and cyber-bullying.
10. Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior. The District’s response to instances of sexual harassment will follow the processes identified in Board Policy and Administrative Procedures 3430.
11. Obstruction or disruption of classes, administrative or disciplinary procedures, or authorized college activities.
12. Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, profanity, vulgarity, lewd, or other offensive conduct, on campus or during campus sponsored activities.
13. The persistent defiance of authority or abuse of District/college personnel.
14. Academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism.
15. Dishonesty, forgery, alteration or misuse of District/college documents, records or identification, or knowingly furnishing false information to the District/college or any related off-site agency or organization.
16. Unauthorized entry to or use of District/college facilities.
17. Engaging in expression which is obscene, libelous, or slanderous, or which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on college/District premises, or the violation of lawful District administrative procedures, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the District.
18. Violation of District/college rules and regulations including those concerning student organizations, the use of District/college facilities, or the time, place, and manner (see AP 3900) of public expression or distribution of materials.
19. Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.
20. Unauthorized preparation, giving, selling, transfer, distribution, or publication of any recording or photography of an academic presentation in a classroom or equivalent site of instruction, including but not limited to written class materials, except as permitted by District policy, or administrative procedure.
21. Violation of professional ethical code of conduct in classroom or clinical settings as identified by state licensing agencies (Board of Registered Nursing, Emergency Medical Services Authority, Title 22, Peace Officers Standards & Training, California Department of Public Health). Students who engage in any of the above are subject to the procedures outlined in AP 5520.

 

No Smoking Policy

Moorpark College Smoking Policy - 100% Tobacco Free. Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices and the use of tobacco products, is prohibited on all property and in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise controlled by VCCCD. Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices and the use of smokeless tobacco products, is prohibited in all vehicles owned by VCCCD, and at any event or activity on campus property. Furthermore, the use of nicotine products or nicotine delivery systems that are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as cessation devices is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor spaces where smoking and tobacco use is prohibited. Products covered under this policy include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookahs), electronic smoking devices such as electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs, chewing tobacco, spit tobacco, snus, snuff, and dissolvable tobacco products. Violators shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Title IX / Sexual Misconduct

Incidents of sexual misconduct can involve students and employees and include: sexual harassment, gender/sexual orientation based slurs, social media harassment related to sex/gender/sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual assault of any type, stalking (including text/digital stalking), dating/domestic violence, gender/sex-based hate crimes, etc. If you or another student has experienced any of these types of events, regardless of where they occurred or who the perpetrator may have been, please immediately contact your instructor, Dean or the Title IX Coordinator: Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz (jkgoetz@vcccd.edu). It is the responsibility of the College to investigate the matter and provide support and appropriate assistance to the student who may have been affected. Questions? Visit our website on TIX/Sexual Misconduct: http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/title-ix-sexual-misconduct.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Dates & Deadlines

August 14	Fall 2017 semester begins
August 14	Begin special admission registration for grades 8th and below (Instructor permission required)
	Must register in person at Records Office
August 14 - 18 *	Late registration & program adjustment - Week 1
	No add authorization needed if class is open & there is no waitlist (Full semester classes)
	Waitlisting still available for closed semester-length classes
	Add codes required for all short-term classes starting this week
August 21 - 25 *	Program adjustment - Week 2
	Add authorization numbers now required for all semester length classes
	Waitlists now closed for semester-length classes
August 25 *	Last day to drop with full refund or credit (All Students/Full semester only)
August 25 *	Last day to drop a semester-length class without a "W"
September 4	Labor Day Holiday: campus closed
September 15 *	Last day to apply for pass/no pass for a semester-length class
November 2 @ noon	Graduation & Certificate Petition Deadline
November 10	Veterans Day Holiday: campus closed
November 17 *	Last day to drop a semester-length class with a "W"
November 20 - 22	Non-Instructional Days: no classes in session
November 23 - 25	Thanksgiving Holiday: campus closed
December 11 - 15	Final exams
December 16 - January 5	Winter Break: no classes in session