English 846 --- Fall 2010
Calendar
Weeks 1 – 18 (August 18th –
December 17th)
Explanation of homework layout:
All activities listed next to
the date (not in bold) is what we
will do in class on that day. All assignments which follow the abbreviated
letters signifying homework (HW)
will be due the following class.
WEEK 1: Introduction to the course and readings
August 18th – Weds: Introduction to
class and each other: syllabus,
policies, presentations,
texts,
plagiarism contract, and student introductions
Activating
schema: topic--banning books and censorship
HW: Purchase the
course materials: (1) Course Reader,
(2) Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints,
(3) The Catcher in the Rye,
(4) Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence, and (5) The Color Purple.
In
Course Reader, read Writing Guideline
#2: Critical Thinking, pages 14-17.
You will need a print version
of the reader to bring to class, but you can also access it at: http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/bellr/Reader.htm
In Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints, begin Chapter 1: Should
There Be Limits to Free Speech?, read preface and
viewpoints 1-4, pages 14-41.
WEEK 2:
Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints
August 23rd – Mon: Setting
up the three class presentation teams (page 64-65 in reader)
Introduction to Writing Guidelines: Top 20 Ways to get an “A” and to Become
a Stronger, More Confident Writer (pages 4-10 in reader).
Discussion of “Critical Thinking” (14-17)
Discussion of assigned readings in Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints.
HW: In Reader, read
Writing Guideline #3: Critical Reading,
pages 35-45.
Do Annotating
exercise: apply strategies 1-4 described at the top of
page
38 and mark up Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read”—due next class.
Afterwards,
in Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints, from
Chapter 1: Should There Be Limits to Free Speech?, read
viewpoints
5-8, pages 42-66. Annotate your text as
you read.
August
25th – Weds: Possible
quiz on the assigned
reading followed by a discussion
“Critical
Reading” (35-45) and going over the Annotating homework (38-40)
Discussion
of assigned readings in Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints.
HW: In Reader, read Writing
Guideline #4: The Writing Process, pages 70-88.
In Censorship: Opposing
Viewpoints, in Chapter 2: Should the
Internet
Be Censored?, read preface and viewpoints 1-6, pages
69-98.
Journal 1: Respond to several of the arguments put forth in
the
viewpoint
essays you read in Chapter 2 and answer the question
posed
in the chapter title for yourself: Should the Internet Be
Censored? Use some of the arguments from the readings
to base
your
answer on. All journals must be typed,
double-spaced and be
one-page
minimum and will be collected usually 3 journals at a time.
Always
bring your journal to class for possible sharing.
WEEK 3: Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints & Quiz
August 30th – Mon: Review: Writing Guidelines: Top 20 Ways to get an
“A” and to Become a
Stronger,
More Confident Writer (pages 4-10 in reader)
Possible
quiz on the assigned
reading followed by a discussion
The Writing Process
(pages 70-88) with practice
HW:
In Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints, in Chapter 3: Has
America’s
War on Terrorism Led to Increased Censorship?, read
preface
and viewpoints 1-6, pages 101-136.
Study “Writing
Guidelines: Top 20 Ways to get an ‘A’ and to
Become
a Stronger, More Confident Writer” (4-10)—quiz Weds 9/1.
September 1st – Weds: Quiz on Writing Guidelines: Top 20 Ways to get an
“A” and to Become a
Stronger,
More Confident Writer (pages 4-10 in reader)
Possible quiz on the assigned reading
followed by a discussion
HW:
In Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints, in Chapter 4: Is
Freedom
in the United States Threatened by
Censorship?, read preface and
viewpoints
1-6, pages 139-176.
Journal
2: Look closely at the arguments presented
in the viewpoint
essays
in Chapter 4 and select 3 arguments you disagree with and
explain
why. All journals must be typed,
double-spaced and be
one-page
minimum and will be collected usually 3 journals at a time.
Always
bring your journal to class for possible sharing.
In Chapter 3,
complete “Prefixes—Set One” (p.46): add an additional
word using each prefix and use each of those words in
a sentence—
due
Weds 9/8. Prepare for a quiz on this set
of Prefixes on Mon 9/13.
Preparing for Paper 1
September
6th – Mon: Labor Day—No Class
September
8th – Weds: Check off Prefix—Set
One. Also, figuring out words in context
(p. 52)
Possible
quiz on the assigned
reading followed by a discussion
Going
over the upcoming homework: "Creating Your Own
Argument" p. 92-96
HW:
Do
the following in preparation for Paper #1—due Tues 9/13:
Complete the “Creating Your
Own Argument” sheet: do the brainstorm, create questions,
answer them, answer “so what?”, and gather evidence for your argument
(p. 95-96 in reader and see a model on p. 93-94).
Study for the quiz on Prefix—Set One (p.46)—quiz Mon 9/13
**
Getting Prepared: Paper #1 (2-4 pages)
is due Monday, September 20th
WEEK 5:
Outlines for Paper 1
September
13th – Mon: Quiz on
Prefixes—Set One
Going
over Writing Guideline #1: Paper Topics,
p. 11-13
Going
over the homework and possible thesis statements for Paper 1
HW: Create a
formal typed outline for Paper #1 with a thesis
statement
at the top—due next class (see pp. 78-83 in reader on
outlining). Bring 2 copies of your outline to class.
September
15th – Weds: Workshopping outlines and
thesis statements —write on your peers’
Going over Writing Guideline #19: Workshopping,
pages 229-234.
HW: Complete Paper #1 (2-4 pages), due next
class:
(1)
Bring 4 copies of your completed, typed, double-spaced paper to class on
Mon.
(2)
Read and follow Writing Guideline
#6: Paper Formatting (pages 106)
(3) Read advice on “Drafting”
(pages 84-85)
(4)
Students without papers will be asked to leave.
(5)
Each workshop day counts as 2 absences
(6)
If you do not turn a paper in on this due date, you cannot turn in the revised
version, due a week later, for a
grade. You cannot pass the class if you
miss one of the papers.
Reminder: the last day to drop a course without it appearing on your
record is 9/10
WEEK 6: Workshopping Paper 1
September
20th – Mon: Paper #1 due (2-4 pages)
In Class: Workshopping (a double absence day if
missed)
HW: Review
advice your peers gave you and revise Paper 1.
**Team presenters on J.D. Salinger and Catcher in the Rye present
next class.
September
22nd – Wed: Team presenters on J.D.
Salinger and Catcher in the Rye
HW: In the
Reader, read “Fiction and Drama” pages 57-60.
Begin
Catcher in the Rye, read Chapters 1-6 (there are many editions
of
this book so I’ll refer to chapters rather than page numbers)
Revised
Paper #1 due 9/27. Please include the
following:
(1) Use MLA formatting for your
title—be creative (108-109 in reader) and for the page format and numbering
(113 in reader).
If you used outsides sources, use proper citation and a Works Cited page
(115-116 in reader)
(2)
Peer evaluations stapled to the back
(3) Must be typed, double-spaced, have 1” margins,
have 12 sized font, and be 2-4 pages in length.
Please note: 10 pts are removed for each
page the paper is under the required minimum length and 5
pts for half a page under.
Don’t go solely by word count but by actual length. See Paper Formatting (106 in reader).
(4) Properly use author names and text titles (110-111 in reader)
(5) Review Writing Guideline
#20: Grading,
page 238.
(6) Use advice on “Revising” (page 86) and
“Editing/Proofreading” (page 87)
(7) Complete an “Essay Checklist” (page 88).
Staple this to the back of your revised paper.
WEEK 7: Catcher in the Rye by
J.D. Salinger
Sept 27th – Mon: Revised Paper #1 due (2-4 pages)
Discussing
“Fiction and Drama” pages 57-60
Possible
quiz on the reading
(chapters 1-6) followed by a discussion
looking
at plot (57) and character (58)
HW:
In Catcher in the Rye, read
Chapters 7-11.
Journal 3: Analyze one of the
characters introduced in Chapters 1-11. Describe him/her in detail. What can we learn from analyzing his/her
actions and behaviors? What function or
purpose does this character serve in the novel?
What is his/her significance? All
journals must be typed, double-spaced and be one-page minimum. Journals 1-3 are due next class. Title each journal clearly and staple them
together to be turned in on Weds 9/29.
In
Chapter 3, complete “Prefixes—Set Two” (p.47): add an additional
word using each prefix and use each of those words in
a sentence—
due
Weds 9/29. Prepare for a quiz on this
set of Prefixes on Mon 10/4.
Sept
29th – Weds: Turning in
Journals 1-3
Check off
Prefix—Set Two. Also, figuring out words
in context (p. 53)
Possible
quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
Writing Guideline #10:
Plagiarism (pages 118-120)
Writing
Guideline #11: Quoting and Paraphrasing (pages 123-131)
WEEK 8:
Prefix Quiz
Oct 4th – Mon: Quiz on
Prefixes—Set Two
Finish Writing Guideline #11: Quoting and Paraphrasing (pages 123-131)
Possible
quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
HW:
In Catcher in the Rye, read Chapters 16-19.
Oct 6th – Weds:
Writing Guideline #15: Paragraphs
(pages 151-157)
Possible quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
HW:
In Catcher in the Rye, read Chapters 20-23.
Journal 4: Answer this: the novel is structured around Holden’s
encounters
and interactions with other people. Does any pattern
seem
to emerge, or does anything change in his interactions as the
novel
progresses? How do Holden’s encounters with adults, children,
women,
and his peers evolve as the novel progresses? All journals
must
be typed, double-spaced and be one-page minimum and will be
collected
usually 3 journals at a time. Always
bring your journal to
class
for possible sharing.
WEEK 9: Gathering Ideas for Paper 2
Oct 11th – Mon: Writing Guideline #14:
Topic Sentences (144-149)
Possible quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
Sharing Journal 4
HW:
Finish Catcher in the Rye, read
Chapters 24-26.
In
Chapter 3, complete “Roots—Set One” (p.48): add an additional
word using each prefix and use each of those words in
a sentence—
due
Weds 10/13. Prepare for a quiz on this
set of Roots on Mon 10/18.
Oct 13th – Weds: Check off Roots—Set
One. Also, figuring out words in context
(p. 54)
Possible
quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
Brainstorming
possible paper topics for Paper 2
Writing Guideline #5: Questioning Circles
(pages 85-86)
Review
Writing Guideline #12: Thesis Statements (pages 114-120)
HW: Do the following in preparation for
Paper #2—due Tues 10/18:
Complete the “Creating Your Own
Argument” sheet: do the brainstorm, create questions, answer them, answer
“so what?”, and gather evidence for your argument (p. 95-96 in reader and see a
model on p. 93-94).
Study for the quiz on Roots—Set One (p.48)—quiz Mon 10/18
WEEK 10: Roots Quiz
& Outlines for Paper 2
Oct 18th – Mon: Quiz on Roots—Set
One
Possible
quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
Going
over the homework and possible thesis statements for Paper 2
HW: Create a formal typed outline for Paper #2
with a thesis
statement at the top—due next class (see
pp. 78-83 in reader on
outlining). Bring 2 copies of your outline to class.
Oct 20th – Weds: Workshopping outlines and thesis statements
—write on your peers’
HW:
Complete Paper #2 (3-5 pages), due next
class:
(1) Bring 4 copies
of your completed, typed, double-spaced paper to class on Mon.
(2)
Read and follow Writing Guideline
#6: Paper Formatting (pages 106)
(3) Read advice on “Drafting”
(pages 84-85)
(4)
Students without papers will be asked to leave.
(5)
Each workshop day counts as 2 absences
(6)
If you do not turn a paper in on this due date, you cannot turn in the revised
version, due a week later, for a
grade. You cannot pass the class if you
miss
one of the papers.
WEEK 11: Workshopping & Presentation
Oct 25th – Mon:
Paper
#2 due (3-5 pages)
Writing Guideline #16: Conclusions (159-161)
In
Class: Workshopping (a double absence
day if missed)
HW:
Use peer feedback and revise Paper #2 due
Mon, Nov 1st
In Am I Blue?, read “Introduction” (ix-xi), “Am I Blue?” (3-17 ), and
“We Might as Well Be Strangers” (21-27).
**Team presenters on Am
I Blue? prepare to present next class.
Oct 27th – Weds: Team presenters on Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence
Possible
quiz on the reading
followed by a discussion
(1) Use MLA formatting for your
title—be creative (108-109 in reader) and for the
page format and numbering (113 in
reader). If you used outsides sources,
use
proper citation and a Works Cited
page (115-116 in reader)
(2)
Peer evaluations stapled to the back
(3) Must be typed, double-spaced, have 1” margins,
have 12 sized font, and be 2-4
pages in length. Please note:
10 pts are removed for each page the paper is
under the required
minimum length and 5 pts for half a page under.
Don’t go
solely by word count but by actual
length. See Paper Formatting (106 in
reader).
(4) Properly use author names and text titles (110-111 in reader)
(5) Review Writing Guideline
#20: Grading,
page 238.
(6) Use advice on “Revising” (page 86) and
“Editing/Proofreading” (page 87)
(7) Complete an “Essay Checklist” (page 89).
Staple this to the back of your revised
paper.
** Also, start thinking about a partner for
Paper #4: you can choose someone, we can
compare schedules to find matches that way, or you can have me pair you. We’ll assign partners on Mon, Nov 8th 15th **
WEEK
12: Revised Paper 2 due
Nov 1st – Mon:
Revised
Paper #2 due (3-5 pages)
Possible
quiz followed by a discussion of the reading
HW: In Am I Blue?, read
“Three Mondays in July” (107-125),
“Parents’
Night” (129-145), and “Michael’s Little Sister” (149-163).
Journal 5: Select one of the assigned
readings in Am I Blue? that we
have
read so far and write your reaction to it.
Don’t simply
summarize
it but tell what you felt was significant about it. What can
one
learn from reading this account? What
does this reveal about
larger
society? All journals must be typed,
double-spaced and be one-
page
minimum and will be collected usually 3 journals at a time.
Always
bring your journal to class for possible sharing.
In Chapter 3, complete “Roots—Set Two” (p.49): add an additional
word using each prefix and use each of those words in
a sentence—
due
Weds 11/3. Prepare for a quiz on this
set of Roots on Mon 11/8.
Nov
3rd – Weds: Check off Roots—Set Two. Also, figuring out words in context (p. 55)
Possible
quiz followed by a discussion of the reading
Sharing
Journal 5
HW: In Am I Blue?, read
“Holding” (177-189), “Blood Sister” (193-213),
and
“Hands” (217-225).
Next class,
signing up collaborative writing partners for Paper 4.
Study for the
quiz on Roots—Set One (p.49)—quiz Mon 11/8
WEEK 13:
Am I Blue?
& Preparing for Midterm Exam
Nov
8th - Mon:
Quiz
on Roots—Set Two
Sign-up
partners for Paper #4: exchange phone #’s,
schedules etc. pg. 235
Possible quiz on the reading followed
by a discussion
Creating midterm practice essay questions
HW: In Am I Blue?, read “50%
Chance of Lightening” (229-245),
“In
the Tunnels” (249-259), and “Dancing Backwards” (263-273).
Prepare
for open-book, closed note essay exam on Monday,
Nov
15th on assigned readings from Am I Blue?. If you
handwrite the
exam,
bring lined paper, and if you type it, bring a disk.
Journal 6: Compare two of the short stories
we have read so far in
Am
I Blue? and tell what themes the two stories have
in common and
“so
what?” can we learn from this? What can
we learn by looking at
these
two stories together? All journals must
be typed, double-
spaced
and be one-page minimum. Journals
4-6 are due next class.
Title
each journal clearly and staple them together to be turned in on
Weds
11/10.
Nov
10th - Weds: Turning
in Journals 4-6
Possible quiz on the reading followed by a discussion
Sharing Journal 6
Workshop:
Timed Writing
(pp. 224-228 in reader)
HW: Review assigned reading from Am I
Blue? and prepare for
in-class
90-minute essay midterm exam. Next
class, meet in the
Computer
Lab in room 2117B (bottom floor of building 2--one floor
below Student Services). If you handwrite the exam, bring lined
paper,
and if you type it, bring a disk.
** Reminder: The last day to withdraw from a course is
11/16 **
WEEK
14: Midterm
Exam
In Chapter 3, complete “Suffixes”
(p.50): add an additional
HW: In The
Color Purple, read page 61-118 (the chapter that ends with Shug and Celie kissing for the
first time).
Study for the quiz on Suffixes (p.50)—quiz Mon
11/22
WEEK 15: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Nov
22nd – Mon:
Quiz
on Suffixes
Possible quiz on the reading followed by a discussion
Library
Tour (2nd floor of building 5) 5:30-6:30pm
HW: In The
Color Purple, read 119-231 (the chapter that ends:
“Oh,
she say, Harpo made him send you the rest of your
sister’s
letters. Right after that he start
to improve. You know meanness
kill,
she say.”)
Journal 7: Select a quote from what we have read so far in
The
Color Purple. Write the quote in
your journal and analyze it.
Tell
why you feel it is significant. How does
it connect to the larger
themes
in the book? All journals must be typed, double-spaced and be
one-page
minimum. Always bring your journal to class.
For Mon, you and your partner are responsible for bringing
in a
minimum
of 3 possible outside texts you could use in your paper to
support
your argument. The texts cannot be all
from the same type
of
source. Bring full printouts and books
not a just bibliography.
Nov 24th – Weds: Meet with Partners for Paper 4
Looking Ahead: Paper #4 (4-6 pages) is due Wednesday, Dec
8th
Nov 29th – Mon: Checking off library
research for Paper 4
Possible quiz on the reading followed by a discussion
Sharing
Journal 7
HW: Finish
reading The Color Purple.
Journal 8: Analyze the relationship between
Shug and Celie. How
does
it change? How does Shug
influence and shape Celie? Why do
you
think Walker made this relationship central in the novel? All
journals
must be typed, double-spaced and be one-page minimum.
Journals
7-8 are due next class. Title each
journal clearly and staple
them
together to be turned in on Weds 12/1.
Do the following
in preparation for Paper #4—due Weds 12/1:
Complete
the “Creating Your Own Argument” sheet: do the
brainstorm,
create questions, answer them, answer “so what?”, and
gather
evidence for your argument (p. 95-96 in reader and see a
model
on p. 93-94).
Dec 1st – Weds: Possible quiz on
the reading followed by a discussion
Going over brainstorms and possible paper topics
HW: Prepare for the Make-up Quiz next class on
Mon 12/6
(this
quiz score will replace your lowest quiz score).
Create
a formal typed outline for Paper #4 with a thesis
statement at the top—due next class (see pp.
78-83 in reader on
outlining). To consider: you want to include one
outside source in
your
paper to support your argument. Bring 2 copies of your outline
to
class.
Dec 6th – Mon: Make-Up Quiz on the
reading
Workshopping
outlines and thesis statements —write on your peers’
outlines and focus on the three areas discussed on page 83
of the reader.
HW: Complete Paper #4 (4-6 pages), due next class:
(1) Bring 7 copies
of your completed, typed, double-spaced paper to class on Mon.
(2)
Read and follow Writing Guideline #6:
Paper Formatting (pages 106)
(3) Read advice on “Drafting”
(pages 84-85)
(4)
Students without papers will be asked to leave.
(5)
Each workshop day counts as 2 absences
(6)
If you do not turn a paper in on this due date, you cannot turn in the revised
version, due a week later, for a
grade. You cannot pass the class if you
miss
one of the papers.
(7) You need to include at least one
outside source in your paper and a Works Cited
page. In the reader, see Writing
Guideline #9: Research, etc (pages 115-116)
*Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope, to get a full printout of
your grade *
Dec 8th – Weds: Paper #4 due (4-6 pages)
In Class: Workshopping (a double absence day if missed)
HW: Fill out “Evaluating the Members of the Team” in the
Course
Reader,
pp. 236-237. Papers cannot be graded
without having both
evaluations
turned in. You and your partner must
both complete an
evaluation
of yourself and your partner due the same day as the
revision
of Paper 4 (turn in separately--do not staple to Paper #4).
Revised
Paper #4 due next class. Please include the following:
(1) Use MLA formatting for your title—be creative
(108-109 in reader) and for the
page format and numbering (113 in
reader). If you used outsides sources,
use
proper citation and a Works Cited
page (115-116 in reader)
(2)
Peer evaluations stapled to the back
(3) Must be typed, double-spaced, have 1” margins,
have 12 sized font, and be 2-4
pages in length. Please note:
10 pts are removed for each page the paper is
under
the required minimum length and 5 pts for half a page
under. Don’t go
solely by word count but by actual
length. See Paper Formatting (106 in
reader).
(4) Properly use author names and text titles (110-111 in reader)
(5) Review Writing Guideline
#20: Grading,
page 238.
(6) Use advice on “Revising” (page 86) and
“Editing/Proofreading” (page 87)
(7) Works Cited page with a minimum of ONE
outside source. In the reader, see
Writing
Guideline #9: Research, etc (pages 115-116).
(8) Complete an “Essay Checklist” (page 90).
Staple this to the back of your revised
paper.
Review all the texts we have read for this course in preparation for the 2 1/2
hour final essay exam. Recommended: create possible final exam questions for
yourself which connect the works we have read through a common theme (look
again at the course theme: “Banned Books: Meanings Behind
Censorship”) and take at least one practice essay exam before the actual final
exam. Review the advice on "Timed
Writing" (pp. 224-228 in reader).
** Meet in the Computer Lab of Building 2 for exam **
If you handwrite the exam,
bring lined paper, and if you type it, bring a disk.
* If you
haven’t already, bring a self-addressed stamped envelope to get your course
grade
Final Exam:
11:10-1:40pm in Computer Lab:
bottom
floor bldg 2, room 2117A
Closed note, open book, 2 ½ hour
essay exam