ENGLISH 1102
 
Composition II
Spring '07

 

Finding Our Frames of Reference

 

Patricia Burgey


Office:  TLC 1113B

Phone:  678-839-4885


Office Hours: 

 M/W/F: 9:00-10:00 & 12:30-1:30

Th: 1:00-2:00 and by appointment.

 

Writing Center: 

Thursday:  10:00-1:00

 

 E-mail:  pburgey@westga.edu

 

Website:  www.westga.edu/~pburgey
 

 

 

M/W/F:      Room TLC 1110

M/W:   Room TLC 1110

Section 1102-LCT

10:10-11:05

Section 1102-LCE

1:50-3:10

Section 1102-09

11:15-12:10

Section 1102-15

3:20-4:40

 

 

Finding Our Frames of Reference:  We understand ourselves and the world around us through our frames of reference that compose the world into a sense of order much like a photograph or painting.  Our perspective controls how we see and why we see the world as we do.  We sense movement in an object only because another object is still.  We comprehend evil only because we embrace good.  Every frame of reference has an opposite end with a wide range of referential reasoning between the two.  Where we stand on that line of reason determines how we interpret the actions around us and inside us.  In Crash, Paul Haggis recognizes that we have lost our frames of reference.  We have misplaced ourselves on that line of reasoning and cannot clearly see ourselves or the world.  He writes, "It's the sense of touch. . . .  Any real city, you walk, you're bumped, brush past people.  In LA, no one touches you . . . .  We're always behind metal and glass. Think we miss that touch so much, we crash into each other just to feel something."  Since we cannot make those connections we crave, we are doomed to fulfill those needs through violence and anger as we crash through this world.  After an auto accident, Haggis's character acknowledges, “Somewhere in there one of us lost our frame of reference.  I'm gonna go look for it."  In this class we will search for those misplaced frames of reference.  

   

The readings for this semester focus on finding and identifying frames of reference.  This class will include three out-of-class essays and two timed in-class essays, which will be your midterm and final.  You will be doing a poetry presentation that includes reading the poem, researching an annotated bibliography and writing a paper.  Your grade will also include quizzes, posted response writings and a literary terms test. The readings will come from an on-line collection of essays, three films (Malcolm X, 25th Hour, and Crash), nonfiction by Richard Rodriguez (Brown:  The Last Discovery of America), one novel titled Unless by Carol Shields, An Introduction to Poetry, and a text about academic writing titled They Say/I Say.  We will be using A Writer's Resource as a reference and grammar guide.      

 

Course Description
 

Catalogue Description:

The course serves as a continuation of English 1101 and as an introduction to more sophisticated study of argument and textual analysis, focusing on the composition of increasingly complex analytical essays about written and visual texts. Students must demonstrate advanced competency in critical analysis and interpretation of texts.

 General Learning Outcomes:

  • To develop reading, understanding, and interpreting of a broad range of written and visual texts from a variety of genres, including but not limited to nonfiction, fiction, poetry, drama, and film.

  • To extend the skills of analytical writing, critical thinking, and argumentative interpretation of meaning established in English 1101.

  • To enhance the understanding of literary principles and the use of basic terms important to critical writing and reading.

  • To construct essays using textual evidence from both primary and secondary sources.

 Specific Learning Outcomes:
Critical Reading and Analysis

  1. Develop an understanding of genre and the role of genre in textual analysis.

  2. Understand connections between primary and secondary sources and how those connections affect and generate intertextuality.

Writing Process and Rhetorical Objectives

  1. Demonstrate the ability to connect primary and secondary sources in a logical, persuasive, and correct way.

  2. Expand the length and complexity in the writing and thinking process

Minimal Competency Requirements

Essay Level

  1. Continuation of the learning objectives of ENGL 1101, that is, creation of clear theses, effective introductions and conclusions, and logical, persuasive patterns of essay organization.

  2. Additional requirements include the ability to develop a logical argument advancing a particular explication or interpretation of a literary text, focusing on the ways in which the incorporation of secondary materials enhances argument.

Paragraph Level

  1. Continuation of the paragraph development skills required in ENGL 1101.

  2. Additionally be able to manage quotations from primary and secondary texts as a means for developing paragraphs, neither letting the quotations dominate the paragraphs inappropriately nor under-explaining the quotations once used.

Sentence Level

  1. Continuation of ENGL 1101, consistent evidence of sentence variety and control of syntax to achieve clarity.

  2. Consistent use of apt and varied diction.

  3. Additionally be able to use quotations in sentences while maintaining grammatical correctness and competent punctuation.

  4. Demonstrate a command of mechanics, grammar, and usage conventions of Standard Edited English as required in ENGL 1101.

Documentation Style
Use the MLA style for documenting sources.

Technological Objective
Demonstrate the ability to use word processing and to find and evaluate electronic resources.

Assessment and Assignments:

5000 words of graded writing 
No fewer than 3 out-of-class essay assignments that make use of revising opportunities
At least two essays must incorporate secondary research
A minimum of 1 in-class essay that must last 60 minutes and count for 15% of the overall course grade.
The in-class essay may be given during the final exam period.

Texts:


Three films:  You are responsible for purchasing/renting/borrowing these films.  You will have to watch each film more than once for proper analysis.  You cannot depend on getting these films from a rental store.  For our class, these films are texts, and will be handled like every other text that we study and analyze.

  • Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee, ISBN 0-7907-3923-2

  • 25th Hour, directed by Spike Lee, ISBN 0-78884573-X

  • Crash, directed by Paul Haggis, ISBN 00031398187868

Written Texts:

  • Brown:  The Last Discovery of America by Richard Rodriguez, ISBN 0-14-200079-5

  • Unless by Carol Shields, ISBN 978-0-06-087440-7

  • An Introduction to Poetry, ISBN 0-13-093292-2

  • They Say/I Say, ISBN 978-0-393-92409-1

  •  A Writer's Resource

 

You Will Also Need:

GRADING:  You must complete all your assignments in order to pass this course, and you must earn a letter grade of C or better in order to pass.

  

In order to better understand what is expected in your essays, review UWG’s adopted standards for grading.

 

Your grade will be determined as follows:

60% of grade:

3 essays written outside of class--All three papers must be written and turned in to pass this course.

 

  • Essay #1 =  20%  due week 6

  • Essay #2 = 20%  due week 10

  • Essay #3 = 20%  due week 14

 

5% of grade

 

Posted Response Writings:  Consisting of weekly on-line posts

 

5% of grade

 

Daily Quizzes

5% of grade

Literary Terms Test on last day of class.  Exam must be written in order to pass this course.

 

10% of grade

 

Poetry Presentation:  Includes class presentation of poem, researching an annotated bibliography, and writing an essay.  Must be presented and written in order to pass this course.  Due dates are varied according to poem/poet.  Due dates are firm, but presentation dates may change.

 

15% of grade:

The Best of Two Timed In-Class Essays (Midterm/Final):  You must write one exam to pass this course. 

 

 

Numerical grade equivalents: A+ = 98; A = 95; A- = 91; B+ = 88; B = 85; B- = 81; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- = 71; D+ = 68; D = 65; D- = 60; F = 55 and below; no work turned in = 0.

 

EXTRA CREDIT:  No extra credit will be assigned for this course.  Your composition grades will comprise the bulk of your grade because the goal of this class is to acquire good writing skills.

 

 

Administrative Withdrawal―Departmental Policy

 

Attendance Requirements:  Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy.  For classes that meet three times a week, a student is allowed four absences. Upon the fifth absence, the student will be withdrawn.  For classes that meet twice a week, a student is allowed three absences.  Upon the fourth absence, the student will be withdrawn.  Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences.  In addition, students should be aware that if the withdrawal date falls before March 1, the student will receive a “W.”  If the withdrawal date falls after March 1, the student will receive a “WF.”

 

Disruptive Behavior: Students may be dismissed from any class meeting at which they exhibit behavior that disrupts the learning environment of others.  Such behavior includes—but is not limited to—arriving late for class, allowing cell phones to ring, speaking disrespectfully to the instructor and/or to other students, checking email or surfing the web, and using personal audio or video devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance requirements policy above.

 

 

If you are absent, you are still responsible for all the work that you missed.  Depending on the nature of the assignment, you may not be able to make up a missed assignment such as a daily quiz or in-class viewing and related in-class exercise.  Essays and assignments are still due on the day assigned regardless of your personal situation.  Get them to me via a friend, parent, or pet.  E-mail is an option only for validated emergencies.  I must agree to accepting email attachments before you are allowed to send it to me.   Workshop sessions are essential to receiving a good grade; if you miss these workshops, you can make no higher than a C on your paper.  The workshop and the time until your paper is due are considered your revision period. Use your time and resources wisely.  Midterms and Finals cannot be made up. 

 

DISRUPTIONS:  As stated above, all cell phones, pagers, PDAs or any other communication devices must be turned off at the beginning of class.  Any disturbance caused by such devices or by disruptive student behavior can result in said student being dismissed from class, which will be counted as an unexcused absence.  Late arrivals are disruptions.  Any arrival after 15 minutes into the class will be counted as an absence. 

 

FORMAT FOR ALL PAPERS:  All papers must be typed according to MLA guidelines (see Writer's Resource Tab #6) including in-class writings.   I reserve the right to refuse any paper that does not meet MLA standards. 

NO REVISIONS—NO MAKEUPS—NO REDOS:  Welcome to the adult world.  Life does not have an undo button, neither does this class.  Before each essay is due, we will have a workshop to help you with your full first draft. This session is your opportunity to solicit assistance in revising your essay.  Although I will not pre-grade a paper, I will advise you on what you need to do to make your paper better.  I advise you to take full advantage of the workshops and to seek my help outside of the classroom if you need additional help.  I also advise you to seek help from the Writing Center. Seeking my adivce on a paper does not guarantee that you will earn the grade you want.  Writing is a process, and for most (if not all) students, more than one work session with me and/or the Writing Center is needed for any substantial improvement.  You, and only you, are responsible for improving your writing and grammar skills. 

 

However, I will allow you to revise either Essay 1 or Essay 2.  Said revision will be due one week from the date that the paper is returned to you.  Revisions must be true revisions that address the paper as a whole in its structure and argument and not merely a correction of grammar and marked errors.  After that one-week date, I will not accept any revisions.  I will only accept one revision per student. 


LATE WORK:  See attendance policy above.  I reserve the right to refuse to accept excessively late work.  Items more than one class period late is considered excessively late.  Tardiness impedes your ability to progress in your writing.  Any late work, if accepted, will be docked at least one grade level for each class session late. 

 

Computer/printer problems are no excuse for not turning papers in on time.  Do not wait till the last moment to write and print your paper.  Do it ahead of time, then if you have difficulties you will have time to get assistance.  We all have printer problems from time to time; as adults we learn to work around life’s difficulties.  The college has several computer labs at your disposal.  I recommend that you e-mail your papers to yourself.  That way, you can access them in any lab for correction and printing.  Lab locations and hours are posted at http://uwglabs.westga.edu/default.asp under the tab labeled Information.

 

You are also responsible for keeping copies (electronic or paper copies) of all your essays and assignments.  This is a safeguard in case an essay or assignment is misplaced or damaged.  We will also share papers in the classroom. Bring copies of current assignments with you to class every day.

 

DEPARTMENTAL PAPERLESS POLICY:  As of Fall 2006, our English Department will be implementing a “paperless” policy in its classrooms.  In other words, instructors will no longer be handing out worksheets or Xerox copies of materials for students.  However, this does not stop you, the student, from printing out the materials you will need for class and bringing them with you as you attend lectures.  I will post all of the worksheets that you will need in advance on-line or in course reserves so that you can print them out as you see fit or as I tell you to depending upon the upcoming requirements of a class discussion.  Moreover, no handouts will be needed due to the technology we have access to in our classrooms.  I strongly suggest that all of you print out a copy of your syllabus, however, and have it on your person during every class in order to refer to it for updates, policies, and important things to remember regarding the course content.  You will not be allowed to print these documents in the classroom without prior permission.  If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to consult with me.

 

THE WRITING CENTER:  The Writing Center is such an excellent resource for writing students, and the staff encourages you to visit as often as you’d like.    To make an appointment, call 678-839-6513.   The Writing Center’s website is located at http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/writing/index.htm.

 

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC HONESTY:  The Department of English and Philosophy defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. The Department expects that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts, which is another form of misrepresenting the truth. Having another person write any portion of your essay, called excessive collaboration, is considered plagiarism.  Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course.   The University and English Department policies for handling Academic Dishonesty are found in the following documents:    

 

Plagiarism--Definition and Prevention

http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism/pladef.html

 

The Faculty Handbook, sections 207 and 208.0401
 http://www.westga.edu/~vpaa/handrev/

 

Student Uncatalogue: "Rights and Responsibilities"; Appendix J.
 http://www.westga.edu/handbook/

 

PLAGIARISM IS GROUNDS FOR FAILING THE CLASS.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS:  If you have a registered disability that will require accommodation, please see me at the beginning of the semester.  If you have a disability that you have not yet registered through the Disabled Student Services Office, please contact Dr. Ann Phillips in 137 Parker Hall at 678-839-6428.  See website at http://www.westga.edu/~dserve/.  Please do not wait until the end of the semester to plea for special accommodations; they cannot be applied retroactively. 

   

THE REGENTS’ EXAMINATION: Plan to take the exam this semester.  Register by February 23 via Banweb or the Excel Center.  The Regents’ Examination is a two-part test of minimum-level reading and writing proficiency.  Students must take this examination after passing English 1102 or after 30 hours of coursework. In the hour-long written portion of the Regents’ Exam, students are required to write an essay based on personal experience and a general understanding of current events.  The essay is expected to be clearly focused, well articulated, and relatively free from patterns of error; however, no particular studying should be necessary for the exam besides a few general rehearsals, a general cognizance of current events, and close attention to the lessons of English 1101 and 1102.  Students who do not pass the Regents’ Exam by the time they have completed 45 hours of coursework are automatically placed in classes which provide additional writing support and for which you will not receive academic credit.

 

 
IMPORTANT DATES:

1102-LCE

Friday, May 4, 11:00-1:00

1102-LCT

Friday, May 4, 8:00-10:00

1102-09

Monday, April 30, 11:00 - 1:00

1102-15

Monday, April 30, 2:00-4:00

 

 

All Grades will be posted on BANWEB at the end of the course.

 

 Full First Draft Workshop Dates:

 

Remember that before the essays are due, a workshop will always be held prior to the due date.  This is your revision period.  On these workshop days you must bring a full first draft to class.  If you are absent--for any reason--or do not have a full first draft, your grade on the essay's final draft cannot be higher than a C.

 

Essay Due Dates: 

 

You are required to periodically check the

Reading Schedule for changes and updates:

 

Reading Schedule of Readings and Assignments

 

LCT & 09     LCE & 15

 

 

IMPORTANT:  Changes may be necessary. 

Please check on-line reading schedule weekly.