Orange Coast College
English 099: Fundamentals of Composition
Fall 2013
English 099
Section: 22444
MW – 8:00 – 10:05
Instructor: Christen McGaughey
Office Hours: Ask or email for Appointment.
E-mail: [email protected]
Required Texts Fawcett, Susan. Evergreen: A Guide to Better Writing with Readings, 9th Edition.
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Articles & Reading Assignments posted on course website
Course Goals (Student Learning Outcomes)
1. Apply the fundamentals of grammar, sentence structure, and pre-compositional techniques.
2. Read and analyze text using critical thinking skills.
3. Write structurally varied and grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs, and essays.
Course Description
This course is designed to help you not only improve your writing skills and methods of communication, but
also to develop your analytical and critical thinking abilities. Throughout the semester we will be working
together to learn how to write structurally varied and satisfactorily edited sentences and clearly organized,
appropriately detailed paragraphs. Ultimately, we will put these techniques into practice as we apply them to
expository essay writing. In addition, there will be an emphasis on group work and collaborative discussion, and
thus high expectations of participation and contribution on your part. Furthermore, because the best way to learn
how to write is to gain practice doing so, you can expect to do a great deal of writing in this course, most likely
more than you have ever done before… so be ready.
Class Conduct:
Within the classroom, I expect others to be open to and respectful of other students and their opinions. This
class is largely based on discussion and collaboration, and it’s important to maintain a positive, supportive and
respectful environment. If a student acts disrespectfully toward the instructor or other students, they will be
asked to leave.
Students are responsible for completing their assignments on time and typing the formal essays and rough drafts
Attendance:
You are allowed three absences. More than three absences will lower your overall grade by 25 points each
absence. Attendance includes participation in all assignments and in class activities. Therefore, if you are not in
class, you will not receive credit for assignments completed during class or homework due that day. You
CANNOT make-up work missed when absent, including In-Class Essays and Exams. If you are absent, it is
your responsibility to get notes and announcements from one of your peers.
Note: there are no exceptions to this policy, and there is no distinction between excused and unexcused
absences. I suggest you use your absences wisely and save them for emergency situations. If you have a
major problem, it is essential that you speak to me As Soon As A Problem Arises. In this case, you will also
be asked for documentation of extenuating circumstances (i.e. doctor’s note).
Participation:
When you are present, you are expected to actively participate in all in-class activities including: journals,
writing activities, group and class discussions and misc. other assignments. If you are not participating, are
distracted by cell-phones and other electronics, are sleeping in class, are talking, or are generally disengaged,
your will lose 25 points from your overall grade each day.
-
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Cell phones are strictly prohibited during class (unless explicitly being used for class
purposes). As adults, I expect you to treat the classroom like any business meeting, conference
or any other type of professional event. These can be major distractions not just for you but
everyone around you, and I expect you to respect your fellow students and your instructor and
not use your phones. If I do see your cell phone out at an inappropriate time for any reason, I
will deduct 25 points from your grade for the day for lack of participation.
Laptops and tablets are encouraged, but should only be used for class purposes. If you are
checking facebook or other non-course related websites, I will deduct 25 points from you
grade for lack of participation.
Drop Policy:
If you are not present the first day of class, you will be dropped from the course. Otherwise, it is the student's
responsibility to officially drop classes and to verify the drop. Although instructors may request that a student
be dropped for absences, it is NOT the instructor's responsibility. Students who never attend a class or stop
attending a class at any time, MUST officially drop themselves, according to stated deadlines. It is also the
student's responsibility to verify their withdrawal from a class by the stated deadlines to avoid a "W" and/or a
grade in the class.
Class Preparation:
You must come to every class fully prepared with ALL readings (read and annotated), textbooks, research
assignments, an engaged, positive and proactive attitude. If you are unprepared or underprepared (this includes
missing textbooks, online readings, or assignments, or lack of general preparation for the class), you will lose
participation points (25 pts) for the day. Each day, you are expected to participate in discussion and activities in
response to the materials. If the class as a whole is unresponsive and appears unprepared, the class will be given
a reading quiz. If you do not pass the reading quiz (3/5 questions correct), you will lose participation points (25
pts) for the day.
Accommodations for Disabilities:
Students with verifiable disabilities who want to request academic accommodations are responsible for
verifying their disability with Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS): (714) 432-5807/(714) 4325604 (TDD). Once you have registered with DSPS, you need to see me as soon as possible regarding any
relevant or necessary accommodations you will need for the course.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is considered a grave violation of academic integrity and the sanctions against it are correspondingly
severe. If anyone is found to have plagiarized any part of any assignment, that student will receive an “F” for
that assignment. Repeated offenses can also lead to an “F” in the class and will be reported to the proper
authorities.
Plagiarism is:
- The submission of material authored by another person but represented as the student’s own work,
whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form.
- The submission of material subjected to editorial revision by another person that results in substantive
changes in content or major alteration of writing style and
- Improper acknowledgment of sources in essays, papers, or presentations.
If you have any additional questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask. Ignorance is not an excuse
Assignment Submission:
All assignments will be submitted electronically (I will not accept hard copies). You will submit your
assignments on blackboard as an attached zip folder. Each essay will be submitted in portfolio form with all
essay and drafting components. All documents must be sent as an attachment in Word format, follow MLA
guidelines and be titled clearly with the draft or component name. Your zip folder MUST BE titled in the
following manner: Firstname lastname assignment name (i.e. Christen McGaughey Essay 1). If your assignment
is not titled correctly or in the correct format, your assignment will not be graded. You must submit the
assignment BEFORE class the day it’s due. Once class has started your assignment is considered late. You can
go to the following link for Blackboard submission instructions: https://help.blackboard.com/enus/Learn/9.1_SP_10_and_SP_11/Student/060_Tests_and_Assignments/Submitting_Assignments
All major assignments will be posted to blackboard at least 2 weeks before they are due.
Make sure you read assignments carefully. You must fulfill all basic requirements. If any requirement is
missing, you will receive a 10 pt deduction for each missing component.
Late Work Policy:
All writing (out-of-class) assignments are due electronically before class on the due date. After this point, 10%
will be deducted from your final essay grade for each day the essay is late. If you are absent the day an
assignment is due you must still submit the assignment to the above email address on time. Even if you are sick,
you must still submit the assignment via blackboard. If there are major issues, it is always important to talk
to me before the essay is due (and documentation will be requested). I suggest you plan your time wisely
and plan ahead. It is also essential that you show up to class on days assignments are due, refer back to the
attendance policy. I often review future assignments on these days.
Late Work Policy:
All writing (out-of-class) assignments are due electronically before class on the due date. After this point, 10%
will be deducted from your final essay grade for each day the essay is late. If you are absent the day an
assignment is due you must still submit the assignment to the above email address on time. Even if you are sick,
you must still submit the assignment via blackboard. If there are major issues, it is always important to talk
to me before the essay is due (and documentation will be requested). I suggest you plan your time wisely
and plan ahead. It is also essential that you show up to class on days assignments are due, refer back to the
attendance policy. I often review future assignments on these days.
You CANNOT submit a late assignment after I have graded and returned the assignment to the class as a
whole. I will no longer accept assignments at this point. Be careful as sometimes, it may take as little as 2-3
days to return assignments with a grade. (This becomes critical later in the semester). Your final essay cannot
be submitted late (No Exceptions).
Writing Center:
You must visit the Writing and Reading Center for 5 hours over the course of the semester. You will complete
up to 1.5 hours (two 001 DLAs) for each essay assignment, due the day you submit your assignment. This is
considered a minimum requirement for each of your out-of-class essays, and you will lose 10% from your essay
grade if you are missing a DLA. Also, at the end of the semester, you should have completed at least 5 hours.
You will lose 100 pts from your overall grade for each hour you are missing at the end of the semester.
Rewrites:
If you would like to improve your grade on any out-of-class essay, you may rewrite the assignment. For your
rewrite, YOU MUST: schedule an appointment with me or see me in the WC to meet and discuss my
comments, must visit the writing center again, track all changes with “track changes” in Microsoft word and
include a reflection on your revision experience, changes and development as a writer. You will have 2 weeks
after an essay is returned to submit your rewrite. A rewrite cannot improve points deducted for missing
portfolio pieces (reflection, drafts, DLA 001). These points will remain. You cannot rewrite the final
essay.
Grading
College Purpose Essay
“I Believe…” Essay
Song Critique Essay
American Dream Essay
Celebrity/Politician Essay
Discussion Questions
Presentations
Peer Review
Grammar Quizzes
Homework & In-class Activities
Total
50 (5%)
150 (15%)
150 (15%)
150 (15%)
200 (20%)
50 (5%)
100 (10%)
100 (10%)
80 (8%)
50 (5%)
1000 (100%)
Course Grades
A (90-100%)
B (80-89%)
C (70-79%)
D (60-69%)
F (Below 60%)
Below is a tentative outline of assignments for the semester. Things may change throughout the course of the
semester (readings may be added or deleted and assignment due dates shifted). Make sure you note any updates
provided in class, via email, or on blackboard. It is YOUR responsibility to read the course outline, be prepared
for class, ask questions, and stay up to date.
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Date
Monday 8/26
Wednesday
8/28
Grammar Assignments
LABOR DAY
E: Chap 25: Simple
Sentences
Wednesday
9/11
E: Chap 26
Subordination &
Coordination
Week 4
Monday 9/16
E: Chap 26
Subordination &
Coordination
Grammar Quiz
Week 5
Wednesday
9/18
Monday 9/23
Wednesday
9/25
Week 6
Monday 9/30
Writing Assignments
Website: “Shitty First
Drafts” “Leaving Work
to Watch the Sunset” /
“Finding Hope in HipHop” / “There Is No
Such Thing as Too
Much Barbecue”
Monday 9/2
Wednesday
9/4
Monday 9/9
Week 3
Reading Assignments
E: Chap 28 & 29:
Present Tense & Past
Discussion Questions
for Above Readings
No Class
E: Chap 7: Description
Website: “Pop culture
vs. Real America:
Introduction”
E: Chap 6: Narration
Chap 16 Part A: The
Narrative Essay
Website: “Liz Smith
And Jo Piazza Debate
America's Unhealthy
Obsession With
Celebrities”
Website: “Pop culture
vs. Real culture:
“Gossip Girl” and
“Helping Family,
Friends, and her
community””
College Purpose Essay
Due
Descriptive Paragraph
Draft
Narrative Body
Paragraph(s) Draft
Peer Review: Bring Full
Rough Draft
Essay 2 Final & Portfolio
Due
Website: “Pop culture
vs. real culture:
“notorious” and
“perfecting their pitch””
E: Chap 14: The
Process of Writing an
essay.
Website: “Ridin Dirty” Expository Paragraph
(Lyric & Video) and
Draft
“White & Nerdy” (Lyric
& Video)
“Poetry and Pop music
are just good friends”
E: Chap 5: Illustration
Chap 16: Part A: The
Illustration Essay
Wednesday
10/2
Week 7
Week 8
Monday 10/7
E: Chap 30: Past
Participle
Website: “The Beatles
as Music
experimentalists”
Beatles songs: “Hey
Jude,” “Here Comes the
Sun”
Intro Draft
Wednesday
10/9
E: Chap 32: Pronouns
Website: Frontline:
“The Merchants of
Cool”
“Good Times on
Campus”
“Post Cool”
Outline & Illustration
paragraph (s)
Monday 10/14
Grammar Quiz
Wednesday
10/16
Week 9
Week 10
E: Chap 13: Persuasion
Chap 17 Part D: The
Persuasive Essay
Website: “The Fairy
Tale”
“Stuff & Nonsense”
“Clutter Culture”
Website: “The
Responsibility
Revolution” “America’s
Mobility Problem”
Monday 10/21
Wednesday
10/23
E: Chap 22: Revising
for Sentence Variety
E: Chap 12: Cause &
Effect Chap 17 Part C:
The Cause & Effect
essay
Website: “What is it
about 20-somethings”
Monday 10/28
E: Chap 21: Revising
for Consistency &
Parallelism
Website: “My Life as
an Undocumented
Immigrant”
“Not Legal, Not
Leaving”
Wednesday
E: Chap 35: Apostrophe Website: Time:
Peer Review: Complete
Rough Draft
Essay 3 Final & Portfolio
Due
Argument Paragraph
Intro Draft
Outline Draft & 1 sample
“Keeping The Dream
Alive”
10/30
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Monday 11/4
Wednesday
11/6
Grammar Quiz
Monday 11/11
Wednesday
11/13
VETERANS DAY
E: Chap 36: The
Comma
Monday 11/18
E: Chap 37 Mechanics
Wednesday
11/20
E: Chap 23 : Revising
for Language
Awareness
Week 14
Monday 11/25
Week 15
Wednesday
11/27
Monday 12/2
Week 16
Wednesday
12/4
Monday 12/9
Wednesday
12/11
E: Chap 9: Definition
E: Chap 10: Compare &
Contrast Chap 17 Part
A: Compare & Contrast
essay
Website: “The Culture
of Celebrity”
“Fiddling while Africa
Starves”
Website: “The Good,
the bad & the Daily
Show”
Daily Show Episode
Website: “Celebrity
Culture, Media &
Politics”
“Obama & Hollywood”
Website: “Billionaires
Fuel the Race to the
White House”
Grammar Quiz
Website: TBD
Website: TBD
body paragraph
Complete Rough Draft
Essay 4 Final & Portfolio
News Sources with
Annotations
Outline Draft & 1 sample
body paragraph
Peer Review: Complete
Rough Draft
Writing Workshop – Bring
Fresh copy of Rough Draft
Essay 5 Final & Portfolio
Presentations
Presentations