Red Deer College
School of Arts & Sciences
Course Outline
English 95B
Fall 2015
Tom Gwin
Office: 1809C
Office Phone: 403-343-4048
Class Time: 10:00 to 10:50pm
Class Location: 1408
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: MWF 11:30 – 12:30
T R 2:30 – 3:30
Prerequisite: English 20, ELA 20-1, ENGL
090, ELA 30-2, or consent of the Department.
Credit hours: BC=5
Academic Calendar Entry- ENGL 095-5
(5-0) 15 weeks
Literature and Composition
The major literary forms of prose, drama, and poetry. Critical and analytical reading. Essay
writing to develop clear, concise effective arguments. High School Equivalent: Grade 12 level.
Learning Outcomes-
Describe the distinguishing characteristics which define the literary genres of prose, poetry, and drama. Analyze long and short fiction, essays, poetry, and drama using literary terms. Analyze the relationships among the elements of a literary work which produce an identified effect. Explain the relevance of cultural and historical contexts to interpret literary works. Employ appropriate structure and correct documentation in written communication. Identify and employ research methods and use of relevant technology. Employ suitable strategies to work independently or in groups. If you successfully complete this course, you should
Ø have developed increased skill in reading, discussing, and evaluating poetry, nonfiction, and fictional prose to prepare for university-level study;
Ø have refined your writing skills in preparation for university-level study;
Ø be able to identify and apply the criteria of Elizabethan tragedy and explain both the
content and structure of a Shakespearean tragic drama;
Ø have developed skills in the areas of communication, teamwork, public speaking, and
lifelong learning.
Required TextsAtwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Seal Books. 1986.
Roberts, Edgar V. Literature, An Introduction to Reading and Writing. 6th Compact Edition.
Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2015.
Waldman, Nell, and Sarah Norton, Eds. Canadian Content 7th ed. Toronto: Nelson, 2012.
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Recommended: A good college-level dictionary, handbook (such as the Little, Brown Compact
Handbook), and thesaurus.
Assessment
Topic
Non-fiction study:
Type
Mini Test
Unit Test
Essay
Points
5
25
25
Format
(fill in the blank questions)
(multiple choice, matching, and written
response)
(marking guide posted on Blackboard)
Short Story study:
Reading Quizzes 5
Documented essay 30
Unit Test
25
(fill in the blank and matching questions)
(marking guide posted on Blackboard)
(multiple choice, matching, and written
response)
Drama study:
2 Reading Quizzes 10
(fill in the blank, matching, and written
response)
(written assignment; marking guide
posted on Blackboard)
(multiple choice, matching, and written
response)
Documented Essay30
Unit Test
30
Poetry study:
Poem
Unit Test
5
25
(written assignment)
(multiple choice, matching, and written
response)
Novel study:
2 Reading Quizzes 10
Research topic
Integrating Quotations
Learner-centered assignments
5
10
10
(fill in the blank, matching, and written
response)
(multiple choice, matching, and written
response)
(written response)
(written response)
(written response)
Final Examination
90
(multiple choice and essay response)
Unit Test
30
Assignments & ExaminationsThroughout the term, you should develop skill in responding in writing to questions. As a
learner, you should become familiar with and adept at writing clearly-structured paragraphs and
essays. Correct spelling and grammar will be important to earn good grades. Knowledge
of the works read during the term will constitute the content of your writing; knowledge of
terminology will be important.
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Anticipated Timelines for Assignments and Evaluations
Week 1 Sept. 9-11
Course introduction and overview.
Grammar checklist for self-evaluation. Submit writing sample. Begin non-fiction
reading and discussion. Quiz “How to Read with Understanding.”
Week 2
Sept. 14-18
Non-fiction (may include unannounced reading quizzes). Essay structure and
patterns of development; how to answer written-response questions.
Distribute first essay assignment.
Week 3
Sept. 21-25
Essay writing workshop.
Essay outline due/ peer critique outline.
Week 4
Essay #1 due. Essay Unit Test.
Sept. 28-Oct.2 Complete essay unit/begin short story study. Short story theory terms,
elements of fiction. Stories will provide examples of each literary element.
Week 5
Oct. 5 - 9 .
Continue short story discussions.
Distribute documented short story essay assignment.
Week 6
Oct. 12 – 16
Workshop: Integrating quotations and creating a Works Cited page (MLA style).
End short story unit.
Week 7
Oct. 19 – 23
Begin study of Hamlet.
Short story unit test.
Week 8
Oct. 26 – 30
Hamlet comprehension tests on Act I; Hamlet comprehension test Act II-III.
Documented short story essay due.
Week 9
Nov. 2 – 6
End drama study (Hamlet); begin poetry study.
Novel reading quiz chapters 1 to 6.
Week 10
Nov. 9, 10
Continue poetry reading and discussion.
Week 11
Hamlet unit test.
Nov. 16 – 20 Documented Hamlet essay due.
Week 12
End poetry study, begin novel discussions.
Nov. 23 – 27 Poetry unit test.
Week 13
Complete The Handmaid’s Tale.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4
Week 14
Dec. 7 – 10
The Handmaid’s Tale unit test. Return and discuss the unit test. Course
wrap-up and preparation for final examination.
The last day to withdraw from courses is the last day of scheduled classes.
Ø Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date agreed upon. If life has been too
busy for you, you may earn an extension to hand in the assignment, up to two days after
the due date, by submitting a written request for the extension. Please see me for a copy
of the criteria for this written request. After the two additional days, your assignment will
not be accepted.
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Ø You will represent your work honestly. Please read Student Misconduct: Academic and
Non-Academic Policy in the current college calendar.
If you will be unable to write a scheduled test or quiz, contact me by email or telephone
(343-4048) or leave a message with Susan Edwards 403.343.4086, the CAP administrative
assistant. I will decide if a deferred test date will be granted; however, prior notice and a valid
reason are required. Missed tests will be recorded as Fs.
Grading ScaleThe following is the percentage equivalents for letter grades assigned in English 95.
Grade
Percentage Range
A+
90 - 100
A
90 - 100
A84 to 89
B+
78 - 83
B
74 - 77
B70 - 73
C+
66 - 69
C
62 - 65
C58 - 61
D+
54 - 57
D
50 - 53
F
0.0
Attendance Requirements- Regular attendance and active contribution to class content and
group discussion are expected.
Ø Contact me by email or telephone (343-4048) or leave a message with Susan Edwards
403.343.4086, the CAP administrative assistant, if you will be unable to write a
scheduled test or quiz. I will decide if a deferred test date will be granted; however, prior
notice and a valid reason are required. Missed tests will be recorded as Fs.
Ø You will come to class prepared for the day’s topic, and will act in a manner that does
not disrupt or inhibit the learning process. See “Student Misconduct: Academic and
Non-Academic Policy” in the college calendar.
The RDC Final Examination Policy will be followed at all times with respect to Final
Examinations. Please review this document to ensure that you understand the contents and
implications of the policy. Click here to see the Final Examination Policy.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct in all its forms is a serious offence. Please read the definitions that follow,
and refer to the links below for the complete policies.
Definitions
Academic misconduct: Academic misconduct is the giving, taking, or presenting of information
or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work which, under
normal circumstances, is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the compilation of
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academic requirements or the enhancement of that student’s record or academic career. The
two key areas of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.
Plagiarism: The use or close imitation of language, paintings, films, prototypes and ideas of
another author and representation of them as one's own original work. The most common forms
of plagiarism are: copying or paraphrasing another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, using the ideas or lines of reasoning of another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, submitting work to which someone else has made substantial improvements
to the content, and submitting the same work for multiple courses without approval.
Plagiarism can be judged to have occurred if the instructor has both the submitted material and
original source that was copied, or if the student is unable to explain the terminology or ideas of
a submission.
Cheating: Any attempt to give or obtain unsanctioned assistance in a formal academic exercise
(e.g., examination).
•
•
•
Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy
Appeal: Formal Policy
Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy
Important Red Deer College Dates – Fall 2015
September 9
September 16
September 16
October 1
October 6
October 12
October 28
November 11
November 12-13
November 13
November 16
December 10
December 10
December 14-19
December 21
December 23
December 24
First day of classes for Fall term 2015 and Full-Year 2015-2016 courses.
Last day to register late or add/drop Fall term 2015 and Full-year 2015-2016 courses.
Last day to have tuition refunded for Fall term 2015 and Full-Year 2015-2016 courses.
First day to apply for Fall term 2016.
Emergency Response Day.
Thanksgiving Day; College closed.
Midterm feedback date for Fall term courses.
Remembrance Day; College closed.
College open. No credit classes.
Final exams schedule posted for Fall term 2015. Students are expected to be available
from Dec. 14 to 19 to write final examinations. Students are expected to consult the
schedule for examination dates and times.
Credit classes resume Fall term 2015.
Last day to withdraw from Fall term courses and receive a WD.
Last day of classes for Fall term 2015.
Final exams written.
Deferred exams for Fall term 2015 written.
Last day for submission of final grades for Fall term courses.
Final grades available for Fall term 2015.
Prior Learning Assessment
This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment. Students should refer to the RDC
Academic Calendar for a list of excluded courses.
Student Services on Campus
Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability
Resources are provided by RDC. Students may inquire about locations at the Information Desk.
It is the responsibility students to discuss their specific learning needs with the appropriate
service provider.
Learning Support (Library: 403-342-3264, [email protected] )
• Writing Skills Centre ([email protected])
• Math Learning Centre (math concepts and advanced theoretical math)
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•
•
Learning Strategies (note-taking, studying and exam-writing strategies)
Peer-Assisted Study / Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring by students)
Disability Resources (Library: 403-357-3629, [email protected])
• Coordination of services (tutoring, alternate format text, note-taking and so on.)
• Academic accommodations, including exam accommodations
Counselling and Career Centre (Room 1402: 403-343-4064, [email protected])
Changes to Course Outline
No changes will be made to this course outline without the consent of the class and the
approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in this course outline
and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor.
Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and
Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns about
the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor.
“BIG IDEAS” FOR ENGLISH 95
1. Articulate communication confers power and sex appeal. Clear writing is universally
admired, and clear writing is clear thinking expressed correctly and well. One may learn to
write better by studying and modeling expert writers
2. Writing is a death-defying act. Writing transcends time and space.
3. Reading good poetry is a life-enhancing act, and both reader and poem change with each
reading.
4. A poem says what it means; there is no “Deep Hidden Meaning” in poetry.
5. Reading literature may help you discover much about yourself and your values.
This course outline is presented in the sincere desire to help you be successful in the course.
I hope you find the course enjoyable, challenging, interesting, and informative.
Welcome!
Associate Dean, August 26, 2015
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