English 102-C&E
Spring 2004
COURSE INFORMATION: 102. English Composition 2 (3 semester hours). "A
course designed to develop the student's ability to think and write critically
across the curriculum. Students focus on such key skills as summary, critique,
and synthesis and write a minimum of four essays in response to source material
representing issues commonly studied throughout the curriculum. At least two
essays will use research and MLA documentation. Prerequisite: ENG 101 or
advanced placement."
CLASS MEETING TIMES AND LOCATION: Section C: 10 MWF in W006 & Section E: 11MWF in
W128.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jim Haughey, Associate Professor of English
OFFICE LOCATION AND TELEPHONE: office:
Office
phone: 231-2158
OFFICE HOURS: MWF: 12-1; MW: 2-3; TR: 11:45-12:45. All other times
by appointment.
HOME PHONE: 868-0623. No calls after 9 p.m. please. All e-mail
correspondence between instructor and student should occur with the assigned
campus e-mail addresses. My e-mail address is Jhaughey@ac.edu.
COURSE PURPOSE AND GOALS: The major purpose of English 102 is to help the
student develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing across the
curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on writing well-organized, persuasive
essays that are intellectually imaginative and well researched. English 102
also stresses effective reading and vocabulary improvement, two skills necessary
for success in college and vocation. Furthermore,
students
are expected to learn how to locate materials in a library, take notes, and
efficiently report the results of their research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course, students should be able
to:
1.
Write a critical
essay that meets the standards of grading described below.
2.
Demonstrate
knowledge of standard English usage as measured by performance on all written
assignments.
3.
Demonstrate the
ability to communicate orally by effectively
organizing and presenting material to
classmates.
4. Use a computer word processor for formal
writing assignments.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: our final grade will be determined primarily by the
grades on your papers, homework assignments, quizzes, oral report and final
exam. Class attendance and participation will also be consider- ed. Final
grades will be determined by the degree of success on the following
assignments:
4 Essays (60%)
Reading quizzes and written homework
(10%)
Final Exam (20%)
Two oral presentations (10%)
STUDENT FEEDBACK AND GRADING SCALE: I will be glad to talk with you whenever you think I
can help, including giving advice on preliminary drafts of any of the major
assignments. Don't wait until an assignment is due the next day to get help.
The
following scale will determine grades:
A=
900-1000
B=
800-899
C=
700-799
D=
600-699
F=
0-599
Content
grades will be assigned according to how well the essay demonstrates the
characteristics of good essay form and style.
A good essay effectively states and develops a central idea. It shows originality of thought and style,
and in both instances is exceptional work. Its ideas are clear, logical, and
thought provoking. The presentation is unified and interesting. A good essay
should contain all of the qualities of good writing listed below.
2. Consistence in
point of view.
3. Selection of
details that will arouse interest.
4. Selection of
effective words and phrases.
5.
Effective
construction and organization of sentences and
paragraphs.
6. Careful use of effective transitions.
Each student will give two oral reports this
semester. Each report is worth 5%, and will be evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1.
Length: five-six minutes (approx.)
2.
Accuracy of detail
3.
Clarity of ideas
4.
Quality of voice, eye contact, body
language
5.
Smooth transitions between ideas
6.
Conclusive closure to presentation
An
evaluation sheet will be given to each student the week before the oral reports
are to be presented.
COURSE CONTENT: The course is organized into three units: unit one
focuses on ad analysis; unit two focuses on film analysis; unit three focuses
on nonfiction analysis.
The
unit on film has several aims. Students will be acquainted with film criticism
vocabulary. We will begin by analyzing the narrative form of fiction films (how
stories are told). Then we will look at the grammar of film (style, mise en
scéne, camera works, editing and sound). Finally, we will explore how theories
including authorship, genre, gender representations, and postmodernism enrich
our understanding of film. Films will be studied for academic purposes and also
for fun. Our chief goal here will be to determine why we like or dislike a
film. At the same time, as French film director Francis Truffaut once said:
“Instead of indulging our passions in criticism, one must at least try to be
critical with some purpose…What is interesting is not pronouncing a film good
or bad but explaining why.”
All
take home essays should be at least THREE pages (typed) of text. Suggested
topics will be reviewed in the assigned readings from the class texts, but you
are free to choose your own topic. All essays that are not at least three pages
in length will be penalized for lack of development.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: As this is a writing class, most of our time will be
taken up with writing assignments. Bring notebooks and pens to class everyday.
Apart from class discussion, time will be given to small group work, peer
editing, A-V presentations, in-class writing exercises, and lab writing and
editing sessions.
COURSE CALENDAR (tentative):
Week
One:
1.
F. J. 9:
Introduction to course.
Week
Two:
2.
M. J. 12:
Introduction to argumentative appeals and fallacies. Discuss
inductive appeals and
fallacies. Read/Review SSH 129-138.
3.
W. J. 14: Read
article on movie--Platoon--and critique.
4.
F. J. 16: Read SSH
144-145; discuss Toulmin Model; read handout.
Week
Three:
5.
M. J. 19: Critique
sample ad using Toulmin Model; intro to paraphrase;
read SSH 492-495.
6.
W. J. 21: Do paraphrase exercise 31-4 (number 1) in SSH 495-96; read
intro to summary in SSH 496-499.
7.
F. J. 23: Do summary exercise 31-6 (number 1) in SSH 499. Critique
sample ad.
Week
Four:
8. M. J. 26: Discuss oral report strategies;
read handout; critique sample
ad.
9. W. J.
28: Oral reports on ad analysis.
10. F. Jan. 30: Oral reports on ad analysis.
Week
Five:
11.
M. Feb. 2: Oral reports on ad analysis.
12.
W. Feb. 4: Read sample ad analysis and
discuss writing strategies.
13.
F. Feb: 9: In-class editing of ad analysis essay. Bring rough draft.
Week
Six:
14.
M. Feb. 9: Ad Analysis essay due;
intro to film analysis. Read Corrigan:
35-46. (Theme,
Narrative, Character, and Point of view).
15.
W. Feb. 11: Read Corrigan: 46-56. (Mise en scéne, Realism,
Composition, Image).
16.
F. Feb. 13: Read Corrigan: 56-68 and 70-74 (Shot, Edited image,
Sound).
Week
Seven:
17.
M. Feb. 16: Read Corrigan: 11-16 (The Critical Essay); 17-28 (Thinking,
Watching, Writing).
Watch Dance Lexie Dance.
18.
W. Feb. 18: Read Corrigan: 28-34. Watch Dance
Lexie Dance.
19. F. Feb. 20: Read Corrigan: 88-92 (Ideology). Discuss film. Do sample
critique.
Week
Eight:
20.
M. Feb. 23: Read Corrigan 106-123 (Writing Tips). Watch 35 a side.
21.
W. Feb. 25: Read intro to research. 128-143 (How to Research Film);
Watch 35 a side.
22.
F: Feb. 27: Read Corrigan: 145-152 (Sample Essays). Watch third
screening of 35 a
side if necessary.
Week
Nine:
23.
M. Mar. 1: Read Corrigan 154-170 (Manuscript Preparation and
Documentation); work on
rough draft of essay.
24.
W. Mar. 3: Rough draft due for in-class editing.
25. F. Mar. 5: Essay Two on 35 a side due.
Week
Ten:
26.
M. Mar. 8: Library Orientation for film research. Meet in class first.
27.
W. Mar. 10: Read Corrigan: 79-88 (Approaches to Writing about Film).
28.
F. Mar. 12: Review Corrigan 38-56 (Review Narrative, Mise en Scéne
etc.). Finalize film
choice for essay 2.
Week Twelve:
29.
M. Mar. 22: Review Corrigan 56-68 and 70-74 (Review Shot, Image,
Editing, and Sound).
30.
W. Mar. 24: Prepare for oral reports--complete worksheets in class.
31:
F. Mar. 26: Oral reports on film
critique.
Week
Thirteen:
32.
M. Mar. 29: Oral reports on film
critique.
33.
W. Mar. 31: Oral reports on film
critique.
34. F. Apr. 2: In-class
editing of rough drafts.
Week Fourteen:
35. M. Apr. 5: Final Quiz on Film Terms.
36. W. Apr. 7:
Intro to Fever
Pitch. Essay Three on Film due.
37. F. Apr. 9: No class—Good Friday Holiday.
Week
Fifteen:
38. M. Apr. 12: Discuss assigned sections in Fever Pitch.
39. W. Apr. 14: Discuss assigned sections in Fever
Pitch.
40.
F. Apr. 16: Finish Fever Pitch.
Discuss paper topics and writing
strategies.
Week
Sixteen:
41.
M. Apr. 19: Discuss sample essay (handout).
42:
W. Apr. 21: Essay on Fever Pitch
due. Begin final review.
43.
F. Apr. 23: Review for final exam.
Week
Seventeen:
44.
M. Apr. 26: Last class--review for final exam
Final Exam: Section C (10
MWF)—Thursday, April 29: 12-2 P.M.
Section E (11MWF)—Friday,
April 30: 12-2 P.M.
TEXTBOOKS:
Corrigan,
Tim. A Short Guide to Writing about Film.
5th ed. New York:
Pearson, 2004.
Hornby,
Nick. Fever Pitch. New York:
Riverhead, 1998.
Troika,
Lynn Quitman. Simon and Schuster Handbook.
6th ed.
Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, 2002.
COMPUTER INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY: All take home essays should be completed using a word
processor. Use 12 pt font (courier is recommended) and make sure the pages have
1inch margins. Each essay will have at least two drafts: one is your rough
draft; the other is your final draft. It is essential to save copies of drafts
and name them accordingly because sometimes writers want to go back to their
original way of saying something. If you
do not save your preliminary draft(s), those original thoughts and words will
be lost.
COURSE POLICIES: In order to receive credit for this course, you can have
no more than EIGHT absences. When you are absent, you are still
responsible for any work assigned. No distinctions are made between excused or
unexcused absences. As video screenings will be used to illustrate film
terminology and in the preparation and writing of essay two, class attendance
is critical. It is critical that students especially attend both screenings of
the second short film 35 a side as this screenplay is the subject of
essay number two.
TARDINESS: Punctuality is important. Three unexcused tardies will
equal one absence.
PLAGIARISM: A serious offense, which may result in receiving an F
in the course. See student handbook.
LATE POLICIES: Any paper submitted late will receive a 10% late
penalty and you must submit the paper no later than two class meetings after
the due date. After that, no late work will be accepted. Students with excused
absences are expected to bring assigned work with them the next time the class
meets; no penalty will be assessed.
PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING ESSAYS: When an essay is assigned, there is usually a chapter
in the reader that will offer useful suggestions for the assignment. You will
be expected to work conscientiously on your rough drafts and your final drafts
during class time.
If
you are absent when an essay is due, that essay is still due on time unless you
make prior arrangements with me.
Note: Do not ask to be excused from class because
of travel arrange-ments. Plan your schedule around your obligations, not the
other way around.
Grammar and Usage Review: Students beginning college come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of abilities in the areas of grammar and usage. I recognize the fact that some students in freshman English courses may need very little work with grammar to attain college level standards; others need extensive, individualized tuition. While extensive grammar review is not a part of the normal class period because of the wide range of ability, students will be expected to work on grammar to enhance their skills as editors of their own papers. Students who need extra assistance should arrange to meet with me during the posted office hours. On the other hand, students who feel quite competent should also work at improving their skills. Keep in mind that this course may be the last opportunity for a disciplined study of the English language. Make the most of it.
WITHDRAWAL: Any student wishing to withdraw should indicate
his/her desire to do to the instructor. The instructor will withdraw any
student who does not attended class the first day of the course. All other
withdrawals must be initiated by the student.
The last day to withdraw without a grade is Jan. 21; the last day to withdraw and receive a W is March 9.