Course Description

English 1B is a class designed to introduce students to various genres of literature while at the same time honing their writing abilities.  An emphasis is placed upon sparking an interest in literature and developing interpretive, critical, and analytical reading skills.  Students are additionally required to attend a number of literary events hosted by the South Bay Center for the Arts at El Camino College.

Course Materials

Kirzner & Mandell.  Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing.  Compact Sixth Edition.

Course Requirements/Grading

Four Essays, each worth two letter grades

Two Socratic Seminars, each worth one letter grade

Participation, worth one letter grade

Participation

Consistent and faithful attendance and participation in this class is a must.  Regular exams and frequent quizzes on readings shall be administered to ensure consistent in-class participation.  

Late Work

Essays handed in late shall be marked down one letter grade per class that they are late—no exceptions.  If you know that you are going to miss class when an essay is due, make sure that you hand it in early.  There will be no exceptions to this policy.  Midterm and Final exams must be taken on the day that they are given, as classroom participation is an integral part of these examinations.  Again, if you know that you are going to be absent on the date of an exam, schedule an appointment to take the test ahead of time.  All quizzes must be taken in class and on the date that they are assigned.  There are no make up quizzes.  

Attendance

In order for you to maximize your understanding and appreciation of English 1A, you must attend class faithfully.  According the El Camino College Catalog, an instructor has recourse to drop a student after three (3) hours of instruction for a three (3) unit class.  Keeping this in mind, a total of one (1) absence—excused or otherwise—is allowable without penalty; however, exceeding this limit may result in your being dropped from the course.  This is meant as an incentive to keep you coming to class.  Do not expect me—under any circumstances—to automatically drop you just because you quit coming to class.  That is not the intent of this rule.  If you wish to drop this course, you must be responsible for it yourself.  I will not be responsible for dropping you from this course.  If you have not withdrawn from class before the final drop deadline requiring the Dean’s signature for withdrawal from this course, you will receive a grade for this course—no exceptions.  Whether you come to class every day is your business; however, you should remain aware that there are consequences to your actions.  

Sharing Writing

By now, many of you have possibly taken composition classes in which you have shared your writing with peer group members and/or the entire class.  However, some of you may have reservations about sharing your writing with others.  I strongly believe, and I think you will find, that a key to developing your writing skills is interaction with your peers.  As editors of each other’s work, you will learn to critique and improve the texts of others, thus internalizing skills necessary for strengthening your own writing effectiveness.  From time to time, I may choose to read one of your papers aloud to class, or—better still—to have you read your paper aloud to the class.  This is not meant to embarrass you; rather, I choose papers that demonstrate the landmarks of good college-level writing.  I will ask permission before I read from a paper, and you will not be penalized for choosing not to have your paper read.

Plagiarism

The use of someone else’s words or ideas without acknowledging the source is plagiarism and is unacceptable.  Because you will be working with many readings in your writing assignments, you must be careful to cite other people’s words and ideas that you incorporate—by way of quotation, paraphrase, and summary—into your essays.  To this end, you will follow MLA parenthetical citation style.  Moreover, you may be required to submit your essays to me online at www.turnitin.com.    

Cellular Phones

In an era of increasingly prevalent mobile technology, cellular phones and other electronic devices (laptop computers, PDAs, etc.) have become an interruptive nuisance in the classroom.  As such, these devices are not allowed to be turned on in our classroom unless you have cleared it with me first.  The first time your electronic device interrupts the class, I will give you a warning.  Upon the second and all subsequent interruptions, you will be dismissed from the class and counted absent for the day.