|
(Note: This is for on-campus Engl. 1C classes, not for online English 1C.)
Class Information:
Engl. 1C aims to develop and strengthen your ability to think critically and to write persuasively.
In this class, you will understand the requirements and benefits of critical thinking, define values, examine assumptions, explore imagination, scrutinize logical fallacies, and explore inductive and deductive reasoning techniques.
Moreover, you will apply critical thinking skills to analyze and research a major controversial social issue, offer solutions, and argue for your well-informed opinion on the issue.
The course focuses on evaluation, definition, analysis, imagination, research, and persuasion.
Course Objectives:
- To understand how to become a critical thinker and why
- To understand basic concepts in logic and their relevance to writing (and life)
- To know how to analyze problems and create solutions, through independent thinking, teamwork, and research
- To know how to verbalize and organize logical and convincing arguments
Humanities 121E
310-660-3168
jzhao@elcamino.edu
Course Policies:
Participation
1. Regular attendance and active participation are essential. Absences, which can affect your learning and grades, are recorded. Students with three or more consecutive absences without any written explanation may be dropped from the class. For an unavoidable absence, please notify me beforehand or afterwards. When absent, please contact your group members for missed information ASAP. Absences are no excuses for late or make-up works. Tardiness and early retreat, being disruptive to class activities, are also recorded—three such instances are counted as one absence.
2. On the other hand, perfect attendance will earn you 10 bonus points. You will earn another 10 bonus points if your group has not lost any member in the semester.
3. You are expected to be courteous and respectful to one another in order to ensure a learning-conducive atmosphere in the classroom. Your friendly presence and positive contribution are vital to your own success and the success of your group and the class.
4. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to drop yourself when absolutely necessary; however, you are advised to talk with a counselor or me first.
Works
1. You should turn in your assignments on time. Essays (60% of the course grade) that are late by one class meeting will be accepted yet with a 10-point late penalty. Essays late by more than one class meeting will be accepted at any time before the finals week but graded only at the end with a 20-point late penalty.
2. Exercises or quizzes (10 points each--15% of the course grade) are done in class and need be submitted on time. No late or make-up works will be accepted, unless permitted by your instructor.
3. All the works that bear your name must be written by you. Works guilty of plagiarism—using others' words and ideas as if one's own—will not be accepted or graded.
Grading
| A |
90%--100% |
| B |
80%--89% |
| C |
70%--79% |
| D |
60%--69% |
| F |
0%--59% |
(Note: No 'Pass/No Pass' option for this course.)
Schedule:
English 1C
T. Th. Schedule (Subject to Change)
Abbreviations for textbooks used below:
· H&S: Humorous & Serious: A Guide and Reader for Critical Thinking
· HYG: Humor Your Grammar: A Trouble-Shooting Guide and Workbook
· SSE: Star Student Essay: A Motivating Reader
W1: Introduction; Diagnostics; H&S 1; SSE: 1; HYG: 1&2
W2: Paper #1 planning; H&S: 15—writing process; SSE 2, Appendix A
W3: H&S: 15—writing standards; Peer critiquing & revising; HYG: 11-22
W4: Paper #1 due/evaluation; Paper#2—H&S: 2; Island Case
W5: H&S: 2—Aristotle's Essential Definition; Planning & drafting
W6: Planning & drafting; Peer critiquing & revising; HYG: 23-28
W7: Paper #2 due/evaluation; SSE: 9; H&S: 5—Paper #3: Imagination
W8: In-class imagining exercise; Planning; Peer critiquing; HYG: 29-34
Spring Break
W9: Paper #3 due/evaluation; SSE: 8; H&S: 3—Logical fallacies
W10: Paper #4 (group)—Analyzing issues; SSE: Appendix B; Group work
W11: Group work; Paper #4 due/presentation & evaluation; reflection
W12: H&S: 12—Paper #5 (group), research; Internet research
W13: HYG: 40/42—MLA; HYG: 35-40
W14: Paper #5 due/presentation & evaluation;
W15: H&S: 11—arguing, 263-266; Review: H&S 1, 11, 12; SSE: 10
W16: Final Essay Exam
Assignments:
Papers/Projects and Process Writing (50%+10%):
-
Nobody can write well without practicing! There will be six writing projects (1000+ words each): three papers and two group presentation projects (plus a final essay that must be passed for a passing grade in the course).
-
All the papers, except the final one, must be typed using the MLA format.
-
You should turn in each paper on time; papers late by one class meeting will be accepted yet with a 10-point late penalty. Papers late by more than one class meeting will be accepted at any time but graded only at the end with a 20-point late penalty.
-
All the papers bearing your name must be written by you. No works guilty of plagiarism—using others' ideas and words as if one's own—will be graded!
-
The papers and projects are graded on a 100-point scale. The process works are graded on a 20-point scale.
Exercises (15%):
-
To eliminate errors and strengthen your thinking and writing, you will do quick thinking/writing and grammar exercises—mostly during the first 10-15 minutes of the class.
-
You will also participate in mini-grammar workshops.
-
The exercises need be done and submitted on time; no late or make-up exercises will be accepted.
-
Exercises are graded on a 10-point scale.
Examination (20%):
The final exam, which includes an essay, will help you find out how much you have learned in the semester—your knowledge of and skills on reading, essay writing, and research. You must pass the final exam to pass the course.
Course Total: 100%
- Participation: 5%
- Projects and Process: 60%
- Exercises: 15%
- Final Exam: 20%
Course Material:
Textbooks:
· Humorous & Serious: A Guide and Reader for Critical Thinking, by Y. Joy Zhao
· Humor Your English Grammar: A Trouble-Shooting Guide and Workbook, by Y. Joy Zhao
· Star Student Essays: A Motivating Reader, by Y. Joy Zhao
Notes:
1. You are expected to bring all needed textbooks to class—check your class syllabus.
2. The books are available in El Camino College Bookstore:
16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506
(310) 660-3384
Online Resources:
- http://www.macromedia.com/resources/elearning/whitepapers.html (resources)
- http://www.tofp.org/ (open fiction project free)
- http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/cfapps/free/displaydate.cfm (free photos, images)
- http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/results.php?cat=1&mode=a (resources for education)
- http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/results.php?set=41&cat=5&mode=z (literary speech videos)
-
http://www.loc.gov/ (Library of Congress)
- http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=CAS3706 (US budget—CT)
-
h ttp://tappedin.org/tappedin/joyz (for 'Discussion'; instant messaging; download files...)
http://www.joy88edu.net/blog/wp-admin/post.php (Write with Humor)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Getty Center
| 
