Eng 102 SPRING 2009 MW Section 56087

COURSE DEFINITION:

The primary emphasis in this English 102 class is on the writing
of three properly documented research papers (using the 2003
guidelines established by the Modern Language Association). In order
of submission, they are as follows: a contrast of sources report
(min. 4 pages), an analytical/argumentative essay (min.8 pages),
and an analytical essay which examines at least one of three elements
in one short story (min. 2 pages). For the completion of these essays,
though I do encourage you to be recursive in thinking through
a problem, the course mainly follows a linear pattern: topic selection,
central idea formulation, doing research, taking various kinds of notes,
outlining, writing at least one preliminary draft, and typing an
"acceptable" final draft. I will define "acceptable" well in advance
of each assignment's due date, and my requirements, for the most part,
are in accordance with those outlined by the Scottsdale Community College
English Department. This course is required for graduation from SCC;
you must receive a "C" or better in order
to pass ENG 102.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of "C" or better.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: (Please read carefully)

No class on Feb 16 (Presidents' Day) and during Spring Break, Mar. 16-22

ON BEING LATE TO CLASS:

Because you have enrolled for this class, you have established a 16
week committment to be in the classroom at the designated start time,
and I expect you to honor it. In my 120 years of teaching, I have
found the consistently late student to be quite disrespectfulto the
instructor and to his or her classmates. Sure, sometimes the god
Tardynisis may prevent us from being on time; however, if you must be
late, please be courteous to everyone in the room: enter quietly
(through a back door, if there is one) and proceed to your desk,
all the while trying not to show everyone the sheet-wrinkle imprints
on your face.

[Please purchase this one as soon as possible, and begin reading
"Shaping Your Topic" (pp. 1-15). I will begin the eight page term paper
requirements at the second class]. Until we begin the Short Story section,
always bring this book with you to class. Even after you finish essays
one and two, you should definitely keep it handy because the short story
analysis essay will be documented and because the first part of your
final exam will relate to the research section of the class. 
ISBN: 0-321-43852-3 (use this online as the quickest way to locate book)

Perrine's Story and Structure Twelfth Edition, by Thomas Arp
(Even though you will not need this book until after you have
finished the second research paper, I strongly suggest you purchase
it within the first two weeks; if you wait too long, you might find
our bookstore sold out. Some other bookstores (see above link) may
have a better price than SCC's.
ISBN: 1-4130-3309-1 (use this online as the quickest way to locate book)                                                                                       

Additional Budget Items:
You should also purchase as soon as possible
1. at least one package of 4x6 index cards (preferably unlined)
on which you may record both your bibliographic/Works Cited entries
and the various types of notes you will take for use in the first two essays.
(see pp.139-67/74-79).

2. a 10x13 manila envelope in which you will submit your "note cards,"
bib. cards, first draft(s),etc.; for the four page report and the
eight page evaluative essay, this is a requirement. For a great
majority of the short story analysis essays, it will not be.

Special Plagiarism Deterrent Budget Item (allow for at least ten
cents per page) Although you will probably use either index cards or
note sheets (or both) as your primary notetaking method, I still require
that you submit in your envelope (primarily for the four page report and
the eight page evaluation) a xeroxed copy/printout of any page (book, magazine,
newspaper, web site etc.) from which you borrow information (facts, opinions,
statistics, etc.) to cite in your papers; on the xeroxed copy only,each cited
passage must be "highlighted" and a number placed next to it that corresponds to
its position in the sequence of citations in your essay. (I will explain this
procedure in class).  You will also submit your essays to Turnitin.com

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Links to Research Related Sites: SCC Library

Links to Internet Searching

    Click to get>> Tips for searching the web

Google      Yahoo     Excite     InternetSleuth      Profusion     Planetsearch

WhatUseek     Lycos      GoTo     Infoseek     Dogpile     Teoma

Altavista     Webcrawler      HotBot     A2Z      Ixquick

NorthernLight     Inference     Thunderstone     Kartoo

AskJeeves     TheBigHub      Alltheweb    Snap      Goodsearch

                                            Blingo
 
 

EVALUATIVE RESEARCH PAPERS: 

Click here to read an essay on

"Monitoring Our Health"

Click here to read an essay on

"Stem Cell Research"

Click here to read an essay on

"Ensuing Disaster in Iraq"

David Warlick's Citation Machine
Rapidcite
Easybib
Guide from Diane Hacker 
Knightcite   

Major Objectives:
By approximately the tenth week,I hope you will have developed the
skills necessary to research and compose a well organized research
paper (minimum 8 full pages) on a pre-approved topic of your choice.
To help effect this goal, I ask you to participate in the following:

1. Research methods/Topic Selection I will spend the second class
perioddiscussing acceptable topic for both of your essays this
semester, using several of the SCC library data bases as suggestions.

                    Link to SCC's Library

At the Library page to find argumentative topics try

CQ Researcher

Opposing Vewpoints

(Bring your Coyle book and a notebook to the library orientation;
the first part of your final exam will contain questions about
library resources, etc.

2. Critical analysis of various sources:

Click here for a Power Point Presentation
that will help you get a clear perspective on
what constitutes an effective thesis for the
eight page essay.

Don't have the Powerpoint Viewer? Click here.

a. topic narrowing (see pp. 6-9)
b. exploratory reading (see pp. 9-10)
c. tentative thesis statement (a judgement, an opinion about a topic)
   formulated (see pp.10-13) and presented to me during an
   individual conference scheduled for Feb 4 and 9

Click here to download the form to bring to the conference.

If this conference is missed because you have been authorized by
the college, a  doctor, a dentist, etc., to be elsewhere, it
can be rescheduled; however, an unjustified absence may result
in your having to do additional work.
d. establishing a preliminary Works Cited list  


Required Reading: Review of Chapter 1 and exploratory
(See also Lib. Orient. "Search Strategies" handout)

(I will present in-class information on Plagiarism on Feb. 18 ). 

Click here for Indiana University's page on plagiarism.
Click here for Purdue University's OWL's page on plagiarism.

            Presidents' Day  Feb 16

4. MLA Style: Listing Sources and Using in-text citations

a. MLA-2003 Style Works Cited forms (MLA Handbook,6th Ed.)
b. MLA In-Text Documentation forms

David Warlick's Citation Machine
Easybib
Rapidcite
Guide from Diane Hacker 
Knightcite    
How to format a Works Cited page according to MLA requirements
(see also pp. 203-07 or p. 216 of your text)

a. plagiarism review (pp. 83-90)
b. writing the rough draft
c. managing quotations
d. writing the final draft/revising
e. overview of requirements
f. proofreading exercise(handout)

Click here for advice from CSU about
writing an argumentative essay.
Need help with refutation?

Links to help with Works Cited page and Documentation 

      Question and answer class on Wed. Mar. 25

  EIGHT PAGE PAPER DUE: Monday, Mar. 30
   
Click here to download the Checklist you will attach to your essay. 

                                                                      (see late paper policy below)

                                         Back  to Top

Prior to submitting the project outlined above, you will write and submit
a Contrast of Sources essay:

1. This assignment (minimum length--four full pages, about 900 words), is
a report presenting the pros and cons of one controversial topic,
which may be incorporated into the longer paper above, and will allow
students to practice the following:
 

a. selecting a subject/narrowing to topic
b. planning research strategies
c. taking notes
d. constructing an outline
e. using in-text documentation
f. composing a rough draft
g. revising
h. composing a final draft
i. proofreading
j. submitting printout materials appropriately

Rationale:
This assignment is very important because it allows me to acquire
a focus on your strengths and weaknesses, thus enabling me to offer
more concrete suggestions about your writing, before the eight page
paper is submitted. Because of its diagnostic significance
(refer to a through i above), if you do not submit the assignment,
I will withdraw you from the class. The paper is worth 20% of the
course grade.

Required Reading: Read online or download the following:

References in the Coyle text that may be helpful
when composing your drafts

How to format a Works Cited page
(See also p. 203-07, or 216 of your Coyle text)

Looking for information for your four page report?

 Contrast of Sources Essay Due: Wed, Feb 25

                           (see late paper policy below)

 
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2. Completed exercises in the Coyle text; each is assigned
   to complement a specific part of the research paper's
   development.(See above Objectives,1 through 6)

3. Your being assiduous and eschewing procrastination!

SHORT STORY SECTION:
During the remainder of the semester, approximately six weeks,
you will be introduced to the elements of fiction listed
below and supplementary information during class presentations,
discussions,or by reading selected short stories and
literary criticism.

"Selected" required readings from the following:
(approx. Apr.3 to Apr. 29)

1. "Reading the Story"......        Arp, pp. 3-27, and Handout
2. "Plot".......................    Arp, pp. 45-66, 83-101
3. "Character"......................Arp, pp. 103-21, 28-41
4. "Theme"..........................Arp, pp. 133-39, 165-72, 352-56
5. "Point of view"..................Arp, pp. 179-211

                Point of view: Story for Intellectual Exercise

I will also assign other selected supplementary readings from
Perrine's Story and Structure. You may be quizzed on some of the
required readings; not all of the quizzes are announced, so please
carefully read each assignment before coming to class. I have also
scheduled a few extra credit "intellectual exercises" which have you
briefly analyze at least one of the elements of fiction under discussion
at the time. One of these you may revise nad expand for the following:

I require one critical analysis essay during this literature unit:
you will write a documented, evaluative expository essay to explain
your understanding of at at least one of three major elements of
fiction in a short story of your choice; minimum length, two full
pages. I will present more detailed specifications in class, along
with supplementary handouts. For more help, see Arp, Part 3
"Writing About Fiction," pp. .

The paper is worth 20% of the final grade.

(Apr. 27 is the last day you may withdraw from a
class at SCC with an instructor's signature)

If all goes well, I will return the research papers during the 3rd week of
April, and you may schedule an appointment with me to discuss your
essay grade, where you stand in the class, and what you may have to do
to either better or lower your grade.

                         Question and answer class on Monday, Apr. 27

Short Story Essay Due: Wed. Apr. 29

                                     (see late paper policy below)

You will be required to take a two part final exam. The first part will
cover important information taken from the required readings in
the Coyle/Law text. I will provide a review on Wed. Apr. 29. 
Exam date: Mon. May 4  (during regular class time)

LATE PAPER POLICY: Please read this carefully!
Please make an effort to submit your essays on time because I consider
a paper "late" if it, as well as the envelope with the required materials,
is submitted any time after 3:15 on the due date; the highest grade
this submission can receive is a B. If it is turned in the next day
the highest grade it can get is a C. After this time, I will not accept
any essay, as the highest grade  it could receive would be a D, i.e., failing.
Thus, you have only the day it is due and the next day to submit
any major essay. Also, if you do not submit a late paper to me personally,
you must have either the essay or the envelope stamped with the
time and date of submission (most often by an English Department
secretary in LC 305).

FINAL GRADE FOR COURSE:

• Contrast of Sources Paper....... 20%
• Research Paper.................. 35%
• Literature paper.................20%
• Two Final Exams..................20%
• Attendance, level of committment,homework,
• quizzes, etc....................  5%

Determining Course Grade:   

Grading system: Passing grades: 4 = A or A-; 3.8 = B+; 
3.5 = B; 3 = B-; 2.8 = C+; 2.5 = C; 2 = C- 
Failing grades: 1.8 = D+; 1.5 = D; 1 = D-; 0 = F               

Very Important!!

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