Syllabus

Course Requirements

For this course, you will write three 750-850 word essays (3 pages), one 1600-1800 word research paper (6 pages), and ten directed journal assignments (1 pg each).  You will also have quizzes (as necessary) and a final exam.  Your grade for the course will be calculated as follows:

The three essays                                  45% (15% each)

The research paper                              25%

The final exam (essay #4)                  20%

Quizzes, journals and participation    10%

                                                             100%

 

A= 90 and higher; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 and lower

All writing will be assessed according to the Maryland C-Standard.

 

Journals:  Journal assignments are designed to help you process the night’s reading in such a way that facilitates class discussion.  They will also serve to provide you with a personalized plan for improving your writing in a relatively low-stakes format compared to the formal essays.

 You will get to choose between two questions for each assignment.  A list of all the assignments for each text will be distributed at the beginning of each unit.  Your response must be a full page, word-processed and double-spaced, appropriately organized into paragraphs, and edited for spelling and grammar.  Because journals are less formal than essays, it is acceptable to use “I”; do not use “you.”  In order to receive credit, you must arrive in class on time and submit your response in person.  Journals may not be submitted by email except by prior arrangement in extenuating circumstances.  Late journals will not be accepted.

 You may skip one assignment for the entire semester without penalty. 

 Journals will be graded on the following scale:

• 95: thorough, thoughtful, and insightful content; logical organization; sophisticated prose style; no mistakes in spelling, grammar, or mechanics
• 85: good content; effective organization; flowing prose style; a few mistakes in spelling, grammar or mechanics
• 75: adequate content that demonstrates comprehension of the text; acceptable organization; clear prose style; moderate number of mistakes in spelling, grammar, or mechanics (mistakes cannot interfere with content)
• 65: response demonstrates some understanding of the text, but insufficient depth; lack of organization; prose is difficult to understand, especially because of errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics
• 55: text was apparently read but response doesn’t answer an assigned question, and/or response contains an overwhelming number of writing errors
• 0: not submitted or submitted late

Your paper will receive a numerical score and be annotated with standard editing abbreviations, relevant LBH section numbers, and basic content-related comments.  If you need further clarification about why a particular grade was assigned, you should come to office hours.  It is your responsibility to look up every annotation, read the indicated handbook sections, and avoid repeating mistakes in subsequent writing assignments.  Extra credit (up to 5 points extra on each journal) is available for students who successfully complete a relevant grammatical exercise and appropriately revise their paper.  If you want to be eligible for this extra credit opportunity, you must clearly write or type GRAMMAR on the top of your paper at the time the journal is submitted.  Exercises will be assigned electronically at the open-access Longman Composition Study Site, http://www.longmancomposition.com, or in hard copy, if an electronic exercise is not available.  Print your exercise and submit it, along with your original journal and a revision (typed) of each sentence containing the relevant mistake.   All exercises are due within one week of when the journal was returned.  Be aware that this extra credit opportunity is a privilege; students who do not integrate the material from their grammar tutorials into their writing will lose the chance to raise their grades by completing these exercises.

 

Return schedule for graded work:

• Journals will be returned within one week.
• Outlines will be returned the following class period.
• Formal essays (not including the research paper) will be returned within two weeks.
• Late work goes to the bottom of the grading pile and is returned when I am finished grading all on-time work in my five sections.
  

Course Policies

1. 1.      Attendance:  Regular attendance is crucial to classroom learning.  Arriving late and leaving early are disruptive, and students who do so will not receive credit for attendance. You are expected to attend all classes. If you miss more than 3 hours of instruction (2 class periods), your must provide a documented excuse or risk a negative consequence to your final grade.  Note:  Regardless of your reason for missing a class, you are responsible for arranging to make up missed work.

2. 2.      Documented Excuses:  Documented excuses include emergency room visits, doctors’ written instructions to stay home from school and work, funerals, and court dates.  Regular doctors’ appointments do not constitute excused absences.

3. Participation:  You are expected to be prepared for class and to participate in class discussions.  Such participation will be difficult unless you have read the assigned material and have the text with you.

4. Late Papers: Papers are due promptly at the beginning of the class identified in the syllabus.  If you are unable to meet this requirement, please contact me at least 48 hours in advance of the due date to make other arrangements.  Unexcused late papers will be penalized up to one letter grade per class period of lateness, and papers later than one week will not be accepted.  Note: You must complete all of the papers in order to be eligible to pass the course.  This means that if your paper is more than one week late (and you haven’t made arrangements because of exceptional circumstances), you have automatically failed the course and should withdraw.

5.  Rewrites:  Rewrites are not accepted; therefore it is imperative that you get help before your final paper is due.

6.  Quizzes:  All quizzes will be unannounced and will take place promptly at the beginning of class.  Quizzes can never be made up, regardless of whether they were missed due to lateness or a documented excuse.  Remember: only you can prevent quizzes—keep up with the reading and participate in class discussions, and there will be no reason to have quizzes.

7.   Make-up Exams: The final exam is mandatory and must be taken during the assigned time slot.  If you are unable to meet this requirement for some truly excellent reason, you must make alternative arrangements at least one week ahead of time. 

8.   Email: Email is the best way to get in touch with me.  I check my email several times a day (including weekends).  If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours during the week or 48 hours on weekends, you should assume that I did not receive your message and send it again.  I will reply to a message from any account (aol, hotmail, etc), but please be aware that privacy laws require that I discuss grades only via a school account.  Assignments are not accepted by email except by special arrangement.  Never send attachments unless you have received prior approval. 

9.  Email Language:  My language fluency is, in decreasing order of competence, as follows:  English, Biblical Hebrew, French, Spanish, Yiddish, German and Italian.  Please note that I do not speak IM.  If you want a coherent response, please write in complete words when you email me.  Complete sentences with capitalization, punctuation, and standard grammar are even better!

10.   Academic honesty:  Plagiarism and other kinds of academic dishonesty will be dealt with as prescribed in the College’s Academic Integrity Policy (See the College Catalog).  Using the words and/or ideas of others without proper documentation, along with using outside sources on papers other than the research paper, will result in a lowered grade, failure of the assignment, and/or failure of the course.  Students must sign a form indicating they have read and understand the policy.

11.   Getting Help:  To insure that you get quality, uninterrupted personal attention, please schedule an appointment for office hours by email or in class.  I check my e-mail regularly (e-mails are preferable to phone calls) and can often answer questions or provide help that way.  In addition, one-on-one tutoring from faculty is available at the Writing Center in the ground floor of the library or online through Smarthinking (accessible through your myaacc account).  You are already paying for these services with your tuition—there is no additional fee.  You will be able to get help on such matters as organization, grammar, punctuation, and research documentation.  Tutors will not proofread or approve your papers for you.

12.  Disability accommodations: Students with documented disabilities are eligible for course modifications.  These modifications should be set up within the first week or two of the semester.  See Disabled Student Services in Academic Advising to request these accommodations.  Any other student who suspects he/she may have a problem that hinders learning is also advised to confer with DSS immediately.

13.  Course Withdrawals: If you stop coming to class, you will not automatically be withdrawn and will receive an “F” for the course.  Forms to withdraw are available from the office of Records and Registration.  Students should never withdraw from any course without consulting the instructor and/or an Academic Advisor.  In this course, nearly 50% of your semester grade is determined in the last 3 weeks of classes.  Sometimes students panic prematurely and withdraw when they could have been successful.  Discuss your situation with the instructor before making the decision to withdraw!

14.   Tape Recorders:  Any student is welcome to tape record classes if he/she feels that will promote learning and retention.

15.  Formatting: all out-of-class assignments must be word-processed, spell-checked, and double-spaced.  Hand in all pre-writing (original outlines, drafts, etc) with your final copy in a folder.  Include a word count on all final essays (can be written in by hand).  Improperly formatted work can be returned unread and given a zero.

16.  Classroom Policies: It is against AACC policy to consume food or beverages in the classroom.   Please turn off cell phones and beepers before entering the classroom, as well.  Students whose beepers or cell phones disrupt the learning environment in non-emergency situations will not receive credit for attendance that day.

17.   Syllabus Changes: The syllabus may be changed over the course of the semester to better fit the needs of the class.  All changes due to inclement weather and/or unforeseen events will be announced via your school email account.  It is your responsibility to check this account regularly.

 

Course Schedule (MW)    

 

 

Date	Assignments to be completed before class	Topics to be covered in class
Week 1
Monday, 8/23		Introduction to the course and classroom policies
Wednesday, 8/25	LBH 27-45 Sign and return Academic Integrity Form	Intro to the novel and analyzing fiction Thesis construction and argument
Week 2
Monday, 8/30	Marshall, Books 1 and 2 (pgs 3-62) Journal entry due	Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms
Wednesday, 9/1	Marshall, Book 3, ch. 1-6 (pgs 65-150) Journal entry due	Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms
Week 3
Monday, 9/6	LABOR DAY	NO CLASS
Wednesday, 9/8	Marshall, Book 3, ch 7-10 and Book 4, ch 1-5 (pgs 151-240) Journal entry due	Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Essay questions distributed and outline format discussed
Week 4
Monday, 9/13	Marshall, Book 4, ch 6-11 (pgs 241-310) Journal entry due	Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Generate thesis statements together
Wednesday, 9/15	Outline 1 due LBH pgs 72-111, 459-467	Paragraphs and transitions Quoting
Week 5
Monday, 9/20	Grade sample essays Review your graded journals and make a list of persistent grammatical errors	Essay construction, writing about fiction, open grammar questions
Wednesday, 9/22	Paper 1 due LBH 548-561, 611-620	Passive Voice (LBH 298-301) Intro to the Research paper (assignment) Paraphrase and Summary
Week 6
Monday, 9/27	LBH 561-604 Get a library card, if you don’t already have one	Managing Information Electronic Resources MEET IN TRUXAL LIBRARY REFERENCE CLASSROOM
Wednesday, 9/29	Begin your research paper proposal by visiting the library, speaking with a reference librarian, and/or using the databases	Intro to Drama and Tragedy Writing about Drama LBH 650, 652
Week 7
Monday, 10/4	Shakespeare, Acts 1, 2, and 3 Journal entry due	Discussion of the play and relevant literary terms
Wednesday, 10/6	Shakespeare, Acts 4 and 5 Journal entry due	Essay questions distributed Writing about drama Generate thesis statements together
Week 8
Monday, 10/11	Outline 2 due (King Lear)	Analysis and Synthesis Intro to Modern Drama
Wednesday, 10/13	Research proposal due Bring Wilson to class	Proposal and outline conferences
Week 9
Monday, 10/18	Paper 2 due (King Lear) Wilson, Act 1 and all preliminary sections Journal entry due	Discussion of the play and relevant literary terms
Wednesday, 10/20	Wilson, Act 2 Journal entry due	Essay questions distributed Generate thesis statements together
Week 10
Monday, 10/25	Bring 3 typed copies of your draft (Wilson)	Peer editing workshop
Wednesday, 10/27	Paper 3 due (Fences)	Integrating quotes, Conciseness LBH 523-530, 620-625
Week 11
Monday, 11/1	Research Outline Due LBH 626-635	Avoiding Plagiarism Sign Up for Research Conferences
Wednesday, 11/3	LBH 644-725 Bring your handbook to class	Documentation
Week 12
Monday, 11/8	Research paper draft due at conference	Research paper conferences Grammar tutorials
Wednesday, 11/10	Research paper draft due at conference	Research paper conferences Grammar tutorials
Week 13
Monday, 11/15	Research Paper Due   Bring Martz to class     Last Day to Withdraw With a W Grade	Intro to Poetry   Martz: “Warning” (1),  “Like Mother, Like Daughter” (22), “For My Mother” (61)   Ask instructor if you have any uncertainties about your status.
Wednesday, 11/17	Martz: “A Place for Mother” (63-72), Birthday Portrait in Muted Tones” (73), “Athlete Growing Old” (79), “Investment of Worth” (82), “Words Never Spoken” (96), “Clearing the Path” (97) Journal entry due	Discuss poems and relevant literary terms
Week 14
Monday, 11/22	Martz: “Dear Paul Newman” (98), “Planting” (121), “Becoming Sixty” (136), “Livvy Caldwell” (162), “Occupation” (168) Journal entry due	Discuss poems and relevant literary terms
Wednesday, 11/24	HAPPY THANKSGIVING!	NO CLASS
Week 15
Monday, 11/29	Martz: “Bag Ladies” (178), “The Thugs” (180), “Last Visit to Grandmother” (182), “Life’s Rainbow” (192) Journal entry due	Discuss poems and relevant literary terms Practicum:  How to Cope with a Poem
Wednesday, 12/1	Review your notes; come in with a written list of questions.	Taking Essay Tests Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM Sec. 029: Wed. Dec. 8 Sec. 400: Mon. Dec. 6	2:45-4:45pm 5:00-7:00pm	Exam will be held in regular classroom

 

 

Course Schedule (TuTh)    

 

Date Assignments to be completed before class   Topics to be covered in class Week 1     Tuesday, 8/24       Introduction to the course and classroom policies   Thursday, 8/26 LBH 27-45 Sign and return Academic Integrity Form   Intro to the novel and analyzing fiction Thesis construction and argument Week 2     Tuesday, 8/31 Marshall, Books 1 and 2 (pgs 3-62) Journal entry due   Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Thursday, 9/2 Marshall, Book 3, ch. 1-6 (pgs 65-150) Journal entry due   Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Week 3     Tuesday, 9/7 Marshall, Book 3, ch 7-10 and Book 4, ch 1-5 (pgs 151-240) Journal entry due Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Essay questions distributed and outline format discussed Thursday, 9/9 Marshall, Book 4, ch 6-11 (pgs 241-310) Journal entry due   Discussion of the novel and relevant literary terms Generate thesis statements together Week 4     Tuesday, 9/14   Outline 1 due LBH pgs 72-111, 459-467   Paragraphs and transitions Quoting     Thursday, 9/16 Grade sample essays     Essay construction, writing about fiction Week 5     Tuesday, 9/21 Paper 1 due LBH 548-561   Passive Voice (LBH 298-301) Intro to the Research paper (assignment)     Thursday, 9/23 LBH 561-604, 611-620   Managing Information Evaluating Sources Paraphrase and Summary   Week 6     Tuesday, 9/28 Get a library card, if you don’t already have one   Electronic Resources MEET IN TRUXAL LIBRARY REFERENCE CLASSROOM     Thursday, 9/30 Begin your research paper proposal by visiting the library, speaking with a reference librarian, and/or using the databases   Intro to Drama and Tragedy Writing about Drama LBH 650, 652   Week 7     Tuesday, 10/5 Shakespeare, Acts 1, 2, and 3 Journal entry due   Discussion of the play and relevant literary terms       Thursday, 10/7 Shakespeare, Acts 4 and 5 Journal entry due   Essay questions distributed Writing about drama Generate thesis statements together     Week 8     Tuesday, 10/12 Outline 2 due (King Lear)     Analysis and Synthesis Intro to Modern Drama       Thursday, 10/14 Research proposal due Bring Wilson to class     Proposal and outline conferences         Week 9     Tuesday, 10/19 Paper 2 due (King Lear) Wilson, Act 1 and all preliminary sections Journal entry due   Discussion of the play and relevant literary terms Thursday, 10/21 Wilson, Act 2 Journal entry due     Essay questions distributed Generate thesis statements together       Week 10     Tuesday, 10/26   Bring 3 typed copies of your draft (Wilson)     Peer editing workshop Thursday, 10/28 Paper 3 due (Fences)     Integrating quotes, Conciseness LBH 523-530, 620-625   Week 11     Tuesday, 11/2     Research Outline Due LBH 626-635     Avoiding Plagiarism Sign Up for Research Conferences Thursday, 11/4     LBH 644-725 Bring your handbook to class     Documentation     Week 12     Tuesday, 11/9   Research paper draft due at conference     Research paper conferences Grammar tutorials   Thursday, 11/10   Research paper draft due at conference     Research paper conferences Grammar tutorials   Week 13     MONDAY, 11/15 Last Day to Withdraw With a W Grade   Ask instructor if you have any uncertainties about your status.     Tuesday, 11/16 Research Paper Due   Bring Martz to class     Intro to Poetry   Martz: “Warning” (1),  “Like Mother, Like Daughter” (22), “For My Mother” (61) Thursday, 11/18     Martz: “A Place for Mother” (63-72), Birthday Portrait in Muted Tones” (73), “Athlete Growing Old” (79), “Investment of Worth” (82), “Words Never Spoken” (96), “Clearing the Path” (97) Journal entry due Discuss poems and relevant literary terms Week 14     Tuesday, 11/23 Martz: “Dear Paul Newman” (98), “Planting” (121), “Becoming Sixty” (136), “Livvy Caldwell” (162), “Occupation” (168) Journal entry due   Discuss poems and relevant literary terms Thursday, 11/25 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! NO CLASS       Week 15     Tuesday, 11/30     Martz: “Bag Ladies” (178), “The Thugs” (180), “Last Visit to Grandmother” (182), “Life’s Rainbow” (192) Journal entry due   Discuss poems and relevant literary terms Practicum:  How to Cope with a Poem Thursday, 12/2   Review your notes; come in with a written list of questions.   Taking Essay Tests Review for Final Exam   FINAL EXAM Thurs. Dec. 9   12:30-2:30   Exam will be held in regular classroom

AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call Disability Support Services, 410-777-2306 or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance or e-mail dss@aacc.edu to request special accommodations. For information regarding Anne Arundel Community College's compliance and complaints concerning discrimination or harassment, call Karen Cook, Esq., AACC's federal compliance manager at 410-777-7370 or Maryland Relay 711. 

 

 

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