M, W, F 10-11am and by appointment
RJ 202
Satisfactory performance in EN 120.
The second in a two-course sequence, English 121 is designed to introduce college-level writing, critical reading, citation, argumentative styles, and the rhetorical tools needed to participate successfully in the University of Alabama academic community. This class is designed for non-native speakers of English and emphasizes academic writing as well as conversation.
By the end of this course, students should be familiar with the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising), and should feel comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions in both the written and spoken form.
Students should be able to collaborate effectively with peers and the instructor. Students writing should address the challenges of the initial assignment and use an appropriate style (clear writing, appropriate voice, etc.). Student writing should also demonstrate proficient use of syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students should also be able to use quotes, paraphrases, summaries, and documentation correctly in their writing.
Additionally, students should be able to analyze and critique an argument, according to the rhetorical styles we will address in the course. Students should also be able to compose their own arguments. Finally, students will be able to perform academic research and use this research to support and/or deconstruct arguments relating to cultural myths and truths.
Unit 1: Argument Analysis Detailed Syllabus
Unit |
Date |
Text/Topic |
Assignment Due |
Introduction |
Mon.,1/11 |
Introductions &
Syllabus Review |
|
|
Wed., 1/13 |
Diagnostic Essay |
|
Unit 1: Argument Analysis |
Fri., 1/15 |
Unit 1: Argument Analysis
Quiz on the reading
Chapter 3 |
Read p. 68-70 & 74-90
Prepare for a quiz |
|
Mon., 1/18 |
NO CLASS |
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday |
|
Wed., 1/20 |
The Rhetorical Triangle &
Pathos |
Read The Rhetorical Triangle and Pathos handouts |
|
Fri., 1/22 |
Pathos & Ethos
Discuss the assignment |
Read handout on Ethos |
|
Mon., 1/25 |
Ethos & Logos |
Read handout on Logos |
|
Wed., 1/27 |
“Mother Tongue” |
|
|
Fri., 1/29 |
Writing Improvement |
Bring in questions about “Mother Tongue” |
|
Mon., 2/1 |
Grammar - punctuation |
DUE: Rough draft-Argument Analysis |
|
Wed., 2/3 |
Revision Strategies |
|
|
Fri., 2/5 |
Conferences |
|
Unit 2: Other Arguments |
Mon., 2/8 |
Unit 2: Other Arguments
Original Argument assignment
|
DUE: Final draft- Argument Analysis
|
Unit 2: Other Arguments Detailed Syllabus
Unit 2: Other Arguments |
Mon., 2/8 |
Unit 2: Other Arguments
Original Argument assignment
|
DUE: Final draft- Argument Analysis
|
|
Wed., 2/10 |
Toulmin: my original essay |
Read p. 147-165 in handout
|
|
Fri., 2/12 |
Definition: Lederer’s English is a Crazy Language |
Read p. 218-232 in handout
Summary of chapter (half a page)
|
|
Mon., 2/15 |
Evaluations: Williams’ Why I Hate Britney |
Read p. 250-268 in handout
|
|
Wed., 2/17 |
Satire: Brady’s I Want a Wife |
Bring in 3 Issues & Possible Topics for your Original Arg. |
|
Fri., 2/19 |
Original Argument: Outlining |
Read p. 342- 346 in How to Write and read handouts |
|
Mon., 2/22 |
Developing your original argument |
Proposal for Original Argument (200 words) |
|
Wed., 2/24
|
Writing Improvement |
|
|
Fri., 2/26 |
E-mail |
DUE: Rough draft-Original Argument |
|
Mon., 3/1
|
Conferences |
|
Unit 3: Argumentative Research Paper |
Wed., 3/3 |
Unit 3: Argumentative Research Paper
New Unit Syllabus
Paper Assignment
Writing Improvements
|
|
Unit 3: Argumentative Research Paper Detailed Syllabus
Unit 3: Argumentative Research Paper |
Wed., 3/3 |
Unit 3: Argumentative Research Paper
New Unit Syllabus
Paper Assignment
Writing Improvements
|
|
|
Fri., 3/5 |
Intellectual Property
Avoiding Plagiarism
|
Read handouts on plagiarism |
|
Mon., 3/8 |
In class writing - Summary of homework text.
Library info
|
DUE: Final Draft-Original Argument
Read p. 529-538
|
|
Wed., 3/10 |
Evaluating Sources
|
Research Paper Proposal (300 words)
Read p. 333-347 in Hacker |
|
Fri., 3/12 |
|
|
|
Mon., 3/15 |
NO CLASS |
SPRING BREAK |
|
Wed., 3/17 |
NO CLASS |
SPRING BREAK |
|
Fri., 3/19 |
NO CLASS |
SPRING BREAK |
|
Mon., 3/22 |
Evaluating Sources
Creating an Annotated Bibliography
|
Read p. 515-525
Annotated Bibliography (3 sources)
|
|
Wed., 3/24
(*Last day to drop a course with a grade of W. Last day to drop a course online*) |
Corpus research (Dr. Nelson) |
Read p. 437-474 |
|
Fri., 3/26 |
|
Research Paper Outline
Prepare to present your research paper topic |
|
Mon., 3/29 |
Presentations (Research paper topics)
5 minutes per student |
Prepare to present your research paper topic |
|
Wed., 3/31 |
Constructing Reasonable Arguments |
Read p. 67-76 in Hacker |
|
Fri., 4/2 |
Avoiding Logical Fallacies
Introductions
|
Read p. 491-512 in Everything
|
|
Mon., 4/5 |
Body Paragraphs
Documenting Sources:
MLA Style In-text citations
|
Intro Paragraph (150-200 words)
Read MLA Style Powerpoint slides |
|
Wed., 4/7 |
Documenting Sources:
MLA Style In-text citations
Works Cited Page
|
Body Paragraphs (500-600 words)
Read p. 538-547 |
|
Fri., 4/9 |
NO CLASS |
HONORS DAY |
|
Mon., 4/12 |
Conclusions & Abstracts
|
Conclusion (250 words) & Abstract (100 words)
|
|
Wed., 4/14 |
MLA- works cited
|
Read MLA Works Cited Powerpoint
|
|
Fri., 4/16 |
Writing Improvement |
DUE: Rough Draft- Argumentative Research |
|
Mon., 4/19
(Course Evaluation) |
Critical Reading, note-taking strategies Morgan (203 9:15- 9:30) |
|
|
Wed., 4/21 |
Conferences |
Read p. 420-424 |
|
Fri., 4/23 |
Works Cited Page Cont’d
Revision Strategies |
Works Cited Page
Read p. 378-412 |
|
Mon., 4/26 |
Writing Improvement
Revision Strategies |
|
|
Wed., 4/28 |
Discuss Essay for final |
|
|
Fri., 4/30
*Last Day of Class* |
Discuss final exam
Discuss portfolios |
DUE: Final Draft- Argumentative Research |
|
Thur., 5/7- 8-10:30am |
FINAL EXAM |
DUE: Portfolios |
Requirements and Grading
20% Daily Participation, Daily Work, Daily Homework, Conferences
Daily participation means active involvement in class discussions, group work, and pair work. Thus, the student must be prepared for class by having completed any assigned reading or homework prior to coming to class. Sleeping in class will not be permitted and will negatively impact the daily participation grade.
Daily work is work that is assigned in class and turned in during the same class period. This could be readings, reactions to a reading, worksheets, and quizzes. Students should expect to hand in any in-class activity as part of their daily work grade. These activities should be original, follow the instructions given in class, and legible.
Daily homework refers to any homework that is NOT a draft of a major essay or the final portfolio. These assignments are outlined on the syllabus. The student is expected to hand in these assignments within the first 10 minutes of class. After the first 10 minutes of class, the daily homework assignment will not be accepted.
Conferences: All students will have 3 conferences with one of the instructors during the semester. In order to receive full credit for the conference grade, students must: 1) have turned in their assignment on the due date prior to the conference, 2) attend the conference and be on time, and 3) contribute with questions or concerns they had about their paper.
70% Major assignments for each unit, as follows:
20% Argument Analysis (1000 words)
25% Original Argument (1250 words)
25% Argumentative Research Paper (1450 words)
For each paper, students will turn in a rough draft and a final draft. The final draft is expected to reflect the revisions the student made from the rough draft. The rough draft will count as 20% of the grade on the final draft. See the Late Paper Policy for more information.
5% Portfolio: Students are expected to develop their personal writing portfolios based on the major essays they write for this class. This portfolio will consist of the rough and final drafts of each essay. Students have the opportunity to improve any or all of their final drafts for a higher grade. These final revisions should be included in the portfolio, and marked as such. Rough draft, final essays, and twice-revised essays should be chronologically placed in portfolio, with each essay clearly labeled. The portfolio should appear neat and professional, without any extra papers, notes or assignments. Also, the student will be expected to write a one-page reflection on this portfolio, to be included inside the portfolio.
5% Final Exam: The final exam will be an analysis of an essay that we will read and discuss during the final week of classes.
Grading and ABC-No Credit Policy
Written work will be evaluated in five areas: Content/Development, Purpose/Organization, Style/Word Choice, Grammar/Mechanics and Corrections/Changes. “A” work must be excellent in all five; “B” work must be good in all five, or excellent in most categories and lacking in one or two; “C” work must be at least competent all five, yet demonstrates problems in more than one category, “D” work is marginally below college standards in several of the five; and “F” work is clearly below minimum college standards in most of the five. Work that does not follow the assignment (though otherwise acceptable) will also receive an “F.” Work that is not done or not turned in is recorded as a zero. All major papers will be graded and returned before the next major assignment is due. Final grades for the class below a C- are given a mark of No Credit (NC), which does not reflect on your GPA but will require you to take the course again.
Late Paper Policy
Late rough drafts and late final drafts will be treated separately. Remember, late=anything turned in after the first ten minutes of class.
Rough drafts are due at 9am on the due date listed on the syllabus. Rough drafts are worth 20% of each paper. All late rough drafts will result in a 1 point penalty on the final paper. Not turning in a rough draft with the final draft will result in a 20% reduction of the grade on the final paper.
Final drafts are also due at 9am on the due date listed on the syllabus. Each student has one chance per semester to turn in a final draft up to one week late with no penalty. After the student has turned in one final draft late, all other late final drafts will result in the reduction of a letter grade. For example, the second final draft that is turned in late may go from an A to a B, or a B+ to a C+. Emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Major graded work (such as tests or papers) missed due to legitimate circumstances beyond the student’s control may be made up if arrangements are made with the instructor in advance, or in a timely fashion upon the student’s return to class.
· Successful students attend class regularly and on time.
· Major graded work (such as tests or papers) missed due to legitimate circumstances beyond the student’s control may be made up if arrangements are made with the instructor in advance, or in a timely fashion upon the student’s return to class.
· The lectures, class discussion, group work, and other daily exercises in a writing class cannot be reconstructed for a student who has been absent; therefore, daily work missed due to tardiness or an absence (for any reason) cannot be made up.
· Students who miss more than 20% of class meetings (9 classes for a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule) may receive a grade of NC; such cases, and those of disputed multiple or extended absences, will be referred to the Department Chair for review. Especially difficult cases may be forwarded to the Dean of Arts and Sciences for adjudication.
· This should not be understood as the number of classes you are allowed to miss; rather, it sets the outside limit after which the higher administration of the University may become involved in the grading process.
Students are expected to develop their personal writing portfolios based on the major essays they write for
this class. This portfolio will consist of the rough and final drafts of each essay. Students have the
opportunity to improve any or all of their final drafts for a higher grade. These final revisions should be
included in the portfolio, and marked as such. Rough draft, final essays, and twice-revised essays should
be chronologically placed in portfolio, with each essay clearly labeled. The portfolio should appear neat
and professional, without any extra papers, notes or assignments. Also, the student will be expected to
write a one-page reflection on this portfolio, to be included inside the portfolio.
The Code of Student Conduct requires that students behave in a manner that is conducive to a teaching/learning environment. Students who engage in behavior that is disruptive or obstructive to the teaching/learning environment will be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. Disruptive/obstructive behavior is not limited to but may include the following: physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, stalking, intimidation, harassment, hazing, possession of controlled substances, possession of alcoholic beverages, use of cell phones and beepers in class, reading of newspapers, talking to fellow students during faculty or student presentations.
Cell phones and other noisemaking items must be put on SILENT during class. Silent does not mean vibrate; the vibrate setting still makes an audible noise that distracts other students and this instructor.
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways: