LaGuardia Community College
City University of New York
English 101.0943 Composition I
Instructor: Thomas Meacham Mon/Thurs.: 2:15-4:25
E-mail: tmeacham@lagcc.cuny.edu Office: M 120-H Tel: 718-482-5969
Office hours: Mon & Thurs. 1-2 p.m.
Course Description: In this course, students focus on the process of writing clear, correct and effective expository essays in response to materials drawn from culturally diverse sources. Emphasis is placed on using various methods of organization appropriate to the writer's purpose and audience. Students are introduced to argumentation, fundamental research methods and documentation procedures. Students write frequently both in and out of class. Admission to this course is based on college placement test scores.
Section Description: In this section of Composition I, we will read and write about the “American Experience” and the rights (or lack thereof) that govern our society. We will also learn about using primary source materials, visit the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, and explore the local implications of governance.
Required Texts (available at the LaGuardia bookstore). It is extremely important that you purchase these texts and bring it to every class session for which they are assigned. If you cannot purchase the text for some reason, please see me.
· Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst. They Say I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008.
· Faigley, Lester. The Little Penguin Handbook. New York: Pearson, 2009.
· Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Publishers, 2011.
· A paper English or bilingual dictionary (of your choice)
Course Requirements
This semester, you will write in-class essays that respond to the readings and at-home essays that require research. You must earn a passing grade for all assignments in order to pass the class. You are also expected to attend class, keep up with the readings, participate in class discussions and workshops, and submit weekly informal writings.
Class Rules
This is a college classroom and you must be respectful of your fellow students. Please avoid distracting behavior such as lateness, note passing, sleeping, whispering, crumpling papers, etc. You must also silence all electronic devices and keep them out of sight during class (including iPods, cell phones, Sidekicks, etc.).
Attendance
Attendance is required. If you miss more than 4 class hours, you will not be able to pass this class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class; two latenesses will count as an absence. If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to keep up with our work. Unfortunately, I am unable to review each lesson for those who are absent so exchange contact information with at least two fellow students who can tell you what you missed.
Your Final Grade
Informal writings (worth 10% of your final grade)
Each week, you will respond to a question or prompt about the readings. These will be graded based on the thought put into them and the ideas they generate.
Midterm (worth 15% of your final grade)
You will write a midterm essay in response to an assigned question/topic.
Final Project (worth 15% of your final grade)
You will create a PowerPoint presentation based on your third essay.
At-home essays (worth 45% of your final grade)
You will write at least two drafts of two at-home essays that demonstrate various research skills, including choosing appropriate sources, quoting correctly, documenting your research, avoiding plagiarism, and creating a List of Works Cited. You must save copies of all outside sources used for these essays and submit them with the final draft of each. Final papers will not be graded without a source folder.
Participation/quizzes (worth 15% of your final grade)
You are expected to attend every session, arrive on time, and participate fully in the class. Participation includes doing the readings on time, bringing the assigned text/readings to class, answering questions when called on, volunteering to answer questions or read aloud from the text, and engaging fully in workshops with fellow students. Sometimes, this will be evaluated via “pop quizzes.”
Late Work
The grade on late work will be lowered by one half of one grade for each day that it is late (including weekends). For example, if you submit an “A” paper one day late, you will receive an A-. If you submit an “A” paper one week late, you will receive a D.
Revision Policy
You must revise any essay that receives an F. If you receive a C or lower you may choose to submit one revision within one week of when the essay is returned to you (assuming that it was submitted on time). All revisions must be attached to the earlier draft (with my comments) and copies of any sources used. Revisions will replace the previous grade that you received.
Academic Integrity
All work you submit must be your own. You may not copy or paraphrase someone else’s words or ideas without properly citing the source. All instances of plagiarism or academic dishonesty will result in an “F” and possible action by the college.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities must register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to receive accommodations. Please let me know if you need accommodations for this class.
Office Hours
I look forward to meeting with each of you individually during the semester. I am available for one-on-one conferences/conversations for a minimum of three hours each week. You can make an appointment to see me or drop by my office (M 120-H) during the designated hours (Mondays from 1-2 p.m.; Thursdays from 1-2 p.m.). If these days and times are not convenient for you, just let me know and we can schedule an appointment at your convenience.
Reading Assignments
We will discuss each reading on the day it appears on the syllabus. It is important that you keep up with the reading so that you can effectively participate in class discussions.
HL = Immoral Life of Henrietta Lacks
TS = They Say I Say
LP = Little Penguin
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)
Thurs. Sept. 8 Introduction: Distribute and discuss course information and syllabus.
Mon. Sept. 12 Diagnostic Essay. Exercise: Annotations of “Fable for Tomorrow.” Take-home essay # 1 assigned
Thurs. Sept. 15 Read TS: Preface and Introduction Discuss Diagnostic Essays
Mon. Sept. 19 Read TS: Chapter 1&2
Thurs Sept. 22 Read TS: Chapter 3&4
Mon. Sept. 26 Draft of Take-home essay #1 due. Read TS: Chapter 5
Discuss strategies for revision. Peer review exercise (making claims).
Thurs. Sept. 29 NO CLASS
Mon. Oct. 3 ePortfolio discussion
Thurs. Oct. 6 Read TS: Chapter 6&7
Mon. Oct. 10 NO CLASS
Thurs. Oct. 13 Take-home essay #1 due. Take-home essay #2 assigned.
Mon. Oct. 17 Read TS: Chapter 8&9
Thurs. Oct. 20 Midterm Exam
Mon. Oct. 24 Read HL: 1-33
Thurs. Oct. 27 Draft of Take-home essay #2 due. Read HL: 34-41
Peer review
Mon. Oct. 31 Read HL: 42-76
Thurs. Nov.3 Read HL: 77-104
Mon. Nov. 7 Class visits the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives (room E238). Read “Hot Dog Tax” and “Open Date Law” (handouts)
Thurs. Nov. 10 Take-home essay # 2 due. Take-home essay #3 assigned. Read HL 105-117
Mon. Nov. 14 Read HL: 118-143
Thurs. Nov. 17 Read HL: 144-176
Mon. Nov. 21 Read HL: 179-206
Thurs. Nov. 24 Draft of Take-home Essay #3 due and class presentations. You will present your thesis and how two of your sources (primary and/or secondary) support the argument you wish to make.
Mon. Nov. 28 Read HL: 207-231
Thurs. Dec. 1 Read HL: 232-278
Mon. Dec. 5 Read HL: 278-313
Thurs. Dec. 8 Take-home Essay #3 due.
