Syllabus

English 21a (Section 1925) Spring, 2008    12:45-2:05 TTH

English 21a (Section 1929) Spring, 2008        2:15-3:35 TTH

English Fundamentals 1 3 units               Liberal Arts 239

Instructor:  Gordon Dossett Dossett_Gordon@smc.edu  (310) 434 4525

          Assistant: Cindy Cruz  purplehearts16@yahoo.com

          Assistant: Taryn Jeffrey tarynjeffrey@ca.rr.com

 

Prerequisite: English 81B or Group B on the Placement Test.

 

This course is the first semester of a two-semester course, English 21AB. It consists of a review of and drill in the fundamentals of English grammar, punctuation, spelling, reading, and composition.

 

Texts:  Real Skills with Readings  by Susan Anker

            Always Running:  La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis Rodriguez

 

Methods of Presentation:  The course will rely on discussion of texts, exercises, and drafts of writing.  You will meet at least once in conference with me to discuss drafts of essays.

 

Assignments: 

In-class essay (first day)

Six major essays

Common Essay Exam

One final revision of previous essay (for final conference)

Shorter in-class writings and assignments

 

Grading:

English 21 is normally a two-semester course:  21a and 21b.  If you are an F1 student it is transferrable (in most cases).  Since it is likely you are not an F1 student, the grade truly should be secondary; and you should be striving to gain writing skills. Unless you request it, I will not put grades on your paper for the first half of the term.  Instead, I will comment extensively on essays. Mid-semester, I will meet with you in conference and give you a preliminary grade, based upon your writing level and your work in the course at that point.  Afterward, I will put grades on the papers.  To earn a grade to promote you to 21b (usually a C grade), I expect you to attend regularly and punctually, to turn in work on time, and to turn in work that shows that represents your best effort.  Of course, you need to turn in all work.  Your grade for the semester will be based three quarters on your essays and one quarter on attendance, participation, quizzes and in-class work.  If you miss more than three classes, I may drop you from the class.

 

Office Hours:  W 12:45-3:00; TH 11:00-12:00 and by appointment—Drescher Hall 311F

 

Plagiarism and Cheating Plagiarism is uncited borrowing of phrasing or an idea.  For most assignments I don’t want to you go to outside sources; I want to see your own thinking.  If an assignment does allow outside material, be sure to cite it, using MLA guidelines.  Plagiarizing will result in at least a zero on the assignment, usually an F in the class and possible expulsion from the college.  If you receive help from a tutor or friend, the outside help must be clear on the rough draft.