English 131: Section 73 (Comp) Course Syllabus

Spring 2015 Semester (8-Week)

Meeting Days: Tues, Weds, Thurs
Meeting Times: 7:35-9:30 PM, K-212
Instructor: Mr. Tomasovitch

Tomasovitch.hfcc@gmail.com

General
Required Texts:
Rhetorical Choices: A Reader for - Keith Gilyard, et al
Easy Writer Andrea Lundsford

Course Description:
English 131 is the first college-level composition course in a two-semester sequence, emphasizing critical reading,
critical thinking, and critical writing skills. Through readings, students will explore various topics and various types
of writing. Through essays, written in and out of class, students will demonstrate the development of a clear main
idea through well- organized supporting material, written in correct, effective English. To meet the above goals, a
writing assignment integrating analysis and summary of an article and a persuasive paper synthesizing multiple
sources will be included.

Prerequisites:
A satisfactory score on the English placement test or a grade of S in English 092 or 093 and a grade of S in English
081or 082, if required.

Disclaimer:
I, the instructor, reserve the right to modify any part of the syllabus, as I deem necessary. Modifications can
include but are not limited to changing assignment due dates, amending of assignments, and adding or deleting
assignments.

Homework Policy:
Crashed hard drives, broken printers, stalled cars, missed buses, etc., will not excuse you from assignment due
dates. If you know you are going to be out, you must place the assignment in the secretarys mail slot located in
the English office on or before the day the paper is due.
Since you have several days to work on assignments in and outside of class (and dates are noted in Schedule of
Assignments and Discussions listed below), There should be no excuse for late work!
If you have an emergency within 24 hrs of a due date, you can also email the assignment to me, but note the
qualifications of this offer. While it is better to email me an assignment instead of taking the 0, it is not my
preferred method of receiving course work. If an assignment is emailed to me by the due date, I will grade it. But I
will not print and return as a hard copy. If you want a hardcopy returned to you with comments, you must turn in
a hardcopy of the assignment on the assignment due date.

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If you have to email an assignment it must:

Be received by or before your scheduled class time of the assignment due date
Be attached as a MS Word document; no other format will be accepted
Not be copied and pasted into the body of the email
Be submitted from your Hawkmail account to my Gmail; a missing emailed assignment because you did
not use this method will count as a 0

Again, you will have ample time to complete assignments. It is best to start (and possibly complete them) ahead
of schedule. This way if an emergency situation arises, you have something (even if it is only a first draft) to turn
in. This is better than taking a 0.
IMPORTANT!

The first time you turn an assignment in late (late means within 24 hrs after it is due, after 24 hrs it is a
0), the highest grade you can receive is a 60% . But you can score lower, if it is a poorly written
assignment.
The second time you turn an assignment in late, it is an automatic 50%.
The third time you turn an assignment in late, it is an automatic 0%. By this point you will most likely be
failing the course, and it would be advisable to drop.

If you think you are going to have problems for whatever reason completing assignments on time, you may
want to consider dropping the class during the refund period, or rescheduling for a time more amenable to you.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance and participation are mandatory. Since this is an 8-week course, punctuality and regular attendance is
crucial to your success. There are 100 possible points for attendance. Each missed class reduces your final
attendance grade by 10%. Note: Five absences will result in automatic failure of the course!
A sign-in sheet will be passed around at the start of class. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the
attendance sheet. Failure to do so will result in an absence, even if you were present.
Repeated late arrivals will affect your attendance grade as determined by me.
If you think you are going to have problems for whatever reason making it to class on time, you may want to
consider dropping the class during the refund period, or rescheduling for a time more amenable to you.

English and World Languages Division Policy on Attendance and Participation

Henry Ford Community College requires students to actively participate in their learning with regular and
sustained interaction. Since student success depends on active engagement, students who have NOT attended an
entire class session by the College's Never Attended deadline will not be permitted into the class even if they are
already enrolled in the class. Online students will be considered as "Never Attended" if they have not logged on or
if they have only logged on without actively engaging in academically-related activities. All of the above students
will be assigned a "Never Attended" grade on their record.
Note: The never attended deadline for Spring 2015 is Monday, May 18th. (So if you come to class for the first
time on May 20th, you may not attend this course)

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IMPORTANT: You only have until Wednesday, May 14th to add a new class or receive a no-record drop of a
class with a 100% refund. You can initiate a drop without refund until June 11th.

Assignments (See above for homework completion policy.):

There will be:

Five 500-word essays (roughly 2 pages in length) 50 points each

One 750-word research paper (roughly 3 pages in length) 100 points
Two in-class essays 100 points each (In order to pass the course, students must write two in-class
essays, at least one of which must receive a grade of C or above with no out-of-class revision. The grade
will be based on the criteria stated in the English 131 rubric which is included under handouts in
Moodlerooms.)

All papers, except for the in-class essays, will:

Contain 1-inch borders all around

Be double spaced
Be typed in Times Roman or Arial
Contain point size not to exceed 12, nor be less than 10

For the in-class essays, you must use a bluebook.

Grades:
Your grade will be based upon a possible accumulation of 670 points:

550 points total for written assignments

120 points for attendance

Course Objectives:
Writing Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
1. Write an essay containing a clearly stated thesis.
2. Demonstrate adequate skill in introducing and concluding an essay.
3. Identify appropriate and relevant evidence to be presented using a variety of rhetorical modes, including
summary and argumentation
4. Organize the supporting details in a clear and logical order using transitions to connect sentences and
paragraphs.
5. Employ rhetorical strategies appropriate and transferable to assignments in other disciplines or
professional contexts.
6. Synthesize and explain divergent viewpoints on an issue.
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7. Define a research interest and develop it using multiple sources.

a. Select relevant information from multiple sources and use that information, along with personal
experiences and observations, to support a point.
b. Introduce direct quotations and paraphrases accurately, and use a formal method of
documentation.
8. Write an in-class essay that earns the grade of C or higher.
9. Write clear, direct sentences, varied in length and construction, applying basic principles of coordination,
subordination, and parallelism.
10. Minimize errors in grammar and mechanics.
11. Employ precise and accurate diction as a result of vocabulary acquisition.
12. Revise work after collaboration with other students and/or suggestions from the instructor.

Reading Objectives
1. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
2. Identify main idea and supporting details in college level essays.
3. Analyze the general structural pattern of essays.
4. Distinguish an author's viewpoint from their own by accurate and critical reading.
5. Draw inferences from reading that lead to discussion and communication in writing.
6. Analyze how a writer uses language and literary devices to develop a main idea.
7. Evaluate when an author effectively or ineffectively fulfills his/her purpose.
8. Demonstrate strategies for vocabulary acquisition.

Critical Thinking Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
1. Generate and develop a defensible inference based on available information.
2. Identify, summarize, and synthesize a limited number of sources pertinent to a topic.
a. Distinguish clearly between their own views and the views expressed in outside sources.
b. Identify appropriate, credible, and relevant evidence.

English and World Languages Division Policy on Plagiarism/Academic Integrity

Among other things, academic dishonesty includes plagiarism. Although not the sole form of misconduct of
which a student may be guilty, this is probably the most common academic offense that can occur in an English
course. Essentially, plagiarism is the act of using another author or persons words or ideas without properly
crediting him/her. Plagiarism can include, but is not limited to, the following fraudulent acts:
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Failing to supply quotation marks for words sometimes even a single word copied exactly as seen in
the original from published materials or internet sources, including blogs
Using the structure and/or substance of anothers text without providing credit
Employing passages directly from sources without citation while only rearranging word order, altering
grammar or revising a few words
Omitting the sources or parenthetical documentation for words or ideas or including a Works Cited page
without appropriate parenthetical documentation
Falsifying citations, such as inventing or misrepresenting sources
Submitting a paper written or revised by another

Students who plagiarize may fail the course and be reported to the Registrars Office so that the college can
take disciplinary action. Students can view HFCCs complete and unabridged policy on Academic Integrity by
visiting the following web address: http://www.hfcc.edu/current_students/student_policies.asp - 1
Complaint Procedure
If the appeal reaches the Student Complaint Board, the Board may consider only whether the charge is justified.
The Board may not set aside or change the penalty given by the instructor unless the charge of academic
dishonesty is set aside.
Any action that violates the Student Conduct Policy and Due Process Procedure is also subject to review under
that policy.

Student Support Services:

Data & Voice Administration
If you need assistance with username and password issues, please contact Data & Voice Administration

Instructional Technology
If you require assistance accessing UCompass Educator courses, please contact Instructional Technology at
313.845.9663, ext.4, 5, or 6 or via e-mail at signorelli@hfcc.edu, kolin@hfcc.edu, or drinaldi@hfcc.edu.
Instructional Technology is located on the lower level of the Learning Technology Center (same building as
Campus Safety), room A-004.

Media Center
Located on the second floor of the Library, the Media Center is an open access computer lab where students can
go to work on computer assignments, access the internet, and/or check their e-mail. For more information, you
may contact the Media Center at 313.845.6386. For more information regarding Library Services, you may phone
313.845.9606.

Assisted Learning Services

The Assisted Learning Services Program is designed to assist physically challenged, learning disabled or
academically disadvantaged students at Henry Ford Community College to overcome barriers to education
through supportive services. In addition, the Assisted Learning Services Department also provides tutoring
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services to the general student population. Assisted Learning Services is located in the LRC (Learning Resources
Center), north side (parking lot side) main level. For more information, you may contact the office at
313.845.9617 or for the hearing impaired 313.845.9804.
Learning Lab
Located on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center, the Learning Lab assists HFCC students with
identifying and improving the skills needed for success in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Math.
Although operation hours may slightly vary each semester, generally, the Learning Lab is open Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. 8:40 p.m., on Friday from 7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m., and Saturday
from 9:40 a.m. 1:40 p.m. For more information, contact the Learning Lab at 313.845.9643.

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Schedule of Assignments and Discussions

Week 1 5/12

Introduction/Class member introduction

Narration Lecture
Weekly Reading: Chapter 2: Narration, and readings by: Wright (33), Bunn
(43), Orwell (66), and Jackson (74)

Week 1 5/13

In-Class Essay
Reading Discussion
Writing Exercise 1: Assigned

Week 1 5/14

Film
Weekly Reading: Chapter 3: Description, and readings by: Small (96), Walker
(99), Snow (104)

Week 2 5/19

Film: Discussion
Description Lecture

Week 2 5/20

Reading Discussion
Writing Exercise 2: Assigned
Writing Assignment 1 Due

Week 2 5/21

Film
Weekly Reading: Chapter 4: Definition, and readings by: Brady (147).
Bettelheim (158), Kanae (162)

Week 3 - 5/26

Film: Discussion
Definition Lecture

Week 3 - 5/27

Reading Discussion
Writing Exercise 3: Assigned
Writing Assignment 2 Due

Week 3 - 5/28

Film
Weekly Reading: Chapter 5: Exemplification, and readings by: Tsao (225),
Gates (247), Wang (251), Brooks (261)

Week 4 6/2

Film: Discussion
Exemplification Lecture

Week 4 6/3

Reading Discussion
Writing Exercise 4: Assigned
Writing Assignment 3 Due

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Week 4 - 6/4

Film
Weekly Reading: Chapter 7: Process Analysis, and readings by: Douglass
(351), Stampp (358), Shen (362), X (374), Roberts (385); and : Chapter 8:
Comparison and Contrast, and readings by: Canton (416), Kantor (425),
West (429), and Berry (461)

Week 5 6/9

Film Discussion
Process Analysis/Comparison Contrast Lecture
Writing Exercise 5: Assigned

Week 5 - 6/10
Week 5 - 6/11

Film
Writing Assignment 4 Due
Weekly Reading and Chapter 10: Argument, and readings by: Buckley (541),
Goldberger (597), Paglia (602), Guinier (607), Chapman (614)

Week 6 - 6/16

Reading Discussion
Film Discussion
Argumentative Lecture
Writing Exercise 6: Assigned

Week 6 - 6/17

Reading Discussion
Writing Assignment 5 Due

Week 6 - 6/18

Film

Week 7 6/23

Film Discussion
In-Class Essay
Writing Assignment 6 Due

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