English 1a                                                        fall 2011

Monday and Wednesday 1:00 to 3:05

instructor- Ms. Parks, professor English

contact info

• office: Learning Center 124
• mailbox: in the English dept. and in the learning center
• phone: 395-4767
• after hours fax: 589-1664
• email: pparks@bakersfieldcollege.edu
• website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/pparks
• office hours: Monday through Thursday 9:45 to 10:15, 3:00 to 4:00 Monday and Wednesday, 1:15 - 2:30 Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment

supplies needed

• Navigating America, David Moton and Gloria Dumler (McGraw Hill)
• The Sixties by Terry H. Anderson (Pearson)
• In My Place by Charlayne Hunter-Gault (Vintage Books)
• Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawkin (Penguin Book)
• class pack available in the book store and on my website in word 2007
• three large manila envelopes

course student learning outcomes

At the successful completion of English 1A, the student will be able to perform the following:

• Read and think critically;
• Evaluate and establish the credibility of print and online sources;
• Demonstrate the legitimate use of scholarly sources by
  • using library and online reference materials;
  • summarizing and paraphrasing sources;
  • synthesizing multiple sources;
  • avoiding plagiarism.
• Write essays that
  • demonstrate the use of expository and argumentative or persuasive forms of writing;
  • reflect an orderly research and writing process;
  • use correct MLA form and documentation;
  • show evidence of drafting, editing, and revision to reflect an academic style and tone.
• Write a research paper that
  • incorporates a minimum of seven academic sources that support a thesis;
  • is a minimum of seven pages in length;
  • presents a clear thesis that governs organization and provides sufficient development;
  • demonstrates varied sentence patterns with appropriate use of syntax, grammar, diction, and tone;
  • shows evidence of drafting, editing, and revision;
  • conforms to MLA style in layout, in-text citation, and works cited.

course theme

In this course we will explore social reform. Through two novels, a text, and film, we will focus on the civil rights movement and anti-war protests in the sixties through movements going on now throughout the world. Other issues such as gay rights, environmental protests, women's issues, Native American rights, global trade, and the farm workers' movement may be discussed. Whether you agree with the ideas expressed by our authors or by your classmates, I expect you to be respectful as you share your thoughts. In addition, some of the readings deal with mature subject matter; your continued presence constitutes your agreement to  conduct yourself with maturity and tolerance.

  coursework

• paper # 1 is a summary/critique on BU  
• paper # 2 is on business interests v. community interests
• paper # 3 is on In My Place
• paper # 4 on Blessed Unrest
• paper # 5 is the research paper
• quizzes on readings, MLA format, source documentation, etc.

writing assignments

Draft and final versions of all writing assignments must be typed in black ink, double spaced on 8 1/2 by 11 paper with 1 inch margins in Times Roman font in 12 point.  All papers require participation in peer editing. Three also require attendance at an individual conference.

research paper

A major emphasis of this class is learning the techniques of writing a research paper in MLA format.  I will guide you through the process of deciding on a topic, researching it, evaluating sources, creating a draft, revising the paper, and polishing it. If you keep up with each deadline, you will be successful in turning in a completed project. No steps can be skipped. The paper is half of your grade, and you can not pass the class without successfully completing the research paper.

library workshops

BC offers library and Internet research workshops each semester. They cover research and evaluation skills. You are required to attend four 1-hour workshops. Due dates for each are on your assignment sheet, and a complete schedule of workshops can be found on the library website week 2 or 3.  You may earn extra credit for attending up to two extra workshops. Instead of taking the four workshops, you can take English 34 and earn extra credit. Former students strongly advise you to choose the later and take English 34. 

attendance

According to BC policy, a student may not miss more than the equivalent of two weeks' worth of instruction. After than I will drop you from the class. I suggest you save those  absences for emergencies; don't schedule appointments during class time. There are no excused absences, except documented jury duty and court appearances. Your work is still due on times. You can email it, fax it, or have someone deliver it for you.

If you arrive 1 to 15 minutes late or leave 1 to 15 minutes early, you will receive a tardy. If a quiz is given at the start of class and you are tardy, you may not make up the quiz. If a quiz is given at the end of class and you leave early, you may not make up the quiz. A tardy counts as one-third of an absence. If you arrive late, check with me after class so that you are not marked absent. If you need to leave early due to a pressing matter, talk to me before class. If you feel sick during class and need to leave, just give me a sign as you go. Emergencies that force you to arrive late are understandable, but consistent tardies will not be allowed.  Breaks are about mid-class and are five minutes long. Returning late from a break is also considered a tardy.

Letting me know ahead to time about an absence or tardy is polite, and I appreciate it. During the first two weeks of class, you must contact me before an absence or you will be dropped to make room for someone on the wait list.

If you are absent, contact a fellow student for notes or assignment changes. You can call, drop by my office, or email me as well, but I can't reproduce the day's class for you.

policy on late work

Work is due in class when I collect it.  You can turn in the major papers, except the research paper the next class day. If it's Monday to Wednesday, the penalty is 5%. If it's Wednesday to Monday, the penalty is 10%. I won't accept papers after that. The first and final drafts of the research paper cannot be turned in late. Class is where I prefer to accept work. Don't put work under my door unless you are turning it in early or we've made prior arrangements.

Other assignments, such as in class work and work from Navigating America, can not be turned in late.

If you are absent, you can make up a quiz before I pass it back.

If you are absent the day a film is shown for a journal writing assignment, you miss the opportunity to turn in that journal. I can not loan out my one copy.  But since four films are being shown and only two journals are required, you can still complete the required journals.  

Any exceptions are handled in my office. Do not ask me in class.

 Grading policy

I use the basic grading scale of 90% A, 80% B, 70% C, 60% D.

You will be graded on participation. I expect you to ask questions, make comments, and be prepared to answer questions when called on. You will lose points for not paying attention, not being prepared, not talking, or not letting others participate in class discussions.

Conduct and other class rules

• Your participation is integral to your success. Please ask questions if there is anything you don't understand. Please contribute your thoughts to discussions; we learn from each other.
• BC's policy on student conduct as stated in the handbook is not to tolerate  disruptive behaviors, such as talking, refusing to pay attention, and being disrespectful. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against any person who cannot behave in a proper manner. If necessary, you may be asked to leave class and to be required to see me before returning.
• Cell phones must be turned off and put away during class. Don't leave class to answer your phone. Don't send or receive text messages during class.
• You may not eat or drink anything noisy, messy, or smelly.

 Academic honesty
Any work copied or purchased from another source will receive a fail. If you are caught cheating during a quiz or exam, your test will receive a fail. In addition, you may fail the class. Additional sanctions by the college may apply. We will discuss in detail what constitutes plagiarism.

Places to get help besides your instructor

Student Success Lab in the Learning Center offers proof reading assistance as well as computer programs on grammar. The tutoring center in the Learning Center offers weekly or as needed free tutoring. ESL tutoring is also available in the Learning Center on the second floor.

Supportive Services

 Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Supportive Services in FACE 16, 395-4334, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. In addition, please let me know during the first week of class.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. I want you to be successful.

What you can expect from me: I will be on time and prepared, make every effort to return papers within a week, encourage discussion, clearly communicate course material, and have fun.