Syllabus

Another long semester stretches endlessly—almost—into the future, the promised land, summer vacation.  It’s best to dedicate yourself to the march ahead. As a good friend once said, "There are a lot of realities between here and there."  I welcome you to English B50, your last step before moving onto English B1A. Some of you have struggled through English 60 to get here; others have tested straight in from placement exams. Survivors of English 60 will find this course more demanding, as will many people fresh out of high school or getting back to college for the first time after a long break from education. Don’t panic. Seriously, you can succeed here. I am your eager and enthusiastic guide to better writing and more effective reading, and together, with hard work, dedication and good humor, we can get through this. This course is different from English 60, and perhaps from other English courses you have taken, in that your essays will all work directly with written material: articles, editorials and the like. In general, we are preparing you to participate fully in the academic language of the college, to think and express yourselves in a carefully considered, focused manner. We will have some fun along the way, and I’ll make plenty of bad jokes, but my intent is always serious: to help you improve your reading and writing and prepare you for English 1A.

Anything of value requires effort and commitment. This course is no different. I am committed to helping you. I became a teacher because I love working with you, the student. The state even pays me! I have regular office hours and many other times when we can get together to work on essays, ideas, exercises, protracted philosophical debates regarding the essence of reality—whatever. Don’t be shy. This is your education, your life. You need to take charge.

Here are some specific details about how the class will run.

Attention! Achtung! This syllabus amounts to a contract between you, the class, and me. When you enroll in this class, you are agreeing to these terms. A formal contract is attached to the end of this syllabus. Please read, sign and return for the next class meeting.

Essays: We will have four major essays over the course of the semester, all in MLA format  Three of these will be at least 500 words (include a word count at the end) not including a works cited entry.  A fourth essay is to be 700 to 800 words long and incorporates multiple sources.  This paper is worth 15% of your grade and involves a mandatory conference for a revision.  This is key preparation for English 1A and the fearsome research essay. 

Note:  Missing any of these major essays will be grounds for a failing grade, and you must average a "C" for this part of the course.  This means that some essay grade(s) might be less than a "C" but higher grades for others can lead to an overall average (mean) of 70% or better.  Get all the essays in!  Don't slack off on this part of the course.

Journals: For much of the semester, you will write journal entries based on your own thoughts and observations and on questions provided for the book we’re reading this semester, Fast Food Nation. These exercises will be a chance to explore the themes of the book and practice using outside sources, quoting, and critical thinking in response to a text. Every response for each chapter question will require at least one quote, properly introduced and punctuated—and be typed! Responses may be no longer than two pages with a 250 word minimum (including words and definitions).  Each response will consist of two paragraphs: 1) An answer to one of the provided questions w/quote 2) YOUR thoughts about the chapter and/or question-- very little summary in paragraph two.  In addition to the paragraphs, you will have at least four new words identified and defined with page number references provided.  MLA from required.

The journal will not be graded for grammar, spelling, etc. I am mainly concerned with a good, solid effort, although it is always important to practice good habits, and I will point out some problems that need attention. Completeness and appropriate focus and use of at least one quote are the main criteria for grading though I will point out problems with the use of the source that I will expect you to pay attention to and correct these in the following journal responses. Repeated failure to properly set up quotes, however, will result in fewer points.

Pearson Writing Lab: In order to get practice in the basics, all students will be using an online Pearson writing lab.  We'll have a full-class orientation over in the Learning Center.  You will be expected to do at least one hour every two weeks.  This translates into four hours by midterm and eight hours by the end of the semester.  These exercises can be done on any computer with an Internet connection.

Exams: We will have two mid-term, in-class writing tests.

Final Exam: This will be an in-class writing test similar to the shorter mid-terms.  It will be worth 10% of the grade.

Grading:

Regular Essays:                        30%        A: 90—100%      

Multiple source essay:            15%        B: 80—89%

Journals:                                     20%        C: 70—79%

In-class exams:                          10%        D: 60—69%

Exercises/quizzes:                    10%        F: Below     60%

Pearson lab:                                5%

Final exam:                                10%

Note: On the understanding that you are learning and growing here, I take into account improvement when computing grades. This means, for example, that if you start out doing "C" work but work up into the "B" range, then you could get the "B." However, you must show solid improvement for me to move you up. In other words, what could not happen would be to get "C’s" all semester, get a "B" on the final essay and expect a "B" for the whole course. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Coming late to class: Don’t do it. If it’s only a minute or two and I’m still taking roll, no big deal. But if class is already in full swing, coming late is an intrusion and a disruption. Every third late can be counted as an absence. If you come in really late, like halfway through, I may consider that a complete absence. Also, if you come in late, it is your responsibility to make sure I record your attendance. Otherwise, that day could be recorded as an absence.

Late work: In general, I do not accept late work. When it’s due, it’s due. But you do have an escape hatch: NQA cards. These are "No Questions Asked" cards attached to the end of this syllabus. Each one of these cards is good for one missed class session and allows you to turn in an assignment at the next class meeting, two cards for two meetings, etc. For example, if an assignment is due Monday and a super model/rock star/millionaire has asked you out on a date for that day and you just can’t get that paper in, then turn it in Wednesday with an NQA card—or the next Monday with two NQA’s attached, and so on. Remember, you only have two of these for the whole sixteen week semester, so use them wisely.

Electronics: Cell phones and laptops are not allowed to be used during class time.  Shut them down, go dark for a little while.  You'll find it strangely annoying and liberating at the same time.  NOTE: If I catch you texting during class, I will count your attendance as a zero for that day.  If I catch you texting a second time, I will drop you from the course.  If you simply must text during class, take another instructor.  Talk to me BEFORE class if there is a special, emergency situation at home that requires you to have the phone on.  I may be strict, but I'm not Hitler--quite!

English B50 Student Learning Outcomes

• summarizing and paraphrasing sources.
• synthesizing multiple sources.
• avoiding plagiarism.

• demonstrate the use of expository and argumentative or persuasive forms of writing.
• demonstrate correct MLA form and citation.
• show evidence of drafting, editing, and revision to reflect an academic style and tone.
• use a variety of sentence patterns appropriately and correctly.
• use the standard conventions of written English—spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Basic Schedule:

Week 1 (Jan. 16/18): Mon. Holiday.  Wed. Class intro. GET BOOKS.

Week 2 (Jan. 23/25):  Mon. Key diagnostic essay; Wed.  HW: Fast Food Introductiion (Note:

        Unless otherwise stated, Fast Food responses are due on Wednesdays.  A draft for the

        intro. is due Mon.)

Week 3 (Jan. 30/Feb. 1):  Mon. Fast Food Intro. response draft; Wed. Fast Food Introduction due HW: Fast Food ch. 1.

Week 4 (Feb. 6/8): Wed. Essay #1 due; Fast Food ch. 1 due HW: Fast Food ch. 2.

Week 5 (Feb. 13/15):  Wed. Fast Food ch. 2 due HW: Fast Food ch. 3.

Week 6 (Feb. 20/22): Monday = Holiday; Wed. Fast Food ch. 3 due HW: Fast Food ch. 4.

Week 7 (Feb. 27/29): Mon. Fast Food ch. 4 due; Wed. In-class writing test; essay #2 due HW: Fast Food ch. 5.

Week 8 (March 5/7): Wed. Fast Food ch. 5 due HW: Fast Food ch. 6.

Week 9 (March 12/14): Wed. Fast Food ch. 6 due  HW: Fast Food ch. 7.

Week 10 (March 19/21):  Mon. Fast Food ch. 7 due; Wed.  Essay #3 (Advertising drafts) due HW: Fast Food ch. 8.

Week 11 (March 26/28):  Advertising essay conferences all week  Wed. Fast Food ch. 8 due HW: Fast Food ch. 9.

Week 12 (April 2/4):  Spring Freakin' Break!  B50 Students Go Wild!

Week 13 (April 9/11): Mon. Fast Food ch. 9; Wed. In-class writing test  HW: Fast Food Ch. 10.

Week 14 (April 16/18):  Mon. Fast Food ch. 10 due; Wed. Essay #3 (Advertising revised drafts) due--no NQA's HW: Fast

        Food Epilogue.

Week 15 (April 23/25):  Wed. Fast Food Epilogue due HW: Fast Food Afterword.

Required texts:

A Writer's Reference, 7th ed.  (w/exercises) by Diana Hacker

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

Get both of these right away.

You should also have a couple of good dictionaries: one pocket (electronic spell checker is nice) and a full-sized collegiate version.  I prefer the American Heritage, but other good ones are not hard to find.

Contact information:

Professor Wayland

Ph. #: (661) 395—4457 

Email:  swayland@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Web page: www2/bakersfieldcollege.edu/swayland/

Office hours: Humanities 36

MW 9:30—10:30am/3—3:30pm

TR   10:00—10:30am/1—1:30pm

And by appointment

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