FIRST-YEAR ENGLISH COMPOSITION SYLLABUS
(ENGL 1101 : CRN #11111)
FALL 2017
MW 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
“No one is born fully formed; it is through self-experience in the world that we become what we are.” ~Paulo Freire
Instructor: LaShon Malone
Office: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
Phone: 678.231.6486
Email: lashonmalone@gmail.com
Class Website: https://lashon-malone-1101.squarespace.com/
Course Description
The main purpose of the first-year English composition course is to examine the conventions of effective writing in a variety of contexts using the theory and practice of writing as a process in order to increase students’ academic writing ability. Its focus is organization, analysis, research methods, argumentation, and expository writing. In addition to examining these conventions and working to further develop and improve our critical thinking and writing skills, we will examine the world and our place in it. To situate our study for the remainder of the course, we look first to the concept of the “American Dream. We will follow up this inquiry with examinations on class, racism, ethnicity, immigration, and religion and how they play out in society. Because this is a dialog-based course, it is imperative that you come to class on time and actively participate in all classroom activities. It is expected that you will have a variety of perspectives and opinions, and I absolutely encourage independent thinking and lively class discussion. However, our disagreements must not get personal and must always be articulated in a respectful and intellectual manner. You will be responsible for leading class discussion at various points during the semester.
Course Design
Our course is a critical composition course guided by the principles of problem-posing education. Problem-posing is a tool for developing and strengthening critical thinking skills. It is an inductive questioning process that structures dialog in the classroom. The process entails an instructor presenting situations to students through readings, discussion, film, etc. Students then uncover the problem in the situation, personalize the problem through self-reflection, discuss the social/economic implications of the problem, and discuss alternatives to the problem. This process will play out through class and group discussions, readings, writings, and peer consulting.
- Readings and assignments: Readings, assignments, and other course activities answer to our class discussions and writings and, therefore, depend on the collection of our experiences. There are, nonetheless, some predictable elements, which I will outline briefly here.
- In class: You are co-facilitators in the course and are expected to come to class prepared to discuss, develop, engage in, and reflect on assigned readings.
- Cooperative learning: You will work cooperatively on assignment topics in discussion groups and through peer review sessions throughout the course.
- Individual work: You will do independent and individual work in class and outside of class throughout the course.
- Direct instruction: I will introduce ideas, pose questions, and prompt activities.
- Syllabus: This syllabus will be formed in the process of our study together. Though I have an educated sense of the topics that relate to this work, I believe that a fixed syllabus can’t be responsive enough to what the work demands; therefore, this syllabus is subject to negotiation and revision as needed and will be posted and kept up to date on our class Website: https://lashon-malone-1101.squarespace.com/.
- Dialog: Class discussions are perhaps the most important aspect of the course but sometimes cannot be completed in class. In such cases, dialog will continue on a class blog. You will also post responses to readings and instructor questions in a paragraph or two. The blog: https://lashon-malone-1101.squarespace.com/class-blog
The course design requires a true commitment from you and me. Whatever resistance you may develop toward the design as the course progresses will be considered a serious topic for discussion and exploration.
Course Objectives
- Read, reflect, discuss, and write about problems posed.
- Conduct and participate in informed class discussions, with concern for the involvement of all participants.
- Engage in writing as a process.
- Use language to explore and analyze contemporary multicultural, global, and international issues.
- Engage in the collaborative, social aspects of writing, and use writing as a tool for learning.
- Critique your own and others’ work in written and oral formats and reflect on what contributed to your writing process.
- Gather, summarize, synthesize, and explain information from various sources.
- Use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate for a variety of audiences.
- Produce coherent, organized, readable prose for a variety of rhetorical situations.
Required Texts
- Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. Edition 9 by Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, Bonnie Lisle
- Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2015.
- Selected readings in PDF or online format are available on the Website. I will provide any readings listed in the schedule that are not on the Website. Please bring all reading assignments to class.
COURSE POLICIES
Grades
If I have my way, those who fulfill ALL of the expectations of the course will receive a quantitative grade of A. If the class elects this policy, we will move forward with negotiating a grading contract/rubric at a later class meeting to accommodate grading based on this design. Ready-made rubrics are uploaded to the Website and ready for used or adjustment to meet our course objectives. Qualitative, narrative-style assessments also will be issued through the course after the completion of each major writing assignment. These assessments are not grades in the traditional sense, but are meant to help guide you to becoming better writers and critical thinkers.
Attendance
A dialog-based course such as ours is a mutual learning community that requires the participation of all its members; therefore, attendance and punctuality are basic requirements and are considered mandatory. Beyond that, each person's frequency and quality of contribution to the class discussion will be assessed and reflected in the class-participation grading. If you cannot attend a class, it is a courtesy to inform your instructor in advance if possible. A reasonable penalty for excessive absences or tardiness will be negotiated.
Late Work
I know that emergencies do occur. If you know a paper will be late, please contact me before the due date so that we can discuss arrangements.
Cell Phones
Cell phone use is strictly prohibited during class. Turn off all cell phones at the beginning of the class period.
Office Hours
Official office hours are TBD. You may email me to discuss specific questions you have about your writing.
Academic Dishonesty
All students are expected to follow Georgia State’s code of academic conduct. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you have any questions about plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty, feel free to ask. The University’s policies on Academic Honesty can be read in the student handbook or on the following website: http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/faculty-staff-resources/academic-honesty/.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs
Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting during office hours or at another mutually convenient time during the first week of classes, or as soon as possible if accommodations are needed immediately. Bring a copy of your Student Accommodation Form to the meeting. If you do not have an Accommodation Form but need accommodations, make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services (Suite 230, New Student Center, ext. 3-9044) to arrange for accommodations.
The Center for Writing and Research
The Writing Center, located in room 976 in the General Classroom Building, provides personal, one-on-one service for students in order to help them at all levels of the writing process. You can schedule an appointment or just drop by and wait. The service is free. This is a valuable resource for writers, and I highly suggest that you use it.
