Spring
2004
MWF
11:10-12:00
Instructor: Christina Salvin
Phone: 848-4830
Office: Library 119 in the Literacy Lounge
Hours: MWF 9, Daily 10 (or drop by the
lab any time)
E-mail: csalvin@sbcglobal.net
Required
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Affluenza by John de Graaf, David Wann, and Thomas H.
Naylor
Class handouts
Recommended Texts:
A college-level dictionary
A writer’s manual
Course Objective:
The purpose of this course is to successfully
prepare students for English 1A, transfer-level English, through intensive
writing, reading, and speaking. For those students who do not plan to transfer
to a university, English 250 will fulfill the Gavilan College English
requirement and increase success in general education courses that require
writing. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to write
full-length, college-level essays that communicate clearly and effectively with
a minimum of errors.
Course Description:
This course will investigate American consumerism, exploring how it has impacted education, families, culture, and the environment. Students will be challenged to develop and express strong opinions about social problems and explore alternatives to mainstream lifestyles. Students will actively engage in essay and journal writing, class discussion, reading quizzes, and a final research project/oral presentation. All students in this course must also enroll in 250L, a mandatory weekly writing lab in the Literacy Lounge.
Course Grading:
11 Journals 100 pts (10 each, lowest dropped) B 800-899 pts
12 Quizzes 100 pts (10 each, lowest 2 dropped) C 700-799 pts
Research Project/Paper 100 pts D 600-699 pts
Department Final 250
pts
Attendance is crucial as in-class activities and
quizzes cannot be made up. Essays must be turned in at the beginning of class
to be considered on time. Journals must be submitted in class and will not be
accepted after
Course Requirements:
Essays
Essays are the biggest portion of your grade. You
will write a total of six three-page essays (not including your research
paper). If an essay does not meet the full length requirement, it will receive
no higher than a C grade. All essays must be submitted typed and double spaced
in 12 point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins. Essays formatted
differently will be returned to you and considered late. A cover page is not
necessary—just put your name, the assignment title and the date in the top
right corner. IMPORTANT: An essay will be considered late if it is not turned
in by the beginning of class on the day it is due. Essays will only be accepted
up to one week late and marked down 5 points per class session. Rewrites for a
higher grade may be submitted up to one week after the graded essay is returned
to you.
Journals
You will write a total of 11 journals, due Mondays
at the beginning of class, based on the book Into the Wild. These journals
will greatly assist you in understanding the reading and grasping concepts for
essay assignments. Journals can be hand-written or typed and must be at least
one page long. These journals will be graded from 1-10 based upon honesty,
depth of response, and length. Late journals will not be accepted.
You will take a total of 12 quizzes on chapters from
Affluenza and supplemental reading passed out in class. Quizzes will
take place during the last part of class most Fridays and cannot be made up. Your
lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.
In March, you will begin a research project which will involve interviews, research, a 5-7 page essay in MLA format, and an oral presentation. Your project grade will also include a topic proposal, an annotated works cited list, and a ‘Research Paper without the Research.’ Your topic will be an American/global corporation; details and suggestions will be included in a future handout.
You will be dropped from the course if you do not
enroll in English 250L. In this lab, you will have the opportunity to work with
peers, tutors and other instructors to improve your writing skills in a more
personalized setting. See me ASAP if you need to add a lab.
SATURDAY May 8th, all English 250 students will be
required to take a timed, in-class essay which will determine 25% of your
grade. You will have the opportunity to prepare for this exam, which will
measure your ability to move onto the next level of English, with practice
tests throughout the semester both in class and in lab.
Student Honesty
Policy Reference Statement:
Students are expected to exercise academic honesty
and integrity. Violations such as
cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action that may include recommendations
for dismissal.
**Occupational/vocational students—Limited English language skills will not be a barrier to admittance to and participation in Vocational Education Programs.
**Students requiring special services or
arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact
their instructor, counselor, or the Disabled Students Services Office.