Jason Tower • ENGLISH 102-10 • T, TH, 2:00 - 3:15 • McIver 322

 

Required texts:

• Moo, Jane Smiley

• Mirth of a Nation, Ed., Michael J. Rosen

• Dispatches from The Tenth Circle, Eds. The Onion

• Red Lobster, White Trash & The Blue Lagoon, Joe Queenan

• Naked, David Sedaris

• All the Trouble in the World, P.J. O’Rourke

 

Course Requirements:

45 pts.:            (3) Papers & Revisions

12 pts.:            (12 ) Journals

             8 pts.:             (2) In-Class Presentations

11 pts.:            Class Participation (Incl. 6 ‘Research Quickies’ - 1 pt. ea.)

12 pts.:            (6) Quizzes

12 pts.:            Group Project/Presentation

 


100 pts total

 

My Grade Scale:

A:         96-100

A-:        91-95

B+:       88-90

B:         84-87

B-:        81-83

C+:       78-80

C:         74-77

C-:        71-73

D+:       68-70

D:         64-67

D-:        61-63

F:         60 and below

 

Class Attendance:

This class is built around working together, discussion, workshopping, and in-class activities - the kind of things that are impossible to make up outside of class.  Being consistent, both in terms of completing assignments and attending class, is crucial.

                        • You are allowed two absences (excused or unexcused). 

                        • For each absence after that you will lose 4 pts. off your total grade.

Attendance assumes participation and punctuality.  Be prepared and don’t be late.  This means don’t be late to class, and don’t be late with your work.  Excessive tardiness is rude and will significantly and negatively affect your grade.  If you know you will have to miss a class, let me know me via e-mail prior to your absence.

 ENGLISH 102-10 • T, TH, 2:00 - 3:15 •

Office Hours: T, TH, 3:30 - 4:30 • O1K Petty 

E-Mail: jmtower@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

Student Learning Goals

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

·         Interpret and evaluate argumentative discourse, including writing and speech

·         Construct cogent arguments

·         Communicate those arguments clearly, coherently and effectively

·         Locate, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information

·         Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and methods of intellectual discourse

·         Weigh evidence and evaluate the arguments of differing viewpoints

 

General Expectations

·         The skills knowledge, and/or attitudes engendered should be foundational and applicable to a significant range of discourse

·         The proposal should indicate how the course would satisfy both these expectations

 

Course Requirements Defined:

 

Papers:

 

You will write three papers.  Each will be 3-4 pages in length.  You will revise each and turn in a 2nd draft. Each 'draft' will be worth 7 pts. You will choose one paper to revise a second time for a 3rd draft worth an additional 3 pts. It should be noted that since this is a 102 class, the so-called ‘first-drafts’ of these papers should be significantly more advanced/effective (in terms of both message and mechanics) than the ‘first drafts’ of bygone ENG 101 days.  In other words - you should be revising these puppies on your own time before you ever let me get at them.

            Special Note:     Papers are due on Thursdays.  For each late day (yes, Sat. and Sun. count as days - that’s why                                        we have e-mail*) you will lose a point.

 

Journals:

 

You will type twelve journal responses.  Each will be at least a full page.  Each will be worth 1 point.  These will be candidly, but thoughtfully, written responses to assigned readings (half on The Onion, half on the other non-Moo text).

            Special Note:     Journals are due on Tuesdays.  If you forget to bring yours to class, you must                                            e-mail it to me by midnight on Tues.  After that I go to bed and forget about you little weasels.

 

In-Class Presentations:

 

You will do two in-class presentations.  Each will be worth 4 pts.  These will be five minutes in length, and they will most likely consist of you reading/presenting your paper/story to the class.  We will discuss, as a class, strategies for effectively speaking and reading in front of a group.  ENG 102 now has a Speaking Intensive designation, and these presentations will be part of how we satisfy those expectations.

            Special Note:     We will do approx. three of these each class period beginning Tues. 9/17.  I will assign       presentation dates and only death (or near death - about which I have been alerted by you well in advance) will     excuse you from class on that date.

 

Class Participation:

 

This is a no-brainer that to which I’ve assigned an official 5 pts. This should make the point that speaking in class is vital.  You will also complete 6 ‘Research Quickies’, each worth 1 point and due on ‘Non-Quiz’ Tuesdays (yes, you will also have journals due...they’re due EVERY Tuesday)

            Special Note:     Don't be scared off by the name - these are web-based explorations - very simple

 

Quizzes:

 

You will take six quizzes.  Each will be worth 2 pts.  They will be given every other Tuesday beginning September 3rd.  They will cover material in the novel, Moo we will read over the course of the sem.  

            Special Note:     These quizzes will start precisely at 2:05 and last 7 minutes.  Do not be late.                                             These can not be made up.

 

Group Projects / Presentations:

 

You will be assigned to a group of 4 or 5 students.  You and your group will do a 20-minute presentation at the end of the semester worth 12 pts.  We’ll all work together to make sure this is a rewarding experience (not one that totally sucks ass).

            Special Note:     Any group-dynamic ‘issues’ need to be worked out in a polite and responsible                                            manner.  Keep me in the loop.

 

*When you e-mail me a doc. always confirm receipt so there are no misunderstandings.