Jason Tower • ENGLISH 102-19 • T, TH, 2:00 - 3:15 • McIver 325

                    ENGLISH 102-20   T, TH, 3:30-4-45      McIver 222

                      

Required texts:

• Moo, Jane Smiley

• The Onion - Ad Nauseam, Ed. Robert Siegel

• Naked Pictures of Famous People, Jon Stewart

• 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:

Course Goals:

 

Reading: Study the widely various 'humor' strategies employed by established writers.  Explore their possible motives and your reactions.

Writing:  Experiment with various strategies (humorous and non) in your own writing.  Analyze through revision, the properties of appropriateness, effectiveness, and finesse.

Speaking:  Translate the experiences of reading and writing into oral exercises ranging from casual to formal.  Master the strategies for both public speaking in general and humorous presentation in particular.

 
 
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, 12 -2 • O1K Petty 

E-Mail: jmtower@bellsouth.net

 

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.  The whole process will be worth 15 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.

 

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.  Every member of the audience will fill out a brief evaluation, and I will then share these results along with my own observations with you in a one on one setting.  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 Th. Feb. 6th.  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.  Reactions to readings, updates on current humor outlets, questions and comments are all fair game.  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).  You will share your discoveries out loud with the class.

            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 January 28th.  They will cover material in the novel, Moo we will read over the course of the sem.  We will immediately discuss the quiz questions and other ideas you have about the novel.

Special Note:     These quizzes will start precisely 5 min. after class begins 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.  You will be quite comfortable with speaking at this point so the challenge will be speaking effectively in a group context.

Special Note:     Any group-dynamic ‘issues’ need to be worked out in a polite and responsible manner.  We will work together both in and outside of class.