Access Keys

This information applies to pages in the CSUN template system. Windows-press ALT + an access key. Macintosh-press CTRL + an access key.

The following access keys are available:

Syllabus Eng. 115 Fall 2012

Instructor Information

Instructional Materials

Textbooks-Bring ALL to every class session!

Convergences 3rd edition

Atwan, Robert

Bedford St. Martins

ISBN-13:9780-312-46734-0

ISBN-10:0-312-46734-6

Convergences (Con) is on reserve in Oviatt Library on 4th floor in Reserve Room. 3 hour max. for checkout BUT you may also photocopy the material there. Purchase of a copy card is available from a copy/print machine on 3rd floor directly below. Cheaper that way.

Persepolis (P)

Satrapi, Marjane

Pantheon 2003

ISBN:0-375-71457-X

Wings (W)

Wings is a student publication consisting of exemplary essays written by students It is used as a text in English 115 to give incoming students an idea of the sort of writing that is done in that course. The Wings Ceremony, which is held every Fall, is an important event in which students whose work is included in Wings are honored and given prizes.

Additional Materials

Never throw anything away that you do for this class. Save everything!

A Blog created by you for uploading of all your Progressions and final portfolio.
A one-inch 3 ring binder with pockets/dividers in which to save all class writings: invention work such as reflective journals, freewrites, class notes, group discussion notes, printouts of online writing, formal and informal essays, and handouts. This needs to be a 3 ring binder because some of the writings will be handwritten and some computer generated; you will need to keep all completed work in one notebook. The notebook will need pockets because there will be numerous handouts and you must have all handouts that have been distributed in class with you each class period. We may do an assignment, for example, based on a handout you received three weeks earlier and you will be unable to complete the assignment if you have left the handout at home, thereby lowering your grade.
One/two blue books for timed, in-class essays.
CSUN Data Network Account
a stapler
electronic device to use w/internet access is recommended to bring to each class

Policies

Student Conduct Code

Academic Policy

Grade Scale & Scoring Rubric

Group Participation Rubric

Presentation Rubric

Essay Assessment Terms

My Classroom Policies

Classwork Grade Distribution

Course Objectives

Demonstrate competence in university writing
Demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies that include the appeal to audience, logic, and emotion
Understand writing as a recursive process and demonstrate its use through invention, drafting, and revision (creating, shaping, and completing)
Demonstrate the ability to use conventions of format, structure, style, and language appropriate to the purpose of a written text
Demonstrate the ability to use library and online resources effectively and to document these sources

Student Learning Outcomes

You will gain the ability to read critically
You’ll read extensively from a variety of academic and non-academic texts, including anthology essays, academic journal articles, autobiography, fiction, and news media. You will demonstrate the capacity to read critically by responding to these texts during class discussions as well as writing projects that include exercises, essays, and thematic projects.
You will gain the ability to write effectively
You will produce a range of writing that demonstrates proficiency with rhetorical strategies and expository writing concepts. This writing will include autobiography, dialogues, epistles, descriptive and argumentative essays, interactive Web reflections, thematic projects, and blogs.
You will gain knowledge of the cultural diversity of literatures
You will read an assorted body of literature produced by writers from across the globe. You will discuss and write about these diverse experiences.
You will develop competency in organizational patterns, sentence structure, and the basic usage and mechanical practices of Edited American English.

Course Information Overview

English 115 #18742
Listserve: fa12.engl115.33-c@csun.edu OR classfa12.18742-c@csun.edu . NOTE: Only accepts emails generated from a csun webmail account. Will bounce all others.
M/W 2-315P
Jerome Richfield 248

Course Philosophy

Course Description:

English 115 is a one semester course that fulfills the requirement of Approaches to University Writing. The course will emphasize expository prose writing with a focus on both content and form. Specific emphases shall include the exercise of logical thought and clear expression, the development of effective organizational strategies, and the appropriate gathering and utilization of evidence. Includes instruction on diction, syntax, and grammar, as well as the elements of prose style. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from AAS, CAS, CHS, ENGL, and PAS 115.

Video expressing an interesting approach to teaching Composition!

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Prerequisite:

punctual attendance and vigorous participation in class discussions, including whole-class workshops, and other class activities
paired rhetorical analysis presentation
weekly Moodle post (@250 words min)
careful and critical reading/viewing of all assigned texts (including independent research and colleagues’ assignment drafts)
3 completed Progressions (each progression has 3 exercises and 1 essay)
a collaborative web-based project and oral presentation (Final Project Web)
in-class writing
a whole-class workshop of one of your papers and facilitation of a colleague’s whole-class workshop
23 written responses to colleagues’ workshop drafts
final portfolio showcasing your work, including new revisions of selected work and a portfolio preface
one Wings submission

Writing Requirements:

We will emphasize writing as a process. Revision will be an essential part of the work of the class. You’ll write multiple drafts of your papers. Our attention to each others’ writing will center around student-facilitated whole-class workshops. You’ll receive oral and written feedback on your paper drafts from your colleagues and me.

Each class member will have the opportunity to have one of her assignments workshopped, and each class member will facilitate a colleague’s workshop. These workshops will give us all the chance to discuss the issues at stake in the papers, to articulate and negotiate our criteria for effective university writing, and to address and practice a variety of rhetorical strategies in the context of specific student texts.

NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED! ONLY TYPED, STAPLED WORK ACCEPTED/ uploaded to your BLOG. If you miss ANY of the steps in the process of drafting & turning in even ONE out-of-class essay, your portfolio will NOT be accepted and you risk failing the course!

Portfolio - See Projects link above. Must have a grade of 75% or better to submit.
Progressions -- each entails critical reading, process work, and group work. They also require composing with new media, fieldwork, and class presentations. An individual essay (5-7 pages) is required for each Progression. Tutoring at the LRC is extra credit. Caveat: Missing any step in progressions will prevent you from submitting a final portfolio!
Moodle Responses – posts will be due prior to/during class (@250-500 words) or as instructed by professor.
Rhetorical/visual analyses are to be done by the day/date due consisting of 15 min and must engage class in discussion. (see Projects link for details)
This class is electronic-based. All work will be submitted on student blogs. All essays must be typewritten, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and in MLA format.

The Learning Resource Writing Center- Visiting the LRC for each of the three major essays this semester, affords you extra credit. The lab is located in SB408 and student tutors are available to assist you with various steps in the writing process such as brainstorming, revising and editing. You may call for an appointment: (818) 677-2033. You can also attend on a walk-in basis OR you can arrange for an appointment. For more information about the writing lab visit: CSUN Learning Resource Center http://www.csun.edu/lrc/writing.html

Participation – Includes punctual attendance, in-class writing, whole-class workshop responses & facilitation, online tasks, and vigorous engagement in discussions.

Grammar Presentations-Each student is responsible to teach a grammar lesson comprised of a five minutes of material at beginning of class session. Student must use original material. Demonstration, quiz, handouts, video, powerpoint acceptable with class participation.
You are required to participate in the class/online discussions and you cannot do so if you have not read the assignment. Unannounced quizzes on the reading assignments will be given at regular intervals. On-line tasks such as postings on your blogs and our discussion forums are to be completed as assigned.
All written projects are to be completed by the day they are due. Essay rough drafts are to be posted and responded to following writing response protocols in Moodle on date due PRIOR to whole class workshops..
No Whaaaaaaaaahh Clause everyday, people struggle to maintain employment and make their lives work. Everyday students jump seemingly impossible hurdles to succeed in their classes. I have seen students face devastating personal crisis and still be in class with their assignments prepared. You know the course policies and you know what is expected of you. Please do not come to me with excuses why you were absent and didn't get your work in on time. If a personal crisis arises, talk with me and let me know what is going on before you jeopardize your success in the course. Do not, however, ask me to "tell you " what you've missed; it is not my job to take time to update you for classes you have chosen, for whatever reason, to be absent from. It is up to you to get the notes and copies of handouts from peers. You are responsible for all assignments (on the schedule or assigned in class).
I suggest that you make friends with someone before you leave class today and trade phone numbers and email addreses, and take note of our class listserve email address so you can keep apprised of what's going on in your absence. Being absent is not an acceptable excuse for incomplete work.
Do Not delete/throw any papers away until after semester ends!

Grade Distribution
Progressions	20%	Presentations	5%
Portfolio	50%	Class Participation/Electronic or otherwise	10%
Moodle Responses	5%	Final Project	10%