Pan African Studies 098

 

 

 

 

 

Pan African Studies 098

“Basic Writing Skills”

Pan African Studies Department

California State University, Northridge

First published in 1952, the National Book Award-winning novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison has joined the ranks of those classic works of literature as its 50th anniversary found major conferences and discussions taking place around the world to focus on this crowning achievement that focuses upon the African American Experience.

Section No. 13843                                                                                                                              Johnie H. Scott, M.A., M.F.A.

MWF, 11:00am-11:50am                                                                                                                   Associate Professor of Pan African Studies

3 Units, CR/NC                                                                                                                                  Santa Susana Building Room  210

Sierra South 310                                                                                                                                 (818) 677-2289

Email: hcpas003@csun.edu                                                                                                               Office Hours: MW, 12:30pm-2:00pm or By Appt.

Webpage: http://www.csun.edu/~hcpas003/home.html

 

Course Syllabus

Description:

 Prerequisite: A score of 142-150 on the English Placement Test (EPT) or a grade of “CR” for 097 Developmental Reading. This 098 section provides students with an intensive grounding in basic writing skills: the sentence, the rhetoric of the paragraph, mechanics, and grammar. This Basic Writing Skills course serves as a prerequisite to the 155 Freshman Composition offered by the Chicano/a, English and Pan African Studies Departments, respectively. The instruction is enhanced with media-intensive applications that include study skills and time management, critical thinking skills, training so as to gain familiarization with the World Wide Web, electronic mail (email) and computer literacy. PAS 098 Basic Writing Skills takes a Writing Workshop approach to the subject matter with extensive collaborative learning activities inside the classroom. Given this methodology, students learn the values of interpersonal communications and group dynamics that come from working together in developing and improving competencies.

Students are expected to pass exit examinations including a timed Common Essay, Exit Essay Examination, and reach or exceed national norms in Sentence Structure and Vocabulary as measured by the College Entrance Examination Board (i.e., CEEB). Moreover, students are taught how to research, organize and write critical papers using Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines. Students passing this 098 Basic Writing Skills course then move onto Pan African Studies 155 Freshman Composition (or equivalent) for the Fall semester.

 Required Textbooks:

  1. Ellison, Ralph, Invisible Man, Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, New York, NY, © 1952;
  2. Gibaldi, Joseph, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers/Sixth Edition, The Modern Language Association of America, New York, NY/1996;
  3. Kelly, William J. and Deborah L. Lawton, Discovery: From Sentence to Paragraph, Fourth Edition;
  4. Riverside Webster’s II Dictionary/Revised Edition, Berkley Books, New York, NY: 1996; and
  5. Scott, Johnie, The Effective Writer, Pearson Longman Publishing, New York, NY, © 2005.

Recommended:

1. Stern Linda, What Every Student Should Know About Avoiding Plagiarism, Pearson Longman,

 Course Objectives:

 The five primary objectives for this Pan African Studies 098 Basic Writing Skills course were developed and agreed upon by the Task Force on University Writing at California State University as the criteria for all 098-level Basic Writing Skills courses offered at CSUN:

Ø      The student will have developed proficiency in the organization and development of short essays including timed essays;

Ø      The student will have developed an understanding of sentence structure and sentence boundaries;

Ø      The student will have undergone exposure to texts representing a wide range of disciplines and perspectives;

Ø      The student will have gained an understanding of the appropriate usage of English mechanics and vocabulary; and

Ø      Lastly, the student will have received empowerment by using technology in writing.

Student Learning Outcomes:

 CSUN’s Task Force on University Writing, in setting forth the aforementioned objectives, established the following as desired outcomes for those students completing 098 Basic Writing Skills prior to entering Freshman Composition. Achieving the same is the aim and intent of this section:

Ø      Skills in paragraph development;

Ø      Skills in applying the various modes of discourse (i.e., the personal experience, personal perspective, evaluative and argumentative) to purposeful writing;

Ø      Knowledge of the writing process from the development of an idea to an edited finished manuscript;

Ø      Skills in how to use a variety of sentence patterns ranging from the simple to the compound-complex;

Ø      Skills in reading comprehension, deductive reasoning, and memory retention;

Ø      Skills in analyzing literature as it relates to non-fiction and fictional literacy;

Ø      Elements as well as learning how to generate questions and integrating ideas and concepts of one’s peers into one’s own writing;

Ø      Skills in citing, documenting, and researching information;

Ø      Skills in applying the rules of basic punctuation, capitalization and spelling;

Ø      Knowledge of common Latin and Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes as well as antonyms, homonyms, and synonyms;

Ø      Competency in using reference material in using (Oviatt) student library services; and

Ø      Skills in applying basic computer applications of word processing, email, and in using the Internet.

Grading:

 Pan African Studies is a “CR/NC” course.  To receive “CR” for this class, the 098 student must have an accumulated grade point average of 2.50 or better in meeting the course requirements. Given the mandate of the state-issued Executive Order 665 which stipulates that all students requiring remediation in English (e.g., 098 Basic Writing Skills), mathematics or both do so within their first year of college or face immediate disqualification, this section places high priority on a student’s good attendance and participation in class activities. Any student with more than two unexcused absences places himself/herself at risk for “NC” in this course – and having to repeat it in the spring semester. The requirements for the course are consistent with those stated objectives and outcomes established by the Task Force on University Writing. They are delineated in the following section of this course syllabus.

 The grading of work in this course and grade standing is done on the “Plus/Minus” system detailed in the 2006/2008 CSUN Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogue. That grading scale is as follows:

“A” = 3.7-4.0;

“A-“ = 3.5-3.69;

“B+” = 3.3-3.49;

“B” = 3.0-3.29;

“B-“ = 2.7-2.99;

“C+” = 2.3-2.69;

“C” = 2.0-2.29;

“C-“ = 1.7-1.99;

“D+” = 1.3-1.69;

“D” = 1.0-1.29;

“D-“ = .7-.99;

and

“Fail” = 0.0-.69.

 There is no grade of “Incomplete” offered in developmental sections taught at the University (i.e., 094/095/097/098/099) – the student either receives “CR” or “NC.” The course policy with regards to the grade of “Incomplete” is that stated in the CSUN Catalogue with special emphasis that, “An incomplete shall not be assigned when a student would be required to attend a major portion of the class when it is next offered.” (48). In this instance, the incomplete grade shall not be offered to any student whose semester performance has been at “C-“ or lower or who has failed to complete “a substantial portion of the class requirement.” (48) To repeat, the grade of “Incomplete” shall not be assigned to any student enrolled in this 098 Basic Writing Skills section. Students failing to meet the 2.50 minimum cumulative grade point average as determined by the primary grade factors and bonuses shall receive “No Credit” for the course – no exceptions! Every student is expected to assume full responsibility for all actions done in regards to this course, its requirements, and the expectations of the course instructor.

 Course Requirements:

 To meet the objectives and fulfill the outcomes for 098 Basic Writing Skills, the student is expected to master the following requirements in critical thinking, reading, study and basic writing skills:

·         Essay Examinations: The student takes a total of three (3) formal, timed essay examinations of 45 minutes’ duration: Pre-Semester, Midterm and Common Essay. The Midterm and Common Essay Examinations are averaged together in constituting the first primary grade factor for the class. These essay exams require a large (i.e., 8 ½”x11”) Blue Book. Under no circumstances shall “CR” be issued to any student who fails to take either the Midterm or Common Essay or both!;

·         Objective Examinations: There are a total of three course-based objective examinations in the class: an Objective Quiz, Midterm Objective and Exit Essay Examination with the latter requiring a large Blue Book. These three examinations are averaged together in constituting the second primary grade factor. No student shall receive “CR” who misses and fails to makeup the Exit Essay Examination – no exceptions!;

·         Homework Assignments: The class requires that the student complete formal homework assignments focused on remediating those deficiencies in sentence skills, paragraph development, essay writing and critical thinking found at the 098 level with a decided focus on grammar and mechanics. Unless otherwise indicated in the course syllabus or by the instructor, these assignments come primarily from the required course textbook(s). These homework assignments are due as of the time indicated by the instructor. “Late” homework will not be accepted for grading as a central aim of the course is to develop reliability and punctuality in the student -- the type needed to survive and persist towards the college degree. Homework represents the third primary grade factor for the course. To qualify for “CR” in the class, the student must achieve at least a 2.30 or better cumulative grade point average for homework – no exceptions!;

PAS 098 students are given the opportunity to develop and enhance critical thinking and writing skills by studying controversial thinkers such as Malcolm X while discussing and analyzing issues ranging from human rights to the genocides taking place on African continent such as in Darfur.

           ·         Collaborative Learning Projects: The student participates in two     Collaborative Learning Projects (i.e., CLPs) as part of this 098 Basic Writing Skills course. For these projects, each group has a 25-30 minutes in which to prepare and deliver a formal presentation to include the use of study guides, visual aids including PowerPoint and overhead transparencies. The two CLPs are averaged together in forming the fourth primary grade component. No student will receive “CR” who misses more than one of the presentations – No exceptions!

·         Basic Writer’s Journal: The 098 Basic Writing Skills student maintains a formal Journal comprised of entries developed according to the format described by the course instructor and maintained in a single subject, spiral color-coded (e.g., green) notebook. This Journal is evaluated twice during the term by the instructor with those evaluations averaged together in forming the fifth primary grade component. No student will receive “CR” who fails to maintain and submit this document!;

·         Writing Assignments: The student in this section researches and writes a total of four (4) papers not including the Term Paper: the Personal Experience Narrative, the Evaluative Essay, the Argumentative essay, and a collaborative Annotated Bibliography. The first three papers require of the student revisions to be done at the Pan African Studies Writing Center under tutorial supervision. The Annotated Bibliography requires the student to work with Oviatt Library Senior Research Librarians and the Pan African Studies Writing Center in regards to mastering information technology as well as Modern Language Association guidelines. These writing assignments are averaged together in forming the sixth primary grade component for the course; and

·         Term Paper: The 098 Basic Writing Skills student completing this section will have received thorough training and preparation in the reading, research and writing of a formal term paper that meets University requirements including format and guidelines for citations, “Works Cited” and the Annotated Bibliography. The Term Paper is based upon the student’s reading and research related to Ralph Ellison’s 1952 classic Invisible Man. The term paper is to be a total of 1,500 words prepared in standard manuscript format, double-spaced, paginated with no less than twelve (12) citations, a “Works Cited” section and Annotated Bibliography. The Annotated Bibliography must contain documentation and reference to at least two Internet websites (i.e., one each). This term paper represents the seventh and final primary grade factor for the class. No student will receive “CR” who fails to submit this term paper – No exceptions!

The world recently celebrated the publishing of Invisible Man  by Ralph Ellison (shown above).   First released in 1952, Ellison’s novel went on to become a Book of the Month Club selection and, more importantly, the first work of fiction by African American to receive the National Book Award while also being hailed as one of the 50 greatest literary works by an American author.

+

With these seven areas constituting the primary grade factors, students in this 098 Basic Writing Skills course have the opportunity to accrue “Bonus” points as well which are factored into the final grade determination. Those “Bonus” points are as follows:

o        Attendance. Students with a record of “perfect” attendance (i.e., no absences or tardies) qualify for a bonus. Students with an attendance record of no absences and no more than two tardies qualify for a smaller bonus;

o        Pre and Post-Semester Diagnostic Tests in Sentence Structure and Logical Relationships. This “Bonus” area concerns the student improving upon his/her percentile ratings for Sentence Structure and Vocabulary as established by the College Entrance Examination Board. To do so, all students upon entering the course take a Pre-Semester Diagnostic Test in Sentence Structure (Form A) and Vocabulary (Form A). These tests require the student to use a Scan-Tron Form 882. At the conclusion of the semester, the student takes diagnostic tests in  Sentence Structure (Form B) and Vocabulary (Form B). In each instance, percentile ratings are obtained. Those students showing improvement on either or both diagnostic tests in comparison to their pre-Semester scores are awarded “Bonus” points for so doing. At the same time, no student shall receive CR for the course who fails to take either Sentence Structure or the Vocabulary Diagnostic Tests at the end of the semester and fails to make arrangements for doing so;

o        Pan African Studies Writing Center. The Pan African Studies Writing Center is a critical component in providing direct support services to the overall program of instruction. There will be directed learning activities taking place in the Writing Center with respect to building upon the skills presented in the classroom. Students can and will receive Bonus points for completing this portion of the learning activities associated with this PAS Writing Center by enrolling in it for the 1-unit of credit offered. Students must show proof of enrollment in PAS 099 to the course instructor by no later than the third week of course instruction to qualify for the “Bonus” and must earn “CR” in the 099 Writing Center to receive the maximum Bonus points of credit in this 098 Basic Writing Skills course.  All major revisions of work (i.e., essay examinations, formal papers and other work as directed by the instructor) are to be done with the assistance of the Writing Center tutor(s) or those based in the University’s Learning Resource Center. That work is to be submitted with a signature from the Writing Center. Each time this takes place, the student earns bonus points. The Writing Center tutor(s) are trained in the expectations of the course instructor and the  Pan African Studies Writing Program;

o        Exceptional academic work. Students can and shall receive bonus points for exceptional work in the classroom and other activities as these promote and reflect academic, scholarly growth.

The above areas are totaled, then added to the base grade point average derived from the seven primary grade factors (i.e., Essay Examinations, Objective Examinations, Homework, Collaborative Learning Projects, Basic Writer’s Journal, Writing Topics and the Term Paper). The resulting cumulative grade point average is used to determine student performance, ranking, and final course grade.

PAS 098 Basic Writing Skills

Course Schedule

 

The emphasis in this class is on the vitality of the human spirit, the will to learn, that striving to improve oneself and one’s place in the world. Such will, such striving, is reflected in the award-winning feature film Akeelah and the Bee that 098 students will view and then write about in formal, evaluative essays. 

Week 1   (Aug. 23rd-25th, 2007)               Orientation

These graceful images of African women are visual metaphors for the themes of unity and coherence in writing, the flowing from one sentence to the next, from one paragraph to the next, from one idea to the next, done with style and voice and the mastery that is the goal of the 098 student.

1)      Course Orientation: Description, Goals, 098 Objectives and Outcomes Described

2)      Complete Student Profile

3)      3. Reading: Invisible Man, “Introduction,” pgs. vii-xxiii

 

Week 2 (Aug. 26th-Sept. 1st, 2007)         PAS 098 Basic Writing Skills Orientation

 

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., son of the late United States Attorney General who was assassinated while running for the Presidency of the United States, will be keynote speaker at CSUN on September 6th in addressing concerns about the human environment.

 

1)      Presentation/Discussion: "Orientation and Review of Syllabus, Course Requirements" Examination

2)      1st Round of Collaborative Presentation Assignments: Overview and Protocols (Wednesday, August 29th)

3)      The Basic Writers Journal: Guidelines & Writing Technique (Wednesday, August 29th)

4)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 3-41.

5)      Homework #1: “Making Choices: The 9-Step Time Management Plan” from The Effective Writer.

6)      Journal Entry #1: “My Biggest Concern About Writing” (Wednesday, August 29th)

7)      Journal Entry #2: “My Last Writing Class” (Friday, August 31st)

8)      Journal Entry #3: “My Plan for Excelling in this Class” (Saturday, September 1st)

 

Week 3   (Sept. 2nd-8th)   Mastering the Basic Study Skills

This cartoon captures the angst which Robert Kennedy Jr. has taken on in confronting the nonchalant, devil-may-care attitudes of those in denial about the effects of environmental pollution and global warming.

1)      Administer Pre-Semester 098 Common Essay Examination (Wednesday, September 5th - Large Blue Book Required)

2)      Administer Pre-Semester Diagnostic Testing in Sentence Structure and Vocabulary, Form A (Scan-Tron Form 882-E Required, Friday, September 7th)

3)      Scheduling of Faculty-Student Clinical Conferences to Discuss Pre-Semester Testing Results

4)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 41-79.

5)      HW#1 Due (Via email as of 9:00am Wednesday, September 5th)

6)      HW#2: “The Credit Card Trap” from The Effective Writer.

7)      Journal Entry #4: "What Is the Lesson to be Learned from the Downfall of Michael Vicks?" (Note: Try to include photograph of Vicks with this entry, Wednesday, September 5th)

8)      Special Journal Entry#5: "Robert F Kennedy, Jr. : First Impressions" (Make certain to include photograph with this entry) (Thursday, September 6th)

Former Atlanta Falcons’ superstar quarterback Michael Vicks has become the paradigm for those who can spend all of their lives preparing for success and then lose it in just a few moments of thoughtless actions, be it driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol or dog fighting – in either case, it can cost you a career.

Week 4  (Sept. 9th-15th, 2007)             Pre-Semester Testing Results

 

Robert F. Kennedy

1)      Presentation/Discussion: "Creating as the First Stage of Writing: From Focused Freewriting to Surveying (Monday, September 10th)"

2)      Presentation/Discussion: "Peer Critiques of Selected Pre-Semester Essays with Selected Readings" (Monday, September 10th -- Return of Pre-Semester Essay Exams for Revisions to be done in PAS Writing Center)

3)      Presentation/Discussion: “Effective Openings: The Basic Essay Structure” (Wednesday, September 12th)

4)      Presentation/Discussion: “Effective Closings: The Basic Essay Structure” (Friday, September 14th)

5)      HW#2 Due (Via email as of 9:00am, Monday, September 10th)

6)      HW#3: “Opening and Closing Essay Gambits” from The Effective Writer.

7)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 79-118.

8)      Journal Entry #6: “What I Learned Listening to the Pre-Semester Essay Exams” (Monday, September 10th)

9)      Journal Entry #7: “Should ‘One Nation, Under God’ Be Taken Out of the Pledge of Allegiance?” (Friday, September 14th)

 

Week 5  (Sept. 16th-22nd, 2007)     The Principle of Unity in Writing

 

PAS 098 students receive an Afrocentric approach to written communication, one steeped in culture and history as is the case with all learning. Here one has images of the lion taken from ancient Egyptian texts.

 

1)      1st Collaborative Group Presentation Assignments (Note These come from course textbook Discovery: From Sentence to Paragraph, Fourth Edition): Five groups of students -- four in each -- with every group to prepare 15-minute Power Point Presentation and a class handout. Each group will have 20-25 minutes total in which to make actual presentation – Group 1: “How to Correct Sentence Fragments (Chapter 7, pgs. 143-154);” Group 2: “How to Correct Comma Splices (Chapter 10, pgs. 196-211);” Group 3: “The Primary Usages of the Comma (Chapter 21, pgs. 417-429);” Group 4: “Using Irregular Verbs (Chapter 13, pgs. 265-273);” Group 5: “Homonyms and Commonly Misseplled Words (Chapter 22, pgs. 448-458);” ”

2)      Pre-Semester Essay Examination Revisions Due (At start of class Monday, September 17th, with signature from PAS Writing Center Tutors and original Blue Book Essay)

3)      Presentation/Discussion: “The Principle of Unity in Writing: From Topic Sentence to Thesis Statement”

4)      HW#3 (Via email as of 9:00am, Monday, September 17th)

5)      HW#4: “The 13 Keys to Effective Listening and Note-Taking” from The Effective Writer.

6)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 118-156.

7)      Journal Entry #8: “My Plans to Overcome Executive Order 665”

8)      Journal Entry #9: “Toxic Waster Dumping in Poor Communities (Personal Thoughts)”

 

Week 6 (Sept. 23rd-29th, 2007)    The Principle of Coherence in Writing

 

Images such as these from the violence encountered and endured by the civil rights protestors of the 1960s in the Deep South such as these shown above  in Selma, Alabama would change the racist stereotypes given to African Americans of being satisfied with second class citizenship and inequality, stereotypes that lasted more than 100 years following the Civil War. Those stereotypes would change, though, with the militancy of Blacks across the nation. 

1)      Presentation: “Writing the Personal Experience Narrative” (Monday, September 24th, 2007)

2)      Writing Assignment #1: To write 750-word Personal Experience Narrative on Assigned Topic (Due as noted by course instructor)

3)      1st Collaborative Group Presentations (Note: Each group has 20-25 minutes in which to present with each group to prepare study guide for class and also incorporate presentation into Power Point): Groups 1-3 (Wednesday/Friday, September 26th/28th, 2007).

4)      HW#4 (Due via email as of 9:00am, Monday, September 24th.)

5)      HW#5: “The Fire This Time” by Johnie Scott, Key Concepts and Questions from The Effective Writer.

6)      HW#6: “The Power Words”

7)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 157-194

8)      Journal Entry #10: “Why I Refuse to Be a Dropout”

9)      Journal Entry #11: “Should Others Like Robert Kennedy Jr. Be Invited to Speak and Why?” 

Week 7 (Sept. 30th-Oct. 6th, 2007)   Mastering the Rules of the Game

 

 

Part of the work being done in teaching of writing skills today is elimination of sexism from the language, certainly from the prose.

1)      1st Collaborative Group Presentations (Note: Each group has 20-25 minutes in which to present with each group to prepare study guide for class and also incorporate presentation into Power Point): Groups 4-5 (Monday, October 1st, 2007).

2)      Objective Quiz #1 (Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 -- 40 minutes)

3)      1st Lecture/Presentation: "Subordination in Writing" (Friday, October 5th -- For background, Chapter 8, pgs. 164-172, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs).

4)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 195-232.

5)      HW#5 Due (Via email as of 9:00am, Monday, October 1st)

6)      HW#6 Due (Via email as of 9:00am, Wednesday, October 3rd)

7)      HW#7: “From the Inside Looking Out” by Lt. Arthur Doyle, Key Concepts and Study Questions from The Effective Writer.

8)      Journal Entry #12: “My Thoughts About Power Point and the New Information Technology”

9)      Journal Entry #13: “What Has Been the Highlight of this Class So Far for Me?”

10)      Journal Entry #14: “A Word Portrait: Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in My Academic Life?”

Week 8  (Oct. 7th-13th, 2007)           Midterm Examination – The Essay

 

Screenwriter and novelist Budd Schulberg  (center) with Watts Writers Workshop members Harry Dolan (left) and Johnie Scott (right), testifying at a 1966 Senate subcommittee on social justice. This photo is a part of the Schulberg papers recently acquired by Rauner Special Collections Library. (Photo Dartmouth College Library).

1)      Lecture/Presentation: “The Writing Process: Creating Techniques – Looping

2)      Midterm Essay Examination (Large Blue Book Required)

3)      Lecture/Presentation: “The Modes of Discourse in Writing: Narrative Technique and the Personal Experience Essay”

4)      Writing Assignment #1: To do Looping Technique + 750-word Personal Experience Essay on Assigned Topic

5)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 233-270.

6)      Screening: The Angry Voices of Watts (This film is on reserve in the Oviatt Library Media Center)

7)      HW#7 Due ((Via email as of 9:00am, Monday, October 8th)

8)      HW#8: To do Looping Technique on The Angry Voices of Watts

9)      HW#9: To do Cubing Technique on The Angry Voices of Watts

10)  Submit Basic Writer’s Journal for Midterm Grade Check (As noted by instructor)

Week 9  (Oct. 14th-20th, 2007)           Midterm Objective Examinations

 

The Sphinx at Gaza. 

1)      HW#8 Due ((At the start of class, handwritten using Blue or Black Ink, Monday, October 15th)

2)      HW#9 Due (At the start of class, handwritten using Blue or Black ink, Wednesday, October 17th)

3)      WA#1 Due (At start of class Monday, October 15th, with Looping creating technique attached, as noted by course instructor)

4)      Midterm Objective Examination Review

5)      Midterm Objective Examination – Part 1: Terminology

6)      Midterm Objective Examination – Part 2: The Conventions of Writing

7)      HW#10: “My Brother’s Keeper” by Johnnie Cochran, Key Concepts and Study Questions from The Effective Writer.

8)      HW#11: “The N Word” by Emma Jackson, Key Concepts and Study Questions from The Effective Writer.

9)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 271-300.

10)  2nd Round of Collaborative Group Presentation Assignments – Researching Documenting and Mastering MLA Conventions for Research Papers (Note: All presentations are based upon the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers/6th Edition)

Week 10 (Oct. 21st-27th, 2007) Modes of Discourse – Extended Definition

 

Mrs. Rosa Parks – her courage ignited a movement that would not end until the racial segregation that had defined America for more than a century had been crushed.

1)      HW#10 Due (Via email as of 9:00am, Monday, October 22nd)

2)      HW#11 Due (Via email as of 9:00am, Wednesday, October 24th)

3)      Return of Basic Writer’s Journals with Selected Peer Critiques

4)      Return of WA#1 for Rewrites and Revisions (To be done in PAS Writing Center with Tutors)

5)      Lecture/Presentation: “The Writing Process: Creating Techniques – Cubing”

6)      Lecture/Presentation: “The Modes of Discourse in Writing Technique: Description as Word Paintings”

7)      Lecture/Presentation: “The Modes of Discourse in Writing Technique: The Extended Definition”

8)      Writing Assignment #2: To do Cubing Technique + 750-word Extended Definition on “Rosa Parks – Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”

9)  Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 301-330.

10)      2nd Round Collaborative Presentations: MLA Guidelines and Format -- Group 1, Chapter 2, "The Mechanics of Writing: From Spelling to Names of Persons;" Group 2, Chapter 2, "The Mechanics of Writing: From Numbers to Capitalization and Personal Names Other Than English;" Group 3, Chapter 4, "Documentation: From Documenting Sources to Citing Books;" Group 4, Chapter 4, "Documentation: From Citing Articles in Periodicals to Citing Other Sources;" and Group 5, Chapter 5, "Documentation: Citing Sources in Text." Each group to have 45 minutes for its presentation, using Power Point with handouts.

10)  Journal Entry #15: What I Learned from Listening to My Classmates’ Journals”

11)  Journal Entry #16: “My Vote for the Best Motion Picture of 2006 and Why”

12)  Journal Entry #17: “What Did I Learn from Taking the Midterm Objective Exam and How Can I Do Better?”

Week 11 (Oct. 28th-Nov. 3rd, 2007)      Post-Midterm Assessments

 

This cover of Newsweek Magazine captures the essence of the 1960s urban upheavals that rocked America from East Oakland to Harlem and was captured in the semiautobiographical essay “The Coming of the Hoodlum” by Professor Johnie Scott which was first presented to the United States Congress by Scott in 1966 (and printed in The Congressional Record, August 1966)  and later published in more than 20 languages worldwide. 

1)      WA#2 Due (At start of class on Wednesday, October 31st, as noted by instructor with creating technique attached)

2)      Presentation: Midterm Essay Examination Results with Selected Readings (Return of Midterm Essay Exams for Revisions at PAS Writing Center with Writing Tutors)

3)      WA#1 Revision Due (At start of class with 1st draft attached and signature of Writing Center Tutor)

4)      Presentation: "Sentence Clarity" (Power Point Presentation)

5)      HW#12: “David Walker’s Appeal in Four Articles” by David Walker, Writing for Insight from The Effective Writer.

6)      HW#13: “Reverse Racism, or How the Pot Got to Call the Kettle Black” by Stanley Fish, Writing for Insight from The Effective Writer.

7)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 331-370.

8)      Journal Entry #18: “What I Learned Listening to the Midterm Essay Exams of My Classmates”

9)  Journal Entry #19: “Marijuana and College Aid: My Two Cents' Worth”

10)  Journal Entry #20: “It's Not Good My Job to Be Your Friend!: What It Means to Be a Teacher Today”

 

Week 12  (Nov. 4th-10th, 2007)       Writing the Effective Argument

 

Egyptian goddess Isis revered for her signifying knowledge and wisdom, veneration for the fine arts.

1)      HW#12 Due (Via email as of 9:00am Monday, November 5th)

2)      HW#13 Due (Via email as of 9:00am Wednesday, November 7th)

3)      Lecture/Presentation: “Organizing the Argument” (Power Point Presentation - Monday, November 5th)

4)      Lecture/Presentation: "Organizing the Argument - Part 2" (Power Point Presentation - Wednesday, November 7th)

5)      Lecture/Presentation: "Sentence Clarity: Correcting Problems with Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers" (Power Point Presentation - Monday, November 5th)

6)      Return of WA#2 for Rewrites and Revisions (Friday, November 9th)

7)      HW#14: “Neither Separate Schools Nor Mixed Schools” by Derrick Bell, Key Concepts and Study Questions from The Effective Writer.

8)  HW#15: “Ebonics” by Jacqueline Brice-Finch, Key Concepts and Study Questions from The Effective Writer.

9)  Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 371-400.

10)  Journal Entry #21: Reflections: Concerning the 39th Anniversary of Pan African Studies.

11)  Journal Entry #22: Chapter 10 -- "Journal Writing," pg. 212, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs.

12)  Journal Entry #23: Chapter 13 -- "Journal Writing," pg. 273, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs.

Week 13  (Nov. 11th-17th, 2007)  Guidelines for MLA Documentation

The life of late musical giant Ray Charles is subject for musical Ray Charles Live! at the Pasadena Playhouse with this production directed by Sheldon Epps and this PAS 098 class has opportunity to view the play live and then write Evaluative essays based upon that experience.

Please note that Monday, November 12th, is Veteran's Day -- a legal holiday. Campus will be closed with no classes scheduled.

1)      HW#14 Due (Via email as of 7:00pm Tuesday, November 13th)

2)      HW#15 Due (Via email as of 9:30am Wednesday, November 14th)

3)      WA#2 Rewrite Due (At start of class Friday, November 16th, with original draft attached and PAS Writing Center Tutor signature)

4)      2nd Round of Group Presentations – MLA Format for Research Papers: Group 1 for Wednesday, November 14th (Lewam Kebreab, Facilitator; Terry Duplesis, Jamal Haddad and Victoria Winston). Each group has 45 minutes.

5)      2nd Round of Group Presentations – MLA Format for Research Papers: Group 2 for Friday, November 16th (Jamaal Flemister, Facilitator; Max Bey, Danaye Johnson and Totianna Steptoe). Each group has 45 minutes.

6)      Writing Assignment #3: To do Looping and Cubing Techniques + 1,000-word Evaluative Essay on the Pasadena Playhouse production of Ray Charles Live! (Make special note that Friday evening, November 16th, this PAS 098 class will be part of special group of CSUN students in Pan African Studies Department to travel to famed Pasadena Playhouse to see performance of the musical based on life of the acclaimed musical genius Ray Charles. Students will be attending play with sponsorship provided by Discover, Inquire and Grow in Los Angeles (DIGLA) Program in conjunction with Office of Student Affairs, CSU Northridge).

7)      Final HW#16: “The Coming of the Hoodlum” by Johnie Scott, Key Concepts and Study Questions for The Effective Writer.

8)      Reading: Invisible Man, pgs. 401-431; Chapter 9 -- "Coordination," pgs. 181-189, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs. .

9)      Journal Entry #24: Chapter 21 -- "Journal Writing," pg. 431, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs.

10)  Journal Entry #25: Chapter 22 -- "Journal Writing," pg. 459, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs.

11)  Journal Entry #26: As assigned by course instructor

 

Week 14 (Nov. 18th-24th, 2007)        Internal Assessments

 

The Step Pyramid of Djoser is considered one of the unique architectural marvels of ancient world civilization. Students in this 098 class have been consistently prodded to explore world culture while learning about African and African American history in the process of becoming strong thinkers and writers.

1)      Final HW#16 Due (Via email as of 9:00am Monday, November 19th)

2)      Presentation/Lecture: "The Role of Research in Critical Analysis" (Monday, November 19th)

3)      2nd Round of Group Presentations – MLA Format for Research Papers: Group 3 for Wednesday, November 21st (Chanetta McFerguson, Facilitator; Brian Dugas, Ashaley Frazier and Jonathan Torres). Each group has 45 minutes.

4)      Week 14 Status Report: Midterm Exams, Writing Assignments, Presentations, Homework (To be posted via email as of Saturday evening, November 24th)

5)      Reading: Invisible Man, To complete book over Thanksgiving holidays; and Chapter 4 -- "Revising: Refining Your Draft," pgs. 62-91, Discovery: From Sentences to Paragraphs. .

6)      Journal Entry #27: As assigned by course instructor

7)      Journal Entry #28: As assigned by course instructor

8)      Journal Entry #29: As assigned by course instructor

 

Note: Thursday and Friday are National Holidays – Thanksgiving and Admissions Day. All CSU campuses closed and no classes.

 

Week 15 (Nov. 25th-Dec. 1st, 2007)    Writing About Literature

Not only was he  one of the finest writers the nation has produced, the urbane and sophisticated Ralph Ellison was a consummate jazz artist and critic: a scholar as well whose lectures were eagerly looked forward to.

1)      WA#3 Due (At start of class, Monday, November 26th, as noted by course instructor with creating techniques)

2)      2nd Round of Group Presentations – MLA Format for Research Papers: Group 4 for Monday, November 26th (Martoinne Williams, Facilitator; Tara Cooper, Jovan Harris and LaTosha King ). Each group has 45 minutes.

3)      2nd Round of Group Presentations – MLA Format for Research Papers: Group 5 for Wednesday, November 28th (Gloria Fitts, Facilitator; Kris Brown, Julian Garcia and Ana Marin). This group has 45 minutes.

4)      Special Lecture: "Library Information Sciences & Researching Capstone Papers" (Guest Lecturer: Prof. Lynn Lampert, Sr. Research Librarian, Oviatt Library with Class Meeting at Oviatt Library - Friday, November 30th)

5)      Lecture/Presentation: "The Annotated Bibliography" (Wednesday, November 28th)

6)      Writing Assignment #4 -- Annotated Bibliography Assignments: AB#1 - Richard Wright; AB#2 - Bebe Moore Campbell; AB#3 - Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong; AB#4 - Alice Walker; AB#5 - Melvin Van Peebles.

7)      Return of WA#3 for Revisions (At start of class, Friday, November 30th, with students to do rewrites and revisions in PAS Writing Center)

)8)      Reading: Chapter 5, "Moving from Paragraph to Essay," pgs. 98-108, Discovery: From Sentence to Paragraph.

9)      Journal Entry #30: As assigned by course instructor

10)      Journal Entry #31: As assigned by course instructor

11)  Journal Entry #32: As assigned by course instructor 

Week 16 (Dec. 2nd-8th-2007)           Review Week

 

The nation’s capital was site for one of the most important demonstrations in history with the Million Man March, pictured above, with African Americans coming from all parts of the globe to gather peacefully in Washington, D.C. in presenting to the world a new image of the Black Man. 

1)      WA#4 Due (At start of class on Monday, Dec. 3rd with creating technique attached)

2)      WA#3 Revision Due (At start of class, Monday, Dec. 3rd, with original draft and PAS Writing Center Tutor signature)

3)      Peer Critiques of Selected WA#3 Evaluative Essays (For Monday, December 3rd)

4)      Presentation: Basic Writer's Journal Format -- From Cover Page to Preface (For Monday, December 3rd)

5)      Journal Final Entry #33: "A Letter to My PAS 098 Classmates: Now that We've Come This Far, We Might As Well Finish the Race!" (for Monday evening, December 3rd)

6)      PAS 098 Basic Writers Journals Due (At start of class on Wednesday, December 5th)

7)      PAS 098 Departmental Common Essay Exam (Large Blue Book Required) – for Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

8)      Post-Semester Diagnostic Testing: Sentence Structure and Vocabulary (Scan-Tron Form 882 Required, for Friday, December 7th)

Week 17 (Dec. 9th-17th, 2007)     Finals Week

 

The joy evident in expression of this Masai girl in welcoming ceremony reflects the spirit of this course which was international as well as local, global in the expansion of conscious awareness and specific in terms of enhancing those basic writing skills necessary to survive and thrive in the learning community.

  

1) Monday, December 17th (10:15am-12:15pm) Exit Essay Examination

2) Return of PAS 098 Basic Writer’s Student Portfolio

3) Term Paper Due (At the start of final class meeting, December 17th, or the PAS Main Office in Santa Susana Building 221 by or before 4:30pm -- No exceptions!)