English 1B: Critical Thinking and Writing
COURSE DESCRIPTION and POLICIES
COURSE DESCRIPTION and POLICIES
This course develops critical thinking, reading, and writing skills through the formal study of argument and literature. Composition totaling a minimum of 10,000 words serves to correlate writing with reading. Classroom activities integrate with Writing and Reading Center activities. 72 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory. (Letter Grade Only) Prerequisites: English 1A or placement.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
The theme of this course is crisis. From identity crisis, to the crisis of war or the personal crisis in the search for vengeance, the works we encounter this semester will provide us with various portrayals of people in crisis. The works we will read this semester have not only been chosen because of the crises they portray within them, but because of the implications of crisis in the world around us.
We will seek to read literature with an eye to what it is we, as human beings and citizens of the world, can learn from it about ourselves as individuals and the world at large. Students will be asked to engage critically with the works we read both orally and in writing, seamlessly incorporating source material, to expand their abilities to argue in convincing ways.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required Texts:
Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing Kirszner and Mandell, Wadsworth Publishing; 8 edition, 2009
Brokeback Mountain Annie Proulx
Brave New World Aldous Huxley
Ruined Lynn Nottage
Required Materials:
Blue or black pens (all handwritten work must be completed in pen)
Access to a collegiate dictionary
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Recognize and explain the principles of formal argument:
a. Principles of effective logical analysis
b. Components of argumentation and persuasion in literary and critical works
c. Formal and informal fallacies of language and thought that weaken reasoning
2. Read and discuss literary works from a variety of genres – fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction prose – with understanding and insight.
a. Read literary works closely, recognize differences in language use, understand figurative language, and distinguish between literal and metaphorical meanings.
b. Recognize and appreciate some of the distinctive features of each genre covered.
c. Develop an appreciation for the broad diversity of authorial voices and cultural contexts in works of literature.
3. Analyze literary works with an understanding of how critical thinking and argumentation can inform discussions of literature.
a. Distinguish among facts, inferences, and judgments in literary works and discussions of literature.
b. Explain assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend in literary and critical texts and within their own arguments.
c.Interpret literary works using the formal components of literary analysis
d. Synthesize diverse interpretive alternatives and demonstrate an ability to assess those alternatives while engaging in discussions of literature.
e. Develop an understanding of diverse political, historical, and cultural viewpoints from the reading and discussion of literature.
4. Apply principles of sound critical thinking to their own interpretive/ argumentative essays by composing developed, unified, coherent, and stylistically fluent essays that:
a. Analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas about literary works.
b. Demonstrate a consistent and persuasive line of reasoning in writing,
c. Provide valid logical premises in support of an analysis of or argument about literary works.
d. Make inferences about evidence and draw conclusions in support of an interpretive or argumentative claim
e. Support premises about literary works with effectively integrated, relevant, thoughtful, and sufficient evidence drawn (as appropriate) from texts.
f. Analyze and interpret evidence so the warrant for using specific textual material as evidence for a particular claim is clear.
g. Demonstrate a consideration of alternate interpretations in creation of written literary arguments.
CLASSROOM/COURSE POLICIES
Attendance/Tardiness: Class attendance is mandatory and there are no excused absences.* If you miss more than four (4) classes you will be asked to drop the class or will not pass. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of absences. Be sure to check with a fellow student for any changes or additions made to the syllabus during your absence. Entering class late is disruptive to the learning process for your fellow students. If arriving late becomes a problem, I reserve the right to count tardies as absences or deduct points from your participation grade. Do not interrupt the class to ask for missed work or announce that you have arrived; please see me during a break or after class.*Note: There is no such thing as an excused absence. Students are responsible for ensuring that I receive any work due on the day it is due (more about this later). Students must be present on the first and second days of the class, or they will be dropped.
Expectations: Students are expected to come to class prepared with all necessary materials and a willingness to participate. Consistently arriving to class unprepared can result in a lower grade and/or being requested to drop the class. This is a college-level class. As such, students should expect to spend about two hours working outside of class for every hour they spend in class (about 6 - 8 hours per week).
Late Work: No late work will be accepted. You will have plenty of warning before assignments are due, so please plan accordingly. If you are going to miss class on the day an assignment is due, you may email me the assignment BEFORE THE CLASS IS OVER to have it counted as on time. However, you must bring me a physical copy of the assignment when you return in order for it to be graded. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to ask a fellow student (preferred) or email me about what you missed to ensure that you do not miss turning in any homework assignments on the day of your return. Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester, and often without warning. In the event that you miss a quiz or other in-class assignment, you may make up the assignment on the day you return. It is the student’s responsibility to request a makeup at the beginning of class on the day of his/her return. In the event of a prolonged absence due to hospitalization or the hospitalization or death of a loved one, we may be able to work out a system to keep you caught up on work.
Class rules:
1. NO cell phones, other electronic devices or non-class related materials. If you are caught using any electronic device during class or viewing non-class related materials or working on outside homework, you will be given one warning. Upon the second request, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for the day.
2. NO late assignments are accepted.
3. RESPECT the property and people around you. Disrespecting anyone or anything in the class room may result in you being asked to leave and counted absent for the day.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Cheating and plagiarism have serious consequences. This is a writing and research course, so you will regularly be using outside sources to further your arguments. Even using a short passage from someone else’s work without properly citing the source is considered plagiarism. According to Riverside Community College District Policy 6080, Section II.C. 1&2: For instances of academic dishonesty a faculty member may take any one of the following actions:
The faculty member may reduce the score on tests or assignment(s), reduce the grade for the course, fail the student in the course, or recommend to the appropriate administrative officer that the student be suspended from the course.
DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability requiring accommodation in this class, please contact me or the Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services. Our goal as a college and as educators is to make sure that you succeed, as such we will be happy to work with you in determining appropriate accommodations to meet the educational limitations resulting from your disability. The Moreno Valley DSPS office is located in the Humanities building, room number 222. The phone number for the office is 951-571-6138.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
The theme of this course is crisis. From identity crisis, to the crisis of war or the personal crisis in the search for vengeance, the works we encounter this semester will provide us with various portrayals of people in crisis. The works we will read this semester have not only been chosen because of the crises they portray within them, but because of the implications of crisis in the world around us.
We will seek to read literature with an eye to what it is we, as human beings and citizens of the world, can learn from it about ourselves as individuals and the world at large. Students will be asked to engage critically with the works we read both orally and in writing, seamlessly incorporating source material, to expand their abilities to argue in convincing ways.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required Texts:
Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing Kirszner and Mandell, Wadsworth Publishing; 8 edition, 2009
Brokeback Mountain Annie Proulx
Brave New World Aldous Huxley
Ruined Lynn Nottage
Required Materials:
Blue or black pens (all handwritten work must be completed in pen)
Access to a collegiate dictionary
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Recognize and explain the principles of formal argument:
a. Principles of effective logical analysis
b. Components of argumentation and persuasion in literary and critical works
c. Formal and informal fallacies of language and thought that weaken reasoning
2. Read and discuss literary works from a variety of genres – fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction prose – with understanding and insight.
a. Read literary works closely, recognize differences in language use, understand figurative language, and distinguish between literal and metaphorical meanings.
b. Recognize and appreciate some of the distinctive features of each genre covered.
c. Develop an appreciation for the broad diversity of authorial voices and cultural contexts in works of literature.
3. Analyze literary works with an understanding of how critical thinking and argumentation can inform discussions of literature.
a. Distinguish among facts, inferences, and judgments in literary works and discussions of literature.
b. Explain assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend in literary and critical texts and within their own arguments.
c.Interpret literary works using the formal components of literary analysis
d. Synthesize diverse interpretive alternatives and demonstrate an ability to assess those alternatives while engaging in discussions of literature.
e. Develop an understanding of diverse political, historical, and cultural viewpoints from the reading and discussion of literature.
4. Apply principles of sound critical thinking to their own interpretive/ argumentative essays by composing developed, unified, coherent, and stylistically fluent essays that:
a. Analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas about literary works.
b. Demonstrate a consistent and persuasive line of reasoning in writing,
c. Provide valid logical premises in support of an analysis of or argument about literary works.
d. Make inferences about evidence and draw conclusions in support of an interpretive or argumentative claim
e. Support premises about literary works with effectively integrated, relevant, thoughtful, and sufficient evidence drawn (as appropriate) from texts.
f. Analyze and interpret evidence so the warrant for using specific textual material as evidence for a particular claim is clear.
g. Demonstrate a consideration of alternate interpretations in creation of written literary arguments.
CLASSROOM/COURSE POLICIES
Attendance/Tardiness: Class attendance is mandatory and there are no excused absences.* If you miss more than four (4) classes you will be asked to drop the class or will not pass. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of absences. Be sure to check with a fellow student for any changes or additions made to the syllabus during your absence. Entering class late is disruptive to the learning process for your fellow students. If arriving late becomes a problem, I reserve the right to count tardies as absences or deduct points from your participation grade. Do not interrupt the class to ask for missed work or announce that you have arrived; please see me during a break or after class.*Note: There is no such thing as an excused absence. Students are responsible for ensuring that I receive any work due on the day it is due (more about this later). Students must be present on the first and second days of the class, or they will be dropped.
Expectations: Students are expected to come to class prepared with all necessary materials and a willingness to participate. Consistently arriving to class unprepared can result in a lower grade and/or being requested to drop the class. This is a college-level class. As such, students should expect to spend about two hours working outside of class for every hour they spend in class (about 6 - 8 hours per week).
Late Work: No late work will be accepted. You will have plenty of warning before assignments are due, so please plan accordingly. If you are going to miss class on the day an assignment is due, you may email me the assignment BEFORE THE CLASS IS OVER to have it counted as on time. However, you must bring me a physical copy of the assignment when you return in order for it to be graded. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to ask a fellow student (preferred) or email me about what you missed to ensure that you do not miss turning in any homework assignments on the day of your return. Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester, and often without warning. In the event that you miss a quiz or other in-class assignment, you may make up the assignment on the day you return. It is the student’s responsibility to request a makeup at the beginning of class on the day of his/her return. In the event of a prolonged absence due to hospitalization or the hospitalization or death of a loved one, we may be able to work out a system to keep you caught up on work.
Class rules:
1. NO cell phones, other electronic devices or non-class related materials. If you are caught using any electronic device during class or viewing non-class related materials or working on outside homework, you will be given one warning. Upon the second request, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for the day.
2. NO late assignments are accepted.
3. RESPECT the property and people around you. Disrespecting anyone or anything in the class room may result in you being asked to leave and counted absent for the day.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Cheating and plagiarism have serious consequences. This is a writing and research course, so you will regularly be using outside sources to further your arguments. Even using a short passage from someone else’s work without properly citing the source is considered plagiarism. According to Riverside Community College District Policy 6080, Section II.C. 1&2: For instances of academic dishonesty a faculty member may take any one of the following actions:
The faculty member may reduce the score on tests or assignment(s), reduce the grade for the course, fail the student in the course, or recommend to the appropriate administrative officer that the student be suspended from the course.
DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability requiring accommodation in this class, please contact me or the Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services. Our goal as a college and as educators is to make sure that you succeed, as such we will be happy to work with you in determining appropriate accommodations to meet the educational limitations resulting from your disability. The Moreno Valley DSPS office is located in the Humanities building, room number 222. The phone number for the office is 951-571-6138.