English 1101: Composition & Rhetoric
or, writing your world
Learning Community: Foundations

CRN 83660 Sec 15 Professor Jane Rago
Gamble 107 Office: Gamble 207 E
T Tr 10:00-11:15 a.m.
janevrago@yahoo.com or
ragojane@mail.armstrong.edu
(912) 961. 3041
Office Hours: T Tr 11:30-1:30, or by appointment

Required Texts & Materials:
Remler, Nancy and Pat West, ed. Collages: A Reader for Composition, 2007. (C)
Fulwiler, Toby, et al. The Blair Handbook. 5th Ed. 2007: Must be the Armstrong Atlantic State University Edition (BH)
An up-to-date, college level dictionary
An activated email account

Learning Community: Foundations.
Welcome to the Foundations Learning Community! We will focus on two key concepts this semester: 1) building a strong foundation and 2) working together as a community. We will build a strong foundation for your studies here at Armstrong, your ability to integrate diverse material, your personal goals, and your place not only on this campus, but also in the larger community and the world. You will polish your mathematical skills, navigate the University experience, and become an effective reader and writer. All of these facets work together to form a cohesive and solid whole; as your personal experiences and your academic experiences will combine to make you an active, critical, and vital member of this community. Through working together as a community, we will continue to explore what 'community' means. On the smallest scale, it consists of all of us working together this semester at Armstrong; on the largest scale it consists of our global community. And everything in between affects both ends of the scale. As we build a strong and lasting foundation this semester, our community will exemplify synergy.

Course Purpose & Objectives:
The goals for Composition and Rhetoric (Engl. 1101) are to enable you to become better readers, writers, and thinkers, not only generally but in ways required by university life. In this class, you will join an active, inquiry based learning community in which you will engage in a wide variety of reading and writing activities, designed to help you read comprehensively, think critically and write effectively. We will practice the writing process by dissecting each assignment into smaller parts-prewriting, drafting, revising and editing. We will practice the reading process through reader responses and thoughtful class discussions. We will become critical thinkers by examining our readings and our writings closely and analytically. Since we approach writing as a process, your essays will be turned in to me in a portfolio, which will include all free-writes, rough drafts, revisions, peer comments, and the final paper. In this class, we will also develop a more advanced understanding of literary resources, documentation, and research.
So . . . this class is as much about reading as it is about writing. Learning to read at an active, engaged level requires time, effort, and will sharpen not only your writing skills but also your critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is a tool that is crucial to understanding ourselves, our culture, and our place in this world. Therefore, you need to come to class prepared-if you have not read, you are not prepared.

Requirements:
4 essays (4-5 pages each)
Essay # 1: Identity (personal narrative) 20%
Essay # 2: Observation (description) 20%
Essay # 3: Cultural Artifact (analysis) 20%
Essay # 4: Critical Argument (argument) 20%
Reading Response
In-class informal essays;
2 practice Regent's Tests;
Group Work 15%
Participation
Discussion; Informal
oral presentation (7-volunteer) 5%

Class Format, Policies, and Procedures, or the Nitty-Gritty:

At mid-term, we will have individual conferences in my office; at this point I will have a grade-so-far for you. There will be many group workshops and peer revision-you will share your drafts and papers with each other for evaluation and constructive criticism. We will devote class time to talking about writing and specifically your writing in these workshops. Your participation in this learning community is an integral part of this class. All of this work must be in your portfolio, which you will build up over the course of the semester and turn in at the end of the semester. Your portfolio will include all of your readings responses, drafts, peer comments, and final revisions of the four essays. In order to have a complete portfolio, then, your attendance is vital to your success in this class. You have 2 absences you may use over the semester-any unexcused absence beyond that will result in a drop in your grade. IF you have any problems please talk to me BEFORE you miss class so that we can work together to resolve the issue.

Lateness is disruptive and rude: don't be late. Assignments will be collected at the beginning of class. I do not accept late work. Ever. If you are having problems, come and talk with me during office hours, or schedule an appointment.
Academic Honesty: I assume that I will never have reason to doubt your honesty. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for that assignment, and a formal report that will be on your student file for your entire tenure here at AASU. To plagiarize, as defined by the New Riverside University Dictionary is "to steal and use (the ideas and writings) of another as one's own." If you have any questions, please talk with me and read your student handbook.

If you feel that you have special needs that will affect your performance in this class, please contact disability services at (912) 927. 5269.
This is an intensive class and we will be working closely with each other. Therefore, this classroom is committed to social justice. I expect to maintain a positive learning experience based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions on how to further such a positive and open learning environment will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

Respect your classmates: no cell phones, no talking while somebody else is talking, and do not interrupt anybody while they are speaking.
This syllabus is a binding contract between you, your classmates, this institution, and me. Please make sure that you fully understand both what is expected from you and what is expected from me. If you have any questions or concerns, please see me.

The Writing Center is a fantastic resource that offers free tutoring, help with revisions, and editing advice. It is located in 109 Gamble Hall. For hours and to set up an appointment, please contact (912) 927. 5210.

Grades:
A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-80
D = 69-60
F = 60-0
W = Withdrawal from course; WF = Withdrawal/fail
See last page of syllabus for grading criteria

Syllabus
Subject to change

Week 1

8/16 First Day of Class; Introductions; Free write (names)

Week 2

8/21 Discuss Regent's Test; CompLab; Read "Stirring the Content Within: The Writing Process, pp. 1-7, "Freewriting" and "Shitty First Drafts" pp. 9-16 C

8/23 The Process of Writing; Practice Regent's Test. Read "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" and "Freedom from Choice" (Xerox)

Week 3

8/28 Assign Essay 1: Identity. Free-write on board "I am ____". Read "Living in Two Cultures" and "A White Woman of Color" (Xerox)

8/30 Reading discussion; Outline Pyramid. Read "Why I want a Wife", "Girl" and
"Mother Tongue" in C; Draft essay 1

Week 4

9/4 Draft Workshop; Read Chapter 8 "Writing From Experience" pp.94-111 BH

9/6 Details; Revise essay, Read "Only Daughter" pp 122-124 C

Week 5

9/11 In-class Editing Workshop; Revise essay 1.

9/13 Essay # 1 due; 7 volunteers, Relax.

Week 6

9/18 Observing our world; Read "Creating Meaning through the Senses" & "Going
Home pp. 109-116 C

9/20 Assign Essay 2; Discuss and Free write, Read "Writing with Your Senses" (Xerox); Observe and write about a place/event/person from weekend

Week 7

9/25 Discussion; Read "On Dumpster Diving" (Xerox); Outline essay 2

9/27 In-Class writing; Read "Salvation" pp70-73 & "Once More to the Lake" pp. 89- 94 C ; Draft essay 2 and make 2 copies

Week 8

10/2 Peer Revision

10/4 Conferences: No class

Week 9

10/9 Library Day: Meet in Lane Library, Lobby.

10/11 No Class

Week 10

10/16 Essay 2 due; 7-volunteers, Read "Toys" and "Barbie" pp. 116-121 C

10/18 Reading Culture; Read "Reading Images Critically" pp. 25-47 BH

Week 11

10/23 Assign Essay 3; free-write and discuss. Read "The Ads and Fads of the Superbowl"; "Never Just Pictures"; Television: The Plug-in Drug" Xerox.

10/25 Quiz-Bowl; Draft essay 3; Read "Everything's an Argument" Xerox.

Week 12

10/30 Grammar Time-Out: Paragraphs, Thesis, Mechanics. Draft essay 3

11/1 Revision Workshop; Read "Neat People Versus Sloppy People" pp. 168-1790;
"Overcoming the Good and the Bad of Television" pp. 184-187 C; Revise

Week 13

11/6 Essay 3 due; 7 volunteers; Relax

11/8 No Class

Week 14

11/13 Assign Essay 4: argument. Free-write; Read "The Argument Culture" pp. 276-280 C

11/15 Practice Regent's Test; Read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" pp. 247-263; "Learning to Read" Xerox.

Week 15

11/20 Reading Discussion; Read "A Modest Proposal" pp. 269-276; Draft essay 4's argument

11/22 Types of Argument; Read "Arguing and Persuading" pp. 137-160 BH; Continue
pondering essay 4

Week 16

11/27 Debate; Draft essay 4, make 3 copies

11/29 Peer revision; Revise essay 4

Week 17

12/4 Portfolio Review; Tying it all together lecture

12/6 Essay 4 due; 7 volunteers; Last Day of class; celebrate.

Overview of Important Dates:
9/13 Essay 1 due
10/4 Conferences in G 207 E
10/9 Library Day
10/11 No Class (Fall Break)
10/16 Essay 2 due
11/6 Essay 3 due
11/9 No Class (Rest Day)
12/6 Essay 4 due, last day of class