Spring Semester 2004

 

ENG 0020 - VU02 Community College of Vermont

Foundations of Reading and Writing

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

·         To learn effective strategies for completing reading and writing assignments.

·         To acquire writing proficiency through practice and discussion.  

·         To identify and apply the writing process (planning, drafting, revising and editing) in producing sentences, paragraphs, and short essays.

·         To recognize and demonstrate the consistent use of Standard English conventions, including grammar, usage, and mechanics.

·         To apply critical thinking skills to communicational events.

·         To learn about specific methods of research including the use of library and Internet resources.

This semester’s theme is the self.  What is the self?  This question often takes the better part of a lifetime to answer.  Nevertheless, we will be exploring the self and how it relates to our personality, what we learn from literature, in our relation to work and the media and to our society.  Throughout our lives, we learn more and more about our core identities.  In this class, we will read about and discuss our perceptions of the self, and we will have the opportunity to think and write about ourselves.  Note: Credits earned in this course are in addition to the 60 credits required for the Associate’s Degree.

It is my responsibility to arrange a class experience for you, but I cannot teach you how to write and read critically.  So many elements come together during the reading and composition process that it is impossible for me to connect all the dots for you.  Instead, I would ask that you follow the following suggestions:

·         Attempt to find definitive examples of essays and nonfiction works that move you and try to figure out why they do.

·         If you have difficulties with particular grammar or reading issues, please work to fill the gaps in your knowledge through consulting books or credible campus writing tutors.

·         Please come to class prepared to examine writing and to make a contribution.  Class participation is vital in order for our weekly meetings to produce positive results in your writing and reading skills.

·         Please have your assignments ready on the date that they are due.  I cannot evaluate your writing or other work fairly if it is handed in a week late – nor can your peers.

 

CLASS MEETINGS

Mondays 8.30AM – 11.15AM

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Erik Kaarla is available at ErikKaarla@Hotmail.com

Office Hours are by appointment.

 

TEXTBOOKS and CLASS MATERIALS

 

General Text: Interactions by Moseley and Harris (Houghton Mifflin Company)

 

Reference Text: The Least You Should Know about English by Wilson and Glazier (Heinle)

 

Class Handouts: There will be plenty of extra readings and materials that should be carried to class consistently.

 

 

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING ASSSIGNMENTS

 

CONTENT My assumption is that the quality of your written work indicates: a) the amount of time, effort and thought you have put into the assignment and b) the grade you hope to receive. I read and listen to determine whether your written work:

  • Answers the questions, or carries out the tasks, given in the assignment.
  • Shows clear evidence that required informational sources have been carefully read and understood.
  • Adds depth and breadth to the assigned core by drawing on additional, related library or electronically-accessible resources, interviews, or description of relevant personal experience.
  • Possesses a professional appearance.
  • Employs proper English (i.e., is not written in broad generalities, slang or street language).
  • Contains original ideas that go beyond the questions asked or the tasks assigned (i.e., is imaginative and creative; takes the assignment and runs with it).

 

STYLE & MECHANICS My assumption is that you want to better your writing and to improve your thinking processes.  Please have your essays reflect this.  I will look for:

  • Grammatically correct construction of sentences and paragraphs (i.e., the paper reads easily; communicates clearly).
  • Correct spelling and thoughtful attention to detail including neatness on the page: There are few / no typos, misspelled words, or incorrect names. There is attention to inclusive language, gender agreement, agreement of tense.
  • Quotations and citations are handled properly, including citation of Web resources.  We will review MLA format early on in the semester.

 

 

 

COURSE GRADE

 

The purpose of this course is to help you to become prepared for further college level work.  Therefore, your grading will be based upon whether your skills have improved and become strong enough to assist you through the next level course.  Grading will fall into two categories:

 

P constitutes a pass for the course; you are ready to proceed to more difficult work.

 

NP constitutes a nonpassing grade; you cannot move onto the next level class.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

You are only allowed two unexcused absences per semester.  Please be advised that excessive absenteeism will result in your being dropped from the course.

 

            Grade Percentage Breakdown:

           

Essays …………………….….40%

Presentations ………….……...30%

Critical Readings………..…….30%

                                                100%
 
 

 

 

 


Assignment Percentages:

Narrative Essay…......................20%

Short Story Presentation ...…....20%

Media Analysis.......….………..20%

Pedagogy Paper..........................40%

_____________________________                                                   100%
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Course Projects:

The Narrative Paragraph:

Assignment #1: “What Kind of Person Am I?”

 

Due Date: February the16th

 

As human beings, we are constantly on the move and growing.  Sadly, it is a rare occasion when we bother to notice and understand who we are as people.  How do we feel about life?  What kind of people are we really deep down inside?  These are questions that can be fun and intriguing to try and answer in writing.  In this first assignment, I ask that you try to do your best in describing yourself.  These paragraphs can be funny, sad, or analytical, but most of all – we should feel that the writer cares about the reader enough to be entertaining, detailed and honest.  If you want to tell the reader a story about what happened to you that influenced who you are, please feel free! 2 pages

Some points to remember when pursuing this assignment include:

·        Profound and diverse description: Use the five senses in your writing including sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound.

·        Meaningful use of details: If you are really writing about something that has a deep meaning for you be sure to include some details!  Don’t keep the readers guessing about what you really mean.

·         Keep the word choices lively: If you keep using the same words or sentences over and over again – you will bore your readers!  Don’t let this   happen.

 

Understanding the Short Story:

Assignment #2: “Present a Favorite Short Story and Author to the

                             Class”

 

Due Date: March 15th

 

As we will discover in class, short stories present to us a picture of what life can be like.  Often it is fiction that imitates reality.  Every short story must have a setting, characters, some problem or conflict, and then a conclusion.  Understanding these various elements and how they work together improves our enjoyment of short stories.  In this assignment you will bring to class one of your favorite stories and then have the class read it.  Afterwards, I will ask you to lead a brief discussion on what moves you in the particular short story and what appears to be interesting in the author’s life and writing approaches.  Your classroom lecture should also be written down in an essay-style paper for me to collect.

 

Understanding the Media: 

Assignment #3: “Understanding the News and the Media”

 

Due Date: April 5th

We live in a society and a time when we can watch news events on television or on the Internet 24/7.  Not only can this constant flow of information cause anxiety and a sense of fear, but there is also always the possibility that we aren’t even understanding the real story or seeing a hidden agenda behind a certain news story.  For this reason we must study and analyze what exactly is the media.

For this assignment I ask that you bring in a news article, videotape of a news clip, or a Web site example of some kind of news item that seems to “not quite cover all of the story.”  We will try to explore to see if there is a bias evident in your news story.  When you bring in the news item be sure that you have some understanding and background about the topic.

You must also write a 3-page paper on your presentation.  What are you saying about the media?  What can you say about how your news story is presented?  How can we judge if the story is accurate or manipulative?

 

 

Researching a Topic: Education

Assignment #4: “Describe in detail your views on education and what would constitute the best possible education.  You must support your views using the ideas and research of experts.  Be clear with your explanation of your concepts and theories.

                          

Due Date: April 19th

 

Trying to find the latest research information on a particular topic can be quite challenging and fatiguing.  Sometimes, however, there are huge joys in locating the latest and the greatest information on a particular topic.  In this assignment I ask you to try and find out some solid information on pedagogy and education and to “prove” to the class that a particular method of education is superior to another. 3-pages.

 

In the next part of this assignment, I would ask you to tell us about the information you found and a bit about the process of going to the library, using a search engine on the Web, etc.  BRING TO CLASS a handout or other visuals that you can give out to your fellow classmates.

 

 

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

 

 

January

 

Monday the 26th

 

Class introductions, policies, understanding assignments and methodologies.

Why do we read and write?  What is the nature of good writing?  What is the process of critical thinking?  Understanding “the enemy”of critical thinking.  Reacting in writing.

 

February

 

Monday the 2nd

 

Read pages15 through 24 in Interactions by Moseley and Harris.  Be ready to discuss the stories that you read.  Understanding Topic, Purpose, Thesis, and Audience.  Bring in an example of your favorite first person narrative.  The first draft of Assignment #1 is due: The Narrative Paragraph.

 

Monday the 9th

 

Read pages 1 through 25 in The Least You Should Know about English Understanding the parts of speech. Read pages15 through 24 in Interactions by Moseley and Harris. 

 

Monday the 16th

 

Read pages 25 - 32 in Interactions.  Be ready to share your viewpoints on these stories. Read pages 25 - 38 in The Least You Should Know.  Make sure that you have an understanding of the grammar points discussed in these readings.  Final draft of Assignment #1 due: The Narrative Paragraph. 

 

Monday the 23rd

 

Read pages 43 - 50 in Interactions.  Understanding the elements of a short story.  Concepts in understanding fiction.  Bring to class some information on the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekhov.  You can find plenty of information on him on the Internet or at your local library.  Please write down some facts about his life and be prepared to share them with the class.

 

 

 

March

 

Monday the 1st

 

Understanding the use of simile and metaphor in story writing.  Come to class ready with plenty of information on the writer of one of your favorite short stories.  We will discuss in class how best to make presentations on such a subject.  Read pages 39 – 56 in The Least You Should Know...  First draft of Assignment #2: Share a Short Story and Author with the Class is due.

 

Monday the 8th

 

Read pages 82 – 95 in Interactions.  Themes of the family.  Presentation techniques and public speaking methods.  Further elements in the short story.  Using the computer for the creation of visuals.  Discussing the lives of authors.

 

Monday the 15th

 

Final version of Asssignment #2: “Share a Favorite Author and Short Story with the Class” is due.  Come to class prepared to make a powerful presentation!

 

Monday the 22nd

 

Read through pages 57 – 78 in The Least You Should Know  Come to class with either a VCR recording of a piece of your favorite news show, or bring to class a newspaper in English from anywhere around the world but not the Burlington Free Press.

 

Monday the 29th

 

Read pages 231 – 242 in Interactions.  Exploring the theme of work.  Understanding concepts in media research.  What should the nature of journalism both on air and on paper be?  Workshop on Internet skills.  Workshop on library skills.

 

 

April

 

Monday the 5th

 

Presentation of Assignment #3: “Understanding the News Story and the Nature of the Media.”  After your presentations will be time for discussion of the issues raised by your work.

 

 

Monday the 12th

 

Read pages 79 –100 in The Least You Should Know...  Working on information retrieval systems for your research project.  Read pages 264 – 273 in Interactions. 

 

Monday the 19th:

 

Be prepared to lead the class in a discussion with Assignment #4: Explore your views on Education” This assignment must be done on this date.

 

Monday the 26th:

 

Final presentations of Assignment #4 continue.

 

 

May

 

Monday the 3rd

 

Last class and exit assessment procedure.