| Dr. Jan Strever Office: Main, 239 A Phone: (509) 533-8035 jstrever@js.spokane.wa.us |
OFFICE HOURS: 11:50-12:50 or by appointment NOTE: Please read this syllabus very carefully and ask questions about any item that is unclear to you. This syllabus is an agreement that defines our mutual expectations and responsibilities as instructors and students in this course.
Course Texts
Required:
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For Book Groups
- MOSLEY. ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED
- WELCH. FOOLS CROW .
- LAHIRI. INTERPRETER OF MALADIES .
- ERDRICH. LOVE MEDICINE .
- MORRISON. SULA.
- CARVER. WHERE I'M CALLING FROM .
Course Outcomes
Students will be challenged to:
develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills
improve their ability to analyze works of literature using appropriate terminology
demonstrate an increased appreciation and understanding of the structure and levels of
meaning in literature
improve the organization and development of written responses to readings and of written
research projects
develop an understanding of college-level research techniques as used in literary
investigation
learn to work cooperatively in the pursuit of knowledge through participation in the
learning community
Responsibility Outcomes
A critical step in becoming a truly educated individual is that of taking responsibility for one's own learning. The following outcomes address this step:
Participating in class discussions in an informed and professional manner.
Asking questions when a concept is not clear.
Setting and balancing priorities.
Understanding and accepting consequences.
Demonstrating respect for others.
Class Procedures and Requirements
1. Readings and Reading Journal
A reading journal related to each week's assignments is required. A journal entry is due each Tuesday by class time.
2. Seminars
Once a week all students are required to participate in a small group seminar. Our seminars focus on the week's readings and lectures. We share ideas from each group member's paper and offer feedback, so it is imperative to be well-prepared. Read assignments carefully, marking important or difficult passages, and take notes in the margin; write down questions you have. Active participation is required and evaluated. In order to attend seminar, you must have your own seminar paper. See the handout, "Guide to Effective Handouts," for more information.
3. Seminar Papers
In addition to participating in the seminar discussion, you must have a completed a seminar paper by Thursday. A seminar paper is a 300-500 word analytical response to a topic question designed by the instructors. It must be submitted according to manuscript form -- first page without a title page. Use your handbook to help with formatting.
4. Research Essays
Academic writing most often requires research. Therefore many papers will require using either the text and/or outside sources; all students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of basic research and documentation skills. Two longer papers will require this type of research. All papers should use MLA documentation form.
5. Discussion Board
Since this is a web-enhanced course, we will take advantage one of its features: the discussion board. Each week students are expected to respond to the week's prompt for 5 points, these points enhance a students overall grade points, as questions are presented to provoke and stimulate student thinking. Students have only one week to respond to the week's question. After the week lapses, points will not be awarded. Moreover, we would encourage each student to reads her peer's responses.
6. Web Portfolio
At the end of class, each student will have been expected to compile a list of links, a review and an in-depth research project on the author of choice.
7. Assessment Activities
In addition to writing assignments and class discussion, there will be several quizzes, both announced and unannounced, class activities, and self-evaluation opportunities. Each assignment will be worth a certain number of points, and the total points for the quarter will be the basis for the final grade. These points will be converted to percentages and ultimately decimal grades based on the Community Colleges of Spokane's grading scale (see catalog). Students should keep a record of grades and all of your work in a portfolio. This portfolio will be the basis for at least one self-assessment assignment.
Participation and Attendance
- Participation and good attendance are essential to any literature class. Meeting deadlines and attendance at the class meetings are mandatory.
- Late Work and Withdrawals -- To receive credit for a seminar paper, please turn it in at the time and date specified on the calendar. Students cannot participate in their seminar for the week if they do not have their seminar papers completed.
- Seminar papers will not be accepted late; however, to allow for the unexpected, you may turn in one seminar paper late without an excuse or penalty if you submit it within one week of its due date. To do this, you must attach your late paper certificate to the front cover. If you submit all seminar papers on time (in other words, if you do not use your late-paper option), ten points will be added to your overall grade points.
- There is NO late paper option for the research essays. You will know their due dates well in advance and, therefore, should be able to plan for the unexpected. You should be aware that we do not give "Z" grades. If you stop attending the class, or you decide to stop attending school altogether, please withdraw officially. If you are ill and cannot come to campus, SCC can assist you in such a situation.
- Moreover, while this may seem harsh, being in the hospital or at a funeral are sad events, so I have built enough leeway into the class that a couple of missed classes will not cause undue stress on your grade. The late paper certificate will take care of late assignments. If you have to miss more than that, perhaps it would be better to take a "medical" or "family emergency" withdrawal from the class, as you would not be learning what's necessary to pass the class anyway. Please do not ask me to alter this policy as it is unfair to the rest of the class.
"Code of Conduct" Matters
Plagiarism is defined as failing to give proper credit when using the work of another or turning in the work of someone else as your own. The penalties are serious and range from failure of an assignment to failure of the course. The English department at SCC supports and enforces the plagiarism policy outlined in the Student Code of Conduct-please refer to this for a more detailed discussion of the topic.
Lastly, the following information is included for the sake of clarity-the Student Code of Conduct states, "To create and preserve a classroom atmosphere that optimizes teaching and learning, all participants share a responsibility in creating a civil and non-disruptive forum. Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in this classroom in a manner that does not disrupt teaching or learning. The instructor is authorized to take such steps as are necessary when behavior of the student disrupts the normal classroom procedure." The code goes on to list examples of disruptive behaviors, some of which include monopolizing class discussion, rude or disrespectful language, excessive or disruptive lateness, carrying on conversations unrelated to classroom matters, engaging in activities unrelated to classroom work, repeated interruption by cell phones, pagers, etc., and premature preparing to exit class.
We have no wish to be unreasonable here -- we don't consider every sneeze to be disruptive. Having said that, though, please understand our primary responsibility is to maintain an environment that fosters learning for all students, and we are required by the school and by law to deal assertively with anything that interferes with that.
Grading
To encourage you to take ownership of your progress in class, we will use web grading. You can access your grades at
https://secure.scc.spokane.edu/UserSpace/
Grades are updated each Monday and Tuesday. It is your responsibility to check your own progress.
If you have questions or concerns about a particular grade, please use the comment feature in the grade book to notify us of the concern. Also, please notify us within one week of the publication of the grade, so that we can stay current. We will not back track further than that, so do yourself a favor and stay on task.
Also, our philosophy about grades is that you earn them....I do not give them to you.
Click here to find out point percentages.