Monday, January 28, 2013

Monday, January 28th, 2013--4:45 pm

Hello and welcome.
Below you will find a copy of the course outline that was distributed in class today.
I also wanted to remind you that Breaking Bad, Season 1 is ALSO available on Netflix, Watch Instantly.
See you Wednesday.


English 20, College Composition II

Sacramento State University, Spring 2013


Section 1, MWF, 8-850 am, Douglass Hall 111
Section 4, MWF, 9-950 am, Calaveras Hall 134
Section 7, MWF, 10-1050 am, Calaveras Hall 134

Instructor: Catherine Fraga
Email: sacto1954@gmail.com (BEST way to reach me)
Office Hours: in CLV 149 -- MWF, 11-12 noon, or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION (FROM CSUS CATALOG): ADVANCED WRITING THAT BUILDS UPON THE CRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITING PROCESSES INTRODUCED IN ENGL 1A AND ENGL 2. EMPHASIZES RHETORICAL AWARENESS BY EXPLORING READING AND WRITING WITHIN DIVERSE ACADEMIC CONTEXTS WITH A FOCUS ON THE SITUATIONAL NATURE OF THE STANDARDS, VALUES, HABITS, CONVENTIONS, AND PRODUCTS OF COMPOSITION. STUDENTS WILL RESEARCH AND ANALYZE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINARY GENRES, PURPOSES, AND AUDIENCES WITH THE GOALS OF UNDERSTANDING HOW TO APPROPRIATELY SHAPE THEIR WRITING FOR DIFFERENT READERS AND DEMONSTRATING THIS UNDERSTANDING THROUGH VARIOUS WRITTEN PRODUCTS. NOTE: WRITING REQUIREMENT: A MINIMUM OF 5,000 WORDS. PREREQUISITE: COMPLETION OF ENGL 1A AND ENGL 2 OR EQUIVALENT WITH A C- OR BETTER; SOPHOMORE STANDING (MUST HAVE COMPLETED 30 UNITS PRIOR TO REGISTRATION). UNITS: 3.0.

Required Texts:
Sacramento State Student Writing Handbook, 1st edition
Available at no cost online at:
http://www.csus.edu/wac/WAC/Students/CSUS_Writing_Handbook.pdf

Required Materials:
• stapler
• lined notebook paper, standard size 8 ½” x 11,”clean edge (not torn from notebook)
• access to a computer and printer (very important!)
Breaking Bad, Season 1 (DVD) – seven episodes total.
You have several avenues to access your viewing of Season 1.  Among those choices are:
1.    purchase the season through iTunes--$17.99
2.   purchase the season through Amazon to view online--$1.43 per episode
3.   view episodes on youtube, although I advise that you do not because students have reported that some scenes are deleted
4.   purchase the season, used, at a local store such as Dimple Records on Arden Way
5.   a copy of the season is on reserve in the CSUS library

Classroom Policies:

1. Attendance is very important in this class. Classroom discussions prepare students for all writing assignments, and your fellow students and I need your input in order to make this class more complete and enjoyable. I do not take attendance, and absences don’t “technically” count towards the grade you earn. However, ultimately, if you miss class, you may miss a quiz, group work, in class writing, etc. which really does end up impacting your earned grade because this work CAN NOT BE MADE UP.

2. About being tardy for class: It seems that over the last few years, tardiness has REALLY escalated and become problematic in my classes. I am not sure why, but I do know that most of my colleagues deduct a percentage of the earned grade for tardiness. It is really annoying and disruptive, both to me and the rest of the class, when students enter the class late—we only meet for 50 minutes three times a week, and I begin class immediately. In the “real world”, there is even less tolerance for lateness. Plan ahead. I realize things can happen beyond your control, but looking for parking is not a good excuse. If I see that tardiness is becoming excessive, I will ask you to drop the class. PLEASE NOTE—I begin class exactly on time. If you arrive late and I have already distributed a quiz or writing response assignment, you will not be allowed to complete the assignment and will receive a zero.

3. YOU MUST TYPE AND DOUBLE SPACE ALL OUT OF CLASS WORK. Work must be in 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, black ink, MLA format.

4. In all fairness to other students, I do not accept late work. If you are ill, please arrange for another student to turn it in for you. Period.

5. Only out of class essay assignments can be submitted late, but there is a stiff penalty. After the due date, a late essay loses 10 points for every day it’s late, including weekends. NOT submitting an out of class essay is NOT an option. The English dept. requires that you write an approximate number of words in this course. The out of class essays provide a large part of the word count requirement.

6. You’re responsible for finding out what you missed if you are absent. I will provide you with a class roster for your convenience. Checking blog entries can also be helpful, but realize that I am not going to record for you everything that occurred during class.

7. My policy on EXTRA CREDIT is…I do not believe in extra credit. In short, “real” life outside the university does not operate on the extra credit option. You earn the grade you receive. It really is a fairness issue.

8. ABOUT REVISIONS: you have the option to revise ONE of your three out of class essays. If you choose to revise, you must submit the revision with the original within one week of receiving the graded essay back. In addition, you must highlight all changes and additions on the revised copy. No exceptions. An essay with unacceptable errors might be an essay you choose to revise.

9.  ABOUT ROUGH DRAFTS. You have the option to submit a rough draft for any out of class essay assignment. Due dates for rough drafts are noted on the course outline.

10. A note on classroom etiquette:
If you feel you cannot survive each class session without the use of your cell phone, iPod, laptop computer, iPad, etc. please do not enroll in this class. Simply, it is the highest degree of rudeness and disrespect. If I see you busy texting, etc. I will not hesitate to ask you to leave until you finish your crucial business. I plan to give you my full attention and I expect the same from all my students.
EXCEPTION: you MAY access your laptop IF it is during an open note quiz or writing response -- and the material is available on line. HOWEVER, please realize that you are responsible for reading the material before attending class. There will not be enough time to read the assignment AND complete a quiz or a writing response.

11. ABOUT PLAGIARISM: From the CSUS Policy Handbook:

“As stipulated in the California Code of Regulations, Section 41301, cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus may warrant expulsion, suspension, probation or a lesser sanction. Administrative action involving academic dishonesty at Sacramento State is the responsibility of the Student Conduct Officer in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Any administrative action taken by the Student Conduct Officer must be in accordance with the procedures set forth in Executive Order No. 970, Student Conduct Procedures for the California State University.”

Familiarize yourself with this website—everything you need to know about what constitutes plagiarism and the repercussions.

12.   STUDENT ACCOMODATIONS AVAILABLE: Become informed about accommodations for test taking and other learning disabilities on this campus.  The following excerpt is from

Testing Services
Testing for Students with Disabilities
Students registered with Services to Students with Disabilities, (SSWD), are able to take exams in an environment free from distractions, with tools usually not available in the classroom. Some of the testing accommodations available to students are; readers and scribes, computer assisted and computer adaptive software, and wheelchair accessible and adjustable tables. Group room testing times are 12:30 PM on Monday, and 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM Tuesdays - Thursdays. Students arriving after 8:45 AM or 12:45 PM will not be admitted to the testing room. Testing Accommodation Instruction forms are to be completed by faculty and submitted with the exam. Exams should not be faxed or e-mailed.”

13. HOW YOUR GRADE IS EARNED:
Attached to this course outline is your Grade Worksheet. At no time in the semester should you be puzzled about your grade. Please keep ALL returned & graded work until the very end of the semester.

NOTE: quizzes are NOT always scheduled. Come to class prepared with the assigned reading assignments completed on the day they are due to be read.

Refer to pages 3 and 4 in the Handbook to fully understand how your writing will be evaluated.

14. ABOUT THIS COURSE…
I have designed a very different and I hope interesting and provocative set of themes for discussion and critical thinking/writing for the semester. The core of the course from which these themes/ideas will spring is the first season of the television series, Breaking Bad.

On your own, you will view all seven episodes of Season 1 as well as read a wealth of material connected either directly or indirectly to some of its themes.

This series poses so many intriguing questions about morals, family values/responsibilities, conformity, gun laws, the line between good and evil, the war on drugs, greed, health care and so much more.

In short, we will examine and expand on several issues connected with the overall term of “breaking bad”—straying from the path of morality, of legality, of conformity towards something deemed unacceptable by the majority of society. In fact, the origin of the term is American Southwest, a slang phrase meaning to challenge conventions, to defy authority, to skirt the edges of the law.

I do not utilize SacCT. This class has a blog and it is vital that you check it on a regular basis, even on weekends, for important information, including reading assignments and other information pertinent to the course. Please bookmark it on your computer for easy, quick access.
www.English20Spring2013Fraga.blogspot.com

Class Schedule:
(Please note: This schedule is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Please bring this schedule, your textbook and appropriate handouts to every class session. ALSO…not every quiz, group discussion, lecture, or activity is listed on this class schedule. Simply, that would be impossible. The pace of the class is not always predictable…if you attend class, follow the course outline and read the blog, you will stay current.)

Week One (1/28-2/1)
Introduction to the Course (course theme explained) (Mon.)
Course Outline Distributed (handout) (Mon.)
Unacceptable Errors (handout) (Wednesday)
Assign: Character Study Journal (Wednesday)
Discuss Television Viewing vs. Film Viewing (Friday)
Quiz on Contents of Course Syllabus (Friday)

Week Two (2/4-2/8)
In class writing response #1 (Monday)
Watch first two episodes of Season 1, Breaking Bad (Mon.)
Complete Reading Packet 1 (Wed.)
Discuss conformity/non-conformity (Friday)

Week Three (2/11-2/15)
Assign: Out of class essay #1 (Monday)
Complete Reading Packet 2 (Wed)
Skim first 27 pages and read pages 28 thru 46 in Handbook (Friday)

Week Four (2/18-2/22)
Complete Reading Packet #3 (Monday)
In class writing response #2 (Monday)
Watch third episode of Breaking Bad (Wed.)
Group Work #1 (Friday)
Rough Draft due for Out of Class Essay #1 (optional) (Fri.)

Week Five (2/25-3/1)
Watch 4th episode of Breaking Bad (Monday)
In class writing response #3 (Monday)
Read Packet #4 (Wednesday)
Group Work #2 (Friday)

Week Six (3/4-3/8)
Out of class essay #1 due today (Monday)
Out of class essay #2 assigned today (Monday)
Watch episode 5 of Breaking Bad (Wednesday)
In class essay #1—please remember to bring a green (or blue) book to class today (Friday)

Week Seven (3/11-3/15)
Read Packet #5 (Monday)
In class writing response #4 (Wednesday)
Watch 6th episode of Breaking Bad (Friday)

Week Eight (3/18-3/22)
In class writing response #5 (Monday)
Read Packet #6 (Wednesday)
1st (of 2) Editing and Proofreading Workshop (Friday)

Week Nine--MARCH 25-29--SPRING RECESS—NO CLASSES—CAMPUS CLOSED
Enjoy the week off and be safe.

Week Ten (4/1-4/5)

Cesar Chavez Birthday--no class--campus closed (Monday)
Read Packet #7 (Wednesday)
Discuss Procedures and Details for Taking the WPJ exam (Wed.)
Rough Draft due for Out of Class Essay #2 (optional) (Wed.)
In class essay #2 (Friday) Remember to bring blue or green book today.

Week Eleven (4/8-4/12)
Watch 7th (and final) episode of Breaking Bad (Monday)
Read Packet #8 (Wednesday)
Arrive in class having read one of the four sections in Part III of the Handbook: Writing Across the Curriculum at Sacramento State. Select the section that “fits” your major field of study. If you have not yet declared a major, select the one that BEST fits what you THINK your major will be. (Your choices are: Natural Sciences and Math; Social Sciences; Arts and Humanities; or Business and Professional Communications.)
(Friday)

Week Twelve (4/15-4/19)
Out of class essay #2 due today (Monday)
Out of class essay #3 assigned today (Wednesday)
Read Packet #9 (Friday)
Group Work #3 (Friday)

Week Thirteen (4/22-4/26)
Group Work #4 (Monday)
Read Packet #10 (Wednesday)
In class writing response #6 (Wednesday)
A Day to Work on Essay 3 (Friday)

Week Fourteen (4/29-5/3)
Rough Draft due for Out of Class Essay #3 (optional) (Mon.)
2nd (of 2) Workshop on Editing and Proofreading (Wed./Fri.)

Week Fifteen (5/6-5/10)
Out of class essay #3 due today (Monday)
Class Evaluation (Wednesday)
Class cancelled (Friday)

Week Sixteen (5/13-5/17)
LAST WEEK OF CLASSES
Video surprise (Monday)
Grade Worksheet Match-up (Wednesday)

Week Seventeen
Finals Week
There is no final given for this class.

************************************************************














Name:______________________________
English 20, Spring 2013
POINTS EARNED--Your Grade Worksheet
1600 points possible

QUIZ ON COURSE SYLLABUS—Friday, February 1st
______(50 points)

OUT OF CLASS ESSAYS—600 pts.
Essay 1 (200 points)_____ Essay 2 (200 points)_____
Essay 3(200 points) _____

IN-CLASS ESSAYS—200 pts.
Essay 1 (100 points) ______
Essay 2 (100 points) ______

IN-CLASS WRITING RESPONSES—300 pts.
#1 (50 points)_____
#2 (50 points)_____
#3 (50) points)_____
#4 (50) points)_____
#5 (50 points) ______
#6 (50 points) ______

IN-CLASS GROUP WORK (200 pts.)
Each session is worth 50 pts.
Group Work 1 _____ Group Work 2 _____ Group Work 3 _____ Group Work 4_____

QUIZZES (these quizzes may not always be “announced” and they cannot be made up. 50 pts ea.) (250 pts. total)
Quiz 1_____ Quiz 2_____ Quiz 3_____
Quiz 4_____ Quiz 5_____







How to assess your grade earned:
Divide the points you earn by 1600 to find the percentage. Then see chart below.

100-96=A
95-90=A-
89-85=B+
84-80=B
79-75=B-
74-71=C+
70-68=C
67-60=D
59-0=F

Examples:

1409 divided by 1600 = 88.0% = B+

1258 divided by 1600 = 78.6% = B-

1121 divided by 1600 = 70.0% = C




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