English 1B: Principles of Composition II
Ticket#: 80065 Units: 3
Course Theme: Democracy and Economic Inequality
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Provides instruction in critical thinking and in writing expository and persuasive essays and documented papers totaling a minimum of 8,000 words. Instruction focuses on the development of logical reasoning, on analytical and argumentative writing skills, and on research strategies. Assignments are derived from themes and works in various disciplines and cultures. Credit may be earned for 1B or 1BH, but not both. Transfers: CSU, UC; Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a grade of “C” or better.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Out-of-Class: English 1B students will write an essay of 2,500+ words, which demonstrates the following outcomes.
1. Controlling Idea: The essay has a specific, research-based, arguable, and complex thesis.
2. Development: The essay is 2,500+ words long and uses research-based evidence and analysis to support an argument.
3. Sentences/Style. The essay applies a variety of sentence structures within a formal academic style.
4. MLA Formatting: The essay integrates appropriate MLA standards to the following (8)
items: heading, running header, fonts, spacing, indentation, works cited page, in-text citations,
and correct use of block quotes (if used), with minor errors.
5. Informational Literacy: The research demonstrates information competency in these three items: locating, interpreting, and evaluating appropriate sources.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
● Compose essays of at least 1,000 words that are structurally and logically sound and free from punctuation and mechanics errors.
● Compose a research paper of at least 2,500 words that follows standard MLA format, is structurally and logically sound, and is free from punctuation and mechanics errors.
● Compose essays maintaining a formal, academic tone.
● Select an adequate topic for an extended, academic research paper.
● Employ rhetorical devices and strategies in one's own writing successfully.
● Use deductive and inductive reasoning.
● Use research that is appropriate and adequate to support one's claims in written assignments.
● Select an appropriate prewriting activity to choose and narrow a topic.
● Evaluate the logic of and rhetorical devices used in the arguments of others.
● Evaluate the central idea, and support provided for that idea, in the writings of others.
● Distinguish factual statements from judgmental statements and knowledge from opinion.
● Evaluate claims and arguments for validity and reliability.
● Appraise the work of peers based on a rubric or set of specified criteria.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
1. Access to a computer, email, andCanvas. Your computer, whether Mac or PC Windows 7+,
should have the ability to create Word documents and/or PDFS. Although other browsers will work, Google Chrome is the optimal browser to use with Canvas. Having trouble logging on? Contact Student Technical Support. If you’ve never used Canvas before, I highly recommend you check out these video tutorials.
2. Course readings will be provided as links or PDFs on Canvas
3. The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University
DISASTER PLAN
What will you do if your internet connection is not working at home? What if Canvas is down for some reason and a deadline is approaching? What if Saddleback’s email system is down? In situations like these a contingency plan is needed.
● Check the announcements and/or go to Student Technical Support before emailing me about problems with Canvas. Remember, if you email me after 5 pm I likely will not read the email until the next day.
You should also develop your own disaster plan to allow you to work under these circumstances:
● If your home internet connection is down.
● If your computer stops working.
Here are a few recommendations:
● Utilize the on-campus computer lab.
● Take tests on a direct Ethernet connection as opposed to Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi connection is lost, even briefly, your test will be submitted and closed.
● Email me if you have an emergency.
● Email me your work if turnitin.com is down, but also check back later and try to upload it again.
Tips to minimize lost work:
● Compose discussion posts in a word processor first. Then copy them into the discussion thread. Sometimes Canvas will fail to load an image and all of the text typed is lost.
● Save often.
● Google docs will save your work history and autosave your work. You all have free access to google drive using your school email and password.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Every assignment has a due date, rubric, and a deadline for submissions. Students are expected to submit assignments on or before the assigned due date. I feel I would be doing you a disservice by allowing you to submit late work, as other instructors and future employers will likely not allow it. With that said, I recognize that you are more than a student and have responsibilities beyond our classroom. I understand that things can happen while you're taking classes that can interfere with your success. You can advocate for your success by communicating with me via email or stopping by my office during hours. If you stop participating in the class, there's no way for me to know if something's going on with you or if you've just been forgetful. Therefore, should any issues arise while you're in this class, please know that you can (and should!) reach out to me.
COURSE CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNINGS
Please note that this class will cover readings and discussions that include adult themes and issues. We may read, view, and discuss mature subject matter (relating to the arts, entertainment, sexuality, race, class, immigration, war, religion, politics, nature, science, crime, violence, etc., as well as a range of points of view on those issues). As challenging as those subjects may be, you are encouraged to remain in the class, to learn about diverse points of view, and to--tactfully and respectfully--contribute your point of view. If you would like to be warned about particular content, please inbox me, and I'll be happy to prepare you via trigger warnings. All participants will honor this boundary. Please note that hate speech is prohibited (definition: “any advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence”).
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
Your study and workload for this course is approximately 10 hours per week, which includes both class attendance and work outside of the classroom. Please plan to give an adequate amount of time to for the substantial assigned readings, class discussion assignments, and essay drafting and revisions each week.
METHODS OF EVALUATION
♦ Personal Reflection Essay (10%)
♦ Research Proposal (10%)
♦ Historical Analysis Essay (25%)
♦ Source Evaluation (10%)
♦ Advocacy Essay (25%)
♦ Class Participation and Peer Review (20%)
GRADING CRITERIA & POLICIES
Students must complete every major assignment to pass English 1B
GRADING SCALE: A 100-89.6% B 89.5-79.6% C 79.5-70% D69.99-59.5% F- 59.4% -0%
A= Excellent work exemplifying the requirements for each assignment and demonstrating each of the Learning Objectives required for this course. Student goes beyond the minimum requirements and does an excellent job on both discussion and writing assignments, participates actively, and has completed every assignment.
B= Work thoroughly fulfills requirements and objectives. Student does a good job on discussion and writing assignments, participates, and has completed every assignment and essay.
C= Student has completed EVERY major assignment and does a minimally passing job on both discussion and writing assignments, who sometimes misses assignments.
D/F= Student does not produce work that shows competencies in the Learning Outcomes of this course, does not meet the minimum requirements for each assignment,fails to participate in discussion boards, has missed at least one major assignment, has not logged in for multiple weeks.
POLICY ON THE USE OF AI
Unless otherwise specified by the faculty member, all submissions, whether in draft or final form, to meet course requirements (including papers, projects, exams, oral presentations, or other work) must either be the student’s own work, or must clearly acknowledge the source. Unless an instructor indicates otherwise, the use of ChatGPT or other AI tools for course assignments is akin to having another person do the work or receiving assistance from another person and raises the same concern that the work is not the student’s own.