e-mail: jmcmahon@elcamino.edu; Classroom: H109
Website for
students: http://herculodge.typepad.com/breakthrough_writer/
Required
Texts: Signs of Life in
the USA, Sixth Edition; Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker
Success in
McMahon’s Class Is Predicated on Three Major Components:
One. Turn in 4
five-page research papers with correct MLA format ON TIME. Research Papers (all
4 of your essays) have a minimum of 4 sources, which can include Signs of Life
in the USA, my lecture notes, interviews, and online sources.
Two. Do the
reading assignments so that you can write a one-paragraph response that is
cohesive, coherent and well developed in the five surprise closed-book reading
tests.
Three. Show up on
time to 90% of the classes. Missing 3 out of 30 classes is 90%.
Student
Learning Outcomes:
This course
focuses on the development of critical thinking skills and on the application
of these skills to written argumentation. Students will examine logical
reasoning and apply its principles when reading and writing analytic and
evaluative essays about argumentative, persuasive, narrative and expressive
works and topics. At the end of English 1C, students should be able to:
1. Employ proper
grammar, punctuation, and spelling in writing.
2. Employ
standard MLA guidelines for formatting assignments and citation.
3. Identify the
major components of an effective argument.
4. Write with
clarity to communicate effectively.
5. Adapt writing
for different styles or forms, including argumentative essays, web pages, and
blogs, to name a few.
6. Respond
critically to course material, using synthesis and analysis
7. Create
effective argumentative texts using a variety of models such as refutation,
concession, and critique.
8. Develop
methods and strategies for analyzing and interpreting texts.
9. Utilize proper
MLA citation and bibliographic form.
10. Identify and
locate a variety of sources relevant to a research topic.
11. Utilize
research materials to make and present an analytical argument.
12. Compose an
argumentative essay supporting a claim about issues, argumentative prose, or
literary interpretation. The essay
will show the student’s ability to support a thesis using analysis, elements of
argumentation, and integration of materials and ideas. The essay will be well organized, will
follow proper MLA format, and will be technically correct in paragraph
composition, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and usage.
Grading (based
on mandatory 24 pages):
Four Research
5-Page Research Papers: 200 for 800 points, 80% of your grade
Five Surprise
Closed-Book Reading Exams that are a 1-page paragraph, 40 each, 200 points, 20%
of your grade
Grand Total:
1,000 points.
Policies:
You can’t make-up
reading exams. Points are irretrievably lost. This policy encourages class
attendance.
Late Papers: I
don’t accept late papers more than one week after the original due date and I
reduce a full grade; no late papers accepted once new set of essays is due.
Research Papers
should be approximately 1,200 words, 12 font, Times New Roman, page numbers,
name, and essay title in upper right hand corner (headers in Microsoft View)
and Works Cited should have minimum 3 sources and spacing using MLA format.
Revisions: You
may revise ONE paper for 10-30 pts. depending on the quality of the rewrite.
Revision must be turned in ONE WEEK after original due date.
Plagiarism
Policy: If you plagiarize, steal previously written material and attempt to
make it appear as if you wrote it, you will get ZERO points on the essay. For a
rewrite, the HIGHEST POSSIBLE GRADE WILL BE A C MINUS.
(20 points deducted for not having headers (your last name
and page number in the upper right corner of every page and 40 points deducted
for not having a correct Works Cited page)
Attendance
Policy: For 16-week semesters, students may be dropped after missing 6 classes
for ANY REASON, including medical. For Summer and Winter sessions, students may
be dropped after missing 4 classes for whatever reason, including medical.
Riding Policy:
You cannot “ride” my class. A “rider” is a student who does nothing and tries
to turn in papers all at once during the end of the semester. If by the eighth
week of the semester you have not turned in your first two essays or are
failing the class, I will drop you.
Etiquette Policy:
If you’re text-messaging, receiving phone calls, privately conversing or
studying for other courses during my class, you will be asked to leave the
class.
Reading and
Writing Schedule
September 1 Introduction. Sample A
papers and Works Cited Rules 52-72
September 3 The More Factor 86-92
September 8 Mixed Messages 502-522
September 10 The Science of
Shopping 93-100
September 15 The Signs of Shopping
101-107
September 17 The Semiotics of Home
Décor 119-128
September 22 Essay 1 due for first
half the class
September 24 Essay 1 due for
second half of the class
September 29 Pottermania 129-138
October 1 Careful, You May Run Out
of Planet 147-156
October 6 Commodify Your Dissent
163-167
October 8 Parable of Democracy of
Goods 182-190
October 13 What We Are to
Advertisers 192-197
October 15 If You Have a Buy
Button . . . 197-201
October 20 Essay 2 due for second
half of class
October 22 Essay 2 due for first
half of class
October 27 Metrosexuals Come Out
217-221
October 29 The Simpsons . . .
283-295
November 3 South Park and the Open
Society 296-302
November 5 High School Confidential
396-401
November 10 Convergence Culture
432-446
November 12 From the Forest to the
Trees 452-456; Game Theories 460-463
November 17 Essay 3 due for first
half of the class
November 19 Essay 3 due for the
second half of the class
November 24 One Nation, Slightly
Divisible 487-495
November 26 Holiday
December 1 Masters of Desire
524-534
December 3 The Shock of Education
546-552
December 8 The Gospel According to
Spiderman 553-557
December 10 Consultations in
Office PE4
December 15 Essay 4 due for second
half of class
December 17 Essay 4 due for first
half of class
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