Email: jmcmahon@elcamino.edu
Office: PE4; extension 5673
Website: Critical Thinker
http://herculodge.typepad.com/critical_thinker/
Assigned Texts and Essay Assignments for English C:
The Essential Tales of Chekhov edited by Richard Ford
Essay 1: Write a 6-page research paper in which you develop an extended definition of the Irrational Mind in the context of at least 3 Chekhov stories. You must have a Works Cited page with no fewer than 3 sources, the stories, my blog, and a source of your choice about how Chekhov’s stories give us a penetrating look at the Irrational Mind. Use no fewer than 3 stories from the book.
The Geography of Bliss by Erice Weiner:
Essay 2: In a 6-page research paper, critique the idea of happiness, its mythologies and fallacies, in the context of the book. Use personal examples to illustrate your points.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl:
Essay 3:
Option One
In a 6-page essay, argue whether or not we can overcome the "existential vacuum" by finding meaning as prescribed by Frankl or if "meaning" is merely an illusion that "keeps us going."Include no fewer than 4 research sources for your Works Cited page.
Option Two
In a 6-page essay, contrast psychotherapy and logotherapy. Include no fewer than 4 research sources for your Works Cited page.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
Essay 4: In a 6-page research paper, analyze the life of Ivan Ilych in the context of Man’s Search for Meaning.
Research and Grammar Book: A Writer’s Resource El Camino College Handbook 3rd Edition
Grading
4 Research Papers: 6 pages with correct MLA format Works Cited page: 200 each for 800 points
4 Take-Home Quizzes (posted on blog a few days before due date) 50 points for 200 points.
Grant Total: 1,000 points. 900 is A. 800 is B. 700 is C. 600 is D.
You Can’t Revise Essays or Quizzes for Higher Grade
In the past, revisions have been the equivalent of me correcting student papers, essentially playing the role of proofreader so that I’m giving higher grades for my corrections. I have concluded that such a process is a complete farce so instead of revisions you can give me the first 2 or 3 pages of your essay anytime before it’s due, including on the day you turn in the quiz and I will identify patterns of grammar errors and content problems so that I can hopefully get you on the right track.
Late Essays Are Deducted a Full Letter Grade
Because getting into the lax habit of finding excuses for turning in late work is anathema to succeeding in the real world, late essays are discouraged by deducted full letter grade. If essay is more than a week late, you cannot get any points and mathematically you will fail the class so most likely you will be dropped.
Plagiarism, the act of trying to deceive your instructor by turning in work that is NOT your own writing, will result in zero points and will seriously endanger your possibility of passing the course.
Classroom Decorum and Intellectual Honesty
Classroom decorum and intellectual honesty are essential to keeping focus and high morale. Therefore, we need a policy that enforces a certain decorum, one that reflects the temptations of the Internet/Smart Phone Age.
Students will be warned once if engaging in these breaches of decorum. Subsequent violations will give me the discretion to reduce final semester score by a full letter grade, thus eliminating the possibility of offending student to earn an A grade.
Here are the rules:
One. No using your laptops for surfing the internet, e-mailing, playing poker, and other games.
Two. No using your smart phone for texting, socializing, and internet surfing.
Three. No leaving the classroom to take a social phone call.
Four. No turning in essays that contain passages from other writer or writers when you represent that writing as your own.
Writing and Reading Schedule
February 14 Introduction
February 16: Essential Tales of Chekhov “A Misfortune”
February 21 “Enemies”
February 23 “The Grasshopper”
February 28 “Gooseberries” and “The Lady with the Dog”
March 1 Quiz 1 due in my office
March 6 Essay 1 due in my office
March 8 Essay 1 due in my office
March 13 Geography of Bliss 1-80
March 15 Geography of Bliss 81-150
March 20 Geography of Bliss 151-200
March 22 Geography of Bliss 201-270
March 27 Geography of Bliss 271-end
March 29 Quiz 2 due in my office
April 3 Essay 2 due in my office
April 5 Essay 2 due in my office
April 17 Man’s Search for Meaning 1-40
April 19 Man’s Search for Meaning 41-80
April 24 Man’s Search for Meaning 81-120
April 26 Man’s Search for Meaning 120-140
May 1 Man’s Search for Meaning 141-end
May 3 Quiz 3 due in my office
May 8 Essay 3 due in my office
May 10 Essay 3 due in my office
May 15 Death of Ivan Ilyich
May 17 Death of Ivan Ilyich
May 22 Death of Ivan Ilyich
May 24 Death of Ivan Ilyich
May 29 Quiz 4 due in my office
May 31 Consultation; bring your thesis to my office
June 5 Essay 4 due in my office
June 7 Essay 4 due in my office
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