Wednesday, January 29th, 2014--8 pm

Greetings,

below you will find the following:

1. Corrections to the syllabus (I have made the corrections on the copy of the syllabus that I posted in the first blog entry; however, you may want to make the correction on your hard copy.)
2. A copy of the handout distributed today: Unacceptable Errors
3. A copy of the handout distributed today: Viewer's Journal Assignment

Reminder:
Quiz on syllabus Friday. It is an "open book" quiz--meaning you may refer your syllabus as you complete the quiz. Please note that you will not have the entire 50 minutes to complete the quiz--instead, you will have about 20 minutes. It SHOULD be a VERY easy opportunity for you to earn 50 points. :)

CORRECTIONS TO SYLLABUS:
1. Week 11. Please delete/omit the following: "Out of Class Essay 2 due today (Wed)"
2. Week 4. Please delete/omit the following: "Complete Reading Packet #2 (Monday)"

UNACCEPTABLE ERRORS

In English 20, students should already be very proficient in word usage.  We do not have time for grammar lessons.  (I will, however, provide short ‘mini’ lessons when I feel they are warranted.)  The following errors that are commonly made on student papers are considered unacceptable.

In class essays that have unacceptable errors CAN always be corrected to earn back the points lost.

1.  there – place                                                Put it over there.

2.  their – possessive pronoun                        That is their car.

3.  they’re – contraction of they are                        They’re going with us.

4.  your – possessive pronoun                        Your dinner is ready.

5.  you’re – contraction of you are                        You’re not ready.

6.  it’s – contraction of it is                        It’s a sunny day.

7.  its – possessive pronoun                        The dog wagged its tail.

8.  a lot – always two words                        I liked it a lot.

9.  to – a preposition or part of an

      infinitive                                                I like to proofread my essays carefully.

10. too – an intensifier, or also                        That is too much.  I will go too.

11. two – a number                                    Give me two folders.

12. In today’s society            This phrase is grossly overused and very cliché. Instead use “Today” or “In America” or “Now” etc

13. right(s)/write(s)/rite(s)            rights are a set of beliefs or values in which a person feels entitled: His rights were read to him before he was arrested for stalking Dave Matthews. Writes is a verb indicating action taken with a pen, pencil or computers to convey a message: Michelle writes love letters to Dave Matthews in her sleep. Rites are a series of steps or events which lead an individual from one phase in life to the next, or a series of traditions that should be followed: The initiate began his rite of passage ceremony at the age of thirteen.

14. definitely/defiantly            This error USUALLY occurs when a writer relies solely on spell-check. You really must learn to become the final editor of your work. Definitely is an adverb and it means without a doubt. Mary will definitely miss the Dave Matthews Band concert. Defiantly means to show defiance. She was in a defiant mood. It is an adjective. Or it could be used as an adverb. She was defiantly rude and sullen towards the professor.

15. On your Works Cited page:            you MUST center and type at the top the heading just as it is here: Works Cited. NOT ALL CAPS, NOT BOLDED, NOT UNDERLINED, NOT MISSPELLED, NOT IN A DIFFERENT SIZED FONT, ETC.

16. woman/women            woman is used when you are referring to ONE female lady.

                                                            women is the plural of woman, meaning MORE THAN ONE lady

                                                            There are many women at the nail salon, but only one woman is shopping at the market next door.

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

An accumulation of the following errors will affect your grade, but not 10 points off for EACH error.  My evaluation of your work depends on how serious the error is, and how often you make it.  Some do not slow up the reader as much as others.

• Misuse of the word “you”.  You must actually mean the reader when you use the word “you”.

• Avoid use of contractions in formal expository writing. (can’t, shouldn’t, didn’t, etc.)

• Agreement of subject and verb.  Both must be either singular or plural.

• Fragmented sentences, comma splices and run-ons.  Be sure to proofread your papers carefully before turning them in.

You will not pass English 20 if you cannot write an intelligent sentence in correct English.

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

English 20, Spring 2014, C. Fraga

Viewer’s Journal Assignment

Learning Outcome: 

If one is able to write an in-depth character analysis, one will be able to write ANY kind of analysis.

Observing character and determining/analyzing why someone acts, thinks, speaks, reacts, feels, and responds the way one does is both intriguing and also the most challenging of tasks.

For your Out of Class Essay #3, you will be writing a very in-depth analysis of ONE of the characters from Breaking Bad, Season 1.

(This is NOT the official assignment for the essay. You will receive that on the day indicated on the syllabus.)

However, when you do eventually submit Out of Class Essay #3 you will ALSO be submitting a Viewer’s Journal as well. If you do not submit the Journal, 20 points will be deducted from your score on the essay. If this ends up to be the one essay you choose to revise, you cannot earn back the 20 points.

What is a Viewer’s Journal?

Simply, as you watch each episode of Breaking Bad, Season 1, you will jot down notes. There are no specific guidelines for WHAT you will write.

Record what you believe is significant or may end up being significant. Some of your entries might read a lot like a recap of the episode. That is fine.

As you view each episode, begin to think about what character you would like to focus on for essay 3. Throughout your viewing, more than one character may intrigue you, so you may be jotting down observations and details about more than one character.

This journal is strictly for YOU and for your use and reference when planning and preparing to write essay 3. I will not be reading through them. There is no requirement for length or content. These notes can be typed or handwritten or be barely readable. Obviously, though, they should be at least readable to YOU. J

When you submit essay 3, you will attach these journal entries to the back of the essay.

It must be clear to me that you have SEVEN distinct entries, one for each episode. Each entry must be titled by the name of the episode.

Example:

Episode 2: “Cat’s in the Bag”

As you view each episode, and observe the main characters, here are some questions to guide your note taking.

• What does this character do (and not do) and why?

• What do others think about your character? And how do you know?

• What motivates your character to do what he/she does?

• What influences this character to do what he/she does?

• What was your first impression of this character and does it change as you view new episodes? Why or why not? In which ways?

• What are this character’s goals, dreams, desires, needs? How do you know?

• Do you like this character? Why or why not?

• Is this character a believable one, a genuine one? Why or why not?

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014--8 pm

Hello,

Below you will find Reading Packet #1 and Reading Packet #2.

I highly suggest that you print out each packet and bring them to class on the day they are due to be read. However, you CAN read them online and simply attend class with your laptop or tablet. In any case, you must attend class prepared to discuss and/or write about what you read in the Packet.

Also, please note that even though I refer to the assignments as "reading" packets, there are often videos to view along with reading materials.

READING PACKET #1 ASSIGNMENT:

"Sweet land of...Conformity?"
By Claude Fischer
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/06/06/sweet_land_of_conformity/

AND....

"A. J. Jacobs' Year of Living Biblically"
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/a_j_jacobs_year_of_living_biblically.html

READING PACKET # 2 ASSIGNMENT:

"This is Water"--a college commencement speech by David Foster Wallace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI

Sunday evening, January 26th, 2014

Greetings.

By the time you read this, you will have attended the first class session. Below you will find a copy of the course syllabus that was distributed in class today.

As I mentioned in class, all handouts will also be posted on the blog for your convenience. And again, it is absolutely crucial that you check this blog regularly.

English 20, College Composition II

Sacramento State University, Spring 2014

Section 1, MWF, 8-850 am, Douglass Hall 109

Section 4, MWF, 9-950 am, Douglass Hall 109

Section 7, MWF, 10-1050 am, Calaveras Hall 134

Section 11, MWF, 11-11:50 am, Douglass Hall 110

Instructor: Catherine Fraga

Email: sacto1954@gmail.com (BEST way to reach me)

Office Hours: in CLV 149 -- MWF, 12:15 pm-1:15 pm, or by appointment

www.English20Spring2014Fraga.blogspot.com

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

(Also available in a hard copy at FedEx/Kinkos on J Street—cost is about ten dollars.)

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 first season through iTunes

2.   purchase the season through Amazon to view online

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. YOU MUST WRITE AND SUBMIT ALL THREE OUT OF CLASS ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS OR YOU WILL NOT PASS THE CLASS.

6. You’re responsible for finding out what you missed if you are absent. I will provide you with a class roster with student contact information 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. Students often believe that as long as they do not miss a day when a quiz or writing response occurs, they will easily pass the course. However, common sense tells you that when you miss ANY class session, you are missing important instruction.

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. AFTER YOU SUBMIT THE FIRST REVISION AND RECEIVE IT BACK, YOU MAY CONTINUE REVISING UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH YOUR SCORE.

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.

http://www.csus.edu/umanual/AcademicHonestyPolicyandProcedures.htm

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

http://www.csus.edu/SSWD/services/testing.html

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, gun control, 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.English20Spring2014Fraga.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 (1/27-1/31)

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 (2/3-2/7)

Watch first episode of Season 1, Breaking Bad (Mon.)

Complete Reading Packet 1 (Wed.)

In Class Writing Response #1 (Wed.)

Discuss conformity/non-conformity (Friday)

Week Three (2/10-2/14)

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 (2/17-2/21)

In class writing response #2 (Monday)

Watch second episode of Breaking Bad (Wed.)

Group Work #1 (Friday)

Rough Draft due for Out of Class Essay #1 (optional) (Fri.) (your rough draft must be e-mailed to me as a Word document by Friday at 5 pm. I will make comments and e-mail it back to you by the following Monday)

Week Five (2/24-2/28)

Watch third episode of Breaking Bad (Monday)

In class writing response #3 (Wednesday)

Read Packet #3 (Wednesday)

Group Work #2 (Friday)

Week Six (3/3-3/7)

Out of class essay #1 due today (Monday)

Out of class essay #2 assigned today (Monday)

Watch episode 4 of Breaking Bad (Wednesday)

In class essay #1—please remember to bring a green (or blue) book to class today (Friday) (You may use either size green or blue book—it makes no difference to me.)

Week Seven (3/10-3/14)

Read Packet #4 (Monday)

In depth review of grammar & sentence structure (Wednesday)

Watch 5th episode of Breaking Bad (Friday)

Week Eight (3/17-3/21)

Rough draft—optional—out of class essay #2 due no later than 5 pm today via e-mail (Monday) This draft will be emailed back to you by Friday this week.

In class writing response #4 (Wednesday)

Read Packet #5 (Wednesday)

How to Read Critically--lecture (Friday)

Week Nine--MARCH 24-30--SPRING RECESS—NO CLASSES—CAMPUS CLOSED

Enjoy the week off and be safe.

Week Ten (3/31-4/4)

C. Chavez Birthday—Campus Wide Holiday—no classes (Monday)

Read Packet #6 (Wednesday)

Discuss Procedures and Details for Taking the WPJ exam (Wednesday)

In class essay #2 (Friday) remember to bring blue or green book today.

Week Eleven (4/7-4/11)

Watch 6th episode of Breaking Bad (Monday)

Read Packet #7 (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 (4/14-4/18)

Watch 7^th (and final) episode of Breaking Bad (Monday)

Out of class essay #2 due today (Monday)

Out of class essay #3 assigned today (Wednesday)

Read Packet #8 (Friday)

Group Work #3 (Friday)

Week Thirteen (4/21-4/25)

Group Work #4 (Monday)

Read Packet #9 (Wednesday)

In class writing response #5 (Wednesday)

A Day to Work on Essay 3 (Friday)

Week Fourteen (4/28-5/2)

Rough Draft due for Out of Class Essay #3 (optional) (Mon.)

(rough draft must be e-mailed to me no later than 5 pm today, Monday)

Second in depth review of grammar and sentence structure (Wed)

Week Fifteen (5/5-5/9)

Out of class essay #3 due today (Monday)

Class Evaluation (Wednesday)

Week Sixteen (5/12-5/16)

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 2014

POINTS EARNED--Your Grade Worksheet

1750 points possible

QUIZ ON COURSE SYLLABUS—Friday, January 31st

______(50 points)

OUT OF CLASS ESSAYS—600 pts.

Essay 1 (200 points)_____ Essay 2 (200 points)_____

Essay 3 (200 points) _____

IN-CLASS ESSAYS—400 pts.

Essay 1 (200 points) ______

Essay 2 (200 points) ______

IN-CLASS WRITING RESPONSES—250 pts.

#1 (50 points)_____

#2 (50 points)_____

#3 (50) points)_____

#4 (50) points)_____

#5 (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 1750 to find the percentage. Then see chart below.

100-94=A                                     Example: 940 pts. earned=53.7%=F

93-90=A-                                     Example: 1100 pts. earned=62.8%=C-

89-84=B+                                    Example: 1359 pts. earned=77.6%=B-

83-80=B                                     Example: 1458 pts. earned=83.3=B

79-74=B-

73-70=C+

69-64=C

63-60=C-

59-54=D

53-0=F