Rockland Community College

English 101 Composition Fall 2016

Section DC/EC 19 M/W/F 11:00AM-11:50 AM
Section DC/EC 05 M/W/F 12:00-12:50 PM

Prof. Maralyn Schlanger E-mail: mschlan2@sunyrockland.edu

Office Hours: By appointment

Course Description: The first part of a one-year writing sequence emphasizing the creation of clear, thoughtful prose
linked to critical reading and the interpretation of the content, style, and structure of essays. Seven or more essays are
required, three of which will be written in class. One is a documented essay, which students must pass in order to pass
the course.

Course Objectives
By the end of the semester students should:
Understand that writing is a process; writing is revising
Understand the relationship among readers, texts, and audiences
Select passages from a reading and use them in their own writing
Analyze selected quotations in detail
Integrate original ideas with those of others using proper source documentation
Understand a writing assignment as a rhetorical situation that can be broken down into a series of tasks,
including finding, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing appropriate primary and secondary sources
Use conventions of format and structure appropriate to each rhetorical situation
Learn to critique work composed by oneself and ones peers
Develop strategies for generating ideas, revising, editing, and proofreading
Demonstrate the ability to use proper English grammar and mechanics
Recognize and be able to correct major grammatical and usage errors
Employ library resources appropriately in order to create a documented essay
Locate and evaluate a variety of secondary sources using research tools
Gather and evaluate information from a few different sources
Incorporate quotations, paraphrase, and summary effectively
Learn and use correct MLA documentation format

Required texts and materials

The Norton Mix: An English 101 Reader, Norton (2013).
R. Bullock, Little Seagull Handbook
Recommended: The New York Times (for a discounted subscription rate go
to:www.NYTimes.com/CollegeRate
A folder/binder- to keep your papers
Lined paper for in-class writing

Attendance and Classroom Policy: BE ON TIME AND PRESENT FOR ALL CLASSES.
Perfect attendance and participation will add extra credit points to your final average.
Regular and punctual attendance is expected and mandatory for passing this class. Come to class
prepared to be involved in class discussions. Please note that participation is not just being present, but
also being involved in the class discussion and activities. You are allowed a maximum of three
absences. If you miss more classes, your final grade will be lowered. When you miss a class, you are
still responsible for the work covered. Check the class schedule or contact a classmate to find out what
you missed. Lateness: Arriving to class more than 5 minutes after the beginning of class is considered
late. If you are late more than four times, you will receive a deduction off your final grade. If you are 20
minutes late, you will be marked absent. Chronic lateness will affect your grade, so please be on time.
Cell Phone and Tablet/Laptop Policy
Cell phones and tablets/laptops are great tools however they have limited if any use within the classroom.
Use of these electronic devices at inappropriate times is both disruptive and rude. Cell phones are not
permitted. Students seen using cell phones will be reminded of this policy. Continued cell phone use will
result in a lowered final grade. I prefer that you do not use laptops or tablets in class, however these
devises may occasionally be used for note taking during certain classes.
Additional Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
Learning Competencies Method of Evaluation

Demonstrate the ability to interpret the Class discussion, quizzes, and/or written
purpose, tone, style, and point of view of assignments.
course texts.
Understand the relationships among Class discussion and/or written assignments.
readers, texts, and audiences.
Understand the relationships among Class discussion and/or written assignments.
language, knowledge, and power.
Integrate original ideas with those of Written assignments.
others, using proper source documentation.
Understand a writing assignment as a Class discussion and written assignments.
rhetorical situation that can be broken
down into a series of tasks, including
finding, evaluating, analyzing, and
synthesizing appropriate primary and
secondary sources.
Explore the relationship between electronic Class discussion and/or written assignments.
media and the composing process.
Effectively employ conventions of format Written assignments.
and structure appropriate to each rhetorical
situation.
Learn to construct a coherent argument. Written assignments.
Learn to critique and revise work In-class and/or out-of-class peer review
composed both by oneself and ones peers. exercises.
Develop flexible strategies for generating, Written assignments.
revising, editing, and proofreading.
Demonstrate the ability to use accepted Written assignments.
English mechanics.
Employ library resources (including online Written assignments and/or quizzes.
databases) appropriately in order to create a
documented essay.

Unit 1: Introduction to college writing

Characteristics of academic discourse
The rhetorical triangle: writer/text/audience
Pre-writing strategies
Writing strategies
Revision strategies (including peer review)
Unit 2: Interacting with complex texts
Interpreting an authors purpose, style, tone, and point of view
Strategies for reading difficult texts
The role of textuality in the creation of power structures
 Understanding the relationships between texts
Summary and paraphrase
Moving from summary to analysis
Unit 3: Argumentation
Components of a written argument
Forms of argumentation
Rhetorical strategies for constructing effective arguments
Unit 4: Research
Posing valid research questions
Learning about scholarly research tools (including Library databases)
Integrating research appropriately into original ideas
Proper source documentation
Unit 5: Reflection
Recognizing individual development as a writer, including strengths and weaknesses
Recognizing individual style and voice
Setting goals for continued growth as a writer

Course Requirements and Evaluation

Final grades will be calculated as follows:

Essays: 35%
Research Essay: 35%-including preliminary work
Final Reflection Essay: 15%
Quizzes, Blackboard assignments: 5%
Attendance and class participation: 10%

Extra credit will be given for perfect attendance and class participation.
Semester grades will be based on the quality and development of your writing, your participation in class,
and completion of all work.

Letter Grade Average

A 93-100
A- 89-93
B+ 85-89
B 83-85
B- 79-83
C+ 75-79
C 73-75
C- 69-73
D 65-69
F < 65

Reading Assignments
Read all assignments carefully and be ready to discuss them in class.
This is a discussion class. Successful participation in this class requires certain preparation. Bring The
Norton Mix to all classes. Be prepared for quizzes and informal in-class essays on the readings. Be
ready to read aloud, exchange ideas and opinions, and participate in group discussions. Students are
encouraged to speak their minds freely in class discussions and are expected to express themselves
courteously with respect for the opinions and sensibilities of their classmates. Reading assignments are
due by the date listed on the course schedule. You are responsible for the reading even if you are absent

Writing Assignments/ Essays/ Research Essay

There will be many writing assignments and essays. All essays and writing assignments completed out of
class must be typed. Please submit first drafts with all final essays. (Remember that writing is a process
and I must receive all parts of the process.) Important! Save everything you write for this class. Keep a
writing folder of everything you have written (both in and out of class) throughout the semester. To be safe
you should always preserve all the drafts of an essay on paper and in a computer file.
(Additional detailed information on the writing assignments is in the Writing Assignments portion of this
syllabus.)

All work must be handed in on time. Late papers will receive a lowered grade and will only be
accepted if an extension is granted. If you are absent on the day an essay is due, you may e-mail the
assignment to me and you must send me an e-mail explaining the absence. You must submit a
paper/hard copy when you return to class.
All work, of course, must be your own. Plagiarism (passing off another's work, published or not,
as your own) will result in failure for the assignment. Please read the following academic honesty
policy. Plagiarism is grounds for suspension and/or academic dismissal. It will not be tolerated. The
Departments policy will be strictly enforced:

Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. DO NOT DO IT. Below is the
policy for academic dishonesty as per the SUNY Rockland student handbook:
1. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
a. Cheating on examinations.
b. Plagiarism, i.e.: the use of words or ideas of others, whether borrowed, purchased or otherwise
obtained, without crediting the source.
c. Submitting work previously presented in another course.
d. Willingly collaborating with others in any of the above actions which result(s) in work being submitted
which is not the students own.
e. Stealing examinations, falsifying academic records and other such offenses.

2. If the instructor deems that a student is guilty of cheating or plagiarism, the instructor may initiate
disciplinary action through the Dean of Students, and/ or may:
a. Require that the student repeat the assignment or the examination.
b. Give the student a failing grade for the assignment or examination.
c. Give the student a failing grade in the course and deny the student continued access to the class.
d. The instructor should advise the Dean of Students, in writing, of any of these actions.

Inclement weather: You may call (845) 574-4034 for closing or delay information.

Conferencing
It is advisable to NOT wait until the semesters end to raise concerns about your grade. Please send me
an email or see me after class if you wish to have an individual conference with me to discuss your
progress in the course, or if you have questions about material weve covered.

Reading and Writing Center

The Reading and Writing Center (RWC) helps current and former SUNY Rockland students to become
stronger readers and writers. Students may come to the RWC for assistance with reading and writing
assignments from any course. The staff of the RWC is also happy to assist with personal reading and
writing tasks such as letters, transfer essays, and creative writing. Visit the RWC in room 8349, or
schedule an appointment on Tutor Trac under the Quick Links menu on the RCC home page. Visiting the
Reading and Writing Center is strongly recommended

Accessibility Services
SUNY RCC is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities full access to all programs,
services and facilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American
with Disabilities ACT (ADA) of 1990. The college makes reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Students should notify the Office of Accessibility Services located at the Tech
Center, Room 8150 and their representatives of any special needs.

Academic Success Centers (ASC)

Through the Centers for Academic Success, academic help is just a few clicks away. Using TutorTrac
(tt.sunyrockland.edu), RCC students can view and schedule FREE tutoring and other academic support
services in the Science Learning Center, Reading & Writing Center, and the Tutoring Center. Students
may also call or visit the Information Desk (Room 8340,
845-574-4503) to learn more about the availability of services.

A Note on Sexual Misconduct

Rockland Community College is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning environment.
Title IX and college policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.
Sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, sexual assault,
and stalking is also prohibited at our college.
Our college encourages anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing sexual
misconduct to talk to someone about what happened or is happening, so they can get the
support they need and our college can respond appropriately.
If you wish to speak confidentially about an incident of sexual misconduct, please contact the
following licensed counselors: Professors Kathleen Carroll, Janice Moore, or Inez Rivera-Pena
of Counseling Services, Technology Center, Suite 8220, Room 8236, 845-574- 4306
http://www.sunyrockland.edu/go/counseling
If you wish to report sexual misconduct or have questions about college policies and procedures
regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the College's Title IX Coordinator: Melissa L. Roy,
JD, Brucker Hall, Room 6301, 845-574-4758, mroy@sunyrockland.edu
Our college is legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, and therefore it
cannot guarantee the confidentiality of a report, but it will consider a request for confidentiality
and respect it to the extent possible.

As a teacher, I am also required by our college to report incidents of sexual misconduct and
thus cannot guarantee confidentiality. I must provide our Title IX Coordinator with relevant
details such as the names of those involved in the incident.
Important Dates Fall 2016

Wednesday, August 31 Last day for 100% refund

Thursday, September 1 Classes Begin

Monday, September 5 Campus Closed (Labor Day)

Wednesday, September 7 Last day for 75% refund

Last day to add day/evening classes

Wednesday, September 14 Last day for 50% refund

Wednesday, September 21 Last day for 25% refund.

Last day to drop without a grade.
Last day to apply for December graduation

Sunday, October 2 No evening classes

Monday, October 3 No day or evening classes

Monday, October 10 Classes in session, most offices open

Tuesday, October 11 No evening classes

Wednesday, October 12 No day or evening classes

Tuesday, November 8 Last day to withdraw from a course without a

failing grade.
Last day to file pass/fail or audit-- forms in the
Records Office
Last day to finish an incomplete from spring or
summer

Thursday, November 10 Follow your Monday class schedule day &

evening

Friday, November 11 Campus closed

Thursday- Sunday
Nov. 24- Nov. 27 No day/eve classes; Offices closed

Friday, December 23 Last day of classes