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Syllabus WR 122-02 English Composition: Critical Thinking
AC 1253 MWF 9:00-9:50 a.m.
Mr. Crumrine
Office: Humanities Division or Library
Cell: (503) 935-3922
E-mail: crumrinp@mhcc.edu
Office Hours
MWF 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Monday 4:50-6:00 p.m.—E-mail only
Wednesday 4:50-6:00 p.m.—E-mail only
At school you are engaged not so much in acquiring knowledge as in making mental efforts under criticism. A certain amount of knowledge you can indeed with average faculties acquire so as to retain; nor need you regret the hours you spent on much that is forgotten, for the shadow of lost knowledge at least protects you from many illusions. But you go to a great school not so much for knowledge as for arts and habits; for the habit of attention, for the art of expression, for the art of assuming at a moment's notice a new intellectual position, for the art of entering quickly into another person's thoughts, for the habit of submitting to censure and refutation, for the art of indicating assent or dissent in graduated terms, for the habit of regarding minute points of accuracy, for the art of working out what is possible in a given time, for taste, for discrimination, for mental courage, and for mental soberness. Above all, you go to a great school for self-knowledge. (William Johnson Cory, Letters and Journals 1897)
Prerequisites
The student must have passed WR 121 with a C or better.
Required Textbook
Rottenberg, Annette T., and Donna Haisty Winchell. The Structure of Argument.
6th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2009.
Description
ü Students will demonstrate the successful use of the writing process: inventing, arranging, drafting, and revising toward a final manuscript. They will be able to evaluate sound reasoning and validity of evidence. The invention stage will include generating ideas in response to texts. The revising stage will include testing original ideas against sources.
ü Students will demonstrate the ability to write an essay to accomplish a clearly stated purpose by adopting appropriate voice, tone, and formality level as well as organizational pattern. Purposes will include audience and persuasion as well as informative goals, and the student will anticipate and prepare for audience reaction in preparing the essay for readers outside the classroom.
ü Students will demonstrate the skill of writing with a stated thesis in each completed manuscript. The thesis states a position that identifies the essay as an argument, analysis or illustration of high-level thinking skills such as synthesis and evaluation and which implies or states the use of outside sources.
ü Students will demonstrate the ability to organize their essays with an introduction, body, and conclusion and demonstrate their awareness of how to organize for a particular audience and for a particular purpose, such as argument, analysis, synthesis or evaluation.
ü Students will demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies such as comparison/contrast, cause and effect, description, examples, and reasons to support the thesis. Students will demonstrate the ability to employ these critical ways of thinking for their own purposes such as analysis, persuasion, evaluation, synthesis, development of the thesis, and organization of the essay.
ü Manuscripts will be typed, double-spaced, and include a customary heading. There will be few mistakes in spelling or misuse of homonyms. Advanced punctuation (semicolons, colons, dashes) for all forms of correct sentences will be appropriate. There will be few clichés; most idiomatic expressions will be used correctly. Sentence structures will be correct and chosen for effectiveness: an appropriate variety of sentence structures is evident. A few fragments may appear when stylistically appropriate. Semi-formal level of diction and style is expected and may be modified as appropriate to the chosen audience.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism involves using the words or ideas of another person and passing them off as the student’s own. Copying from any reference without documentation, turning in papers written by another person, or utilizing ideas from a source not credited are examples of plagiarism. Plagiarism can result in a failing grade and other disciplinary actions.
Cheating, plagiarism, and other acts of academic dishonesty are regarded as serious offenses. Instructors have the responsibility to report any such incident in writing to the Associate Vice President of Student Life. Depending on the nature of the offense, serious penalties may be imposed, ranging from loss of points to expulsion from the class or college.
Assignments
All assignments are due on the date assigned on the class calendar. Reading assignments must be completed before class time on the date listed.
Handouts
Students will find all course handouts (including a copy of this syllabus) through Portals. A backup copy exists at the web address <http://yeoldebookcellar.freewebspace.com>.
Attendance
Students will discover that tardiness or absenteeism usually results in a significantly lower course grade. College policy stresses the necessity of student attendance at all class meetings. The instructor will take attendance through a medium of a dated sign-in sheet. Students who fail to sign the sheet will be considered absent.
MHCC college regulation provides for excused absences for co-curricular activities. Students will provide instructors with an excused absence request form at least 12 hours prior to the event. Students are responsible for all assignments on or before the due date. Students will work with instructors to make up tests, presentations, etc. due during the excused date.
Disability Services
Students with specific questions about disabilities should consult Disability Services:
503 491-6923
TDD 503 491-7670
FAX 503 491-7549
dsoweb@mhcc.edu
Students with documented disabilities who require class or instructor accommodations should have Disability Services notify the instructor during the first week of the term.
Classroom Behavior
Instructors have the responsibility to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior appropriate to the discipline and method of teaching. Students may not engage in any activity which the instructor deems disruptive or counterproductive to the goals of the class. Instructors have the right to remove offending students from class. Repetition of the offense may result in expulsion from the course.
Always show courtesy to your teacher and your fellow students.
§ Do not talk while the teacher or other students are talking (this includes whispering).
§ Do not insult the teacher or your fellow students.
§ Do not do homework or study for other courses in the classroom.
§ Beepers, pagers, and cellular phones should be turned off in the classroom.
Students are free to discuss their grades privately with the instructor, but students must never discuss their grades in the presence of another student.
Class Participation
Students are expected to argue and discuss in the classroom, but every word spoken must be intended for the entire class. Private discussions have no place in the classroom.
Potentially Controversial or Offensive Course Content
This course is designed to challenge the student’s assumptions. Those with strong religious, political, or social beliefs may be exposed to contrary ideas or find the subject matter provocative or controversial. Since no alternative assignments exist, students offended by existential or experiential questions, reasoning, or secular thought should withdraw from this course.
Safety and Security Considerations
§ There are public safety officers on duty 24 hours a day. They patrol the entire campus in marked vehicles.
§ In the event of an emergency dial “33” from any campus phone. There are several emergency/information telephones placed throughout the campus. They are located at the front flagpoles, at the main gym entrance and at various points on both upper and lower levels of the main academic center.
§ Security escorts are available at any time through the campus switchboard. Dial “7310” from any campus phone to reach the officer.
§ Closed-circuit cameras monitor broad areas of the campus.
§ Emergency Automotive Assistance. Our Public Safety employees never intended to be mechanics, but they are equipped and trained to start cars with dead batteries and to assist with locked cars.
§ Always lock your car. If you are on campus after dark, move your car to a closer spot.
§ Have classmates walk you to your car, then drive them to theirs.
§ Know the locations of the emergency/information telephones.
§ Use the escort service or waiting room as needed.
§ Be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything or anyone who appears suspicious, REPORT what you see or hear to public safety by dialing “33” from any campus phone. Your eyes and ears can be a great help to us!
§ In an effort to help prevent break-ins, do not leave valuables in your car.
§ The posted speed on campus is 15 mph. Public Safety enforces the speed limit and tickets offenders.
§ Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing the roadways.
Evacuation Information: Determine the location of the evacuation parking lot for each worksite or classroom. If you hear the evacuation alarm sound in your area, please pick up your belongings and calmly walk out of your office or classroom to the closest evacuation parking lot. Close, but do not lock the doors and windows as you leave. Proceed to the far perimeter of your evacuation parking lot; at least 300 feet from the building. Everyone must wait in the parking lot until there is an official announcement (Fire Department, Public Safety, or Evacuation Coordinator) that the drill or emergency situation has ended. Do not re-enter the building just because the alarm has stopped. Do not attempt to drive your car. No smoking in the evacuation assembly areas.
Earthquake Procedures: If you perceive that an earthquake is occurring, move away from the windows and crouch beneath a substantial piece of furniture. If no shelter is available, crouch next to a counter top, a piece of substantial machinery or the back of a chair. As a last resort move to a windowless, interior wall, close to an exit. If the evacuation alarm sounds, calmly pick up your belongings, close but do not lock the doors and windows as you leave, and proceed from the building to the perimeter parking lots. Adjust your evacuation route to avoid hazards.
Campus Bookstore
The MHCC Bookstore is located at the main entrance to campus, directly under the business office.
Store Hours: M-F 8am-6pm (when classes are in session).
Phone: (503) 491-7188
Computer Lab Resources
The purpose of the Computer Labs is to provide facilities and equipment in which MHCC students and faculty can develop computer skills and complete classroom assignments required for courses offered at MHCC. The college offers computer services in a variety of locations on campus. The use of lab 1451 is available to all registered students.
Academic Computer Center AC 1451—General Open Computer Lab
Engineering CAD Lab AC 1659—Engineering AutoCAD Computer Lab
General Purpose Lab AC 1658—General Open Computer Lab
Learning Resource Center Lab—Located in the Library
Software Training Center AC 2610—Self Directed Computer Training
The instructor will acknowledge each e-mail message he receives; if a student fails to receive an acknowledgement, the student should assume that the instructor didn’t receive the message.
Ø Notification of grades via email violates FERPA.
Papers
Students will write four 1,000 word term papers out of class. One paper must cover the topic of the student’s presentation. Papers must be typed double-spaced on 81/2 x 11 inch, white paper. All four papers must be argumentative: i.e., the writer must make a claim of fact, value, or policy, which must be supported. Each paper must have an introductory paragraph containing a thesis sentence (the claim), which will be italicized or underlined.
Presentations
Each student must state, support, and defend the topic of one of his or her four papers in an oral presentation before the class. Students are free to choose topics from the list (see the handout) or to create their own, but the instructor must approve all claims.
Grading
The instructor will base the course grade upon an accumulation of points. Late papers will result in a loss of points: papers more than one week overdue will receive a failing grade. Since this course involves a substantial writing requirement, neglecting to turn in a paper will result in a failing course grade. Extra credit assignments do not exist.
Papers 60 points
Presentation 20 points
Participation 20 points
A = 90—100
B = 80—89
C = 70—79
D = 60—69
MHCC Criteria for Grading
A indicates excellent or outstanding performance. The concepts are fully grasped, the subject matter has been mastered, and the student has demonstrated the ability to apply both concepts and subject matter with originality.
B indicates that the student has met all the objectives in the course and has shown an above average grasp not only of the subject matter but of the concepts as well.
C indicates that the student has met the requirements and objectives of the course satisfactorily and has grasped its subject matter and concepts at an acceptable level of competency.
D indicates that the student has met the minimum number of the objectives to satisfy requirements for the course but his/her grasp of the subject matter and concepts was below average.
F indicates that the student has not met a sufficient number of the objectives to pass at a minimal level and should either repeat the course or be counseled into some other program or course.
College Policy Regarding Incomplete Grades
“A student may be assigned an “I” (Incomplete) when insufficient work to justify a grade has been done by the student due to excusable reasons. Though individual circumstances may warrant unique decisions, it is commonly expected that the student will have completed at least 75% of the course requirements. Incompletes are to be made up prior to the end of the following term unless the student is no longer enrolled. Under these circumstances, the work must be made up in the term of the return with only a four-quarter maximum absence (including summer) permitted.
“I” grades are not to be given in cases of non-attendance or as an alternative to an “F”. If a student never attended, but did not formally withdraw through the Admissions Registration and Records Office, the student must be assigned an “F”. Incompletes are appropriate only when the student has given you an excusable reason for needing an extension to finish coursework and when they have indicated to you that they intend to make up missing work or exams. Non-attendance without an excusable reason does not qualify a student for an incomplete.
College Closure Due to Inclement Weather or Emergency
If the College closes due to inclement weather or an emergency situation requires it, an announcement of the closure will be made via radio and television networks. The stations that will carry college closure information are attached. Once a decision has been made regarding college closure, a notice will also be posted on the MHCC website, and the College answering machine.
Every effort will be made to have public announcements about closures or late openings made by 5:30 a.m. If a closure occurs during normal business hours, a decision will be made to close by 4 p.m. that day. This procedure is in effect seven days a week except holidays or when the college is normally closed. A closure announcement about MHCC includes all college classes, athletic events, activities, and educational centers including the Bruning Center, Maywood, East Multnomah County Head Start, and other college locations. If it is necessary to close a specific activity or facility, the announcement will be specific in that regard. Closure decisions are made with regards to conditions on campus and do not necessarily reflect conditions or roads in the region, county or state. Generally, the college will be closed for inclement weather when the Gresham area local school districts are closed.
ANNOUNCEMENT
MEANING
MHCC CLOSED
A total college closure is in effect. All college classes, events, games, etc., are cancelled for the entire day and/or evening. Except for designated emergency crews, college personnel do not report to work. College gates will be locked to allow emergency crews to operate.
MHCC OPENS LATE
A temporary college closure is in effect until the noted time that is announced. Except for designated emergency crews, students and college personnel will report to classes or work at the noted time. College gates will be locked to allow emergency crews to operate.
Note: Closure decisions are made with regards to conditions on or near Gresham campus and do not necessarily reflect conditions or roads in the region, county or state. Generally, the college will be closed for inclement weather when the Gresham area local school districts are closed.
2008-2009 School Announcement Network
In the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies, the
following radio and TV stations will carry school schedule change information:
FM Radio
AM Radio
88.3
KBVM
620
KPOJ
89.1
KMHD
750
KXL
89.9
KBPS
860
KPAM
91.5
KOPB
1190
KEX
92.3
KGON
940
KWBY (Spanish)
95.1
KSND (Spanish)
1040
KXPD
94.7
KNRK
97.1
KYCH (Charlie)
98.7
KUPL
99.5
KWJJ The Wolff
100.3
KKRZ Z100
Television Stations
Web Addresses
2 (KATU)
www.flashalert.net
www.katu.com
6 (KOIN)
www.1190kex.com
8 (KGW)
www.mhcc.edu
12 (KPTV)
28 (PPS TV)
(the MHCC website will announce updates)
The Mt. Hood Community College Library
The Library is located to the left of the main fountain on the upper level of the Academic Center.
Regular hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m.—9:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Library Contact Information
Library: 503-491-7161
Reference: 503-491-7516
reference@mhcc.edu
Library fax: 503-491-7389
Writing Tutoring
The goal of the Learning Assistance Center Writing Tutorial is to help you become a better writer. By working with you on specific papers and assignments, we hope to help you improve your general writing skills, critical thinking skills, and learning skills. We will help you at any stage of the writing process. We can help you
· Brainstorm topics and thesis statements
· Organize your ideas and thoughts into an outline or rough draft
· Re-organize and re-think drafts
· Answer specific grammar and English usage questions
We cannot proofread and edit papers. That wouldn’t help you become a better writer!
How to Get the Most Out of Your Tutoring Appointment:
1) Make an appointment with a tutor well in advance of your due date.
You will feel a lot less pressure if you know you have time to make the revisions suggested by the tutor. Scheduling an appointment the morning the paper is due leaves you no time to do this. In fact, you can keep yourself from procrastinating by making an appointment at regular intervals before a paper is due. This will help motivate you to work on your draft.
2) Set your own goals for the tutorial.
Think about what kind of help you really want from a tutor. Do you have lots of ideas, but can’t organize them? Or do you not have any ideas at all? If you have a clear idea of what you need, your tutor can spend more time helping you and less time identifying the problem.
3) Bring both your assignment and any work you have done so far.
Don’t make the tutor guess what the assignment is. Bring in the assignment sheet and what you have written in your class notes.
4) Re-read your draft before your tutoring session.
How can you know what kind of help you need if the last time you read your draft was two weeks ago, when you last worked on the paper?
5) Mark sections of your draft you’re unsure of and would like to work on.
Most tutoring sessions are not long enough for the tutor to read your entire paper. Think about what instructors usually comment on in your papers. Do you need to work on thesis statement? Transitions between paragraphs? Conclusion? Identify areas you want to focus on.
Bring a positive attitude, and be ready to learn and be active in the writing process.
Learning Assistance Center: (503) 491-7108 (AC3300, above the library)
Calendar
January
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
Introduction
to the course
6
7
8
9
Writing about Argument 80-121
10
11
12
Defining Key Terms 122-132
13
14
15
16
Defending Claims 157-184
17
18
19
MLK Holiday
College Closed
20
21
Defending Claims 185-210
1,000 word paper due
22
23
Contrast “The Raven” with “Stopping by Woods” (Handout)
24
25
26
Avoiding Flawed Logic 322-350
27
28
A Modest Proposal 354-361
29
30
“The Blue Cross” (Handout)
31
February
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Providing Support 211-233
3
4
1,000 word paper due
5
6
7
8
9
Analyzing Warrants 272-283
10
11
“Civil Disobedience” 300-316
12
13
14
15
16
Choosing Fair and Precise Language 367-393
17
18
Politics and the English Language 406-416
1,000 word paper due
19
20
21
22
23
“The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (Handout)
24
25
26
27
Presentations
28
March
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Presentations
3
4
Presentations
1,000 word paper due
5
6
Presentations
7
8
9
Presentations
10
11
Presentations
12
13
Presentations
14
15
Final Exam Week—No regular classes
16
17
18
Final
Presentations
8:00-9:45
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31