Please note: This course format is available in our Blackboard Vista course space and on the Web at the URL at the bottom of the page.  Bookmark it on your various devices! 

Instructor: Dr. Stephen doCarmo
Office: Penn 131 
Hours: MWF 12:00-2:00 
Phone: 215-968-8267 
E-mail: docarmos@bucks.edu.  (Please note you should write to me only from your own BCCC email account!) 

Required Texts
Rereading America, 8th ed, edited by Colombo, Cullen, and Lisle.  ISBN 0-312-44703-5.

Writing Intensive: Essential College Writers, by Elaine Maimon and Janice Peritz.  (This is BCCC's official English handbook.)

Required Technology 
You'll need a computer for word processing and for Web access, so you can submit electronic copies of your essays to me via a Blackboard Vista course space I've set up for our class. 

Catalog Course Description
English Composition I emphasizes the systematic study of writing effective expository prose and argumentation, stressing development and support of a clear thesis. Essays must demonstrate careful thinking, ability to synthesize sources, and must employ appropriate diction, sentence sense, and standard organizational strategies. Reading assignments will provide models of good writing and support for student compositions.

Prerequisites
Writing Placement Test Score of 6 or higher or a grade of C or better in COMP107: Introduction to Rhetorical Skills. 

Learning Goals (as stated by Bucks' Language and Literature Department)
English Composition I has two primary concerns: 

(1) improving writing skills in multi-paragraph compositions and 
(2) developing critical thinking skills through reading, discussion, analysis, and application of substantive expository prose and argumentation essays. 

Methods
Classes will consist of short lectures, small-group discussions, big-group (i.e. whole-class) discussions, small- and big-group writing workshops, occasional video viewings, and one-on-one conferences with me, your instructor. 

BCCC's COMP110 Course Syllabus 
It's available here: http://www.bucks.edu/syllabi/syllabus.php?lookup=COMP110.

Course Requirements
There are four, broadly speaking.  Here they are: 

1. You'll need to write four "at home" essays, one for each of the four reading units we'll do from Rereading America.  These essays will be need to be at least three pages long each and will need to demonstrate the qualities of good writing agreed on by Bucks' Language and Literature Department: unity, coherence, good organization, varied sentence structure, proper punctuation, clarity/economy of usage, proper diction, and proper grammar.  We'll discuss these qualities in class before you start drafting your essays. 

Your at-home essays will need to be submitted to me with important developmental work you'll have done both in class and on your own time during the drafting process.  Not turning in these materials may adversely affect your grades on these assignments.

I'll give you written instructions for each of these essays, but those instructions will be broad and interpretable enough to allow you to do your own thinking, not just parrot back information and ideas familiar from class discussions.  And demonstrating your own insightful thinking is, as much as anything else, what you'll need to do to earn high grades on these essays.

I'll put written comments on each of your at-home essays, giving them A-F grades, with "plus" and "minus" grades possible. 

Please know I may, early in the semester, give a not-yet-passable essay a grade of "RR" (for rewrite required) rather than a "D" or "F."  If you get this grade from me, you must revise the essay I gave it to -- otherwise you won't be fulfilling the requirements for the course. 

Generally speaking, you won't be able to receive better than a "C+" for any essay for which you originally got an "RR," so don't think of this as too wide a safety net.

Also, in the event I do give you an "RR" on an essay, the rewrite you'll have to do will count as one the revisions you're allowed.  (Please see "Rewrites," below.)

At-home essays must be submitted to me via our Blackboard Vista course space on the Web.  Early in the semester I'll give you instructions for how to do this.

Due dates for final and rough drafts of at-home essays are on the course schedule at the end of this format. 

2. You'll need to write three multi-paragraph in-class essays. These will be written roughly halfway through each of the final three reading units we'll do from Rereading America. 

Like your "at home" essays, these will need to demonstrate the qualities of good writing agreed on by Bucks' Language and Literature Department, and they'll be composed in response to written instructions I'll make available to you in our Bb Vista course space at the beginnings of class periods when the essays are written. 

Your in-class essays should be submitted to me via our Bb Vista course space.  Again, I'll give you instructions for how to do this. 

I'll put written comments on each of your in-class essays, giving them A-F grades, with "plus" and "minus" grades possible. 

Please know I may, early in the semester, give a not-yet-passable in-class essay a grade of "RR" (for rewrite required) rather than a "D" or "F."  If you get this grade from me, you must revise the essay I gave it to -- otherwise you won't be fulfilling the requirements for the course. 

Generally speaking, you won't be able to receive better than a "C+" for any essay for which you originally got an "RR," so don't think of this as too wide a safety net.

Also, in the event I do give you an "RR" on an essay, the rewrite you'll have to do will count as one the revisions you're allowed.  (Please see "Rewrites," below.)  Note too that Language and Literature Department policy is that you must earn a passing grade ("C" or better) on at least one of your in-class essays to pass the course. 

The dates on which you'll write your in-class essays are on the course schedule at the end of this format. 

3.  You'll need to take roughly ten unannounced reading quizzes on the assigned readings.  They'll be short (five questions each), they'll be given at the beginnings of class meetings on days you take them, and they'll focus on key ideas and information from the readings.  I won't be looking, in these quizzes, to see if you memorized minutiae from the readings' footnotes.  I'll be checking to see that you've read carefully enough to pick up the readings' major claims and ideas.  So read reasonably carefully before each class, with the TV, Web, and phone switched off, and you'll do fine on these. 

I'll grade each of your quizzes on a 1-5 scale.  Get all five questions right and you'll get a "5," or an A, basically.  A "4" is a B, a "3" is a C, a "2" is a D, and a "1" or "0"  is an F. 

At the end of the semester, I'll average your quiz grades before factoring them into your final grade. 

4.  You'll need to participate in class.  If you come to class regularly, on time, and prepared; participate in whatever in-class activities I've devised for that day; and are respectful to me and your classmates, your reading-quiz grade will be your participation grade.  If you don't do those things, I reserve the right to adjust your reading-quiz grade to reflect the overall quality of your class participation as I see it.  I may also count you absent on any day you don't effectively participate.

Grade Distribution 
Your first and second "at home" essays will each be worth 15% of your final grade.
Your third and fourth "at home" essays will each be worth 20% of your final grade.
Your first and second in-class essays will each be worth 5% of your final grade.
Your third in-class essay will be worth 10% of your final grade.
Your reading quizzes (the average of which I may adjust to reflect the overall quality of your class participation) will collectively be worth 10% of your final grade.

Attendance
You get four free skips, "excused" or "unexcused" doesn't matter.  After that, your final grade for the course falls a half letter-grade per absence (from a C+ to a C, for instance, or from a C to a D+, since there are no "minus" final grades at Bucks). 

Since I don't distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, you shouldn't burn all your skips thinking it'll be okay to miss more classes later should you get sick or have an emergency!  Your four skips are for sickness and emergency. So budget them wisely.

On most days, I'll take attendance from the small-group discussion notes I'll collect from you as you walk out the door at the end of class. 

Do not vanish from class for extended periods of time (two or more classes in a row) without getting in touch with me!

Please know that you're responsible for learning either from me or a fellow student what you missed -- and what work you need to make up -- any time you do miss class.

Be sure to come to class on time.  Not only might you miss reading quizzes given at the start of the hour if you're late, but I'll count three late arrivals as an absence.  And if you're seriously late for class any given day, I may "charge" you half an absence or even count you totally absent.

This is important: If, come the last day of the semester's withdrawal period, your attendance record is such that it's going to be impossible for you to earn a "C" or better in COMP110, I will withdraw you from the course, so you don't get stuck with a GPA-wrecking final grade.  You probably won't be surprised if this happens to you.  Nonetheless, you might want to check in with me before that date (it's marked on the course schedule, below) so you'll know whether you're in good standing where attendance is concerned.

Rewrites
You may rewrite two of your four "at-home" essays and one of your three in-class essays to improve their grades by up to one full letter grade.  If you choose to do a rewrite, you'll need to 

a. turn in the revision within seven days of getting back the original graded essay, and 
b. make significant improvements!  (My comments on the original graded version will let you know what I expect.)  Simply correcting a few misspellings or fixing a couple apostrophes won't earn you a higher grade.

Also, in the event I do give you an "F" on an essay, the rewrite you'll have to do will count as one the revisions you're allowed.

Note too that while essays turned in late can be re-written, the penalty for lateness never goes away (see the next item). 

Late Work
You may submit any of your "at home" essays late at a penalty of one half-letter grade per weekday. 

In-class essays can't be turned in late.  If there's any reason, then, why you won't be able to attend class on a day we're doing an in-class essay, be sure to get in touch with me before that class period, so we can make other arrangements for you to write it. 

You can't make up missed reading quizzes, since it wouldn't be fair to people who had to take them on time.  If you can't be in class on a day you suspect we'll be taking a quiz, call me in my office sometime before class that day (215-968-8267), and I'll let you take the quiz over the phone.  Please note, though, that doing this won't erase your absence. 

Skipping Assignments 
Sorry, but you can't. All of the writing assignments (the four at-home essays and the three in-class ones) must be submitted to me.  Otherwise you won't receive a passing grade for the course. 

Please note too that any submitted essay for which you receive a flat-out "F" is not considered completed!  The "Rewrites" section above will give you more information. 

Back-up Copies 
You must -- must! -- save copies for yourself of every essay you submit to me.  That way, in the unlikely event of a server crash (remember you'll be sumbitting essays via our Bb Vista course space), you can re-submit your essay to me.  (In other words, "Bucks's server ate my only copy" isn't a valid excuse for missing an assignment!) 

Cell Phones
Cell phones must be switched off before class.  Not even silent texting or use of a non-communications app is okay.  If you're in the middle of some crisis that'll require you to use your phone during class time, please (1) let me know about it before class starts, and (2) leave the room to do it. 

Tutoring 
If you need help with a writing assignment for this course, please work either with me or someone from the Tutoring Center (Library 121). 

If you'd like to listen to the advice of a friend, family member, or classmate who's read a rough draft of yours, that's fine.  But no one besides me or a Bucks tutor should help you actually compose an essay for this course.  Please talk to me if you're confused about what constitutes too much help from another person. 

Special Needs 
If you have a BCCC-documented learning problem requiring you to have extra time on quizzes and/or in-class essays, please let me know about it at the start of the semester, so we can make arrangements for whatever you need. 

Plagiarism 
This is from the College Catalog:

The expectation at Bucks County Community College is that the principles of truth and honesty will be rigorously followed in all academic endeavors.  This assumes that all the work will be done by the person who purports to do the work without unauthorized aids.  In addition, when making use of language, information and some ideas not his or her own, whether quoting them directly or paraphrasing them in his or her own words, the student must attribute the source of the material in some standard form, such as naming the source in the text or offering a footnote.

Student Research Conference 
BCCC's semi-annual Student Research Conference takes place on December 3, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. here at the Newton Campus.  It'll give you a chance not only to share a COMP110 essay you're proud of (or a piece of writing you do for another class, for that matter) but to score some excellent public-speaking experience.  Consider participating!  I'll give you more info about the SRC as the date grows nearer. 
 

Course Schedule 
All readings listed below are from Rereading America, which you should bring to class every day! 

Scan for underlined items to find due-dates for important assignments. 

Wed. Aug. 25: Introduction to the course. We'll go over the course format, and I'll collect a writing sample from you. 

Mon. Aug. 30: We'll begin Reading Unit 1, "Learning Power: The Myth of Education and Empowerment," by discussing two readings: John Taylor Gatto's "Against School" (pgs. 148-55) and the first half of Jonathan Kozol's "Still Separate, Still Unequal" (please read from pg. 219 to the break near the bottom of pg. 226).
Wed. Sept. 1: Discussion of the second half of Kozol's "Still Separate, Still Unequal" (pgs. 226-36). 

Wed. Sept. 8: Discussion of two readings: Mike Rose's "I Just Wanna Be Average" (pgs. 157-68) and Richard Rodriguez's "The Achievement of Desire" (pgs. 194-206). 

Mon. Sept. 13: Discussion of two readings: Michael Moore's "Idiot Nation" (pgs. 128-45) and Malcolm X's "Learning to Read" (pgs. 210-18).  I'll also give you the instruction sheet for your first at-home essay on this day, and we'll do some warm-up exercises for that essay. 
Wed. Sept. 15: Class replaced by one-on-one draft-developing conferences with me.  I'll have passed around a sign-up sheet before this date. 

Mon. Sept. 20: Draft of "at home" essay 1 due.  You must bring a draft to class to be counted present.  Small- and big-group workshopping on drafts.  We'll also begin Reading Unit 2: "True Women and Real Men: Myths of Gender" by discussing Aaron H. Devor's "Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meanings of Gender" (pgs. 527-35). 
Wed. Sept. 22: Final draft of "at home" essay 1 due.  Developmental work (see the assignment's instruction sheet) must be submitted on paper, in class, and the essay itself must be electronically submitted via our Bb Vista site by 11:59 p.m. this night.  In class this day, we'll discuss Jean Kilbourne's "Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt" (pgs. 575-599). 

Mon. Sept. 27: Discussion of Hanna Rosin's "A Boy's Life" (pgs. 546-567). 
Wed. Sept. 29: We'll spend this day prepping for your first in-class essay, which you'll write at our next class meeting.  Be sure to bring Rereading America to class! 

Mon. Oct. 4: In-class essay 1 due.  You'll write it in class this day.
Wed. Oct. 6: Discussion of three readings: Joan Morgan's "From Fly Girls to Bitches and Hos" (pgs. 601-08), Dan Kindlon's "The Descent of Men" (pgs. 618-27), and Michael Kimmel's "'Bros Before Hos': The Guy Code" (pgs. 608-17).  I'll also give you the instruction sheet for your second at-home essay on this day.

Mon. Oct. 11: Discussion of Reihan Salam's "The Death of Macho" (pgs. 629-36).  Also, warm-up exercises for the second at-home essay. 
Wed. Oct. 13: Class replaced by one-on-one draft-developing conferences with me.  I'll have passed around a sign-up sheet before this date.

Mon. Oct. 18: Draft of at-home essay 2 due. You must bring a draft to class to be counted present.  Small- and big-group workshopping on drafts.  We'll also begin Reading Unit 3: "Harmony at Home: The Myth of the Model Family" by discussing Stephanie Coontz's "What We Really Miss about the 1950s" (pgs. 32-48). 
Wed. Oct. 20: Discussion of two readings: Gary Soto's "Looking for Work" (pgs. 28-31) and Roger Jack's "An Indian Story" (pgs. 52-60).  We'll also spend some time prepping for your second in-class essay, which you'll write at our next class meeting. 
Thurs. Oct. 21st: Final draft of "at home" essay 2 due.  Developmental work (see the assignment's instruction sheet) should be submitted on paper, in class, on Monday the 25th, but the essay itself must be electronically submitted via our Bb Vista site by 11:59 p.m. this night.

Mon. Oct. 25: In-class essay 2 due.  You'll write it in class this day. 
Wed. Oct. 27: Discussion of three readings: "Proposition 8: The California Marriage Protection Act" (pgs. 79-80), Jennifer Morse's "8 Is Not Hate: The Meaning of a Proposition" (pgs. 81-84), and "Prop 8 Hurt My Family -- Ask Me How" (pgs. 84-88).

Mon. Nov. 1: Discussion of two readings: Evan Wolfson's "What Is Marriage?" (pgs. 89-101) and Andrew Sullivan's "My Big Fat Straight Wedding" (pgs. 102-105).  I'll also give out the instruction sheet for your third at-home essay on this date.  We'll also spend some class time working on a Web-research exercise that'll help you turn up good ancillary information for your third at-home essay.
Tue. Nov. 2: This is the last day to withdraw from a fall 2010 class!  If your COMP110 attendance record is such that you can't earn a "C" or better in the course, I will withdraw you on this day.
Wed. Nov. 3: Warm-up exercises for the third "at home" essay.  Be sure to bring Rereading America to class.

Mon. Nov. 8: Draft of at-home essay 3 due.  You must bring a draft to class to be counted present.  Small- and big-group workshopping on drafts.  We'll also begin Reading Unit 4: "Money and Success: The Myth of Individual Opportunity" by discussing Horatio Alger's "Ragged Dick" (pgs. 258-63).
Wed. Nov. 10: Final draft of "at home" essay 3 due.  Developmental work (see the assignment's instruction sheet) must be submitted on paper, in class, and the essay itself must be electronically submitted via our Bb Vista site by 11:59 p.m. this night.  In class, we'll discuss two readings: Toni Bambara's "The Lesson" (pgs. 264-71) and Harlon Dalton's "Horatio Alger" (pgs. 272-78). 

Mon. Nov. 15: Discussion of two readings: Katherin Newman & Victor Chen's "The Missing Class" (pgs. 349-56) and Robert Frank's "Living It: Tim Blixseth" (pgs. 279-87).  We'll also spend some time prepping for you third in-class essay, which you'll write at our next class meeting. 
Wed. Nov. 17: In-class essay 3 due.  You'll write it in class on this day.

Mon. Nov. 22: Discussion of Gregory Mantsios's "Class in America -- 2003" (pg. 307).

Mon. Nov. 29: Discussion of three readings: Barbara Ehrenreich's "Serving in Florida" (pgs. 290-304), Kathleen Arnold's "America's New Working Class" (pgs. 361-65), and Studs Terkel's "Stephen Cruz" (pgs. 366-71).
Wed. Dec. 1: In-class viewing of a vid relating to our "Money and Success" unit.  I'll also bring you the instruction sheet for your fourth "at home" essay on this day. 
Fri. Dec. 3: BCCC's semi-annual Student Research Conference is taking place this day!  Hopefully you'll be reading a paper at it!

Mon. Dec. 6: Warm-up exercises for the fourth "at home" essay.  Be sure to bring Rereading America to class.
Wed. Dec. 8: Draft of "at home" essay 4 due.  You must bring a draft to class to be counted present.  Small-group workshopping on drafts.

Mon. Dec. 13: Final draft of "at home" essay 2 due.  Developmental work (see the assignment's instruction sheet) must be submitted on paper, in class, and the essay itself must be electronically submitted via our Bb Vista site by 11:59 p.m. this night.