English II
 
Prof. Rosalie Stafford
rev. 1 August 2006
Course Objectives      To help students develop the ability to think critically, to organize thoughts effectively, and to express ideas clearly; to give students practice in researching and writing essays and a White Paper in MLA form. 
Class Procedures  Class-time is dedicated to discussing student papers (in terms of content, sentence structure, & MLA form), as well as readings including the textbook Writing & Reading Across the Curriculum and various other topical articles & essays assigned by instructor.  Class-time will also be devoted to writing-workshop (sentence surgery and group projects).  Students will be expected to spend ample time in committee and individually, preparing their research projects.
Research Project:
Bird Flu
Pandemic
White Paper

Students will form committees and will write analytical papers in the form of an extensive White Paper, (using MLA documentation where appropriate), on various aspects of the Bird Flu Pandemic.  If time allows, each committee will have the opportunity to revise every White Paper chapter; thus each chapter will contain the editorial input of every student.  An Intro Committee will be formed (members to be selected by the instructor) which will write the Introduction to the over-all White Paper.  As a PowerPoint presentation summarizing each committee's research is part of this assignment, a Media Committee will work together to ensure that the PowerPoint project is coherent and effective.  Because this is a substantial and challenging assignment (requiring in-depth teamwork, as well as extensive generating, organizing, drafting, and revising), this project takes the place of individual research papers.  This project is to be prepared with the understanding that it will be presented to the command as an example of the analytical and organizational ability of members of the class.
Writing Workshop Students will write during every class meeting.  Bring paper, pen, and drafts to every class meeting.
Assigned Reading Writing & Reading Across the Curriculum, 8th ed: Chapter Six, "Research" 163-213, and various essays from this and other resources (to be assigned as they pertain to class topics).
Essays During the course, students will write four essays for evaluation. These essays will focus on analysis of abstractions and will include elements of traditional expository modes: description, narration, persuasion, argumentation, comparison & contrast, and cause & effect. At least one of the four essays must include MLA style documentation.
Essay Exams Because of magnitude of term project, there will be no midterm essay exam. Topics of final essay exam will be announced. 
Preparation
of
Manuscripts
Work written in class will require 8 1/2X11 paper. Write on one side of the paper only, using blue or black ink. Write on every other line and leave adequate margins on both sides & between lines for comments and additions. Papers must be neat and legible.
Include name, essay number & title, and page number on upper right hand corner of every page. Homework must be typed in san serif 18 pt, double-spaced.
Late Papers No late papers will be accepted unless approved by the instructor in advance.
Attendance
&
Deportment
Prompt attendance is required. If you are required for duty or some other personal matter, you must present chit. While in class, especially during discussion periods, students will be held to high standards of behavior: students who talk-out-of turn will be removed from the class.
Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of using another person's words and ideas as if they were one's own.  Plagiarism is forbidden.  Any student who participates in plagiarism on a paper or exam will automatically receive an F.  Strict adherance to proper MLA documentation will enable you to avoid the crime of plagiarism.
 
Grades Instructor believes that the true value of the course is the degree to which each individual student thinks deeply about topics addressed in class.  Education is not only a life-long exercise, it is a life-enhancing enterprise.  To think clearly and to express ideas persuasively is a joyful thing. Grades are largely based on demonstrated improvement in analysis and written expression as well as on appropriate participation in classroom discussions, sentence surgery, and small-group writing exercises.
   
Grading Matrix
(written
work)
Outstanding Essay ("A") · Insightfully presents and convincingly supports an opinion on the issue or a critique of the argument · Ideas are very clear, well-organized, and logically connected · Shows superior control of language: grammar, stylistic variety, and standard conventions of writing; minor flaws may occur

Strong Essay ("B") · Presents well-chosen examples and strongly supports an opinion on the issue or a critique of the argument · Ideas are generally clear and well organized; connections are logical · Shows solid control of language: grammar, stylistic variety, and standard conventions of writing; minor flaws occur

Adequate Essay ("C") · Presents and adequately supports an opinion on the issue or a critique of the argument · Ideas are fairly clear and adequately organized; logical connections are satisfactory · Shows flawed control of language: grammar, stylistic variety, and standard conventions of writing

Weak Essay ("D") · Succeeds only partially in presenting and supporting an opinion on the issue or a critique of the argument · Ideas may be unclear and poorly organized; logical connections are deficient · Shows unsatisfactory control of language: contains significant mistakes in grammar, usage, and sentence structure · Does not respond to topic or assignment

Deficient Essay ("F") · Shows little success in presenting and supporting an opinion on the issue or a critique of the argument · Ideas lack clarity and organization · Meaning is impeded by many serious mistakes in grammar, usage, and sentence structure · Does not respond to topic or assignment

Weekly Schedule

 
Week 1

Explanation of the course and syllabus
In-class baseline MLA paper: "Navajo White is [is not] a Health Hazard"
Discussion: Structure & Function of Humor
Essay 1 assigned: "Structure & Function of Humor"

Examples of humorous metaphors & similes
Assignment: discuss structure & function of humor in various contexts or in reference to your own experience.  Remember: humor-structure is based on dichotomy between things as they should be and things as they happen to be; function is to define or build group cohesiveness.
Discussion of MLA style

Steps of the Writing Process

Week 2  
Essay 1
("Humor") due.

Sentence surgery
Essay 2 assigned: "Maelstrom"

Discuss the concept of "maelstrom" ("whirlpool" ... and by extension ... "head in a whirl" ... "tailspin" ... "circling the drain") in reference to Oedipus' Thebes, Boccaccio's Florence, and Katrina's New Orleans -- or in reference to Bird Flu.
Discuss reading
Term Project assigned, committees formed
Discussion of MLA style

Week 3
White Paper, Part I due: Monday of Week 3   
Essay 2
("Maelstrom") due.

Review Steps of the Writing Process
Essay 3 assigned: "Temperance"
Discuss the concept of "temperance" or "intemperance" in relation to topics discussed in class (for instance, Marcus Aurelius or Boethius in World Lit) or in reference to Bird Flu.
Read and discuss Sample Analytical Paper.

Week 4
White Paper, Part 2 due: Monday of Week 4 
Essay 3
("Temperance") due.

Committee Work & Sentence surgery
Discuss reading: "The Medal of Honor"
Discuss the concept of "heroism" ("act performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk") in relation of previous course content (such as the battle between Hector and Achilles, or Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima, or the movies Battleground and Sgt. York), or in reference to your own experience.
Essay #3 assigned: "Heroism"
Read and discuss Another Sample Paper (page 1) and page 2
Discussion of MLA style

Week 5
White Paper, Part 3 due: Monday of Week 5 
  Committee Work & Sentence surgery
Discuss reading
Discussion of MLA style

Week 6
White Paper, Part 4 due: Monday of Week 6 
Essay 4
("Heroism") due.

Committee Work & Sentence surgery
Discuss reading
Discussion of MLA style

Week 7
White Paper, Part 5  due:Monday of Week 7 

Committee Work & Sentence surgery
Discuss reading
Discussion of MLA style

Week 8
White Paper Final Drafts and Slide Show due:
Monday of Week 8 
  Presentations
Final in-class essay exam
yesnavy@yahoo.com
Questions? Prof. Stafford's v-mail is
928-257-1927

Bird Flu Pandemic Braintrust Committees:

Intro: Flagle, Vitug, Le, Trundle,
Media: Ferraes, Flemming, Dayton, Burdios

Red: Arceo, Serrano, DelaGarza, Tunake, Kebede, McKaney, Rivera, Fey
White: Rojas, Cox, Couch, Khalil, Rodriguez, Barrera, Turner, Yimesgen
Blue: Endoso, Cardenas, Brooks, Combs, Perez, Gallego, Miranda, Nucup,

White Paper Sections:

  • Introduction: Start work 3 August
  • PowerPoint: Start work on Medical, 3 August
  • Medical: ready to go to PPt, 3 August
  • Food & Transportation
  • Work Force & Essential Services
  • Law & Order, Leadership, Social Services