English 101: College Composition
Spring 2008

Required Texts

• Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson's unSpun: finding facts in a world of [disinformation]
• To ease the portfolio process, you should also buy a copy of Portfolio Preview handbook. It has lots of good examples that show the college's, the department's, and my expectations for your writing. Summer students can skip this.
• Rhetoric and Composition Wiki Handbook (We just might add to this as we work through the course material.)

Official Course Description:This course develops and sharpens the basic principles of writing college-level essays. Students work on a series of essays to improve their ability to write clear, detailed prose and to use texts to support their claims. Competence in mechanics and standard English usage is assumed of all students taking ENG 101. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or 2.0 in ENG 99. Earning a grade at or above a 2.0 requires successful completion of the portfolio process, which will be discussed in greater detail later. Portfolios are not part of the summer class. Ignore this bit.

Unofficial Course Description: This term we are going to do a lot of reading, thinking, talking and writing about notions of information, persuasion and manipulation of our views by business, government, and others who seek to sway our view of America and the world. I suspect many, if not all of you, have probably given this little, if any, thought, and that's okay. But if you stick with the class, you'll be giving it quite a bit. We are going to approach the reading and writing in this class to see how reading, thinking and writing can help us as we search out truth, understanding and/or awareness in our own lives. The particular emphasis will be on understanding political texts and the way the people behind them seek to sway our thinking and behavior. This just might lead you to cast a more informed vote in the upcoming elections.

One of the most important indicators of student learning and success in college is a student making the time to sit down and visit with their instructor, professor or teacher. In an online course, this means emailing or blogging questions when you are unsure of things, even if you think you are being a "pest." Better a "pest" (and I rarely think of students in this way) then stumbling blindly along and doing less well than you otherwise would had you ashed questions and run ideas by me. Doing this is no guarantee you will excel. What it means is you will do better than you would otherwise. How much better cannot be predicted, but it will depend on how willing and able you are to take and follow advice. Don't come in (or email) the day before or after something is due hoping we can turn the inadequate into the excellent; come by the moment you find yourself in need of help. Be willing to avail yourself of other help as well, such as the peer tutoring services provided by the department. This is the sort of thing that will pave your avenue to success in this and all other classes.

In this class, you will need internet access (campus, home or work), an open mind (but not so open everything might fall out), the ability to create time to get your work done, a willingness to learn and a sense of adventure. In a typical quarter, it's expected you'll be able to allot 15 hours a week to a five credit class. During a shortened summer session, that means you may need to allot up to 20 hours a week, give or take a bit. Keep this in mind as you plan your life. You will be busy, but not with busy work. All work is directly related to the assigned essays you must complete to succeed in the class.

Portfolio Dates