User Name and Password:

You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these words you will not be able to access the course materials. The format of your username and password are clearly posted on the main page of your course. If you still need assistance with your username and password please go to this page and read the instructions: http://www.bcconline.com/orient/password.htm, to receive further assistance.

In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:　

Grading Nickname:

To preserve your privacy, your grades will not be posted online. However, if you would like to see your grades at any time during the course, you may email me for a breakdown of what I have recorded. 

Contact Information:

Dr. Christie Firtha

Email:  cfirtha@bcconline.com

Mon and Tues 9-10:00am and by appt.
Phone: 760-252-2411 x 7287

In the box below type, I know how to contact my instructor and when she will be holding office hours.

A good college dictionary and thesaurus.

A good writers handbook, such as the Little Brown Handbook or Simon and Schuster’s Handbook For Writers

Reading and evaluation of English prose in a critical and logical way. The emphasis will be on critical analysis and upon the student's development of effective written arguments. UC/CSU. PREREQUISITES: English 1A

The course title and the catalogue description for English 1C make clear the general nature of its content: Critical Thinking and Composition. These two concepts, along with reading, a central activity in the catalogue description, in fact, are the content.

As a composition class with an emphasis on critical thinking, the major course activity is essay writing. Probably no other activity is so explicitly a critical thinking one. Almost every assignment and/or activity is chosen in order for the students to become better critical thinkers, readers, and writers.

To enable students to read, think, and write about significant social issues, college level text materials, and other public materials competently – i.e., to succeed in other college level work and to have confidence in their ability to do so.

The course title for English 1C makes clear the general nature of its content: Critical Thinking and Composition. These two concepts, along with reading, a central activity in the catalogue description, in fact, are the content. As a composition class with an emphasis on critical thinking, the major course activity is essay writing. Probably no other activity is so explicitly a critical thinking one. Almost every assignment and/or activity is chosen in order for the students to become better critical thinkers, readers, and writers.

To enable students to read, think, and write about significant social issues, college level text materials, and other public materials competently – i.e., to succeed in other college level work and to have confidence in their ability to do so.

1. Read and critically evaluate college-level prose.

2. Identify and analyze the structure of arguments underlying the texts they read.

3. Evaluate the validity and soundness of arguments.

4. Distinguish fact from judgment.

5. Identify propaganda and emotional appeal.

6. Identify and define the various rhetorical devices used in writing.

7. Recognize, define, and be able to utilize the forms of critical thought in writing.

8. Bring to bear critical thinking skills in the generation of college-level papers.

Critical thinking and writing shall be demonstrated by the following:

Essay Writing

• Observation (sense perceptions, concrete images, empirical evidence)
• Definition
• Casual analysis
• Critique
• Comparison-contrast
• Literary analysis
• Synthesis
• Induction/deduction
• Review of grammar principles and mechanics as needed

Reading

• Analyzing/interpreting texts (includes print and non-print materials)

Unlike other content based courses, (history, biology, etc.) English 1C does not have what conventionally is considered a body of knowledge which is to be studied; being a skills based course, 1C has for its content concepts related to the improving of reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Content Objectives in the general sense

• Vocabulary (concepts) peculiar to the study of English composition, reading, and critical thinking;
• The essay: inductive, deductive forms; thesis, evidence, development, general to specific, audience, stance, logos, ethos, pathos, strategies for organization, emphasis, subordination; modes for presenting understandings (casual analysis), unity, coherence, and emphasis; paragraph, topic sentence, paragraph forms of development; sentence, run-on, fragment, loose, periodic; rhetoric
• Reading texts: main idea, supporting points, argument, objective subjective, propaganda, bias, diction, inference, assumptions, style, plot, theme, setting, tone, point of view, characterization, rhetorical devices, such as parallelism, figurative language, allusions, analogy, metaphor, irony, symbol.
• Critical thinking activity: memory, knowledge, inference, analysis, synthesis, judgment, application, deduction, induction, considering alternative points of view, dispositions, problem solving.

BASIS FOR GRADES:

Reading, quizzes, and participation in discussion forums count towards your participation grade. 

Grades on writing assignments will be determined based on how well the paper fulfills five primary criteria: organization, development, mechanics, content and style as described below in the "Grade Definitions" section. Papers must be turned in with attached workshops related to the paper.

All grades will be weighted and totaled based on the percentages outlined above in the "Basis for Grades" section, so there is no "wiggle" room in my grading. You get what you earn. In the rare case that someone is mathematically between two grades, I give the higher grade unless the student has missed more than ten percent of the work, in which case, I opt for the lower grade, a policy used as incentive for timely participation.

Papers must be turned in through www.turnitin.com and submitted to me in as an rtf. email attachment.  (I want to be sure I get your papers.)  The procedure for creating a student account and submitting your papers is fairly simple, and directions may be found at http://turnitin.com/resources/documentation/turnitin/training/tii_student_qs.pdf.  The class ID is 4035929 and the password is livinseasy.

Students have access to tutoring sessions, either online or in person at BCC, for one of their first three papers and answer evaluation questions for the session on turnitin.com. The tutors are normally available Monday – Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Pacific Time.  Please try to schedule your appointments during this time if at all possible. Students will receive the website link and toll free phone number to call when they make their appointment. Important:  These appointments are expensive to operate, so please be sure you ‘show up’ online at your appointed time (if you are more than 10 minutes late, you will have to reschedule).  If you are not able to keep this appointment for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible.  You should plan on going into the website ½ hour before your session starts so that you do not waste your appointment time logging into the website (please be sure you have used this link first to prepare your computer for this program: http://www.cccconfer.org/support/supportReadiness.aspx).  Then call the phone number listed below at your appointed time to talk to the tutor and start your session.  Your tutor will not be on the phone until you have logged into the website first.  Please be sure to turn off your cell phone and any other distractions while you are in the tutoring session.  In order to use the tutoring services at Barstow College, you must be enrolled in Educ 150.  If you are not already enrolled, we will automatically enroll you in this free, no unit class.  This will also enable you to utilize the computer lab on campus.

"A" range papers are markedly outstanding responses to the assignment. Though they may have a few minor flaws, "A" papers show individuality and clearly understand the rhetorical demands of the assignment while responding to them in distinctive, ambitious, bold, thoughtful and/or even risky ways. "A" papers are exceptionally effective in their organization and progression of ideas, leading the reader easily through the complexities of the argument. "A" papers also demonstrate sophisticated development of ideas and distinctive insight into the problems posed by the assignment.

"B" papers are very good. The writer has moved beyond the basics of grammatical and rhetorical practices, and has some thoughtful and insightful observations to offer the reader. The "B" paper is "strong" or "solid," though not exceptional. The writer demonstrates the ability to use transitions between paragraphs effectively and ideas in paragraphs are explained clearly. Sentences are usually structurally complex and mostly free of grammatical or logical errors. The writer generally avoids clichéd phrasing and chooses words accurately and effectively, giving the reader some insight into the voice or personality of the writer, demonstrating that the writer is engaged with the topic and has something to say about it.

"C" papers are generally competent. They demonstrate a satisfactory response to the assignment, and though they will demonstrate more significant weaknesses in grammar and composition than "B" range papers, will still constitute an adequate response to the assignment. A "C" paper should have a central idea and recognizable organization, though the paper may lack necessary connections and transitions to help the reader easily follow the argument. Paragraphs contain enough information for ideas to be clear, but ideas may be too general or unfocused, superficial or predictable to allow a more sophisticated engagement with the text or topic. The writer will often rely on generalities and clichés without including much other more specific or meaningful discussion.

"D" papers are unsatisfactory for one or more of the following reasons. They may respond to the text illogically. They may lack coherent structure or elaboration with examples. They may demonstrate an incomplete understanding of the text or topic. The prose of "D" papers is usually characterized by frequent imprecise word choice, little sentence variety, occasional major errors in grammar and usage and/or frequent major errors.

"F" papers show serious weaknesses, usually of several kinds. They are often simplistic, inappropriate or incoherent responses to the assignment that may suggest a significant misunderstanding of the text or topic. The prose of the "F" paper is usually characterized by simplistic or inaccurate word choice, monotonous or fragmented sentences and many repeated errors in grammar and usage.

All assignments must be the student's own, original writings. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and suspected cases will be reported and investigated. Plagiarism merits a zero on the assignment and may merit an "F" grade in the class. Plagiarism is either intentional or unintentional use of the ideas or words of another person, published writing, or of any other information taken from the internet, book, magazine, or another person without properly citing the original source. Plagiarism includes not properly or fully citing words or ideas taken directly or paraphrased from an outside source, turning in work that has been written by another person or even being given excessive assistance with assignments. Also, ideas that are "borrowed" from anyone, including other faculty members and textbooks must be cited. In other words, do not use outside sources until you have learned how to properly cite them, which we will.

No late papers. Papers are to be turned in on the day they are due. If you must turn one in late, see me ahead of time. I will email you when I have received the essay.

Papers must be double-spaced and typed in a reasonable font (i.e. Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt).

While turning in your assignments is your own responsibility, failure to participate will adversely affect your grade in missed information and assignments. Call or email ahead in case of problems. If you hope to benefit from this class, you need to participate.

Assignments are to be read for the date they are listed, so look ahead to keep up.

In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the class policies listed above.

Disability Statement: