English
112 Reading Fiction
Spring
2013
Instructor:
Laura Burns | email: laura.burns@bellevuecollege.edu
Office:
R230M | Office Phone: 425-564-2373
Office
Hours:
I’m teaching online this quarter, but will be on campus most days of the week
except Fridays. I have an office hour on
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30. We can certainly
make an appointment at other times if you need to meet with me! Contact me through email and we can set up an
appointment. I check in online every
day of the week, Monday-Friday in the early morning, mid-day, and early
evening. I also check our class site
most weekends.
Please note: I check my Canvas
email much more often than my BC email, including many evenings and most weekends. Please send ANY emails regarding the class to
the Canvas Inbox for English 221.
REQUIRED
TEXTBOOK:
An
Introduction to Fiction, by X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia,
11th edition, ISBN 980205687886, Longman Publisher. There are certainly earlier editions
available, but you’ll need this one to ensure you have all the short stories
we’ll be reading.
COURSE SYLLABUS CONTENTS
·
Introductory Remarks
·
Student
Responsibilities
·
My Expectations
·
What do I have to do
for this class?
·
How do we
communicate with each other?
·
Student Resources
In a link in this
module, please read:
• Student Procedures
and Expectations, Arts and Humanities Division
Introductory
Remarks
Course
Description
This
course will help you to develop skills in reading and analyzing fiction. We’ll read writers from many countries around
the world and in different time periods.
We’ll also discuss the various elements of fiction: character analysis,
plot, narration, use of symbols, theme, tone and style. The course will depend on your contributions
through class discussion and writing assignments on the works we read.
English 112 is an entirely online class, meeting on our online platform of Canvas. Also, this online course is NOT a correspondence course, completed on your own timetable in isolation. You must participate in this course in an ongoing manner to successfully fulfill the requirements of the course. We will be using CANVAS rather than BLACKBOARD, a process which began in fall quarter 2012, so be prepared to spend some time learning this new platform for online learning at BC.
Course Outcomes for English 112:
Student
Responsibilities
Because of the special
method of course delivery, several requirements must be met.
• In order to use our class website effectively, you should complete the Canvas student orientation and be aware of the ideal web browsers to use and the basic tools. Follow the link in BC's Distance Education page for this orientation: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/canvas. I’d suggest watching at least the first SIX videos, so that you’re well informed about basic tools.
• Always keep me
informed if you have problems with the technology, and I will find help for
you. You may also contact the Distance Education office directly by email or
phone: landerso@belleveucollege.edu or 425-564-2438. They can be extremely
helpful with technology! However, I expect that you bring some expertise with
you to help in solving problems that arise. Ultimately, your computer and
internet services are your responsibility. If you are signed up for the online
section and you have computer problems, you may use the computer labs on the
BCC campus if you have an emergency.
My
Expectations
As you know, every
teacher has expectations. These are mine.
1. I expect that you
signed up for this course because you want to learn to read and discuss short
fiction works using critical analysis skills.
Therefore, I expect that you will fully participate in all the
discussions, papers and readings/viewings that I’ve assigned for this course.
2. I expect that you
have come to this class with college level reading and writing skills. Note that our reading schedule is heavy. Every week you should be reading ahead to be
prepared for the next week.
3. I expect that you
will use standard English for all your communications (i.e., email,
assignments, discussions, etc.) in this class. Please no texting abbreviations or unusual capitalization or
punctuation(or lack thereof). Multiple sentences need to be arranged in
paragraphs with correct punctuation. Disjointed sentences that fail to use
standard English will receive a failing or very low grade. That said, I must
confess to occasionally using a smiley face when I'm offering constructive
criticism (always kindly meant, I assure you). Other than that, let's avoid
emoticons and similar texting "codes."
4. I expect that you
will participate in ALL the literature discussions and writing
of the formal papers. Discussions
CANNOT be made up. You will always have
7 days to participate; if you don’t post within that time frame, you lose the
points for that discussion. (One
discussion week has a holiday, but I will still post the discussion questions
so that you’ll have the full 7 days.)
There are no exceptions and no make-ups.
5. I expect that you'll
keep track of due dates, reading assignments and class activities using the CALENDAR,
which you'll find a link to on our homepage. Checking this calendar,
the announcements and the reminders on the homepage frequently will be vital to
your success in the class.
6. I expect that you
will show respect to everyone by responding to e-mail and discussion postings
in a way that is not judgmental, degrading, or derogatory. Even though we may
disagree with the interpretations of others, please use some self-restraint and
compassion in responding to others' ideas. Logical and questioning responses
are encouraged. Choose your words and the tone of your message with utmost
care. I also expect tolerance for others' abilities and learning styles.
7. I expect honesty. I
expect that you will neither do work for others nor use work done by others.
Cheating and/or plagiarizing will not be tolerated. Plagiarizing is cheating,
as is copying answers on a test, glancing at nearby test papers, swapping
papers, buying papers, using ideas from other sources without proper
documentation, writing papers for others, or having them written for you. BC
utilizes a plagiarism detection software (Turnitin.com), and I use it for
random spots checks. Turnitin is also used to check
both of your out-of-class papers. Plus, if I even remotely suspect any of your
posts sound plagiarized, I will submit them to this site. If you cheat or
plagiarize, the following actions will be taken:
• you will receive a
grade of "0" on the work (period).
• A report of the
incident will be filed in the Dean of Students' Office. This report may become
part of your permanent record or the Dean may choose to pursue further
disciplinary action.
From the Student Code: “Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.” The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp
8. Personal conferences
on your papers can be held in my office if you can/want to come to the campus
and we can work out a mutually convenient time; otherwise, e-mail or local
phone conferences can be held. If you can’t meet me during my office hours,
please contact me first to set up an appointment BEFORE coming to the campus.
What do I have to do for this class?
Literature Discussions: This class is based almost
entirely on weekly discussions. I have created an individual forum in the
discussion area for weekly discussions on the written texts and movies. Instructions and requirements for
participating in discussions are posted in this module. I do my best to
participate in the discussion; however, I cannot possibly respond to every
comment or answer.
9 Discussions (1 per week) 16 points each x 9 = 144 points total.
Papers: There will be two papers in this class, both synthesizing two or more of
the stories we’re reading, of approximately 3-4 pages. Please see the calendar for due dates. Assignment descriptions are posted in the
module scheduled two weeks before the due date.
Both papers must be turned in through Turnitin.com. A link is available in the module with the
paper description.
One
of the out-of-class papers may be rewritten for the full amount of points. This rewrite must be turned in by the due
date in the calendar. Please submit ONE
document that includes both your newly rewritten version, as well as your
original one that contains my comments.
The rewrite is your final grade for that particular paper; the original
grade is erased.
2 Papers 26 points each x 2 = 52
points total.
Opening Week Assignment: 4 points
TOTAL COURSE POINTS: 200 points
* NOTE.To figure out your
grade at any time, simply divide the total points you have earned by the total
points you have submitted to that point. I use standard percentage markings:
95-100% = A
90-94% = A-
87-89% = B+
84-86% = B
80-83% = B-
77-79% = C+
74-76% = C
70-73% = C-
65-69% = D+
55-65% = D
51-54 = D-
Below 51% = F
Please
be aware that I only award HW grades in cases of medical emergency or military
service, and you must discuss the grade at the time the situation arises. A HW grade will not be issued to replace a
low grade.
How
do we communicate with each other?
In the course navigation list on the lefthand side of the homepage, you will find links to class
announcements, the class discussion area, assignments and your gradebook. This
course is arranged by modules. Just
click on “modules” and they will appear in a linear listing. All relevant links
to specific discussions, assignment descriptions and assignment submission
areas are located in the relevant module.
STUDENT
RESOURCES
Disability
Resource Center:
The Disability Resource Center
serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If
you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have
documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need
accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as
possible. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder,
there is a program of support available to you.
If you are a person who requires
assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc,
please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within
the first week of the quarter.
The DRC office is located in B 132
or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us
by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. Please
visit our website for application information into our program and other
helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
Student
Writing Lab
If
you’re inexperienced with writing literature papers, we have a Writing Lab
available with free tutors who are trained in many different kind of
composition assignments. The Lab is in
D204, and you may call for an appointment at (425) 564-2494. Typically the Lab schedules appointments for
the following week on Thursdays, and the spaces can get filled up, so do plan
ahead!
Bellevue
College Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp