English 114B: Approaches to University Writing

Fall 2015 Syllabus*

Instructor: Melisa Malvin
Ticket # 13850
Class Time: M/W 3:30pm4:45pm
Class Location: Sierra Hall 207

Office Location: SN 409

Office Hours: TBD
Phone: 8186776906 (no v-mail)
Email: Melisa.Malvin.58@my.csun.edu

Introduction:

Required Texts:

Welcome to English 114B! This semester we will be

delving deeper into critical thinking and rhetorical
analysis. Primarily through the genre of Los Angeles
Literature, we will unearth a selection of writings from
authors that question preconceived notions and engage in
thoughtful discussion of issues that pertain to this diverse
community and environment. I look forward to getting to
know you as we continue on a journey to hone your
academic and argumentative writing skills.
Required Materials:
o
o
o
o
o
o

You must bring your textbooks to class every day

that you have had a reading assignment from that
book.
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.
Anna Deavere Smith. ISBN13: 978-0385473767

Writing Los Angeles: A

Literary Anthology. David L.
Ulin. ISBN-13: 9781931082273

Pencils/Pens/Paper
Stapler
2 Green Books
Active CSUN Email
Daily Access to Moodle and Class Website
Reliable Internet

Technology Policy:
Because this class will utilize technology in the form of
Moodle, Weebly, and other online resources, I will allow
the use tablets and laptops in class. However, do not
abuse this policy.
At the beginning of the semester, each student enrolled
in this class will set up a Weebly page and learn how to
use it. This page will become your personal page and
portfolio of some of your writing. You will get the
chance to make it reflect who you are as a writer.
For this class, MS Word processing capacities are
required. This class assumes that students can open the
course documents composed in MS Word and that
students will submit essays that can be opened in MS
Word. When I open the essay, the format needs to
remain intact as required. In other words, it is the
students responsibility to make sure that I can open and
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They Say/I Say: The

Moves that Matter in
Academic Writing. Gerald
Graff and Cathy Birkenstein:
ISBN-13: 978-0393935844
TBD Possibly considering:
Luis J Rodriguezs Always
Running or The Republic of
East L.A; Jaime Hernandezs
Maggie the Mechanic;
Salvador Plascencias People
of the Paper
Wings. Ed. Cody Deitz and
Vana Derohanessian. 21st
Ed. Plymouth, MI: Hayden
McNeil, 2014.

comment on his/her essays, and when I return the essay with comments and a grade, the student can read them
with no difficulty.
Course Description:
Prerequisites: Successful completion of AAS 114A or CAS 114A or CHS 114A or ENGL 114A or AFRS 114A
or QS 114A. Expository prose writing with a focus on both content and form. Specific emphases shall include
the exercise of logical thought and clear expression, the development of effective organizational strategies, and
the appropriate gathering and utilization of evidence. Includes instruction on diction, syntax, and grammar, as
well as the elements of prose style.
Course Objectives for English Composition:
o Demonstrate competence in university writing
o Demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies that include the appeal to audience, logic, and
emotion
o Understand writing as a recursive process and demonstrate its use through invention, drafting and
revision (creating, shaping, and completing)
o Demonstrate the ability to use conventions of format, structure, style, and language appropriate to the
purpose of a written text
o Demonstrate the ability to use library and online resources effectively and to document their sources
their sources.
Student Learning Outcomes:
o Students will gain the ability to read critically.
o Students will gain the ability to write effectively.
o Students will gain knowledge of the cultural diversity of literatures.
GE Student Learning Outcomes
Analytic Reading and Expository Writing
Goal: Students will analyze and reflect on complex topics and appropriately synthesize their own and others
ideas in clearly written and well organized edited American English.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Analyze and compare perspective, meaning, and style in different texts, including those that reflect
multicultural images and voices;
Construct a theme or thesis and organize and develop a substantial, balanced and convincing defense
of it in a voice, tone, language, and format (e.g., essay autobiography, report, editorial, case study,
inquiry, and research) appropriate to the purpose of the writing;
Use logical support, including informed opinion and fact, as well as their interpretations, to develop
ideas, avoiding fallacies, biased language, and inappropriate tone;
Demonstrate satisfactory competence in the conventions of Edited American English and the
elements of presentation (including layout, format, and printing);
Select and incorporate ideas derived from a variety of sources, such as library electronic and print
resources, books, journals, the Internet, and interviews, and document them responsibly and
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correctly;
Apply a variety of strategies for planning, outlining, drafting, revising and editing written work.

6.

Grading Scale:
I will be using the plus/minus grading system. The following scale represents the points that you can earn and
the letter grade that corresponds with those points:
Requirements and Grading:
The

100% - 94%

86% - 83%

75% - 73%

66% - 63%

A-

93% - 90%

B-

82% - 80%

C-

72% - 70%

D-

62% - 60%

B+

89% - 87%

C+

79% - 77%

D+

69% - 67%

59% - 0%

Projects-

60%
In 114A, we completed The Progressions, which were a series of interconnected reading, writing, and
thinking exercises that culminated to a major essay. In 114B, we will complete The Projects. The
Projects ask that we continue where The Progressions left off, continuing with greater emphasis on
collaboration and a more sophisticated theoretical scope. The Projects are completed in all of CSUNs
Composition Programs and are therefore a requirement for the course. The following is a brief
introduction to The Projects:
A. Project Text: Welcome to Los Angeles

Exercise 1: TBDDue
Exercise 2: TBDDue
Exercise 3: TBDDue
Essay 1 First DraftDue
Essay 1 Revised DraftDue

B. Project Space: L.A. Stories

Exercise 1: TBDDue
Exercise 2: TBD Due
Exercise 3: TBDDue
Essay 2 First DraftDue
Essay 2 Revised DraftDue

C. Project Web: Humans of Los Angeles

Exercise 1: TBD Due

Exercise 2: TBD Due
Exercise 3: TBD Due
Essay 3 First Draft Due
Essay 3 Revised DraftDue

Final Portfolio-

30%

At the end of the semester, you will be required to submit a final digital portfolio, which is a compilation
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of your drafts and revised writings from The Projects. Each portfolio will be read in its entirety by a
panel of English department faculty and will be graded holistically. The portfolio will consist of the
following materials:

Student Weebly Website

Preface
Reflective Letter
2 Revised Essays (essays revised beyond the versions submitted for grading in the class and their
drafts)
1 Revised Exercise
Website Link
Wings Submission Packet

It is important that you keep all written work throughout the semester in order to successfully submit a
completed portfolio. Failure to submit a final portfolio will result in a failing grade in the course, as
required by the department.
Weekly Writing Assignments and Participation-

10%

Each week we will have a variety of ongoing writing assignments. These assignments are designed to
submerge you into the world of writing through different mediums. The following are some of the
categories in which we may be writing:

Websites
Blogs
Social Media
Journals

Letters
Message Boards/Moodle Posts
Reading Questions

Several unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Not only will these quizzes gauge
whether or not you have been doing the assigned readings, but it will also inform of the level of
comprehension you have obtained over the material. Since the quizzes will be held during class, you will
be unable to make them up in the event of any unexcused absences.
Many of these assignments will be given only during class sessions and you will therefore be unable to
make them up in the event of any unexcused absences.
Some writing assignments and activities will be graded as credit/no credit. You will not be able to make
up these assignments if you miss a class. Please do your best to come on time to all class meetings and
be prepared to participate in class discussions and activities. As we are a writing community, the success
of our community conversation depends upon your preparation. Please make sure you have read the
required material and have completed all necessary research prior to class.
Student Conferences:
For each essay, you will be meeting with me in a one-on-one conference to discuss your first draft. During this
time you will need to bring 2 copies of your essay and some questions or areas that you specifically need help
with or want to work with me on. This is your time to take advantage of the help I can offer you. Use it wisely.
If you miss your conference, I will not look at your paper until you turn in your draft for grading.
Attendance Policy:
Consistent class attendance is necessary to pass this course. However, since we all experience unforeseen
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circumstances, three absences will be permitted without negative recourse in your final grade. Any
absences that exceed this number may result in a lower grade.
Arriving to class late is extremely disruptive and disrespectful to me and to your fellow peers. Tardiness may
therefore result in 1/2 an absence, unless prior permission has been given.
Please see me in advance if you know you are going to be late or absent. Attendance will be taken at the
beginning of every class. If you walk in after I have taken attendance, please see me after class to ensure you
receive partial credit.
Late Policy:
I do not accept late or emailed assignments. The only possible exception is the final draft of a formal essay.
For final drafts, 1/2 letter grade will be deducted for each day the essay is late. Unless turned in via my chosen
digital source (e.g. Moodle, TurnItIn, etc.), hard copies of late essays must be time stamped and turned in to my
mailbox in the English Department office (ST 708). You may not make up in-class work. If you know you are
going to miss a class on a day an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to turn in your work before the due
date.
Classroom Etiquette:
Please respect me and your classmates by arriving to class on time. While you are welcome to use your laptop,
tablet, or smart phone for course-related activities, you are not permitted to use these devices during class to
make calls, text, surf the Internet, update your Facebook status, and etc. Unless used for class assignments, all
electronic devices must be turned off and put away during class. Cell phones should be placed into Silent
Mode, as even a vibrating phone can cause a disruption. Do your best not to communicate with your fellow
peers during the lectures, as this can be distracting for me and for those around you. Excessive chatting and
other types of disruptive behavior will negatively affect your participation grade. Each time I observe you
disobeying class policy, you may receive 1/2 an absence and may be asked to leave for the rest of the day
Nondiscrimination Policy:
This course will respect the need for an awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for the cultural heritage,
gender, and sexual orientation of all people. Individual(s) or group(s) actions or activities that promote
degrading or demeaning social stereotypes based upon age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin,
religion, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism is the use of any persons work or ideas without appropriate citation. Use of materials already
written, either personal or borrowed, is not acceptable. Each writing assignment is to be originally written
during this course unless I inform you otherwise. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in failure of the
assignment and possible failure of the course. According to the CSUN catalog, any student committing
plagiarism may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary sanction. Plagiarism will be taken
very seriously in this class, and will be punished accordingly.
Class Notes:
We may deal with some sensitive topics in this class, including but not limited to sex, gender, sexuality,
violence, drugs, rape, and mythological/fantasy stories. If any of these might be difficult for you, please let me
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know. You will still be expected to read and discuss these issues. College is about exploring many different
ideas and ideologies and I expect you to be flexible to discuss ideas that challenge your beliefs or experiences.
All assignments must be turned in on white paper in black ink, in MLA format, with 1 margins on all 4 sides,
in a 12 pt. font of Times New Roman; Other than for in-class writing, I do not accept handwritten work.
If You Need Help:
There are many resources here to help you. If you find yourself struggling or falling behind, please come talk to
me during my office hours right away. You are solely responsible for your grade and effort in this class, but I
am here to help.
If you are a student with a disability and wish to request accommodations, please contact the office of
Disability and Educational Resources located in 110 Student Services Building, or call (818) 677-2684 for an
appointment. Any information regarding your disability will remain confidential. Please meet with the DRES
AND let me know right away if you need any accommodation for disability. http://www.csun.edu/dres
You are strongly encouraged to visit the Learning Resource Center in Oviatt Library (3rd Floor, East Wing)
for extra writing help early and often throughout the term. You can call 818-677-2033 to make an appointment.
They will not proofread or re-write your work for you, but they will help you brainstorm, identify and improve
problem areas, develop your skills or argument, and offer other helpful advice. Come prepared to your
appointment with a printed copy of the assignment prompt, and drafts of the piece you would like help with,
and a question or problem area to discuss. http://www.csun.edu/lrc/
The OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab is a wonderful resource for nearly anything related to academic
writing. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Should you need any help beyond the classroom, here are a few resources that may interest you:
o The Klotz Student Health Center: http://www.csun.edu/shc
o CSUN Student Counseling Services: http://www.csun.edu/counseling/

*Understand that this information is tentative and subject to change throughout the semester.