Syllabi for Dr. Golphin

ENC 1102 - 23569


Course Name: Freshman Composition II
Course ID/Section: ENC 1102 - 23569

Term/Year: Spring 2024
Modality: Online
Length of Term: Full
Credit Hours:3

CONTACT INFORMATION

Professor: Vincent F. A. Golphin, Ph.D.
Email: vgolphin@valenciacollege.edu
Phone/Text:585-415-6196

Use GroupMe for chats and instant communication. Check the Week One module.


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Freshman Composition II (ENC 1102) is a Gordon Rule course in which challenges participants to demonstrate college-level analytical, reading and writing skills through multiple essay assignments. The final project is to plan, write and document a 750- to 1,500-word, researched, comparative analysis of two short story themes. The task demonstrates the writing style, use of library, reading and the evaluation of available sources. A minimum C grade is required to satisfy Gordon Rule and general education requirements.

Prerequisites: Freshman Composition I(ENC1101 or 1101H) with minimum grade of C.

IMPORTANT DATES
Start Date: January 8, 2024
End Date: April 21, 2024

Spring Break: March 17-24

GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE

  • Along with other changes this semester, some elements in the general outline might lead to confusion. The main assignments and course activities are laid out by the week in the modules on Canvas.

  • Each week will open on Sunday. The topics are listed below, but videos, readings and exercises are omitted.

  • Be sure to check the Announcements on Canvas.  Assignments might change as needed.

  • The weekly tasks are to be completed at 11:59 p.m. on the following Saturday.

  • Incomplete assignments (missed deadlines) are marked as absences and receive a zero in the gradebook.

Jan. 08 -13: Introduction, Course Rules and Policies

  • Check full tasks and assignments in the Canvas module.

  • Set up GroupMe and introduce yourself to classmates.

  • Read "Policies"

  • Read "Grades"

Jan. 15 – 20: Introduction to Writing Literary Arguments

  • Read “Close Reading” and "Passage Analysis Essays"
    from The Wiley Guide to Writing Essays about Literature.
  • Read Amy Tan's, "Fish Cheeks."
  • Use the techniques of close reading and passage analysis - focus on the second to the last paragraph in the memoir.
  • In 500 words, explain how that section and other parts of the story crystallize the author's message.

Jan. 22 - 27: How to Understand Short Fiction

Reconsider what you wrote about Amy Tan's memoir,  "Fish Cheeks". But first:

Jan. 29 - Feb. 03: How to Understand and Write About Characters

Complete these tasks:

Here is the Assignment :

  • Read, “The Border Beat,1921," from Alicia Gaspar de Alba's Crimes of the Tongue.
  • Write a 750-word Character Draft analysis.
  • Consider how Alberto Morales reflects Mexican Americans in his time.
  • What does the author want to convey about the American dream?
  • Is the Alberto a reliable narrator?
  • What role does the unusual Mexican worker play in the story?
  • Provide evidence to support the argument (thesis) from the text.
  • Submit a draft in the shared folder.

As a constant reference, check out the MLA Guide for Essay Formats.

Feb. 05 - 10: Analysis of Characters

Research is a key to add depth to a Character analysis. Consider Elizabeth Garner Masarik's background on Mexican immigration. before your revise the Character Analysis. If you did not look for such information, you should have. It will help you to gain better grasp on the characters and issues at stake in the story.

Complete these tasks:

  • Gather feedback from the professor to revise the essay draft.
  • Either listen or read the feedback on the first draft or make a discussion appointment with the professor.
  • Revise the Character Analysis essay.
  • Submit the final draft in the shared folder by Feb. 17.

As a constant reference, check out the MLA Guide for Essay Formats.

Feb. 12 - 24: Writing Arguments About Plot

  • Check the Canvas module for full tasks and assignments.
  • Revise the Character Analysis by Feb. 17.
  • If you want the professor’s input on the draft, make an appointment through Prof-chat.

 

How to Make Use of Plots

Feb. 26 - March 2: Understanding and Writing About Themes      

  • Check the Canvas module for full tasks and assignments.

  • When asked about a story's theme, many people recount what happens in the tale. This is the beginning of our exploration of themes. Let's start with this video.
  • After that dynamic presentation on the nature of a theme in a story, check out a more detailed analysis from LiteraryTerms.net

Assignments:

March 04 - 09: A Last Word on Themes

  • Gain feedback from the professor and complete the essay's final draft.  
  • If needed, make an appointment through GroupMe.
  • Revise the draft on Walter Mosley's complex tale,  "The Sin of Dreams".
  • Make sure to:
    • State the theme (Argument).
    • Explain with quotes from specific passages how the author uses the text to push the message.
    • Include comments on your reaction to the story.

March 11 – 16: First Steps Toward the Final Project

The Research Process

  • Despite the goal of the Final Project - to contrast two authors' approaches to a single theme in their short stories - the research process is key to depth in an essay. This week will explore elements in that process for the Final Project and other assignments. Check the Canvas module for links to the full tasks and assignments.

If you want to get ahead:

The Final Project, due by 11:59 p.m., on April 24,  is to write a 750- to 1500-word essay that contrasts and compares the way the authors develop a common theme. The stories must be from the Valencia Reader.  The plan for your project must be approved before a first draft can be submitted.

Use the Final Project form as a guide to organize the formal presentation.

Submit the project plan in the Project Description folder for approval before 11:59 p.m., on March 30.  Once approved, the professor will offer feedback on the plan and set a meeting to discuss the first draft.

 

March 17 - 24: Spring Break

 

March 25 - 30: Final Project Description Approval

The Final Project, due by 11:59 p.m., on April 24,  is to write a 750- to 1500-word essay that contrasts and compares the way the authors develop a common theme. The stories must be from the Valencia Reader.  The plan for your project must be approved before a first draft can be submitted.

Use the Final Project form as a guide to organize the formal presentation.

Submit the project plan in the Project Description folder for approval before 11:59 p.m., on March 30.  Once approved, the professor will offer feedback on the plan and set a meeting to discuss the first draft.

April 01 - 06:  Final Project Description Feedback

  • Feedback continues on Final Project Descriptions.

  • Once the description is approved, get ahead by working on a Final Project first draft.

  • Write a 750- to 1500-word essay that contrasts and compares the way the two short story authors develop a common theme.
  • The stories must be from the Valencia Reader.
  • Stories used in the course assignments are not eligible.
  • The Final Project draft is due by 11:59 p.m., on April 13.
  • Submission of the first draft is optional, but it offers an opportunity to gain feedback.

April 08 - 13:  Develop a Final Project Draft

  • A final draft of the Final Project must by submitted on April 21. No extensions or incompletes will be granted. Those who do not submit the final assignment will likely fail the course. Submission of the first draft is optional, but it offers an opportunity to gain feedback. 

    Write a 750- to 1500-word essay that contrasts and compares the way the two short story authors develop a common theme.
  • The stories must be from the Valencia Reader .
  • Stories used in the course assignments are not eligible.
  • The Final Project draft is due by 11:59 p.m., on April 13.

April 15 - 20: Meetings and Final Draft Project Reviews

  • Project Drafts Feedback Continues
  • Check the Canvas module for full tasks and assignments.

April 21: Submit Final Project

  • Check the Canvas module for links to the folder.
  • The Final Project, due by 11:59 p.m.

 

EVALUATION POLICIES

General essay grade criteria:
The A paper meets or exceeds the assignment requirements, and has few grammatical errors. The assignment is in the Modern Language Association style and format to meet college-level standards of correctness and clarity. Its topic is focused and clearly defined. Its thesis is precisely and elegantly stated. The structure of the paper obviously and carefully supports the thesis. The paper’s organizational strategy is designed to progress logically between points of support. Each paragraph is coherent within itself and helps

Final Grade
Participation (15%)
Essays (60%)
Final Project (25%)

 

COLLEGE POLICIES

Nettiquette

  • In an online educational environment, you are expected to work independently at your pace.

  • In discussions (Zoom sessions) you must behave as if in a classroom.

    • Respect the professor and for other students.

    • Respect everyone’s privacy.

    • Be polite and rational in an expression of opinion.

    • Write constructive and sensitive criticism of others’ essays.

    • Avoid irrelevant topics in discussions or other activities.

    • No threats, harassment or offensiveness in GroupMe messages or chats.

    • No UPPERCASE in messages – IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING!!!

To ensure positive interactions with the instructor and peers heed those guidelines. Serious violations
could cause dismissal from the course.

Attendance

  • Class attendance is required for online classes.

  • If you do not actively participate in an online session or fail to submit the required attendance activity or assignment by the scheduled during the first week, the professor will report you a "no show."

  • If withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be financially responsible for the class.

  • A final grade of “WN” will appear on your course transcript.

  • A might also be withdrawn for lack of attendance.

  • Online, the completion of each week’s tasks notes your participation or attendance.

  • In the event of an extended absence or need to miss a deadline, contact or write the professor to indicate the reason through GroupMe, email or phone before it occurs.

  • The professor will contact a student with an unexcused absence for more than seven consecutive days.

  • If there is no communication within 48 hours, the student might be involuntarily withdrawn.

  • After the Valencia withdrawal deadline, unexcused students will receive the earned grade.

  • A student withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance policy receives a “W”.

  • If you do not intend to complete the course, please withdraw prior to the deadline.
    After the deadline, the professor cannot withdraw a student.

  • The student who failed to withdraw will receive whatever grade is earned.

  • A student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”


Student Conduct
Valencia is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning, and the development of
responsible personal and social conduct. As a registered student, you assume the responsibility to
conduct yourself in a manner that contributes positively to Valencia’s learning community and that
does not impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly conduct, processes, and functions of the
college as described in the Student Code of Conduct
.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty is strongly forbidden. That includes, but is not limited to, acts or attempted acts of plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.

  • All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts,
    research, and self-expression.

  • Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source must be appropriately acknowledged.

  • If a student is caught submitting plagiarized work, the first offense will result in a zero on the assignment, a second offense will result in a class grade of F.

Accommodations

  • Valencia is committed to ensure that its programs and services are accessible to students with
    disabilities. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) determines reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities based upon the need and impact of the specific disability.

  • If you require course accommodations due to a physical, emotional or learning disability, contact the instructor and provide a Notification to Instructor form by the end of the second week of class. To obtain a letter of accommodation, contact OSD at 407-582-2229.

Baycare Student Assistance Services

Valencia College strives to ensure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get immediate help with issues dealing with
stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. If needed, the counselor may refer the student to appropriate resources or to speak face-to-face with a licensed counselor.

 

IMPORTANT LINKS
College Catalog
The Valencia Policy Manual

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
Changes to the course calendar may be made at my discretion Students will be notified of any course changes via the Canvas Announcements and GroupMe