ENH241 Syllabus Summer2011

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Instructor InformationName: Shelley Rodrigo

y Phone: 623-455-6296 (you can text & leave voice mail)y E-mail address: [email protected] Yahoo, AIM & Skype Instant Message Handle:

puptoes74; Google Handle: shelley.rodrigoy Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shelley.rodrigo

Office Hours & Location:

y English Offices at Southern & Dobson,LA16

y By Appointment(https://tungle.me/rrodrigo)

Letter to the StudentWelcome!Im glad you have decided to join us this term as a distance learning student. Distance learningwill require you to be self-motivated, and you may find that it takes more time and effort than a

traditional face-to-face classroom. Being a humanities student, especially one working through a reading

and writing projects, will also require self-motivation as well as strong organizational skills. I am here to

help and guide you as much as possible. Since I never see you, I only assume the best unless you ask forhelp. I am happy to answer any questions you may have, but you have to ask.

I have tried to do two major things in this course:

1.

To introduce you to major periods, themes, and texts in Early American Literatures; and2. To give you the space and support to try a variety of activities to improve your cultural knowledgeand writing skills.

Both goals attempt to give you critical reading, writing, and thinking strategies that you will be able to usein other academic classes as well as in your professional, civic, and personal lives.

This is also a highly technologically mediated course. You will be responsible for working with a variety of

different technologies to accomplish the course goals. A side benefit to working with these technologies isthat you will be more comfortable with our ever changing, increasingly technological world, and learn

how to more readily adapt in and to it. You will be required to open a number of freeware accounts.

Please recognize that you may choose to use your name, or a pseudonym, when starting these accounts. If

you are highly concerned about the safety of your digital identity, consider using the pseudonym option.

Feel free to email ([email protected]) or call me (email me for my cell phone number) with anyquestions or concerns.

Although I firmly believe that a student is responsible for his or her own learning, I also take my role as

course instructor, learning facilitator, seriously. Part of being a good student is knowing when you need

help and seeking your instructor out for it. Do not wait until you are too far behind to catch up; if you

need help, ask early, ask often!

Good Luck, and may we have a fun journey together!

Shelley

Course InformationPurpose of the CourseThe purpose of this course is to further improve your cultural knowledge and literacy skills. It presentsbasic literary concepts that a student would use to discuss literature. The course fits into general

education curriculum as one possible route of introducing the humanities and arts.

The course also fits into the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) matrix in one ways. It fulfills

one of the Core Requirements: Humanities (HU). As a Humanities course it asks that you critically engage

in multiple perspectives, becoming aware of different understandings of how the world functions.


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Course DescriptionBeing able to analyze literature provides a basis for understanding both textual and narrative rhetoricaltechniques. This course covers with an overview of major literary elements used to talk about the

production and consumption of literature. The course then introduces major periods and themes of Early

American Literatures. .

As a humanities course, based in the English department, there will be a lot of reading and writing in thisclass. You will notjustbe readingbooks and writing reviews. In fact, you will be responsible for reading,

and researching, a lot of material as well as developing materials in a website that will help your fellowclassmates. Although there are no tests for this course, you will be responsible for writing four major

papers. Therefore, you will not only be responsible for learning the material, but being able to critical

engage with the material in your writing.

This course has a heavy technological component. Most of your writing will be published in an online

wiki, and you will be responsible for keeping track of the resources you found in an online bookmarking

service. Finally, you will construct an individual course page to track your work in Google Docs (an online

document sharing service).

As you can see, we will be using some newer technologies in this course. Although I am generally lenientabout giving appropriate time to learning the technology, I do expect you to take some time the first week

and play with the technology so that you become familiar with it. If you are sincerely concerned aboutneeding to learn new technologies for this course, you may want to find another course to take this

semester. Also feel free to contact me if you would like to meet to go over any of the technologies.

Course CompetenciesIncludes literature written prior to 1860 in the United States. Prerequisites: None.

1. Trace the development of major ideas and attitudes expressed in the literature of the period.2. Identify major authors and works of the period.3. Identify characteristics of major literary movements in the period.4. List and describe characteristics of literary types written during the period.5. Identify cultural, philosophical, political, historical, and religious influences on the literature of the

period.

6. Analyze and criticize literary works of the period.Time CommitmentPlease recognize that most college courses expect two to three hours of work outside the class, for every

one hour in class. So, for a three credit hour class (during sixteen weeks) that would equate to three hours

in class, and six to nine outside of class. Since we do not meet in class, this equates to nineto twelve hours

of work a week during a sixteen week semester; it then is three times as much work for a five weeksummer session class (27-36 hours a week).

Communication PoliciesMethods of Communicationy Emailall email communication must be done via the MCC Gmail email account you access through

the MyMaricopa portal (http://my.maricopa.edu and http://google.maricopa.edu).

y Wikiunless otherwise noted, most homework will result in a posting to the wiki you make duringthe first deadline.


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Policies to Consider about the WikiWe will be using a wiki application (Google Sites), a timeline application (TimeRime), as well asvarious applications by Google (esp. documents and maps) for academic use in ENG241, American

Literature before 1860, section 18832, Summer 2010. By default, the wiki, timelines and maps areopen to the public for the purpose of sharing your work with the larger Internet community;

specifically, using the these applications will:y provide an opportunity to present information in a variety of modalities,y allow students to present information in a variety of organizational structures,y provide an opportunity to collaborate on large scale projects, andy engage a larger audience who may provide feedback on the project.

To use these applications responsibly, please observe all laws, MCC, and MCCCD policy that are

incorporated into the Codes of Conduct and Academic Integrity. Some specific aspects of law andpolicy that might be well to remember are prohibitions against copyright infringement, plagiarism,

harassment or interferences with the underlying technical code of the software. Some resources toremind yourself about MCC and MCCCD policies as well as laws about copyright and fair use:

y MCC College Catalog and Student Handbooky MCCCD Copyright Guidelines

As a student using the wiki application certain rights accrue to you. Any original work that you maketangible belongs to you as a matter of copyright law. You also have a right to the privacy of your

educational records as a matter of federal law. Your contributions to the projects in these applicationsconstitute an educational record. By contributing to the projects in these applications, and not taking

other options available to you in this course equivalent to this assignment that would not be postedpublicly on the Internet, you consent to the collaborative use of this material as well as to the

disclosure of it in this course and potentially for the use of future courses.

Communicating with the InstructorIf you have any questions, concerns, or other general comments about the class, the best way to

communicate with the instructor is via email. The instructor reserves the right to take up to 48 hours to

respond to your communication. The instructor may have to do some grading, look something up, or mayjust being taking care of his or her own life requirements. Therefore, do not put off your homework to the

last minute, have a question, and then expect the instructor to respond prior to the deadline.

AnnouncementsCourse announcements are made in the course wiki. Be sure to check the wiki announcements area every

time go to work on the course (probably at least every-other-day in a five week summer session course).

Course MaterialsRequiredMaterialsy A college-level dictionary and a thesaurus, for example http://www.m-w.com/y

Access to the Modern Language Association style guide:y http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_o.htmly http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html


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RequiredTechnologiesRemember, you are not required to open these accounts using your legal name. Feel free to use apseudonym; however, dont forget to provide the translation to your instructor!

y Access to a computer with an internet connection (preferably high-speed)y MyMCC Account: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/mymcc/ y MyMaricopa Gmail Account: http://my.maricopa.eduor http://google.maricopa.edu y Regular Gmail Account (for Google Maps): http://maps.google.com/y TimeRime Account: http://timerime.com/y Browser Readers/Players/Plug-Ins, etc.:

y Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.htmly Flash: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/alternates/#fpy Shockwave: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/alternates/#spy Java: http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Course PoliciesAttendance, Participation, and WithdrawalPoliciesBecause so much of our learning will take place in class, you must participate in class on a regular basis to

receive credit for this course. The college catalog allows students absences equal to the number of timethe class meets each week during a full, 16 week, semester. Since we never meet, your attendance is basedon submitting work. If you do not submit any work for over a two deadline period (generally four days),

I reserve the right to withdraw you from the course. Please take attendance and participation seriously;

since this class is a community of thinkers who will discuss and collaborate on ideas, your absence or lack

of preparation hurts others as well as yourself. So please participate in class on time and have yourhomework completed.

Completion PoliciesDue dates and times for assignments are listed in the course schedule. All assignments must be turned in

by the date and time listed, no late homework assignments will be accepted! However, you will have

the option to continue revising major writing projects (except the last module) in an attempt to earn a

better grade. Because you will be responding to other students' work in this class, your timely completionof assignments affects others in the course. Although it is possible that the technology can fail, it is

ultimately your responsibility to submit the work, in the method requested, by the due date. (If there is an

institutional, server side, technology error, I will learn about it. If no one is able to submit their work, a

new deadline will be assigned. However, if only a few people were unable to submit the work, it is not anerror on the instructors, institutions, or districts side.) If you are having difficulty submitting an

assignment, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor before the assignment is due. Otherwise, you

risk receiving no credit for the assignment.

Essay FormatAll final drafts of writing projects will be posted in your wiki area.Please be sure to include the date, the

class section #, the assignment name, and your project title at the top of the document.

Have You PaidAll Your Fees?Every term, students suddenly discover that they have been dropped from all their classes because theyhave failed to pay a lab fee or some other petty fee that is required for an online class.Please log on to

your student account at My.Maricopa and verify that you have paid all your fees.

If you are dropped for nonpayment, paying your fees will NOT automatically reinstate you in your classes.

Reinstatement is a laborious, demeaning, time-consuming process that requires permission from yourinstructor and the department chair and may take AS MUCH AS A WEEK OR MORE! And there is no

guarantee of reinstatement after your fees are paid, so don't let this happen to you!


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The Public Nature of Writing and Issues of ConfidentialityPart of becoming a good writer is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others, and in thiscourse our purpose is to come together as a community of writers. Remember that you will often be

expected to share your writing with others. Avoid writing about things that you may not be prepared to

subject to public scrutiny or that you feel so strongly about that you are unwilling to listen to perspectives

other than your own. This does not mean that you are not entitled to an opinion but that you adopt

positions responsibly, contemplating the possible effects on others. In particular, please do not writeabout any criminal activity you may have knowledge ofas a witness, as a victim, or as a perpetrator.

This may seem like an odd thing to caution you about, but if you were to write about such activity, I maybe legally required to report it to the authorities.

Disposition ofPapersStudents should keep their own papers for at least one semester. Among other things, any student whoappeals a course grade will need to submit copies of all graded course papers with the appeal.

Safe Classroom Environment StatementThis classroom will be a safe learning environment for everyone individual insofar as I am able to ensure

that outcome. This means I will treat all students with the respect they deserve, and in turn, I expect

respect to be given to the instructor and to every individual in class. Disagreement does not constitutedisrespect. We all have different points of view, different personal values, different life experiences, anddifferent personal preferences that we bring with us to the classroom. I call these differences diversity,

and diversity is welcome in the academic area. This is the stuff of which great discussions are made, and

potentially, this diversity adds interesting dimensions to our interpersonal relationships. Consequently, I

expect all students to respect the rights and needs of their classmates. Students cannot feel safe to expressthemselves without the assurance that their ideas, attitudes, and beliefs will be treated with respect.

Therefore, I ask that all student monitor their language and ways of talking about people, views, issues,and situations. For example, sexist, racist, or homophobic language will not be tolerated. Students may

encounter ideas of which they have never hear or of which they disapprove or feel uncomfortable. I do

not hope to change peoples ideas, but I do hope to introduce students to ideas that will require them to

think critically. If you feel you or others are not being treated respectfully, please see me immediately.Consult the Student Handbook for college policies regarding sexual harassment and other abusive

behaviors.

Learning CenteredEnvironment StatementEveryone does not learn in the same manner; therefore, it is important that we construct an environment

that facilitates learning for the greatest number of individuals. In other words, try not to engage in

behaviors that disturb the learning environment. Disturbing behaviors include (but are not limited to):

y acting disrespectfully to classmates or the teacher;y making comments that are off-topic and demonstrate that a student is not paying attention;y criticizing, laughing at, or putting down other students;y

making comments or acting in way that promotes ignorance or stupidity rather than intelligence andcompetence; and

y failing to pay attention and follow directions.


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Statement ofAccommodationI would like everyone to know that I am willing to make any reasonable accommodation for limitationsdue to any disability, including learning disabilities. If you have or think you have a disability, including a

learning disability, please make an appointment with an advisor at disability resources as soon as

possible. They can assist you with appropriate accommodations for you in your classes. Please see MCCs

Disability Resources & Services center, and then me, to discuss any special needs you might have.

Information about MCCs Disability Resources & Services center:y Web address: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/students/disability/y Email address: 480-461-7447y Phone number: [email protected]

MCC Campus EarlyAlertProgram (EARS)Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students. Numerous campus support

services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals.

MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aidstudents in their educational pursuits. Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to

campus services for added support. Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as

a result of being referred to EARS. Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional.

Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at:http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears or at the Early Alert selection at the MyMCC link from MCCs

home page.

A Note on PlagiarismDefinition: In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer

deliberately uses someone elses language, ideas, or other original (not

common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.Council of Writing Program Administrators

Plagiarism is stealing; it is presenting work as your own that is not exclusively your own. Plagiarism caninclude turning in part or all of someone elses writing as your own or using information from another

source without giving credit. The consequences of plagiarism are severe, including failure of theassignment, probable failure for the course, disciplinary referral to the Dean, and possible expulsion from

the institution. Whenever you borrow a phrase, sentence, paragraphor even an idea stated in your ownwordsfrom any outside source without giving credit, you have plagiarized.

Some common examples of plagiarism in academic assignments are:

y the use of paraphrase or quotes from another writer without documentation,y copying all or parts of another writers paper,y having another writer do the paper, andy purchasing another writers paper.In cases where the instructor has carefully considered the evidence and concluded that a student hasdeliberately plagiarized, the instructor may use any, and all, of the districtwide sanctions provided in the

student handbook:

y A written warning to the student that s/he has violated the academic code;y Lowering the assignment or course grade;y Giving discretionary, additional assignments; andy Course failure.Additionally, the instructor may recommend to the department chair and dean any of the following:

y Academic probation;


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y Suspension from the college; andy Expulsion from the college.If you have any questions about how to acknowledge someone elses words or ideas, or you have a

question about whether a source needs to be acknowledged, come talk to me. Please also remember that

any writing that you turn in for credit in this course must be written for this course.

Grading PoliciesAssignment DistributionAccounts Set Up and Introduction (6/3/19) 40 points

Major Deadline Packets (200 points total)You will complete four of these

during the course.

y Period Definition/DescriptionPosting (20 points)y Author Postings x2 Authors (15 points each, 30 points)y TextPostings x2 texts (10 points each, 20 points)y Theme Postings x2 Themes(10 points each, 20 points)y Literary Terms Postings x2 Terms (10 points each, 20 points)y InsightPaper

y Drafty Peer Review x2 classmates (10 points each, 20 points)y Final (70 points)

800 points

Comments on Resource Postings (6/30) 100 points

The UnKnown Period Reflection (6/30) 60 points

Total 1000 points

Deadlines forPackets:Packet #1 Packet #2 Packet #3 Packet #4

GoogleWiki Page

Postings

6/8/11 6/15/11 6/22/11 6/29/09

Insight Paper

Draft

6/8/11 6/15/11 6/22/11 6/29/09

Peer Review 6/11/11 6/18/11 6/24/11

Revised Insight

Paper

6/14/11 6/21/11 6/28/11

Grading ScaleGrades are determined according to the following scale:

y A (900-1000)y B (800-899)y C (700-799)y D (600-699)y F (599 or below)Grading Response TimeAlthough the instructor will attempt to respond faster, he or she will be sure to grade and/or respond to

homework assignments within a couple days of their deadlines and major writing projects within a week

of their final submission deadlines.


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Handbook/Syllabus Contract Form

StudentResponsibilities

You are expected to contribute positively to the learning environment of the classroom by:y taking responsibility for your own success in class;y reading, reviewing, and referring to the course handbook/syllabus for all pertinent information;y reading, reviewing, and referring to the college catalog and student handbook for college policies;y actively asking questions and seeking out help from the instructor;y participating regularly in this course in the various virtual environments;y keeping a copy of all assignments until the end of the semester; andy immediately reporting all e-mail/computer problems to the professor and it is your responsibility to

complete the course assignment and activities even in the face of computer failure.

InstructorResponsibilities:y The instructor reserves the right to require proctoring or validation of students' academic work at theinstructor's discretion.y The instructor reserves the right to change or modify course policies, materials, or deadlines in

response to student feedback or unforeseen circumstances. Students will be notified by the instructorof any changes in course requirements or policies.

y The instructor requests that students allow the instructor 48 hours to respond to student emails orother forms of contact.

y The instructor will attempt to be available during weekdays, however, as balance between family andwork is important in everyone's lives, the instructor reserves the right to be unavailable on weekends.

y The instructor requests that students allow the instructor one week from the date of submission(original deadline, not if the assignment is turned in late), to post a grade, or provide feedback, on any

homework assignments, two weeks for major writing projects. (Note:the instructor will make every

effort to provide faster turn around time-however, sometimes faster turn around is not possible)y The instructor may be "out-of-the-office" for extended periods of time, and requests that students

understand that this situation may occur and allow for such inconveniences (however, the instructor

will always attempt to email and/or post an announcement to the class about any suchcircumstances)

StudentAgreementThe signature below, as well as attendance and participationin this class, signifies that the student has

agreed toabide by and adhere to the policies and regulations specified above.It is understood that the

instructor may adapt or change this Handbook/syllabus and the assignments contained within it

according tocircumstances that may arise during the course of the class.The instructor may drop astudent if the student fails to complete the work; however, it is the student's responsibility to drop the

course if they do not wish to continue. If the student does not drop the course by the appropriate date the

student will receive an F.(Be sure to ask the instructor any questions concerning the handbook/syllabus before signing below.)

___________________________ ___________________________ ___________

Students Name, Typed Student ID Number Date

Documents

ENH241 Syllabus Summer2011