Language and Literature Department
Spring 2009
M 12 – 2:50
Prof.
Courtney J. Ruffner
ruffnec@scf.edu
http://faculty.scf.edu/ruffnec/index.htm
Office: Building 3 Room 112
Office Hours: Monday 3 – 4 and by appointment
Phone: 752-5478
ENC
1101: Written Communications I
Theme: Organized Crime
Course Description:
Prerequisite: ENC 0020 or appropriate score on English placement test. This
course meets Area I requirement for the AA, AS, and AAS. General Education
requirements, and the 6000 word Gordon Rule requirement. This course
encompasses grammar and diction review, composition, expository writing, work
with both primary and multiple source themes, instruction in the use of the
library and writing the research paper, and practice in oral communication.
Library website:
http://www.scf.edu/pages/109.asp
Course Performance Standards:
http://www.scf.edu/pages/467.asp
A hard copy may be obtained from the instructor or from the Department Office.
Text and Materials:
Trimmer. MLA Handbook
A Composition Notebook (yes, a composition notebook)
A disc or Flashdrive with access to Microsoft Word
Standards of Conduct:
Students are expected to abide by all Lancer Student Handbook guidelines.
Attendance Policy:
Late is late (coming in late OR leaving early) and tardy is tardy. Points will
be taken for your lack of classroom consideration. After 1 absence, I will hand
you your pink slip. You should withdraw from the class at that point in order
to avoid a failing grade. After 2 tardies, you have become a classroom distraction.
At that point, I will ask you to see me after class and will request that you
withdraw from the class (see student handbook for classroom disruptions). If
you choose to ignore my warning, you will lose 20 points for each tardy after
the first 2. It is your responsibility to attend class regularly and on time.
Even if you miss class, you are responsible for assignment due dates, writing
project details, notes, and handouts that you miss. Find out what you missed
from someone in class (exchange phone numbers / email addresses with someone)
and then go to our website to print any handouts that you may not have
received. Be proactive.
Be aware of the people around you. If you are carrying on your own conversation
while I am teaching then I will assume you are ready for a test and thus you
will be tested on that day’s lesson. I will deduct 10 points if I see or hear
cell phones or text message devices. Please do not over-perfume or
over-colon yourself to come to class. Allergies are a large problem in
Email:
Students are required to communicate with their instructor using their official
SCF email address.
Withdrawal Policy:
In accordance with the State College of Florida college policy as stated in the
college catalog, students may withdraw from any course or all courses without
academic penalty of a WF by the withdrawal deadline as listed in the State
College of Florida academic calendar. This semester this date is October 30th. The student
must take responsibility for initiating the withdrawal procedure. Students are
strongly encouraged to talk with their instructors first before taking any
withdrawal action.
Statement of Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, opinions, illustrative material, data,
direct or indirect wording of another scholar and/or writer—professional or
student—without giving proper credit. Expulsion, suspension, or any lesser
penalty may be imposed for plagiarism.
Assignments:
Essay #1 diagnostic and revision (600 - 700 words)
Essay # 2 in-class essay (600 - 700 words)
Research Paper (1500 - 2500 words)
Crime Journal (2000 words)
Comparison and Contrast Assignment (600 - 700 words)
In class presentation (700 words)
In-class tests, assignments, and participation (word count TBA)
NOTE: All grades will be computed
on a 100% scale.
Note Well: Failure to complete any assignment
will result in failure of the course.
You must pass the research paper with a grade of “C” or higher to pass ENC
1101.
Of course, there will be NO late assignments. If, for some odd reason, an
assignment is turned in passed the due date, then I will deduct a letter grade
for its unfortunate tardiness. There will be no make-up quizzes or tests.
Assignments are due upon entering the classroom.
Online Tutoring and Study Skills
Support:
A collection of Web sites to help students enhance their study skills and to
provide tutoring support for their coursework is available 24/7. Emphasis is on
mathematics, English and reading improvement. Support for many other subjects
is also available. Accessing these resources is as easy as ABC:
a.) Go to www.scf.edu/Title3
b.) Click Student Success Resources link.
c.) Click Virtual Tutoring and Study Skill Support Link.
Tentative Daily Syllabus: (Bring
your syllabus to class each week)
Week 1
August 24:
-- Introduction to course content (organized crime and the masculine figure)
-- Syllabus
-- Clarification on rules, policies, and procedures
-- Grading and withdrawals
-- Stress importance of MLA
-- Discussion on organized crime and masculinity
-- Writing diagnostic
-- Grammar diagnostic
Week 2
Required: 2 crime journal entries each week until
directed otherwise
August 31: The
Research Paper
-- Go over grammar diagnostic
-- Discuss essay points. Discussion on Essay Map and Outlining
-- Essay #1 Draft Due
-- Peer-edit discussion
-- Peer-edit essay # 1
-- MLA formatting
a paper
-- Validity of Internet sources
-- How
to write an Introduction
-- Discuss and Assign Crime Journal
-- Draw research topic
Week 3
September 7
Labor Day – No Class
Week 4
September 14 Orientation
-- Essay #1 Due
-- Library/database
-- Work with Research Question
-- DeSalvo article for next class meeting (have it annotated)
Week 5
September 21:
--
MLA (Modern Language Association) Lecture-Take Notes!
-- Ways to Prompt Writing
-- Happy Days # 1 part 2
-- Stereotype prompt writing
-- 5 Research questions that pertain to your topic (your gangster) due
-- Discussion on DeSalvo essay
-- How to Narrow a Thesis Statement
-- Assign Thesis Statement
Week 6
September 28:
-- MLA Quiz
-- Thesis Statement Due
-- What is a Topic Sentence?
-- Catch Up and Research
Week 7
October 5:“Italians
on TV: From the Fonz to The Sopranos, Not Much Evolution”
-- Topic Sentences Due
-- Workshop thesis and topic sentences
-- Discuss Comparison and Contrast: What is it and How do we Use it?
– Essay # 3 topic
-- Show Sopranos
-- Answer questions from the episode
-- Assign Maria Laurino’s article
Week
8
October
12 –
Columbus Day - Class was cancelled
Week 9
October 19:
-- C&C draft due
-- Peer-edit C&C
-- Discussion on how to study for essay exam
--
Have index card with thesis and topic sentences to hand in. You can include
one quote if you wish. "Congresswoman
Takes a Whack at 'The Sopranos' Stereotype"
-- Hand out and discuss
-- Welcome
Back Kotter
--
stereotype freewrite on Kotter
Week 10
October 26:
-- In-Class (essay
# 2) Exam (1 hour 20 minutes)
-- C&C assignment due
-- Documentary on La Cosa Nostra - not working
Week
11
November 2:
-- Documentary on La
Cosa Nostra - not working
-- In-Class essay returned
--
Show Little Caesar
-- Read Little Caesar article after film
--
Hand out Cindy Donatelli and Sharon Alward article, “’I
Dread You’?: Married To The Mob in The Godfather,
Goodfellas, and The Sopranos.” - Electronic
Homework
Week 12
November 9:
-- Discuss Laurino's
article
--
Research paper draft #1 due - Electronic Discussion
-- Peer-edit research paper draft #1
-- Last minute questions on research paper / MLA documentation
-- Discuss Donatelli and Alward article
Week
13
November 16:
-- Research Paper 2nd Draft Due
-- Workshop Research Paper 2nd draft
-- Discussion on Speech / In-class presentation
-- Show examples of past projects
-- Choose groups and organize
-- Brainstorm on presentation possibilities (video, power point, slideshow).
-- Delegate responsibilities to group members
-- Begin working on project
Week 14
November 23:
-- Crime Journal Due
-- Research Paper Due
-- Work on Projects
Week 15
November 30:
-- Grammar and MLA quiz (30 points)
-- Work on Projects
Week 16
December 7
-- Work on Projects
Final Exams December 14 - 17
Presentations Due / Italian Feast due on Final Exam day