Spring 2014 Section #: 3473 / MW: 3:30-4:55 / DROP-IN Hours F9-106 W: 2:30-3:30; 6:40-7:40
Teaching Philosophy:
“Working with language is a means by which we can identify the bullshit within ourselves (and others)” — George Saunders
Dustin Lehren / lehrend@elac.edu / kik user: Dustin Lehren
Welcome to English 21! Storytelling is the universal language that connects us all and allows us to see past our assumed differences. This course is guided by the principles of problem-posing education, which views writing as an active curiosity created by listening, dialogue and creative action. Instead of the teacher with all the answers, think of problem-posing as the whole classroom diving into an investigation of the issues that surround us today. A critical voice is essential in questioning and answering the problems of today. The three major aspects we will focus on to develop this voice will be reading strategies, the writing process, and grammar. However, my main aim for this class is similar to T.C. Boyle says in the preface of th book,
“I want each student to find something here of interest, something new, something to stimulate his or her imagination.”
StoryConvo.wordpress.com: (Online Reading Journal) On the first day of class you will log onto our classroom website and check in with a post. We will use the site as an online discussion board to help understand the literature, and a place to begin lessons on writing and grammar, so we can use more class time for practice as opposed to lecture. You are responsible for one post per reading/class (50 word min.) that must be posted by noon the day of class. Your response might state your opinion through answering a question, responding to an others post, linking to a Youtube video, posting a related article or picture etc. You will be graded on participation, so view this as an easy “A”.
Requirements:
Textbooks: Kari, Sayers Ed. Views and Values: Diverse Readings on Universal Themes (978-0-8384-0777-6)
I recommend getting used on Amazon and putting rush on delivery.
Writing Journal: We will be doing many in-class and out of class writing exercises, which will be done in a writing journal. Please title posts “In-Class (and the date). You are encouraged to use this on your own as well, to collect raw ideas: freewrite, brainstorm, related artwork etc. Bring journal to class everyday and you will be graded on completed “In-class” writing journals. View this as an easy “A”, and a way to improve your writing. I will not grade on grammar, etc., but just ideas and a sincere attempt to explore ideas (length). Also, I will never ask to read myself, or have you read or show any part of it that you deem for your eyes only.
Turnitin.com: Final drafts of your essays will be turned in using turnitin.com where I can more quickly give you feedback and also use additional grammar tools. NOTE: I do not take late papers for any reason, except a doctor’s note.
Class I.D.: 7663917
Enrollment Password: Lehren
Attendance: Since this class is primarily a writing workshop, attendance is very important. In interest in not detracting from students who regularly attend, those who miss more than three classes without clearing it with a doctors note will be excluded from the class.
Peer Workshops: Four major essays will make up the majority of your grade. One full letter grade will be given for work shopping your essay in class. To receive credit you must be present with up to four printed copies of your essay for your group. The goal of the class is to get everyone to engage with the readings and write great papers. We will be using an essay rubric to gauge your essays. To accomplish great essays we will have a peer workshop for every essay assignment. You will be graded on a complete draft of your essay as polished as possible and present it out-loud to a group of 2-3 of your peers. This is the most important part of the class and hopefully where you will learn the most about your writing. Tip: essays are graded against a rubric. For success in all your writing classes, learn the rubric. The final tests your ability at writing a college-level essay.
Mid-term: You will have an in-class midterm based on the grammar homework and lectures. The mid-term will primarily compromise of comma usage, sentence structure and the ability to diagram a sentence, and how to fix run-on sentences.
Group Presentations: 1. A How-to guide 2. Argue an in-class court trial and 3. Author/Story discussion: Think of this as a book club or getting together with your friends after seeing a movie. Your group will choose a story and lead the whole class in a discussion. The in-class final will be based on the group that does the best job.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: or plagiarism is a serious crime and includes: collusion or lending work to another to submit as his/her own, and plagiarism or the presentation of another person’s work as your own, whether intentional or not. The College has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. If you are suspected of academic dishonesty, you will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, ranging from a lowered grade to failure in the course, and you WILL be reported to the Dean of English.
Phone policy: Please turn your phones off or silent. I encourage you to use your smartphones to look up words, but be weary of personal use during group projects and discussions. If it becomes an issue you will be asked to continue your phone usage outside and not receive group credit.
Syllabus and Schedule Changes: Assignments indicate readings that will be discussed on that day. I have tried to make this document as complete as possible; however, during the course of the semester I may be required to alter, add or abandon certain policies or assignments. I reserve the right to make such changes as they become necessary. You will be informed of changes in the form of a new syllabus.
Course Learning Outcomes 
Final: The course will conclude with an in-class final essay of 600-900 words (3-4.5 single spaced pages in a large 11 X 8.5 green book). The final essay will demonstrate your understanding of:
• At the end of the semester, students will be able to answer a prompt with a logical, focused response.
• At the end of the semester, students will be able to summarize the main idea of a text.
Grading: English 21 is a pass or fail class. You will receive an A, B, C, D, or F. A or higher is passing. It is nearly impossible to pass if you skip turning in even one essay. To ensure a good chance at passing, you need to turn in every essay and take the mid-term and final. After the essays, the major graded assignments are: An online reading journal, homework, three group presentations, quizzes and class participation.
Education at the practice of freedom–as opposed to education as the practice of domination–denies that man is abstract, isolated, independent, and unattached to the world..”-Paulo Freire
storyconvo.wordpress.com 
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