Class Meeting Times and Location: M/W 9:45am – 11:50am, H106     

This class is a part of the First Year Experience program. Students are required to participate in all mandatory FYE activities as part of their enrollment.  This class is linked with Art History 101 taught by Professor Alamillo. The curriculum in these classes will work together to enhance your college experience. Consistent attendance and engagement in both classes will make for a much more meaningful experience!

Instructor:  Professor Thompson

Office:  H321 J

Office Hours:  T & W 8:45 – 9:45 am

Contact Information: Phone:  310 6603593 ext. 7772              

Email:  dethompson@elcamino.edu

Course Materials

Required: All materials will be provided

Having reading completed before arriving to class on assigned days will ensure a richer experience and better chance of success on assignments.

Mask Policy: Current campus policy is that masks can no longer be required in classrooms. Consequently, masks in the class will be optional. Feel free to wear one if it makes you feel safe. We will respect each other’s mask choices. Of course, if sick or possibly sick, take appropriate precautions. Finally, if masking policies change, this class will follow the updated policy.

Course Objective: This class combines composition and critical thinking. To that end, we will be employing the skills learned in Freshman Composition (which you should have passed) and applying more serious analysis to the reading and writing. This class is not designed to instruct in grammar, but you are responsible for proper usage.

SLO: Students will compose an argumentative essay that shows an ability to support a claim using analysis, elements of argumentation, and integration of primary and secondary sources. This essay will be well organized, follow proper MLA format, and be technically correct in paragraph composition, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and usage

 Student Equity:

The ECC English Department believes that access to a high-quality education in an inclusive, anti-racist, culturally responsive environment is the right of all students. In addition, as an educator, I recognize that individual abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and learning differences, as well as systemic structures—including our existing economic, educational, and socio-political systems—affect how students absorb, process, and respond to all that occurs within a classroom. I know that I am in a unique position of authority, but I invite you to collaborate with me as we strive to create a classroom environment that acknowledges all people's contribution to the curriculum and builds a diverse community.

 

Students with Disabilities:

El Camino College promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all programs and services. If you believe you may need accommodations in this class now or at any point in the semester, please go to the Special Resource Center (SRC) or call (310) 660-3295. You are also encouraged to communicate with your instructors. For more information, visit http://www.elcamino.edu/student/studentservices/src

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

El Camino College places a high value on the integrity of its student scholars. When an instructor determines there is evidence of dishonesty in any academic work (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of exam materials), disciplinary sanctions appropriate to the misconduct (defined in AP 5500) may be taken. A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and/or suspension from class are possible consequences for academic dishonesty (AP 5520). I encourage you to speak with me if you have any questions about Academic Integrity.

 

Attendance Policy: Because we are all here to achieve success, I look forward to everyone being on time and attending regularly, Irregular attendance virtually guarantees struggles. While there are legitimate reasons to miss, there are a lot of reasons to attend as well. Identifying those reasons for yourself may help to sustain motivation.

Do be aware there are school-wide policies.

Students are expected to attend their classes regularly.

• Students who miss the first class meeting or who are not in regular attendance during the add period for the class may be dropped by the instructor.
• Students whose absences from a class exceed 10% of the scheduled class meeting times may be dropped by the instructor. For this class, that means four absences is the maximum. 
• Habitual and/or excessive tardies also interfere with a student’s progress in class. 
• Students are responsible for dropping a class within the deadlines published in the class schedule.
• Students who stop attending but do not drop may receive a failing grade.

 

Recording in the Classroom:

The use of any recording device during class without the prior consent of the instructor is prohibited, except as necessary to provide reasonable auxiliary aids and academic adjustments to disabled students who present official documentation from the Special Resource Center to the instructor prior to recording. This is to protect privacy and to create a safe classroom environment where all participants can discuss potentially controversial or sensitive subjects freely. If you want to take a photograph or make an audio or video recording, you must get the prior written permission of the instructor. The instructor also may require the verbal and/or written permission of everyone present. Even if a student gets permission to record, the recordings are only for personal use and may not be distributed, posted, published, or shared in any manner. A student who records without instructor permission or distributes any recordings is subject to disciplinary action in accordance with El Camino College District Administrative Procedure 5500 Standards of Student Conduct.

 

Gender‐Based or Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse/Neglect

Sexual or Gender‐Based Misconduct: Please know that if you reveal gender‐based or sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or intimate partner violence) that has taken place on campus or in connection with a school activity to an instructor, counselor, or librarian, we are required by law to report the problem to the Office of Title IX, Diversity & Inclusion. In addition, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Medical Physicians in the Student Health Center are required per California Licensing Requirements to report these types of incidents to local law enforcement.

If you want to discuss gender‐based or sexual misconduct confidentially, Clinical Psychologists in the Student Health Center are not required to report such issues to the Office of Title IX, Diversity & Inclusion. Contact the Student Health Center for an appointment at 310.660.3643, or visit the Student Health Services website. For more information, visit the Sexual and Gender‐based Misconduct website.

Child Abuse/Neglect: Any information you share about child abuse or neglect to any ECC employee, including Clinical Psychologists in the Student Health Center, is required by law to be reported to the Department of Children and Family Services.

 

Student Conduct:

 http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/activities/codeofconduct.asp (Links to an external site.)

 

 Classroom Policies: All work in the class is meant to make us better writers. Each assignment is a building block toward that end. To get to that goal, there will be quizzes, group assignments, Socratics, quick writes, and homework. These are meant to prepare you to write the major essays.  

Grading:

Essays                                     100 each         

Misc (quizzes, hw, etc)           5 – 10 each

Midterm and Final                  100 each

Socratics/Oral Presentation    50 each

 

The scale will be typical: A = 100 – 90%; B = 89 – 80%; C = 79 – 70%; D = 69 – 60%;

F = below 59%.

 

 

Late Assignment Policy: Only essays will be accepted late. If you cannot meet an essay deadline, meet with me to arrange a later date. Know that late work will receive a 10% penalty.

No other assignments will be accepted late.

 

Important Dates:

• Washington's Day Holiday Observed (Campus Closed): Monday, February 20, 2023
• Last Day to Add (Full Semester Courses): Sunday, February 26, 2023
• Last Day to Drop for a Refund with No Notation (Full Semester Courses): Sunday, February 26, 2023
• Spring Recess (Faculty and Students): Saturday - Friday, April 8-14, 2023
• Last Day to Drop w/ a "W" (Full Semester Courses): Friday, May 12, 2023
• Memorial Day Holiday (Campus Closed): Monday, May 29, 2023
• Spring Semester Ends: Friday, June 9, 2023

 

Student Resources:

Please click the links below to access detailed and current information about each service.

• Writing Center
  Free tutoring is available for writing assignments, grammar, and vocabulary.
• The Tutoring Center

The LRC Tutorial Program offers free drop-in tutoring in a variety of subjects.

• Student Health Center
  The Health Center offers free and low cost medical and psychological services as well as free workshops on topics like test anxiety.
• Special Resource Center – SRC
  The SRC provides free disability services, including interpreters, testing accommodations, counseling, and adaptive computer technology.
• Counseling

Counselors are available for online chat, telephone calls, and virtual appointments. Also, chat with a front desk staff member is available to help navigate the scheduling process and address quick questions.

• Warrior Emergency Fund

This is for emergency needs

• Laptop Loan & Internet Access Hotspot Program

You must also have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the California Dream Act application (to apply click here). Laptop, hotspot, and calculator supplies are limited and not guaranteed.

• The Warrior Pantry

The Warrior Pantry offers healthy food items and toiletries to students to help them succeed in their classwork without distractions caused by food insecurity.

Schedule: This is a tentative schedule; changes may be made as the instructor sees fit. The schedule will be augmented with specifics as needed, so days with nothing listed are not days off. Important assignments are in bold. Please make sure to arrive to each class prepared.

 

 

1          Feb. 13            Syllabus and Intro                  
            Feb. 15            Critical Thinking Concepts; “Allegory of the Cave”

2          Feb. 20            Holiday
            Feb. 22            “The Lesson,” “Achievement of Desire,” Praise vs Consolation

                                    Fact, Inference, Judgment

3          Feb. 27            Hidden Assumptions; Argument Development
            Mar. 1

4          Mar. 6
            Mar. 8             Essay 1 Draft Due

5          Mar. 13           Essay 1 Final Draft Due; Definition in Argument
            Mar. 15           Readings: TBA

6          Mar. 20           Fallacies
            Mar. 22          

7          Mar. 27
            Mar. 29

8          Apr. 3              Essay 2 Due; Statistics          
            Apr. 5              Midterm

            Apr. 10            Spring Break
            Apr. 12            Spring Break

9          Apr. 17            Antigone
            Apr. 19            “Crito,” “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

10        Apr. 24
            Apr. 26

11        May. 1
             May. 3

12        May. 8
             May. 10           Essay 3 Due

13        May. 15           Readings: TBA
             May. 17

14        May. 22
            May. 24

15        May. 29
            May. 31          

16        Jun. 5              Essay 4 Due
            Jun. 7              Final