Unit 1: Critical Engagement with Media
Week 1 8/24/18
FRIDAY Intro and Syllabus
- Read Lamott “Shitty First Drafts”
Week 2 8/31/18
FRIDAY Critical Thinking and Ignorance Fallacy Project
- Read Chapter 1, Critical Thinking
- Read Vonnegut – 2BR02B
- DUE Journal 1
Week 3 9/7/18
FRIDAY Critical Reading and Integrity, Research and Bib
- Read Chapter 2, Critical Reading: Getting Started
- Read Chapter 19, A College Education: What Is Its Purpose?
- DUE Journal 2
Week 4 9/14/18
FRIDAY Critical Reading and Bias
- Read Chapter 3, Critical Reading: Getting Deeper into Arguments
- Read Chapter 7, Using Sources
- DUE Annotated Bib 1
- DUE Rough Draft 1
- DUE Journal 3
Week 5 9/21/18
FRIDAY Visual Rhetoric
- Read Chapter 4, Visual Rhetoric
- DUE Final Draft 1
- DUE Journal 4
- Fallacy Group 1
Week 6 9/28/18
FRIDAY Analyzing Arguments and Clarity
- Read Chapter 5, Writing an Analysis of an Argument (p. 181-220)
- Read 1 Essay from Chapter 28, What is Happiness?
- DUE Journal 5
- Fallacy Group 2
Week 7 10/5/18
FRIDAY Analyzing Texts
- Read Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis
- DUE Journal 6 by class time.
- Pick your text for the rhetorical analysis essay.
- Find one scholarly academic article related to your text for the rhetorical analysis
- Fallacy Group 3 is presenting
Week 8 10/12/18
FRIDAY
- Read Chapter 6, Developing an Argument of Your Own (p. 221-260)
- Read Chapter 9, A Logician’s View: Deduction, Inductions, and Fallacies (335-363)
- DUE Rough Draft 2
- DUE Annotated Bib 2
- DUE Journal 7
- Fallacy Group 4
Unit 2: Critical Monster Theory
Week 9 10/19/18
FRIDAY
- Read Cohen – Monster Culture: Seven Theses(p. 3-20)
- DUE Final Draft 2
- DUE Journal 8
- Fallacy Group 5
Week 10 10/26/18
FRIDAY
- Read Frankenstein Selections
- DUE Journal 9
- Fallacy Group 6
Week 11 11/2/18
FRIDAY
- Read Blade Evaluation
- DUE Annotated Bib 3
- DUE Journal 10
- Fallacy Group 7
Week 12 11/9/18
FRIDAY
- Read TBD
- DUE Rough Draft 3
- DUE Journal 11
- Fallacy Group 8
Week 13 11/16/18
FRIDAY
- Read Why is Society so Fascinated with Serial Killers?
- DUE Final Draft 3
- DUE Journal 12
- Fallacy Group 9
Week 14 11/23/18
FRIDAY
- Read TBD
- DUE Journal 13
Week 15 11/30/18
FRIDAY
- Read TBD
- DUE Annotated Bib 4
- DUE Journal 14
Week 16 12/7/18
FRIDAY
- Read TBD
- Rough Draft 4
- DUE Journal 15
Week 17 12/14/18
FRIDAY
- Final Exam
- DUE Final Draft 4
- DUE Journal 16
English 1B: Advanced Composition & Critical Thinking
Chaffey College / Rancho Cucamonga Campus
Instructor: Sefferino Ramos Semester: Fall 2018
Email: Sefferino.ramos@chaffey.edu Section: 01213 & 01214
Voicemail/Text: (909) 453-2953 Day: Friday Time: 9-11:50 & 12-2:50
Final: Friday Dec 14, 2018 at 8:45-11:15 & 11:30-2:00 Building: LA Room: 111
Website: ProfessorRamos.net
Course Description
Welcome to English 1B: Advanced Composition & Critical Thinking! In this course, we will be focusing on a broad range of writing, critical thinking, and rhetorical skills. These skills will extend beyond those that you learned in your English 1A class and will include: summary, analysis, evaluation, rebuttal, causation, and argumentation.
The problem is that everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down‐right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.
This course is broken down into two units: Critical Engagement with Media and Critical Monster Theory. The overall purpose of the course is to be a positive force in the world. The research and writing that you will do in this course is meant to help you improve the quality of your thinking as well as benefit the rest of society. The work you will do will help you improve as a person and add value to others. Approach all the work you do in this class by first asking yourself, “How will this help society?”
Using primarily non-fiction reading models, students emulate and incorporate various rhetorical strategies in the development of written analysis and researched argumentation. Focus on logical analysis (e.g., inductive and deductive reasoning) and effective reasoning, establishing credibility, and emotional appeals to develop persuasive arguments. Course is writing intensive with a minimum production requirement of 6,000 words. May be offered as an Honor course. (Taken from the Chaffey College English 1B course description). [Pre-requisites: completion of English 1A / Transfer: CSU, UC.]
Chaffey College Mission: Chaffey College inspires hope and success by improving lives and our community in a dynamic, supportive, and engaging environment of educational excellence, where our diverse students learn and benefit from foundation, career, and transfer programs.
Chaffey College Vision: Improving lives through education.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course (C or better), you will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery in evaluating, integrating and documenting sources.
- Support an argumentative thesis with persuasive evidence and reasoning.
- Write essays that synthesize information to support analysis or argument.
Course Objectives
In order for you to achieve those outcomes, we will work on the following:
- Examination of logical fallacies, rhetorical devices, advertising and propaganda, devices that distort and conceal meaning, and media influences.
- Development of essays which approach critical thinking in increasingly complex ways by formulating a clear, arguable thesis statement.
- Developing an organized, well-argued essay in support of the thesis.
- Supporting positions using different types of inductive and deductive arguments.
- Drawing inferences from a variety of sources (e.g., statistics, testimony, authority, examples).
- Producing writing assignments such as causal analysis, persuasion, and evaluation.
- Constructing a progression of substantial compositions that advocate one’s own ideas by providing support for a claim, refuting the position of opponents, and avoiding common fallacies.
- Evaluating the written work of others by assessing content, structure, diction, tone, style, audience, and purpose.
- Clarifying meaning and avoiding unclear and biased language.
- Development of critical reading strategies, including reading for the main idea and argument.
- Identifying premises, unstated premises, and conclusions.
- Identifying inductive and deductive arguments.
- Evaluating arguments for validity and soundness.
- Examining point-of-view, bias, prejudice, and various sources of authority.
- Recognizing denotative and connotative language.
- Evaluating diction and tone, style and voice.
- Identifying and evaluating various rhetorical devices (e.g., satire, irony, overstatement, understatement, paradox, symbology, and analogy).
Required Course Materials
- Current Issues and Enduring Questions, 11th Edition, by Barnet, Bedau, and O’Hara, Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN 978-1319035471** $80 New, $23 Rent on Amazon
- Various other readings on the class website
- Folder or binder for keeping notes, handouts, drafts, essays, etc.
- An active Chaffey email account
- USB flash drive or cloud account for saving your drafts
- Regular internet access to research and post online
**Available on one hour reserve at the library
Course Policies
Our class policies and procedures are subject to change based upon the needs of the class.
Attendance & Participation
Your attendance is required. We will be working together regularly in groups and to workshop assignments. In order for this to work, you have to be present and ready to work. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to turn in required assignments on time and to find out from your classmates what you missed. Readings and writing assignments are due at every class meeting. To get the points for the day, you need to be present and on task.
Arriving late, leaving early, or other inappropriate behavior disrupts your learning and that of your classmates and will be considered an absence. No cell phones, texting, or unauthorized computer use will be tolerated and you will be marked absent. Please do not bring any food or drink into the classroom. As you can see, we will be working at computer stations and no food is allowed. You can bring water in a container that seals and is leak proof.
Classroom Code of Conduct
We will be discussing controversial and/or adult oriented content in this course. You are all adults and are expected to conduct yourself accordingly in class and in all interactions with other students. Racist, sexist, bigoted, and hurtful language will not be tolerated and could get you removed from the course and/or reported to disciplinary authorities. While I am here to lecture and help facilitate discussion, it is up to you to participate in the class and keep up with the readings. I will be available through email and after class, so please see me if you need anything pertaining to our class.
Personal Writing
We will be doing some personal writing in this class. Do not write anything that you are not comfortable sharing with this class and outside of this class. The writing that we do here is for everyone. If you have any questions about whether something is suitable, please discuss it with me or your class mates.
Class Accommodations
If you need accommodations due to a documented disability, please let me know. I’m happy to help make this course as accessible as possible.
Late-Work Policy
No Late work will be accepted. If you miss something, there is extra credit assignments and activities to make up the points. If you are going to miss, contact me before something is late to reschedule. If you fall behind, it makes it increasingly difficult to catch‐up.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism ranges from copying a sentence from an article you read, to turning in an essay that you did not write. In this class, you will receive zero points for any plagiarized work which may result in failure of the course. If you are unsure if you are plagiarizing or have questions about using sources, please ask.
Violations of the Student Academic Integrity Code, including plagiarism at any stage of the writing process, will not be tolerated in Chaffey College English courses. Plagiarism is defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas or words of another as one’s own; plagiarism also includes submitting work previously submitted for another class. At the discretion of the professor, plagiarism or other violations (including the submission of non-original material) may result in zero points for the assignment. Additionally, the professor may file a Student Academic Integrity Form documenting the violation and may seek other sanctions. The complete Student Academic Integrity Code appears in the Chaffey College Student Handbook (source: English Department Guidelines).
Assignments & Requirements
- Homework (may include assignments such as Prewriting/Outlines/Summary of Sources/ Rough Draft)
- Four Essays (60% of the class)
- Classwork and Participation (Peer Reviews)
- Weekly Reading Journals
- Fallacy Group Project
Reading Journals
Every week, you will locate an article, news report, social media post, or ??? to respond to. First, you will summarize the text, explaining how you are understanding what they are saying. Then, you will respond to the article using the skills we will be working on in class. 200+ words.
Fallacy Project
The fallacy project will be a research project aimed at developing a thorough definition and explanation of a particular fallacy. The project will be web based and incorporate research and examples from current media to help the audience understand the fallacy, how to recognize it, and how to avoid it.
Disclaimer: The best way to grow as a writer is to read other writers’ work, so I may use your writing as a model/sample in our class or for future sections of English 1B. This is a great way for you to contribute to the growth and learning of your peers here at Chaffey College.
Grading & Points
There are 1000+ points possible in this course. In order to pass English 1B, you will need a “C” or better.
| Grade | Grading Scale | |
| 1000 A | A+ 97-100% | C+ 77-79.9% |
| 950 A- | A 93-96.9% | C 70-76.9% |
| 900 B+ | A- 90-92.9% | D+ 67-69.9% |
| 850 B | B+ 87-89.9% | D 63-66.9% |
| 800 B- | B 83-86.9% | D- 60-62.9% |
| 750 C+ | B- 80-82.9% | F 0-59.9% |
| 700 C | Passing= C or better (70% or 700+ points) | |
Track your progress in class with this formula: Points earned ÷ current points possible = current %
| Grade Tracker | |||||
| Assignment | Points Possible | My Points | Assignment | Points Possible | My Points |
| Tutoring 1 | 20 | Tutoring 2 | 10 | ||
| Journal 1 | 10 | Journal 10 | 10 | ||
| Journal 2 | 10 | Journal 11 | 10 | ||
| Journal 3 | 10 | Journal 12 | 10 | ||
| Journal 4 | 10 | Journal 13 | 10 | ||
| Annotated Bib 1 | 25 | Annotated Bib 3 | 25 | ||
| Rough Draft 1 | 15 | Rough Draft 3 | 15 | ||
| Peer Review 1 | 20 | Peer Review3 | 20 | ||
| Essay 1 | 150 | Essay 3 | 150 | ||
| Journal 5 | 10 | Journal 14 | 10 | ||
| Journal 6 | 10 | Journal 15 | 10 | ||
| Journal 7 | 10 | Journal 16 | 10 | ||
| Journal 8 | 10 | Workshop | 10 | ||
| Journal 9 | 10 | Annotated Bib 4 | 25 | ||
| Annotated Bib 2 | 25 | Rough Draft 4 | 15 | ||
| Rough Draft 2 | 15 | Peer Review 4 | 20 | ||
| Peer Review 2 | 20 | Essay 4 | 150 | ||
| Essay 2 | 150 | Presentation | 20 | ||
| Fallacy Project | 30 | Final Exam | 75 | ||
| Participation | 40 | Participation | 40 | ||
Resources to Support your Success
Career Center helps Chaffey College students find meaningful careers. The program offers career counseling, career assessments, résumé assistance, interviewing skills preparation, job referrals, student employment, and career related workshops. The Career Center is located on the Rancho Cucamonga Campus in MACC-203. Please call (909) 652-6511 for more information.
Disability Programs and Services, or DPS, serves an estimated 1500 students across all Chaffey campuses. DPS serves students with physical, learning, and psychological/psychiatric disabilities by providing accommodations based on the type of disability and verifying documentation. Services include academic counseling, disability related counseling and referral for community resources, test accommodations, tram services, adapted computer lab, assistive technology training, assessment, and equipment loan. For more information please contact the DPS general phone line at (909) 652-6379.
EOPS & CARE: Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is designed to ensure student retention and success through academic support and financial assistance for eligible students. Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is a program that serves a limited number of EOPS students who are single heads of household parents. It provides additional support services beyond those available through EOPS. The ultimate goal is completion of a certificate program, an associate degree, and/or transfer to a four-year college. For more information, call (909) 652-6345.
GPS Centers: The Guiding Panthers to Success centers provide new and returning Chaffey College students with assistance in registration, unit load planning, using MyChaffeyView, using campus resources, making an Abbreviated Education Plan (first year course recommendations). Visit the GPS center to check progress on academic goals. Many services are provided on a walk-in basis. Please call a GPS center for more information.
Rancho GPS: VSS # 111. Chino GPS: CHMB 240 Fontana GPS: FNFC 121
Phone 909-652-6466 Phone: 909-652-8030 Phone: 909-652-7460
Health Services (SHS) is dedicated to assisting students to achieve and maintain optimum physical, mental and emotional health. We are committed to providing quality healthcare at a reasonable cost. All currently enrolled full and part time Chaffey College students on the Rancho Cucamonga Campus or any off campus site may utilize the services of the Student Health Office. Please have your Chaffey ID ready.
Rancho Campus MACC-202 (909) 652-6331
Chino Campus CHMB-105 (909) 652-8190
Honors Program provides an intellectual and cultural community for students at Chaffey College. Program benefits include smaller classes, creative and challenging coursework, academic enrichment activities, and scholarships. Students also have opportunities to present research at scholarly conferences, build social responsibility through community service, and receive ongoing personalized academic advisement as well as support during the transfer process. Students who complete the Honors Program may take advantage of our transfer agreements with prestigious institutions like UCLA. Visit http://www.chaffey.edu/honors or SSA-122 for more information and admission requirements.
Hope, Engage, Succeed campaign here at Chaffey is our commitment to helping students develop a growth mindset, set goals, realize their agency, and discover pathways to success. Here at Chaffey College we embrace each student’s journey to develop a growth mindset, set goals, realize their agency, and discover pathways to success. Keep an eye out for Hope Engage Succeed posters and workshops around campus.
One Book, One College Committee strives to create a community of readers across the curriculum at Chaffey College and within the communities it serves. Each year, the committee selects a college book and creates a diverse series of related events. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities to enrich their educational experience at Chaffey. http://www.chaffey.edu/collegebook/index.shtml
Success Centers offer free tutorials, workshops, learning groups, directed learning activities, and computer/ resources access to assist students in their academic development and success. These are free services for students. One-on-one tutoring is also available if you would like to get feedback on your writing. Tutors are happy to help you with writing assignments for any of your classes (not just English!). Call the centers or consult the college website at www.chaffey.edu/success/ for more information.
Chino Campus
Multidisciplinary Success Center: 909-652-8150, (CHMB-145)
Fontana Campus
Multidisciplinary Success Center: 909-652-7408, (FNFC-122)
Rancho Campus
Language Success Center: 909-652-6907/652-6820, (BEB-101)
Math Success Center: 909-652-6452, (Math-121)
Multidisciplinary Success Center: 909-652-6932, (Library)
A current Chaffey College photo ID card is required for all Success Center services. Walk-ins are welcome, and advanced appointments are available for most services. Call the centers or consult the center website for more information. Make your online appointments at https://chaffey.mywconline.com/
Student Health Services is dedicated to assisting students to achieve and maintain optimum physical, mental and emotional health. We are committed to providing quality healthcare at a reasonable cost. All currently enrolled full and part time Chaffey College students on the Rancho Cucamonga Campus or any off campus site may utilize the services of the Student Health Office. Please have your Chaffey ID ready.
Rancho Campus MACC-202 (909) 652-6331
Chino Campus CHMB-105 (909) 652-8190
Transfer Center assists you in successfully transferring from Chaffey College to a university. The Transfer Center and the Transfer Center website provide information useful in researching transfer options and reaching your transfer goals. You can also access scholarship information through the Transfer Center. Check out their website http://www.chaffey.edu/transfer/ or visit the center in SSA-120. You can also call (909) 652-6233 for more information.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is dedicated to assisting veterans and eligible family members in achieving their educational goals efficiently and without impediments. If you are a veteran or eligible family member, please contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235 or vrc.staff@chaffey.edu for information regarding educational benefits and opportunities. The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is located in AD-125 on Chaffey College’s Rancho Cucamonga campus.
Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art serves as a learning lab featuring temporary exhibitions of innovative contemporary art throughout the year. Exhibitions and programming are organized with our students in mind in order to augment their academic experience by complementing the college’s curricula and broadening the understanding of contemporary art. Our exhibitions allow visitors to see and experience a variety of contemporary artistic practices that examine timely and relevant topics. http://www.chaffey.edu/wignall/exhibitions.shtml
Your Professors are also always glad to help! Although I don’t have office hours, I am happy to answer questions or discuss your papers through email or after class. Also, please feel free to ask or email me (Sefferino.ramos@chaffey.edu) to me about any questions or concerns you have about writing, our class or Chaffey College.
Your Classmates are an important resource for success in any college course! Use the space below to get the phone number or email of other students in this class.
Name: ____________________________________ Contact Info: __________________________________
Name: ____________________________________ Contact Info: __________________________________
Name: ____________________________________ Contact Info: __________________________________
Course Schedule
- The following is the schedule of assignments for this class. The schedule of readings & assignments is subject to change based upon the needs of the class.
- All readings and assignments are listed on the day they are due. Please come to class with all readings and assignments completed before the day listed on the syllabus.
