English 201 at MiraCosta College

Honors Scholar Program, Honors Berkeley, and Honors Enrichment Seminars: This semester, Professor Holly Ordway and I will be leading seminars for the English 201 Honors Scholar Program (HSP), the Honors Berkeley Program (HB), and the Honors Enrichment Seminar Program (ES). Ordway's seminars will be on Tuesday afternoons, and mine will be offered on eight Wednesday afternoons. English 201ES is an optional learning opportunity, with no prerequisite or application process. English 201HB is required for some students who intend to transfer to UC Berkeley (some Berkeley programs will not transfer our English 201 course unless it is accompanied by an HB section, so you should go to the University Transfer Center/Honors Counselor if you are even thinking of transferring to UC Berkeley). English 201HSP is required for students who participate in HSP at MiraCosta, which entails requirements (such as a "B" or better in English 100) and an application process. HSP students are eligible for transfer admission guarantee or priority admission to many colleges and universities participating in the Transfer Honors Council of California (e.g., UCLA, UCI, USC, Pitzer and Pomona Colleges, Pepperdine University, Chapman University). The topic for my honors seminar is LOVE.

Course Objectives (to govern all English 201 classes): At the end of the course, a student will demonstrate the ability to

English 201 with Professor Gloria Floren. This English 201—equivalent to any other English 201 here or at the University in its rigor, scope, requirements, and attention to literature, composition, critical thinking, and research techniques and practices—differs in ways that are communicated in the remaining sections of the syllabus. As your teacher, I will be guiding you through the course and working with you to bring out your strengths and talents as a writer, reader, thinker, researcher, team worker, consumer, creator, and communicator. I believe the close study of literature is valuable because it fosters creative, critical, and empathetic listening, thinking, reading, and writing; because it makes us aware of our humanity and helps us to understand people who are not like us; because it has practical benefits in social and economic life; and because it is fun. I am especially interested in the importance of metaphor in thinking, imagining, and communicating—and in the healing and nourishing powers of the literary experience, both reading and writing. Learning is one of the great pleasures of being human. Enjoyment of learning leads to happiness, not to mention success in college classes and in life. I look forward to learning with you this semester.

Textbooks Required: (1) Literature for Composition by Barnet et al, published by Addison Wesley Longman, 7th edition. Pearson-Longman Website (http://www.ablongman.com/). (2) Tidepools—Paradise (2005 edition). (3) A college English handbook dated 2002 or later with instruction and exercises on language, composition, and scholarly research.

Texts Recommended: (1) A substantial, current college dictionary, hardbound (recommendation: American Heritage). (2) William Strunk and E.B.White’s The Elements of Style (3rd or later edition)

Course Materials: (1) Smooth-edged lined paper (8-1/2 by 11, college-ruled preferred). (2) Pens (blue or black ink) for in-class writing. (3) Standard-bond typing or printout paper (not thin, slick, or onionskin). (4) A three-ring, hardcover binder with pockets and indexing tabs for the English 201 Portfolio that you will share with the class at the end of the semester (get a hardcover binder with a clear plaster windows or panels into which you can insert a title page). (5) Index cards, size 4x6. (6) 100-item skinny scantrons and #2 pencils with good erasers.

Class Activities: lectures, demonstrations, discussions, debate and team projects, readings, exercises and other practice, writing, tests, individual and group presentations and recitations, listening, individual and group consultations, library and Internet research

Grading: You earn what you learn. I am obligated to assign a grade that measures the quality and extent of your learning in this class—that is, how well you have achieved the course objectives. This is a pretty awesome responsibility, and I don’t take it lightly. People vary in the way they learn and the manner in which they can best demonstrate their learning, and you’ll need to tell me early if a test or other graded project or expectation just doesn’t fit your learning style. Sometimes I can change things; sometimes I can’t. I reserve the right to provide substitute assignments and change the stated grading plan to accommodate individual learning styles. We will develop your grading plan in keeping with the objectives of the course and your goals in and commitment to this class. Your grade in the class will be based on your productivity and the quality of your achievement in the following areas:

English 201 Knowledge and Skills. How well you meet the 6 course objectives (listed at the beginning of this document) will be demonstrated in your formal papers based on readings and research, showing effective practice (writing process and scholarly method)—as well as your presentations, reports, quizzes, and other work for the class. Academic and Workplace Skills. The grade you earn on English 201 Knowledge and Skills may be raised or lowered by the quality of your participation and contribution to the class during the semester, i.e., your academic and workplace skills. Included are attendance (being in class on time and for the full period twice a week); responsibility and dedication (preparation, readiness to contribute to and participate in all class activities, meeting deadlines for reading and other assignments, following directions, contributing to class discussions); creativity and teamwork (being a creative, generous, and effective team player and team builder); integrity (being ethical, honest, trustworthy). Other qualities which show your developing academic and workplace skills include mindfulness, persistence, patience, respect, caring, reliability, courtesy, initiative, leadership, and commitment to learning. Serious violations of behavioral or ethical standards (e.g., plagiarism) will result in dismissal from and an "F" grade in the class.

The quality of your assignments, the level of your excellence in academic and workplace skills, the extent of your engagement in and commitment to your learning in the class, and the quality of your achievement on the major graded writings (including quality of scholarship and writing process) will determine whether you earn an "A" or a "B" in the class. You will earn a “C” in the class if your formal writing projects are satisfactory, you earn an average of 70% on other assignments, and you achieve competency in academic and workplace skills. Serious violations of behavioral or ethical standards (e.g., plagiarism) will result in dismissal from and an "F" grade in the class. Any other grading variations will be spelled out in class. See the Class Calendar for the Credit/No Credit filing deadline (you earn a “Cr” if you have achieved a “C” or better grade in the class, a "NC" if you earn a "D" or "F"). Normally, you can expect to pass English 201 with a “C” or better if (in addition to meeting the grading standards listed above to demonstrate critical and creative thinking in all your learning activities and English 201 competency in reading, listening, interpreting, analyzing, debating, researching, speaking, teamwork, and writing) you follow the tips listed below.

Tips: What you can do to be successful in this course.

Accept my help and ask me questions. I am available via phone, email, office hours (regular and by appointment), and before/after class time permitting. You will find you can email me any questions you have about the course; I will answer promptly and courteously. Ask me any question relating to the course. Please do not spend time being confused.

Make success in English 201 one of your top priorities this semester, and schedule your time accordingly. Attend class regularly (4 hours a week), be ready to start class at the time it begins, and remain “mindful” (alert, aware, actively learning) during the entire class period; participate in and contribute meaningfully to class discussions and other activities, with courtesy, respect, and generosity toward everyone else in the classroom.

Reserve at least 8 hours of time, in addition to our 4 “in-class” hours each week, to study and complete class assignments (this 8 hours include visits with Professor Floren during office hours).

Complete all your assignments (reading, writing, research, etc.) and turn them in when they are due—and you will make regular and satisfactory progress in the class. Begin your essays and other assignments early, and plan to revise your writing before you turn it in for a grade. By getting an early start, you might be able to get help before you turn in your assignment for a grade. Consult the course Website, handouts, and lecture notes early and often as guides to your learning.

Be open, flexible, and enthusiastic about your learning and your classmates. Work hard to achieve at your highest level, be dedicated, be creative, love your learning, and have fun!

Talk to friends and family about what you are learning, and make literature come to life. Take advantage of the classroom and college communities by forming study groups, asking questions of classmates and me, and (in addition to visiting me outside of class), using the resources available to you at the college.

What are some of the resources are available to you at the college?

MiraCosta College computer labs, enabling you to practice and become familiar with technology that will make your college experience go more smoothly. We’re wireless.
MiraCosta College Support Groups. You pay for services offered to you on campus, and so do all the taxpayers in the MiraCosta College District. Be sure to use the Tutoring and Academic Support Center, the Writing Center, the Library, and the University Transfer Center and Counseling Services. The Online Orientation gives you forms and dates, and other Admissions and Records information, and the Campus Police Department provides escort, rape aggression defense training, vehicle jump start, vehicle lock-out, and other services. Also, check out EOPS, DSPS, the Career Center, Financial Aid, Health Services, the Wellness Center, the Scholarship Program, the Honors Program, the Service Learning Program, Veterans Services, the Child Development Center, and the Campus Life and Activities Center—available free to assist you in invaluable ways. This semester is an important part of your life journey; I and my colleagues at MiraCosta are here to help you along. If you have never experienced any of these resources, make it a goal to use a few during this semester.
ME. I know I already mentioned this, but I am here for you. I was a college student at one point in my life, I was the first in my nuclear family to earn a four-year college degree, and I still take college classes from time to time. I understand what is ahead for you: the hopes and fears, challenges and frustrations, disappointments and satisfactions, the moments of confusion and enlightenment, and always that thing that keeps you working: the joy of learning and the thrill of achievement. So ask me questions, not only about our class, but about the community college experience in general. Arrange to meet with me during office hours, in the cafeteria, or online for any guidance I can give you.

What you can expect from this course and from me, Professor Gloria Floren.

You can expect a well-organized course focused on your success.
You can expect me to work hard to provide you, as community college students, with the same educational quality and standards provided to students taking the equivalent course at a university.
You can expect me to be a challenging, open, fair, flexible, creative, enthusiastic instructor who understands the various demands on your time and attention (other college classes, work, family, social and economic circumstances) and who will encourage you to strive for the best work you can complete given your circumstances.
You can expect me to demonstrate my expertise in this subject and my passion for it based on my belief that open, clear, and empathetic communication with others—through active reading, writing, speaking, listening, discussing, researching, collaborating, creating, and thinking—is an essential ingredient to human happiness, an essential element in the sustenance of a healthy democracy, and the foundation for peace and freedom without which an individual cannot thrive and a without which a democracy cannot long survive.
You can expect your work to be returned in a timely manner with guiding comments and feedback.
You can expect me to listen to you, to care about you as a student in my class, to give you my best to help you succeed, and to have some serious fun teaching and learning with you this semester.

HOW TO REACH ME OUTSIDE OF CLASS

Visit me during my office hours in OC4520: Th 12-2, and by appointment.
Phone me at 760-757-2121, x-6221 (if I'm not in the office, leave a message with your phone number so I can easily return your call to leave a message in response to your call; include days/hours you are available to talk with me by phone in real time).
Email me at <ENGL201GF@ miracosta.edu> (always put the following information in your Subject Heading: your full name, section #, and topic of your message). I'll get back to you ASAP.
Send me stuff by mail via the college address; I'm at Mail Station #1.
Leave other messages or papers with my secretary, Julie Bollerud, who serves the faculty in the area next to the 3500-3600 quad; just go through the glass doors in room 3600, a faculty offices area. You can leave printed materials for me in the plastic bin on Ms. Bollerud's desk counter, and sometimes I will leave assignments or handouts for you in the vertical file to the right of her counter.

Mark Twain: "The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.”
Jerry Seinfeld: "A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking.”

Natalie Goldberg (for perfectionists who freeze up): "When you write, . . . sit down with the least expectation of yourself; say, ‘I am free to write the worst junk in the world.’”