OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT

Saturday, January 30, 2010

"Young Goodman Brown," by Nathaniel Hawthorne


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: ONLINE POSTING
DUE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010
BY 10:00 PM EST

Tell about your most memorable experience from a trek into the woods.

"Killings," by Andre Dubus



HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: ONLINE POSTING
DUE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010
BY 10:00 PM EST

Comment on the idea of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," and the concept of taking the law into your own hands.

"A Rose for Emily," by William Faulkner

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: ONLINE POSTING
DUE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
BY 10:00 PM EST

When was the last time you received roses? or, when was the last time you gave roses to someone? Why were the roses given to you? or, why did you give the roses?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

WEEK TWO

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Watch the Spike Lee documentary, Four Little Girlshttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3302971953362876297#
Write a first response to the movie, Four Little Girls


Read "About the 1963 Birmingham Bombing" on Sunday, September 15, 1963, at 10:22 a.m., at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, and the lives of the four little girls:
Denise McNair, age 11
Addie Mae Collins, age 14
Carole Robertson, age 14
Cynthia Wesley, age 14
http://www.english.illinois.edu/Maps/poets/m_r/randall/birmingham.htm
Write a first response to "About the 1963 Birmingham Bombing."

WEEK TWO

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Finish watching Spike Lee's documentary film, "4 Little Girls" : http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3302971953362876297#

Prepare a response essay to the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. Discuss your feelings and thoughts about each of the pieces we have worked with:
  • "Birmingham Bomb Kills 4 Negro Girls in Church; Riots Flare; 2 Boys Slain," New York Times article, by Claude Sitton
  • "Birmingham Sunday," a song performed by Joan Baez
  • "Ballad of Birmingham," a poem by Dudley Randall
  • "4 Little Girls," a documentary film by Spike Lee
Remember:
do not summarize the works
do discuss how the each work affected you
do include a thesis statement
do be sure that your essay title relates to your thesis statement
do connect 20% of your essay to personal experience
do include a minimum of five (5) direct quotes from the literature; however, 
do not let direct quotes exceed 20% of the total paper
do check the class blog/website for essay paper guidelines: http://english101wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/01/syllabus-essay-guidelines.html

If you have questions, or would like me to look at your outline and/or first draft to see if you're "on the right track," send me an e-mail at: english101wcc@gmail.com.
DO NOT ATTACH THE OUTLINE AND/OR FIRST DRAFT TO THE E-MAIL. Cut and paste it into the body of the e-mail, or I will not be able to review it.
I am available to review your outline and/or first draft until Monday, February 1, 2010, at noon. After that, I will not be able to give you my feedback.

Response Essay Helpful Links:

Friday, January 22, 2010

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

Westchester Community College provides services for students with documented learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, physical disabilities, visual, hearing, and other health impairments.  We encourage individuals with disabilities to contact us to learn what support services are available to meet varying needs.  Current services include but are not limited to the following: 

COUNSELING 
 Pre-admission counseling 
 Assistance at registration 
 Supportive and vocational counseling 
 Referral to other campus services and appropriate community agencies 
 Referral for diagnostic assessment as necessary 
 Self-advocacy training 
 Planning for after graduation 

ACADEMIC 
 Orientation and referral to tutorial services 
 Assistance with developing learning strategies, coping and organizing skills 
 Assistance in arranging for note takers, interpreters, readers and scribes 
 Proctoring for special testing 

PHYSICAL 
 Arranging for classroom accommodations 
 Special parking for physically disabled students 
 Ramps, elevators and electronic doors 

ADVOCACY 
 Liaison with professors, high schools, community agencies, families 
 Creating a responsive campus environment 
 Supporting and assisting faculty in understanding and meeting individual needs 
 Providing information about specific disabilities and related laws 

EQUIPMENT 
 Spectrum Optelec print enlarger 
 Kurzweil Omni 3000 scanning/screen reading software for learning disabled 
 Kurzweil Omni 1000 scanning/screen reading software for visually impaired 
 JAWS screen reader computer software 
 Zoomtext onscreen magnifier 
 Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software 
 Duxbury Braille Translator software 
 Braille printer 
 Texas Instruments Interactive onscreen TI 83 graphing calculator 
 Variable speed tape recorders 
Infra-red listening system



STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: UNDERSTAND YOUR DISABILITY 

You need to know about your disability.  Know the things that you do well.  Know the things that are difficult for you.  Know your strengths and weaknesses.  Know what assistance has been helpful to you in dealing with your disability.  

PLAN AHEAD 

Coming to college means rearranging your life.  Financial needs, time demands, study schedules and course work vary greatly from high school.  College courses require more study time outside of the classroom.  Expectations of student performance are greater, and competition may be more intense.  These expectations can be met with good advance planning.  Apply for financial aid early.  Consider the number of hours it will be necessary for you to work.  Make reliable transportation arrangements.  Family and personal responsibilities and time commitments must also be considered. Set realistic goals 
and priorities for course work. 

ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH SUPPORT SERVICES 

YOU are responsible for requesting support services. YOU need to contact the professionals 
responsible for assisting students with disabilities. By law we cannot contact you about your needs. Make contact each semester, as early as possible, to discuss what your needs will be. Submit current documentation about your disability before school starts, or as soon as possible. Understand that services provided in college may differ from those you received in high school. 

SPEAK TO YOUR PROFESSORS 

At the start of every semester contact each of your instructors to arrange for course assistance and accommodations.  Your disability must qualify you for the accommodations requested. We can help you arrange these accommodations and may have some additional ideas that can assist you in becoming a more successful student. You must make arrangements in advance (as soon as the exam is announced, not the day of the exam) for accommodations such as extra time.  Remember that extra time may only help if you do the necessary preparation and attend classes regularly.  

MAKE CONTACT OFTEN 

Make contact with us regularly to discuss your progress and to identify your needs in each class. If you are having trouble, see the professionals who help students with disabilities.  Keeping in contact with these offices will help you succeed. 

Professor Marcia Kalkut 
Counselor/Coordinator for  
Students with Disabilities 
Office: CLA 4    Phone: (914) 606-6552 


Professor Sharon Massey 
Learning Disabilities Specialist 
Office: LIBRARY, Ground Floor, G47 
Phone: (914) 606-6626    


Professor Barbara Begnal Scovotti 
Coordinator of Accommodations for 
Students with Disabilities 
Office: LIBRARY, Ground Floor, G51 
Phone: (914) 606-8585 or 606-6287   Fax: (914) 606-7893 

Thursday, January 21, 2010

CALL FOR POETRY, SHORT STORIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ART for the 2010 Edition of WCC's Creative Arts Journal, "Ink"

January 2010
Please announce to students:

CALL for POETRY, SHORT STORIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, and ART!
All Westchester Community College STUDENTS and FACULTY members are invited to submit creative writing or art for the 2010 edition of the College’s creative arts journal, Ink.  Digital file submissions should be sent to me at
christine.timm@sunywcc.edu 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 24th



Contributors may submit:
up to 5 poems of any length,
up to 3 short stories of 10 pages or less,
and/or up to 5 digital images of artwork.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Submissions should be made by email. 
  • In the subject heading, put INK. in caps followed by a dash and then your last name in caps, like so: INK - SMITH. 
  • Copy and paste poetry or short stories into the email textbox AND attach the files for these same submissions to the email. 
  • The attached text file should be a Microsoft Word document unless the work calls for a specific non-standard typography or layout, in which case send a PDF file. 
  • Any attached document titles should include the last name of the author in caps and text title, like so: SMITH - a dark and stormy night.
  • Any contributor who wants to submit writing and art can do so in two separate emails. 
Confirmation emails will be sent for each email submission received.  If a contributor does not receive a confirmation email within a week, s/he should contact Professor Christine Timm at 914-606-7925.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 24th

Any questions?  Contact Christine Timm: 
mailto:christine.timm@sunywcc.edu
Office: AAB 530
Telephone: 914-606-7925




Wednesday, January 20, 2010

WEEK ONE

 
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2010


You have four assignments to complete before our next class on January 27th.  It will probably take between 30-60 minutes to complete each assignment.  Each assignment requires that you write a response paper. For guidelines for response papers, you can check your syllabus, or go to this link for an online copy of the syllabus:
http://english101wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/01/syllabus-first-response-papers.html
and/or go to this link to download the power point used in class on January 20th:
http://www.slideshare.net/Roberts1156/english-101-spring-2010-week-1
If you have any questions about the homework, you can e-mail Professor Roberts at english101wcc@gmail.com.
Enjoy your assignments!


Assignment One:
Read the New York Times article "Birmingham Bomb Kills 4 Negro Girls in Church; Riots Flare; 2 Boys Slain" (Birmingham, Alabama; September 15, 1963) (pages 15-17)
Look at the article as it appeared on the front page of the "New York Times" on Monday, September 16, 1963: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0915.html
Prepare a first response to the newspaper article
First Response: Birmingham Bomb Kills 4 Negro Girls


Assignment Two:
Read the poem "Ballad of Birmingham," by Dudley Randall (pages 17-18)
Prepare a first response to the poem
First Response: Ballad of Birmingham


Assignment Three:
Read the lyrics to the song "Birmingham Sunday," and watch the video of the song performed by Joan Baez:
Lyrics: http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/j/joanbaez2038/birminghamsunday96500.html
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shgSLKb-onA
Write a first response to the lyrics/song
First Response: Birmingham Sunday


Assignment Four:
Read "Oral History: Claude Sitton" Interview: http://civilrightsandthepress.syr.edu/pdfs/Claude%20Sitton.pdf
Write a first response to the interview
First Response: Claude Sitton Interview

Welcome to Comp & Lit I!


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: ONLINE POSTING
DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010,
BY 10:00 PM EST


Welcome to Composition and Literature I! Introduce yourself to your classmates.  Please tell us the following:
  • First name (last name optional)
  • Place of birth
  • Number of semesters at WCC
  • Degree focus
  • Where you see yourself in five years
  • Special interest(s) / talent(s) / hobby(ies)
  • Something interesting about you (that you are comfortable sharing and posting on the Internet)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

SYLLABUS: GRADING


grading                                                                                                                                              
  • Attendance / Participation  (in class and online)  200
  • First Response Papers                                             200
  • Essays (3 @ 100 points each)                                 300
  • Research Paper                                                         200
  • Final exam                                                                 100
                                                TOTAL POINTS:                    1000

A =      90-100%        (900-1000 points)
B =      80-89%          (800-899 points)
C =       70-79%          (700-799 points)
D =      60-69%          (600-699 points)
F =       59% or less    (599 points or less)

SYLLABUS: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY / CONSEQUENCES OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

academic integrity                
This class will be conducted in accordance with WCC’s Student Code of Conduct and basic standards of academic honesty.  Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  WCC’s Academic Standards and Important Policies and Procedures are available online at: http://www.sunywcc.edu/dep/english/plag/honesty.htm  
consequences of academic dishonesty               
If a student is found guilty of academic dishonesty, the professor has the right to either:
  • fail the student for the assignment/quiz/test
  • fail the student for the course
  • file a letter of complaint, describing the infraction, with the Associate Dean of Student Development and Support Services
  • OR any combination of the above.
A second reported infraction may result in suspension.
A third reported infraction may result in expulsion at the discretion of the Vice President and Dean, Student Development and Support Services.
At minimum, this professor will:
  • assign a score of zero (0) for the assignment/quiz/test
  • file a letter of complaint, describing the infraction, with the Associate Dean of Student Development and Support Services

SYLLABUS: PARTICIPATION / ATTITUDE


            participation
  • Active participation in whole class, group and partner discussions/activities. 
  • Respond to peers’ writings, ideas and comments in a thoughtful, meaningful, courteous, respectful manner.

            attitude
  • Take personal responsibility for learning, both individually and collectively.
  • Take personal responsibility for understanding and following the guidelines set out in the class syllabus.
  • At all times, treat classmates with courtesy and respect.
  • At all times, treat the professor with courtesy and respect.

SYLLABUS: MEETING WITH PROFESSOR


Meetings with the professor must be arranged with 24-hour notice.  It should not be assumed that finding the professor in the classroom early is an opportunity for a meeting; it should also not be assumed that the professor is available after class for a meeting.  This is not to say that the professor will not make herself available before and after class; however, it is to say that students should not assume that she is available and should be prepared to schedule an appointment if the professor is not (available).

SYLLABUS: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES


Westchester Community College provides services for students with documented learning disabilities; psychiatric disabilities; physical disabilities; visual, hearing, and other health impairments.  To learn more about available support services, visit:

SYLLABUS: ELECTRONIC DEVICES


Students may not use laptop computers, cell phones, iPhones, PDAs, or iPODs in the classroom.  All electronic devices must be turned off and put away in the student’s pocketbook or backpack.  If there is a need to check for and/or receive a call (New York Alert or parent with sick child and similar needs), the student must inform the instructor in advance that the student may need to excuse him/herself to take an important call. Students must not answer calls, engage in text messaging or “surf” the Internet while in the classroom. Any student who does not comply with the foregoing will be warned on the first offence and may be asked to leave the class session.  Any subsequent disturbance will be dealt with more severely, in accordance with WCC’s Academic Standards and Important Policies and Procedures, including, but not limited to, a letter of complaint, describing the infraction, with the Associate Dean of Student Development and Support Services.

SYLLABUS: CLASS PORTFOLIO


Students will submit a class portfolio at the final exam.  The class portfolio will include:
  • cover sheet with student’s first and last name, professor’s name (Professor Melinda Roberts), class name (Composition & Literature I), and title (Class Portfolio: Spring 2010)
  • index
  • letter of introduction
  • all accepted Response Papers
  • all edited, revised and graded Essays
  • accepted Research Paper Thesis/Criticism(s), Outline/Sources, edited First Draft
  • end-of-semester reflection and self-analysis

SYLLABUS: RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES


  • Students will choose their own research paper topic.  Details will be discussed mid-way through the semester.
  • Research papers must be typed (Cambria 12), double-spaced, no less than six (6) pages in length, no more than ten (10) pages in length, and with no less than three (5) primary sources. 
  • Research papers must include a cover sheet with the student’s name, assignment due date, instructor’s name, and course title (all single spaced and centered), then skip two lines and the essay title in the center of the page. 
  • Direct quotes from the literature and any primary or secondary source(s), in total, should not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total paper.
  • Papers that do not meet the guidelines for submission will be returned to the student score of zero (0) points. 
  • Research paper due dates are:
    • Wednesday, March 31, 2010: Class discussion of literary research paper.
    • Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Author’s name/literary titles due (incomplete, late or no submission will result in a penalty of 20 points).
    • Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Thesis/outline/primary sources due (incomplete, late or no submission will result in a penalty of 20 points).
    • Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 8:00 AM: First draft due (incomplete, late or no submission will result in a penalty of 100 points).
    • Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Research paper due (incomplete, late or no submission will result in a penalty of 200 points).
    • Final Exam (week of May 10, 2010): Research paper oral presentation.
  • Research paper guidelines are also posted on the class blog /website.

SYLLABUS: ESSAY GUIDELINES


  • Essay topics will be assigned one day before they are due. 
  • Essays must be typed (Cambria 12), double-spaced, no less than three (3) pages in length, no more than five (5) pages in length, and with no less than three (3) primary sources. 
  • Essays must include the student’s first and last name, assignment due date, instructor’s name in the top, and course title in left-hand corner of the page (all single spaced), then skip two lines and the essay title centered, all caps, and bolded. 
  • A minimum of five (5) direct quotes from the literature must be included in the essay.  Direct quotes from the literature and any primary or secondary source(s), in total, should not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total paper.
  • Essay pages shall be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner.
  • Essays are due at the start of class (i.e., at 8:00 AM) on the date due. 
  • Each student will have the option to revise and resubmit one (1) essay in the hopes of receiving a higher score.  Revised essays are due the last day of class (i.e., Thursday, January 21, 2010).  The revised essay must be submitted with the original essay showing the professor’s comments and grade; revised essays will not be accepted without the original essay.
  • Essay guidelines are also posted on the class blog /website.
  • Essay due dates are as follows:
    • February 3, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Evaluative Essay: “Birmingham Bombing”
    • February 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Essay #1: “A Death in the Family”
    • March 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Essay #2: “Archetype and Analysis of the Short Story”
    • April 21, 2010, at 8:00 AM: Essay #3: “Tennessee Williams”
  • Late, incomplete, or unstapled papers will not be accepted and the student will be given a score of zero (0) points. 
  • Malfunctioning software, computers, and/or printers (whether at the student’s home or on campus or at any other location), or an inability to use computer software with the proficiency necessary and/or sufficiently to prepare a paper that meets the guidelines, is NOT an acceptable reason for missing deadlines.

SYLLABUS: FIRST RESPONSE PAPERS


  • First response papers will be assigned at the end of each class session.
  • First response papers must be typed (Cambria 12), double-spaced and no less than one (1) page and no more than two (2) pages in length.
  • First response papers must include the student’s first and last name, assignment due date, the professor’s name, and the name of the class in the top, left-hand corner of the page (all single spaced), then skip two lines and the title centered, all caps, and bolded. 
  • First response paper assignments will also be posted on the class blog / website.
  • First response papers exceeding one page shall be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner.
  • First response papers are not a summary of the reading, but are a reflection on what was read and a documentation of thoughts, feelings, questions, comments.
  • First response papers should have a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) direct quotes from the literature.  Direct quotes from the literature should not exceed 20% of the length of the entire first response paper.
  • First response papers are due at the start of class (i.e., at 8:00 AM) on the date due. 
  • Late, incomplete, or unstapled papers will not be accepted and the student will be given a score of zero (0) points. 
  • Malfunctioning software, computers, and/or printers (whether at the student’s home or on campus or at any other location), or an inability to use computer software with the proficiency necessary and/or sufficiently to prepare a paper that meets the guidelines, is NOT an acceptable reason for missing deadlines.

SYLLABUS: PREPARATION


  • Come to class prepared – bring your textbook, any supplemental text(s), notebook, pen, pencil, and completed assignment(s).
  • Arrive in class with assigned reading(s) completed and be prepared to share and discuss topics, ideas and opinions. 
  • Students are responsible for all homework and in-class assignments even when absent the preceding class.  It is strongly suggested that each student get the phone numbers and e-mails at least three classmates who can fill him/her in on any missed class(es).
  • It is not the professor’s responsibility to catch students up/fill students in on any missed class(es).

SYLLABUS: ATTENDANCE



  • This class meets once a week, on Wednesday, from 8:00 to 10:55 AM, and includes a 15-minute break from 9:30 to 9:45 AM.
  • Be in class on time.  Class begins promptly at 8:00 AM.
    • Students who arrive late will be counted as tardy.  Each tardy will count as a half absence (1.5 hours).
  • There is a 15-minute break, from 9:30 to 9:45 AM.
    • Students who arrive late from break will be counted as tardy.  Each tardy will count as a half absence (1.5 hours).
  • Class ends at 10:55 AM.
    • Students who leave class early, before it ends at 10:55 AM, will be assessed a half absence (1.5 hours)
  • Students are allowed the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of absences, i.e., two classes, for a total of six (6) hours.  This policy assumes medical necessity as the cause of any absence. 
  • If any student misses more than six (6) hours of class, he/she will be asked to withdraw or take a serious grade penalty for the course (a reduction of 75 points for each 1.5 hours missed).  Only prolonged infirmity or an approved university-required function would be reason for altering this policy. 
  • Excessive absences/tardies will affect a student’s grade.