ENGLISH 5:

ADVANCED COMPOSITION AND CRITICAL THINKING

Reading and writing are related to power. This class will work to discover the ways we can use this power for the liberation of all identities to reach equity, democracy, unity, and love. So, please be ready to engage, reflect, and constantly revise since reading and writing are never-ending processes. We can always be better!

Megan Panovich, your PALS (our own Peer Assisted Learning Specialist!!!), and I hope to meet you during our:

• Optional Zoom Meetings on Tuesdays 12:00-2:00 (exclusive to your class!!!) - I will get you started with the readings and the assignments. Please go to the TechConnect Zoom link on the left navigation bar and join the meeting at the designated date and time.
• Office Hours with Dr. Oz on Wednesdays 9:00-11:00 & by appointment. Zoom ID: https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/7923889269
• Zoom Student Hours with Megan on Fridays 9:00-11:00.

But we welcome you to contact us outside of the Zoom meetings and student hours. You may email me or Megan, or call/text me on my cell.

INSTRUCTOR INFO:

Instructor: Purnur Ozbirinci, Ph.D., aka Dr. Oz 

Email: pozbirinci@santarosa.edu. However, I prefer that you use the CANVAS INBOX to send an email to me since it automatically sends me a message through my SRJC email, and it will not get lost in my Outlook.

Cell Phone: (415) 870-6266 --- please don't call after 8:00 pm or before 8:00 am. I promise, whatever it is, we can work it out together. If I don't pick up, please leave a message or text me, I will get back to you as soon as I can, most likely within 24 hours.

PALS: Megan Panovich, email through CANVAS Inbox.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Burrell, Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority. SmileyBooks, 2010.
• Atwood, Margaret. Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor Books, 1998.
• All the other articles and handouts will be provided for you through Canvas online companion which you can access through your SRJC Portal or through https://canvas.santarosa.edu/login/canvas
• A good online dictionary - www.merriam-webster.com.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, we will dissect cultural myths that govern our individual and collective actions. This course is a critical reasoning and advanced composition course designed to develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 1A. The course will focus on development of logical reasoning and analytical and argumentative writing skills.  Prerequisites: Completion of ENGL 1A or higher (V8).

Moreover, please understand that I am committed to acknowledging, confronting, and actively striving to eradicate all forms of racism, sexism, and ethnic oppression. Therefore, this course operates from the belief that racism and sexism are real, are present, and are something that many people of color and women face daily. Part of my objective for this course, therefore, is to create brave spaces that enable all my students to engage openly, safely, equally, equitably, and honorably with their education. In taking this course, you are expected to do your best to embrace these values; and, while I expect that we will all make mistakes along the way, I also expect that we will work together to engage with all of our classmates and with the material through thoughtful respect of everyone and their individual truths.

Some of the specific skills I hope you will obtain in this course are listed below. Being a critical consumer of information about mental processes and behavior is important; all of these activities will help you become one, and it is my hope that you will use the skills in your daily life.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Describe principles of critical thinking.
2. Apply principles of critical thinking to texts, media, and everyday experience.
3. Write critical analysis and response papers.

GRADING

Each unit is designed to achieve certain Student Learning Outcomes and you will be assessed on these outcomes at the end of each unit. However, since the class depends on the continuous development of these skills, you will be able to revise some of your work for the End of Semester Portfolio Project. Please keep that in mind:

• Unit 1 will focus on critical thinking, rhetorical appeals, and evaluating arguments. In this unit you will learn the basics of critical thinking and persuasive writing.
• Unit 2 will focus on the basics of rhetorical analysis.
• Unit 3 will focus on evaluating the reliability of evidence and causal inferences.
• Unit 4 will explore propaganda techniques and how to apply principles of critical thinking to texts, media, and everyday experience. We will dig deep into the glamorous world of advertising and see the dark messages that lurk in its depths.
• Unit 5 will allow you to practice evaluating verbal and visual rhetoric in media in order to detect the messages perpetuated through this propaganda.
• Unit 6 will help you apply principles of critical reasoning in your analysis of a novel, draw inferences from a variety of sources (academic journals, print, media, Internet and electronic databases) to support your claims about the novel, and detect propaganda and other manipulations of rhetoric charged language and evaluate them through your writing.

Within each unit, you will have multiple activities such as:

• detailed text analysis,
• various assignments related to the comprehension of texts,
• discussions,
• group work,
• instruction and quizzes on the readings, research, or grammar and mechanics,
• longer writing assignments.

Early/Late assignments:

You may turn assignments in early; however, you will be graded after the due date.

Assignments are due by class time on the day listed on the assignment. Because I know that life happens, I will accept two late assignments and all late quizzes up to a week. This does not include discussions and assignments required for participation in class on any given day (for instance, drafts for workshops or presentations). To avoid penalty, students who need additional time for assignments must contact me by Canvas email before the assignment is due. I willingly work (by granting extensions) to help students who behave professionally. 

I also accept some late discussions, but you will lose points depending on the assignment. Make sure to submit the discussions and the responses to your peers on time since you learn the best from each other. If you are unable to turn in a discussion on time, please let me know that you are working on the assignment and whether you need any support. In addition to losing points for discussions, I cannot guarantee timely feedback on late assignments, but I will try to grade ASAP.

If you receive a really low grade from a weighty assignment like an essay, you will be asked to meet with me and/or our PAL, Megan, in order to discuss the ways for you to revise the assignment.

We will work together to make sure our essays are original, analytically astute, thoroughly developed, supported and documented, coherent, and aware of audience. Quizzes and additional material on writing and grammar as well as peer editing of drafts will help students prepare final copies of essays in proper form and format. To avoid academic sanctions, please familiarize yourself with the SRJC procedures on dealing with academic dishonesty: BoardDocs® Policy_ 3.11 Academic Intergrity.pdf

Guidelines for the assignments:

Each assignment will have its own instructions, prompt, and rubric; however, you can view the general guidelines for assignments under the Canvas page titled “Quiz-Frequently Asked Questions:”

• Discussion Guidelines & Rubric
• Analytical Essay Outline Guidelines
• Annotated Bibliography Guidelines
• General Writing Guidelines, Essay Rubric, and CRAAP Analysis

Grades:

Click the “Grades” link on the left Canvas Navigation bar to keep track of your grades and to review the assignment rubrics and the feedback I provide through Canvas. I believe that everything can be improved. Therefore, the rubrics and the feedback will be targeted towards improvement. If I do not see improvement in your writing, I will assume you have ignored my individual feedback!

A - Excellent 90-100%

B - Good 80-89%

C - Satisfactory 70-79%

D - Less than satisfactory 60-69%

F – Failing 0-59%

 

CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES

Date Class Begins:	1/20/2021		Date Class Ends:	5/21/2021
Last Day Add w/o add code:	1/26/2021		Last Day Drop w/o W & Last Day Add with add code:	2/7/2021
Last Day Drop for Refund:	1/31/2021		Last Day Drop with W:	4/25/2021
FIRST CENSUS DATE:	2/8/2021		DATE FINAL EXAM:	5/16/2021

Attendance:

Zoom Class Meetings - Tuesdays 12:00-2:00: I highly recommend that you attend every Zoom Meeting on Tuesdays, but extenuating circumstances might arise that can make this difficult. If you cannot attend the meetings, please let me know. In these meetings, we will go over the class material to get you prepared for the upcoming assignments and to complete each unit successfully. These meetings will keep you on track in a community of learners just like you. Please go to the TechConnect Zoom link on the left navigation bar and join the meeting at the designated date and time.

Office Hours with Dr. Oz - Wednesdays 9:00-11:00 & by appointment: These hours will function as office hours and will be open to everyone. However, I will make sure to provide one-on-one support during these hours; therefore, I highly recommend making prior arrangements if you wish to work with me one-on-one. This is the link I will use for my office hours: https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/7923889269

Office Hours with Megan - Fridays 9:00-11:00 & by appointment: Please go to the TechConnect Zoom link on the left navigation bar and join the meeting at the designated date and time. These hours will function as office hours and will be open to everyone. However, Megan will make sure to provide one-on-one support during these hours; therefore, I highly recommend making prior arrangements if you wish to work with Megan one-on-one.

Zoom Etiquette

• For each class session, you should do your best to have open simultaneously Zoom and Canvas (split screen on your computer or using multiple devices). We will use both online platforms during our class sessions.
• Try to log online to our class meeting from a quiet, distraction-free environment. We have little time together; let’s try to maximize it!
• Keep your Audio on mute until you want to speak. We must work together to limit background noise.
• Enable Video so that we can see you. You might need to disable video if you need to minimize the activity on your internet connection. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your image on Video, please turn it off to give yourself a break. If there is too much activity around you, please turn off the Video so as not to disturb others.
• On the bottom of the Zoom window, click on “Participants” and “Chat.” Two pop-up windows will open on the right side of your screen.  
  
  • When you want to speak, use the “Raise Hand” feature (on the bottom left of the Participants window). Be sure to unmute yourself to talk.
  • Use the Chatbox to make a point or ask a question. Remember that Chat is public, and maybe recorded, and archived.
• Have a plan for taking notes (paper and pencil, digital notepad, Word/Pages doc). We may post recordings of our Zoom class sessions on Canvas, but you should also try to capture your thoughts and questions in the moment.
• I will try to record important Zoom class sessions and may post excerpts on Canvas in the event that one of you is not able to be present.  
• Clothing is NOT optional. 

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one assignment in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class. Students who fail to log on and initiate participation by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the first day of the class will be dropped by the instructor. If you miss completing three assignments in a row and fail to contact the instructor, you might be dropped by the instructor. To give yourself a chance to do well, you need to be on Canvas regularly. Please let me know if you have extensive medical or personal issues that necessitate continued and/or frequent missing of assignments.

Withdrawals must be completed according to college policy (see catalog) or risk a grade of F. You may not count on being dropped by me; if you plan on dropping the class, you’ll need to do so officially.

Participation: 

All of us in the class, you and me, have a responsibility to create an environment in which we can all learn from each other. I expect everyone to participate in class hopefully through the Zoom meetings, discussions, projects, and various workshops so that we can all benefit from the insights and experiences that each person brings. Your commitment, preparation, and engagement help us to think and learn together. If you miss an assignment or prepare inadequately, you deprive yourself of the learning and growth that results from hard work and collaborative engagement. You also deprive your colleagues of your insights and experiences.

Disability Resources Department (DRD):

DRD services include specialized academic advising focusing on individual abilities and limitations, disability management, and access technology. Qualified students may be authorized to receive academic accommodations including extra time for exams, mobility assistants, sign language interpreters, and note-takers. If you need disability-related accommodations for this class, such as a note-taker, test-taking services, special formatting, etc., please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD). You may also speak with me privately during student hours about your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly. Go to: https://drd.santarosa.edu.

In addition, you will want to talk to me early in the semester if you believe you may benefit from the assistance of a tutor (should one be available). Also, if you have any social, cultural, economic, or other issues that you think I should be aware of, please don’t hesitate to speak with me. Finally, make sure to look through SRJC student services: https://onlinestudentservices.santarosa.edu/academic-tutoring.

Veterans, active-duty military personnel with special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill requirements, disabilities) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor.

For all other SRJC resources, please see this pdf: Resource List.pdf                       

Student Conduct:

The power of expectation can make or break an individual. Research shows that you must have these expectations and beliefs to succeed:

• "I belong in this academic community."
• "My ability and competence grow with my effort."
• "I can succeed at this."
• "This work has value for me!"

Please let me know if I am not fostering these expectations and beliefs in this class.

Santa Rosa Junior College holds that its primary function is the development of intellectual curiosity, integrity, and accomplishment in an atmosphere that upholds the principles of academic freedom. All members of the academic community - student, faculty, staff, and administrator - must assume responsibility for providing an environment of the highest standards, characterized by a spirit of academic honesty and mutual respect. Because personal accountability is inherent in an academic community of integrity, this institution will not tolerate or ignore any form of academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty is regarded as an act of deception, benign or malicious in nature, in the completion of any academic exercise. Examples of academic dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, misrepresentation of idea or fact for the purpose of defrauding, use of unauthorized aids or devices, violation of testing protocol, inappropriate course assignment collaboration, and any other acts that are prohibited by the instructor of record. Please read the college policy/procedure on academic integrity at: https://rightsresponsibilities.santarosa.edu/academic-integrity

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it means stealing the writings or ideas of another person. Therefore, YOU MAY NOT:

• copy another person’s work, whole or in part, published or not;
• cut and paste from an internet source;
• copy and then change some words or the order of words;
• copy an idea and claim it as your own;
• get another person to do the work for you and hand it in as your own;
• fail to give credit to sources of information;
• and the like.

Do not try to submit someone else’s work (or the Internet’s) work as your own. Nor should you consider “loaning” someone else your work. All essays will have a great deal of preparation: brainstorming, freewriting, rough drafts, peer editing, etc. All sources for your papers must be carefully documented, and appropriate references using quotation marks and citations must follow MLA guidelines. If you are having trouble, you can get me to help you. If you are stuck or feel that you don’t understand something, please come talk to me and I’ll be more than happy to help you. Please do not resort to plagiarism.

We will conduct ourselves in a manner which reflects our awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. As a student here, you are required to abide by SRJC’s Student Conduct. Please see https://student-conduct.santarosa.edu/. Failure to do so will result in suspension and/or dismissal from the class.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum:

I will post announcements on the Announcements page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences. So, please make sure to check your notification preferences and subscribe to the discussion boards and be able to review my comments on the margins of your essays through the Grades tool. A “Cyberlounge” is also available as a pinned Discussion to ask for the assistance of your classmates or of the instructor.

ASSIGNMENTS

All writing must be appropriately labeled with your name, our class name and section number, date and the title of the assignment. After finishing your first draft of an essay, make sure to edit your work. Use the checklists provided on Canvas as well as the rubric for the assignment. Make sure your essays are double spaced, 12 font Times New Roman. For major assignments, you must submit your final work to the Turnitin link which you will find under the essay prompts.

Late submissions are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late discussion submissions will receive a penalty for each day it is not submitted. Occasionally, for a variety of legitimate reasons, you may need more time to complete an essay. If this happens to you, you must inform me ahead of time and be ready to present all the drafts, outlines, etc., you have so far completed for the assignment. 

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS

• 1st Essay—Rhetorical Analysis
• Quiz - Comprehension of Influential Texts
• 2nd Essay – Are We Brainwashed?
• 3rd Essay – Literary Analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale
• Discussion for The New Jim Crows 
• Discussion on Advertising at the Edge of the Apocalypse by Sut Jhally
• Questions on Ava DuVernay’s 13th
• Group Presentations on the Brainwashed
• Annotated Bibliography for The Handmaid’s Tale

List of assignments

Note to students: the assignments listed below do not include all course content. To view all course content, go to Modules.