English+1C

English 1C
Woodland Community College

Instructor: Melissa Gunby Class: ENGL 1C Office: 846 TR1:00-2:15 pm Phone: 530-508-6501 Office Hours: by appointment E-mail: msgunby@gmail.com Website: mgunby.wikispaces.com

English 1C – Critical Thinking/Advanced Composition **“The Zombie Class” **


 * Course Description: **

This course covers principles of critical thinking, reading, and writing beyond freshman composition. We will discuss principles of, and the development of, logical and analytical reasoning, argumentative writing, and on the principles of rhetoric (invention, arrangement, style, memory, delivery, modes of discourse, audience).

This course will specifically focus on analysis of the rise in popularity of the zombie narrative in popular culture through reading one academic text, several fictional narratives, and examining some recent film/television productions. Writing topics will relate in broad scope to the specific topics covered in discussion of the course readings as well as current events/American life.


 * Required Texts and Materials: **

Boluk, Stephanie and Wylie Lenz. //Generation Zombie: Essays on the Living Dead in Modern Culture.// Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. 2011. Print.  ISBN: 978-0786461400 **This text has been ordered by the bookstore.**

Bourne, J.L. //Day by Day Armageddon.// New York: Pocket Books.2009. Print.  ISBN: 978-1-4391-7667-2

Brooks, Max. //World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.// New York: Crown Publishers. 2006. Print. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> ISBN: 978-0-307-35193-7

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Lunsford, Andrea A. and John J. Ruszkiewicz. //Everything’s an Argument//. 5th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins. 2009. Print. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> ISBN: 978-0312538620 **This text has been ordered by the bookstore.**

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Kirkman, Robert, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn. //The Walking Dead: Book 1//. Berkeley: Image Comics. 2010. Print. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> ISBN: <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 11pt;">978-1582406190 **<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">This text is a collection of issues 1-12 of the graphic novel. You need to have all 12 issues; I don’t have a preference to whether you buy the single volume or get individual issues. **

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Other readings will be provided as electronic copies or on handouts.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">I have several of these texts in electronic copy (Kindle). You may use whatever media you prefer instead of traditional paperback, like Kindle, Nook, other e-reader, or iPad, so long as you have a full copy of the text.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">We will also be screening the following films/television: //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Dawn of the Dead //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">(2004) (101 minutes) //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Shaun of the Dead //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">(2004) (99 minutes) //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Walking Dead //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">(AMC: 2010) (varies)

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Collegiate dictionary and thesaurus <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Floppy disk, flash drive, or some other external source to save your documents <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">A handbook of your choice (//Pocket Style Manual// or //Writer’s Reference//, etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Recommended texts/materials **<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">:


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Student Learning Outcomes: **
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Critical Thinking: Students will be able to compose logic-based arguments that include analysis, synthesis and evaluation of evidence.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Assessment: An essay assigned toward the end of the semester.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Communication: Students will be able to write an essay that develops and supports a clear thesis statement.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Assessment: An essay assigned toward the end of the semester.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">This is an advanced composition class, and as such, writing will be a central component. We will be writing 4 essays, 3-5 pages in length. There will be other homework, primarily reading and preparing for classroom discussion.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Course Overview: **

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">You will be required to write an original paper for each assignment.


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Grading: **

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Participation: Active class participation in discussions and activities: 5% <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Workshops (being present, with drafts, active participation in process): 10% <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework: Reading responses, etc.: 5% <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">4 Essays: 20% each (80%)


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Classroom Policies: **

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Respect __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">: The main policy is to respect each other. All the writing in this class will be shared with your peers. You are welcome to your opinion, as are your classmates, and while we may disagree, it is important to separate your argument over ideas from the individual you disagree with. Attack the argument, not the person.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Food __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">: Please do not bring food into the classroom.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Cell Phones, etc __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">.: Respect your peers and yourself by turning off all pagers, cell phones, wireless devices, iPods, etc. when entering the classroom. Devices used in class will be confiscated until the end of the class period.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Absent/Late Policy __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">: Attendance is mandatory. I grade on participation – if you are not present, you cannot participate. You get three absences, no questions asked. After your third absence, you face the possibility of being dropped from the class, or receiving a failing grade.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">I will take attendance at the beginning of each class session. If you arrive late, please see me after class so I can mark you as being in class. Please make your best effort to arrive on time. If you must enter late, please come in as quietly as possible. Three tardies are equivalent to one absence.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Participation: __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">I understand that some people are reluctant to participate in class discussions. The participation element of this course includes class discussion, but also in class writing and turning in homework. Participation also means being awake and attentive during class.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> The workshop accounts for a different portion of the grade for this class. Please be prepared with drafts on your workshop days. If you do not bring a draft on a workshop day, you will be asked to leave and marked absent. If you are absent on a workshop day, your final grade will be lowered accordingly.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Part of your class participation grade is being prepared to discuss the reading in class. This includes bringing all texts to class, every day. If you do not have your texts for more than two class sessions, your grade will be lowered.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Academic Honesty __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">: Plagiarism is the use of distinctive ideas or works belonging to another person without providing adequate acknowledgement of that person's contribution. Plagiarism is a serious offense. Please see Section 7 of the Yuba Community College District Code of Conduct ([|http://www.yccd.edu/conduct.html#7]) Essays containing plagiarism will result in lowered grades and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Other incidents of cheating or other issues regarding academic honesty will also be reported to the appropriate authorities.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Late Papers: __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. A paper turned in late will lose 10% (1 letter grade)for each day over-due. If you are going to miss class, I expect you to make arrangements to see that your paper is turned in by a classmate, or left in my box before class starts.


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">I do not accept late assignments via email. Late work must be handed in or turned into my box. **


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Technology failures are not an excuse for a late or missing paper **<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">. Back up your files to a floppy or flash drive, or keep alternate copies on your hard drive.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">We will be writing four major essays for this class.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Four Major Assignments **<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">:

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Essay 1 (3-5 pages) - Memoir/Autobiography/Literacy Narrative (Reading: //Day by Day: Armageddon)//

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Essay 2 (3-5 pages) - Fear of others: race, racism, and discrimination in the wake of 9/11 (Reading: //The Walking Dead: Book 1// with screenings of the television series//)//

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Essay 3 (3-5 pages) - Reflection of Advertising on Modern Culture, Society, and Culture (and its anxieties) (Reading: //World War Z//)

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Essay 4 (6-8 pages) - Final Project: Critical Essay that not only explains why zombies are a popular reflection of modern American culture, but why they also play an important role in explaining American culture.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Essay Guidelines __

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">We will be following MLA format in this class. Each essay should be submitted in Times New Roman<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">, <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Arial <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">, or Courier New <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> 12 pt. font, double spaced, with 1 inch margins all around. Name, class, and date go in the upper left hand corner. Each page after the 1st should be numbered in the upper right hand corner with your name (see pages 148-154 in the Pocket Style Manual). Each essay should have a title.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">The first draft of each paper will be work-shopped with your peer response group. Please bring 3 copies of your first draft on workshop days.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework will be evaluated on the number of assignments completed and the quality of assignments, and will be due the class period they are assigned (see schedule). Where possible, homework should be typed, however, handwritten homework is acceptable.
 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework and In-class writing: **

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework assignments may not be announced in class each day. It is your responsibility to refer to the class schedule and syllabus for the assignments and due dates. The day the assignment is listed is the day the assignment is due.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Percent of total grade: 5%

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Abbreviations for readings: <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">HO = handout <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">GZ= Generation Zombie <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">EA = Everything’s an Argument <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">DbD = Day by Day: Armageddon <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">WWZ = World War Z <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">WD = Walking Dead (page numbers will be based on my anthology, since that’s the text I’m using).

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Final Exams: December 5-12


 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Additional Resources: **

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Tutoring Services __ <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">The Tutoring Center is available in room 809. If you are interested in signing up for tutoring, please contact them at 661-5733.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">The Writing Center is available in room 850 and no appointment is necessary.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Services for Students With Disabilities (DSP&S) __ <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">If you are a student with special needs, please contact DSP&S in the 700 building, or call Todd Sasano at 530-661-7266.

__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Your Teacher & Your Classmates __ <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">My office hours are there for you to use. Please don't hesitate to see me. I'm also available by email. You may also want to get the contact information from a few of your peers. They are a great resource to get course information if you miss class, or to put together additional peer review groups.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">I teach this class on two campuses; please make sure you download the correct syllabus for due dates, etc. Assignments are the same, however.




media type="youtube" key="9JyN6Obi7eI" height="349" width="560"







- ppt first day discussion on Day by Day Armageddon





this is the CDC's graphic novel about disaster preparedness, using zombies as a medium. It plays into our discussions on how zombies have become pervasive in American culture.