El Paso Community College

Syllabus
Instructors Course Requirements
Spring 2015
I.

Course Number and Instructor Information

Course: English 1302
Instructor: Mrs. Ashley Swarthout, M.A.
E-mail: amswarth@episd.org
Website: swarthoutenglish.weebly.com
DROPitTOme: dropitto.me/swarthoutenglish Upload passoword: English
Office Hours: Before school at 8:15; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4:00-4:30;
lunch by appointment. (Times subject to change.)
Location: Chapin High School room S182

II.

Text and Materials

All Students are responsible for bringing required texts to each class.
Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 5th Edition, 2012
A Writers Reference, 7th Edition, 2007
Course Syllabus
Chosen young adult novel

* Blue or black ink pens and one different colored pen for editing/revision
*Composition book
*3-Ring binder for research
I.

Course Requirements
A. Grading Scale and Course Grade (EPCC)
Average Grade
90 100
80 89
70 79
60 69
0 - 59

Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F

Literature Assignments

Homework/Classwork/Skill Practice
Critical Analysis Essay
Writing Skills Project and presentation
Literary and Vocabulary Quizzes
Total Literature

10%
20%
10%
10%
50%

Research Assignments
Research Proposal
Annotated Bibliography
Keynote/PowerPoint Presentation
Conference Poster board
Outline/Drafts
Homework/Classwork/ Quizzes
Final Research Essay
Total Research

5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
20%
50%

Total Percentage Points for this class

100%

B. Literature Assignments
This semester covers two specific topics; literature reading and writing is
the first topic. While studying literature you will be expected to write one
critical analysis (midterm, 20%), complete reading comprehension and
vocabulary quizzes (10%). The essay will be 3 pages in length in MLA
format. You may or may not have advance notice regarding quiz dates.
In addition to these assignments you will be required to complete weekly
homework and in-class coursework, and practice specific skills in writing
(10%). The final 10% of this grade will be a writing skills project and
presentation.
Many assignments will require you to practice a skill analyzed in class.
These Skill Practice Activities will become part of a bigger project and
presentation; therefore, DO NOT THROW AWAY OR LOSE THESE
ASSIGNMENTS. It is best if you keep them in your folder in class.
An individual critical literary analysis paper will count for 20% of the
grade (Mid-term). This essay will be primarily drafted in class. The text
analyzed may be the YA novel or any of the literary texts read as part of
this semester.
C. Research Assignments
The second requirement of this course is the completion of a 5 page
research paper (final exam, 20%) which, depending on your topic, will be
in either MLA or APA format. Leading up to the final paper you will
complete other research-based assignments, weekly homework/classwork

assignments, and vocabulary quizzes (5% each). It is imperative that you

complete each assignment when it is due; missing or falling behind can,
and likely will affect your final paper and grade. While working on the
research assignments you will need a place to save your work and
writings; a 3-ring binder must be used for this purpose and may be stored
in class.

D. Classroom Participation and Attendance

Reading homework is a key element to participation and understanding of
lectures. You must always be prepared for class discussions because you
will be called on to participate. If you are not present in class you cannot
participate with class discussions.
E. Grammar
To be a successful writer, mastery of grammar is pertinent. Grammar,
revision, and editing will be taught as part of this course. The focus of
these lessons will vary depending on the needs of the students; grammar
readings, lessons, and exercises will be added into the course calendar as
needed.
F. Reading assignments and homework
You are expected to complete all course readings and assignments by the
due date. To expedite grading most homework assignments will be
checked and/or turned in for grading on the block day, unless otherwise
instructed. Due to the amount of reading it is unlikely that discussion of
every reading will take place during class time. The literature readings are
assigned to expose you to a variety of literature to be used in writing
assignments and essays. You may or may not know ahead of time which
reading(s) will be discussed or included in class, therefore, it is your
responsibility to read all assigned readings before the due date.
III.

Instructors Policies:
A. You are expected to attend all classes and be on time. Keep in mind that missing
class will ultimately affect your final grade because you will miss much important
material. Everyone must follow the Chapin High School and EPCC student code
of conduct. After a student is tardy 3 times, they must complete a detention with
me in order to make-up that time. If the student continues to be tardy after a
detention, school administration will be notified.
Consistent attendance in this course is mandatory. All assignments are due on
time. Make up work will be allowed only at the discretion of the instructor and
only during the time that any particular assignment is in my possession. In other
words, once I grade and return an assignment back to the class, it can no longer be

turned in for a grade. Final drafts will only be accepted one class day late. (See
individual headings above for specifics.)
You will need to check with me to receive any handouts or assignments that you
have missed. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to seek you out to make
sure that you have all missed work. Likewise, it is the responsibility of the student
to know what assignments they missing; frequently checking student or parent
portal will help you to keep up in class.
Having access to the syllabus is required! If you are absent for any reason
refer to the syllabus to keep up with reading assignments. Contact a peer or
the instructor to find out what other work you missing. Additionally, the
syllabus and a weekly calendar will be provided on Weebly. Being absent is
not an excuse to fall behind! Follow the syllabus! Follow the syllabus! Follow
the syllabus!
B. Following EPCC policy, cheating or plagiarism is not permitted. When a
student feels stressed they may be tempted to buy or use an essay that is not
their own. There are online programs that I use that will allow me to determine
the authenticity of the work. If it is determined that you have cheated or
plagiarized you will receive an F for the assignment and further disciplinary
action as determined by EPCC. Additionally, using the aid and knowledge of a
student not in class is considered cheating and will result in failing grade. I will
have zero tolerance for plagiarism and cheating. I can drop you from the course
which may affect your ability to receive financial aid in the future.

C. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions. When a

students non-participation adversely affects the students success in meeting
the course objectives, the instructor may drop the student.
D. Following EPCC policy, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
E. The required textbooks are a mandatory part of the course. You will be expected
to bring text that is currently being used to class everyday unless otherwise
notified. Failure to bring the text may result in a 0% grade for an assignment or
quiz.
F. Occasionally, important course information will need to be communicated. The
method of delivery will be e-mail. It is the students responsibility to make sure

that the e-mail on record is accurate and up to date. Likewise, the student should
check their e-mail frequently.
G. When an essay is due, it MUST BE PRINTED prior to class, unless otherwise
instructed by teacher. No longer will you be allowed to leave class to print in
another location. Any essay not printed and ready to be handed will be considered
late. Any student who chooses to leave class to print will be marked TARDY
and their essay will be late. Having assignments ready to turn in on their due date
is your responsibility and a requirement of the course.
H. Cell phones may be not used for social purposes during class time. If you would
like to use your phone for research/note-taking purposes it is required that you ask
permission first. If you are using your phone incorrectly expect consequences.
I. Tablet and laptop use may be acceptable if they are being used for educational
purposes.
Please note: By continuing to be enrolled in this class, you are indicating that you
understand and agree to the above-stated polices and requirements.

Calendar*
Week
Non-EPCC Week

Dates
1/6

1/7

1/8 or 1/9

Week One

In Class
New vocabulary
words;
Juniors: ACT Essay
Writing
Seniors: Notes and
resources for rsum
writing.
Juniors: ACT Essay
Scoring
Seniors: Resume
Writing

Vocabulary Quiz;
syllabus.
Juniors: SAT Essay
Writing and scoring
Seniors: Resume due

Due/Readings
Get books from
bookroom

Last day to get

books!

1/12

Begin notes on
elements of fiction;
how to read from this
text book. Begin
reading d The Things
they Carried pp. 97107.

Roberts: Chapter
One, pp. 62-82;

1/13

Notes on POV;
significance of the
things carried.

1/14

Notes on story
structure; Practice

Roberts: Finish
reading The Things
they Carried pp. 97107;
Write: page
response in the form
of notes or poetry.
Roberts: Chapter
One pp. 110-118.
Roberts: Chapter 4,
pp 208-212; The

writing- playing with

structure

Week Two

1/15 or 1/16

Vocabulary quiz.
Notes on
characterization;
practice
characterizing
Harrison Bergeron

1/19
1/20

HOLIDAY
Notes on tone and
Style; minimalismskilled writing
practice

1/21

Write your own

minimalistic story
using the iceberg
theory.

Shawl pp. 223-225;

Chapter 5 pp. 238-241
Write: Think of an
object that is
significant to you.
Begin writing a
fictional story
centered on that
object. Write it
starting from the
climax. (1-2 pages).
DUE: YA Novel
update: 1 page
summary response
of novel. Be sure to
include what social
issue(s) is/are
presented in the novel.
Roberts: Chapter 3,
pp156-163; Greasy
Lake pp. 164-170.
Write: Choose a
single character from
Greasy Lake and
create a character
sketch.

Roberts: Chapter 6,
pp. 286-293; Hills
Like White
Elephants, pp. 295299.
Write: What is being
overly said in this
story? What is being
hinted at but not said?
Guess- what is this all
about?

Week three

Week Four

1/22 or 1/23

Vocabulary quiz.
Brief notes on theme.
Notes on symbolism
and allegory. Skilled
writing- identifying
allegories in modern
media.

1/26

Intro to drama/plays

1/27

Continue notes on
drama and comedy.

1/28

Roberts: Mulatto,
pp. 1252-1274;

1/29 or 1/30

Vocabulary quiz.
Collaborative group
exercise studying
Mulatto;
Roberts; pp. 13341346; Information
about your text set.
Notes on reading
poetry.
Discussion of poemsReading a difficult
poem. Death of the
Ball Turret Gunner
p. 592

2/2

Roberts: Chapter 8,
pp.371-376. Roberts:
Chapter 7, pp. 323328; The Parable of
the Prodigal Son, pp.
338-339; A Very Old
Man with Enormous
Wings, pp 340-343.
Write: In just a
couple paragraphs,
write your own,
original parable.
Roberts: pp. 442-473.
Write: Novel update.
You should be about
way through your
novel. Write a brief (1
page) summary and
response to the novel.
Make sure to include
and underline what
social issue(s) is/are
being addressed.
Roberts: Chapter 19,
pp. 886-907; Chapter
20, pp. 952-968;
Chapter 21, pp. 11191127.

Finish reading
Mulatto pp. 12521274.
Write: 1 page
summary/response.

Roberts: Chapter 10,

pp. 476-486.
Write: Answer
questions 1-5 pg. 485;
Roberts: The
Mother, pp. 486-487;
Because I Could Not

2/3

2/4

2/5 or 2/6

Week Five

2/9

Stop for Death, pp.

488-489; Stopping
by the Woods on a
Snowy Evening, p.
490; Two Bodies,
pp. 498-499; and
Rush Hour, pp.
501-502.
Notes on words,
Roberts: Chapter 11,
diction, and syntax.
pp. 514-522;
Activity: analyzing
Jabberwocky pp.
diction and syntax.
524-525; An
Skilled writing
Apology for Using the
practice- imitating
Word Heart in Too
poetry
Many Poems, pp.
525-526; Night
Sounds, p. 531; Of
Being, p. 532;
Eating Poetry, pp.
538-539.
Notes on Imagery;
Imitated Word poem
Looking together at
due
the Imagery of a
Roberts: Chapter 12,
poem; (poem
pp. 548-555; Indian
provided in class).
Boarding School The
Activity: Imitating
Runaways, pp. 559imagery.
560; Spring, p. 564;
The Voice You Hear
When You Read
Silently, pp. 566567; The Fish, pp.
568-569; Every Day
You Play, pp. 569570.
Vocabulary quiz.
Imagery poem due.
Notes on metaphorical Roberts: Chapter 13,
language and figures
pp. 583-591; The
of speech; sharing and Tyger, pp. 592; A
evaluating analysis
Red, Red Rose, p.
homework. Activity:
593; Remember, p.
Imitate an Imagery
598; Conjoined, p.
poem. (Due in class).
604; If You Forget
Me, pp. 605-606;
Looking at Each
Other, p. 608.
Notes on tone;
Roberts: Chapter 14,

evaluating tone in a
poem. Evaluating the
tone of Hot Water
Corn Bread and
Skinhead (provided
in class). In class
(finish for homework)
Imitate a tone poem.

pp. 623-631; I
Wanted to Share My
Fathers World, pp.
635; homage to my
hips, p. 636; she
being Brand/ -new,
pp. 638-639; Bully,
pp. 640-641; I Am a
Black Woman, p.
642; Facing It, p.
645; La Migra, p.
647-648; My Papas
Waltz, p. 654; and
My Physics
Teacher, pp. 658659.

2/10

Notes on poetry
symbolism and
allusion; Skilled
writing activity: take
the object from The
Shawl writing
activity and write
about that object in a
symbolic poem.

2/11

Choosing your best

writing samples to
revise for
project/presentation.
Vocabulary quiz.
Small group
collaboration of
chosen writing
samples.

Tone Poem Due.

Roberts: Chapter 16,
pp. 715-722; No
Coward Soul is
Mine, p. 723;
Hiroshima
Crewman, p. 729;
To His Coy
Mistress, pp. 740741; A Wedding
Sonnet for the Next
Generation, pp. 744745.
Symbolic poem due.

2/12 or 2/13

DUE: YA novel
should be completed.
Write a one page
summary/response
of entire novel. Be
sure to include the
social issue(s) that
is/are included in the
novel. Remember, the
issue will be the topic
for your upcoming
research assignment.

Week Six

2/16
2/17
2/18

2/19 or 2/20

Week Seven

2/23

2/24

HOLIDAY
Project/presentation
work
Final day for
project/presentation
work
NO Vocabulary
quiz. Presentations of
work.
Looking and
analyzing essay
examples.
Review/notes on
critical approaches

2/25

Finish notes on
critical approaches

2/26 or 2/27

Vocabulary quiz.
Analysis of essays
that argue a critical
approach

Complete final draft

of presentation

Roberts: Chapter 23,

1348-1370.
Brainstorm, write a
thesis.
Roberts: Chapter 24,
pp. 1371-1400, only
read the section that
covers the type of
essay you will be
writing. Outline,
include quotes,
drafting
pp. 56-60, drafting

Midpoint
Week Eight

Week Nine

3/2

Drafting

3/3

Revision

3/4
3/5 or 3/6

Revision
Vocabulary quiz.
Drafting
Revision
Drafting and editing
Reflective Writing on
Literary Essay
NO Vocabulary
quiz. Reflection of
work; sharing essays.
How to research/

3/16
3/17
3/18
3/19 or 3/20

Week Ten

3/23

First complete draft

due

Final Draft due by

4:30 on 3/20.

Week Eleven

3/24

using whats
available.
Narrowing your topic

3/25

Early Dismissal

3/26 or 3/27

Vocabulary quiz.
How to write a
research proposal

3/30
3/31
4/1
4/2 or 4/3

Week Twelve

4/6

4/7
4/8
4/9 or 4/10
Week Thirteen

4/13
4/14
4/15
4/16 or 4/17

Week Fourteen

4/20
4/21
4/22
4/23 or 4/24

Week Fifteen

4/27
4/28

Bring in your broad

topic based off the
social issue(s)
identified in your YA
novel.
Writers Reference:
APA
Know your topic and
begin preliminary
research (at least 3
different sources).

Drafting Research
Proposal
Revision
First draft of Proposal
Revision and drafting
Proposal due 4/2 by
4/3 Holiday
4:30.
NO Vocabulary
quiz. Final proposal
due by 4:30 on 4/2
Notes on writing an
annotated
bibliography
Research/ work on bib Research/ work on bib
Research/ work on bib Research/ work on bib
Vocabulary quiz.
Research/ work on bib
Research/ work on bib
Revision
Complete draft due
Revision and drafting
Revision and drafting
Vocabulary quiz.
ANNOTATED BIB
Final annotated bib
DUE BY 4:30. NO
due by 4:30 PM
LATE TURN-INS,
EVEN IF YOU ARE
ABSENT!
Outlining and
organizing your paper
Outline conferencing;
drafting
Outline conferencing; Complete outline due
drafting essay
Vocabulary quiz.
Drafting essay
Drafting essay
Drafting essay

Week Sixteen

4/29
4/30 or 5/1

Revision
Vocabulary quiz.
Revising and drafting
essay; creating an
presentation/keynote

First draft due

5/4

Final research essay

due; printed By 4:30.

Printed final research

and Binder due by
4:30. NO LATE
TURN-INS, EVEN
IF YOU ARE
ABSENT!

5/5

Working on
keynote/PowerPoint
Working on keynote
or PowerPoint
Vocabulary quiz.
Working on keynote
or PowerPoint. Due
by 4:30 PM
Creating conference
board

5/6
5/7 or 5/8

Week Seventeenfinals week

5/11

5/12
5/13
5/14 or 5/15

Work on conference
board
Work on conference
board
NO Vocabulary
quiz. Presentation of
boards

*All dates and assignments subject to change

Bring a tri-fold poster

board (some materials
will be provided but
you may want to bring
your own)

Final conference
board due- be ready to
present in class. NO
LATE TURN-IN,
EVEN IF YOU ARE
ABSENT!