Instructor: Prof. Ronald Tanaka
Office: English 163
Message number: 278.6586
Email: tanakarp@csus.edu
GENERALLY SPEAKING
English 20 is a course designed to help develop your problem-solving and communications skills when using multiple texts representing multiple points of view. More specifically, we will be focusing on points of view and perspectives that may differ considerably from those values, beliefs and assumptions you bring into the classroom.
Each E20 course must explore a variety of ideas centered around a unifying theme. This will allow the student to fully explore various points of view before arriving at an opinion of his or her own. In this case, we will be examining the concept of the "love" and how it fits into a model of the American Dream that we will be presenting in class.
I might add here that even though we will be examining some fairly difficult works of literature, we will only be concerned with the ways in which these texts present points of view that can help us to model 'real-world' problem-solving situations. Since E20 is a GE course for non-majors, no time will be spent on traditional literary analysis or evaluation.
MORE COMMENTS
¥English 20 is a college level course that is going to be taught as a college level course. You will be expected to think and work as adults living in an exciting but also highly complex and at times troubling and imperfect world.
¥You will not be competing against your classmates for grades. It will make no difference to your grade whether or not everyone else receives an A or everyone else receives an F.
¥I do realize that some of you have experienced difficulties with your writing and may need help. Unfortunately, you are not going to all share the same problems. Hence, I may not always be able to address your specific needs in class. However, we do offer excellent tutoring services through the English Department's Writing Center.
¥In summary, English 20 should help you to become better writers by helping you to become better problem-solvers and thinkers. It stands to reason that if you have nothing important to say, there isn't much point in getting better at "writing essays."
FORMAT
In the beginning, classes will be devoted to lectures. Then we will spend the rest of the time in class discussions or workshops.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
You will read three novels and write three <3> six to eight page papers and do an in-class final on topics relating to those novels. The papers will be graded according to the guidelines contained in class handouts as well as the English 20 grading criteria. <A detailed discussion of our grading model will be presented in class.>
In addition to the grades for your papers, ten percent of your final grade will be based on your class participation, attendance and in-class quizzes.
ATTENDANCE
English 20 is not a correspondence course. Students with four <4> unexcused absences will receive an automatic F. A roll sheet will be passed around at the beginning of each class period. Students are responsible to see that their attendance is recorded. Any corrections must be made by the instructor no more than one class period after an error has occurred.
Any student fifteen or more minutes late by the classroom clock will be counted absent for the day. In addition, students who do not remain in class after signing the roll sheet will not be given credit for attendance.
Students with more than four or more excused absences must consult with the instructor to determine a make-up program if they wish to continue on in the course.
REQUIRED TEXTS
¥Erich Segal, LOVE STORY
¥F. Scott Fitzgerald, THE GREAT GATSBY
¥Hickham, ROCKET BOYS
STUDENTS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AN A IN THE COURSE MUST READ. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS TEXT UNTIL YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.
¥Jane Austen, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE A COMPOSITION TEXT AND A DICTIONARY. YOU MAY USE ANY TEXT YOU LIKE; BUT IF YOU NEED TO PURCASE ONE, PLEASE BUY THE FOLLOWING:
¥Recommended: Diana Hacker, RULES FOR WRITERS
Required Paper Assignments
One diagnostic essay, an autobiography and three six-eight page graded essays.
Final Examination
All students must pass a two-hour in-class essay examination demonstrating your ability to deal with a single topic from multiple points of view.
VIDEO MATERIAL
In addition to the assigned readings, we will be watching several films and videos, some of which you may choose to use in writing your papers. Copies of most of the feature films will be available at the Media Center in the University Library for your use.
Please be advised that several of these films are rated R for strong language, violence and mature subject matter.