Course Syllabus
Syllabus
English 103: Introduction to Literature
Spring 2020 | 5 credits, Online | Number 2203
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor: Mary Fox (she/her/hers)
Email: mfox@tacomacc.edu
Office Hours: I'll have online Zoom office hours at times that work for individual students. If you'd like to meet and talk through Zoom, email or Canvas message me so we can find a day and time that works for you.
Quick Links to Syllabus Sections and Policies
Course Details || Learning Outcomes || Textbooks || Technology
Class Participation || Graded Course Work || Late Work
Building Community || Classroom Concerns || General Expectations
How to Succeed in This Class || Important Contact & Communication Info
Access and Accommodations || Library || Writing and Tutoring Center || Student Resources
College Closure and Class Cancellation || Academic Dishonesty || Grading
Course Details
In this class, we'll read and discuss poems, short stories and other writing from a variety of cultures that make up the United States. We'll explore similarities and differences between the works, and think about what we can learn about each other through the work of our writers. We'll explore voices of various cultures, including Native American literature, African American literature, Asian American literature, Latinx literature, and the literature of incarcerated adults and youth.
Contact & Communication Plan
Chosen Names and Personal Pronouns: Everyone has the right to be addressed by the name and pronouns that correspond to the gender identity. Please call me Mary or Ms. Fox. Class rosters don't list gender or pronouns, so you may be asked to indicate the pronouns you use so that I don't make assumptions based on your name and/or appearance/self presentation (you are not obligated to do so). If you use a chosen name, please let me know. Chosen names and pronouns are to be respected at all times in the classroom. Mistakes in addressing one another may happen, so I encourage an environment of openness to correction and learning. Thank you.
Communicating: Canvas messages are the best ways to communicate with me. Email usually works fine, too, but if you use personal email accounts, your messages might be filtered to my junk mail. I check TCC e-mail and Canvas several times every weekday and at least once every weekend. My office phone is (253) 460-4474 and my google voice number is (253) 254-6164. Message left at those two numbers will be forwarded to my email.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to...
1. Analyze specific elements of short stories, poetry, song lyrics and film;
2. Explore the cultural and moral values/themes a work reflects and to evaluate them respectfully in light of your own values;
3. Discuss how your own cultural identities enrich and/or limit your understanding of experiences and literature of various communities;
4. Read literature that reflects a variety of ethnic backgrounds and cultures;
5. Write focused and well-developed discussions of a films or literary pieces;
6. Conduct library and internet research;
7. Demonstrate careful and intentional use of language to express ideas and achieve a purpose for your audience.
Textbooks & Supplemental Materials
This class does not require a textbook. We will use a variety of free resources, including Open Education Resources and the Tacoma Community College Library.
Technology
As in other colleges around the country and world, all TCC classes will be online this quarter. You will need access to a computer, smart phone or other device as well as regular Internet access. We know that this will be a huge issue for many students. Please let me know if this will be a challenge for you. TCC is 100% committed to making this work for all students.
Class Participation
We are in a unique situation. None of us signed up to take or teach classes online this quarter. So it will be important for all of us to stay engaged, ask questions, support each other, and learn from our mistakes. Students who participate each week in readings, discussions, quizzes and assignments will earn 10 points per week for a total of 100 participation points for the quarter.
Graded Coursework
Grades in our class will be based on:
1) weekly readings, discussion posts, writing assignments, and quizzes
2) final reflective writing
3) participation
4) extra credit.
Late Work
I accept late Canvas assignments and discussion posts for half credit. I accept late papers, and they are downgraded 10 points for each day late. However, if you know ahead of time that specific situations will prevent you from submitting work on time, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you to do that without a late grade.
Building Community
In an online setting, it is expected that we will conduct ourselves in a respectful manner. Balancing your time as a student with the rest of your life, especially in this unsettling time, can be very difficult. It is easy to get frustrated, especially in an online environment, but I want to emphasize the importance of respecting diversity and being pro-active and responsible for yourself, your words, and your actions. My primary goal is to support you as you take responsibility for your education, so please communicate and do so with kindness and respect. The general idea of "treat others the way you want to be treated" is something I take very seriously and will be very explicit about throughout the quarter.
Classroom Concerns
If you have concerns about our class, your first step is to talk with me so that we can address them and you can succeed in this class. However, if we are unable to address your concerns, your next step is to talk to the co-chair of the Written and Oral Communication Department, Steve Johns, sjohns@tacomacc.edu. Sometimes, it's helpful to have someone from outside the class help us to resolve problems!
General Expectations
I expect you to…
- Approach this class seriously, be respectful and gracious with your classmates and me, ask questions, and do the best your can so you can move forward in your academic journey. I don't expect you to be perfect, though I do have high expectations for all students.
You can expect me to….
- Approach this class seriously, be respectful and gracious with you and your classmates, ask and answer questions promptly, and do my best to support your success. Please don't expect me to be perfect but do hold me accountable to be clear, organized, respectful -- the best teacher I can be.
How to Succeed In This Class
- To ensure you don't lose work, it is recommended that you work offline using a word processing application such as Microsoft Word and then copy/paste your post into the course's discussion forum.
- Feel free to ask questions when things aren't clear to you this quarter. This is a new way of teaching and learning for me and students, and I will count on you to let me know when things don't make sense or don't work!
- Check out these Canvas resources to become familiar with some of the tools we'll use this quarter.
- Find a specific space and time that works for you to do your work. You may submit work on or before the deadline for full credit. For many students, it's helpful to complete more than one assignment in one sitting. In fact, you may often do all of the week's work in a day or two, if that helps you to stay organized and focused.
- Get yourself organized. One of the best things about online classes is that you can do the work at a time and pace that works for you and the people around you. Two of the serious challenges are that it is easy to procrastinate and/or run into unexpected life issues, such as sick children. Online classes mean you have both freedom and responsibility. I encourage you to be realistic about the time commitment you'll need for your classes and make sure to carve it out every day.
Access and Accommodations
Your access in the learning environment is important to me. If you have already established disability accommodations with the Access Services office, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. You can request that Access Services email your Letter of Accommodation to me, or you can provide me with printed copies.
If you have a disability or health condition that may benefit from accommodations to ensure access and support success in this course—and have not yet established services, please contact Access Services at (253) 460-4437 or access@tacomacc.edu.
Access Services offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Services are established through an interactive process that begins with an intake appointment.
Library
TCC’s Library offers access to a range of research materials including books, e-books, DVDs/CDs, and subscription databases that carry thousands of publications covering a wide range of disciplines. The faculty librarians offer research support for all students, of all levels of research experience. Library faculty will be available online this quarter.
Writing and Tutoring Center
TCC’s Writing and Tutoring Center offers you one-on-one help with your writing. Tutors are available to discuss your work, help you to think about your writing process, suggest revising strategies, and discuss ways to approach an assignment. All services are free and online this quarter. Contact the Center at 566-6032.
Student Resources
I recognize that TCC students experience a range of information and resource needs in their academic, professional, and personal lives. TCC's Student Resource Guide has information and resources to help you with everything from Canvas support to food and housing insecurity.
Academic Honesty
It is the official policy of Tacoma Community College that cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and other forms of academic misconduct are grounds for disciplinary action under the Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities. The student accused of academic dishonesty may be reported to the Associate Vice President of Students Services for initiation of disciplinary proceedings which could result in disciplinary sanctions ranging from a warning to expulsion from the College. Definitions of academic dishonesty and descriptions of the hearing and appeal process are included in the Tacoma Community College Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty, available in all administrative offices.
English 103 is intended to give you practice using and creating information in a safe, low pressure environment, forms of plagiarism will be dealt with initially as an opportunity for individual or group instruction as appropriate. Continued or deliberate plagiarism may result in a 0 (zero) score given to that work.
Work that is a clear product of cheating, such as copying from a fellow student, will be given a 0 (zero) score. Deliberate, repeated plagiarism and cheating will result in a referral to Student Services. See the student conduct section of your TCC Portal for more information, then, ask your instructors, Library faculty, and Writing and Tutoring Center when you have questions about plagiarism and academic honesty.
Grading
I will use the standard grading scale to calculate final grades. I'll add more information about grades for specific assignments soon. I'm still adjusting assignments and points to better fit this quarter's unique circumstances.
Course Calendar
You will see a course calendar below this syllabus window. It changes as I make changes to the Modules; however, I go by what is published in the Modules, so please use the Modules as your course calendar. Check Announcements each time you log in to see any messages about our calendar or other items.
Course Summary:
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