Final Project Abstracts

Dear Gladiators:

Please write a 150 to 200 word abstract for your final project.  This is a slightly longer version of the abstract writing you did for your Love paper.   When you have finished, please post it as a comment here and email me that it is up. 

:)

Post-Symposium Abstracts

As a response to/ comment on this post, please share your abstract here.

Your abstract should be 75 to 100 words in length.  Summarize your take on Love thoroughly yet concisely.

Assignment updates and prompts

Dear Students,

Today, we will finish a close reading of the last speeches of The Symposium.  This weekend, you should write (and finish) writing your own speech about Love.  Please make it a minimum of one double-spaced page.

Following the screening of Quantum of Solace, you should be preparing your explanation of how the film uses familiar issues of conflict and greed (i.e.: monopolization of oil resources) to communicate to the viewer the gravity of the bad guys' pursuit of the freshwater resources of Bolivia.  Why do they want to own water?  How is this going to give them power?  Is this humane?

Beginning Monday, we will be working both on rewriting past assignments and preparing final projects.  All drafts can be checked in class and rewritten without penalty.  Please take the opportunity to do so.

Should you have any questions, please let me know in class or by email:  n.brooksdevita@hccs.edu

Symposium Close Reading for 9/24/2012

Today, we will closely read Eryximachus's take on Love:

MAC (Abridged):

"Well, in my opinion, since Pausanias made a fine start to his speech but did not adequately complete it, it is necessary for me to try to put a complete end to 

the argument. Inasmuch as Eros is double, it is, in my opinion, a fine thing to 

divide him; but that he presides not only over the souls of human beings in 

regard to the beautiful but also in regard to many other things and in other 

cases--the bodies of all the animals as well as those things that grow in the 

earth, and just about all the things that are--that, in my opinion, I have come 

to see from medicine, our art. For how great and wondrous the god is in his 

comprehensive aims, both in terms of human things and in terms of.divine things! I shall begin my speech with medicine, so that we may venerate that art as well. The nature of bodies has this double Eros, for the health and the sickness of the body are by agreement different and..dissimilar; and the dissimilar desires and loves dissimilar things. Now, there is one love that presides over the healthy 

state, and another over the sickly. Just as' Pausanias was saying, it is a fine 

thing to gratify those who are good among human beings and disgraceful to gratify the intemperate, so too, in the case of men's bodies taken by themselves is it a fine and needful thing to gratify the good and healthy things of each body (this is what has the name 'the medical'); but it is shameful to gratify the bad and 

sickly things, and one has to abstain from favoring them, if one is to be skilled. For the art of medicine is, to sum it up, the expert knowledge of the erotics 

of the body in .regard to repletion and evacuation; and he who diagnostically 

discriminates in these things between the noble and base love is the one most 

skilled in medicine; while he who induces changes, so as.to bring about the 

acquisition of one kind of love in place of the other, and who, in whatever things where there is no love but there needs must be, has the expert knowledge to 

instill it, or to remove it from those things in which it is [but should not be], would be a good craftsman. For he must, in point of fact, be able to make the 

things that are most at enmity in the body into friends and to make them love one another. The most opposite things are the most at enmity: cold and hot, bitter 

and sweet, dry and moist, and anything of the sort. Our ancestor-Asklepios, who 

had the expert knowledge to instill love and unanimity into these things--as the poets here assert and as I am convinced is so--put together our art. Not only 

medicine, with moderation and justice, among us and among gods, this has the 

greatest power and provides us with every kind of happiness, making us able to associate with one another and to be friends even with the gods who are stronger 

than we are. Now, perhaps in praising Eros I too am omitting many things; but 1 

have done that unwillingly. For if I did omit anything, it is your job, 

Aristophanes, to fill it in; or if you intend to make a different eulogy of the 

god, proceed to do so, since you have stopped hiccuping." 

9/21/2012 - In-Class Writing

Please read and muse over the following blog post.  After you reflect, write down the thoughts and feelings this blog entry inspires in you.
Possible prompts:
What are your thoughts about the cost of a meal?  For an individual?  For a family?
What are your thoughts about access to food/necessary nutrition?
What are your thoughts about waste of food?
Are there any similarities between this and "On Dumpster Diving"?

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010

A Meal With Haiti in Mind

Often people from less wealthy countries are in a situation where the only meal they get is based on beans and rice. Looking into the nutritional value of those economic meals, we find that they are very well balanced and, as I said before: Balance is everything!
Last night, while thinking about the famine that the people of Haiti must be going through, I cooked a meal that was super economical, easy to prepare and rendidor, a source of bounty. I cooked one bag of black beans, boiled 2 cups of long grain brown rice, fried 2 sweet potatoes cut in the shape of long french fries in an inexpensive blend of soy and olive oil, and fried two thin-sliced plantains. I topped the black beans and brown rice with queso fresco and wedges of avocado and had an island dinner for 4 while Mafusser read to us "Please, Malese", a Haitian trickster folk tale. The leftover beans were used for breakfast the next day.
It is unfortunate that, as I'm typing, thousands of Haitians do not have this economic meal in their stomachs, but we can manage our personal economy by preparing meals like this. Instead of splurging on a fancy dinner, we can help by sending financial support to Haitian relief funds and by praying for their spiritual and material rebuilding. Remain curious my friends!

Extra Credit - TSU "Latin Night"

Students:

This extra credit event is at Texas Southern University this Sunday.  If you attend, please write a short response paper about it.  See you there!

Final Project Research

Today's (9/17/2012) assignment is to search online, including through databases like JSTOR, for statistics that you can use in your final research paper.  Look for information that is appropriate for your topic.  By the end of class, you should have one to three outside sources to support your thesis.

Additionally, you should plan your research interview.  Who are you interviewing?  Why?  What does this person have to say that will help support or explain your paper's point?

ENGL 1301 Syllabus

((SHOULD YOU LOSE YOUR COPY OF THE SYLLABUS, PLEASE REMEMBER YOU CAN FIND IT HERE.))

English

Houston Community College Central

ENGL 1301 – Freshman Composition I

CRN 21777 - Fall 2012

Central Campus – BCC, Room 201 | 8:00 am – 10:00 am | MWF

3 hour lecture course / 48 hours per semester/ 8 weeks

Instructor: Novella Brooks de Vita

Instructor Contact Information: n.brooksdevita@hccs.edu

English Office: 713-718-6671

Office location and hours

Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in

this course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before

asking for my assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am

available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics.

Course Description

English 1301 is devoted to the improvement of students’ writing and critical analysis

skills. Over the course of the semester, students will write various types of papers,

including argument essays, expository essays, and essays of critical analysis. Papers

will vary from formal essays to “journal” responses. This is a 3 credit Core Curriculum

Course.

Prerequisites

Satisfactory assessment score, satisfactory completion of ENGL 310 or 0349.

Your student learning objectives, should you choose to accept them, are to

· Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.

· Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections,

developing expository essays, and writing argumentative essays.

· Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays

and/or literature by professional writers.

· Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical

strategies.

· Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their own

academic writing.

SCANS or Core Curriculum Statement and Other Standards

Credit: 3 (3 lecture)

Students are introduced to persuasive/argumentative writing, critical analysis of reading

selections, and the research process. All elements of English 1301 require students to

learn and begin to apply critical thinking and writing skills.

8 WEEK CALENDAR

· Week 1-2: Finding the Story

o Week 1: Diagnostic Essay. Introduction and listening skills development.

o Week 2: Comprehension, summary, developing analysis and first paper

topic.

· Week 3-4: Finding a Voice

· Week 5-6: Finding Proofs and Arguments

· Week 7-8: Final Project Development and Execution

FINAL & PORTFOLIO DUE ON ASSIGNED FINALS TESTING DATE

Instructional Methods

English 1301 is the prerequisite for English 1302 and is a core course.

With the assumption that students have passed the requirements taught in

Fundamentals of Grammar and Composition I & II, this course is taught with a focus on

students’ communication and analysis skills. One must keep in mind that English is

simply another form of communication, not an excessively lofty or impossible subject.

The goal of this course is to facilitate the ease with which students may communicate

academic and personal ideas to one another and to supervisory figures. As students’

comfort develops, ability to critically and objectively analyze information and

convincingly argue theories strengthens.

I, as instructor, must give you the necessary tools and support to nurture these skills.

While it is my responsibility to tap these skills within you, the student, it is your

responsibility to attend class and take every opportunity you are given to learn and grow

academically. We must all come prepared with homework, texts and assignments and

—always—our open minds.

Student Assignments

Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. Students will be

required to successfully complete the following:

Students must complete a self-introductory essay in the first weeks of class.

The first researched essay for this class will be on material NOT from your reader. It will

be covered in the first days of class. Be sure to attend. While this is an out-of-class

essay, you must be in class to know what to write.

4 major essays/projects:

·         1 Research/Analysis Exercise: 5%

·    1 Argumentative Essay: 10%

·    1 Analytical Essay: 10%

·    1 Expository Essay: 10%

In the breakdown of the grading: Each of the three essays is worth 10% of your final

grade. 5% will be assigned for the composition and 5% for the presentation of each

essay written on the assigned in-class date.

Journals and homework to be collected in a folder, checked and turned in during the last

two weeks of class.

· Journals and Assigned Homework: 15%

Homework essays are to be written on the assigned class reading, current events and

discussions, or an unanalyzed passage included in your assigned reading’s section of

the book. Quote at least once from the source of your choice and include a bibliography.

Work will not be accepted without the required quotes and bibliography.

· Daily class participation: 40%

· Final Essay: 20%

Instructional Materials

TEXT: The Norton Reader. 13th Edition. Ed, Peterson and Brereton. New York: W. W.

Norton and Company. 2012. (or earlier edition)                         ISBN:  978-0-393-91218-0

HCC Policy Statement - ADA

Services to Students with Disabilities

Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to

report to Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7910 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty is

only authorized to provide accommodations by the Disability Support Service Office

HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty

A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the

coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available

to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual

achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field.

Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You

are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in

the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance

of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with

honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary

proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of

scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating

on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

Cheating on a test includes:

· Copying from another students’ test paper;

· Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;

· Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;

· Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or

part the contents of a test that has not been administered;

· Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.

Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged

incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.

Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written

work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a

grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or

recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student

Handbook)

HCC Policy Statements

Class Attendance - “Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Students are

responsible for materials covered during their absences, and it is the student’s

responsibility to consult with instructors for make-up assignments [NOTE: not all

assignments may be made up after the day they were due; missed in-class

assignments may not be made up.] Class attendance is checked daily by instructors.

Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non-attendance, the

instructor has the authority to drop a student for excessive absences after the student

has accumulated in excess of 12.5% of instruction [six hours of absence.]” Student

Handbook

HCC Course Withdrawal Policy

If you decide to withdraw from the course, be sure to withdraw formally, before the

official date. Students who have not formally withdrawn will receive a failing grade for

the course.

October 1 is the last day to withdraw with a W. After that, you will be assigned a

letter grade (A,B,C,D,F) for the course. Please talk to me and the registrar’s office to

withdraw if you find it necessary.

Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email

and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to

discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you do not

withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class

as your final grade.

Repeat Course Fee

The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat

failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course

more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is

to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC

will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a

course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing

grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study

habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course

participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.

Classroom Behavior

As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop

and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this

responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes

it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect

the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical

goal.

Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices

Please silence all phones and beepers. Calls and messages may be answered ONLY

with the instructor’s permission. Electronic devices (YES…THIS INCLUDES LAPTOPS,

PHONES AND MUSIC PLAYERS!) are prohibited unless they pertain to reasonable

accommodation, described below, or permitted in-class research. Those without a

documented disability must have the instructor’s approval before using any

recording or electronic device in class. Ask for my permission before you use any electronic device during class.

Students with documented disabilities who need to use a recording device as a

reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for

information regarding reasonable accommodations.

Instructor Requirements

As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:

· Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student

grades are to be derived

· Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions,

and lectures

· Description of any special projects or assignments

· Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make

up

· Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of

any special projects or assignments

· Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required

To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:

· Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities

· Read and comprehend the textbook

· Complete the required assignments and exams

· Ask for help when there is a question or problem

· Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all

assignments

· Complete the class with a passing score