Zobel Syllabus/ Fall 2008/ All English 100/A Sections

This syllabus applies to the following sections of English 100

First Year Reading & Composition and 100A Intensive
Reading & Composition for Fall 2008:
44796/44946 TH 14-15:20 FH 178
44794/44974 TH 15:30-16:50 FH 178
41565/44939 TH 7:30-9 FH 203
44789/44944 TH 11-12:20 FH 203 Mind FIG
Primary Goal: The primary goal and purpose of this class
is to improve your writing and your awareness of your own
writing processes so that you are able to produce the best
documents possible in an academic environment.
Instructor: Gregory Zobel
Email: gz7@humboldt.edu PREFERRED Email: gz7comp@gmail.com
Email is the best way to contact me. My gmail address is by far the best way. Before you email me, please
be sure to read the email protocol section.
Phone: 826-5937 (#1)
I detest telephones. Sending an email will get a quicker response and it will document our conversation.
Please oblige me by contacting me via email. Email me at gmail.
Office: Founder's Hall 123
Located behind two doors, and stashed in the corner of Founders, I suggest you find my office sooner as
opposed to later.
Office Hours: TH: 9-10; 12:30-1:30; and by appointment
If you make an appointment with me, be there and be on time. If you cannot make it, email or call.
If you miss an appointment and do not contact me immediately, I will not make any future appointments with
you—it will be up to you to come during office hours and hope for an opening. If you are not sure whether
or not you can make it, then do not make an appointment—show up during office hours.
Few things demonstrate professionalism and courtesy, or a lack thereof, like punctuality and follow
through. While major swaths of Humboldt’s culture disregard punctuality and personal responsibility, I do
not. Do what you say you are going to do. If you cannot be sure that you will do it, then do not say you will
do it. It really is that simple.

Course Materials List

Paper, Pens/Pencils, Notebook, Highlighters, and Several Manila Folders.
An Email Account: Be sure you have an active email account with a professional email address. Such
names as bonghit23@yahoo.com, keggirl@gmail, and lyinglifehater@hotmail.com are not acceptable. They
are not professional. Use those with your friends if you want, but they do not reflect well upon you and your
learning. One aspect of coming to college is training yourself for membership in a professional community.
Your email address says a lot about you, your interests, and your maturity. If you don't have a professional
email address, it is easy enough to go and get one.
Regular internet access: If this is a problem, it needs to be resolved quickly. Whether that is via WiFi,
using campus computers, or using your roommate's, computer access is an essential part of this class. You
will access your readings online, you will be conducting online research, and the best way to get a hold of me
is online.
Ability to Access and Download Online Documents: If you do not know how to do this, find a peer or two
to help you out. Go to the library and get help from the computer folks next to the main floor’s computer
lab. This is a critical skill, and you need to get it down.
Access to a printer: You will need to print out your readings and bring them to class. All of your
assignments must be typed and handed in--no handwriting, chicken scratch, or parchment manuscripts,
please. Typed and printed hard copy are what I want. This means you need access to a printer--preferably
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Zobel Syllabus/ Fall 2008/ All English 100/A Sections
several printers.
NOTE: I do not accept the following excuses for late work: my computer broke; my printer cartridge ran
out; my roomie sold my computer; my printer died; my email crashed; my account is not responding; and
any variation of technology-related excuses. We will cover all the necessary tactics to ensuring your success
in this class--and in college in general--in spite of all the technological issues. University students have
survived for centuries without technology--the same is possible for you. Let's make sure to have multiple fall
back plans and escapes.
Thumb Drive: Get one, maybe two. Back up all your documents.
Class Blog: http://zobelhsufall2008.blogspot.com/
There is a lot of information here. It is useful information, and you are expected to read ALL of the content
at the blog. I suggest you sign up for an RSS feed for the blog rather than going to check it every day.
Class Documents Download Site: http://www.4shared.com/dir/8751844/2fb9ecec/sharing.html
It is easier to get to the Download Site by going to the class blog, looking in the upper right hand corner, and
clicking on the “Download Course Readings” link. The site is password protected. The password is:
CashAndCarry23. This is case sensitive.

Course Overview/Course Description

This class is a writing class. This means you will be writing a lot—in class and out of class. Be
prepared to write. Reading, discussion, peer feedback, and collaboration are all critical elements of this
class. Your participation and effort in ALL areas are essential for you to pass the class and reach our goal.
ENGL 100. First Year Reading & Composition (3). Reflective, analytical, expository essay writing and
revision. Introduction to critical reading, information literacy. Small-group workshop and lecture. Final
assessment based on writing portfolio. Students who fulfill course requirements with a C- or better but don’t
pass portfolio must complete ENGL 200 to fulfill GE. [Prereq: EPT score of 151 or higher. CAN ENGL 2.
GE.]
ENGL 100A. First Year Reading & Composition (3). Reflective, analytical, expository essay writing and
revision. Introduction to critical reading, information literacy. Workshop, lecture, and individualized support
with lab. Final assessment based on writing portfolio. Students who fulfill course requirements with a C- or
better and who are passing English 60 but don’t pass portfolio must complete ENGL 200 to fulfill GE.
[Prereq: EPT score of 139-150 or successful completion of ENGL 40. Coreq: ENGL 60. CAN ENGL 2. GE.]

Course Objectives
Students successfully completing the Area A Written Communication requirement should demonstrate the
following competencies:
1. Recognizing varying reading and writing contexts and how these impact audience, purpose, and
textual organization;
2. Reading and analyzing a variety of written texts, responding critically to the texts, synthesizing this
information along with the student's own ideas, and writing essays that reflect a broadened
understanding of the topics;
3. Developing multiple drafts through a series of tasks, including generating, revising, and editing
through both individual and collaborative efforts;
4. Demonstrating the conventions of standard written English in student texts; and
5. Compiling and submitting an assessment portfolio that meets minimum passing criteria as set by the
English Department Portfolio Committee.

Course Requirements
Be prepared to spend two or three hours working out of class for each hour you are in class. This
work will be reading, writing, researching, thinking, and collaborating with your peers. Hoping to pull
things out of a hat at the last moment instead of actually doing work will not result in success.
The course is broken down into four distinct sections. Each section has a grade associated with it.
Most of these grades are given C/NC. If these assignments are turned in incomplete, do not follow

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directions, or are clearly not done, no credit will be given. Note: this is an all or nothing system. The first
three sections end by turning in working portfolios. The last section ends by turning in your final portfolio.
1. Section 1: Letters & Summary
2. Section 2: Collaborative Writing of a Propaganda Analysis and a Rhetorical Analysis
3. Section 3: Three Papers: A Genre Analysis, a traditional paper, and a third paper or book review
4. Section 4: Revising for Portfolio
All of our writing serves two purposes. First, to achieve our goal—see the top of the syllabus.
Second, to assemble a portfolio of 14 pages of quality writing that demonstrate sustained analysis, supported
argument, and critical thinking. The portfolio is comprised of a cover letter and two to four pieces of non-
fiction writing. There is much, much more information about the portfolio, and we will discuss it thoroughly
throughout the term.
All portfolios are due on the specific dates, and no exceptions are granted unless severe illness or
incident as supported by proper documentation. If you are going to be gone, then you MUST have someone
else deliver it to me at the start of class or earlier. Again, portfolios are due at the start of class—walking in
20 minutes late with a portfolio will cost you your grade.
No late work is accepted without an exceptionally good reason and documentation which supports that
reason. This means if you are ill, be prepared to provide me with a doctor's note.
If you miss quizzes, they may not be made up unless you have a note which documents your
sickness or significant reason for absence. Quizzes are given at the start of class. If you are late to class and
miss the quiz, you are out of luck. You must hand in the quiz on time with everyone else.
AGAIN: Expect to spend two to three hours OUTSIDE of CLASS in addition to
all the writing we do in class. No late work is accepted.
Major Due Dates
Working Portfolio 1: T 9/16 Working Portfolio 2: T 10/7 Working Portfolio 3: T 11/11
Assessment Portfolio: Monday, Dec 8, 2 pm
The ten content and ten writing process quizzes will be given on unannounced dates throughout the term. As
an unofficial suggestion, expect quizzes to happen the day of or after the readings, and be quite sure that
most of the quizzes will take place at the start of the term.

Deadline and Make-Up Policies

As noted above, no work can be made up without proper documentation. If you are late to class or
miss a quiz, there’s no second shot. If you miss turning in your portfolio, there is not second shot.
The Assessment Portfolio
All students passing the class with a C- or better will submit an assessment portfolio (13-16 full
pages) comprised of one cover letter and two to four (2-4) revised essays, two of which must include
sustained, substantial analysis. Neither poetry nor fiction may be included in the portfolio. The assessment
portfolio is then submitted to and holistically scored by the Portfolio Committee, made up of HSU English
composition faculty. In order to pass English 100/100A, students must pass the final portfolio with a
combined score of 8 or better.
Students with a D+ or lower will receive a grade of F or NC for the class and must re-enroll in
English 100/100A another semester in order to meet their written communication requirement for graduation.
Students who are passing the class but do not pass the Assessment Portfolio will earn a Report in Progress
(RP) in English 100/100A and will be required to pass English 200 in order to fulfill the Written
Communication requirement for graduation.
The Working Portfolio
The working portfolio is an essential part of the writing process. The WP is a collection of all of
your work that has gone into creating your final product or writing. The WP demonstrates the evolution of
your text and the changes which have taken place thus far. Additionally, the WP is a huge amount of your
grade. The three WPs in this class are worth half of your grade.
At the start of each section, you will receive a handout for that section’s WP. It will have a checklist
and criteria for all of the items that need to be in the WP. Make sure that all of the items in the WP meet the
criteria, or you will not receive credit.

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Every assignment has at least three stages, and in the WP there need to be at least three stages shown.
These are the SFD (shitty first draft—we’ll be reading about that), revised draft, and third draft. On the WP
handout, there will be a word count listed. You need to be within that word count. If not, your assignment
will not count.
Grading Policy and/or Criteria
A total of 100 points may be earned in this class. The number of points is equal to the percentage of
your grade. Thus, I encourage you to track the points on the grade handout you earn so that you know exactly
where you are.
A= 96-100% A=93-95 A- = 90-92 B+ =87-89 B = 83-86 B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79 C = 73-76 C- =70-72 D = 60-69 F = 0-59

Your grade is broken down thus:

Working Portfolio 1: 10% C/NC Working Portfolio 2: 20% C/NC Working Portfolio 3: 20% C/NC
Final Portfolio: 20% graded
Quizzes on Writing Process: 10% C/NC Quizzes on Content Readings: 10% C/NC
Attendance/Participation: 10% graded

Scoring Working Portfolios and Credit/No Credit Assignments

On C/NC assignments, the assignments must meet ALL of the criteria for the paper. These criteria
will be clearly laid out in a checklist format. When you put your working portfolio together, make sure that
the items are in the exact order as the checklist and that each of the assignments meets the criteria on the
checklist. If they do, they will receive full credit for the assignment. If they are missing one element, then
they are NO credit. No exceptions. Be sure that you include all the elements required and review the list
several times.
Scoring Quizzes
On quizzes, CREDIT is given for scores 7/10 and higher. Thus, a score of 6 earns a zero.
Extra credit opportunities
There are no extra credit opportunities.
You are not required to attend any outside activities. Some activities may be suggested or
encouraged, but they will only be to provide additional ideas for writing and/or materials for class
discussion. If you do not attend, it will not count against you in any way.

Passing this Class and Moving On

Students enrolled in English 100A must be earning a passing grade in both 100A and 60 to be
eligible for portfolio submission. Students who are not earning a C- or better in English 100A or a CR in
English 60 will earn an F in 100A and a NC in 60 and will be required to repeat both classes to fulfill the
written communication requirement. (The highlighted portion is rather wordy. Any suggestions for tightening
the prose?)

Classroom Behavior

Attendance Policy
HSU’s first week policy: “Humboldt State University expects attendance at every class meeting
during the first week of instruction. Unless the instructor is notified before the absence, nonattendance can
result in a student’s space being given to another. Should non-attendance result in this action YOU MUST
officially drop the course using web registration. The instructor WILL NOT drop the class for you. It is
YOUR responsibility to officially drop the course via the web. Failure to drop the course officially will
result in a grade of “WU” or “F” being submitted by the instructor. (A “WU” is a withdrawal unauthorized
which is computed in your GPA the same as an “F” grade.)”
What this means:
if you miss a class in the first week, I can give your spot to another student;
if you don’t like my class, you must drop the course online.

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I do not add students via magic numbers.
Absences
1 = no impact on your grade
2 = B for attendance/participation
3 = C for attendance/participation
4 = you are done for the term = F = Fail the class unless there are outstanding and astonishing
circumstances.

Participation Policy
My policy and practice is very simple: I expect everyone to engage in a mature, responsible,
respectful, and reflective manner. Thus, if you are not engaged and/or are disruptive, i.e. playing with your
iPod, texting, or reading for another class, I will dismiss you from class and record an absence. If you are
not responsible, i.e. doing the assigned work in class as explained, then I will dismiss you from class and
record an absence. If you are not respectful towards your peers or me, i.e. you are disruptive and/or
antagonistic or use racist, sexist, homophobic, or other language, I will dismiss you from class and record an
absence.
This approach is especially important in class discussions. I do not expect you to agree with me or
your peers, and I am certainly not interested in a flock of sheep-students. But there is a significant difference
between nodding polite yeses and the screaming heads of tv pundits. That middle ground—engaged,
intelligent discussion based upon ideas and using evidence—is the goal. Discussion is vital in learning how
to read, engage, respond to, and play with your audience. If you are not flexible and able to adapt to
differing audiences and opinions, your position and ideas will appeal to few and break down under the
slightest pressure. Quality writing and thinking demonstrate strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty / Academic Honesty Policy
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty are not tolerated at all in my classroom. There are few things
which I frown upon more than this, and few things offer more false hope than dishonestly created work. This
is one reason why the Working Portfolios are so important: they clearly demonstrate how your ideas
developed in the process of writing.
We will have a very clear discussion in class about plagiarism. In short, plagiarism is representing
the work of others as your own. This can happen intentionally and unintentionally. The best defense against
plagiarism is to CITE all your sources, to keep clean and clear notes, and to ASK if you have any concerns.
The most common incidents happen when students forget to give credit to authors for their ideas. Rule of
Thumb: if an idea is not yours and it is not common knowledge, then cite it.
Collaborative Works
For several weeks we will work on collaborative pieces. You may use these in your portfolio, but
only if you have added at least 500 words of NEW material and significantly revised the original. We will
discuss this more in class.
Campus Resources:
Special Accommodations
Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability
Resource Center by visiting the website (http://www.humboldt.edu/~sdrc), visiting the office (House 71), or
calling (826-4678 [voice] or 826-5392 [TDD]). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to
arrange. (This is very close to the University’s suggested language. Should we adopt it verbatim?)
University Writing Center
Final Portfolio Submission Date
Student portfolios are due by 2 pm, Tuesday, of week fifteen. No exceptions.
Final Exam Policy / Plans
There is no final exam in this class. Portfolio is grueling enough. During final exams, I will be on campus
and in my office during the following hours. Should you want your portfolio, now is the time to come pick it
up. And, quite likely, I will have you final grade calculated.

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Emergency Evacuation and Safety Procedures
Please familiarize yourself with the evacuation plan for our classroom by reviewing the orange sign
posted near the exit, and review
http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/emergencyops/campus_emergency_preparedness.php for
information on campus Emergency Procedures. During an emergency, information can be found
campus conditions at: 707.826.INFO or www.humboldt.edu/emergency.

Additional Syllabus Notes and General Information:

Quizzes
Quizzes are given to ensure that material was read and to test that your grasp of the information in
the readings. Two kinds of quizzes are given. The first kind is on the readings about writings. These
readings present useful and practical tools and guidance on how to write strong academic papers for college.
They are essential in helping you develop your writing skills as well as your awareness of your own writing
skills. Only by focusing on your skills and abilities will you be able to develop to your full potential as a
writer, thinker, college student, and citizen.
Quizzes are not meant to be comprehensive. Some of them will focus on details, but these will be
important details which drive and reflect the content. I do my best to write quizzes which do not focus on
irrelevant details or generate questions in order to sucker punch your self-image. If you have read the
articles, annotated them intelligently, and reviewed the material and the main points several times, then you
will breeze through the quizzes with grace and ease.
Recognize that quizzes CANNOT BE MADE UP. If you miss class and a quiz, then you have
automatically lost 1 percentage point of your grade. That is it--end of story.

Credit/No Credit
The deadline to change from graded to C/NC is: October 20th.
Understand that you can only take one course per semester C/NC-- a C- will still get you through the class.
Analysis Defined
When I talk about analysis, I mean writing which is: claim driven: explicit/implicit; has sustained support;
and has a sense of audience beyond the writer.

Attendance
You cannot miss more than 2 weeks worth of classes: that is 4 class periods.
Offensive Materials
If there is offensive that is explicit or offensive, I will indicate that with a clear warning.
100A Students
If you are in a section of 100A and you fail lab, you will not be able to submit to portfolio. This
means you will take English 200 next term.
Email Protocol:
When you send me an email, be sure to do five things.
• First, always include your First and Last name.
• Second, always include the TIME your class meets.
• Third, make sure your subject line is brief, specific, and clear.
• Fourth, write in clear and complete sentences.
• Fifth, do not address me as dude.
Email as Documentation:
A lot of problems arise in communications because people remember conversations differently. He
said/She said is usually a case of “I remember/You remember”—but people rarely remember the same things.
In order to save everyone time, effort, and stress, do not expect me to remember all the details of our
conversations. I work with 100+ students. This is not personal; this is merely the way my memory operates.
Thus, if we talk about a variation in rules, policy, or some assignment, I will probably ask you to email me a
summary of our conversation. Doing this makes sure that it is documented and recorded in both of our
emails. It also reminds me of our conversation and preserves peace, calm, and civility in dialogue.
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I save all of my emails. I suggest you do the same. Email is an exceptional form of documentation,
and learning to do this will save you time and stress in the future.
Punctuality
I take attendance within the first five minutes of class. If you arrive after that, you are still counted
as absent. However, it behooves you to remain in order to take any potential quizzes or to get a conference
or feedback on workshop days.
Electronic Devices
During class, all electronic devices should be turned OFF. This means your cell phones, games,
PDAs, etc. If you bring your laptop or PDA to class to take notes, by all means do so. But be sure to let me
know. If it becomes obvious that the use of laptops or PDAs is disruptive to the class--i.e. you watching a
youtube video during class--it is at my discretion to disallow use of said devices.
Surveillance
No recording of audio or video is permitted in this class without my express permission. If you feel
the urge to record in order to facilitate your learning, speak to me privately or contact me via email.
Questioning & Authority
This class is taught at a university, and you are taking this class for a grade. I give out grades, so
there are power dynamics in our relationship. No one can deny that. Unfortunately, many people do not
know how to live, learn, or teach well in relationships like this. Other people resent it. Until academia
changes, this relationship will remain what it is. I see this as neither good or bad; rather, this situation is
simply status quo.
In order to facilitate your learning, improve my teaching, and enhance our time together, I encourage
you to ask questions. My caveat: ask questions in a meaningful and respectful fashion. I will answer you in
the same fashion. If I determine that you are quibbling for sport or asking questions merely to be difficult, I
will speak to you privately and discourage that sort of engagement.
Please remember that while we are all in class, it is a time for everyone to have the opportunity and
chance to learn, participate, and ask questions. Thus, while personal interests and tangents can be fun, it is
important to remain focused on the learning and materials at hand. As such, if conversations stray, I can and
will redirect the dialogue back to learning. Do not take this personally.
Zobel’s Feedback on Your Papers
All of my feedback to you about your papers will be given verbally and in person. We can and will
conference in class, during office hours, and by appointment. This means I will not write on or provide
editing/revision comments on hard copy of your drafts or via email.
When we conference, be prepared by having three questions or three concerns about your paper. I
will discuss this more in class. Be sure that you have your conference form with you.
The key point to remember: ALL MY FEEDBACK IS VERBAL, so be sure to bring your draft,
pay close attention, confirm what you have heard, and take good notes.
Papers
In order to pass this class, you must submit a passing portfolio with 14 full pages of your writing.
The numerous class assignments are designed to help you generate plenty of drafts so that you can choose
your best material to hone, revise, and submit. On top of the three papers, there are two formal letters and
two collaborative writings.
Each and every stage of writing each piece is important. As such, the working portfolios will be
scored upon accurate completion of the assignment. If there are drafts missing, your paper will not receive
credit. In short, do the work--all of it--and turn it in on time.
A critical part of this process is receiving feedback from your peers, tutors, and from writing
instructors. If you are in 100A, you already have scheduled time in the writing lab, and you are required to
conference regularly with your writing instructor. Take advantage of this and use that time to fulfill the
conferencing requirements.
NOTE: Every paper MUST have at least two revisions and one conference form. The
conference from indicates that you had a conference with me, someone in the writing center, or
an instructor in the writing lab. No conference form=no credit.
A great deal of class time will be devoted to conferencing with individuals during class.

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Additionally, I can and will conference with students during office hours. If you plan to wait until the last
moment and expect me to come to campus to conference with you outside of office hours, then you are
confused. Let me clarify: there is plenty of time IN CLASS and DURING REGULAR OFFICE hours to
conference.
Please remember that the ONLY feedback I give in class and during office hours is verbal feedback.
That is it. I will not write on your papers, I will not respond to email requests for feedback, and I will not
cover your papers with comments. Instead, we will meet, I will read your paper, and then I will specifically
address and answer up to three of your concerns. After that, you will write down the results of the
conference and how you intend to adjust your paper on the form. I will sign the form, and then you will
revise your paper.
Again, if there is no feedback for your paper from me, then it is NOT complete and you will receive
NO credit. No exceptions, no whining.

Other Useful Information

Sept 22 is the last day to drop without the instructor’s and the department chairs signatures.
Oct 20 is the last day you can change your grade to or from C/NC.
Nov 14 is the last day to withdraw.

Contact information for Three Peers:

Name

Cell

Email

Trait

Name

Cell

Email

Trait

Name

Cell

Email

Trait