Welcome!

(from page 1 of the syllabus)

Theme

Diaspora [the often forced dispersion of a group of people from its cultural origin] and general cultural evolution: we will explore how geography, time, language, and historical events impact a culture and its individuals. Specifically with regard to individual people, we will cover identity conflicts and morality conflicts, investigating cultural norms and beliefs that are challenged through various forms of diaspora.

Course Description

Intensive study of thesis-based, multi-paragraph writing, including the research paper, with stress on clarity, logical development, and solid support. Students read works of literature from a variety of genres in the context of the works' intellectual, social, and cultural backgrounds.

Required Texts: 

1. A Long Way Gone: Memoir of a Boy Soldier
2. We, the Drowned
3. When My Brother Was An Aztec
4. Slow Lightning
5. Rules for Writers, 7^th ed.
6. course blog: http://aacc121.blogspot.com

Learning Objectives: After successfully completing this course, a student should be able to

1.                              Write clearly organized, effective essays in more advanced forms;

2.                            Use prewriting, outlining, and revising for these essays;

3.                             Consistently avoid non-standard English;

4.                            Consistently avoid major grammar and punctuation errors;

5.                            Critically analyze fiction, plays, and poetry;

6.                            Complete a major research project with source material documented according to established conventions.

Class Expectation/Instructional Hour

A minimum expectation is that for every hour spent “in class,” as defined by your instructor, you should plan to spend at least two hours “out of class” in preparation. More important than how MUCH someone should study is HOW someone should study. Studying is a skill, and if students have not developed that skill, they may still struggle regardless of how much time they study. More information about study skills, including time management techniques, can be found at http://ola2.aacc.edu/vc/timemanagement/TimeManagementWebShop/.