Course Syllabus for English 1A and English 102---Fall, 2015

ENGLISH —Fall 2015—CHABOT—MCFARLAND

Instructor:  Sean McFarland   Office: in building 400, 453Q upstairs   Phone: 723-7427      

Email: smcfarland@chabotcollege.edu          mcsean10@hotmail.com

Office hours: Mon/Wed 2-315, and Tues/Thurs 2-315

Required Texts:

The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, by Thom Hartmann

The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley

Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer

Some of the focus of this class:

1. The unexamined life is not worth living.

2. We are in a deep mess.

• What is your opinion of those 2 statements?
• What is the relationship between those 2 statements?
• How do you get outside yourself?
• Why might you want to?

Course work and class goals:

1.     Write app. 4-5 formal essays. You MUST complete—and I must accept--all the essays if you hope to pass the course. Each essay must be typed.

2.     Introduction of analysis and critical thinking, and its application to essay writing.

3.     Critical and extensive reading and discussion of essays, articles, 3 full-length works and other media.

4.     Study of Grammar and Punctuation.

5.     Study and review of the composing process.

6.     Lead and participate in class discussion.

7.     Conferencing with the instructor.

8.     In-class writing, presentations, field trips, quizzes, final exam.

9.     Frequent homework assignments—these should be typed if possible.

Requirements and Grades:

1.     Attendance is required and will count towards your final grade. If you miss more classes than what is allowed, I will very likely drop you. If you come in late, you risk being considered absent—there is no such thing as “Tardy” at Chabot.

2.     Participation is vital in this class and in most college courses. Please speak your mind. (Please turn off cell phones.)

3.     You are required to meet with me at least 2 times in conference.