ENGL 103 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking - Ann O'Bryan
| Course: | Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking |
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| Professor: | Ann O'Bryan |
| Email: | ann.obryan@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
I have been teaching English at the college level since 2012. I have taught a mixture of online, hybrid, remote, and face-to-face classes. I have been teaching mostly online since the pandemic, with occasional classes inside prisons. I teach a variety of Composition, Critical Thinking, Literature, Creative Writing, and Technical Writing classes.
Course Description
Course Description:
- Evaluate the strength of written, visual, and multimedia arguments on a range of different issues and controversies.
- Compose logical, well-reasoned arguments on selected topics such as popular culture, politics, social issues, and moral and ethical issues.
What to Expect in this Course
You will need:
- Access to Microsoft Word
- Reliable access to the Internet and Canvas
You will complete:
- Timed essay assignments
- Outlines and drafts of longer essays
- Discussion posts
Types of Assessments
The course assignments are as follows:
- Essay 1 – 200 pts.
- Essay 2 – 200 pts.
- 1 Timed Reading Response – 75 pts
- Semiotics Response – 75 points
- 2 Formal Outlines – 50 pts (25 pts each)
- Critical Thinking Response – 25 pts
- Rhetorical Strategies Assignment – 10 pts
- Syllabus Quiz – 5 pts
2 Essays
There will be 2 high stakes essays in this class - I will give you a separate sheet of instructions that details each essay assignment. Understanding the writing process and revision is an important component of this class. As such, we will engage in outlining and drafting and tutoring sessions (at the TLC) to help you prep for your essays.
Essay # 1 – Argumentative Analysis Essay, 4-6 pages based on Life Online. You will read articles and be given supplemental lecture notes and media clips to gain a larger understanding of the subject in order to apply it and be persuasive.
Essay # 2 – Research Essay, 5-7 pages based on Consumer Culture. You will read articles and be given supplemental lecture notes and media clips to gain a larger understanding of marketing, corporate vs consumer responsibilities, social impacts
Critical Thinking/Literary Criticism
Literary criticism is a school of thought or style of literary analysis that gives readers a means to critique the ideas and principles of subjects. All our essays will be paired with a literary theory/criticism to be applied to our subjects as part of our overall analysis.
Semiotic Response
Conduct a semiotic analysis based on your understanding of a cultural sign You will read chapters from your text, be given supplemental lecture notes and media clips to gain a larger understanding of the subject in order to apply it to your analysis.
Formal Outlines
Formal outlines are intended to organize ideas before drafting them into an essay. This stage will be due on Fridays with the intent to receive feedback by Saturday and then to use this feedback towards final drafts due on Mondays.
Timed Reader Response
This essay will be modeled after different styles of timed reading exams you will encounter throughout your academic experience. This exam is based on reading comprehension on an assigned and organized writing based on questions provided. There will be lessons and strategies dedicated to approaching timed writing to help guide towards the practice and eventual response.
In depth instructions and reminders will given for each assignment.
Textbook Information
Required Textbook:
- Signs of Life in the USA – Sonia Maasik, Jack Solomon – 10th edition
Other Relevant Course Information
Communication/Office Hours
Please use Canvas for all email unless you are locked out of Canvas. I am more than happy to help via email and will respond withing the first 24 hours of your email (usually MUCH sooner). If you don’t hear from me within that window, please resend your email as technology happens and I may either not have received or miss an email.
Office hours are coordinated and set via email and are conducted on Zoom. Please schedule office hours at least 24-48 hours in advance to guarantee a meeting, requesting an office hour meeting the evening or day of that you’d like to meet is not a guarantee of a meeting.
If you do arrive within 5 minutes late to office hours, I will log off and office hours will be canceled/rescheduled. 2 missed office hours will relinquish a student’s access to office hours for the semester.
Late Work Policy
Assignments will be accepted without a penalty through the close date which may be a few days or longer past the due date. I do not accept late work after the assignment closes and locks. HOWEVER, If you have a medical or other emergency, please contact me and I will work with you for an extension. Please have verifiable proof for excuses and extensions. Those who submit assignments without arrangements and are late will still receive a 0. This class is based on fairness and having extended time while your peers do not is unfair.
Digital Responsibility
In choosing an online course, there is an understanding that part of this course is using Canvas. It is your responsibility to ensure that technology, WiFi, etc. are working and that your assignments have been successfully uploaded. Due to the chaos that is brought by issues regarding these things, I encourage everyone to start early in submissions.
Technology is NOT an excuse in this course, since digital responsibility is part of course policy, please do not upload work after the due date or email me an attachment at the due date/time with the expectation that it will be graded or accepted – it won’t, unless arranged with me.
Extra Credit / Re-do’s
This course does not assign extra credit or allow for a re-do on submitted and graded assignments.
Course Navigation
Part of succeeding in this course is to review weekly Announcements, Canvas Calendars, and your Syllabus/Weekly Schedule for course related information and assignment due dates, and Module on Canvas for all course submissions and materials.
Each Sunday/Monday, you will receive a courtesy Announcements reviewing due assignments and previewing the upcoming week.
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 04/23/2025 Sub#: 1512