| Requirement | %[1] |
|---|---|
| Reading | 33% |
| Writing | 33% |
| Lesson Tests | 34% |
This course is composed of three general requirements: reading quizzes, writing, and lesson tests. The two former requirements will be on-going throughout the semester, will require regular contributions, and may be comprised of various assignments. Lesson tests will conclude each unit and quiz your knowledge of the reading and your ability to analyze and interpret the literary works.
Because this is an Area B course, it also has its own requirements that will be worked into each lesson. These include Critical Thinking and Oral Communications assessments, a critical-thinking paper, an oral presentation, and several supporting assignments.
Reading
Each lesson’s major focus will be reading primary texts (the literature) and secondary texts (critical response to the literature). Reading quizzes will test your knowledge of the materials, focusing on factual details like plot points, rather than interpretative readings. Students should take thorough notes as they read—like character names, plot points, and major details—that will help them on quizzes and later analysis of the texts in their writing.
Reading quizzes and in-class assignments cannot be made up for any reason.
COTC Assessments
Middle Georgia State University does key assessments of Critical Thinking and Oral Communications (COTC) skills in Area B courses such as this one. This requirement includes the COTC units integrated into D2L[2] and a separate critical thinking writing assignment — each worth 10% of the final grade. More information will follow in class.
Writing
Each lesson will have students responding to assigned readings in the class forum. The forum is a written class discussion that encourages student interaction about the course materials. These posts should be focused, interpretive, and supported by primary and secondary texts. These forum posts should show what you’re reading and thinking about in relation to the course content—it is a place to share and develop ideas about the texts.
Critical Thinking Paper
This essay will be a comparative analysis of two texts we cover in class this semester. It will choose a theme, character, or symbol and critically analyze how it operates in two of the course texts by examining distinct parallels between those texts. In other words the paper will answer the question: how does an examination of this key theme (character or symbol) help with a critical understanding of these two texts? This paper will use the “Critical Thinking Rubric” in evaluation.
Critical Thinking Assignment
Students will be asked to write a proposal for the Critical Thinking Paper that will be due before midterm; this proposal will count as your Area B “Critical Thinking Assignment.”
Oral Presentation
Middle Georgia State University does key assessments of Critical Thinking and Oral Communications skills in Area B courses such as this one. This informal, fifteen-minute presentation will be based on the critical thinking paper outlined above. You will discuss your research and outline your approach to your paper. Visual aides are encouraged. These presentations will take place in-class during the last weeks of class or via Zoom. See the “Speech Evaluation Rubric.”
Tests
Students’ knowledge of the course texts, both primary and secondary, will be tested at the end of each lesson. These short-answer tests will quiz your knowledge of the subject matter (texts, lecture material, and vocabulary), your ability to synthesize this material, and your creativity in going beyond the discussion and lecture materials. The tests could include vocabulary, identification, and interpretation. Test grades will be based upon objective knowledge of the material, thoroughness, depth of insight, precision, and originality.[3]
Required Materials
Texts
There are no required textbooks for this course. However, several PDFs and online articles will make up the class readings. All texts are available via Google Drive; request access by entering your MGA email address.[4] Additional small fees might be incurred to purchase or to rent videos and texts for certain lessons. I will try to keep these expenses to a minimum . A subscription to a video streaming service, like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, might be worth your time for the semester. Most give free trial periods or discounts for students.
Your course book(s) or readings should always accompany you to class, as we will make heavy use of them in our daily discussions. Please do not come to class without it: we need the texts for class activities, in-class writing, and all aspects of our study. PDFs must be printed if they are used in class—this includes exams. Failure to do so will earn you an absence .
You should also bring an ink interface of some sort, as well as dead trees on which to take notes. Notes should not only reflect good listening skills, but individual interest in every topic discussed in class.
Notes
- ↑ This is the general percentage breakdown for these requirements. As I use a point system for evaluation, the percentages are just an estimate.
- ↑ On the course page, the COTC folder in under Content Browser on the right. You can also click “Content Browser,” then “COTC” (bottom left) to get a list of all units and assessments.
- ↑ See the various resources available on this web site to help. They should assist in exam prep and provide guidance for your study throughout the semester.
- ↑ You don’t have to use your MGA email address, but I should be able to identify you. If you use an odd email address, let me know what it is.
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| Area B |
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| 🕒 07-15-2020 | 📆 Make an Appointment | 💬 Ask a Question | 📣 Leave Feedback |
