CORE I (section K)

“The Contemporary Situation”

Fall 2010

Professor Sally Berger Lecture: T R @ 9am, Shen Auditorium

Chapel Basement B109 Discussion: T R @ 10am, Core 113

866-6211 Writing: W @ 1pm, Core 108

Course Description: Core I is entitled “The Contemporary Situation”, which focuses on post-WWII issues & subjects that affect our lives, character, values, spirituality, culture, etc. Our theme this year is “Life in Transition,” divided into four categories:

1. Personal Transitions

2. American Cultural Transitions: Social Struggles for Equality

3. American Cultural Transitions: Changing Values, Faces & Places

4. Global Transitions: America’s Place in the World

“To know yourself, you have to know where you came from.

To know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been.”

GRADING: You will receive two separate grades in Core I: one for Exams (discussion); one for Papers (writing).

Exams: There will be 3 exams, 10 quizzes and 3 quantitative literacy assignments during the semester. Exams will include an essay component. Quizzes may comprise a variety of question styles. Working with another student, you will lead class discussion once this semester to fulfill the “oral presentation” requirement of Core I. Details for this assignment will be given to you as a separate handout.

Quant. Lit & Quizzes (5 points each) 65

· announced & unannounced

Exams (3 @ 50 points each) 150

· Sept. 14 through Simon Birch

· Oct. 12 through Where the Girls Are

· Nov. 11 through In the Shadow of No Towers

Final (comprehensive) (Dec. 16 @ 1pm) 100

Discussion Leader (oral communication) 40

Class Attendance 20

Class Participation & Discussion 25

TOTAL: 400 points

Papers: The papers you will write in Core I will at least include memoir narratives, compare/contrast, and summaries of texts, films, etc. Writing grades are distributed below. Details and guidelines of all writing assignments will be announced in class. ALL PAPERS are due at class time during Writing Class, must be typed, double-spaced, proof-read, and must include a title page.

Attendance 30

In-class writing exercises (various) 50

First Week at SJC (due Sept. 1) 20

Summary #1 (due Sept. 14) 30

Compare/Contrast (tba) 30

Position Paper (tba) 40

Memoir (tba) 100

TOTAL: 300 points

Grading Scale:

A 100 - 93% B+ 89 - 86% C+ 79 - 76% D+ 69 - 66%

A- 92 - 90% B 85 - 83% C 75 - 73% D 65 - 63%

B- 82 - 80% C- 72 - 70% D- 62 - 60% F 59% or below

Class Attendance & Participation:

Attendance is mandatory for all lecture, discussion and writing classes. You will lose 5 points for each unexcused absence. Excused absences include: counseling services, SJC sporting/band events, and family emergencies. Excused absences will be given at the professor’s discretion. The bottom line: You are responsible for all material and assignments you miss. No make-up quizzes will be given without an excused absence.

Sickness: The College is aware of recent reports of possible pandemic or widespread flu events, and faculty members are sensitive to the impact of attending classes while suffering from the effects of the flu. Students will not be penalized for flu-related illnesses which cause them to miss class. However, for this to count as an excused absence, students must seek and forward documentation from the College nurse or other medical professionals which attest to these symptoms as a reason for missing class.

Late Work: NOT ACCEPTED without a penalty and an excused absence. Ten percent of the total point value will be deducted each day a paper is late. Papers are due at the beginning of class on the date given. If you are scheduled to be gone on a day that a paper is due or an exam is scheduled, turn in your assignment and/or schedule a time to take the test before you leave.

Paper Re-writes: Allowed on most papers, but not allowed on late papers. You will have two options: re-write the paper or take the original letter grade. You can earn up to half the points lost if you revise a paper. Your revision is due one week from the day you get your original paper handed back. NOTE: The original paper must be submitted with your revised paper before any credit is awarded.

Participation & Discussion in Class: All students are expected to actively participate in discussion class by asking and answering questions. Communication skills are very much a part of the Core curriculum at Saint Joseph's College.

Electronic Devices: In the business world, it is considered poor etiquette if you text, receive phone calls, or use any electronic device during a public performance (movies, plays, concerts, lectures, meetings, classrooms). Therefore, all cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices must be turned OFF during lecture, discussion, and writing class. Five points will be deducted from your final grade each time your cell phone rings or you text during lecture/class. In addition, I have the right to ask you to leave class.

Special Needs: If you are a person with a disability or special needs, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can make the appropriate arrangements for you.

Anyone caught cheating on an exam or quiz or plagiarizing a paper will receive a ZERO and his/her name will be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for further action.

The Professor reserves the right to change the contents of this syllabus due to unforeseen circumstances.