WEEKLY SCHEDULE for english 100B
Monday/Wednesday classes, Spring 2025
section 59 (M/W 12:30pm - 1:45pm; LA3-206)
*be absolutely sure you are looking at the right schedule*
Week One
1/22 Wednesday: Welcome! course overview/syllabus
week two
1/27 Monday: finish thematic introduction to English 100B
HW Due: one page - what has been your experience with writing so far? good? bad? roller coaster? great experiences? terrible experiences? This paper should be typed, double-spaced in 12 point font; otherwise this is informal, full credit for completion. due before start of class Wednesday 1/29 in the class Canvas; Quiz #1 (syllabus quiz) must be completed in Canvas before start of class Wednesday 1/29
1/29 Wednesday: begin discussing “Lost in the Meritocracy” by Walter Kirn
HW Due: one page - what has been your experience with writing so far? good? bad? roller coaster? great experiences? terrible experiences? This paper should be typed, double-spaced in 12 point font; otherwise this is informal, full credit for completion. due before start of class Wednesday 1/29 in the class Canvas; Quiz #1 (syllabus quiz) must be completed in Canvas before start of class Wednesday 1/29
week three
2/3 Monday: discuss “Lost in the Meritocracy” by Walter Kirn
HW Due: read "Lost in the Meritocracy" by Walter Kirn (alternate link); Quiz #2 (based on the reading) must be completed in Canvas before the start of class Monday 2/3
2/5 Wednesday: finish discussing Kirn; introduce Essay #1 topic
week four
2/10 Monday: discuss Gatto; introduce Essay #1 prompt
HW Due: read “Against School” by John Taylor Gatto; one page (double-spaced, 12 point font) - 1st para summarize Gatto’s criticism of schools in America; 2nd para your reaction to Gatto’s criticism due in Canvas before start of class
2/12 Wednesday: discuss Essay #1 prompt
HW Due: “Are American Students Lazy?” by Scott Jaschik; "In Praise of the F Word" by Mary Sherry (alternate link)
week five
2/17 Monday: finish discussing Essay #1 prompt
HW Due: “Grade Inflation, Higher and Higher” by Scott Jaschik
2/19 Wednesday: Selecting your Essay #1 Subject
HW Due: "Who's teaching L.A.'s kids?" by Jason Felch, Jason Song, and Doug Smith (alternative link)
week six
2/24 Monday: introduction to “STRUCTURE” in writing
HW Due: “It’s a Boy Thing (Or Is It?)” by Sara Mead; "Achievement Gap Between White and Black Students Still Gaping" by Lauren Camera
2/26 Wednesday: the thesis statement
HW Due: "In the Basement of the Ivory Tower" by Professor X (alternative link); Essay #1 Thesis Draft due in Canvas before start of class
week seven
3/3 Monday: finish the thesis statement; discuss thesis drafts; THE FOUR BIG THINGS
3/5 Wednesday: finish THE FOUR BIG THINGS; analyzing your subject (body paras)
week eight
3/10 Monday: developing and organizing support for Essay #1
3/12 Wednesday: outlining
week nine
3/17 Monday: BIG THING #4 - DEVELOPMENT (evidence)
HW Due: Essay #1 Outline
3/19 Wednesday: topic sentences / transitions
week ten
3/24 Monday: introductions
HW Due: Essay #1 Rough Draft due in Canvas before start or class (does not have to be feature complete - rough drafts are “rough” - but should be over two pages double-spaced to earn full homework participation credit)
3/26 Wednesday: conclusions; MLA format
HW Due: Essay #1 due in Canvas by 11:59pm Wednesday night
3/31 Monday - 4/6 Sunday: SPRING BREAK!
week eleven
4/7 Monday: introduce Essay #2; begin discussing Essay #2 prompt
HW Due: "All teachers fired at Rhode Island school" by Randi Kaye
4/9 Wednesday: finish discussing Essay #2 prompt
HW Due: “Education secretary calls for 12-hour school days, longer school year” by Paul Connor; "Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects, Critics Say" by Cristina Corbin; Quiz #3 must be completed by 4/16 Wednesday before class