AMERICAN HISTORY II / ENGLISH COMPOSITION II
HONORS
Dr. Robert M. Ruff Nancy Blomgren
Professor of History and Associate Professor of English
Political Science
Office: N-109 Office: A-210
Phone: 452-8600, ext 3236 Phone:452-8600, ext 3208
Home Phone: 824-9748 Home Phone: 860-7813
Email: bob.ruff@vscc.cc.tn.us Email: nancy.blomgren@vscc.cc.tn.us
Home Address:
112 LaView
Hendersonville, TN 37075
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.
-- Leo Buscaglia
Textbooks
A People's History of the United States, Zinn
Martin and Malcolm and America, Cone
Course Objectives
For students to:
Learn to think critically by reading critically and analyzing through oral and written discussion ideas on the economic, social, political, religious, intellectual and esthetic history of the United States since 1877.
Acquire skills for writing documented papers.
Demonstrate that writing skills learned in English class can transfer to other classes.
Demonstrate that interrelating English and History classes enhances learning and writing skills.
There is no such thing as neutral education. Education is either for domestication or for freedom. --Joao Countinho
The rich man carves his beefsteak with impunity because he first applies the knife blade to his brain. --Jonathan Kozol
History is CRITICAL THINKING ABOUT THE PAST
If I don't know I don't know
I think I know.
If I don't know I know
I think I don't know.
--R.D. Laing
Statements on the Objectives of English
Truth or illusion, baby, which is it? --Edward Albee
Basic premises of the composition part of this course:
Writing is the only way to closely examine and develop critical thinking.
All a piece of writing needs to do is to communicate an idea to a reader in the most effective way possible.
The best way to learn how to write is to write, the best way to learn how to think is to think.
If you know what you want to say but can't say it, you don't know what you want to say; it's not a "writing problem," but a need to think through ideas more completely.
Grammar/punctuation are only a problem if they get in the way of meaning.
Statements on the Objectives of History
Understanding, not certainty, is the aim of history. --John Lukacs
History is like looking in the mirror. If we are honest we may see ourselves as others see us.
--William Appleman Williams
One main drive of education is the search for TRUTH. History forms one avenue in this quest. A primary objective of this course is to develop the ability to analyze and evaluate events, ideas, trends and personalities. For this reason, emphasis will be placed on critical thinking about interpretations.
IMPORTANT: Because truth changes, history changes. Or, to put it another way, each generation sees the past from a different perspective. It is this changing face of the past that makes history exciting.
Course Requirements:
History/English:
Two book reviews
Two research papers
Group critique
Group critical thinking journal
History:
Three essay exams, individual critical thinking journal
CYA Announcement: Since this is an experimental course, we may change some of the requirements as we go along. We invite suggestions.
He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone. John 8:7
Absence Policy:
Attendance is expected. Any time you are absent, you are expected to read the syllabus, check the assignment with the instructors or another student and come to the next class fully prepared.
Late Paper Policy:
You are allowed one late paper during the term. Having extra time for the paper will, of course, mean that it should be of even higher quality than a paper handed in on time.
Grades:
English:
During the semester, you will receive feedback about your essays from instructors and students. At the end of the semester, you will choose your best work to be included in a portfolio, which will be given to two readers on the faculty who will grade the portfolio independently. This will benefit you in several ways: 1) the readers won't see your mistakes, but will evaluate only on your best work, 2) the readers won't be influenced by personal factors, but only by your writing, 3) you will be allowed to revise as often as you feel necessary to get the grade you wish, 4) your instructor is in this with you: if bad papers are sent to the readers, that will reflect on all of us.
Your grades for English and History are independent of each other.
What you should already know:
Standard grammar, punctuation and spelling
What a thesis is and how to write one
How to organize an essay so that all paragraphs support the thesis
How to read an article and identify the main point
Once there was a flock of geese. They were kept in a wire cage by a farmer. One day, one of the geese looked up and saw that there was no top to the cage. Excitedly, he told the other geese, "Look, look: there is no top. We may leave here. We may become free." Few listened, and none would turn his head to the sky. So one day, he simply spread his wings and flew away -- alone. --Soren Kierkegaard
I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth; and truth rewarded me. --Simone de Beauvoir
Statement of ADA Policy:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the student's responsibility to contact his/her instructor concerning any special accommodations required for completion of course requirements.
Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action educational institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.