English 2020, Spring Semester 2025
Instructor: JC Clapp, Adjunct Professor
Email: clappj@ewc.wy.edu
Course: ENGL 2020 Section 41, 3 credit hours
Course Dates: January 13 - May 8, 2025
Course Holidays (No Class): January 20, February 6-9, March 10-16, April 18-21
Course Requirements: Online interactions only. No on-campus orientations or meetings.
Course Access: Canvas online courseware: https://services.ewc.wy.edu/MyEWC/ Within Canvas, you'll find our course listed as 25/SP: ENGL 2020 41 (Literature, Media, and Culture) The entire course is broken down by week, with online lectures, assignments, and discussions all happening in the online classroom from the "Home" page. You must use a computer, not a phone app, to access the course.
Course Description: A study of the intersections between literature and media in their many forms, and the culture in which they are created and experienced. The course will introduce students to a broad selection of texts (written, performed, and spoken), and ask them to develop their critical thinking skills through discussion, writing, and speaking. Topics will vary by instructor.
General Education: This course meets the Communication 2 and Arts, Culture, and Humanities general education categories at EWC. It cannot count for both categories for one student. It also meets the COM2 requirement of the 2015 University of Wyoming University Studies Program.
Focus of this Course: The theme of this course is the SciFi Western Firefly. Firefly (2002) is a television show, and Serenity is the feature-length movie that followed it. Both were written and directed by Joss Whedon. You'll be watching all of the episodes of Firefly and then the Serenity movie on your own and then we'll be discussing, reading about, and writing about them. Please note that Firefly and Serenity contain scenes with war, violence, death, torture, sexual content, course language, and mental illness. While these topics are handled in a TV-14 (PG-13) manner, viewer discretion is advised.
Course Media: You'll need to find Firefly and Serenity via a vendor of your choice. There are often 30-day free trials on streaming services where you can subscribe, watch all of the episodes, and then cancel your subscription before you have to pay for it. Last I checked, they are available on several streaming services, but always check to see where it's streaming, since availability changes.
Firefly (TV series, 2002), all episodes -- $12 to buy the series on Amazon Prime Video or CW for free with ads or streaming on Disney+ or Hulu
Serenity (film, 2005) -- $4 on Amazon Prime Video
Course Readings: All three books are available to purchase online from a vendor of your choice should you prefer a print copy, or all readings are available for free as PDFs. To be very clear: you do not have to buy the books – they are free here in PDF form. Only purchase the books below if you want to have a paper copy.
A Sequence for Academic Writing, 7th edition, by Behrens and Rosen, Longman Press, ISBN: 9780134398501 (2017).
Finding Serenity: Anti-Heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly, ed. Jane Espenson, BenBella Books, ISBN: 1-932100-43-1 (2004).
Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, eds. Rhonda V. Wilcox & Tanya R. Cochran, I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd, ISBN: 978-1-84511-654-5 (2008).
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Develop and share written, oral, and digital messages through a variety of assignments.
Find, analyze, evaluate, and document information appropriately using a variety of sources.
Understand the different purposes of written, oral, and digital messages and employ appropriate organizational strategies.
Make effective use of a writing process and collaboration in the achievement of a final work of communication.
Observe accepted conventions including spelling, grammar, organizational structure, punctuation, delivery and documentation in oral, written, and digital messages.
Deliver prepared presentations in a natural, confident, and conversational manner.
Interact effectively with audience members, engage opposing viewpoints constructively, and demonstrate active listening skills.
Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, writing, and responsible use of information resources.
Solve problems through critical analysis and quantitative reasoning.
Apply civic responsibility in a variety of social contexts.
Apply the scientific method to investigate behaviors or phenomena related to their content area.
Interpret the complexity of the human experience through the arts and culture.
Differentiate with respect to diverse perspectives on community, national and international issues related to their content area.
Identify ways to work with their individual personal beliefs, values, and biases to interact respectfully with others.
Develop a good understanding of Canvas navigation and tools used in this course.
Check Canvas throughout the week.
Read all course material, including notes, prompts, announcements, messages, and assignments.
Have a good understanding of this document and the schedule.
Communicate with the appropriate party (instructor, Canvas, instructional technology) when questions or issues arise.
Be respectful, professional, and appropriate in all communications, including with your fellow students.
The EWC Student Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to in this course. Infractions to this code will be dealt with in accordance with EWC Board Policies. Please refer to the EWC Student Handbook and this instructor for clarification and further information about students’ responsibilities for civil decorum within the classroom setting and college campus. Your opinion and reaction to the materials are always welcome, but should be communicated in a respectful way and abide by the Student Code of Conduct.
There are four major assignments, due about once per month as shown on the Course Calendar of Due Dates.
Summary & Critique -- write summaries of different lengths for different purposes; review and evaluate a reading
Follow-the-Source -- find, analyze and document research sources
Argument Synthesis -- analyze, engage opposing viewpoints, and build an argument around an interpretation
Oral Presentation -- work collaboratively to deliver a prepared presentation on a media topic
Weekly Discussions: 200 points
Major Assignments: 800 points
Total: 1000 points
Extra Credit:
There are many opportunities throughout the term where you have the option to participate in peer review and get feedback from JC on your work (and earn extra credit in the process!). This extra credit is a way of buffering your grade as well as a way to get feedback on your drafts so you can improve before you turn in the final (graded) draft.
Your grade is available to you at all times via the "Gradebook" link in our Canvas class. There will be a completed grading rubric for every assignment. There is no final exam, just turn in your final assignment. No assignments are accepted after the last day of the term as listed on the college's academic calendar. The grade you have earned by the end of the quarter will be based on the college's grading procedures:
A = 90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F= 0%-59%
No marks of X (incomplete) will be granted except in the most extreme circumstances.
I do not accept late assignments. For each of the assignment, there is a specific due date/time. Everything is always due at 9:00 a.m. MST. To turn in an assignment, locate the appropriate drop box. If you do not turn your assignment in on time, you will receive 0 points on that assignment. All assignments must be turned in via Canvas and not emailed. Save all files as Word (.doc or .docx) files or as a PDFs. Extra credit is available throughout the term to buffer your grade in the event you miss an assignment.
Technology fails, but its failure is not an excuse for late work. Make every effort to resolve technological issues prior to deadlines. I understand the complexities and unpredictable nature of technology, but undertaking a college course implies that the student is able to problem-solve or seek appropriate assistance for most technological issues. Plan accordingly. If you choose to complete work at the last minute, you must accept the consequences of unexpected technological issues.
EWC attendance and instructor withdrawal policy
"No Show" withdrawal: If you don't "attend" class the first week and post your introduction to the "Introductions" forum, you will be considered a "no show" and you may be administratively withdrawn (dropped) from the class.
Dropping the class to avoid a low grade: If you do not feel you will be able to complete the course to your satisfaction, it is your responsibility to drop/withdraw from the course by the last withdrawal date as listed on the academic calendar.
Class will be conducted entirely online. There is no specific time of day when you need to be online; however, you will need to check the class page regularly. I will check my Canvas messages and campus email at least once per weekday, and you should, too. I do my best to reply to all messages within one business day. I don't check my email on the weekends, so if you email me on Friday afternoon you may not hear back from me until Monday morning. Set up the Canvas settings and notifications so that you don't miss anything (info on how to do that below).
Academic Dishonesty Definitions
Having another person write for you, or copying anything from online, is plagiarizing. If you choose to plagiarize, you will receive 0 points on that assignment and a formal report will be filed with the college requesting disciplinary action. To avoid plagiarizing, cite all of your sources using MLA style. Using ideas or words from sources, including generative AI, without citing your source is plagiarism. Don't use generative AI to write for you; if you use AI to help with idea generation, outlining, or other aspects of the writing process, you need to document it.
Turnitin© is a cloud-based service utilized by EWC for originality checking, including improper citations or potential plagiarism. Any work you complete in this course may be submitted to this service. You can view information regarding Turnitin’s privacy policy.
Attending this class takes the form of participating in the weekly discussion forums. The week begins on Monday at 12:00 a.m. and runs until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. The due date listed in Canvas is the date the forum closes on Sundays, not the due date for when you first need to post. Your first post of the week should be no later than Wednesday, with additional post(s) usually due on Thursday and later. There's no way in Canvas for me to indicate the first posting due dates vs. the forum closing date. See the grading rubric within the discussion forum for how that discussion will be graded. You may not make up missed posts. See below for examples of how to write your posts.
Discussions are meant to be conversations with your peers, so make your replies connect to what others have said, add your opinions, and then encourage a response by asking a follow-up question. Don't simply repeat or summarize what your peer said. After you've drafted and posted your first post as directed each week, then have a conversation. If your classmate was sitting next to you in a room, you would talk to each other and offer your own ideas. This all means that if you are asked to respond to your peers, it's okay to have the required responses to the same person -- if you're having a back-and-forth conversation. There's a reason why you have to post early in the week -- it's so there is enough time for you to have a back-and-forth conversation before the forum closes on Sunday night. If you jump online late on Sunday and dump a bunch of responses in there, there isn't time for anyone to respond, so the conversation goes nowhere.
What not to do:
Student A's post: Clapp's article says cows make terrible pets.
Student B's response: Good post! Clapp's article did say that cows make terrible pets.
What's the problem? Student B just repeated what Student A said. There was no conversation. Don't summarize or repeat what your peer said! You have to add your opinion and have a conversation.
What to do:
Student A's post: Clapp's article says cows make terrible pets.
Student B's response: I disagree with you. When I read Clapp, I thought she was just using cows as an example of contrast to her point that it's goats that make good pets. She says, "Goats are the GOATS of pets; unlike cows who make terrible pets" (42). So yes, she does say that cows make terrible pets, but that wasn't the main point of her article. Also, I think Clapp is just wrong in her thinking. Goats are not good pets. They are recalcitrant and temperamental. As far as I'm concerned, it's goldfish that make the best pets since they can't sass back. Do you agree with Clapp?
Student A's response: Ah, yes. I see what you mean. Now that you point it out, I see that Clapp's point was about goats and not cows. I agree with you that goats aren't awesome like Clapp says, but for me, it would be dogs, not goldfish, that make the best pets. You can't pet a goldfish, and part of the very definition of a "pet" is the ability to pet it!
Student B's response: Haha, you make a good point there. It is difficult to pet a goldfish. LOL. In that case, I'll say that horses make the best pets. I just can't abide by Clapp's assertion that goats are where it's at.
What worked? Student B disagreed with what Student A said then went on to offer up their own point of view and ask a question. Student A answered the question and said what they thought about the topic. It was a back-and-forth conversation.
ADA Accommodations
Eastern Wyoming College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Amendments Act of 2008. If a student has a documented disability and desires reasonable accommodations for such disability, the student should contact the Student Services Office at (532-8257) or the Director of Human Resources (532-8330) as soon as possible so that arrangements may be made. Here's more information about how to set up academic accommodations
Additional Services
Eastern Wyoming College offers mental health counseling; domestic violence and sexual assault support services; and Title IX processes. If you or someone you know is in need of these services, contact this instructor and/or the EWC Student Services office (307-532-8257) and we will assist you in accessing the appropriate assistance. In addition, you can submit a concern about yourself or someone else via the “Share a Concern” tab at the top of EWC’s homepage. This reporting system allows you to remain anonymous if you so choose. You also have access to support in the form of a free writing tutor and the EWC Library and Librarian.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Eastern Wyoming College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, religion, political belief, veteran status, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment, or participation in or employment in its educational programs or activities. Inquiries, concerning Title II, Title VI, Title VII, and Section 504, may be directed to the Director of Human Resources, 307-532-8330. Inquiries concerning Title IX may be directed to the Executive Dean of Student Services, 307-532-8257. Both may be reached at Eastern Wyoming College, 3200 West C Street, Torrington, WY 82240. Alternatively, you may contact the Wyoming Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Coordinator, 2nd Floor, Hathaway Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050, or 307-777-6218.
Concerns or Issues
If you have any concerns, issues, or problems with this class, you should first contact the instructor in order to solve the problem. If you are not satisfied with the resolution, you should then take your issue through the appropriate chain of command starting with the Department Head, Kelly Strampe: kstrampe@ewc.wy.edu After meeting with the Department Head, if you continue to be unsatisfied with the resolution, schedule a meeting with the Executive Dean of Academics (Dr. Debbie Ochsner: dochsner@ewc.wy.edu) and finally the Vice President of Student Services and Academics (John Hansen: jhansen@ewc.wy.edu) may be contacted if necessary. At any time in this process you can initiate the “Student Grievance Procedure,” which is a outlined in the EWC Student Handbook as set forth by EWC Board of Trustees Policy 5.14.1.
To be successful in this class, it's best to set up Canvas to serve you and keep you informed. First, go to ctcLink and update information like your contact information and your preferred name (that's the name that is displayed in Canvas). For example, if your name is "William" but you go by "Bill" then change it.
Next, go to Canvas, and find your "Account" in the far upper left. From there update the "Settings":
Add your photo or an avatar: click on the circular photo area and add a picture.
Time Zone: Our course is conducted in Mountain Time, but Canvas can adjust that for you if you're in a different time zone, so if you're outside of Mountain Time, go to "Settings" (then "Edit Settings") and change your time zone.
Email Addresses: Your college email address will populate, but if you'd like to receive notifications in other ways, you can add an additional email address and/or a phone number to receive text alerts.
Now, update your "Notifications" (from your Canvas Account area) -- turn on/off the bell icon to receive notifications for particular course actions. Only turn on what you'll find useful so that you don't receive so many notifications that you ignore them. I recommend at the minimum that you turn on:
Due Date
Course Content
Announcement
Grading
New Mention
Conversation Message
Q: Why Firefly? It's old (from 2002!), and I've never heard of it. Why have an entire class centered around it?
A: I love Firefly. Even if you have never heard of Firefly, you'll be fine -- there is no previous knowledge required. We'll pace out the watching of the episodes over the first several weeks. If you really hate the theme, then know other English 2020 classes have different topics, so you always have the option to take a different section. We begin with the elements of a strong summary and critical reading skills, and then we move into the analysis and synthesis of research sources.
Q: I have never watched Firefly or Serenity, and I don't know anything about either of them. Will I be okay?
A: Yes, you'll be fine. I assume you have no background in the topic, and you'll have an opportunity to watch/read everything you need to fully participate in the class. This is a writing class, so we watch Firefly in order to give us material to write about. If you're interested, you can check out Firefly's YouTube channel for making-of and behind-the-scenes videos as well as shorts (optional).
Read this entire Syllabus, including the FAQs below to find the answer to your question.
Ask a question to the "Questions for JC" discussion forum in our Canvas classroom.
Email JC with private inquiries (like about your grade): clappj@ewc.wy.edu
If you have technical difficulties, contact Aaron Bahmer at abahmer@ewc.wy.edu or 307-532-8294
There are resources available to support you:
Work with a free writing tutor
Set up academic accommodations
If you have a question, please check here to see if you can find the answer first. If not, and if your question isn't personal in nature, then post your question to the "Questions for JC" discussion forum so that everybody can benefit from the answer.
Q: This is an online class, so I'm assuming I don't really matter much, do I? Does anybody even notice or care if I'm plugged in?
A: YES, YOU MATTER. For our online class experience to be a positive one, we need every person to engage and be part of our online community. Just because we aren't seeing one another in person doesn't mean we won't get to know one another. You are an important part of our online discussions working. It's only if we all do our part (posting on time, responding to one another, respecting one another, etc.) that a great online experience will emerge. So, I encourage you to see yourself as not just some random individual in cyberspace, but as an important and vital individual in a community of learners.
Q: English isn't my first language, and my grammar isn't perfect. Do I have any hope of passing this class?
A: YES, OF COURSE you do. You may have to work harder than the native speakers in the class, but many of my non-native speakers do quite well in my classes. I expect your writing to be at a college level regardless of whether or not English is your first language. That means that your writing should be clear and strong with only occasional (small!) errors in grammar, syntax, and word choice. Take the time to work through those online lessons, as they are very helpful. Also, work extensively with a campus tutor (also free!). Even if you work very hard, you still may not have the skills to get the grade you want. If that happens to be the case, understand that it's your skills that need more practice and that your grades are no reflection of you as a person, your effort, or your willingness to learn. Please don't resort to using generative AI to write for you.
Q: How much time will this class take me?
A: You'll be watching, reading, writing, and researching on your own rather than sitting in a classroom 3 hours a week as you would with an "ordinary" class. Be prepared to spend at least 2 hours per week watching Firefly episodes (the first few weeks) and discussing online, at least 2+ hours per week reading, and 2+ hours writing. That totals about 6 hours per week. Of course, some weeks will require more time, and others less.
Q: Will there be a lot of reading?
A: It depends on what you consider a lot. You can look at the Course Calendar of Due Dates and decide for yourself. Some weeks there is more reading than others, and some of the readings are more challenging than others, but the readings are all interesting and related to Firefly, and they are good fodder for discussions, so hopefully you'll find them of value.
Q: Where do I find the assigned readings?
A: The readings are assigned out of our required course books. There are other readings assigned that are not in the required course books. Those have been made into PDF files for you and are in this folder here.
Q: I am having a horrible week and the assignment due date is coming up. Can I request an extension on the due date?
A: Yes! In advance of the due date, you may contact me, explain the situation, and politely request an extension. If you're responsible like this, then I will usually grant an extension. I do understand that you have a life and priorities outside of school, so provided you are responsible and let me know what's going on and request an extension, I'll do what I can to work with you.
Q: I missed the due date, so can I turn my assignment in late?
A: No. I strongly believe in applying my policies evenhandedly to all of my students, so by allowing one person to turn in a paper late, I have given that person an unfair advantage that others in the class didn't have. There are extra credit opportunities available throughout the term to help buffer your grade.
Q: Can't you just take the paper late and then just take a few points off or lower my grade a bit or something? Can't I get some credit at least?
A: There's extra credit available throughout the term to help buffer your grade.
Q: But I had something terrible happen that prevented me from turning in my paper on time. Can you be swayed by my excuse?
A: If, and only if, you have had something catastrophic happen to you, and you let me know promptly, will I allow you to turn it in. Be aware, however, that what I consider to be catastrophic are huge life-altering events beyond your control like a death in the family, your being hospitalized, or your airplane crashing into a river. In over 20 years of teaching, I have only had a precious few students be so unfortunate as to have something catastrophic occur; it's rare. If you are one of those unfortunate few, then please let me know and we'll work something out.
Q: I didn't get my required discussion posts done this week. Can I make them up?
A: No. The posts are part of a conversation, they aren't hoops you're jumping through, so once the week's discussion is over there would be no way to make up the posts.
Q: Do you offer extra credit?
A: Yes. There are multiple extra credit opportunities throughout the term that I encourage you to take advantage of.
Q: What if I have learning accommodations? Do you honor those?
A: Yes, of course. If you have the paperwork that documents your disability, I will do everything I can to work with you and to make the required accommodations. This is done privately, and I do not disclose your disability or accommodations to any other students. You are not required to use your accommodations, but I recommend that you do. They are there for a reason, and we both want you to be as successful as possible.
Q: What if I think I have a disability or situation that requires special consideration or accommodations?
A: If you feel that you have a disability or situation that requires consideration, then you need to work directly with the Disability Services office to get your disability properly documented and the appropriate accommodations determined. Once that is done, then you give me the paperwork, and I will work closely with you to meet the needs of your accommodations. I can't make any accommodations, however, without the appropriate paperwork in place.
Q: I don't have reliable internet access where I am. Is that okay?
A: No. Part of the minimum requirements of the course is that you have access to a computer and the internet. The course is difficult to complete on a phone, so please use a computer for coursework.
Q: I am going on a trip and won't be doing my online coursework while I'm traveling (or I won't have internet access). Can I make up the work?
A: Sort of. You can turn in any assignments that are due in advance of your trip, but you can't make up any missed discussion posts after the week's forums have been closed. Many students travel while taking my class, though, and do just great with it. Most parts of the world have an internet connection or internet cafes where you can do your school work while traveling.
Q: Does trying hard on an assignment count for anything? Does how much I improved matter? Are grades in this class based on effort?
A: No. Grades in this class are not given based on effort. While it's true that lots of effort usually results in higher quality work, there is no way for me to accurately and fairly assess how much effort a particular student exerts. So, assignments are graded solely based on what's on the page -- not on how much the student tried. For each assignment, there are grading criteria provided on the rubric. I will use those grading criteria to assess each student's paper. I employ the same grading standards regardless of whether or not English is your first language, whether or not you tried hard, whether or not you've improved since your rough draft was written, or whether or not you are already a strong writer. (In other words, I try to grade each student fairly and equally based on a predetermined set of criteria that is published with the assignment sheet.)
Q: What is your approach to grading?
A: I don't like giving grades any more than students like receiving them. Focusing on grades often gets in the way of students simply engaging with and learning the material. However, grades are a reality, and I do my utmost to treat students equally and fairly. I strive to give the student the highest grade that I can justify giving (the highest grade the work merits). I have no reason to want to cause students distress or to give low grades; low grades often make students unhappy and unhappy students make my life harder, and I like my life easy. Students tend to do very well in my courses. Of the students who finish the course, the vast majority earn passing marks. I want students to do well, and I work hard to do my part in making that happen. The student, however, is ultimately responsible for earning their grades.
Q: I don't agree with the grade I received. Can I file a complaint?
A: If I made an error, like accidentally leaving a line in the rubric blank, let me know and I will correct my mistake and apologize all over myself.
If you did not participate in the peer review (feedback) process and are now unhappy with your grade: You chose not to receive the feedback necessary to improve to increase your chances of a higher grade, but you also have not received any extra credit to help buffer your grade. Therefore, if you don't participate in the peer review process, you are essentially forfeiting your credibility if you have a grade complaint. You had the chance to improve and help your grade before the final draft was due, and there's not much I can do about it if you don't participate in the process and are now unhappy. I can give you more comments and more of a detailed explanation, though, so that you understand better where your grade came from.
If you participated in the feedback process and are still unhappy with your grade: Do nothing for 24 hours; then, go back and reread my comments and the grading rubric. Reread the feedback I provided on your draft and check to see if you thoroughly incorporated all of it and made substantial improvements. If you still want more comments so you understand your grade, please don't hesitate to ask.
If we can't come to a resolution, then you can contact Kelly Strampe, the Department Head, at kstrampe@ewc.wy.edu After meeting with the Department Head, if you continue to be unsatisfied with the resolution, schedule a meeting with the Executive Dean of Academics, and finally the Vice President of Student Services and Academics may be contacted if necessary. At any time in this process you can initiate the “Student Grievance Procedure,” which is outlined in the EWC Student Handbook as set forth by EWC Board of Trustees Policy 5.14.1.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best of the knowledge of the instructor, correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the course. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Eastern Wyoming College and the student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of EWC, to make changes in course materials and course schedules.