Syllabus

Required Texts and Other Materials:

Atwan, Robert and Donald McQuade, eds. The Writer’s Presence. 7th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. Print.

Harris, Muriel and Jennifer L. Kunka. Prentice Hall Reference Guide. 9th Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2011. Print.

Notebook or notebook paper and pens/pencils for in-class writing assignments

Flashdrive (or access to online storage accounts such as Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)

Course Catalog Description: ENGLISH 1113. 3 hours.  Students write coherent, organized, and mechanically proficient essays, using a variety of rhetorical strategies including the basic concepts of persuasion, support, and documentation.

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to the composing process. During this semester we will focus on using rhetorical strategies to develop expository and analytical writing skills necessary for academic writing in all disciplines. Along with writing, students will participate in workshops, which will require peer interaction and essay-sharing within each group.

Because careful reading is a crucial step in academic writing, we will be reading selected short essays that will aid in the four major writing assignments given throughout the semester. These essays (along with the daily assignments) are designed to develop written and oral communication, critical thinking, audience awareness, and library skills.


Course Requirements:

1.      Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. To be counted present, students are expected to show up on time, with the required materials (i.e—book and writing materials), and be prepared for and engaged in workshops, in-class writings, and discussions. Students will be allowed 4 absences for the semester (that’s two full weeks of class).  If you must miss class, completed assignments must still be turned in on time. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an assignment by the due date, email me before the assignment is due to discuss your situation. Excused absences that don’t count toward your overall allotted absences include: 


1. Travel which is a required part of an instructional program of the university, including field trips which are part of an instructor‘s course syllabus, presentations of research or artistic performances under the supervision of faculty at a conference or sanctioned meeting, etc.;
2. Participation in activities formally sponsored by the university (or an established unit within the university), including but not limited to athletic team travel to games, debate team travel to competitions, dance program travel to official competitions, presentations of research or artistic performances at conferences or sanctioned meetings, official choir performances off-campus, etc.;
3. Military obligations as required by law
4. Serious illness or injury as documented through the Office of Academic Affairs (2nd Floor Danley Hall); and
5. Death or serious illness in immediate family as documented through the Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (2nd Floor Danley Hall).
 
It will be your responsibility to provide the Office of Academic affairs with the proper documentation of serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths. If you have further questions or concerns, contact me via email. And please keep in mind that when you miss class, it is still your responsibility to contact me and make up work you’ve missed.

Essay due dates will not be extended due to absences. Resources, in-class writing prompts, and other useful information pertaining to this class will be posted on the classroom blog, so check it often and reply as needed. While mobile devices are allowed (on silent) and can be conducive to the learning environment, persistent texting, game playing, and checking social media accounts are not acceptable and can negatively impact your participation points.
2.      Rough Drafts (200 points): Approximately 1.5 to 2 weeks prior to final essay submission, students will be required to bring copies of their rough draft essays to be used during peer-review workshops or conferences with me. These rough draft reviews help you (the writer) understand and address strengths and weaknesses in your current work before the final paper is due. It also allows you to see the approach your classmates are taking (which can give you ideas), and it gives you the chance to sharpen your own writing skills through peer evaluations and interactions. If you have to miss class on a peer-review day: You must take your paper to The Writing Center to make up the missed points. When you go to The Writing Center, you will need 3 specific questions to have the tutors address, and their form needs to be sent to me. When you turn in the final draft of the essay, you will attach a typed paragraph that describes the 3 questions you had addressed and how you applied them in the revision of your rough draft. No credit will be given if these steps are not followed, and no bonus points will be given for this particular make-up assignment.
3.      Essays (400 points): Students will complete 4 essays approximately every 3-4 weeks throughout the course. These essays are administered in a way that allows them to become more rigorous as the semester progresses. Essays will begin with a personal narrative and end with persuasive essays that require multiple sources. Each essay will have its own handout sheet with detailed information about what the essay is expected to address and accomplish. Essays are due at the beginning of class and must be submitted both digitally (through email attachment, .doc or .docx) and physically (printed and handed to me at the beginning of class). Late papers will receive a 10% deduction for each day (not class period) the paper is late. I will not accept any papers later than one week past their due dates. 

a.      Revision Policy: I have an unlimited revision policy. If you feel that your paper could use some improvement, revisions can be made that can positively affect your grade. If you plan to revise, please contact me via email or office hours prior to revising, so we can discuss revision ideas to improve your essay(s).

b.      Extra Credit: 3 bonus points will be added to your essay grade for each time you utilize The Writing Center. Make sure to bring questions and concerns (and your essay assignment handout) to The Writing Center to make your time there worthwhile. Also, make sure to let them know your form needs to be sent to me. Otherwise I’ll have no way to award you credit for your visit. If you’re struggling with grammar and usage, see the tutors in the English and Languages department. Make sure to bring your essay to them, so they can check for common errors and give you pointers. This marked essay needs to be signed by the tutor to receive bonus points. For each visit, 2 bonus points will be added to your essay grade.
4.      Final (100 points): Students will be required to write a short (2-4 page) reflection on the day of the final. This essay will address what you have learned, what struggles you’ve faced during your writing processes, and what you still feel can be improved. Essays must be legible to receive credit.

Classroom Etiquette:
This classroom is designed to be a learning environment.  In order to make it conducive to learning, certain rules apply. A healthy learning environment encourages freedom of expression and responsible critical debate.  However, freedom of expression does not mean one can say whatever one wants in whatever way one wants to say it.  Likewise, responsible critical debate does not involve name-calling or intimidation.  Mutual respect is expected between all parties in class regardless of the topic of discussion.  Disruptive or abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Students will receive one written warning if they violate this code of conduct.  Further incidents constitute grounds for the professor to fail (F) of withdraw (AW) the offending student at his or her discretion.  Moreover, students whose behavior constitutes a violation of the University Code of Conduct are vulnerable to additional disciplinary action.

Course Outcomes:

·         Use web search engines effectively to find information appropriate for a writing assignment

·         Evaluate, employ, and document supporting evidence

·         Demonstrate comprehension of a concept

·         Interpret and evaluate a concept for knowledge-building and decision-making

·         Develop ideas using a variety of composing techniques

·         Adjust style and content to communicate effectively with multiple audiences

·         Maintain focus throughout a longer essay (350-700 words)

·         Edit a prose text to increase clarity, coherence, organization and mechanical proficiency

 General Education Learning Outcomes:

·         Communication: Students demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in multiple contexts.

·         Intellectual Skills: Students demonstrate the ability to comprehend and process concepts, to establish relationships within and among disciplines, and to interpret and evaluate information for knowledge-building and decision-making.

·         Information Literacy: Students demonstrate the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and appropriately for any given learning situation.

·         Intercultural Knowledge: Students demonstrate the ability to recognize the complexity of culture, their own as well as others, and see themselves as members of a global community.

Academic Integrity:  According to University policy, plagiarism is “presenting the words, visual images or ideas of another as one’s own.  Except for what is called ‘common knowledge,’ any information taken from another source must be documented in the student’s work.  When a student interprets another’s ideas, credit must be given by an in-text reference.  When a student uses an exact copy of another’s work, it must be delineated by use of quotation marks or indentation and referenced with the source” (East Central University Policy on Academic Integrity).  Plagiarism can result in a failing grade for the assignment, course, or even expulsion from the university, especially if multiple instances of plagiarism are noted. The full policy is here: https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/siteContent/administration/academic-affairs/documents/AcademicIntegrityPolicy.pdf

ADA Statement:
East Central University is committed to providing equal access to University programs and services to University programs and services for all students.  Under university policy and federal and state laws, students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations.  If any member of the class has a documented disability requiring academic accommodations, he or she should report to the Office of Disability Services.  A student seeking reasonable accommodations originating from a documented disability must register with the Office of Disability Services so that said accommodations may be provided.  Contact the Academic Affairs Office if any assistance is needed in this process.

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Statement:
In keeping with the university’s emphasis on writing proficiency, all student-produced writing will be expected to reflect clear, coherent and organized structure, and adherence to the stylistic and mechanical standards articulated by the professor.

**Writing Center Information**
The ECU Writing Center offers free assistance for any student working on any writing task.  The trained staff can help you understand an assignment, get started with ideas, develop your thesis, revise your draft, or learn to proof read your own work. The Writing Center is located in Faust Hall 147; you may reach them by phoning 580-559-5312.  You can also find many valuable handouts and on-line resources via their web page, www.ecok.edu/writingcenter


Grading Scale:

Class Attendance and Participation
 300 points
Rough Drafts(4 x 50)
 200 points
Final essays (4 x 100)
 400 points
Final
 100 points
Total:
 1000 points

Letter to Grade Scale:
A
900-1000
B
800-899
C
700-799
D
600-699
F
0-599

Important dates:

Aug. 29: Last day to drop a 16-week course with 100% refund

Sept. 1: Labor Day Holiday

Oct. 16-17: Fall Break

Nov. 5: Last day to drop a 16-week course with a guaranteed W

Nov. 26-28: Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 11: Final 8:00a-11:00a


***All items on this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor***

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