Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
MWSC, Division of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Spring 2001
ENG 108 College Writing and Research
1:00 MWF 302 Murphy
2:00 MWF 302 Murphy
Professor: Dr. Kaye Adkins
Office: 309F Murphy (until Feb.)
Phone: 271-5967
Email:
kadkins@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 9:00-9:50 MWF
12:00-12:50 MWF
By appointment TTh
Objectives-The course objectives are outlined on the EFLJ Department web page, http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/eng108.asp. Please become familiar with these objectives.
Required Textbooks and materials:
Ebest, et. al., Writing From A to Z
Rottenburg, Structure of Argument
Research notebook (9½"x6" 3-ring binder with four dividers)
A good college dictionary
Pocket folder for portfolios
Spiral notebook for freewriting
About the course: English 108: College Writing and Research will help you learn to use sources in academic papers. You will learn to identify and evaluate arguments in texts, and to use the texts of other authors to support your own observations and claims. We will consider the following questions:
Assignments: In addition to reading assignments and brief writing exercises, five long writing assignments will be required. These longer assignments should be word processed or typed. As students work on their research papers, they will keep a research notebook. We will discuss the requirements for the notebook later in the semester. This should be turned in with the final research project. When each major paper is returned, students will be required to complete a revision sheet and to update their "error log." These logs will be used to develop individual proofreading strategies. There will also be a final exam. The longer assignments will be as follows:
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Series of analysis/response papers
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Two in-class single-source essays
One out-of-class singe source essay |
In class 1/26, 2/2
Due 2/12 |
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Synthesis/evaluation paper |
Synthesis, analysis, and evaluation of two sources |
Due 2/23 |
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Background research paper |
Research paper using one or more primary sources |
Due 3/26 |
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Current response research paper |
Research paper using at least five secondary sources |
Due 4/16 |
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Long research paper |
Final research paper using sections and sources from the two previous papers. |
Due at final exam |
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Final exam (Portfolios and research notebooks due) |
In class analysis and response single source essay |
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Students will also be required to keep a spiral notebook of freewriting, keeping an error log in the back of the notebook. Please use this only for freewriting and the error log. Keep notes and homework in another place. Bring this notebook to class each day. Most class periods will begin with a 5 minute freewriting session. I will look at your freewriting periodically to see if your speed is improving. I will not be concerned with correctness or content.
Grading: As the semester progresses, I will consider more elements of papers as I grade them. By the end of the semester, a passing paper will:
clearly respond to the assignment
focus on one distinct idea (a thesis, hypothesis, or question)
have a coherent general structure
integrate sources appropriately in a text
cite sources appropriately in a bibliography
have paragraphs that have a clear internal structure and a use of specific details
have sentences whose grammar is acceptable as English
be relatively free of blatant errors in idiom, diction, spelling, and punctuation.
Papers with four spelling errors will lose one letter grade. I will count typos as spelling errors. Papers turned in late, without an acceptable excuse, will lose one letter grade for each business day they are late. Grades will be weighted as follows:
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Single source papers Two source paper Research paper 1 Research paper 2 Long research paper |
10% 10% 15% 15% 20% |
Research notebook Final exam Freewriting/portfolio Daily work/class participation |
5% 15% 5% 5% |
Absences: Students missing four class periods without a verified excuse will have their semester grade lowered. Regular in-class work and homework (except major papers) may not be made up. If you must be absent and you know in advance, please talk to me about it and we will arrange for you to make up your work before you miss class; otherwise, talk to me when you return.
Academic honesty:"Since honesty in the classroom is required, cheating, plagarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college constitutes a violation." Policy Guide II, B, C. In other words, the work you turn in should be your own.
Disabilities: Please let me know during the first week of class about any physical handicap or learning disability if you need special help or accommodation in order to do your best work.
Disclaimer: I try to adapt each of my classes to the needs and interests of the students. This means that the
Schedule of Assignments may change.