Missouri Western State College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism

English 100-04:  Introduction to College Writing

Class: 10-10:50 a.m., MWF, JGM 105

Writer’s Workshop:  11-11:30 a.m., MW, SS/C 222U

Spring 2002

 

Teacher:           Mark B. Hamilton        

Office: SS/C 222-S    

Phone:              271-4169        

Office Hours:  MWF 1:30-2:30, TTH 2-3:00, and by appointment       

E-mail:  hamilmb@missouriwestern.edu

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: “3 or 7 and out”

 

            This course has a strict attendance policy in Writer’s Workshop as well as in class.  If you miss three (3) Writer’s Workshops OR seven (7) class periods you will automatically receive an F for the course.  Ordinarily, there are no exceptions and no “makeups” for this attendance policy. If you know of any circumstances likely to make these requirements difficult for you this semester, you should consult with your academic advisor, the Student Success Office, and your teacher.

            If you miss a class session, you still are responsible for all material covered along with the assignments given during your absence. All out-of-class assignments will be due at the beginning of the class period. No late assignments will be accepted unless you have received prior permission from your teacher. Zeros will be given for all missed work.

Additionally, absences may be given for being late or for other disruptive behavior.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS AND COURSE MATERIALS:

 

Dietsch, Betty.  Reasoning and Writing Well. 2nd edition. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 2000.

 

English 100 Writer’s Workshops.  Spring 2002, Dr. Keith Rhodes, ed. St. Joseph: MWSC, 2002.

 

3-1/2" floppy disks; Non-spiral bound lined paper; Portfolio folder(s); Blue or black ink pens.

 

Notebook; Photocopies for group work as requested

 

COURSE GOALS AND CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Reading Goals:

During the completion of ENG 100 students will

·        Read actively for greater understanding; locate main ideas and supporting details;

·        Read textbooks effectively to gain knowledge and understandings;

·        Use reading to improve their writing by drawing ideas and information from written material;

·        Use texts to understand their own and others’ ideas and experiences;

·        Read writing assignments effectively as a guide to creating better papers;

·        Recognize good writing by actively reading good prose.

 

Writing Goals:  

During the completion of ENG 100 students will

·        Do some private writing for themselves; use journal entries to explore their thoughts;

·        Use various invention techniques to discover, tests, and explore;

·        Use prewriting to recreate, to reflect upon, and to generate content and ideas;

·        Move easily from writing for self-expression to writing for readers;

·        Write at greater length more easily, more quickly, and more usefully;

·        Structure their writing to fit the assignment, to fulfill the purpose for an audience;

·        Write essays to communicate ideas and to order thoughts, emotions & experiences;

·        Develop their ideas and concepts with specific details, examples, and explanations;

·        Craft more effective and polished sentences and paragraphs;

·        Learn other revision techniques to step-up the quality of their writing to college levels;

·        Use effective planning, invention, and revision strategies for successful writing;

·        Become practiced in written conventions:  the use of Thesis Statements, organizational structures, and modes of communication like description, narration, and causal analysis.

·        Identify and correct their own spelling, grammatical, and mechanical errors.

 

General Studies Goals:

In ENG 100 students should improve their ability to

·        Think critically and reason analytically;

·        Write and speak clearly and effectively;

·        Gain a greater awareness of the present through an understanding of other cultures and times;

·        Understand and appreciate moral values and ethical choices;

·        Understand and enjoy aesthetic experiences and share in related creative activities.

 

 

GRADING POLICY:

 

            Your final grade will be determined on the basis of your progress as a writer, the writings you submit, and your class participation over the course of the semester. The components of your grade in the course are:

 

Assignments. Progress is best made in small increments. Consequently, much of your on-going work will be through day-to-day assignments in reading, writing, and in the testing of your knowledge and abilities. To make a little progress everyday will put you way ahead by the end of the semester. All these smaller assignments will help you toward the completion of the larger Task Papers. Total of 40%.

 

Writing.  You will complete four major writing Task Papers to be graded by your teacher.  A student who does not turn in all four Task Papers cannot pass the course even if the grades achieved in the other three writing tasks are satisfactory. Total of 40%.

 

Progress as a writer.  Your progress as a writer will be assessed through an end-of-semester Final Portfolio in which you must submit all of the semester’s work. Your portfolio must receive an “acceptable” evaluation in order for you to pass ENG 100, meaning that three of the four Task Papers must receive a final grade of C or higher. Total of 10%.

 

Final Exam. This exam will test your overall, final competency in Eng 100. Total of 10%.

 

Traditional Letter Grades, with + and –‘s, will indicate grades for the Task Papers. A combination of numerical scores, letter grades, and a system of “  ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades for the other Assignments.

 

Writer’s Workshop.  Throughout the course of the semester, you will attend the once-a-week, small group Writer’s Workshop (listed as “labs” in the class schedule). Some of your Writer’s Workshop materials may be used in class, and some of your class papers may be critiqued and proofread in Writer’s Workshop. You must ensure that you have the right materials in the right place. Your teacher may also consider your Writer's Workshop participation as part of your overall grade.

 

FORMAL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

 

All of your writing for this course should be new and original, done on time, and according to instructions. If you start off doing the best you can and keep adding to your knowledge while furthering your skills throughout the semester, you should do well.

 

The semester’s work is divided basically into four Task segments, plus a Final Portfolio and a Final Exam. Each of the four Task segments consists of two parts: 1) all the Assignments (including in class and out of class writings, readings, and quizzes, etc.) leading up to the Paper, and 2) the graded Task Paper itself. Good writing is often in the thoughtful preparation.

 

Percentages:

 

Task #1 Assignments: 10%

Task #1 Paper: 10%     (word processed)

           

Task #2 Assignments:   10%

Task #2 Paper: 10%     (word processed)

 

Task #3 Assignments: 10%

Task #3 Paper: 10%     (word processed)

 

Task #4 Assignments:   10%

Task #4 Paper: 10%     (word processed)

 

Final Portfolio: 10%

 

Final Exam: 10%

 

A=95 A-=92  B+=88  B=85  B-=82  C+=78  C=75  C-=72  D+=68  D=65  D-=62  F+=58  F=55                 

 

  +”=100,    “=80,    -“=60, and  0=0

 

STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:

 

            Any student in this course who has any Special Need that prevents or hinders the fullest expression of their abilities should contact Missouri Western's special needs coordinator, Lois Fox for expert recommendations and assistance. You should also contact your teacher personally the first few days of class to discuss class requirements. Contact Ms. Fox at 271-4330, or email her at fox @ mwsc.edu, or drop by her office in SS/C 202B.

 

EXTRA HELP:

 

Your instructor is here to help you succeed. Office hours are posted, and other arrangements can be made by appointment whenever necessary. Contact me when you have questions, or when you need additional help.

 

Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent support systems, and they are here just for you!

 

Center for Academic Support offers extra help in writing, reading, math and subject areas. Walk in or contact them next to the Library at 271-4524. Corla Dawson, Writing Coordinator, 271-4531. Cathy Gann, Reading/Study Skills Coordinator, 271-5621.

 

Student Success Office has many programs to keep you progressing toward your goals: from finding your way around campus, to special academic advising. Contact them in SS/C 209 at 271-5990.

 

Non-Traditional Student Center can get you re-oriented toward academic life even if you’re 25 or 40! There are seminars, associations, and honor societies for older students. Contact them in SS/C 202, at 271-4280.

 

CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:

 

            Missouri Western requires all students to help maintain good classroom conditions and a campus environment conducive to both teaching and learning.  All students will treat their classmates, teachers, and student assistants with civility and respect, both inside and outside the classroom.  Students who violate this policy may, among other penalties, be counted absent and asked to leave.  You should review your Missouri Western Student Handbook for further information.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:

 

            If your teacher finds evidence of cheating or plagiarism, you have the burden of showing that the paper has in fact been written by you.  You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof.  You will receive a grade of F, or a Zero, for any paper that shows sufficient evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism.  Stronger evidence proving flagrant cheating and/or plagiarism may lead to even stronger penalties.  Please note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website, found at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/plagiarism.asp. Refer to your Student Handbook for additional codes of conduct.                                    ###