Missouri Western State
College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Fall 2003
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 10-11:00 a.m., Th 2-4 p.m.,
and by appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY: “7 or 4”
We meet three times per week for 50-minute classes and once per week
for Workshop.
This course does have a fairly strict attendance policy
in class, as well as in Writer’s Workshop. If you miss seven (7) class periods OR four
(4) Writer’s Workshops you will automatically receive an “F” for the final
course grade. Additionally, being late (15 minutes), being habitually late, or
being disruptive can also count as an absence(s). Any absence does affect the
course grade because it necessarily represents missed work. Remember,
out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.
There are no
excused absences. Each absence counts no matter what the reason. If you miss a class
session, you are still responsible for all material assigned and covered. No
late assignments will be accepted unless you notify me prior to the
absence. Otherwise, all late or missing work will earn a zero. There is an
opportunity to make-up missed Workshops on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. in SS/C 222.
At the college level, three (3) class absences are
the usual maximum. If you
know of circumstances likely to make these requirements difficult for you this
semester, you should consult with your academic advisor, the Student Services
Office, and your instructor.
If you are unsure of any required
assignment, talk to me after class, phone my office, drop by during office
hours, email me with your questions, and/or arrange a mutually convenient time
to discuss any concerns. I am here to help you in any way, any time.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND COURSE
MATERIALS:
Dietsch,
Betty. Reasoning and Writing Well. 3nd edition. Mountain View,
CA: Mayfield, 2002.
English 100 Writer’s
Workshops. Fall 2003, Dawn Terrick, ed. St. Joseph:
MWSC, 2003.
Notebook
(perforated) for in class notes and written assignments; 3-1/2" floppy
disks (2-3)
Manila
folder(s) suggested for Portfolios
Blue
or black ink pens only
A
good College Dictionary and Thesaurus are recommended
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS AND THE
GRADING POLICY:
Your
final grade will be determined on the basis of your progress as a writer and as
a reader. Primary grades will be earned on textbook quizzes and tests,
assignments in and out of class, four task papers, and your own class
participation over the course of the semester. Both acquiring knowledge and
developing skills are important.
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%
Assignments: Total of 40%. Progress in writing is best made by small increments. Consequently,
your progress will be through day-to-day assignments in reading and writing. To
assimilate a little progress everyday will put you way ahead by the end
of the semester. In class and out-of-class assignments will help you toward the
completion of the larger Task Papers.
4 Task Papers: Total of 40%. You will complete four major
writing tasks, word processed and graded. A student who does not turn in all
four cannot pass the course even if the grades achieved in the other three
writing assignments are satisfactory.
Progress as a College Writer: Total of 10%. Your overall progress as a
writer will be assessed through an end-of-semester Final Portfolio in which you
submit all of the semester’s work, along with a detailed self-critique,
which will be graded. Your portfolio must receive an “acceptable” evaluation in
order for you to pass ENG 100: three of the four Task Papers must receive a
final grade of C or higher and the Cover Sheet must be thoughtfully and
thoroughly completed.
Final Exam: Total of 10%. A final exam to test your competency for entrance into Eng 104.
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.
Writer's Workshop participation may affect your overall course grade by + or -
3 points.
FORMAL TASK PAPERS &
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:
All writing assignments should be NEW and ORIGINAL for this course, done by you on time as instructed. If you start off by doing the best you can and keep adding to your knowledge while furthering your skills throughout the semester, you should succeed in English 100.
The
Drafts and Task Papers themselves will need to be Word Processed, 12 Point
Fonts and Double Spaced. Side margins are 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom 1.5
inch. (More on this later.)
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s 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 (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60% and so on), will indicate grades for other on-going Assignments.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any student who has any temporary or
long standing ailment 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 also should contact me,
personally, during the first few days of class to discuss class requirements
and any special accommodations that may be necessary. Contact Ms. Fox at
271-4330, email her at fox @ mwsc.edu, or drop by her office in SS/C 202B. As
the semester goes along, keep me informed as well.
EVERY DAY 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. I may assign you for tutorials if needed.
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 in 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 Services 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.
Success will happen.
I hope you have an excellent
and enjoyable semester.
GENERAL STUDIES COURSE GOALS
FOR ENG 100: AN OVERVIEW
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.
Gain
expertise and confidence with college quality work, study, writing, and
reading.
CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:
Missouri Western requires all
students to help maintain good classroom conditions and a campus environment
conducive to both learning and teaching.
All students should treat their classmates, instructors, and student
assistants with civility and respect, both inside and outside the
classroom. Remember, your
accomplishment is the primary objective.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work should be new and original
for this course. Student academic policies are always in effect. These protect
you and the standards of the college. Cheating, misrepresentation, or
plagiarism will result in zeros for the assignment, failure for the course, or
in extreme cases, expulsion from the college. Please note carefully the
statement on academic honesty and student conduct in the Student Handbook
(pg. 30-33) and on the EFLJ departmental website,
http://www2.mwsc.edu/eflj/plagiarism.html.
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