Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Class: 11-11:50 a.m., MWF,
SSC 210
& Writer’s Workshop
Spring 2003
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 4-5, TTh 2-3, and by
appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY: “7 or 3”
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 three
(3) 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 absences do affect the
course grade because they represent missed work. 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 work will earn a zero.
In college, one week of absences (three class
periods) 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
Success Office, and your instructor.
If you are unsure of the required
work, talk to me after class, phone my office, drop by during office hours,
email me with your questions, or arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss
any concerns. I am here to help in any way, any time.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND COURSE
MATERIALS:
Dietsch,
Betty. Reasoning and Writing Well. 3nd edition.
English 100 Writer’s
Workshops. Spring 2002, Dr. Keith Rhodes, ed.
Notebook
(perforated) for in class notes and written assignments
3-1/2"
floppy disks (2-3 for this class)
Portfolio
manila folder(s) suggested
Blue
or black ink pens
A
good College Dictionary 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 papers, and your own class participation
over the course of the semester. Both knowledge and 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 is best made in small increments. Consequently, much of your
on-going 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. All these smaller 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 an assigned cover sheet.
Your portfolio must receive an “acceptable” evaluation in order for you to pass
ENG 100. This means that three of the four Task Papers must receive a final
grade of C or higher.
Final Exam: Total of 10%. This exam will test your overall, final competency in Eng 100.
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, all assignments, should be NEW and ORIGINALl for this course, done by you 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
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, etc. 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 updated.
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 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.
Success will happen.
I hope you have an excellent
and enjoyable semester.
GENERAL STUDIES COURSE GOALS
FOR ENG 100:
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. When in doubt, just ask. Your
accomplishment is the primary objective.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work should be new and original
for this course. Student policies are always in effect. These protect you and
the standards of the college. Cheating, misrepresentation, or plagiarism
results 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 and on the
EFLJ departmental website, http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/plagiarism.asp.
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