Missouri Western State
College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Workshop T or Th,
11:00-11:50 a.m., SSC 214
Fall 2004
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Office
Hours: MWF 11-12:00, TTh 3:30-4:30, and
by appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY: “4 ½ or 4 and fail”
This course does have a fairly strict attendance policy
for in-class, as well as for Writer’s Workshop. College
attendance is expected. During a semester, one full week of class absences is
considered the usual maximum. More than this seriously decreases your course
grade. In Eng 100, a failing grade is earned for being absent from class 4 ½
times, or for being absent from Workshop 4 times.
We meet only twice per week for 80-minute sessions and only once per
week for 50 minutes in Writers Workshop.
So staying up with assignments is especially important. Being late (10-15 minutes), being
habitually late (any amount of time), or being disruptive also counts as an
absence (1/2 or full). And any absence necessarily affects the course grade
because it represents missed work. Missed work earns a zero. Late work without
prior permission also earns a zero. Out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning
of the class period. Usually within the first 5 minutes. Afterwards, they too
are considered late.
There are no
excused absences, although a reason can be documented (a doctor’s excuse, for instance)
which allows you to make-up much of the missed/late work. If you miss a class
session, you are still responsible for all material assigned and covered. If you notify me prior to the
in-class absence, you are better assured that I can help you make-up the missed
work.
There is an
opportunity to make-up missed Workshops on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. in SS/C
222-U-V. Notify Mrs. Dawn Terrick in SSC 222-C before attending these make-up
sessions. Contact her at 271-4313, or terrick@missouriwestern.edu.
Workshop policies are stated in the Workshop Book.
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. Do this the
first two days of the semester.
Throughout the semester, if you
become unsure of any required assignment, talk to me after class, phone my
office or drop by during office hours, email me with your questions, or arrange
a mutually convenient office appointment to discuss any concerns. I am here to
help you in any way, any time.
TWO REQUIRED TEXTS AND
COURSE MATERIALS:
English 100 Writer’s
Workshops. Fall 2004-2005, Dawn Terrick, ed. St.
Joseph: MWSC, 2004.
Missouri
Western State College. Introduction to College Writing: English 100. St.
Louis:
McGraw Hill, 2004.
Notebook
(perforated) for in-class notes and written assignments
Two
or three 3-1/2" floppy disks (2-3): one working, one save, one back-up
Manila
folder(s) suggested for Final 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. Grades will be earned in four (4) Task Papers, textbook
quizzes and tests, assignments in and out of class, the Final Portfolio and
your class participation over the course of the semester. Acquiring knowledge
and developing skills are both important accomplishments for this course.
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%
Task Assignments: 4 x 10%. Progress in writing is best made by small increments: little
improvements sustained over time. Consequently, progress is best made
day-after-day with on-going assignments in reading and writing. To practice and
assimilate everyday will put you way ahead by the end of the semester.
In-class and out-of-class assignments will help you complete the larger Task
Papers. The assigned readings and comprehending your textbook will be a large
part of this. Quizzes will be given, usually every week.
4 Task Papers: 4 x 10%. You will complete four major
writing tasks, word processed and then graded. 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 assignments are satisfactory. You will work on these Task
Papers both in-class and out-of-class. Approximately three weeks will be given
for each Task Paper.
Progress as a College Writer: 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.
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 Self-Critique must be thoughtful and complete. So,
KEEP ALL YOUR WORK: notes, brainstormings, rough drafts, revisions, quizzes,
class handouts, this syllabus, etc etc.
Final Exam: 10%. An essay exam into English 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. Ensure that you have the right materials in the right place at the
right time. Writer's Workshop 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 according to handout instructions. 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. If you are repeating this course, please see me during the first week of classes.
The Task Papers themselves will need to be Word Processed, Double Spaced with a Times Roman 12 Point Font. Side margins should be 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom margins 1.5 inch. This is the usual default format. On page one, single space your name, course number, assignment and date in the upper left hand corner. Center the title and double space the rest of the essay. On page 2 and all subsequent pages, put your last name prior to the page number in the upper right hand corner. Place a Word Count at the bottom of the last page.
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades for the four Task Papers, the Final Portfolio and the Final Exam. A combination of numerical scores for quizzes and tests, plus a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60% and so on), will indicate grades for other on-going assignments. An itemized Midterm Grade Sheet will be completed so that you can monitor and adjust your efforts during the semester.
Final Course Grade: A =90 and above, B =80-89, C =70-79, D =60-69, F =below 59.5
A final grade of “C” or better is needed to go on to English 104.
During the semester, you may discuss your progress
and efforts with me. Please do so at any time.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any student who has a 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. 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 of any changes.
EXTRA HELP EVERY DAY:
Your instructor is here to help you
succeed. Office hours are posted, and other arrangements can be made by
appointment when necessary. Contact me in class and after class when you have
questions, or when you need additional help. Take the initiative. Sometimes it
only takes a minute to clarify something that would otherwise be a problem.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems just for you. I may assign you special tutorials at the Center
for Academic Support if needed. But make personal use of these as well:
1. 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.
2. Student Services Office has many programs to keep
you fulfill your goals: from campus maps, to academic, family or job advising.
Contact them: SS/C 209 at 271-5990.
3. Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented to academic life if you’re 22 or 62! There are seminars,
information on Day Care, associations, and honor societies. Contact them: SS/C
202 at 271-4280.
GENERAL STUDIES COURSE GOALS
FOR ENG 100:
Reading
Goals:
During
the completion of ENG 100 students will
·
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
actively for greater understanding; locate main ideas and supporting details;
·
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 writing to explore their thoughts;
·
Use
various invention techniques to discover, test, and explore;
·
Use
prewriting to create, 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 spelling, grammatical, and mechanical errors.
General 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 expects 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 Handbook 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 and student policies in the Student Handbook and on the EFLJ
website, www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/plagiarism.html.
Success
will happen!
I
hope you have an excellent and enjoyable semester.
###