Missouri Western State College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Class: 2:00pm – 3:20pm, Tuesday and Thursday
Teacher: Meredith Katchen
Office: EFLJ - P
Phone: 271-5815
Office Hours: W@3:30-4:00; R@8:30-10:30; F@9:00-11:00 and by appointment
E-mail: mkatchen@missouriwestern.edu
Course Objectives:
To meet the published objectives for English 108 (www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/lg/eng108.html), this class will give you practice with argumentation and with the integration and acknowledgment of sources. The goal here, simply put, is to place language, ideas, and information you encounter into the service of your own scholarly work. To do so, you will need to exercise and build on skills acquired in your previous English classes.
Required Materials:
Best American Crime Writing 2003, ed. Otto Penzler and Thomas Cook
Best American Science and Nature Writing 2003, ed. Richard Dawkins
A spiral notebook devoted exclusively to this course
Word processing/computer capability
A simple folder or envelope in which you will collect your printed work
Strongly Recommended Materials:
Any dictionary
Any style manual or handbook
* Journals and Mini-Essays – Journal writing will be done in a spiral notebook, which I will collect from time to time. These journals will include responses to assigned readings, exercises, and your questions. Journals will be evaluated primarily for volume, relevance, and thoughtfulness. Bring your journal to each class. Mini-essays, which will be evaluated primarily for their content, structure, and organization, will give you opportunities to grapple with assignments designed to lead to successful essays. For each unit, journals and mini-essays will be worth a total of 120 points.
* Essay Drafts – Fully typed, complete drafts will be the foundations for peer reviews and revisions. Each draft will be worth 50 points. A single missing draft, however, will result in failure of the course.
* Peer Reviews – You will be called upon to assist classmates by being good readers and constructive critics. Each peer review session will be worth 35 points. A draft will not be complete unless a Peer Review is attached to it.
* Polished Essays – In addition to content, structure, style, and correctness, essays will be evaluated for the quality and extent of revision of its draft. Essays will increase in value as we go along. You may continue to revise the first two essays until the designated deadline. Essay #1 = 75 points. Essay #2 = 100 points. Essay #3 = 175 points. A single missing essay, however, will result in failure of the course.
* Final Exam – 35 points
Late work may be refused and, therefore, assigned zero points. If not refused, late work will be subject to a reduction of points that equate to 33% of the assignment’s point value for each class period it is late. At my discretion, I may approve an extension if you talk to me prior to the due date.
Each revision must be attached to all previous drafts. A revision will NOT be eligible for a higher grade if preliminary work did not meet assigned deadlines. In other words, late work and incomplete work cannot be revised for a higher grade.
Attendance: At this point, you should not need a mandatory attendance policy. Each day of class will provide opportunities to gain points and to master skills necessary for successful completion of this course. Each absence forfeits points and compromises performance. Regardless of your reason, an absence will NOT excuse late or missing work. This policy will be especially important for you to keep in mind when drafts and essays are due. Absences will not absolve you of responsibility for assignments or announcements. Set your sights high!
Plagiarism:
This class is largely dedicated to the idea that scholarship is distinguished by purposeful and meticulous acknowledgment of sources that inform and influence the scholar. Any deception in this regard will be dealt with severely, up to and including a failing grade and my recommendation for expulsion from this institution.
Conferences:
I am available to meet with you to help you kick around and perhaps solve problems large and small regarding your writing for this course. I see my job as helping you do your work well. Any problem that might compromise your success in this class is worth conference time. The sheer pleasure of grappling with the material in this course is also worth conference time.
Disabilities and Special Needs:
Any student who has a special need or disability that may affect his or her performance in this class should contact the MWSC Special Needs Coordinator for assistance. Also, let me know right away so that appropriate arrangements can be made to make sure your needs are met as quickly and completely as possible.
Civility and Cooperation:
Missouri Western requires all students to help us maintain good conditions for teaching and learning. All students will treat their classmates and teachers 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 MWSC student handbook for further information.
Up to 1000 points can be earned by doing the work described above. There will also be a final exam.
Through Essay #1 – 280 points
Through Essay #2 – 305 points
Through Essay #3 – 380 points
Final – 35 points
Of these 1000 points, 900 to 1000 = A, 800 to 899 =B, 700 to 799 = C, 600 to 699 = D. Point totals less than 600 will = failing grades.
Tentative Calendar – Assignments and due dates may change as we go. Any changes will be announced.
Week 1 8/31 Introductions. Syllabus review. A few questions
9/2 Journal writing on Four Ears to the Ground
2 9/7 Mini-essay due. Discussion: Acknowledgment
9/9 Journal writing on Weighing the
Grandma Factor
3 9/14 Mini-essay due. Discussion: Making claims.
9/16 Making claims, taking positions.
4 9/21 Critiquing structure.
9/23 Draft #1 due. Peer review.
5 9/28 Polishing
9/30 Essay #1 due
6 10/5 Journal writing on It’s Easy Being Green
10/7 Mini-essay due. Discussion: Responsible claims
7 10/12 Journal writing on The Terrible Boy
10/14 Mini-essay due. Discussion: How do I know? How does he know?
8 10/19 Journal writing: The Bully of Toulon
10/21 mini-essay due. Discussion: Preparing a viable draft.
9 10/26 Library visit
10/28 Sharing and evaluating sources
10 11/2 Draft #2 due. Peer review.
11/4 Self evaluation of drafts
11 11/9 Essay #2 due
11/11 Journal writing on tba
12 11/16 Mini-essay due. Discussion.
11/18 Journal writing on tba
13 11/23 Mini-essay due.
11/26 Thanksgiving Holiday
14 11/30 Last date to submit revised essays
12/2 Draft due
15 12/7 Proofing
12/9 Essay #3 due