Missouri Western State College, Division of Liberal

Arts and Sciences

Department of English, Foreign Languages, and

Journalism

ENG 108-12:  College Writing and Research

Wednesday, 6:30-9:20  JGM 119

Kelly Lock, instructor

Email:  kclock@missouriwestern.edu

Office: SS/C 222M   Office hours: MW 4-5:20

Phone:  271-4316

Required Materials:

Cultural Conversations: The Presence of the Past

A Pocket Style Manual, Fourth Edition

A notebook for reading notes and in-class notes and

work (keep everything over the course of the

semester!)

A notebook or index cards/holder for research

At least two computer disks

A recent college dictionary

Three pocket folders to use for turning in the three

major assignments

Attendance:

Because this is an evening class, missing one class is

like missing an entire week of day classes, so

attendance is mandatory for successfully passing the

course.  We will do a number of in-class writings,

notes will be given and peer editing will take place. 

Some points may be given for these tasks, and if you

are not present, you will not receive credit for the

work, and you cannot make up these points.  Of course,

I understand that life has a way of changing your

plans for "perfect" attendance.  Kids get sick, cars

break down, bosses want you to work late.  Missing one

class may not seriously affect your grade, but if you

miss three class periods, you will not pass the

course.  If you are unable to make it to class on a

day when an assignment is due, you must call or email

me and make arrangements for the assignment to get to

me BY THE END OF CLASS.  Late assignments will not be

accepted unless you or a family have been involved in

an accident that prohibits you from calling me before

class.

Course Description:

ENG 108 students will complete three formal research

based projects in addition to other graded and

ungraded work. In these assignments, students will

learn how to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the

thinking of others in order to discover, develop, and

test their own points of view. Final drafts of all

formal writing assignments must be word-processed. All

students are expected to be prepared for class and

participate in class discussions related to reading

and writing assignments. In addition, students will

keep complete portfolios of all their writings. 

Before any grade appeal will be processed for a

student in ENG 100, 104, or 108, the complete

portfolio of writings will have to be submitted to the

Departmental Review Committee.  For further

information on the course description, visit

http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/eng108.asp

Course Outline:

Because many of you work full time, I have taken steps

to make sure that you will have time to do some

writing in class and to visit the library so that you

can conduct some research during class time.  This

time may not be enough for you to complete all writing

and research, though, so make sure to plan your time,

your questions, etc. in advance of each class so that

you can make the most of your computer and library

time.  Undoubtedly, you will have to visit either your

hometown library or the MWSC library on your own time.

   Note:  Interlibrary loans should be done about two

weeks before you need the material.  Our library has a

very good turn-around rate on books that you

interlibrary loan, but if you wait until the last

minute, you may find yourself waiting for a reference

that you need, and I won't give you a time extension!

Revisions:

Your first two papers can be revised.  If you choose

to revise, you will have two weeks from the time that

I return the paper.  Because of time constraints,

though, your final paper cannot be revised.  However,

by the time you finish it, you should have control of

the research and writing skills needed to make a

successful paper.  If you cannot write a successful

final draft of the last paper, you should consider

repeating the course.  You should visit with the

Center for Academic Support on a regular basis to help

you with your papers.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a serious offence.  If you plagiarize

any work, you will fail the course immediately and may

be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for further

punishment.  We will discuss citing sources

appropriately during this course, so please pay close

attention to the rules I give you.  

Disabilities:

Any student who has a disability that prevents the

fullest expression of abilities should contact me

immediately so that we can discuss class requirements.

Getting Help:

The Center for Academic Support is a wonderful

resource; use it.  In addition, you may communicate

with me during office hours or via email.  It is

important that you understand your writing assignments

and progress.  The amount of time and effort you put

into your writing will be reflected in your grade.

Essay Due Dates:

<sum> September 29th Essay One:  Formal

Summary/Response to readings from one theme in the

book (100 points)

<sum> October 27th Essay Two: Taking an “Opposite”

stand on your topic (100 points)

<sum> December 1st  Essay Three: Taking a stand on

your topic (100 points)

<sum> Various other assignments will be turned in over

the course of the semester.  These assignments and

your participation will be worth 100 points.  Please

refer to the tentative schedule for further details.