Missouri Western State
College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m., JGM
106
OUTDOOR SEMESTER 2004
Instructor: Mr. Mark Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 11-12:00, TTh 3:30-4:30, and
by appointment
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS
EXPECTATIONS:
“We” is a good word. But who were we? And who
are we now? We are in this together as a Learning Community, connected amid a
block of five interdisciplinary courses offered by five like-minded faculty. As
I see it, the out-of-doors, the context of history, the environment and
ecology, the sensibilities of the body in a physical, phenomenological world
and how this all affects one’s mind and heart are at the root and center of
this academic experience. The reciprocity of Self amid the natural world is
perhaps the most significant question for the 21st Century. At least
here we are purposefully engaged in answering some of this vast and wild
concern for the future. If we come to terms with one single facet of this, we
might well be propelled through a series of further realizations. In other
words, we can experience a breakthrough, an epiphany, and raise the level of
our awareness.
The
strength of a Learning Community allows each member to focus upon chosen
precepts across the arbitrary and sometimes artificial boundaries of academic
disciplines. One idea of value and worth is as applicable in Geography as it
might be in Music. These discoveries of individual sensibilities and
relationships between Self and World become those thresholds from which we
explore, understand, and insightfully construct a life or improve a culture.
We meet three times per week for 50-minute sessions,
MWF. Come well prepared, take notes, enter into discussions, keep on track and
stay up with assignments for each class. This course tends to increase with
complexity as the semester goes on, so doing today’s work helps with
tomorrow’s. Each assignment adds to the next.
Think actively. Write with intensity. Keep good notes. Be ready to write at the drop of a hat about any of your five courses. Follow your curiosity. Offer peer reviews. Explore & Create. Keep everything. Stay organized, especially with detailed research.
Ordinarily, there are few opportunities to make-up
late work or missed in-class work. 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 right
away.
Absences do lower your grade.
Especially in a class such as ours, each person begins to rely upon all the
others more than we might have imagined. Additionally, even though one or two
absences might be expected over the course of a semester, missed in-class work
is difficult to make up, and late work receives a zero or a grade reduction for
major projects. Consequently, each absence, whatever the reason, does reduce
the course in that it represents missed work of some sort, which also affects
your ability to do the work that follows. Be aware of this and monitor your
attendance. Good attendance helps your grade and it helps others in the class.
Being late can count as an
absence. Ten minutes of a scheduled class is a lot. Being late can also be
disruptive, which can also count as an absence (1/2 or full). And since quizzes
and out-of-class assignments are handed in at the beginning of class, usually
the first 5 minutes, this can result in additional missed or late work.
Zeros are earned for all missed work and for all work due or
given in class while absent. If you’re late or miss a class, take the
initiative to find out about all material covered and/or assigned during your
absence. We will have assignment sheets and handouts, but if you are unsure of
the required work, talk to me after class, phone my office or drop by during
office hours, email me with your questions, or arrange a mutually convenient
time to discuss any concerns. Exchanging phone numbers with a classmate is also
a good idea. I’m here to help anytime.
Exceptions to these policies can be given if you notify me
prior to the absence or difficulty. Although there are no “excused absences,”
reasons can be documented, and missed or late work can be completed. Keep me
informed. Keep attuned to the class.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND COURSE
MATERIALS:
Dietsch,
Betty Mattix. Reasoning &
Writing Well. 3rd
Edition. St. Louis: McGraw Hill, 2003.
Glaser,
Joe. Understanding Style. NY: Oxford UP, 1999.
Hoy,
Jim and Julie Johnson, editors. Heritage of the Great Plains.
Spring/Summer. Vol
XXXVII, No. 1. Emporia: Emporia University, 2004.
***Rose,
Jerlene, editor. Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery, 1803-1806. Clay
City, KY: Back
Home In Kentucky, 2003. ***Handed out in-class.
A
good College Dictionary and Thesaurus are recommended.
Notebook/Paper
(perforated) for in class writing and for assignments
A
Field Journal for the treks—knapsack sized for easy access (see Eng 220)
A
Library Journal/Folders (something that you can easily add and subtract from)
3-1/2"
floppy disks (2-3 for this class): one working, one back up, and one save
Print
Outs as needed
Blue
or black ink pens
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
& PROJECTS:
Personal Essay #1 10% 750-1,000 words—a strong belief
(No research)
Interpretive Analysis #2 10% 750-1,000
words—an ecological based essay
Researched Argument #3 10% 1,000
words—a Native American based essay
Researched Project 30% 10-12 pgs, double spaced—a
significant question
Quizzes & Activities 20% Textbook
Readings & Research Exercises, etc
In Class 10% Participation, In Class
Writings, etc.
Final Exam 10% College Writing & Research
GRADING:
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s (2 ½ each), will indicate grades earned on the four major written assignments and Final Exam. A combination of numerical scores for quizzes and a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60% and so on), will indicate grades for other on-going assignments, in class activities and research exercises. A total of 1,000 points can be earned.
GRADE PERCENTAGES AND POINTS
EARNED:
A=95,
B=85, C=75, D=65, and
F=55 with “+” or “-“ indicating
2.5 points: for example, B =85, where a B- =82.5 and a B+ =87.5, etc
Accumulated points determine final Course Grades for
the semester. Then, A=90 and above, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, and F=59.4 and
below.
With a 1,000 Point Total for this Course each ten
points represents 1%. For example: Essay #1=10%=100 points, and therefore a “B”
on essay #1 would earn 85 points.
An itemized Midterm Grade Sheet will be completed so that you can monitor and adjust your on-going efforts. Grade reviews are always possible with an office appointment.
THE FIELD TREKS:
For English 108, the trek portion represents personal, interpersonal, and field research. It is a time to amass writings, observations, feelings, interviews, questions, contacts and project ideas. Although your Field Journal will comprise a grade in Eng 220, you will make use of it in Eng 108. Most probably, it will best inspire and motivate you for the major Research Project in 108.
Be free, imaginative and creative as you explore your mind and heart, the precepts and concepts upon which you/we function. Write down everything, twice a day. Keep an eye towards actions or thoughts that seem most promising, provocative for humanity and for the future of this planet. Ask the difficult question. A good question directs research. And the aim of that research clarifies what is true. It takes courage to surprise yourself. It takes imagination to delve into the unknown.
To prepare for these treks we will 1) gain an overview of westward expansion through historical perspectives, especially those of Thomas Jefferson, 2) preview our intended outdoor activities with canoe practice and talks about rivers, 3) browse the Internet, 4) review the essay, 5) do some writing, 6) do some reading, and 7) take a quick look at some photography.
All of this will deepen and broaden the field experience. Being relaxed once you are in the field increases your enjoyment and intensifies the journey.
Once we return from these treks, we will 1) work individually with what we have collected, 2) discuss thoroughly with one another our ideas, observations, experiences and questions, 3) continue developing research and writing skills, 4) do short researched essays, 5) do more readings, 6) pursue answers for the major Researched Project, and 7) discuss ways to apply these answers in the world within which we live.
COURSE GOALS AND CLASS
ASSIGNMENTS:
Primarily, this course will allow you to gain
expertise and confidence with college quality writing and research through many
varied writing, reading and research assignments.
There will be many opportunities for in-class
development of ideas through writing, discussion of readings, and practice in
research techniques. Many hours will be
spent on the computer gaining access to the internet and to other databased
electronic research sources.
For a more detailed description of the General
Studies requirements for English 108, see the Departmental Website: www. mwsc.edu/EFLJ/Programs/General
Studies/English 108. This will give you the Course Description, Objectives,
Competencies Expected, and even a Sample Paper.
FORMAL WRITINGS &
ASSIGNMENTS:
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 do well.
All completed out-of-class essays
need to be word processed, spell checked, double spaced, properly formatted,
and presented neatly with your Name, Class and Section Number, Instructor’s
Name, Assignment, and Date appearing on the first page, single spaced, in the
upper left corner. The exception to this is your major Researched
Project, which will require a Cover Page.
But identify short papers in Upper Left on page #1
with:
Name
English Course/Section
Instructor
Assignment
Date
Then, Center the Title and
Double Space Throughout.
Number each page at the Top Right with your last
name, one space, then page number. Use Times Roman and a 12-point font.
Double-space all. Do not bold face everything or use all capitals. Side margins
should be 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom 1.5 inch, paragraph indent .5 inch.
This is the usual default format. All written work should be spell checked and
thoroughly proofread for clarity of expression and grammatical correctness. Place
a Word Count at the bottom of the last page.
You will be using MLA Parenthetical Referencing
and a Works Cited page for all essays with outside sources.
All other assignments,
out-of-class and in-class, should be done with blue or black ink pen on perforated
paper for neatness.
Academic Honesty:
All work is expected to be new and original for each
course. Expand and broaden your work from one course to another. Don’t merely
resubmit it. The focus can be the same, but the work itself needs to be new and
original. College and student policies for academic honesty are always in
effect. Cheating, misrepresentation, or plagiarism earns No Credit (zero
points), an F for the course, or in extreme cases expulsion from the college.
So… when in doubt, ask. And for research papers,
“When in doubt, cite it out.”
Plagiarism, itself, is the theft of other people’s
words, thoughts, creative perceptions, and/or ideas, using them as if they were
your own. One of the major objectives in this General Studies English course is
to teach you correct MLA Documentation practices and how best to make use of
outside sources without plagiarizing and thus realizing the difference between
legitimate and illegitimate use of intellectual properties. This is extremely
important for the fair use and access of researched sources.
This course will give you a thorough introduction to
MLA Documentation. Practice and assimilate the basic principles. They will
serve you well in all future research projects.
THIS SYLLABUS:
Both this Syllabus and the Assignment Sheets that will be handed out during the semester do require your understanding and participation. However, I do reserve the right to make adjustments to them as will best support our on-going efforts in the class.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE
Students with any temporary or
long-term special need that hinders the fullest expression of their
abilities should contact Missouri Western's special needs coordinator, Lois Fox
for expert recommendations and assistance. Her number is 271-4330, and email at
fox @ mwsc.edu, or drop by her office in SS/C 202B. Also, let me know so that
any special accommodations can be made. Let me know right away. Keep me posted
if things change.
EXTRA HELP EVERY DAY:
Your instructors are 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. At times, I may ask students to make office visits or I
might schedule required tutorial sessions for them with the Center for Academic
Support.
Let me know when you need help, or just some
clarification on course assignments, study skills, readings or research. Take
the initiative to get the support you want.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems, and they are here just for you:
1. Center for Academic
Support
offers extra help in writing, reading, math and all subject areas. They are
located next to the Library. Walk in or contact them 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 progressing toward your goals: from finding your way around campus, to
special academic/career advising. Contact them in SS/C 209, at 271-5990.
3. Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented toward academic life if you’re 22 or 62! There are
seminars, information on Day Care, student associations and honor societies.
Contact them in SS/C 202, at 271-4280.
CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:
Missouri Western expects all
students to 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.
Your accomplishment and success is the primary campus objective.
Success will happen!
I hope you’ll have an
excellent and enjoyable semester!
This should be a memorable
one for us all.
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