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Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism ENG
108-01, -03 and -07 College Writing and Research In contrast, when I'm greatly inspired, only four revisions are needed." --John Kenneth Galbraith |
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Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism ENG
108-01, -03 and -07 College Writing and Research In contrast, when I'm greatly inspired, only four revisions are needed." --John Kenneth Galbraith |
Instructor: Dr. Roberts
Office: SSC 222G
Phone: 816-271-5810
E-mail: robertsi@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 10:00-10:50 MWF, 2:00-3:00 MW
Course Description and Objectives:
Students will complete three formal research projects in addition to
other graded and ungraded work. In these assignments, students will learn
to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the thinking of others in order to
discover, develop, and test their own points of view.
As part of the general studies goals for the course, students in ENG 108 will learn to write for different audiences and purposes, to use active reading and critical thinking, to use writing processes and conventions, to write for different audiences and purposes, and to use active reading and critical thinking. This course also meets the state level competencies of communicating, higher order thinking, and managing information. For more information on the institutional and state goals and competencies, see the English Department web site for general studies courses at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/eng108.asp .
Required Materials:
Preparation and Participation:
You are required to make significant contributions to class in the
form of preparation and participation. Preparation includes completing
the readings and daily assignments, as well as bringing your assignments,
textbook, and other materials with you on the appropriate days. If you
come unprepared, you will receive a zero for any work due that day.
Participation includes the help you give to fellow writers and the contributions you make to class discussion. Active and insightful contributions to class discussion are therefore not "extra credit." Like the written assignments, your regular, tactful and substantive comments are part of the minimal requirements for successful completion of the course. If you are a naturally talkative person, you may have to restrain yourself so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Conversely, if you are a naturally quiet person, force yourself to be more vocal; do not assume that if I do not call on you that you need not participate, as it is your responsibility to voice your observations at appropriate and relevant times. Since you obviously cannot make up for discussions from which you were absent, attendance is again critical.
Why is discussion so important? Because live classroom discussion:
"Writing is the hardest work in the world not involving heavy lifting."
--Peter Hamill
Student Conduct:
As a condition to remaining at MWSC, the college expects all students
to conduct themselves so as to maintain an effective environment for learning;
to act responsibly in accordance with good taste; and to respect fully
the rights of others. Behavior that disrupts the classroom environment or
interferes with other students' learning will result in dismissal from the
classroom. Passionate and forceful language are sometimes appropriate, intolerance
and dogmatism are not.
Assignments and Requirements:
In Project One, students will learn how to find and narrow topics,
develop well focused and doubtable theses, generate arguments, find and
evaluate sources, compile an annotated bibliography, and write a prospectus
for a formal academic research paper. In Project Two, students will learn
how to write, revise, and edit a formal academic research paper based upon
the prospectus developed in Project One. In Project Three, students will
gain practice going through the entire research and writing process from
finding a topic to editing a formal academic research paper.
All out of class written assignments for this course must be word processed unless otherwise specified. Non-word processed submissions will be returned with no credit. Assignments must follow MLA format using no larger than twelve point font, and pages should be stapled together before you come to class (do not use folders or paper clips and do not fold down the corners of papers). Do not throw away any work you do for this class, from notes to drafts to final papers, and keep back-up copies of all papers you turn in to me.
Late Work:
All assignments are due at the beginning of the hour on the due date.
Learning is a cumulative process, and each assignment is designed to build
on the previous one. Late work disrupts this important aspect of the learning
process. Major papers will be lowered one letter grade for each day late.
No other late work will be accepted.
Revision is an important part of the writing process, and each major paper we do will go through an intensive draft stage before being turned in. Because each paper will receive critiques before the final version is submitted for grading, you must consider the final version to be final. There will be no further opportunity for revision after that point.
"If we had to say what writing is, we would define it essentially as
an act of courage." --Cynthia Ozick
Grading:
The standards for college English classes are higher than those used
in high schools. All the guidelines and standards for classes at MWSC are
similar to those used by other colleges and universities throughout the
country. You, as a serious student, will appreciate the fact that we hold
high standards for your work. Your grade will be determined by the quality
of your drafts, major papers, quizzes, and other assignments, as well
as by your preparation and participation. Assignments will be evaluated
according to how well they meet the requirements outlined in the assignment
description and the following general scale.
A = Superior
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Minimum = passing below average
F = Failing
Project #1 = 25%
Project #2 = 25%
Project #3 = 25%
Participation and Other Assignments = 25%
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a most serious offense and, therefore, will incur harsh
punishment. Don't think you won't get caught; writing style is distinctive
and verifiable. It is the student's responsibility to prove that all work
is their own. Papers with evidence of plagiarism, intentional or not,
will receive a zero. Plagiarism may also result in failure of the course.
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.
General:
This syllabus is of a contractual nature, and by remaining in the course
you acknowledge your acceptance of its stipulations in their entirety. If
the goals, policies, procedures, standards, expectations, or obligations
are unclear, then you should speak with me immediately. If they are clear
but unacceptable to you, then you should drop the course immediately.
If you choose to remain in the course, be sure to keep a copy of this syllabus with you and to refer to it regularly. Policies are enforced without exception to ensure uniformity and predictability, to avoid confusion and anxiety, and to facilitate fairness and objectivity for all students. In the interest of efficiency, however, I reserve the right to make necessary alterations to this syllabus and to make announced changes in daily plans. Any announcements made in class automatically supersede this syllabus. It is your responsibility to find out about announced changes.
Final Thoughts:
For further explanations, comments, and advice, I am available during
office hours. For additional help outside of class, I strongly recommend
the Center for Academic Support.
I genuinely want you to succeed in this class and at MWSC generally. I therefore urge you to keep in mind that what you gain from this course, and from your education generally, is proportional to the amount of productive time and careful attention you devote to it. In the words of Abigail Adams (1744-1818), "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."
"I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine
o'clock every morning."
--Peter De Vries
Course Outline:
This outline shows major readings and assignments, but additional readings
and assignments will be given in class throughout the semester.
Schedule:
1/21 Syllabus
23 Introduction and Ch. 1: The Nature of Research Writing
26 Ch. 2: Finding and Narrowing the Topic
28 Ch. 2 Continued
30 Ch. 3: Generating an Argument
2/2 Ch. 4: Finding Sources
4 Ch. 4 Continued
6 Ch. 4 Continued
9 Ch. 5: Writing a Short Plan
11 Ch. 6: Gathering Information
13 TBA
16 President's Day: No Class
18 Ch. 6 Continued
20 Ch. 7: Research Paper Formats
23 Ch. 7 Continued
25 Project One Drafts Due; Critiques
27 Project One Final Copy Due
3/1 Ch. 9: Writing the Rough Draft
3 Ch. 9 Continued
5 Ch. 10: Revising the Rough Draft
8 Ch. 10 Continued
10 Ch. 11: Editing
12 Project Two Draft Due; Critiques
15-19 Mid-Semester Break
22 Project Two Final Copy Due
24 Finding and Narrowing the Topic
26 Generating a Well-Focused and Doubtable Thesis
29 Generating Logical Arguments and Counter-Arguments
31 Identifying Sources
4/2 Gathering and Reading Sources; Last Day to Drop
5 Gathering and Reading Sources Continued
7 TBA
9 TBA
12 Writing a Short Plan
14 Prospectus with Bibliography Due; Drafting
16 Drafting Continued
19 Project Three Draft Due; Critiques
21 Revising
23 Revising Continued
26 Project Three Revised Draft Due; Critiques
28 Further Revision and Editing
30 Editing Continued
5/3 Project Three Final Copy Due