COURSE OBJECTIVES

For the specific course objectives, please visit the English Department web site, http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/eng104.asp - Objectives.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Anderson, Chris and Lex Runciman. Open Questions. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins. 2005.

Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson before Dying. New York: Vintage, 1997.

A spiral notebook for a journal.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Essays:

You will complete a series essays and a course portfolio this semester. A student who does not complete all essays or submit a portfolio will not pass the course even if the grades achieved in other activities are satisfactory.

Portfolio:

The course essays will be revised and collected in an end-of-course portfolio. The portfolio will account for approximately 60 percent of your course grade. A portfolio allows for your course grade to be based on your best writing; it places you in control of the quality of your writing. The portfolio will include published drafts of your essays, previous drafts and responses for at least one of the essays, selected course writing, and a reflective essay, “The Good Life.”

Since writing is a process, I encourage you to revise your essays throughout the semester. I will respond to your essays with written comments; I will hold a series of revision workshops throughout the semester; I will be available to confer with you about your writing throughout the semester. But I will not assign a grade to any essay until it is published in the portfolio.

Process Folder:

Each essay will conclude with the submission of a process folder. No essay will be accepted without a process folder. Each process folder will be graded and returned. The process folder will evaluate work on the essay, but it will not evaluate the essay. No essay will receive a grade until it is published in the portfolio.

The folder will include:

· Polished draft of the essay;

· Working drafts of the essay with peer group responses attached;

· In-class letter and questions.

Journal, Quizzes, and In-class Participation:

You will be expected to participate fully in all class activities. Missing work receives a zero.

Grading:

The components of your grade in the course are:

· Process Folders, Journal, Quizzes, Participation, Final Exam ……40%

· Portfolio………………………………………………………..…..60%

Essay Format:

Papers must be word-processed, double-spaced and use a 12-point font such as Times New Roman or Century. Be sure to save each assignment on the university’s “P” drive, a computer disk or jump drive, and keep a hard copy of each assignment for yourself.

Late Work:

Late assignments will not be accepted unless you receive permission.

Late task papers will not be accepted for full credit after one day unless we have worked out an alternative plan. If you are facing difficulties in completing a task paper before the deadline, discuss the problems with me. During our conference, we will work out a plan to complete the assignment.

Conferences:

The most effective and valuable help that I can give you is through a conference or a conversation about your writing. While I will schedule several required conferences throughout the semester, my office hours are listed above if you wish to drop by. I will also bring my calendar to every class to schedule appointments. If at any time during the semester, you do not understand an assignment or a task, see me, call me, or e-mail me to discuss the confusion.

Center for Academic Support:

In addition to conferences with me, you may find help with your writing at the Center for Academic Support. There is no cost to students for using these services. I encourage you to make use of these services throughout this course.

POLICIES

Attendance:

For this class to be successful and for you to be successful in it, attendance is mandatory. I expect you to be on time and ready to participate for every class meeting. A course failure will be recorded on the date of the sixth absence. In counting absences, I will follow my attendance record, not my memory. If you arrive late, see me after class so I can adjust my record. If not, you will be counted absent. If you know of any circumstances likely to make this policy difficult for you this semester, you should consult with your advisor and me to review your options.

Due to the noise in the hallway, I will close the classroom door shortly after the beginning of class. If you arrive after the door is closed, please do not disturb the class by knocking.

If you miss a class session, you are responsible for all material covered and all assignments given during your absence. All out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. No late assignments will be accepted unless you have received prior permission from your teacher.

Academic Honesty Policy:

Plagiarism is an act of theft. It is taking another’s words or ideas and calling them your own. That does not mean you cannot use another’s words or ideas to illustrate and to support your thoughts, but it does mean that you must give credit to the one whose words and ideas you are using.

If I find evidence of cheating or plagiarism, you have the burden of showing that you have in fact written the paper. You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof. You will receive a grade of F for any paper that shows sufficient evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism. Stronger evidence proving flagrant cheating and/or plagiarism may lead to stronger penalties. Please note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental web site, found at http://www2.mwsc.edu/eflj/plagiarism.html.

Civility and Cooperation:

Missouri Western requires all students to help us maintain good conditions for teaching and learning. All students will treat their classmates, teachers, and student assistants 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 Missouri Western student handbook for further information.

Student Disability:

Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expressions of abilities should contact Missouri Western's special needs coordinator, Michael Ritter, for possible certification of special needs and expert recommendations for assistance. You should also contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements.

Tentative Schedule

Week One

Introductions. In class writing. Out of class writing. Read and discuss Introduction. Introduce The Personal Essay: Where Are You Coming From?

Week Two

Mini-Essay or Griffon Edge essay is due on Wednesday for peer review. Readings will include: “Exile: El Paso, Texas,” 20; “Shooting Dad,” 29; “Profile of an Arab Daughter,” 36; “No Name Woman,” 45; “I Listen to My Parents. . .” 58; “Stone Soup,” 64; “The Authentic Trail,” 72 as well as other selections.

Week Three

Mini-essay is due on Wednesday for peer review. Continue reading and discussion. (Griffon Edge essay is due on September 16.)

Week Four

Mini-essay is due on Monday for peer review. Discuss Essay 1, peer review, and revision.

Week Five

Essay 1 is due. Introduce Reflections on Race. Readings will include A Lesson Before Dying (The novel should be completed by this time); “Moral Obligation of Living in a Democratic Society,” 123; “Just Walk on By . . .” 289; “Am I Blue,” 478; “The Lesson,” 510; “Executions Are Too Costly—Morally,” 614; “The World Depends on This,” 678; “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” 682; “C.P. Ellis,” 568 as well as other selections.

Week Six

Draft of Reflections on Race Essay is due for peer review. Continue reading and discussion.

Week Seven

Revision of Reflections on Race Essay is due for peer review. Continue reading and discussion.

Week Eight

Reflections on Race Essay is due.

Weeks Eight, Nine, and Ten

Inquiry into _____________. As a class you will select one of the questions raised in Open Questions to study and investigate. You will complete selected reading from that section of the text as well as additional selections. Your writing will include journal entries, mini-essays, and an Inquiry Essay.

Weeks Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen

Inquiry into _____________. As a class you will select second question raised in Open Questions to study and investigate. You will complete selected reading from that section of the text as well as additional selections. Your writing will include journal entries, mini-essays, and an Inquiry Essay.

Weeks Fourteen and Fifteen

Portfolio including “The Good Life” Essay. Revison workshops. Selected reading from the text as well as other selections.