Missouri Western State
University, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
MWF 8-8:50, Murphy Hall
108—Fall 2005
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 11-12:00, TTh 3-4:00, and by
appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY AND CLASS
EXPECTATIONS:
We meet three times per week for 50 minutes on MWF. Come well prepared,
take notes, enter into conversations, keep on track, keep up with assignments
for each class. Think clearly and actively. Write with intensity. Ask questions. Offer
peer reviews. Explore & Create.
In college, one week of absences (3 classes) are the
usual maximum. Ordinarily, there are
no exceptions and no make-ups for late work or missed in-class work. If
you know of any circumstances likely to make these requirements difficult for
you this semester, you should consult with your academic advisor, the Student
Services Office, and/or your instructor.
Any absences do tend to lower your grade, but if you find you have to
be absent, let me know. Even though missed in-class work cannot be made up, and
late work receives a zero, or a grade reduction for major projects, I will make
one exception per student per semester if prior arrangements have been made.
Document absences when required.
Being late can count as an
absence. Five or ten minutes of a fifty-minute class is a lot. Being
disruptive with lateness, or in other ways, can also count as an absence. Zeros
will be given for all missed work and for all work due or given in class while
marked absent. Note that out-of-class assignments are usually due at the
beginning of the class period. So if you’re late or miss an entire class
session, take responsibility for finding out about all material covered and/or
assignments given during your absence. If you are unsure of the required work,
talk to me after class, phone my office, 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 am
here to help in any way I can, any time, if you are making an effort.
REQUIRED TEXTS, et al:
Glaser,
Joe. Understanding Style. NY: Oxford UP, 1999.
Weidenborner,
Stephen, Domenick Caruso and Gary Parks.
Writing Research Papers: A Guide
to the Process. 7th
Edition. NY: Bedford/St. Martin, 2005.
A
good College Dictionary and Thesaurus are highly recommended.
Notebook/Paper
(perforated) for in class notes and hand-written assignments
A
Research Journal/Notebook/Folder (something that you can easily add and
subtract from)
3-1/2"
floppy disks (2 or 3 for this class) plus Xeroxed copies and Print Outs as
needed
Pocket
folder(s) and 3 x 5 cards are suggested for research projects
Blue
or black ink pens are always preferred
COURSE GOALS AND CLASS
ASSIGNMENTS:
In this course, you will gain expertise and confidence
in college writing, critical thinking, scholarly research and documentation
through varied assignments, using research materials from many different types
of researched sources.
There will be opportunities for in-class development
of ideas through writing, discussion of readings, and practice in research
techniques. We are on a good
computer-assisted campus with access
to word-processing labs, the Internet, and other data based electronic source
systems.
For a detailed description of the General Studies
requirements for English 108, see the Departmental Website: www.
missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/Programs/General Studies/English 108.
This will offer the university’s Course Description, List of Objectives, the
Competencies Expected, and a Sample Paper.
MAJOR
ASSIGNMENTS: all outside sources must be documented with MLA
Interpretive Analysis #1 15% 1,000
words—a single-sourced critical
thinking
activity—the evaluation of one Internet Website as assigned
Researched Argument #2 15% 1,000
words—a multi-sourced investigative
assignment on
one aspect of Native America presented as a 5-Part Classic Argument
Quizzes & Activities 10% Textbook Readings, Research, Class Work and
Lecture Notes
Midterm Test 10% Textbook Readings, Research,
Class Work and
Lecture Notes
Midterm Xtra Credit 3% Class Notes taken by you each
class period.
Major Research Project 30% 9
to 12 pages, double spaced—a twelve-sourced
significant
question proposed by you, OK’d by me, presented as a 5-Part Classic Argument
and perfectly documented with MLA
In Class 10% Participation, Exercises,
Assignments: written &
oral, Quizzes, etc.
Final Exam 10% College Writing &
Research—Cumulative
GRADING:
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades earned on the formally presented Essays. On all other work, a combination of letter grades, numerical scores, and a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60%, “ =” = 40% and so on), will be used.
A=95,
B=85, C=75, D=65, and F=55 with “+” or “-“ indicating 3 points: 72=C-,
75=C, 78=C+, etc
There are 1,000 points for the Course. For example:
Essay #1=15%=150 points, and a “B” or 85% therefore earns 127.5 points. Extra
Credit will be given for keeping good class notes.
Grade reviews or discussions of your
work-in-progress are welcomed with an office appointment. Just see me to
arrange a time, or drop by during office hours.
Annotate your texts as you read the assignments. Take class notes. Keep all of your work as the semester
progresses. Learn what techniques work best for you when doing the
assigned research.
FORMAL WRITINGS &
ASSIGNMENTS:
Start off by doing the best you
can and keep adding to your knowledge while furthering your skills throughout
the semester. Then, you should do well. All completed essays must 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 to the upper left (for short assignments).
All hand-written assignments should be done in blue or black ink pen on
non-spiral bound paper.
Use
Times Roman as a font: 12 point and double space. 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. Written work should be thoroughly revised for
content and best use of language; proofread for clarity of expression
and grammatical correctness.
Number
each page at the Top Right: e.g., Hamilton 3. Identify short papers Upper Left
p #1 with:
Name
English Course/Section
Instructor
Assignment
Date
Then, Center the Title and
Double Space Throughout.
(Use MLA Documentation for all outside sources.)
Note: The longer paper, like your Major Researched Project, does require a Cover Page.
Academic Honesty:
All
work is expected to be NEW and ORIGINAL for this course. College and Student
Handbook 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.
Unintentional
or intentional plagiarism carries the same consequence.
So…
when in doubt, ask. Plagiarism, itself, is the theft of other people’s words,
thoughts, creative perceptions, and/or ideas, using them as if they were your
own. But one of the objectives in this General Studies English course is to
teach you how best to make use of outside sources without
plagiarizing—realizing the difference between a legitimate and illegitimate use
of intellectual and creative properties. You will receive a thorough
introduction to the required documentation, but a good rule is always… “When in
doubt, cite it out.” That is…Document
all outside material (facts, ideas, interpretations, insights, etc.) by
attributing them to their source.
Your
own personal intellectual and creative properties are protected by U.S.
Copyright Law also.
This Syllabus:
It’s
important that you understand this Syllabus. Both it, and all Assignment
Sheets, require your participation, yet I do reserve the right to make
adjustments to them as will best support our on-going efforts in this class.
Storm days would be one good example for an alteration in a due date.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with any permanent or
temporary special need that hinders the fullest expression of their
abilities should contact Missouri Western's Special Needs/Disability
Coordinator, for expert recommendations and assistance. You should also contact
me personally during the first few days of class to discuss class requirements
and any necessary accommodations. To contact Mr. Michael Ritter: 271-4330,
email at mritter@missouriwestern.edu, or drop by his office in SS/C 202B.
EVERY DAY EXTRA HELP:
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
require them to schedule tutorial sessions with the Center for Academic
Support.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems, such as:
Center for Academic Support offers extra help in
writing, reading, math and all subject areas. Walk in or contact them next to
the Library at 271-4524. Corla Dawson, Writing Coordinator, 271-4531. Cathy
Gann, Reading/Study Skills Coordinator, 271-5621.
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.
Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented toward academic life even if you’re 20 or 40! There are
seminars, associations, and honor societies for older students. Contact them in
SS/C 202, at 271-4280.
CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:
Missouri Western requires all
students to help 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. When in doubt, just ask.
Your accomplishment is the primary objective.
Success will happen. Let me know
when you need help or just some clarification on course assignments, study
skills, readings or research.
I believe you’ll have an
excellent, progressive and enjoyable semester!