Missouri Western State College,
Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Workshop—T or Th,
12:00-12:50 p.m., SSC 222U-V
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Office
Hours: MWF 10-11:30 a.m., and by
appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY: “7 or 4
and fail”
This course does have a fairly strict attendance policy for in-class, as well as for Writer’s Workshop. College attendance is expected. During a semester, one full week of class absences is considered the usual maximum. More than this seriously decreases your course grade. In Eng 100, a failing grade is earned for being absent from class 7 times, or for being absent from Workshop 4 times. We meet only 3 times per week for 50-minute sessions and only once per week for 50 minutes in Writers Workshop. So staying up with assignments is especially important.
Being late (5-10 minutes), being habitually late (any amount of time), or
being disruptive also counts as an absence (1/2 or full). Any absence
necessarily affects your course grade because it represents missed work. Missed
work earns a zero. Late work without prior permission also earns a zero. Out-of-class
assignments usually are due at the beginning of the class period within
the first 5 minutes. Afterwards, they too are considered late and receive a
zero.
There are no
excused absences, although a reason can be documented (a doctor’s excuse, for instance)
which allows you to make-up much of the missed/late work. If you miss a class
session, you are still responsible for all material assigned and covered. Notify me prior to the in-class
absence, so you are better assured that you can make-up any due or missed work.
There is an
opportunity to make-up missed Workshops on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. in SS/C
222U-V, but only during the same week you missed the Workshop. Notify Ms. Dawn
Terrick in SSC 222-C before attending these make-up sessions at
271-4313, or terrick@missouriwestern.edu. Workshop
policies are stated in the Workshop Book. Monitor your absences.
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. Do this the
first two days of the semester.
Throughout the semester, if you
become unsure of any required assignment, talk to me after class, phone my
office or drop by during office hours, email me with your questions, or arrange
a mutually convenient office appointment time to discuss any concerns. I am
here to help you in any way, any time, if you are willing to make the effort
necessary.
Free tutoring is available at CAS on
a walk-in or appointment basis.
TWO REQUIRED TEXTS AND
COURSE MATERIALS:
English 100 Writer’s
Workshops. Spring 2005, Dawn Terrick, ed. St. Joseph:
MWSC, 2005.
Missouri
Western State College, ed. Introduction to College Writing: English 100.
St. Louis:
McGraw Hill, 2004.
Notebook
(perforated) for in-class notes and written assignments
Two
or three 3-1/2" floppy disks: one working, one for save, one for back-up
Manila
folder(s) suggested for Final Portfolios and to keep your work organized
Blue
or black ink pens only
A
good College Dictionary and Thesaurus are highly recommended
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS AND THE
GRADING POLICY:
Your
final grade will be determined on the basis of your progress as a writer and
as a reader.
Task
#1 Various day-to-day Assignments: 10%
Task
#1 Description Paper: 10% (word processed)
Task
#2 Various day-to-day Assignments:
10%
Task
#2 Explanation Paper: 10% (word processed)
Task
#3 Various day-to-day Assignments: 10%
Task
#3 Combination of Sources Paper: 10% (word processed)
Task
#4 Various day-to-day Assignments:
10%
Task
#4 Techniques of Revision Paper: 10% (word
processed)
Portfolio
and Self-Assessment: 10%
Final
Exam: 10%
Grades
will be earned in the four (4) Task Papers, and for textbook quizzes, tests, homework
assignments, in-class work, class participation, the Portfolio, and the Final
Exam. Both the acquiring of knowledge from textbooks and the developing of
skills from writing are important accomplishments in this course. Each will
represent approximately 50% of your course grade.
Various day-to-day
Assignments: 40% Progress in writing is best
made with small increments: little improvements sustained over time:
Read-Learn-Practice-Assimilate. To accomplish this everyday will put you way
ahead by the end of the semester. Plus, in-class and out-of-class
assignments will help you complete the larger Task Papers. The assigned
readings in your textbook will be a large part of this. Quizzes on readings
will be given, usually every week.
4 Task Papers: 40% You
will complete four major writing tasks, word processed and then graded. A
student who does not turn in all four task papers cannot pass the course even
if the grades achieved in the other three writing assignments are satisfactory.
You will work on these Task Papers both in-class and out-of-class for
approximately three weeks each.
Progress as a College Writer: 10%. Your overall progress as a
writer will be assessed through an end-of-semester Portfolio in which you
submit all of the semester’s work, along with a detailed self-critique
and assessment. Your portfolio must receive an “acceptable” evaluation in order
for you to pass ENG 100: three of the four Task Papers must receive a final
grade of C or higher and the Self Assessment must be thoughtful, detailed and
complete. So, KEEP ALL YOUR WORK: notes, prewritings, rough drafts, revisions,
quizzes, class handouts, this syllabus, and computer disk copies. Keep
everything. Place a date on all your work.
Final Exam: 10%. An essay exam demonstrating college level writing.
Writer’s Workshop. Throughout the course of the semester, you
will attend the once-a-week, small group Writer’s Workshop (listed as “labs” in
the class schedule). Some of your Writer’s Workshop materials may be used in
class, and some of your class papers may be critiqued and proofread in Writer’s
Workshop. Ensure that you have the right materials in the right place at the
right time. Writer's Workshop may affect your overall course grade by plus or
minus 3 points.
FORMAL TASK PAPERS &
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:
All writing assignments should be NEW and ORIGINAL for this course, done by you on time according to handout instructions. 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 succeed in English 100. If you are repeating this course, please see me during the first week of classes.
The Task Papers themselves will need to be Word Processed, Double Spaced with a Times Roman 12 Point Font. Side margins should be 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom margins 1.5 inch. This is the usual default format. On page one, in the upper left hand corner, single space your name, course number, assignment and date. Center the title and double space the rest of the essay. On page 2 and all subsequent pages, put your last name prior to the page number in the upper right hand corner. Place a Word Count at the bottom of the last page.
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades for the four Task Papers, the Final Portfolio and the Final Exam. A combination of numerical scores for quizzes and tests, and a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60%, “ =” = 40% and so on), will be used for all other day-to-day assignments. An itemized Midterm Grade Sheet will be completed so that you can monitor and adjust your efforts during the semester. Come see me with any questions or problems as they arise.
Final Course Grades will be indicated by: A =90 and above, B =80-89, C =70-79, D =60-69, F =below 59.5 A final course grade of “C” or better is needed to go on to English 104.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any student who has a temporary
or long standing ailment that prevents or hinders the fullest expression of
their abilities should contact Missouri Western's Special Needs/Disability
Coordinator, Michael Ritter for expert recommendations and assistance. Contact
me, personally, during the first few days of class to discuss class
requirements and any special accommodations that may be necessary. Contact
Michael Ritter at 271-4330, email mritter @ mwsc.edu, or drop by his office in
SS/C 202B. As the semester goes along, keep me informed of any changes.
EXTRA HELP EVERY DAY:
Your instructor is here to help you
succeed. Office hours are posted, and other arrangements can be made by
appointment when necessary. Contact me in class and right after class when you
have questions, or when you need additional help. Take the initiative.
Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to clarify something that would otherwise
be a serious problem.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems. At times, I may require you to make special tutorials at the
Center for Academic Support. But make personal use of these as well:
1. Center for Academic
Support
offers extra help in writing, reading, math and in 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.
2. Student Services Office has many programs to keep
you fulfill your goals: from campus maps, to academic, family or job advising.
Contact them: SS/C 209 at 271-5990.
3. Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented to academic life if you’re 22 or 62! There are seminars,
information on Day Care, associations, and honor societies. Contact them: SS/C
202 at 271-4280.
MWSC GENERAL STUDIES COURSE
GOALS FOR ENG 100:
Reading
Goals:
During
the completion of ENG 100 students will
·
Read
textbooks effectively to gain knowledge and understandings;
·
Use
reading to improve their writing by drawing ideas and information from written
material;
·
Use
texts to understand their own and others’ ideas and experiences;
·
Read
actively for greater understanding; locate main ideas and supporting details;
·
Read
writing assignments effectively as a guide to creating better papers;
·
Recognize
good writing by actively reading good prose.
Writing
Goals:
During
the completion of ENG 100 students will
·
Do
some private writing for themselves; use writing to explore their thoughts;
·
Use
various invention techniques to discover, test, and explore;
·
Use
prewriting to create, to reflect upon, and to generate content and ideas;
·
Move
easily from writing for self-expression to writing for readers;
·
Write
at greater length more easily, more quickly, and more usefully;
·
Structure
their writing to fit the assignment, to fulfill the purpose for an audience;
·
Write
essays to communicate ideas and to order thoughts, emotions & experiences;
·
Develop
their ideas and concepts with specific details, examples, and explanations;
·
Craft
more effective and polished sentences and paragraphs;
·
Learn
other revision techniques to step-up the quality of their writing to college
levels;
·
Use
effective planning, invention, and revision strategies for successful writing;
·
Become
practiced in written conventions: the
use of Thesis Statements, organizational structures, and modes of communication
like description, narration, and causal analysis.
·
Identify
and correct their spelling, grammatical, and mechanical errors.
General Goals:
In ENG 100 students should improve their ability to
·
Think
critically and reason analytically;
·
Write
and speak clearly and effectively;
·
Gain
a greater awareness of the present through an understanding of other cultures
and times;
·
Understand
and appreciate moral values and ethical choices;
·
Understand
and enjoy aesthetic experiences and share in related creative activities.
·
Gain
expertise and confidence with college quality work, study, writing, and
reading.
CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:
Missouri Western expects all
students and faculty 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. Remember, your accomplishment
is the primary objective.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work should be new and original for this course.
Student Handbook academic policies are always in effect. These protect you and
the standards of the college. Cheating, misrepresenta-tion, or plagiarism will
result in zeros for the assignment, failure for the course, or in extreme cases,
expulsion from the college. Please note carefully the statement on academic and
student policies in the Student Handbook and on the EFLJ website,
www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/plagiarism.html.
Success will happen!
I hope you have an
excellent, progressive and enjoyable semester.
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