Missouri Western State College

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism

ENG 104:  College Writing and Rhetoric

Spring, 2005

 

 

Instructor: Cindy Yates

Section 20- MWF 2:00-2:50

Office: SSE 222T

Email: cyates@missouriwestern.edu

Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00 and by appointment

 

Required Texts:

 

Axelrod and Cooper:  The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing, Bedford/St. Martin’s; Seventh edition

College dictionary and a good thesaurus

 

Notebook (perforated) for in class notes

Non-spiral bound lined paper for all written assignments

A separate Personal Journal

3-1/2" floppy disks

Portfolio folder(s) with pockets

Blue or black ink pens

Course Description:

ENG 104 students will complete four formal writing assignments in addition to other graded and nongraded work through which they will learn how to discover ideas, respond to texts, and summarize others' ideas. In these assignments, students will learn how to analyze readings and share information with others by reading and responding to course texts and other materials gathered through research. Final drafts of all formal writing assignments must be word-processed, double-spaced, Times Roman (14) font, and one-inch margins. All students are expected to be prepared for class and participate in class discussions related to reading and writing assignments. In addition, students will keep complete portfolios of all their writings.

For common objectives/means and institutional competencies for ENG 104, also refer to the English department website at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/eng104.asp - Objectives

Peer Revision Groups: Students will be required to participate in peer revision groups several times in the semester.  Bring out of class assignments, that must be word-processed, and enough copies of your rough draft to share and receive feedback from your group in order to help you strengthen and revise your own written work. This is a required activity and will be part of your grade for the portfolio and the course.

Journals: Journal entries will be due each Wed. and will be looked at, but not scrutinized for content.  Journal writing is intended to help you get a better feel for the writing process and for putting thoughts and ideas down on paper.

Attendance Policy:

 

Attendance is expected. There will be no makeups for quizzes and in-class exercises.  Three absents will lower your grade by one letter grade; six two letter grades etc. Please inform me if you know ahead of time you must be absent from class.

 

 

Assignments and Grading Policy:

 

Four essays 100 pts each   == 400 pts

Journal writings and exercises  == 200 pts

Participation, preparedness, and attitude ==100pts

          700 pts total:  A (700-630); B (629-559); C (558-489); D (488-418); F (417-0) 

A late paper will lose one letter grade for each day it is overdue. 

**You must turn in and pass all major papers and the final exam in order to pass this course.

 

Paper Topics:

Paper #1: Finding a Person to write about:  due 2/9

Paper #2: Arguing a Position: due 3/2

Paper #3: Finding a Solution: due 4/6

Paper #4: Research Paper: due 4/27

 

 

 

Academic Honesty Policy:                 

You are expected to do your own work in this course.  Any case of cheating and/or plagiarism will result in no credit (0) for that assignment and may result in a disciplinary action by the College. You will have the burden of proving that a paper/assignment showing evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism has been in fact written by you. You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof.

 

 Students with Disabilities Policy:

 

Any student in this course who has a disability that requires any special consideration should make an appointment to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss class requirements. 

 

Classroom Behavior Policy:

 

As stated in the MWSC Student Handbook, “Behavior which disrupts the classroom environment or interferes with other students' ability to learn may be grounds or justification for dismissal from the classroom” (30). Please turn off the ringers of your pagers and phones, and refrain from sleeping, conducting private conversations or using computers for other than assigned purposes until after the class