Missouri Western State
University, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 1:00 to 2:40, and by
appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
We meet only three (3) times per week, MWF for 50 minute sessions. Come
well prepared, take notes, enter into discussions, keep on track, stay focused
on the subject matter for each class and for each major assignment. Think
actively. Write with intensity. Improve each time. Writing is a
skill
best learned incrementally with constant practice and assimilation. Learn
something new every day. Do your best and you should do well.
In college, one week of absences (3 classes) is the
usual maximum. There are no
exceptions and no make-ups for missed in-class work. 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.
Any absence does tend to lower your grade because it represents missed
class time. The missed in-class work cannot be made up, and any late work
receives a zero or a grade reduction. There
are no excused absences, but I can make special arrangements for situations
if prior notification is given for
good documented reasons. Keep me posted with any attendance problems.
Being late can count as an absence.
Five minutes of a fifty-minute class is a lot. Being disruptive with lateness,
or in any other way, can also count as an absence (1/2 or full). 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, the first 5 minutes. After that, it is late work. If
you’re late or miss an entire class session, you must take the responsibility
for all material covered and/or assignments given during your absence. If you
are unsure of the required work, ask a classmate, talk to me after class, phone
my office, drop by during office hours, email me, or arrange a mutually
convenient time to discuss any concerns. I am happy to meet with you any time.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND COURSE
MATERIALS:
Dietsch,
Betty Mattix. Reasoning & Writing
Well. 3rd Edition. St.
Louis: McGraw Hill, 2003.
Gibran,
Kahlil. The Forerunner: his parables
& poems. NY: Dover, 2000 (1920).
Peters,
Madison C., editor. The Wisdom of the
Talmud. NY: Dover, 2001.
A
good College Dictionary and a Thesaurus are highly recommended.
Notebook
(perforated) for in class notes and written assignments
3-1/2"
floppy disks (2-3 for this class)
Manila
folder(s) or something similar to help you keep organized
Blue
or black ink pens only
COURSE GOALS AND CLASS
ASSIGNMENTS:
Primarily, this course will allow you to gain
expertise and confidence with college quality writing, thinking and study
through many varied assignments. Close readings of the selected texts will
augment these writing activities. In writing, strive for quality, not quantity.
“Clear thinking well expressed works best.”
There will be required in-class writings,
out-of-class writings, textbook readings and independent study. College work
may require two or sometimes even three hours of study for each single hour of
class time. Grades will be determined by five major essays, several smaller
assignments, quizzes over readings & lectures, class participation, a
special project, and a final exam. Becoming a better reader is extremely
important at the college level.
For a more detailed description of the MWSU General
Studies requirements for English 104, see the Departmental Website: www.missouriwestern.edu/
EFLJ/Programs/General Studies/English 104. This site
offers a Course Description, Objectives, and the Competencies expected before
entering into English 108.
FORMAL WRITINGS &
ASSIGNMENTS:
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 do well. All completed essays must be word processed, double spaced, properly formatted, carefully proofread and presented neatly with your Name, Class and Section Number, Instructor’s Name, Assignment, and Date appearing single-spaced on the first page to the upper left. All other assignments should be done in blue or black ink pen on non-spiral bound paper.
GRADING POLICY:
Your final grade will be determined
by your overall progress as a college writer: the writings you submit, the
knowledge demonstrated by assignments, quizzes, the special project, class
participation, and the final exam. Appointments with tutors at the Center for
Academic Support are recommended and may be assigned to you by me as needed.
.
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades earned on the essays and the final exam. A combination of numerical scores with a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60% and so on), will indicate grades for all other on-going assignments, participation, quizzes and the special project. These are combined categorically as shown below.
To help keep track of the points earned during the semester, you might figure them below:
Grade %
Points
Essay #1 “Family,
Self & Memory,” Persuasive Essay, 600 words: 10%
100 Points. _________x 1 _________
Essay #2 “Wisdom
of the Talmud” Problem-Solving, 750 words: 10%
100 Points. _________x 1 _________
Essay #3 “The
Forerunner” Formal Argument, 750 words: 15%
150
Points. _________x 1.5 _________
Essay #4 “Native
America” Intro to Research, 750-1,000 words: 15%
150 Points. _________x 1.5 _________
Essay #5 “Critical
Analysis,” Choice of two texts, 750-1,000 words: 15%
150 Points. _________x 1.5 _________
In-class and
out-of-class Assignments: 5% 50
Points. _________x 1 _________
Quizzes from
Readings & Lectures: 10% 100
Points. _________x 1 _________
Class
Participation: 5% 50
Points. _________x 1 _________
Special Project:
Native America Day, 5% 50 Points. _________x 1 _________
Final Exam: 10% 100 Points. _________x 1 _________
Earned Total
of the 1,000 Possible Points = _________/10
Final Letter Grade = _________
GRADE PERCENTAGES AND POINTS
EARNED:
Traditional
Letter Grades: A=95, B=85, C=75,
D=65, and F=55 with “+” or “-“ indicating 2.5 points:
72.5=C-, 75=C, 77.5=C+, etc
There is a 1,000 Point Total for the Course. For
example: Essay #1=10%=100 points, and a “B” grade therefore earns 85 of those
possible 100 points. You will need to earn a total of 700 points, a “C” in
English 104, to enroll in English 108.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with any temporary or
permanent special need that hinders the fullest expression of their
abilities should contact Missouri Western's special needs coordinator, Michael
Ritter for expert recommendations and assistance. You should also contact me
personally the first few days of class to discuss class requirements and any
needed special accommodations. To contact Mr. Ritter: 271-4330, email at
mritter @ missouriwestern.edu, or drop by Eder Hall 202B.
EVERY DAY EXTRA HELP:
Your
instructor is
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 help
or clarification. Simple things can often help a lot.
Free tutoring! MWSU has many excellent
support systems and they are here just for you:
Center for Academic Support offers free tutoring in
writing, reading, math and all other 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 or availability of Child Care. Contact them in
Eder Hall 209 at 271-5990.
Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented toward academic life even if you’re 25 or 40! There are
seminars, associations, and honor societies for older students. Contact them in
Eder Hall 202, at 271-4280.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work should be NEW and ORIGINAL, done by
you for this class as assigned and handed-in on time.
So… if you need to show that the
work or writing was indeed done by you, save it all so that you can meet this
burden of proof. Zeros will be given for
cheating and/or plagiarism and failure for the course is probable. Stronger
evidence showing flagrant cheating and/or plagiarism may lead to penalties by
the Dean of Students, even dismissal from the university. Please note carefully
the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website, http://www.missouriwestern.edu
/eflj/plagiarism.html. Refer to your Student Handbook for these and
additional codes of conduct as they are always in effect.
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. Remember, your accomplishment
is the primary objective. Everybody is here to help you achieve your goals.
Success will happen! I hope you have
an excellent and enjoyable semester. If I can help you further, please let me
know.
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