Syllabus

 

Semester:                                           Spring 2006, Missouri Western State University

 

Course Title:                                      English 108-College Writing and Research

 

Credit Hours:                                     3

 

Instructor:                                          Michael Lund

 

Course Locations:                              Section 02-MWF 8-8:50 am, MH 103

                                                            Section 17-MWF 10-10:50 am, MH 104        

                                                            Section 06-MWF 11-11:50 am, MH 104        

 

Office Location:                                 EH 222-M

 

Office Hours:                                     By Appointment

 

Telephone:                                         271-4316 (messages)

 

Required Textbooks:                         Eschholz, Rosa, and Clark, Language Awareness, Ninth Edition.

                                                            Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual, Fourth Edition.

 

Additional Materials:                        You will need standard writing supplies daily, a spiral bound notebook for your journal, and a new 31/2 inch diskette for use in the computer lab. I also suggest you purchase a collegiate dictionary and a thesaurus.

 

Course Outcomes/Objectives:          The course outcomes and objectives are available online. Go to the EFLJ Website for details.

 

Course Requirements:                      You will write three response essays and one longer research paper for this course. In addition, you will keep a journal over the reading assignments from LA. Additional paper and journal specifics will be detailed shortly, so do not panic.

                                                            Daily writing assignments, quizzes and group exercises also carry value in determining the student’s overall grade.

 

Policies and Expectations:                 I will allow you to miss four classes during the semester. After that, I will fail you in the course. Normally, there are no exceptions to this policy. See me for further clarification. Two tardies (more than five minutes late) equals one absence. In addition,

                                                            I expect you to arrive in class on time and with what ever is due that day; if you do not have the assigned draft, etc. you will be counted absent. Regarding late work, I will never accept an assignment after the announced due date without substantial reason or documented emergency and always at my discretion. Additionally, daily work may not be made up, so your attendance greatly enhances these point chances. Assignments are due at the beginning of the designated class, so please plan accordingly. Finally, if you must miss a class, please try to contact me. My voice mail is the best way to do this: 816-248-1971 or 390-8892.

 

Plagiarism:                                         Misrepresenting another’s work as your own is a serious offense and can result in failure of assignments or dismissal from class.

 

Accommodations for Disability:        Missouri Western State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need any accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact me as soon as possible.

 

 

Point Values and Overall Grading:   The point values are as follows:

 

                                                            Response Essay I:                                 100 points

                                                            Response Essay II:                               100 points

                                                            Response Essay III:                              100 points

                                                            Daily quizzes, etc. in class:                     100 points

                                                            Journal:                                                 100 points

                                                            Research Paper:                                   400 points

                                                            Final Exam:                                           100 points

 

                                                            Total Possible Points:                           1000 points

 

I will use the following scale to determine your overall grade:

 

90-100 % (900-1000 points)                           A

80-89% (800-899 points)                                B

70-79% (700-799 points)                                C

60-69% (600-699 points)                                D

59% and below (599 points or below)              F

Tentative Class Schedule and Assignment Due Dates

All Readings from LA Textbook

      Although Only Beginning Page Numbers are Listed, You are Responsible for the

                                                            Entire Selection

Journal Entries Required when J Follows Assignment

 

1-18                 Overview of course, syllabus, course expectations

1-20                 Writing samples                       

1-23                 Review of essay format and required process

1-25                 Introduction to the reading and writing process. Read: pp. 1 -16

1-27                 Continuation. Read: pp. 16 - 33

1-30                 Read: p. 37 J

2-1                   Read: p. 43 J

2-3                   Read: p. 48 J

2-6                   Read: p. 53 J

2-8                   Read: p. 73 J

2-10                 Read: p. 98 J

2-13                 Review

2-15                 Drafts Due, D.E.#1

2-17                 Final Drafts Due, D.E.#1

2-22                 Read: p.138 J and p.152 J

2-24                 Read: p.172 J

2-27                 Read: p.180 J

3-1                   Read: p.217 J

3-3                   Read: p.229 J

3-6                   Review

3-8                   Drafts Due, D.E. #2

3-10                 Final Drafts Due, D.E. #2

3-20                 Read: p. 328 J

3-22                 Read: p. 351 J

3-24                 Read: p. 363 J

3-27                 Read: p. 442 J

3-29                 Read: p. 455 J

3-31                 Read: p. 566 J

4-3                   Review

4-5                   Drafts Due, D.E.#3

4-7                   Final Drafts Due, D.E.#3

4-10                 Begin Research Project

4-12                 TBA

4-14                 TBA

4-17                 TBA

4-19                 TBA

4-21                 TBA

4-24                 TBA

4-26                 Drafts Due, Research Project

4-28                 Revised Drafts Due, Research Project

5-1                                     Research Project Due

 

 

Finals Schedule

Sec. 02-Wednesday, May 3, 8:30 –10:20 am

Sec. 06- Friday, May 5, 11:30 am- 1:20 pm

Sec. 17- Monday, May 8, 8:30-10:20 am

 

Journal Entries and Requirements

 

Students will complete a one full-page (minimum) hand written journal entry in his/her standard sized spiral notebook for each reading assignment designated by J on the Course Schedule. Entries must be legible and inclusive of:

a.       Summary: A summary is a brief retelling in the student’s own words of what the selection was about, inclusive of the main idea/thesis and the method(s) used by the author in making his/her point.

b.      Analysis: This is the breaking down of the selection into sectional divisions and making a personal judgement concerning the validity and/or success of the work. (A simple “I did not like/understand the reading” will not suffice: give specific reasons or examples for your evaluation.)

c.       All Journal Entries Must Be Dated and Titled to Receive Credit! No Exceptions!

Response Essay Requirements

 

Scope and Purpose: These brief essays will afford the student the opportunity to combine their own personal thoughts, reactions, etc. with the thoughts of the author(s) in response to a choice of writing topics found at the end of each selection from LA, “Writing Suggestions” Each option is different and proposes various rhetorical situations, so students should read and choose carefully. In-text citations using MLA format must be included in every case (an approximate 80:20 mix of your words to quoted, paraphrased, or summarized materials is the goal.) A “Works Cited” entry is also required for each source used. Numbers of sources will vary between questions but must always include the work chosen! Ask!

 

Length: 800-1000 words; word processed (accurate word count mandatory) in 12-point Times New Roman or standard print font only; double spaced in black type on white paper. Never make a cover sheet: simply follow MLA format for a paper without a title page. Word count reflects actual text only and does not include header information, name, etc. or “Works Cited” materials. Drafts must be word processed and inclusive of all citations to be accepted for peer/instructor editing and review. Final drafts will not be accepted without clear indication of selection(s) chosen and the specific question identified on a separate page.

 

 

 

 

The Research Paper/Project

 

This is a longer work of 1500-1800 words that will reflect an in-depth study of a language-based thesis or research question. Students have options regarding format, and these will be explained later, but in any case the student must use in the work a minimum of ten (10) sources not inclusive of the textbook and not to exceed five (5) sources from the Internet. In addition, students’ must have his/her thesis /research question approved by the instructor prior to any actual writing of the assignment. Finally, there will be specific due dates to help ensure timely completion of the various tasks involved in the construction of this project. Remember that this work is due on the specified date at the beginning of class and will not be accepted thereafter!