Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
English 108: College Writing and Research
Syllabus for Sections
01 8-8:50 MWF MH 108
16 9-9:50 MWF MH 104
05 11-11:50 MWF MH 104
Instructor: Mr. Greg
Gildersleeve
Office: Eder Hall
(SS/C) 213
Contact: 816-271-4578,
or ggildersleeve@missouriwestern.edu
[Note that there is no
voice mail; if no one answers and it is imperative that you leave a message,
contact the English Dept. at 816-271-4310]
Office Hours: 10-10:50
MWF and
Course Description and Purpose
Students will write
three formal research papers in addition to other graded and ungraded
assignments. Students will learn to analyze, synthesize and evaluate the
thinking of others in order to discover, articulate, develop and support their
own point of view. Final drafts of all assignments will be word processed.
Overall Objectives
Available at
www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/lg/eng108.html
Required Text
The
Additional Materials
You will need:
You should have:
This Syllabus
Read this syllabus
carefully and refer to it often. All information presented herein is regarded
as part of your knowledge for the course. All answers to your questions about
the course will be based on the assumption that you understand the syllabus and
seek further clarification. The instructor reserves the right to alter this
syllabus and to make announced changes as need arises during the course of the
semester.
Grading Criteria
The total number of
points in this class is variable, depending on the number of assignments. Workload
may increase or decrease depending on the progress of the class. Grades will
therefore be determined by percentages: A = 100-90%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D
= 60-69%, F = 59% and below. Each of the three research papers will be worth
approximately 25 % of your grade, with the remaining 25 % to be made up by in
class participation, other assignments and the final exam.
Class Meetings
This course is a
writing and discussion-based class. As such, grading relies more on your
writing assignments and participation in discussions than on quizzes and tests.
Read assigned chapters before you come to class and be prepared to discuss
them. Silence during a class discussion will be interpreted as lack of
preparation on your part, and may result in the class ending in a pop quiz.
Come to class prepared, and plan to remain engaged with the material for the
entire class period. Turn of all cell phones and pagers. Even if you find
yourself unprepared, come to class anyway - absence only compounds the problem.
Good academic habits produce the best results.
Due Dates
Due dates for all
required assignments will be written on the chalkboard, posted on the overhead
projector, or included in handouts well in advance. Late research papers will
be reduced by one letter grade per class period in which they are turned in
after the due date. No other late assignments will be accepted, and quizzes
cannot be made up.
Attendance
Do not miss class. An
absence for any reason means you are not present to learn. You will be allowed
three "free" absences during the course of the semester. After that,
points will be deducted from your grade: 10 points for the fourth absence; 25
points for the fifth absence; 50 points for the sixth and each subsequent
absence. Extra points will be earned for perfect
attendance or missing three or fewer classes. If you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to contact a classmate regarding announcements, assignments and
notes. You may contact me for missed assignments,
but, as my office time is usually spent preparing classes and grading papers, I
cannot promise to return your call or e-mail in time for you to complete the
assignment.
Note: Consult with me in advance of any known, legitimate
conflicts or hardships. However, I cannot guarantee much leeway, as ENG 108 is
stressed for time. Serious effort to attend and to complete the work for this
class will be given fair consideration. Note: Weddings, funerals, vacations, and work schedules do not
qualify as excused absences.
Lateness
I will take roll at
the beginning of class. If you arrive after I finish taking roll, you will be
counted absent for the entire class period. It is not fair to the class members
who arrive on time to disrupt the class, start over or have to accommodate
those who come late. If lateness becomes chronic, the door will be locked and
no late students will be admitted.
Plagiarism
Deception regarding
sources of ideas and information will be dealt with harshly, up to and
including failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and my written
recommendation that the plagiarist be expelled from this institution. I reserve
the right to demand that a student present hard copies of his or her sources, and
that a student demonstrate his or her command of the material in his or her
paper.
Disabilities and Special Needs
Any student who has a
special need or disability that may affect his or her performance in the class
should contact MWSU's Special Needs Coordinator for assistance. Also, let me
know immediately so that appropriate arrangements can be made to make sure your
needs are met as quickly and completely as possible.
Civility and Cooperation
"Failure is no accident; you set
yourself up for it or you don't."
- Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D., Life Strategies, p. 50