Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Workshop M or W,
Fall 2006
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Office
Hours: MWF
10-11, and TTh 1-2, and by appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY: “5 Class or
4 Workshop and fail”
In order to improve student learning as well as to achieve compliance with federal financial aid policies, Western has a mandatory attendance policy for all 100-level courses.
Therefore, English 100
does have a fairly strict policy. College attendance is expected. During a
semester, one full week of class absences is considered the usual maximum. More
than this seriously decreases your chances for a good course grade. In Eng 100,
a failing grade in a TTh class is earned for being
absent 5 times, or for being absent from Workshop
4 times.
Our class meets only two times per week for 80-minute sessions and once
per week for 50 minutes in Writers Workshop. So staying up with assignments is especially important. Being late (20 minutes or more), being
habitually late (any amount of time excessively), or being disruptive also
counts as an absence. I do count tardiness (1-19 minutes) as being late, so
tardiness counts as ½ an absence. Any absence necessarily affects your course
grade because it represents missed work. Missed work earns a zero. Late work
without prior permission is unacceptable and also earns a zero. Out-of-class
assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Usually within
the first 3 minutes. Afterwards, they too are considered late and will 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 work. The only exception is: You
will be given an excused absence when acting as an official representative of
the university, provided you give prior written verification from the
faculty/staff supervisor of the event.
All other absences are deemed unexcused. If you miss a class session, you
are still responsible for all material assigned and covered. If you notify me prior to the
in-class absence, you are better assured that I can help you make-up the missed
work and/or accept any work that was due. All decisions concerning any special
circumstances or arrangements are entirely contingent on the instructor’s
discretion.
The
maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before the Midterm
Report, October 18, Fall semester, is three (3). Four (3+1) unexcused absences
prior to the Midterm Report, will result in the Registrar’s Office automatically
“Withdrawing” you from this class. The Financial Aid Office will reduce
financial aid as appropriate.
There is an
opportunity to make-up missed Workshops on that Friday at 3:00 in Eder Hall 222-U-V. Notify Dawn Terrick
in Eder Hall 222-C before attending the make-up
session, or contact her at 271-4313, or terrick@missouriwestern.edu.
Leave a message with the department secretary, 271-4310. Additional Workshop
policies are stated in the Workshop Book.
If you know of circumstances likely to make class
requirements difficult for you this semester, you should consult with your
academic advisor, the Student Services Office, and/or your instructor. Do this
the first few 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 to discuss any concerns. I am here to help
you in any way, any time.
THREE REQUIRED TEXTS AND
COURSE MATERIALS:
English 100 Writer’s Workshop. Fall 2006. Dawn Terrick,
ed. St. Joseph: MWSU, 2006.
Introduction
to College Writing: English 100. Third Edition.. Missouri Western State
University. St. Louis: McGraw Hill,
Custom Publishing, 2006.
A Troubleshooting Guide for Writers. 4th Edition. St. Louis: McGraw
Hill, 2005.
Notebook
(perforated) for class notes and hand-written assignments; Blue or black ink
pens only
Two
or three 3-1/2" floppy disks (2-3): 1 working, 1 working save, 1 archival
back-up save
Manila
folder(s), 3-ring binder or something similar for your Final Portfolio
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 student of college writing. Acquiring knowledge and developing skills
are the two important goals. Grades will be earned in 4 Task Papers, and from
textbook readings, quizzes, class partici-pation, and
many other small and large in-class and out-of-class written assignments. Save all
your work for the Final Portfolio.
For any written assignment, large or
small, ALWAYS strive for QUALITY,
not quantity—clear thoughts well expressed is the objective. Each Task Paper has a word-count limit, so
densely expressed content should be your goal. “Significant content, not watery
words.”
Task
#1 Small Assignments: 10%
Task
#1 Paper: 10% (word processed) A Description of a Person or a Place, 500-600
words.
Task
#2 Small Assignments: 10%
Task
#2 Paper: 10% (word processed) The Significance of Three Possessions,
500-600 words.
Task
#3 Small Assignments: 10%
Task
#3 Paper: 10% (word processed) Blending Writing
and
MLA Documentation, 750-1,000
words
Task
#4 Small Assignments: 10%
Task
#4 Paper: 10% (word processed) The 4-Step Revision Process, a 500-750 words
Final
Portfolio: 10% All your semester’s work
plus a 600-750 word Self-Critique
Final
Exam: 10% A Prepared In-Class Essay,
500-750 words.
Small Assignments: 4 x 10%. Progress in writing is best made incrementally: little improve-ments sustained over time. Consequently, progress is best
made day-by-day with on-going assignments in reading, discussion, practice
writing, and re-writing. To practice and assimilate everyday will put you way
ahead by the end of the semester. In-class and out-of-class assignments
will help you complete the larger Task Papers. Assigned readings and the
comprehension of your textbook will be important. Weekly quizzes will be given
on Tuesdays.
4 Task Papers: 4 x 10%. 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. Approximately 2 ½ weeks will be given for each.
Progress as a College Writer: 10%. Your overall progress as a
writer will be assessed by an end-of-semester Final Portfolio in which you
submit all of the semester’s work, along with a detailed self-critique.
Your portfolio must receive an “acceptable” evaluation in order for you to pass
ENG 100: three of the four Task Papers should receive a final grade of C or
higher and the Cover Sheet Self-Critique should be thoughtful and complete. So,
KEEP ALL YOUR WORK: notes, brainstorming, rough drafts, revisions, quizzes,
class handouts, this syllabus. Everything!
Final Exam: 10%. An essay exam demonstrating competence for entrance into English 104.
Writer’s Workshop. Throughout the course of the semester, you
will attend the once-a-week, small group Writer’s Workshop (listed 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 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. You do need a final course average of “70” or better to pass English 100. ***Important: if you are repeating this course, please see me during the first few days of class.
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, single space your name, course number, assignment and date in the upper left hand corner. Center the title and double space the rest of the essay. On page 2 and all subsequent pages, your last name should be placed 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 a system of “ ‘s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60% and so on), will indicate grades for other on-going small assignments. An itemized Midterm Grade Sheet will allow you to monitor and adjust your efforts during the semester. At any time, you may discuss your progress and efforts with me. Please do so.
Final Course Grade: A =90 and above, B =80-89, C =70-79, D =60-69, F =below 59.5
A final 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 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 Mr. Ritter at
271-4330, email him at mritter @ missouriwestern.edu,
or drop by his office in Eder Hall 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 after class when you have questions, or
when you need additional help. Take the initiative. Sometimes it only takes a
minute to clarify something that would otherwise be a problem.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems just for you. I may assign you special tutorials at the Center
for Academic Support if needed. 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: Eder Hall 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: Eder Hall 202 at 271-4280.
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 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 AND DUE
PROCESS:
Academic honesty is required in all academic
endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating,
seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or
any other fraudulent activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a
failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the
University. When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic
honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the
Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.
Please see the Western Students Handbook and
Calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and
the student due process procedure.
All work for this course should be new and original. Student Handbook academic
policies are always in effect. These protect you and the standards of the
college.
SUCCESS
IN ENGLISH 100:
English
100 is harder, not easier, than other college courses you may ever have. It
requires you to not only catch-up, but then to go forward and start writing at
the college level. Often, students underestimate the challenges that await them
in English 100. But success will happen in this course, if you work hard and
are willing to give your best efforts to the assignments day-by-day throughout
the entire semester. Small improvements every day will make a vast difference
by the end of the semester.
I
believe you will have an excellent and enjoyable college career at Missouri
Western. Everyone is here to help you reach your goals.
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