ENGLISH 100, Section 05: INTRODUCTION TO
COLLEGE WRITING
Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism
FALL 2006 SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Meredith Katchen
Office:
Eder Hall, 222P
Office
Hours: MWF
E-mail: mkatchen@missouriwestern.edu Phone: 271-5815
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Unless otherwise specified, bring the following books and materials to
each class:
Savage Inequalities, Jonathan Kozol
Introduction
to College Writing, English 100, Third Edition, 2006
One
spiral notebook, 40-70 sheets
To emphasize writing as a process, from generation of ideas to final editing, this course requires you to prepare and submit an end-term portfolio that will determine 60% of your final grade. You will write four major papers, and you will have to extensively revise two of these for inclusion in the portfolio. You will be able to choose which of the first two essays to include, but you must include the third essay. Portfolios will be evaluated by independent readers, but I will evaluate your fourth essay. To be eligible to submit an end-term portfolio, you will need to:
* Meet basic requirements of three essay assignments
* Complete a fourth writing assignment
* Maintain a journal
* Participate in revision activities
* Meet minimum attendance requirements, including Writer Workshops.
If you do not satisfy each of the above criteria, your portfolio will not be accepted for evaluation and you will receive a failing grade for the course.
COURSE COMPONENTS
Portfolio - Detailed instructions regarding portfolio preparation will be given during the semester. In the meantime, know that you must attach ALL drafts of each portfolio submission to the final draft. In other words, portfolio readers must be able to see your initial draft and each revision along the way to the final submission. Also know that your portfolio will be evaluated by independent readers.
Journal – Bring your journal to each class meeting. Please use your journal for this class only. I will collect and evaluate journals more than once during the semester. Journal entries will be evaluated for volume and thoroughness. Journal work may be made up only if an absence is due to a serious medical or personal situation and if you discuss your situation with me in a timely manner.
Essays – You will complete four major
writing tasks. A student who does not satisfactorily complete all tasks will
not pass the course even if the other writing tasks are satisfactory;
portfolios will not be accepted from students who have not done all their work.
You will need to create and revise drafts of essays until your work satisfies
the assigned minimum criteria, which will be specified for each assignment. Once
the minimum criteria are met, your essay is ready for the next phase: revision
for portfolio. Again, you must include the third essay, and you will choose
which of the first two essays to include. I will evaluate the fourth essay,
which will not be included in the end-term portfolio. Projected due dates for essay assignments are:
Essay One week 2
Essay Two week 4
Essay Three: week 7
Essay Four: week 15
Revision Activities – A writer typically must deal with the problem of separating what is on the page from what the writer means or feels. A writer needs to recognize such a gap in order to better close it. Writers typically need careful readers who will honestly explain their reception of a piece of writing. Such feedback generally helps a writer determine a revision strategy. We will practice giving and receiving good feedback in one-on-one conferences, small groups, and as a whole class.
Writer’s Workshop - Throughout
the semester, you will attend weekly Writer’s Workshops (listed as “labs” in
the class schedule). Some of your
Writer’s Workshop materials may be used in class, and some of your class papers
will be critiqued and proofread in Writer’s Workshops. You must ensure that you have the right
materials in the right place. Your teacher may also consider your Writer's
Workshop participation as part of your grade.
POLICIES AND INFORMATION
Attendance Policy for All 100-level Courses - 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. 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 will be deemed
unexcused and will be recorded as such. With the above exception, I view the recording
of attendance not as a judgment but as a simple reflection of reality. The
maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before the Fall 2006 midterm report, October 18 is 3. Thus, when you
have 4 unexcused absences you will be reported to the Registrar’s Office, who
will automatically withdraw you from this class. The Financial Aid Office will reduce
financial aid as appropriate. If during the semester you miss a total of five
class periods or four Writer’s Workshops, you will receive an FA for the
course. Regardless of your reason
for being absent, you are still responsible for all work and deadlines. In
addition to the above, absences will result in the following penalties: 3 absences
= -25 points,
4 absences = - 50 additional
points. On the other hand, excellent attendance should be rewarded. Therefore,
0 absences = +15 points and 1 absence = +10 points.
Lateness
Late arrivals and early
departures will be recorded and added together. A total or combination of three
times or 15 minutes late will constitute one-half of an absence and will
disqualify you from bonus points for perfect attendance. .
Grading Policy:
A grade of “C” or better is necessary to advance to English 104. Your grade for this class will be determined on the basis of your growth and effort as a writer and by the quality of the writing you are able to produce by the end of the semester. There will be 500 points you can earn during the semester. 40% can be earned by keeping a good journal, by being an active participant in revision activities, and by completing your work satisfactorily and on time. The other 60% of your grade can be earned through an end-term portfolio. At the end of the semester, 450+ points = A, 400 – 449 = B, 350 to 399 = C, 300 to 349 = D, and below 300 = F.
Grading note: I will not grade your end-term portfolios; rather, independent readers will evaluate them. I will be responsible for 40% of your evaluation only.
Civility and Cooperation
Missouri Western requires all students to help us maintain good conditions for teaching and learning. All students will treat their classmates, teachers, and student assistants with civility and respect, both inside and outside the classroom. Students who violate this policy may, among other penalties, be counted absent and asked to leave. You should review your Missouri Western student handbook for further information.
Student Disability:
Any student in this course who
has a disability that prevents the fullest expressions of abilities should
contact Missouri Western's special needs coordinator for possible certification
of special needs and expert recommendations for assistance. You should also contact your teacher
personally as soon as possible so that the two of you can discuss class
requirements.
Academic Honesty Policy
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 2006-07 Student Handbook and Calendar on page 21 for specific
activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process
procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf
Course Goals and Class
Assignments:
Reading Goals:
At the completion of ENG 100
students should be able to
·
Read actively for greater understanding;
·
Use reading to improve their writing by drawing
ideas and information from written material;
·
Use texts to understand their own and others’
experiences;
·
Read writing assignments effectively as a guide
to creating better papers;
·
Recognize good writing by actively reading good
prose.
Writing Goals:
At the completion of ENG 100
students should be able to
·
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,
purpose, and audience;
· Develop their ideas and concepts with specific details, examples, and explanations;
·
Craft more effective and polished sentences and
paragraphs;
·
Use effective planning, invention, revision, and
editing to complete successful writing tasks.
General Studies 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.