Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism
English 100 - 19: Introduction to
College Writing Class:
Writer’s Workshop:
Teacher: Joyce Smithmier
Office: Rm
213
Phone: 271-4578
Office Hours:
E-mail: jssmithmier@sbcglobal.net
Required Texts and Course Materials:
Introduction to College Writing – ENG 100,
McGraw-Hill, 2006.
A Troubleshooting Guide for
Writers McGraw-Hill, 2005
(This handbook is important – please read all assigned chapters, respond
to questions/test yourself sections, and use as a reference when writing and
revising – and is packaged with textbook; bring both to class and workshop)
Savage Inequalities by
Jonathan Kozol
Computer disks
Photocopies for group as
requested
Folders
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.
Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction include
textbook, lectures, class discussions, group work, writer’s workshops, informal
writing assignments, and formal writing assignments. Students will be expected to participate in
peer revision groups and in-class writing assignments.
Policies:
Attendance policy
In order to improve student learning
and to achieve compliance with federal financial aid policies, Western has a
mandatory attendance policy for all 100-level courses. This course has a very strict attendance
policy in Writer’s Workshop as well as in class. If you miss seven class periods OR four
Writer’s Workshops, you will receive an F in the class. A student will be given an excused absence
when acting as an official representative of the university, provided the
student gives prior written verification from the faculty/staff supervisor of
the event; however, there are no other excused absences, exceptions, or “makeups” for this attendance requirement. Furthermore, the maximum number of absences
allowed before the midterm report, Oct. 18, for this class is five(5). Thus, when
you have six(6) 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 you know of any circumstances likely to
make this policy difficult for yous this semester, ;you may wish to consult your advisor to review
you options. If you miss a class
session, you are responsible for all material covered and assignments given
during your absence. All out-of-class
assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.
Grading Policy:
Your grade will be determined on the
basis of your progress as a writer, the writings (informal and formal) you
submit, and your class participation over the course of this semester. Also note that smaller assignments and class
preparation/participation are very important and do affect your grade.
Writing.
You will complete four major writing tasks that will be graded by your
teacher. A student who does not turn in
complete responses to all four tasks will not pass the course even if the
grades achieved in the other writing tasks are satisfactory.
Writer’s Workshop. Throughout the
course of the semester, you will attend the once-a-week, small group 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 you Writer's
Workshop participation as part of your grade.
Revision policy – For each task you will be required to participate in a
peer revision group. The first three
tasks may be revised and resubmitted to me for a “new” grade. This will be explained further when after the
first task is returned to you.
Please note that you must
complete all writing assignments in order to pass this course. In addition, admission into ENG 104 requires
a “C” or higher in ENG 100. All drafts
and final papers for this course must be word-processed.
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
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 classroom activity. You will
receive a grade of F (0points) for any paper/assignment/exam that shows
evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism and forfeit the opportunity to revise.
You have the burden of proving that a paper showing evidence of cheating or
plagiarism has in fact been written by you.
You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all
papers so that you can meet this burden of proof. Violations of academic honesty will be
reported to the Provost or the designated representative on the Academic
Honesty Violation Report Forms. Please
note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website and
refer to 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
Please note that you must complete all
writing assignments in order to pass this course. In addition, admission into ENG 104 requires
a “C” or higher in ENG 100. All drafts
and final papers for this course must be word-processed.