Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
MWF 8-8:50, Murphy Hall
104—Fall 2006
Instructor: Mr. Hamilton
Phone: 271-4169
Office
Hours: MWF 10-11, TTh 1-2, and by
appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY AND CLASS
EXPECTATIONS:
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.
College attendance is
expected. During a semester, one full week of class absences is considered the
usual maximum. Two weeks absences can seriously affect your course grade.
Our class meets only three times per week for 50-minute sessions. So staying up with assignments is
especially important. Being
late (10 minutes or more), being habitually late (any amount of time
excessively), or being disruptive also counts as an absence. I do count
tardiness (1-9 minutes) as being late, so tardiness counts as ½ an absence. Any
absence necessarily represents missed in-class work. Missed work earns a zero.
Late work handed in 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 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 five (5). Six (5+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.
Ordinarily, there are no exceptions and no
make-ups for late work or missed in-class work. If you know of any
circumstances likely to make these requirements difficult for you this
semester, you should consult with your academic advisor, the Student Services
Office, and/or your instructor.
If you have to be absent, let me know. Check with classmates as to what
we have done that day. Even though missed in-class work cannot be made up, and
late work receives a zero or a grade reduction for major projects, I can help
you if prior arrangements have been made. Document the reasons for your absence(s)
as required. Give your instructor a copy.
Being late can count as an
absence. Five minutes of a fifty-minute class is a lot. Being disruptive
with lateness, or in other ways, can also count as an absence (1/2 or full).
Zeros will be earned for all missed work and for all work due or given in class
while marked absent. Note that out-of-class assignments are usually due at
the beginning of the class period. These are usually collected during the
first few minutes of class. If you’re late or miss an entire class session,
take responsibility for finding out all material covered and/or assignments
given during your absence. If you are unsure of the required work, ask a
classmate, talk to me after class, phone my office, drop by during office
hours, email me, or arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss any concerns.
I am here to help in any way I can, any time.
Come to class well prepared, take notes, enter into conversations, stay
focused, keep up with assignments for each and every class meeting. Think
clearly and actively. Write with intensity. Ask questions. Offer peer reviews.
Explore & Create. Strive for quality, not mere quantity.
REQUIRED TEXTS, et al:
Glaser,
Joe. Understanding Style. NY:
Weidenborner,
Stephen, Domenick Caruso and Gary Parks.
Writing Research Papers: A Guide
to the Process. 7th
Edition. NY: Bedford/St. Martin, 2005.
A
good College Dictionary and Thesaurus are highly recommended.
Notebook/Paper
(perforated) for in class notes and hand-written assignments
A
Research Journal/Notebook/Folder (something that you can easily add and
subtract from)
3-1/2"
floppy disks (2 or 3 for this class) plus Xeroxed copies and Print Outs as
needed
Pocket
folder(s) and 3 x 5 cards as suggested for research projects
Blue
or black ink pens are always preferred
COURSE GOALS AND CLASS
ASSIGNMENTS:
In this course, you will gain expertise and
confidence in college writing, critical thinking, scholarly research and the
necessary technical documentation through varied assignments, small and large, using
research materials from many different types of sources.
There will be opportunities for in-class development
of your ideas through writing, discussion of readings, and practice in research
techniques. We are on a computer-assisted
campus with good access to
word-processing labs, the Internet, and other data based electronic source
systems. We will make use of all of these.
Thoughtful Expression,
Clearly and Concisely Communicated with Persuasive Reasoning and Well-Chosen
Research is the overall goal for this course. Correct MLA Documentation of all
outside sources is required. You will become well-versed in this by the end of
the semester.
For a detailed description of the General Studies
requirements for English 108, see the Departmental Website: www.
missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/Programs/General Studies/English 108.
This will offer the university’s Course Description, List of Objectives, the
Competencies expected for completion of English 108, probably your last writing
& research course at MWSU.
MAJOR
ASSIGNMENTS: all outside sources must be documented with correct MLA
Interpretive Analysis #1 15% 1,000
words—a single-sourced critical
thinking
activity—the evaluation of one Internet Website as assigned
Researched Argument #2 15% 1,000
words—a multi-sourced investigative
assignment on
one aspect of Native
Quizzes & Activities 10% Textbook
Lecture Notes
Midterm Test 7% Textbook
Lecture Notes—a difficult comprehensive test
Midterm Notes 3% Class
Notes taken by you each class period.
Major Research Project 30%
a significant
question proposed by you, OK’d by me, presented as a 5-Part Classic Argument
and perfectly documented with MLA
Class Presentation 3% As assigned: Personal or Group
In Class 7% Participation, Worksheets,
Assignments, Quizzes
Final Exam 10% College Writing &
Research—Cumulative Test
GRADING:
Traditional Letter Grades, with +’s and –‘s, will indicate grades earned on the formally presented Essays. On all other work, a combination of letter grades, numerical scores, and a system of “ s,” with +’s and –‘s (“ +” = 100%, “ “ = 80%, “ --“ = 60%, “ =” = 40% and so on), will be used.
Traditional
Letter Grades: A=95, B=85, C=75,
D=65, and F=55 with “+” or “-“ indicating 2.5 points: 72.5=C-,
75=C, 77.5=C+, etc
There are 1,000 points for the Course. For example:
Essay #1=15%=150 points, and a “B” or 85% therefore earns 127.5 points. There
may be a few small extra credit opportunities.
Grade reviews or discussions of your
work-in-progress are welcomed. Make an office appointment or just let me know
you are coming during office hours.
During your college career, reading becomes
extremely important, so annotate your texts as you read the assignments. Also, take class notes.
Keep all of your work as the semester
progresses. And learn what techniques work best for you when doing
readings, writings, and research.
FORMAL WRITINGS &
ASSIGNMENTS:
Start off by doing the best you can and keep adding to your knowledge while furthering your skills throughout the semester. Then, you should do well. All completed essays must be word processed, double spaced, properly formatted, thoroughly revised and edited, carefully proofread, and presented neatly with your Name, Class and Section Number, Instructor’s Name, Assignment, and Date appearing single-spaced on the first page to the upper left (for short assignments): for example:
Name
English Course/Section
Instructor
Assignment
Date
Use
Times Roman as a font: 12 point and double space. Do not bold face everything
or use all capitals. Side margins should be 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom 1.5
inch, paragraph indent .5 inch. Written work should be thoroughly revised for
content and best use of language; proofread for clarity of expression
and grammatical correctness. Number each page at the Top Right: e.g.,
Then, Center the Title and
Double Space Throughout.
All hand-written assignments
should be done in blue or black ink pen with non-spiral bound paper on one side
of the page only.
(Use MLA Documentation for all outside sources.)
Note: A longer paper, like your Major Researched Project, will require a Cover Page also.
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.
Student Handbook academic policies are always in
effect. These protect you and the standards of the college.
All work is expected to be NEW and ORIGINAL for this
course. Unintentional
or intentional plagiarism creates the same problem, carries the same
consequence. So… “When in doubt, cite it out.”
Plagiarism, itself, is the theft of other people’s
words, thoughts, creative perceptions, and/or ideas, presenting them as if they
were your own. One of the objectives in this General Studies English course is
to teach you how best to make use of outside sources without
plagiarizing—realizing the difference between a legitimate and illegitimate use
of intellectual and creative properties. You will receive a thorough
introduction to the required documentation. Document all outside material
(facts, ideas, interpretations, insights, etc.) by attributing them to their
source.
Your
personal intellectual and creative properties are protected by U.S. Copyright
Law.
This Syllabus:
It’s
important that you understand this Syllabus. Both it, and all Assignment
Sheets, require your participation. I do reserve the right to make adjustments
to them as will best support our on-going efforts. Storm days would be one good
example for an alteration in a due date, for example.
STUDENT SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with any temporary or permanent
special need that hinders the fullest expression of their abilities should
contact Michael Ritter, Missouri Western's Special Needs/Disability
Coordinator, for expert recommendations and assistance. You should also let me
know during the first few days of class to discuss class requirements and any
necessary accommodations. To contact Mr. Michael Ritter: 271-4330, email at
mritter@missouriwestern.edu, or drop by his office in Eder Hall 202B.
EVERY DAY EXTRA HELP:
As your instructor, I am here to help you
succeed. Office hours are posted, and other arrangements can be made by
appointment whenever necessary. Contact me when you have questions, or when you
need additional help. At times, I may ask students to make office visits or
require them to schedule tutorial sessions with the Center for Academic
Support.
Free tutoring! MWSC has many excellent
support systems, such as:
Center for Academic Support offers extra help in
writing, reading, math and all 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.
Student Services Office has many programs to keep
you progressing toward your goals: from Child Care to special academic/career advising
in Eder Hall 209 at 271-5990.
Non-Traditional Student
Center can
get you re-oriented toward academic life even if you’re 20 or 40! There are
seminars, associations, and honor societies for older students. Contact them in
Eder Hall 202, at 271-4280.
CIVILITY AND COOPERATION:
Missouri Western requires 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. When in doubt, just ask. Your
accomplishment is the primary objective.
Success will happen!
I believe you’ll have an excellent, progressive and
enjoyable semester. Please let me know how I might help you further.
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