Fall 2007
College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
English 100-67:
Introduction to College Writing
Meeting Time & Room: 8:00 – 8:50 MWF, Murphy Hall 104
Writer's Workshop: 9:00
- 9:50 Eder 222U or 222V
Instructor: Bill
Church
Office: Eder Hall
222-O
Phone: 816 271-5966
Office Hours: 10-11 MWF; 1-2 TR, and by appointment.
email: church@missouriwestern.edu
Course Overview: This class offers additional practice in reading, writing,
and critical thinking for students whose ACT or Writing Placement Exam scores
indicate they are inadequately prepared for ENG104. This is not a course in
grammar drills. Rather, it includes the holistic, process-based generation of
papers and considerable analytical reading. Because the course is numbered 100
or above it does apply as an elective general studies course toward the 124
hours required for graduation. It does not, however, satisfy the composition
requirement of ENG104 and ENG 108. To advance to ENG104, a student must earn a
C or higher in ENG 100.
Learning
Community: Because this class is linked with
your freshman seminar courses, we have the opportunity to form a community that
shares knowledge and encouragement beyond any one class. One aspect of linked
courses is an outside activity which everyone is expected to attend. Another
aspect is shared information among teachers. We faculty will be discussing your
individual and collective progress so that we can gain a larger perspective of
our course material and our students, some of whom may be excelling in one
course while struggling in another. Our goal is to provide you the most
effective teaching, advisement, and encouragement we can by working as a team.
Likewise, your goal is to form a true community in which you know, encourage,
challenge, and assist one another.
Service Learning: One component of our class will involve interviewing
citizens of an area senior center about literacy in their lives and then
writing a paper based on the interviews. This will require transportation.
ENG100 Program 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- and 200-level courses.
This course has a very strict attendance policy in class as well as in Writer's
Workshops. 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, October 17,
for this class is five (5). Thus, when you have six absences prior to that date
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.
My Additional Attendance Policy: Because attendance is crucial to success, I offer the
following encouragement and additional stipulations:
* You may miss up to three class periods without penalty
beyond missed work
* You may miss up to two Writer's Workshops without penalty
beyond missed work
* Each absence thereafter in class or WW may result in
one-half letter grade reduction
Ordinarily, there are no exceptions and no make-ups for this
attendance requirement. If you know of any circumstances likely to make this
policy difficult for you this semester, you may wish to consult with your
advisor to review your 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. No
late assignments will be accepted unless you have received prior permission
from me. There are no excused absences. Anyone not present when roll is
taken at the beginning of class is officially absent.
Required Texts and Course Materials: All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg;
Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol;
Introduction to College Writing, MWSU, published by McGraw-Hill Custom
Publishing. English 100 Writer's Workshop, Fall 2007 ed. Photocopies for
group work as requested. All writing except that completed in class must
be word-processed, so please plan for adequate computer time if you will be
using campus computer labs. You will also need an electronic means of storing
your writing, such as a flash drive or zip disk.
Course Goals and Class Assignments:
A fuller discussion of the topics covered below may be found
at the following web site: www.missouriwestern.edu/~engdept/eng100.html
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.
Classroom Behavior:
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. As stated in the MWSU Student Handbook,
instructors "may establish additional classroom rules and expectations for
conduct in the classroom. Behavior which disrupts the
classroom environment or interferes with other students' ability to learn may
be grounds or justification for dismissal from the classroom" (22).
Sleeping or appearing to sleep, conducting private conversations, using
computers for other than assigned purposes, eating, drinking, damaging
property, and using vulgar or deliberately offensive language are some of the
more common acts that can damage the learning environment. Likewise, all
telephones and pagers are to be silenced during class time. Text messaging is
prohibited. No headphones or sunglasses may be worn, no music played, no
homework done for other classes. Let's establish a cordial and respectful
atmosphere in which we can have fun while learning together.
Promptness for attendance and submission of work: All out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of the
class period. Late assignments will be penalized; any paper not submitted at
the beginning of the hour on the due date will be considered one day late.
Students are responsible for all material covered and assignments given during
their absence.
Course Requirements and Grading Policy: Your semester grade will be determined by your major papers,
retention-enhancement questionnaires, in-class responses to reading, reflective
letters, and class participation. The components of your grade in the course
are as follows:
Major papers (80%): You will complete multiple drafts of
three major writing tasks on specified deadlines, plus one self-reflective
portfolio cover letter that will be evaluated as a fourth paper. Throughout the
semester I will read and return your papers with an evaluation informing you
whether the work is ready for your portfolio (good enough to earn a C or
better) or needs more revising or editing before it becomes
passing work. Because I want you to strive continually for improvement and
growth as a writer, I will assign neither points nor grades on your major
papers until you submit your final portfolio (See "Course Portfolio"
below). A student who does not complete all four major tasks in a timely manner
will not pass the course even if the evaluations on the other writing tasks are
satisfactory.
Retention-Enhancement Questionnaires and Reading Responses
(10%): Because reading comprehension is essential to success, you will have
regular opportunities to earn points for careful reading. Some opportunities
will be announced beforehand; some will not. Some questions will require brief
answers, whereas others will require short essays.
Reflective Letters (5%): Critiquing your own writing process
as well as your papers is an important step in learning to write, revise, and
communicate with others. Reflective letters are due with each draft submitted
to me for each of the four major writing assignments and will be written in
class. Reflective letters should focus the reader on any questions you have
about your work. The quality and number of insights and thoughtful questions
you pose with each draft will impact this part of your learning and, by direct
connection, your grade. Each time I return a reflective letter, I will assign
it points. Letters cannot be revised.
Participation & Preparation (5%): Coming prepared for
peer revision workshops, group participation, written and oral feedback to
others, and group and/or individual oral presentations will count toward
participation credit. Your willingness to complete tasks in Writer's Workshop
and contribute to a positive learning environment there will also be
considered. The highest grades in this course will go only to those students
who are always prepared and always willing to ask or answer thoughtful
questions about the work at hand.
Progress as a writer:
Your progress as a writer will be assessed through an end-of-semester portfolio
in which you must put your revised responses to the writing tasks. Your
portfolio must receive an "Acceptable" evaluation for you to pass
ENG100.
Late work & missed peer reviews: Anyone who receives higher than a C must meet every deadline
and be present with complete drafts for all peer
reviews unless extenuating circumstances can be documented or unless the
student is representing MWSU.
Midterm grades: Because
the idea of the portfolio is to cause us to concentrate on writing and learning
instead of on grades, I will not abandon it at midterm by awarding the full
range of grades then. I do, however, have an obligation to let students know
whether they are passing. Students who have not accrued excessive absences and whose
papers are acceptable (or even exceptional) will receive a C at midterm.
Students who have not accrued excessive absences and who have submitted work
that shows promise but is not yet acceptable will receive a D at midterm.
Students who have accrued excessive absences (five or more in class, three or
more in WW) by midterm or whose work shows little promise of becoming
acceptable will receive an F at midterm. Students who receive a D will want to
schedule a conference immediately to discuss the likelihood of their
succeeding. Students who receive an F are strongly encouraged to withdraw and
attempt the class later.
Students With Disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents
the fullest expression of abilities must notify me in writing as soon as
possible so that we can discuss accommodations.
ENG 100 Course Portfolio:
Friday, December 7, your FINAL PORTFOLIO containing all four major writing
assignments along with copies of all drafts, all reflective letters, all peer
evaluations, all my written responses to you, and your strongest work from WW
at the end of the semester. I will assign a grade to the portfolio (80% of the
course grade) based on the final quality of the work submitted. Since grades
will not be assigned to individual writing assignments during the
semester, portfolio assessment provides an opportunity for multiple revision
and continued improvement. You will be informed throughout the semester if your
drafts are unacceptable (i.e., would result in a failing portfolio and course
grade). I will explain the resubmission process and requirements more in depth
later. Keep all of your drafts.
MWSU Academic Honesty Policy 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 2007-08 Student Handbook and Calendar 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
The above is the official MWSU policy. Now I will add my
philosophy and practice. Most cheating by first-year students is accidental.
When I see proof of excessive help in a student's paper or writing clearly not
that of the student and not credited to its proper source, I will caution the
student and explain how to avoid such mistakes. If, however, the
"mistakes" continue because a writer is attempting to receive credit
for someone else's thoughts and words, I will assign an F to the work in
question with no opportunity for revision. A second violation will result in an
F for the course. Persons providing their work for others to plagiarize are
equally guilty and will receive the same penalties as the person submitting the
plagiarized work. When I have cause to suspect cheating, I document what caused
my suspicions and forward my report to my department chair and
appropriate administrative authorities. The only way to learn and improve as
writers is to do our own work. Nothing less is acceptable. In questions of
authorship, the burden of proof is on the student, so it is in your best
interest to keep every draft and every prewriting activity.
Writer's Workshop: Throughout the course of the semester, you will attend
weekly 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 may be critiqued and proofread in Writer's Workshops. I will
consider your Writer's Workshop participation as part of your grade.
(Please see Participation grading above.)
Tentative Due Dates for Major Writing Assignments: Because one can never predict variables, these dates are
merely a guide, not a rigid schedule.
Task One: September 21
Task Two: October 19
Task Three: November 12
Task Four: December 7
Final exam: Friday,
December 14, 11:30 - 1:20,