Missouri Western State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism

English 104:  College Writing and Rhetoric

 

 

Professor:                              Steven Frogge

Office:                                    Eder Hall 222-T 244-3671 Office Hours T, Th 7:30-9:30, 2:00-3:00, or by appointment

E-Mail:                                   sfrogge@missouriwestern.edu

 

Sections:                                06            T, Th   9:30- 10:50 Murphy 109          Final:  Th Dec. 13   8:30-10:20 a.m.

                                                09            T, Th  11:00-12:20 Murphy 103          Final:  T   Dec. 11 11:30 - 1:20 p.m.

                                                12            T, Th  12:30-  1:50 Murphy 105          Final:  Th Dec. 13 11:30 - 1:20 p.m.

 

Required Text:                      Everything’s An Argument with Readings by Andrea A. Lunsford, et al

 

Required Materials:             Folder for submitting papers

                                                Composition Book to use for Journaling

                                                1 subject spiral notebook or 3 Ring Notebook with loose leaf paper

                                                Paper, pens, pencils, stapler

                                                Computer storage device(s)

 

 

General Course Objectives

 

What is expected of English Composition and Rhetoric students?

 

             Write for different audiences and purposes

             Practice active reading and critical thinking

             Explore writing processes

             Apply written conventions

 

 

Grading

 

 

3 Formal Papers and the Final Essay Test                       80%

Journals                                                                                 10%

Quizzes, Class work, and Homework                                10%

 

 

Formal Papers and Portfolios

 

You will submit 3 formal, 3-page, double-spaced papers for a grade.  Word processing is required for these papers.  At the end of the semester, you will revise and submit your 2 best papers in a portfolio.

 

 

Final Essay Test

 

The Final exam will consist of a choice of essay questions.  You will be expected to respond to a writing prompt, applying principles discussed during the semester, particularly with regard to stating and developing a thesis statement, writing effective paragraphs, and providing smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences.  You will be asked to create an interesting title to your essay.

 

 

 

 

Journals

 

During most class sessions, I will provide time for you to write in your journal.  In order to make the most of journal writing, you should quickly identify and narrow your topics of interest, so that you can work productively, selecting those journal prompts which would best inspire writing to later integrate into your next paper.  Students are expected to write the whole time provided.

 

               

Homework and Readings

 

You must keep pace with the reading schedule.  Not only will I quiz you on every reading, but class discussion, journal writing, and in-class group work will be based on the previous day’s reading assignment.  Success in this class is achievable only to those who complete their reading assignments. 

 

 

Quizzes on Readings

 

You should expect to be quizzed on every reading assignment.  There will be no more than two questions per reading.  You will be asked only about main points.  The answers on a particular day’s quiz should be obvious to students who have completed the reading assignment.  The quizzes are meant to provide an additional reward to you for having kept pace with the reading schedule.  Quizzes will be administered during the first five minutes of class, and there will be no make-ups.  Thus, you have the opportunity each day to establish a pattern of success during the first few minutes of class, a pattern that might carry you throughout class.

 

 

Class Participation

 

After the quizzes on readings, we will spend time, discussing the readings.  You are expected to participate in class discussion.  Expect to be called on by name.  The discussion is meant as a warm up for journal writing. 

 

 

Group Work, Peer and Teacher Conferencing

 

Students will work together in teams for several assignments.  In addition you will meet together for peer and teacher conferencing.

 

 

Late Work/Missed Class Work

 

Late assignments will not be accepted.

 

 

Attendance Policy

 

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. The maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before October 18 is three.  Thus, if you have three unexcused absences before the said date, you will be reported to the Registrar’s Office and withdrawn from this class. The Financial Aid Office will reduce financial aid as appropriate.  Students will be given an excused absence only when acting as an official representative of the university, provided you give prior written verification from the faculty/staff supervisor of the event. 

 

In addition to the school’s attendance policy, it is my policy to allow no more than three absences.  I will fail any student who misses more than three classes, excepting of course those who have already dropped or been withdrawn.

 

Regarding tardy arrival to and early departure from class, every three instances thereof shall count as a full absence.

 

 

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 others’ 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 Student Handbook and Calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure.

 

Plagiarism is claiming another’s words, writing structure, images, or ideas as your own. 

 

 

Class Participation

 

I reserve the right to lower a student’s final grade by 2 points for every instance of any of the following:

 

                *              Talking or text messaging during individual journal and composition writing times

                *              Engagement in anything other than listening when fellow students read to the class

                *              Refusal when present to read from one’s own paper, journal, or other assignment

                *              Failure to participate in group activities

 

 

Automatic Failure of the Course

 

*              Cheating/Plagiarism

*              Failure to attend the Final Exam

*              Failure to hand in all three writing projects

*              More than 3 unexcused absences