ENGLISH 100, Sections 01 and 02:
INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE WRITING
SYLLABUS -- SPRING 2007
Instructor:
Meredith Katchen
Office:
Eder Hall, 222P
Office
Hours: Wednesday:
Friday:
E-mail: mkatchen@missouriwestern.edu Phone: 271-5815
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Unless otherwise specified, bring the following books and materials to
each class:
Introduction to College Writing, English 100, Third Edition, 2006
All Over but the Shoutin’,
Rick Bragg
One
spiral notebook, 40-70 sheets
This course emphasizes writing as a process. The process will culminate in a portfolio made up of two of your essays. Portfolios will be evaluated by independent readers. To be eligible to submit your portfolio at the end of the semester, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of all four essays and you must not violate the attendance policy. If you do not satisfy these criteria, your portfolio will not be accepted for evaluation and you will receive a failing grade for the course.
COURSE COMPONENTS
Essays – One requirement of this course is that you successfully
complete four essays. I will decide whether or not an essay successfully meets
the assignment criteria. You may revise essays as often as you like. As you
make changes to an essay, make sure to keep all
drafts. Make sure to attach all prior drafts to a revised draft. Projected due dates for essay assignments are:
Essay One week 2
Essay Two week 4
Essay Three: week 7
Essay Four: tba
Portfolio – Your portfolio, consisting of two essays, will be worth
70% of your final grade. You will choose which one of the first two essays to
include in your portfolio, and you must include the third essay. Make sure to
keep each draft of each essay; you will need to attach all prior drafts to the final draft; portfolio readers will want to
be able to see how your final draft develops, one draft at a time, from your
initial draft. Satisfying the minimum criteria of an essay does not mean that your
portfolio will be well received; criteria for a successful portfolio essay are
more rigorous.
Revision Activities – A writer must deal with gaps between
intention and reception. A writer recognizes such gaps in order to diminish
them. Writers typically benefit from careful readers who honestly explain their
reception of a piece of writing. Such feedback generally helps a writer
determine revision needs and strategies. In one-on-one conferences, small groups,
and as a whole class we will practice giving and receiving good feedback.
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. If an absence is due to participation in an authorized school activity, I will consider possibilities for allowing you to make up for missing work. Journals will consist primarily of notes, exercises, and responses to readings.
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. The maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before the Spring 2007 midterm report is 4. Thus, when you have 5 unexcused absences by March 21 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 entire semester you miss a total of seven 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: 5 absences = ˝ letter grade, 6 absences = 1 letter grade.
Lateness
Late arrivals and early
departures will be recorded. Repeated lateness will disqualify you from bonus
points for perfect attendance.
Grading Policy:
A grade of “C” or better is necessary to advance to English 104. There will be 100 points you can earn during the semester. 30% can be earned from me by keeping a good journal, by being an active participant in revision activities, by completing your work satisfactorily and on time, and by not violating the attendance policy. The other 70% of your grade can be earned through an end-term portfolio evaluated by independent readers. Points will be converted to grades by the following formula: 90 or more points = A, 80 to 89 points = B, 70 to 79 points = C, 60 to 69 points = D, and below 60 points = F.
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.