|
Missouri Western State
University |
Professor: Dr. Roberts
Office: Eder Hall 222G
Phone: 816-271-5810
E-mail: robertsi@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours:
Course Description and Objectives:
Students will complete three formal research projects in addition to
other graded and ungraded work. In these assignments,
students will learn to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the thinking of others
in order to discover, articulate, develop, test, and support their own points of
view.
As part of the general studies goals for the course, students in
ENG 108 will learn to write for different audiences and purposes, to use active
reading and critical thinking, to use writing processes and conventions, to
write for different audiences and purposes, and to use active reading and
critical thinking. This course also meets the state level competencies of
communicating, higher order thinking, and managing information. For more
information on the institutional and state goals and competencies, see the
English Department web site for general studies courses at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/.
Required Materials:
Instructor's Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance is an essential
part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate
evaluation of student academic progress. For this and other reasons, attendance
is mandatory. If you have more than two unexcused absences during the semester,
your final grade will be seriously affected. Excessive absences will result in
failure of the course. Chronic lateness and/or leaving early will count toward
absences. Excused absences involve acting as an official representative of the
university after prior notification from the faculty/staff supervisor of the
event. At the instructor's discretion, an absence may be excused in the case of
a documented and unforeseen emergency. All other absences will be deemed
unexcused.
You are responsible for material
covered or assignments given during your absence, so ask another student to
inform you of what happened while you were gone. Note that not all in-class
activities and assignments can fairly and adequately be "made up," even in the
case of an excused absence. For example, unless you have a time machine, you
cannot go back and participate in carefully scheduled and directed classroom
discussions or group activities after the fact. Moreover, such context dependent
and interpersonal participation is central to the course.
If I should be unable to meet
class, you will be notified by the secretary, a fellow instructor, or by an
officially stamped and dated note on the classroom door.
Institutional 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 and 200-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 the midterm report is three. Thus, when
you have four unexcused absences 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.
Policy on Late
Work:
All out of class assignments are
due at the beginning of the hour on the due date. Learning is a cumulative
process, and each assignment is designed to build on the previous one. As late
work disrupts this important aspect of the learning process, late work will not
be accepted without prior notification and approval. When reasonably possible,
however, missed assignments will be accepted after the due date in the case of
an excused absence (see above).
Preparation and
Participation:
You are required to make
significant contributions to class in the form of preparation and participation.
Preparation includes completing the readings and daily assignments, as well as
bringing your assignments, textbook, and other materials with you on the
appropriate days. If you come unprepared, you will receive a zero for any work
due that day.
Participation includes the help
you give to fellow writers and the contributions you make to class discussion.
Active and insightful contributions to class discussion are therefore not "extra
credit." Like the written assignments, your tactful and substantive comments are
part of the minimal requirements for successful completion of the course. If you
are a naturally quiet person, force yourself to be more vocal; do not assume
that if I do not call on you that you need not participate, as it is your
responsibility to voice your observations at appropriate and relevant times.
Conversely, if you are a naturally talkative person, you may have to restrain
yourself so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
Why is discussion so important?
Because live classroom discussion:
"Writing is the hardest work in the world not involving
heavy lifting." --Peter Hamill
Student Conduct:
As a condition of remaining at
MWSU, the college expects all students to conduct themselves so as to maintain
an effective environment for learning, to act responsibly in accordance with
good taste, and to respect fully the rights of others. Behavior that disrupts
the classroom environment or interferes with other students' learning will
result in dismissal from the classroom. Passionate and forceful language is
sometimes appropriate. Intolerance, intimidation, and dogmatism are not.
Assignment
Requirements:
All out of class written
assignments for this course must be word processed unless otherwise specified.
Non-word processed submissions will be returned with no credit. Assignments
should follow MLA format, using no larger than twelve point type and one inch
margins. Pages should be stapled together before you come to class (do not use
paper clips or folders except for our major projects and do not fold down the
corners of papers). Do not throw away any work you do for this class, from notes
to drafts to final papers, and keep back-up copies of all papers you turn in.
Grading:
The standards for college English
classes are higher than those used in high schools. All the guidelines and
standards for classes at MWSU are similar to those used by other colleges and
universities throughout the country. You, as a serious student, will appreciate
the fact that we hold high standards for your work. Your grade will be
determined by the quality of your daily work, writings, and exams, as well as by
your preparation and participation. Assignments will be evaluated according to
how well they meet the requirements and the following general scale.
A =
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Minimum = passing below
average
F = Failing
Project #1 = 25%
Project #2 =
25%
Project #3 = 25%
Participation and Other Assignments =
25%
"If we had to say what writing is, we would define it
essentially as an act of courage." --Cynthia Ozick
Instructor's Policy on Academic
Honesty:
Plagiarism is a most serious
offense and, therefore, will incur harsh punishment. Don't think you won't get
caught; writing style is distinctive and verifiable. It is the student's
responsibility to prove to the instructor's satisfaction that all work is their
own.
Institutional Policy on
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
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.
Disabilities:
Any student who has a disability
that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me immediately
so that we can discuss class requirements.
General:
This syllabus is of a contractual
nature, and by remaining in the course you acknowledge your acceptance of its
stipulations in their entirety. If the goals, policies, procedures, standards,
expectations, or obligations are unclear, then you should speak with me
immediately. If they are clear but unacceptable to you, then you should drop the
course.
If you choose to remain in the
course, be sure to keep a copy of this syllabus with you and to refer to it
regularly. Policies are enforced without exception to ensure uniformity and
predictability, to avoid confusion and anxiety, and to facilitate fairness and
objectivity for all students. In the interest of efficiency, however, I reserve
the right to make necessary alterations to this syllabus and to make announced
changes in daily plans. Any announcements made in class automatically supersede
this syllabus. It is your responsibility to find out about announced changes.
"I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm
inspired at
--Peter De Vries
Final Thoughts:
For further explanations,
comments, and advice, I am available during office hours. For additional help
outside of class, I strongly recommend the Center for Academic Support.
I genuinely want you to succeed in
this class and at MWSU generally. I therefore urge you to keep in mind that what
you gain from this course, and from your education generally, is proportional to
the amount of productive time and careful attention you devote to it. In the
words of Abigail Adams (1744-1818), "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with
diligence."
Course Outline:
This outline shows major readings
and assignments, but additional readings and assignments may be given in class
throughout the semester. Be sure to bring your research notebook, draft
materials, and any sources with you to class each day.
1/15
Syllabus,
Introduction
17
22
24
29
31
2/5
7
12
14
19
Project One Due,
21
26
28
3/4
6 Project Two Drafts Due,
Critiques
10-14 Spring Break
18
Project Two Due, Finding/Narrowing Topic
(
20
Finding/Narrowing Topic Cont.
25
Generating an Argument
(
27 Finding Sources
(
4/01
Writing a Short Plan
(
3
Gathering Information Cont.
8
Writing the Rough Draft
(
10 Writing the Rough Draft,
Cont.
15
Project Three Drafts Due,
Critiques
17 Revising
the Rough Draft
(
22
Format (
5/6 Final Exam
Period