Fall 2008
College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences
Department of English,
Foreign Languages, and Journalism
English 100-62:
Introduction to College Writing
Meeting Time & Room: 9:00 – 9:50 MWF, Murphy Hall 112
Writer's Workshop: 10:00
- 10:50
Instructor: Bill
Church
Office: Eder Hall
222-O
Phone: 816 271-5966
Office Hours: 1:00-2:30 MW; 3:30–4:30 Tues.; 1:00–2:00
Thurs., 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 course, 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. This will
be an exciting semester because we will be meeting, interviewing, and writing
about people who immigrated to the
Service Learning: As part of working
with non-native speakers of English, we will write and publish a small book of
our interviewees’ stories along with our own writing. This will clearly provide
a valued service to those whose stories we will record. For your own learning
in service of others, you will incorporate parts of our interviewees’ stories
into one of our major class papers, citing appropriately according to MLA
conventions.
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.
Separate from the campus policy, this course has an even stricter attendance
policy for class absences as well as for missed Writer's Workshops. Regardless of when absences occur, if
you miss seven class periods or four Writer's Workshops, you will
receive an F in this class. A student
will be given an excused absence only 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, by MWSU
policy the maximum number of absences allowed before the midterm report,
October 15, 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 and receive a grade of FA. 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; Introduction to College Writing, MWSU,
published by McGraw-Hill Custom Publishing. English 100 Writer's
Workshop, Fall 2008 ed. A
Troubleshooting Guide for Writers, 5th edition. 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. Also, please be aware that many software programs on home
computers may not be compatible with university software. Your “P” drive option
is safest for storing work from home that you intend to revise or print on
campus.
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.” 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 receive less credit; 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 (75%): 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.
Your participation in our literacy project with Pass the Power is a crucial
component of the portfolio.
Writer’s Workshop Portfolio (5%): You will write frequently
in WW and compile your ongoing work in a portfolio written solely in or for WW.
I will collect and evaluate those pieces at semester’s end.
Learning Journal (5%): As part of the interviewing process
with our Pass the Power learning partners, I am going to assign occasional
journal entries that I will collect and score. So long as they are honest,
thorough, and thoughtful recollections of your interaction with non-native
English speakers, you will receive credit.
Retention-Enhancement Questionnaires (5%): 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. And of course you must participate fully in our work with Pass the
Power. The highest grades 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:
Wednesday, December 3, 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 (70% 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 2008-09 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 above.)
Publication
Tentative Due Dates for Major Writing Assignments: Because one can never predict variables, these dates are
merely a guide, not a rigid schedule. As I distribute each assignment, I will
list the actual due dates.
Task One: September 17
Task Two: October 22
Task Three: November 19
Task Four & Portfolio: December 3
Final exam: Friday,
December 12, 8:30 - 10:20 a.m., Murphy 112