College Writing and Research – English 108, Section 9

College Writing and Research – English 108, Section 9

Popplewell 302 MWF 11:00-11:50

Instructor

Dr. Michael Charlton

mcharlton@missouriwestern.edu

Eder Hall 212F

Office Hours: MW 1:00-3:30 and by appointment

Course Description

This course is designed to increase your skills at college-level writing. Each of the four major papers will focus on some aspect of academic arguments, from how we define certain terms to what we should do to improve our college community. While writing these papers, we will work on your ability to read arguments, to conduct research, to evaluate and cite sources of information, to revise your work, to reconsider your writing processes, and to make a more persuasive case to your audience.

Required Materials

Ramage, Bean, and Johnson, Writing Arguments, Seventh Edition
Course folder (This can be a simple manila folder with your name on the front. All assignments, including papers and rough drafts, will be turned in to the instructor in the folder. You will keep all graded materials in the folder and turn it in at the final exam.)

Assignments and Grades

There are four major papers in this class, each of which is worth twenty percent of the final grade. At the end of the semester, the individual student will select one of these papers (typically the lowest-scoring paper) to revise and turn in at the final exam time. The grade for this revision will replace the earlier score for this paper.

The remaining twenty percent of the course grade will include class participation (including substantial scores for class discussion and in-class group work), quizzes, and homework assignments.

No late work will be accepted.

Paper 1 – 20% (200 points)

Paper 2 – 20% (200 points)

Paper 3 – 20% (200 points)

Paper 4 – 20% (200 points)

Class Participation, Quizzes, and Homework – 20% (200 points)

100% (1000 points total)

A = 90-100% (900-1000 points earned)

B = 80-89% (800-899 points earned)

C = 70-79% (700-799 points earned)

D = 60-69% (600-699 points earned)

F = 0-59% (0-599 points earned)

Final Exam

Friday, December 12^th 11:30-1:20

Attendance

You are allowed five unexcused absences. The sixth unexcused absence will result in automatic failure of this course. Students representing the university in officially sanctioned activities must give notice before their absence. All absences due to illness must be documented in order to be excused.

Academic Misconduct

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 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

Special Needs

Any student who has a special need or disability that might affect performance in this course should contact the appropriate MWSU coordinator for assistance. Also, let me know immediately so that arrangements can be made to make sure your needs are met as quickly and completely as possible.

Final Notes

Please visit me in my office. If you cannot come by during my posted office hours, please make an appointment.

I encourage lively discussion but please show appropriate respect for the learning environment, including your peers.

Please turn off all cell phones upon entering the classroom. Any student caught with a ringing cell phone will receive a very stern look. On the second occasion, the student will be marooned on a barren island without cell reception for the rest of his or her natural life to consider his or her actions. On the third occasion, the student’s class participation grade will be lowered. The same penalties apply for inappropriate web-surfing or other behavior disruptive to the classroom.