FA 2001 Syllabus

This document defines the mutual expectations and requirements for this class. Just as I am expected to fulfill my part of this agreement (as to my office hours, grading procedures, and class scheduling), students are expected to fulfill their parts of this agreement (by being prepared for class, submitting work according to the guidelines listed herein, and the like). Each student is responsible for reviewing this syllabus and making sure that its terms are understood.

If circumstances require changes to this agreement, the class will be notified both during one class session and via email.

w Enable students to use academic discourse as a mode of inquiry and expression.

w Include frequent assignments that take students through the entire writing process, including revision. This is essential to developing the skills necessary to compose academic discourse.

w Introduce students to the processes integral to academic research: creative investigation and systematic library research; source interpretation, evaluation, and analysis; integration of ideas through summary, quotation, and paraphrase; use of designated documentation style; and adherence to standards of academic honesty.

In other words, this class is a process of Reading, Thinking, and Writing. This process is rarely linear (Readingà Thinking à Writing); instead, R/T/W[1] is more like an intellectual box step—you read, think, read more, ponder harder, perhaps write (re-compose), thinking and reading and composing all at the same time.[2] Your work (written and oral) is expected to demonstrate process as well as results, culminating in a carefully contemplated, effectively organized, and dynamically composed argument.

Bartholomae, David, and Anthony Petrosky, eds. Ways of Reading. 5^th ed. Boston: Bedford-St. Martin’s, 1999. (WR)

Lunsford, Andrea, and Robert Connors. The New St. Martin’s Handbook. Boston: Bedford-St. Martin’s, 1999. (SMH)

Additional Required Materials

w 2 Computer Disks (min.) for work. Because of the amount of writing/revision/editing required in this class, you are urged to use a word processor. Use (at least) one disk for your writing, and back up each session’s work to the other disk. You may even wish to save each draft (“save as”) with a different file name for your reference. Unfortunately, “my computer crashed” or “my printer malfunctioned” is the 21^st century version of “my dog ate my homework”; when it does happen, no one believes it. Plan ahead.

w College Dictionary & Thesaurus (not the one bundled with your word processing program)

w 3 Ring Binder/Folder: (NOT a spiral notebook) for your work, with your name, course number and section clearly marked. Keep all of your work together, so that you can access a draft or RR should you need to.

w Correction fluid/tape (e.g. White Out™ or Liquid Paper™) for editing workshops

w 2 Different colored pens/pencils (for editing workshops/second readings/self-correction)

Attendance: Our classes are communities in which we emphasize the process of learning. In order to create and sustain an environment in which students may participate responsibly and cooperatively in the learning process, regular attendance is essential. The value the English Dept. places on community and process is reflected and supported by the following policy on attendance:

1) Absences: Students are counted absent when they miss a day of class. Absences are counted from the very first day that classes are scheduled to begin, regardless of when an individual student first begins attending class.

2) Undocumented Absences: For a class that meets twice a week, students are allowed two undocumented absences. Within these limits, students need present no excuse for their absence, nor will faculty penalize them. It is assumed that undocumented absences will be reserved for emergencies. Students are responsible for assigned work.

3) Documented Absences: Students who miss classes beyond the quota of undocumented absences must give their instructors a reason for their absence. In the case of illness, students must provide written verification. Instructors may request written verification for other reasons as well. Depending on the reason, and verification thereof, instructors may or may not penalize students for absences beyond the quota of undocumented absences (see #2) but not excessive (see #4). Students are responsible for assigned work.

4) Excessive Absences: Students who accumulate excessive absences, for whatever reason, will receive a grade of F in the course. For a class that meets twice a week, six absences are excessive.

5) Extenuating Circumstances: An extenuating circumstance, such as prolonged illness, may cause an extended absence. For students in such extenuating circumstances, instructors may file for a late withdrawal, provided that students present written verification. Specifically, students with an extended absence of six or more days should present instructors with an extended absence card obtained from the Counseling Office (see Student Handbook). Students with an extended absence of fewer than six days should provide instructors with a written verification, such as a doctor's note. [Absence affects the quality of participation and performance on essays, assignments, and exams. Therefore, more than two absences will affect your grade. Furthermore, after an absence, you are expected to return to class with readings and assignments up to date. Attending this class means more than being physically present. You are expected to come to this class having read (and re-read), reflected, and written. If you are not prepared, you will earn with partial absence (still, it’s better to be in class than out of it). Chronically late students will be penalized with a partial absence, or, should the situation continue, a full absence.]

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are serious offenses. Dishonesty in written work will result in a grade of F in the course. In addition, dishonesty is adequate cause for disciplinary action by the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. See the section on "Academic Honesty" in the Student Handbook. [Note: You are required to read SMH 42d (“Recognizing plagiarism and acknowledging sources”). If you are unsure of how to properly cite information (or whether or not you should cite it), ASK. Plagiarism (regardless of intent) is grounds for failure in this class.] Policy Revised Fall 1990.

Late Assignments
Assignments received after 7:15 on the date due are late and the resulting grade will be lowered one level. If you will be absent, the work must be in my mailbox prior to 5:45 on the date due; otherwise, it is late. If your assignment will not be ready on time, contact me prior to 5:45 on the date due to make arrangements. Emailed assignments are not accepted without prior consent.

If the weather is inclement, call SCSU Weather Check (203) 392-5520. Commuters should use their discretion if driving conditions are or may become hazardous. If you should come to class and there is no posted notice of cancellation, begin the assignment for the day (workshop, RR’s, etc.). If I am not in the classroom fifteen minutes after the beginning of class (without communication), you may assume that class is canceled. Leave a signed attendance list in my mailbox along with any work that is due. Keep up with the assignments on the syllabus.

Students with disabilities will need to make an appointment with the Disability Resource Office (EN 15) in order to receive course accommodations in this class. However, if you have other information you would like to speak with me about, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

The grading structure of this class is designed to emphasize improvement. If you revise an essay, you will earn the revised grade (which may be higher or lower than your original). We will develop the grading criteria for each essay. Generally, grades represent the following evaluations (with +/- further defining the spectrum):

w A: outstanding work. Well-argued and analyzed. Carefully considered and drafted. Few (if any) errors in grammar. Vocabulary is rich and precise.

w B: work well done. Demonstrates effort and careful consideration. An effective analysis. Few grammatical errors.

w D: poor work. Grammatical, organizational, and content errors. Incomplete analysis.

REMEMBER TO CREATE A TITLE FOR YOUR WORK THAT WILL CAPTURE YOUR READER’S INTEREST!

Word Processing: Workshop drafts and final versions must be word-processed. If you do not have a computer, use the labs at SCSU. SMH assignments and RR’s may be handwritten; write legibly!

Format (document design): All essays to be submitted using MLA Format/Citation. Follow SMH Sec. 51e (661) and 51b (pagination, fonts, spacing and margins). For an example of proper pagination, spacing, and margins, see sample paper on pp. 540-63. Last name and page number should appear in the upper right corner of essay. Essays are to be double-spaced. Use an Arial, Helvetica, Times, or Courier font (or equivalent) at either a 10 or 12 point size. Please staple pages.

Quotations, Summary, and Paraphrasing: Documentation according to MLA (Modern Language Association) standards. See SMH 42d and 44; will also be reviewed in class.

w With your essay, submit your reading journal, outline and/or clustering, and notes. Make sure your last name is noted on each page, and staple to your essay.

w If essay is a revision, submit the graded essay and grading sheet with revision.

The key to my correction marks is in the back pages of SMH. Numerical notations refer to the “Twenty Most Common Surface Errors.” You are expected to familiarize yourself with the notation for a) your own revision/editing process and b) for helping peers during workshop.

Graded work (essays, RR’s, and grammar) can be picked up at the faculty mailroom in TE6.

[1] Based on Ann E. Berthoff’s Forming/Thinking/Writing

[2] Again, Berthoff and her concept of allatonceness.

[3] A listserv (LS) is an online discussion list. This LS is open only to students of the classes that I teach at SCSU. Once you’ve subscribed, any email that you send to English101@topica.com forwards your email to everyone else who is subscribed to the list. The LS is your opportunity to discuss, consider, refine, and rethink what we have read and discussed in class. Also, by posting to the LS, you continue to hone your writing skills in a medium that requires a different type of writing, one that needs to be precise yet brief. LS assignments are due (meaning they must be posted online) by noon the day listed.

[4] The RR (250 wds. min.) is an informal response (meaning that your ideas are still forming, not that the work is shoddy) that addresses a concept within, connection to, or disagreement with the text(s) in a manner consistent with the guidelines of academic discourse. You are encouraged to respond to “Engaging the Text” or “Exploring Connections” located after each selection. The RR IS NOT A SUMMARY; IT IS YOUR INFORMED ANALYSIS. You often will be called upon to share your RR’s with the class, and will submit them for a ü+,ü, or ü-.

Home | Up | FA 2001 Syllabus | SP 2002 Syllabus | SP 2004 Syllabus | FA 2004 Syllabus

Overview

Course Materials

Additional Required Materials

Policies and Guidelines

The English Department Policy on Attendance and Academic Honesty [My notes in brackets]

Note: Last Day for Course Withdrawal