SP 2002 Syllabus

According to the English Department Policy on Quantity of Written Work, the total production of written work for this class should be approximately 6,000 words, 2,000 of which are to be devoted to a research essay. Furthermore, work in English 101 should:

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

§ 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.

§ 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.

§ Assume a greater degree of sophistication in student reading and writing than in ENG 100 and prepare students for future writing tasks at the University.

In designing this class, I have strived to integrate and reinforce the importance of research and reflection. This is not a class for the regurgitation of information. We will focus on developing and enhancing critical thinking skills and proposing, analyzing, arguing against, and at times refuting the concepts that emerge from readings, musings, and discussions. We will use different media—from oral presentations and internet discussion lists to the “basic” academic essay—to conduct and continue our conversations. Most importantly, remember that this is a class that stresses revision—expect to revise your arguments as well as your essays, especially after you consider others’ points during discussion.

Syllabus This syllabus is a contract. It 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), you are expected to fulfill your 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.

Prerequisites Course work in 101 assumes that you are building upon a foundation set in college-level English classes. It is expected that you are familiar with MLA citation and general grammatical terms. To be a student in English 101, it is REQUIRED that you a) have taken and PASSED English 100 (if you’re a transfer, you will have taken the equivalent at another university or college) or b) were placed in 101 without a pre-requisite due to your score on the composition placement exam. If neither a nor b apply to you, you are in the wrong class.

Special Needs 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.

Multilingual Multilingual students are encouraged to check out Part 11 (“For Multilingual Writers: Mastering the Nuances of English) of The New St. Martin’s Handbook. Additional resources are available, both online and offline.

Grading 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 the essays. Generally, grades represent the following evaluations (with +/- further defining the spectrum):

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

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

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

Late Assignments Assignments received after class on the date due are late. The resulting grade will be lowered one level. If you will be absent, the work must be in my mailbox before 5:00 on the date due; otherwise, it is late. If your assignment will not be ready on time, contact me before 5:00 on the date due to make arrangements. Emailed assignments are not accepted.

Cancellation of Class 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. 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.

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 properly to 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.

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)

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

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

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

[1] A listserv (LS) is an online forum for you to discuss, consider, refine, and rethink what we have read and discussed in class. 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. 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.

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

I. Course Description and Objectives (Theory)

A. Academic Foundations

1. Department Requirements

2. Instructor’s Goals

B. Student Rights & Responsibilities

1. Role of Syllabus

2.

Prerequisite Skills

3. Information for Students with Special Needs

4. Information for Multilingual Students

5. Grade Evaluation

a) Quality and Substance of Written Work

b) Participation and Effort

c) Late Work

d) Class Cancellation

e) Attendance Policy

f) Academic Honesty

II. Course Work (THE THEORY IN Practice)

A. Class Textbooks/Materials

1. Required

2. Optional

B. Assignments and Grade Distribution

1. Participation/Workshop

2. Listserv Assignments

3. Essays based on Ways of Reading

4. Research Project

a) Research Proposal

b) Research Presentation I (Proposal)

c) Annotated Works Cited

d) Research Paper

e) Research Presentation II (Defense)

f) Process Work

5. Grammar Oral Presentation

C. Written Work Submission Format/Design

1. Listserv Assignments

2. All Other Written Work

a) Word Processing

b) Format

c) Citations: Quotations, Summary, and Paraphrasing

d) First Submission

(1) Cover Letter

(2) Outline

(3) Works Cited

e) Revision (if applicable)

D. Schedule of Classes, Readings, and Writings

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

Course Work (The Theory in Practice)