Fall 2010
ENGLISH 1101-91
Jennifer West Gordon

                                                 Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press

"It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

– Albus Dumbledore

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter

Instructor: Jennifer West Gordon

West Georgia Newnan Center: (770) 254-7280 

E-mail: jwest@westga.edu
http://www.westga.edu/~jwest

Office Hours: Before and after class or by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: English 1101 is a composition course focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS: 
Chopin, Kate.  The Awakening.  New York: HarperCollins, 1972.

O'Connor, Flannery.  The Complete Stories.  New York: Ferrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1971.

Writer’s Resource Custom Edition.  New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.

Questions, Discussion Writing Package (UWG Custom).  New York: Longman, 2010.

Access to the Internet, any word processing program, and a printer.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
* To develop skills in effective expository, analytical, and argumentative writing.
* To develop facility with the whole writing process from invention through revision.
* To understand and employ a variety of rhetorical modes and techniques of persuasion.
* To acquire reasonable mastery of conventions of college-level prose writing.
* To incorporate and document additional textual materials to strengthen and support argument.

IN-CLASS ESSAY: Students in 1101 are required to write a minimum of one in-class essay, which does not include the required diagnostic essay at the beginning of the course.  The essay topic will reflect course content, and directions for the essay will be clearly outlined.  

OUT-OF-CLASS ESSAYS:  Students will write 4 full-length essays.  Each essay must have a minimum length of 3 pages typed, using MLA format and in-text citation of quotes.  Full-length essays will be revised and edited during class, both individually and with peers. 

ATTENDANCE:  Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy.  Attendance in class is essential to understanding the assignments.  Students are allowed three absences from class, but any absence beyond the three allowed will result in a letter grade deduction.  The instructor reserves the right to withdraw a student who misses more than three classes.  Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences. 

LATE ARRIVALS: Late arrivals disrupt me and your fellow students. Please note that three tardies will equal one absence.

PARTICIPATION: Because this course is discussion oriented, you should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.  I expect you to read all assignments before we meet, and I expect you to participate regularly in class discussions. 

LATE WORK: Late work will not be accepted with the exception of the out-of-class essays.  These essays will be accepted with a ten point deduction for each class day they are late.  Work will be collected at the beginning of class. 

THE WRITING CENTER: I encourage you to visit The Writing Center at various points in the writing process.  Regardless of writing skill level, one may always benefit from an intelligent discussion with knowledgeable peers.  The Writing Center is located in the TLC 1201.  To make an appointment, visit http://www.westga.edu/~writing/ or call 678-839-6513.

THE REGENTS’ EXAMINATION: The Regents’ Examination is a two-part test of minimum-level reading and writing proficiency.  Students are required to take this examination during their first semester of coursework at UWG.  Students who wish to seek preparation for the exam beyond that provided by this course may visit the Writing Center or the Excel Center.  For more information about the exam, please visit http://www.westga.edu/~1st/RegFAQ.htm.  For general info: http://www.gsu.edu/rtp and for sample topics: http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/topics.htm.    

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty

The Department of English and Philosophy defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. The Department expects that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts; it is another form of misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course.

The University policies for handling Academic Dishonesty are found in the following documents:

The Faculty Handbook, sections 207 and 208.0401
http://www.westga.edu/~vpaa/handrev/

Student Uncatalog: "Rights and Responsibilities"; Appendix J.
http://www.westga.edu/handbook/

Excessive Collaboration

By the end of the term in both ENGL 1101 and 1102, students should demonstrate the ability to produce independent writing (writing without collaborative assistance of peers, writing tutors, or professionals in the field) that shows an acceptable level of competence. Although classroom activities and out-of-class assignments may highlight collaborative learning and collaborative research, excessive collaboration (collaboration that results in the loss of a student's voice/style and original claims to course-related work) is considered another form of academic dishonesty and therefore will not be permitted.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

I pledge to do my best to work with the University to provide all students with equal access to my classes and materials, regardless of special needs, temporary or permanent disability, special needs related to pregnancy, etc.

If you have any special learning needs, particularly (but not limited to) needs defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and require specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to make these known to me, either yourself or through Disability Services in 272 Parker Hall.

Students with documented special needs may expect accommodation in relation to classroom accessibility, modification of testing, special test administration, etc. This is not only my personal commitment: it is your right, and it is the law!

For more information, please contact Disability Services at the State University of West Georgia.