ENGLISH 1102

Composition II

Spring 2010

 

Monday/Wednesday

Section 15: 3:30-4:45    TLC 1114      CRN 10264

 

Dr. Katie Chaple
Office: TLC 1113-E

Phone: 678-839-4860
***Use your WebCT course email to contact me. I will only respond to email through official channels, meaning your WebCT course email address. (MyUWG and WebCT serve as the only legitimate modes of university correspondence.)

Web address: http://www.westga.edu/~kchaple

Office Hours:

Monday: 9:00-10:00

Wednesday: 8:30-12:30

& by appointment

Writing Center Schedule:        

Monday: 10:00-12:30 & 5:00-5:30

 

Course Description

This course is writing intensive, and we will focus on your writing in a workshop environment. The assignments include in-class responses, out-of-class responses (both to the assigned texts as well as to your peers’ rough drafts), presentations, in-class essays, out-of-class essays and rough drafts of those essays. You will write two timed essays in class, two out-of-class rough drafts, and three out-of-class essays.  We will make use of WebCT, and you will be posting each out-of-class rough draft to WebCT for your peers to read and comment on. We will then workshop the first two rough draft assignments in class, discussing the strengths and weakness of the essay, how you might improve your particular essay, as well as discussing the texts within context of your own ideas. The topics for all essays will be based on assigned readings and our discussions of those readings. You will need access to a computer with an internet connection.

 

Catalogue Description

The course serves as a continuation of English 1101 and as an introduction to more sophisticated study of argument and textual analysis, focusing on the composition of increasingly complex analytical essays about written and visual texts. Students must demonstrate advanced competency in critical analysis and interpretation of texts.

 

Required Texts

 

Suggested Texts

 

Additional Required Reading, On-line

 

 General Learning Outcomes

 

Specific Learning Outcomes

Critical Reading and Analysis

  1. Develop an understanding of genre and the role of genre in textual analysis.
  2. Understand connections between primary and secondary sources and how those connections affect and generate intertextuality.

Writing Process and Rhetorical Objectives

  1. Demonstrate the ability to connect primary and secondary sources in a logical, persuasive, and correct way.
  2. Expand the length and complexity in the writing and thinking process

Minimal Competency Requirements

Essay Level

  1. Continuation of the learning objectives of ENGL 1101, that is, creation of clear theses, effective introductions and conclusions, and logical, persuasive patterns of essay organization.
  2. Additional requirements include the ability to develop a logical argument advancing a particular explication or interpretation of a literary text, focusing on the ways in which the incorporation of secondary materials enhances argument.

Paragraph Level

  1. Continuation of the paragraph development skills required in ENGL 1101.
  2. Additionally be able to manage quotations from primary and secondary texts as a means for developing paragraphs, neither letting the quotations dominate the paragraphs inappropriately nor under-explaining the quotations once used.

Sentence Level

  1. Continuation of ENGL 1101, consistent evidence of sentence variety and control of syntax to achieve clarity.
  2. Consistent use of apt and varied diction.
  3. Additionally be able to use quotations in sentences while maintaining grammatical correctness and competent punctuation.
  4. Demonstrate a command of mechanics, grammar, and usage conventions of Standard Edited English as required in ENGL 1101.

Documentation Style
Use the MLA style for documenting sources.

Technological Objective
Demonstrate the ability to use word processing and to find and evaluate electronic resources.

 

Assessment Activities  

 

The Writing Center 

TLC 1201                     678-839-6513   

Writing@westga.edu       www.westga.edu/~writing

 

The University Writing Center works with students and other members of the UWG community to improve writing skills.

What We Do:

·   Discuss ideas, read drafts, and work through revisions of essays; we do not proofread

·   Regents’ Test Preparation (both the reading and essay sections)

·   MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, and other citation formats

Policies:

·   Please make appointments in advance. We accept walk-ins, but we cannot guarantee that a tutor will be available.

·   If you cannot keep your appointment, you must call or email us 24 hours in advance to cancel. If you do not notify us 24 hours in advance, you will be counted as a No Show.

·   Please arrive at your appointment on time. If you are 10 minutes late or more, you will be counted as a No Show and will not be able to have your appointment.

·   If you have 3 No Shows in one semester, you will not be able to have any more appointments for that semester.

Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00am-7:00pm

Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm

Friday 10:00am-12:00pm

 

The Regents’ Exam

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/~lst/RegFAQ.htm. For general info:  http://www.gsu.edu/rtp and for sample topics:  http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/topics.htm

 

Disability Pledge

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 at (770) 839-6428.

 

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.

 

Course Policies

I expect your participation and your attention during class-time. I will expect you to be prepared:  I will expect your assignments to be complete and ready to hand in, and I will expect you to have read that day’s assigned text(s). I also expect that you will be an active participant in your own education. If you don’t understand, ask. If you have difficulties with grammar, ask. We will figure out how to improve any aspect of writing that you have difficulty with. I have listed my office hours, office phone and email. Let me know how I can help.

 

Attendance Requirements

COME TO CLASS.  BE ON TIME. The nature of this class requires that you attend.

 

****Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy: For classes that meet two times a week, a student is allowed three absences. Upon the fourth absence, the student will be withdrawn. Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences.

 

If the withdrawal occurs prior to March 1, the student will receive a grade of W. If the withdrawal occurs after March 1, the student will receive a grade of WF. (FYW Department Policy)

 

Disruptive Behavior

Students may be dismissed from any class meeting at which they exhibit behavior that disrupts the learning environment of others. Such behavior includes—but is not limited to—arriving late for class, allowing cell phones to ring, speaking disrespectfully to the instructor and/or to other students, checking email or surfing the web, and using personal audio or video devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance requirements above. (Department Policy)

 

I expect civil and polite behavior. I do not mind limited food or drink, but do not show up with your McDonald's cheeseburger and fries.

 

Department Paperless Policy

As of Fall 2006, the English Department implemented a “paperless” policy in its classrooms. Therefore, all materials (handouts, assignment sheets, notes, etc.) will be made available online. Students may print these necessary course documents, including the syllabus, on their home computers.

 

 

 

Late Work

All work is due in class on the days listed below.  Any assignment turned in a day late (THE NEXT DAY, NOT THE NEXT CLASS MEETING) will result in a letter grade deduction.  For every day that the paper is late, I will deduct another letter grade.  **Assignments submitted late due to computer, printer, computer lab, or disk “problems” will not be excused and will be penalized as indicated above. 

**THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ROUGH DRAFTS.  IF YOU DO NOT TURN IN A ROUGH DRAFT BY THE DAY & TIME INDICATED, YOU WILL BE AWARDED A ZERO FOR THE ASSIGNMENT, AND YOUR PAPER WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE ROUGH DRAFT PROCESS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

Submission and Format of Essays and Out-of-class Work

All assignments outside of class must be in MLA format­—typed, 12-point type, one-inch margins, and double spaced. Use Times New Roman font. If you do not follow correct formatting, your essay grade will suffer (a letter grade). You can find MLA guidelines in your handbook, A Writer’s Resource or online through my website under the link, “MLA Documentation.” 

 

Rough drafts are due by the dates and times indicated below. You will be required to post your rough drafts on WebCT. See Getting Started Using WebCT for help.

 

Essays are due at the beginning of class on the date due; do not email me your papers. You must attach a copy of your rough draft (with my comments) to your final paper when you submit it for a grade.

 

Plagiarism & Excessive Collaboration Policy 

It is always disappointing to discover a student has plagiarized. If you have any questions regarding incorporating outside material, ask me. Ignorance will not be an excuse. Because of the way in which this class is organized, if you plagiarize it will be immediately apparent to me. Do not risk it. ***If you turn in plagiarized work in regards to any assignment, you will immediately fail the course. This policy also refers to a student turning in work/essays that you have written for any other class or professor.

 

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.

See also, excessive collaboration.

 

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.

 

Role of the Writing Center

The role of the Writing Center is to offer consultation in which tutors question, respond to, offer choices, and encourage revision in student essays. Tutors do not evaluate or prescribe solutions to problematic areas in student essays, and tutors are specifically trained to avoid appropriating the student's work. For more information, visit the Writing Center online at http://www.westga.edu/~writing.

 

Revision Policy

Due to the extensive rough draft policy, which allows for revision, there are no further revisions allowed after the final drafts are turned in.

 

Make-Up Work

The policies on late work above explain the policies on rough drafts and final essays. In terms of daily work or quizzes/in-class work, these assignments are due on their due dates, and no make-up work is allowed. I will drop the lowest two daily grades.

 

Extra Credit

I do not offer extra credit.

 

Grading Procedures 

Any work completed for other classes will not be acceptable for credit in this course.

You must receive a C or higher in order to pass this class and to progress to the next one.

* The following chart will be used when calculating your numerical grade at the end of the semester with regard to letter grades received on in and out-of-class essays:

In-Class Essay: 4=95%; 4/3=92%; 3/4=88%; 3=85%; 3/2=82%; 2/3=78%; 2=75%; 2/1=72%; 1/2=68%; 1=65%; 1/0=62%; 0=50%

Out-of-Class Essay: A+=98%; A=95%; A-=92%; B+=88%; B=85%; B-=82%; C+=78%; C=75%; C-=72%; D+=68%; D=65%; D-=62%; F=50%                                                         

 

Daily Work/Participation                     10%

Daily work includes in-class assignments—consisting of quizzes, exercises and responses to your own and others’ work. Daily work also includes homework, which will consist of your responses to peers’ rough drafts, but which will also include assignments regarding research. Your responses to rough drafts will be posted to WebCT. Daily work may not be made up. If you are absent, you will receive a zero for that day’s in-class work. I will drop the lowest two daily grades.

 

In-Class Essays                                     15%

English Department’s Grading Rubric for In-Class Essays

There will be two in-class essays. They are listed on the calendar below. The topics will be in

regards to the material we have read and discussed during class.

 

Rough Drafts for Two Essays               10%

Each student will workshop the first two essays listed below.  You will be required to post your drafts for the entire class on WebCT. I ask all students to bring copies of his/her responses to those essays to class. You may be called on to read your essay aloud. You will receive grades on each of your rough drafts. Grades on these rough drafts will be based on completeness and your ability to follow directions and meet deadlines. The grade on your rough draft is approximately 2 to 2 ½ letter grades higher than you would receive if you’d turned in the draft as a final essay. Your final essay grade can go either up or down dependent on how carefully you revise. If you have questions about the advice you are given in class, ask me.  In the rough draft, you must address the assigned topic.  If you do not turn in your rough draft by the assigned deadline, you will be awarded a zero for that rough draft—there are no reprieves. You should post attached files, so that they maintain your formatting. See WebCT File Attachments.

 

3 Essays:                                              65%

English Department’s Grading Rubric for Out-of-Class Essays

You must complete all three essays in order to pass this class.

Percentage broken down as follows:

Essay 1                         20%

Essay 2                         20%

Essay 3                         25%

 

Schedule of Events                  

Please Note: Reading and writing assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day for which they are listed.  The following is a tentative daily schedule.  Modifications may be needed as we proceed.  I will advise of any deviations ahead of time and will provide detailed instructions for any assignments.  You are responsible for keeping up with any changes and work missed due to absences.

 

 

W, 1/6              WebCT, website, syllabus

 

M, 1/11            Signs/Signifiers, MLA, Review on your own “MLA Documentation Style” in A Writer’s Resource. Bring Native Guard with you to class.

W, 1/13            Native Guard, Group 1 presents

 

M, 1/18            No Class—MLK Holiday

W, 1/20            Native Guard

F, 1/22             Rough Draft 1 Due

 

M, 1/25            Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 1/27            Workshop Rough Drafts

 

M, 2/1              Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 2/3              Workshop Rough Drafts

 

M, 2/8              Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 2/10            Workshop Rough Drafts

 

M, 2/15            Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 2/17            Workshop Rough Drafts

 

M, 2/22           **Essay 1 Due

There Will Be Blood

W, 2/24            There Will Be Blood

                       

M, 3/1              There Will Be Blood , Group 2 presents

                        Last day to withdraw with a “W”

W, 3/3             **In-class Essay 1

 

F, 3/5              **Rough Draft 2 due

 

M, 3/8              Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 3/10            Workshop Rough Drafts

R, 3/11             ***Natasha Trethewey Reading (11am–12pm and 8–9pm; location—Campus Center Ballroom)

 

M, 3/15            Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 3/17            Workshop Rough Drafts          

 

 

M, 3/22-3/26   No class—Spring Break                     

 

M, 3/29            Workshop Rough Drafts

*** Eclectic release party***

W, 3/31            Workshop Rough Drafts

 

M, 4/5              Workshop Rough Drafts

W, 4/7             **Essay 2 Due

 

M, 4/12            When You Are Engulfed by Flames, Group 3 presents

W, 4/14            When You Are Engulfed by Flames, Group 4 presents

 

M, 4/19            When You Are Engulfed by Flames, thesis statement & outline for essay 3 due

W, 4/21            When You Are Engulfed by Flames, quotations/evidence for essay 3 due

 

M, 4/26            Bring a rough draft of essay 3 to class

W, 4/28            **Essay 3 due, last day of class. In-class essay 2.