FALL 2012

ENGLISH 1101-126—Composition I: Inverted Quests

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Propst

Office: TLC 2225

Office Phone: (678) 839-4155

Office Hours: MW 11:30-12:20, TTh 9:00-10:50 and 1:00-1:50, and by appointment

Writing Center Hours: MW 2:00-3:30

E-mail: lpropst@westga.edu MyUWG serves as the only legitimate mode of e-mail correspondence for this course.

URL: www.westga.edu/~lpropst

Course Description and Learning Outcomes
 

A literary quest typically involves a person who undertakes a journey to find something and faces hazards along the way. Regardless of whether the quester finds what he or she was looking for, a successful quest usually results in some form of insight into oneself. This course will centre on non-traditional quests. In a series of Red Riding Hood tales, Little Red (usually) obtains something valuable, though it is not necessarily self-knowledge. In Euripides’ ancient Greek play Medea, Medea sets out on a quest for revenge and (arguably) loses herself in the process. And in our final unit, instead of analyzing a quest by some literary figure, you will be the questers. As a class, you will have the opportunity to collectively select an issue that you feel has an important impact on your community. Along with writing a research paper on that topic, you will work together with your classmates to develop a final project in a public medium (ex. video, exhibition, website, photo-essay…) that will be publicly displayed.

Like all other ENGL 1101 classes at UWG, this is a composition course focusing on skills required for both effective writing for various rhetorical situations and critical reading of texts. In writing, students must demonstrate competency in argumentation, and writing that is strengthened by the use of multiple textual sources. General and specific learning outcomes are listed in the department website:

http://www.westga.edu/%7Eengdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/English1101CourseDescrption.htm

COURSE MATERIALS, ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING

Required Texts:

·        Elaine Maimon, Janice Peritz, and Kathleen Yancey (eds.), A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for Writing and Research (4th edition, custom made for UWG; available only at the UWG bookstore).

·        All other required readings will be available online.

Other materials:

·        A college-level dictionary

·        A stapler

·        Internet access, a UWG e-mail account, and a reliable printer

·        A flash drive (i.e. memory stick). It is your responsibility to back up all of the work you do for this class. This includes backing up your notes and drafts as you work on your essays and keeping electronic copies of your essays after they have been submitted to the instructor. Computer failure will not be considered a valid excuse for submitting late work.

Assignments:

·        Three 1000-1200 word essays written outside of class. Each of these essays will make use of revising opportunities. There will be a research component in at least one essay. You can find details about the requirements of these essays at: http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/OutOfClassWritingAssessment.htm Note: all students are responsible for keeping electronic copies of their essays after they have been submitted, as well as keeping the graded essays once they have been returned.

·        Two sixty-minute in-class essays, one mid-semester and one during the final exam period. Details about the in-class essay and the grading scale are available at: http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/InClassWritingAssessment.htm

·        A final project that combines writing, analytic, and creative ability

·         In-class writing exercises, quizzes, peer editing, and short homework assignments

Grading:

All essays must be completed in order to pass this course. 

                  Essay 1                                                                                              15%

                  Essay 2                                                                                              20%

                  Essay 3                                                                                              25%

                  In-Class Essay 1                                                                                 5%

In-Class Essay 2                                                                                15%

Final Project                                                                                      10%

Quizzes, homework, and short in-class writings                                   5%

Class participation                                                                              5%

Numerical grade equivalents:

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

Students must have a C or higher in ENGL 1101 to progress to ENGL 1102.

COURSEWORK POLICIES

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

·         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-1:00pm

Office Hours and E-mail:

I encourage you to meet with me during my office hours any time you have questions or would like to discuss the course. If you cannot make it to my office hours, set up an appointment to meet with me at another time. You are also welcome to drop by my office, outside of scheduled office hours, whenever I am there. I welcome e-mail correspondence. However, e-mail cannot replace an actual meeting. It is difficult to respond to your questions and needs solely through e-mail, especially if your questions are general. E-mail is most effective when you have specific questions that do not require in-depth discussion.

Plagiarism & Excessive Collaboration Policy (If a student violates this policy, he or she may receive an F for the assignment or an F for the course, at my discretion):

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” (below).

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/index.phpThe department of English has assembled the following resources to help prevent plagiarism: http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism/index.html

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.

Late Work:

I will deduct 1/3 of a letter grade (ex. from a B to a B-, or from a B- to a C+) for each day (not each class period) that an out-of-class essay is late. An essay is late if it is not submitted to me at the beginning of the class period. This means that a B level essay that is up to 24 hours late will go from a B to a B-; a B level essay submitted between 24 and 48 hours late will go from a B to a C+; etc. I will not accept assignments more than one week past the deadline. If you find it necessary to miss class on a day that work is due, you should submit your work to me before the class period in order to avoid losing marks.  All assignments must be submitted in hard copy unless I specifically approve e-mail submission in advance. Extensions may be granted, at my discretion, only under exceptional circumstances (for example, medical emergencies) and should be arranged in advance. If you have a serious problem that will affect your ability to complete your work on time, talk to me about it as early as possible. Short homework assignments will not be accepted late.

Make-Up Work:

Missed in-class essays may be made up, at my discretion, under exceptional circumstances (for example, medical emergencies). If you miss a quiz or another in-class writing exercise because of lateness or absence, it cannot be made up. Exceptions may be made for work missed due to academic activities (ex: participation in a conference) or conditions that warrant accommodation under the Disabilities Act.

Revision Policy:

You may revise and resubmit Essay 1 and Essay 2 for a higher grade provided that you originally submitted your essay on time and you fulfilled all of the workshopping requirements. Revisions may achieve a maximum of one letter grade above the original grade. Some revisions may merit a lower grade; in this case, I will count the higher of the two grades. If you wish to submit a revision, you must present a written 200-word “revision plan” during my office hours within a week after you receive the graded paper, outlining significant changes you intend to make and demonstrating that you have thoughtfully prioritized those changes. Revisions will be due no later than two weeks after you receive the graded paper, and you must submit the graded original along with the revision.

Format for All Papers:

All work should be typed and stapled, in 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins, and should use MLA format.

Extra Credit and Previous Work Policy:

·        There is no extra credit work in this course

·        Work completed for another class will not be accepted for fulfilling the requirements of this course.

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. You may print these necessary course documents, including the syllabus, on your home computer.

English Department Severe Weather Policy:

The University of West Georgia is committed to the personal safety of its students, faculty, and staff in the event of severe weather. University policy regarding severe weather and emergency closings is posted at http://www.westga.edu/police/index_2277.php and official announcements about class and/or examination cancellations will be made only by the President and/or the Department of Public Relations. Although it is not possible to develop policy to address every weather-related emergency, these guidelines are intended to provide some general direction about such situations.

For immediate severe weather situations, especially when classes are in session, faculty, staff and students are advised to follow the emergency procedures identified below:

1. Direct occupants to remain in the building and to seek shelter immediately on the lowest level of the building in interior rooms (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

2. Instruct occupants to not leave the building.

3. Evacuate all offices, rooms or hallways with windows and glass or with exterior walls.

4. Provide assistance to persons with disabilities.

5. Accompany occupants to the nearest designated shelter area in the building.

6. Comply with departmental severe weather policies/procedures.

7. Wait for an “all clear” signal” before resuming activity.

8. Occupants will: a) proceed to the nearest designated shelter area in the building by the closest route; b) move quickly but in an orderly manner so that all will arrive safely; c) will not attempt to vacate the premises, drive or seek shelter in cars; d) take a seat in the shelter area; e) remain cooperative with those in charge; and f) wait for an “all clear” signal before resuming activity.

In the event that classes are cancelled or disrupted for less than one calendar week, each professor, at his or her discretion, will make adjustments as needed to cover material missed during those cancelled sessions. This may or may not involve the use of rescheduled or online classes. If the closures exceed a single calendar week, students should contact the Chair of the Department of English and Philosophy at 678-839-6512 or the professor of the class for updated information regarding changes to the schedule in the Department. It is the intention of the Department of English and Philosophy to handle every concern seriously and as effectively as possible.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Due Dates:

Thurs. Sept. 20                              Out-of-Class Essay #1

Tues Oct. 2                                     In-Class Essay #1

Tues. Oct. 23                                 Out-of-Class Essay #2

Tues. Nov. 13                                Out-of-Class Essay #3

Thurs. Nov. 29                               In-Class Essay #2

Final exam period                          Final projects due

 

 

       Holidays and Important University Dates:

 

Mon. Sept. 3                                  No classes: Labor Day

Fri. Oct. 12                                     Last day to withdraw with a W

Mon. Nov. 19-Fri. Nov. 23            No classes: Thanksgiving holiday

 

CLASSROOM POLICIES

Attendance:

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

If the withdrawal occurs prior to October 12, the student will receive a grade of W. If the withdrawal occurs after October 12, the student will receive a grade of WF.

Communication Policy:

The official communication method for this class will be through campus e-mail (MyUWG). You will be responsible for checking your MyUWG email, since I will be using that address to correspond with you. 

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 visual devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance policy above.

Participation:

Participation is essential to your success in this course. Five percent of your grade is based on it. Participation does not mean right answers or brilliant comments; it includes any productive contribution to class discussion. Making thoughtful comments on the class material, asking questions, and responding supportively to your classmates all count.

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 at (678) 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 CALENDAR:

While this syllabus is carefully planned, I may occasionally change portions of it (for example, readings, assignments, and due dates). I will announce changes in class. You are responsible for periodically checking the online syllabus for modifications, particularly if you have been absent. Unless otherwise noted, all readings and assignments are due the day they are listed on the syllabus.