Syllabus Fall 2008

"What I know is that there is the truth. And then there are these other truths simultaneous with it and each other. The struggle is in telling a true story when there are so many different kinds of truth, so many different angles, voices, possibilities, nothing linear, nothing really straight and tellable. And yet, what in life isn't a story? How do we understand anything we don't have a story for? . . . . Usually, to tell it at all sensibly, actually say what's true, you have to line up the bits and pieces you can just about see distinctly and imagine the rest."

Section 1101-117

TLC 1111

MWF 9:00-9:50

Section 1101-05

TLC 1111

MWF 10:00-10:50

Section 1101-15

TLC 1110

MW 2:00-3:15

The Kaleidoscope Called Life: In our readings for this semester, we will focus on reading and writing and how our understanding of ourselves and the world changes with the words we speak and with the way we grow. We will also explore how the way we manipulate language situates us in the world. The characters we will study struggle to find their places in the world and finally succeed to create a viable reality through the manipulation of language . We will begin by studying Vincent Ryan Ruggiero's Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, Eighth Edition, which will be interspersed with other readings. We will study a book of short stories by Erin McGraw titled The Good Life, a memoir by Emily Hipchen titled Coming Apart Together: Fragments from an Adoption, a play by Margaret Edson titled Wit, and a film directed by Marc Forster titled Stranger Than Fiction. Our writing reference book for sections 117 and 05 will be The Writer's Resource. Section 15 will be piloting a new handbook titled The DK Handbook, which will be supplied free of charge by the publisher. Also, other materials will be assigned in connection with these texts.

Section 15 ONLY: Not only will this class be piloting a new handbook, but you will also be granted access to MyCompLab through the publisher, which I will explain on the first day of class. All Sections are required to have internet and computer access for this class (this is also a requirement as a student of UWG). Although computer labs are available, you and only you are responsible for getting your work completed and posted on time. While this class is in a computer classroom, you will not be allowed to post your class work during class time.

All Sections: This class will require substantial reading outside of the classroom. Anticipate reading one to two hours per class period, in addition to other assignments. While we are studying literature, this class is primarily a composition class wherein we will be writing a great deal in and outside of class. It is important to understand that writing is a process, one that takes a great deal of critical thought, revision and rewriting. This process begins with critical reading.

Participation: Because this is a writing- and reading-intensive course, student participation is both essential and mandatory. As much of this class is discussion and workshop oriented, your presence, careful preparation, and active participation are crucial to your success. Students should come to class prepared to contribute to class discussion, listen attentively and critically to others’ comments and questions, respond collegially to others’ views, and generally conduct themselves in a professional manner. I expect you to take your work very seriously, preparing for each class by carefully reading each assignment, reflecting upon that reading, and thinking about the implications of the reading. Expect to spend a couple of hours a day reading and preparing for this class.

Course Description

Catalogue Description:

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 Learning Outcomes:

To read, understand, and interpret a broad range of written and visual texts from a variety of genres (including but not limited to nonfiction, fiction, poetry, drama, and film).
To understand literary principles and use basic terms important to critical writing and reading.
To develop skills in all the tools necessary for effective argumentation.
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.

Specific Learning Outcomes: Available at http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/English1101CourseDescrption.htm

Assessment and Assignments:

4000 words of graded writing
No fewer than 4 out-of-class essay assignments that make use of revising opportunities
A minimum of 2 in-class essays, one of which must be 60 minutes long and count for 15% of the overall course grade.
One of the in-class essays may be given during the final exam period.

Texts: You are responsible for purchasing each of the following books:

The Writer's Resource (Sections 22 & 37) or The DK Handbook (Free for Section 15)
Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, Eighth Edition by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, ISBN 978-0-07-353569-2
Coming Apart Together: Fragments from an Adoption by Emily Hipchen, ISBN 0-9759042-1-3
Wit by Margaret Edson, ISBN 0-571-19877-5
The Good Life by Erin McGraw, ISN 0-618-38627-0
Section 15 only: MyCompLab (will explain on the first day of class)

If you do not pass at least one essay with a 70 or above you will not pass this course. Also if you do not make at least a 65 on your daily work, you will not pass this course.

In order to better understand what is expected in your essays, review UWG’s adopted standards for grading.

45% of grade:

3 essays written outside of class--All three papers must be written and turned in to pass this course. At least one essay must score 70 or higher to pass this course.

Essay #1 = 10% due week 6
Essay #2 = 15% due week 8
Essay #3 = 20% due week 12

10% of grade

Daily quizzes, in-class and out-of-class writing, and group work. Daily quizzes will include vocabulary. You must make at least a 65 average on your daily work to pass this course.

5% of grade

Presentation on short stories: Must be presented and written in order to pass this course.

15% of grade

In-Class Essays: You must write two in-class essays. The first will be a diagnostic Pre-Regents' exam. The second will be a Post-Regents' exam, which will count as 15% of your grade. Both essays must be written in order to pass this course.

25% of grade

Portfolio: A collection of writing and revisions from the semester, including a further revision of one or more essays. Must be presented and written in order to pass this course.

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%

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%

Note that the student must have a C or higher to progress to the next course

EXTRA CREDIT: No extra credit will be assigned for this course. Your composition grades will comprise the bulk of your grade because the goal of this class is to acquire good writing skills.

If you are absent, you are still responsible for all the work that you missed. Depending on the nature of the assignment, you may not be able to make up a missed assignment such as a daily quiz or in-class viewing and related in-class exercise or group work. Essays and assignments are still due on the day assigned regardless of your personal situation. Get them to me via a friend, parent, or pet. E-mail is an option only for validated emergencies. I must agree to accept email attachments before you are allowed to send it to me. Workshop sessions are essential to receiving a good grade; if you miss these workshops, you can make no higher than a C on your paper. The workshop and the time until your paper is due are considered your revision period. Use your time and resources wisely.

DISRUPTIONS: As stated above, all cell phones, pagers, PDAs or any other communication devices must be turned off at the beginning of class. Any disturbance caused by such devices or by disruptive student behavior can result in said student being dismissed from class, which will be counted as an unexcused absence. Late arrivals are disruptions. Any arrival after 10 minutes into the class will be counted as an absence. If a student is presenting, you are not allowed to enter until he/she has completed the presentation. Your professor deserves respect and any disruption of class should be as minimal as possible.

FORMAT FOR ALL PAPERS: All papers must be typed according to MLA guidelines (see The Writer's Resource) including in-class writings. I reserve the right to refuse any paper that does not meet MLA standards. Ingram Library has MLA resources at http://www.westga.edu/~library/nav/citguide.shtml. The Writing Center also has guidelines at http://www.westga.edu/~writing/wcresources.htm.

NO REVISIONS—NO MAKEUPS—NO REDOS: Welcome to the adult world. Life does not have an undo button, neither does this class. Before each essay is due, we will have workshops to help you with elements of your full first draft. These sessions are your opportunity to solicit assistance in revising your essay. Although I will not pre-grade a paper, nor will I revise the paper for you, I will advise you on what you need to do to make your paper better. Revisions are necessary before turning in your paper for a grade. I recommend that you take full advantage of the workshops and that you seek my help outside of the classroom if you need additional help. I also advise you to seek help from the Writing Center. Seeking my advice on a paper does not guarantee that you will earn the grade you want. Writing is a process, and for most (if not all) students, more than one work session with me and/or the Writing Center is needed for any substantial improvement. You, and only you, are responsible for improving your writing and grammar skills. I, as your teacher, and the Writing Center can only guide and assist you in attaining your goals.

LATE WORK: I reserve the right to refuse late work. Tardiness impedes your ability to progress in your writing. Any late work, if accepted at my discretion, will be docked at least one grade level for each day late.

RECYCLED PAPERS AND WORK FROM OTHER CLASSES: If you wish to build on an appropriate paper that was written for another class, you must ask for permission in advance. While I encourage you to grow and build on your prior knowledge, I will not accept a paper written for another class.

Computer/printer problems are no excuse for not turning papers in on time. Do not wait till the last moment to write and print your paper. Do it ahead of time, then if you have difficulties you will have time to get assistance. We all have printer problems from time to time; as adults we learn to work around life’s difficulties. The college has several computer labs at your disposal. I recommend that you e-mail your papers to yourself. That way, you can access them in any lab for correction and printing. Lab locations and hours are posted at http://uwglabs.westga.edu/default.asp under the tab labeled Information.

You are also responsible for keeping copies (electronic or paper copies) of all your essays and assignments. This is a safeguard in case an essay or assignment is misplaced or damaged. We will also share papers in the classroom. Bring copies of current assignments on your thumbdrive with you to class every day.

PLAGIARISM AND EXCESSIVE COLLABORATION: Students who turn in plagiarized material will receive an F for the course--no exceptions.

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:

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.

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.

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. See website at http://www.westga.edu/~dserve/.

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

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

· 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.

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

Section 1101-117	Monday, December 8, 8:00-10:00
Section 1101-05	Wednesday, December 10, 8:00-10:00
Section 1101-15	Monday, December 8, 2:00-4:00

IMPORTANT DATES:

Essay Due Dates:

IMPORTANT: Changes may be necessary.

Please check on-line reading schedule weekly.