Spring 2010:  English 1102, Composition II

When Nationality Intrudes:  In our readings for this semester, we will explore how nationality affects our personal lives, especially in times of war.  It defines how we think about ourselves and how we orient ourselves within the world community.  We will begin by studying the American South by comparing Natasha Trethewey's Native Guard with Andrew Hudgin's After the Lost War.  Both are books of poetry centered on the Civil War.    Next we will explore Marjane Satrapi's The Complete Persepolis, a graphic novel of a young lady born and raised in Iran but educated in Vienna.  Our last text will be Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino, which explores American perceptions of different races within our culture.  Our writing resource will be  A Writer's Resource.

This class will require substantial reading and writing 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.

Requirements:  You will be expected to:

• Attend all class meetings, prepared and with all materials in hand (see attendance policy).  If you are not prepared and do not have the materials needed, you will not be allowed to stay in class, which will count against your attendance. 

• Participate in class discussion.

• Participate in in-class writing exercises; participate in draft workshops and group work (a draft for workshop must be a complete draft:  it must have a beginning, middle and end and be ready to share); compose and submit on time all assignments.

• Propose, draft, write and revise three out-of-class essays  (and one in-class essay) of various lengths and purposes.  For each essay you will turn in all workshop materials and rough drafts.  You must submit all work on time (on the hour it is due; late papers--if accepted--will be normally docked one letter grade per day late).

• You are required to meet with me in my office at least once during the semester to discuss your writing.

Course Description

You Will Also Need:

• Reliable internet and printing access.  You are responsible for printing your essays and assignments prior to coming to class.  Classroom printer will not be available for printing your essays and homework.

• Flashdrive or thumbdrive (portable hard drive) to record your in-class and out-of-class assignments and essays.   You are responsible for keeping copies of all your work. 

• West Georgia MY UWG e-mail account which is the official means of communication in this class.  Observe rules of email etiquette, meaning you must address professor accordingly, always use a reference line, and always adhere to professional writing standards--no use of text message lingo.   Any communication with the professor must be via MyUWG; this policy is a new university-wide requirement.  Thus, you  must check this account regularly and must NOT let the mailboxes on these accounts become full and thus unable to receive communication from me.

• Recommended:  College level dictionary and thesaurus.

• You are responsible for making your computer compatible with PowerPoint,  Adobe Acrobat and other programs used in this course.   

GRADING: 

You must complete all your assignments in order to pass this course,

and you must earn a letter grade of C or better in order to pass. 

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. 

Out-of-Class Essay Grading Rubric:

http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/OutOfClassWritingAssessment.htm

In-Class Essay Grading Rubric:

http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/InClassWritingAssessment.htm

Your grade will be determined as follows:

Grading summary with the letter to numeric scale:

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%

Note that you 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.

Administrative Withdrawal―FYW Departmental Policy

Attendance Requirements:  Students will 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 will be withdrawn.  For classes that meet twice 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.  In addition, students should be aware that if the withdrawal date falls on or before March 1, the student will receive a “W.”  If the withdrawal date falls after March 1, the student will receive a “WF.”

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 policy above.

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 flashdrive with you to class every day.

DEPARTMENTAL 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

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

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.

PLAGIARISM IS GROUNDS FOR FAILING THE CLASS.

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/. 

Writing Center Statement: 

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

Regents’ Statement:

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

 College of Arts & Sciences Policy on Severe Weather

IMPORTANT DATES:

January 6-12 Drop/add and late registration

January 18-22 Diagnostic Essay (evaluated as pass-fail according to Regents’ grading standards; does not factor into grade for course)

January 16 No Saturday classes

January 18 Martin Luther King Holiday; no classes

March 1 Last Day to Withdraw with a W (Must appear on all syllabi)

March 20 No Saturday classes

March 22-27 Spring Break Break; no classes

March 10-23 Regents’ Testing (all first-semester students MUST register for and take the exam during this period)

March 11 1102 Shared Text Author Reading (11am – 12pm and 8-9pm; location- Campus Center Ballroom)

April 22 Last Day of W classes

April 26 Last day of M only classes

April 27 Last Day of TTh and T only classes

April 28 Last Day of MW & MWF classes

April 29 Reading Day

April 30 Examinations (see The Scoop)

May 1 Saturday Exams

May3-6 Examinations (see The Scoop)

May 8 Graduation

May 10 Grades Due by 8:30 am

Finals:

All Grades will be posted on BANWEB at the end of the course.

You are required to periodically check the

Reading Schedule for changes and updates:

• Section 10 Reading Schedule

• Sections 20 & 30 Reading Schedule

IMPORTANT:  Changes may be necessary. 

Please check on-line reading schedule weekly.