English 1102: (English Composition 02)

Spring 2013 Syllabus

Instructor:   Valerie Thomas

Office: Pafford #304                                                                                     

Office Hours: Tuesday/ Thursday  4:45-5:30 and after 8:15 by appointment          

E-mail: vthomas@westga.edu

 

 

“You write in order to change the world ... if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change it.” 
 James Baldwin

 

English 1102 --Sections 128 & 129

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

English 1102 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. 

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

General and Specific Learning Outcomes

1.         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).

2.         To understand literary principles and use basic terms important to critical writing and

             reading.

3.         To develop skills in all the tools necessary for effective argumentation.

4.         To develop facility with the whole writing process from invention through revision.

5.         To understand and employ a variety of rhetorical modes and techniques of persuasion.

6.         To acquire reasonable mastery of conventions of college-level prose writing.

7.         To incorporate and document additional textual materials to strengthen and support

             argument.

 (Please see the complete unabridged list of outcomes at

www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting )

COURSE MATERIALS, ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING

Required Texts & Materials

           Short Fiction, Critical Essays, Poetry, Drama, Film , A Writer’s Resource, 4th   

            Edition

           Jump Drive /USB Drive

             (Non- Negotiable!  Please have the USB Drive within 2 class periods.  This is an

             essential part of the course.  It is mandatory and all course documents should be 

             downloaded onto your device for easy access. )

Assignments

•Analytical essays will contribute to 65 % of your grade.  These three essays will vary in length from 2.5 minimum to 5 pages maximum and will analyze individual and combined readings.  The essays must address the paper topics presented in order to receive a complete grade. 

•In-Class essays will contribute to 15 % of your grade.  The In-class essay component contributes to your ability to synthesize information within an allotted time period. (60 minutes)

•Final presentation/ Class Project contributes to 10 % of your final grade.  The final presentation or class project relies on your ability to orally address an argument.

•Reading Responses and Quizzes will contribute to 10% of your final grade.  There are 5 quizzes, each worth 20 points.  At the semester’s end, you should have a total of 100 points. If the reading responses or quizzes are missed, they cannot be made up.   

Grading

All assignments must be completed in order to pass this course.  NOTE:  Please refer to the FYW program’s website for a detailed analysis of the grading rubric.  http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/FirstYearWriting/ENGL1101and1102/OutOfClassWritingAssessment.htm

Grade Calculations

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%

COURSEWORK POLICIES

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. Students will not receive ANY credit for plagiarized work.

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.

Late Work

If work is late, it will be accepted with a penalty (-5 points) for each class period that the work is late.  After the first week (Tuesday/Thursday) cycle, the work will not be accepted.   For example, if your work is due on a Tuesday and you do not turn it in until the following Tuesday, you should expect that -10 points will be deducted from the paper. 

Extra Credit/ Revisions

The revision process is an important one, and essential to the writing process.  Each paper cycle, there will be opportunities for revisions. 

Extra Credit exists in the form of book talks and guest lecturers.  These events will happen during the semester and you are allowed to attend up to 2 for extra credit points.  Any additional will not be recognized.  No exceptions.  Once you attend the event, you are responsible for submitting a one page, double spaced write up about the event.  This must be submitted within one week of the event for credit.  You may add up to +5 points to any paper with this submission. 

Format for All Papers

All papers and documentation should be in MLA format, double spaced with 12 point font and should always have a works cited page included on a separate sheet.

Important Dates

January 7th   

Classes Begin

January 21st  

Martin Luther King Holiday/ No Class

Last Day to Drop with Grade of W

March 18th -23rd

Spring Break

April 26th  

Last Day of Final Period

CLASSROOM POLICIES

Attendance Requirements

Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy.  For classes that meet twice a week, a student is allowed three absences.  Upon the fourth absence, the student will be withdrawn with a W/WF.  Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences. If a student withdraws before January  , it will be counted as a W.

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. (Department Policy)

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.

Communication Policy

I will communicate with you through your UWG email account.  Please make sure that you check your email account daily.  It is your responsibility to receive information that is disseminated through email.  Make sure that you check your Course Den page often as well.  You are responsible for all correspondence sent.

Participation

Students are expected to read the material and be prepared to participate in the class discussion.  This participation may be in the form of either quiz/reading response and class participation. 

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.

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
  • 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

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.

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.

Severe Weather Guidelines for Department of English and Philosophy: 

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 athttp://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.

                                                                                  

                                                                      Disclaimer
THIS PAGE IS NOT A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA HAS NOT EDITED OR EXAMINED THE CONTENT. THE AUTHOR(S) OF THE PAGE ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Web Page Created with PageBreeze Free HTML Editor