ENG 101—Written English I

Fall 2008

webpages.shepherd.edu/lbaker/eng101.htm

Instructor Information:

L. Michelle Baker, Ph.D. (a.b.d.) Office: Knutti G6

lbaker@shepherd.edu Hours: T 10 to noon, 2 to 4

Course Description & Objectives:

This composition course assumes that articulate written expression is a prerequisite for any professional within a democracy. Such expression can only be effective when grounded in certain shared conventions of grammar and logic, and will be even more so when also aesthetically pleasing. Over the course of the semester students will learn to make effective stylistic choices within the framework of accepted usage, employing the oldest proven system of study—the trivium—first developed by classical philosophers and rhetoricians including Gorgias, Isocrates, Plato, and Aristotle and proven effective throughout the Middle Ages and into the twenty-first century. Just as we learn to speak by listening to others, we learn to write by studying the written word. Thus, the course will combine reading and discussion of key texts with writing instruction and practice.

Students are expected to have acquired college-level skills in English by the time they begin the course. Any student who has difficulty with the mechanics of expression should contact the instructor immediately to develop an improvement plan and increase his or her chances of success 1) in the course, 2) at the University, and 3) throughout your professional career.

Essential skills and outcomes to be acquired through the course include:

1) an ability to render close textual analysis;

2) an ability to synthesize information from multiple texts;

3) an ability to render clear, cogent ideas;

4) an ability to structure well-developed essays, with thesis, textual support, and analysis;

5) an ability to correctly employ standard written English usage;

6) an understanding of ethnic / cultural diversity;

7) an ability to utilize basic technology to improve writing and thinking skills

Required Texts and Materials:

· Austin, Michael, ed. Reading the World: Ideas that Matter. W. W. Norton & Co., 2006.

· Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. NY: Pantheon, 2003.

· Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 6^th ed. Boston: Bedford / St. Martin’s, 2007.

· Oxford English Dictionary, available through Scarborough Library:

www.shepherd.edu/libweb

· Encyclopedia Brittanica (also available on the library’s homepage)

· at least two, two-pocket folders

· Shepherd University computer and email accounts

Grading Structure:
	Papers, as follows:
15% Class Participation	5% Diagnostic
15% Short Assignments	10% Personal Narration (750 words)
5% Presentation	10% Description (750 words)
	15% Concept (1000 words)
	15% Argument (1000 words)
	10% Final

Standards for grading may be found on pp 2- 3, Hacker, and online.

Grade-Point Conversion Scale:

A+	98	B+	88	C+	78	D+	68
A	95	B	85	C	75	D	65	F	59
A-	92	B-	82	C-	72	D-	62

NOTE: Split grades constitute an average. Therefore, a B-/C+ = (82 +78)/2, or 80. Mechanical errors are deducted from the point value. The resulting total constitutes the final grade for the paper.

Learning Community:

This course is part of a learning community, along with PSYC 203-02. The ability to understand one’s thoughts and feelings and to express them clearly is highly valued in any arena. In these two courses, we will explore the core tenents of psychology, grammar, and logic, as well as basic research methods and how to integrate and document secondary sources. As you learn to make effective stylistic choices within the framework of accepted usage and gain a better understanding of basic psychology, you will also begin to see how the two correlate in everyday life. Experience has taught us that students and faculty are more engaged when curricula are better integrated. Learning communities also 1) facilitate deeper, more relevant learning experiences, 2) permit students to identify connections among disciplines, and 3) encourage greater retention. Therefore, students must be enrolled in both classes and should be aware that course content will be coordinated throughout the semester. In addition, some assignments will be shared.

Course Policies

Absences:

It is assumed that students enroll at Shepherd University of their own free will, that they do so because of a fervent desire to learn, and that only unavoidable circumstances prevent them from attending class. Therefore, no absence needs to be documented. Conversely, no absence is excused. The instructor can apprise students of missed assignments, but only fellow classmates can share lecture notes and explain in-class activities. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain close contact with classmates.

Students are allowed six absences for any reason, including but not limited to personal illness, family emergency, or university-sponsored events. After the sixth absence, the student’s final grade for the course will be reduced by 10 points (one letter grade) for each class missed. It is strongly recommended that students reserve their absences, since the hallmark of an emergency is its failure to announce itself.

Students should remember that absences may have ramifications beyond the immediate loss of class participation and short writing assignments and should be especially careful to take note of all requirements for major paper assignments. Students who are aware beforehand that they must miss a class should advise the instructor and request permission to complete their work. Students who miss a class due to unforeseen circumstances may choose to inform the instructor after the fact for the sake of courtesy, but exceptions to this policy will not be made.

Student athletes should speak to the instructor immediately upon enrolling in the course to apprise her of their school-related activities. Student athletes are also required to advise their instructor themselves (i.e., do not rely upon your coach’s communications with faculty), preferably in person, before any scheduled absence. Failure to do so will result in the inability to make up work missed.

Conferences:

At times, class will be cancelled for individual conferences. Missed conferences count as an absence, and due to limited scheduling, it may not be possible to reschedule. If such an instance occurs, students will be required to meet with the instructor during her office hours after the conference period has ended. Papers and assignments for which conferences are held will not be accepted until this requirement has been fulfilled. The instructor reserves the right to consider such work late, to refuse to accept the work, and/or to penalize it appropriately.

Late Work:

It is the responsibility of the absent student to obtain missed assignments before they are due. Short writing assignments, including in-class activities, may not be turned in late or made up. Papers are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted. Any time after that, they are late. Late papers will be graded down one-third of a grade for each day they are late, including the first day, weekends, and holidays. Example 1) You have class at 8:10 a.m. You enter class at 8:30 and lay the paper on my desk. The paper is one day late. You had a B+; now you have a B. Example 2) You have class at 3:10 on Friday. You turn your paper in on Monday morning, three days late. You had a B+; now you have a C+.

Because this course stresses writing as a process and not as a finished product, most paper assignments have interim deadlines. Final papers must be turned in with all drafting materials as specified on the writing assignment sheet. Failure to meet interim deadlines and/or to turn in all materials can result in penalties on the final draft, including refusal to accept the paper, at the instructor’s discretion.

Paper Policy:

(Applies to major papers, listed above under “Grading Structure”)

All papers must be word-processed, formatted according to MLA guidelines, and submitted in a two-pocket folder including a hard copy with all drafting materials. Standards for grading are attached to the syllabus.

Plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty of any sort, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Such an offense will result in an F for the course and appropriate disciplinary action. The Student Handbook outlines the plagiarism policy (see pp 95-100), but here are some general guidelines as to what constitutes this offense:

§ Turning in material you did not write

§ Turning in papers written for another class (whether at this school or another)

§ Turning in papers drafted by you but revised/edited by another

§ Failing to properly paraphrase, summarize, or quote sources

§ Collaborating in such a way that the individual student can claim little responsibility for the final product

Class Participation:

This is a collaborative learning environment, and every student is expected to be prepared to answer discussion questions, to attempt to do so as fully as possible, to respect the opinions of other students, and to follow directions given in class including assisting other students in group workshopping sessions. Additional consideration will be given to those students who contribute original and intelligent commentary to the discussion, who ask penetrating questions about the readings, and who demonstrate a willingness to learn and do for the sake of knowledge and self-betterment.

Email:

Students are required to use Shepherd email accounts for all communication with the instructor. Important course announcements are frequently made through email and students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor electronically. Papers or other assignments are not accepted via email without prior approval by the instructor and will be considered late and/or refused.

Academic Support Services:

Students are strongly encouraged to use the FREE tutors, available in Knutti 114, telephone 876-5221, online at http://www.shepherd.edu/ascweb. Tutors are thoroughly trained to assist in all aspects of the writing process from brainstorming and drafting to revising and editing. Sessions can be conducted in person or, in certain circumstances, online.

Schedule of Readings and Assignments:

This schedule is subject to change, as announced in class or via email. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of all changes.

Students are expected to complete the readings BEFORE the date noted. The Hacker text will be referenced frequently and must be brought to each class. Students who are not prepared to discuss the readings or who do not have the textbooks may be asked to leave and counted absent.

Names and page numbers below refer to the Austin text unless otherwise noted. Students should read the introductory material as well as the essay indicated. The Hacker text is referenced by section letter rather than by page number. Students should read the entire section noted and should practice the exercises, mentally or manually, especially if they find they are having trouble mastering the material.

Week One—Narration & Description; Grammar
M Aug 18	Syllabus and Introductions
W Aug 20	Diagnostic Essay
F Aug 22	Hacker G. Last Day to Add/Drop
Week Two--Narration & Description; Grammar
M Aug 25
W Aug 27
F Aug 29	Persepolis pp 1 - 71
Week Three--Narration & Description; Grammar
M Sep 1	Labor Day--Classes Cancelled
W Sep 3	Narration: Field observation notes due. Persepolis pp 72 - 153; Hacker P; Hacker W
F Sep 5
Week Four--Narration & Description; Grammar
M Sep 8	Darwin 407
W Sep 10
F Sep 12	workshop narrative draft
Week Five--Logic: Comparison / Contrast
M Sep 15	Carson 421
W Sep 17
F Sep 19	**Personal Narration Due**
Week Six--Logic: Definition
M Sep 22	Plato 447
W Sep 24	Wright 404
F Sep 26	Hacker APA
Week Seven--Logic: Formulating Premises
M Sep 29	Anzaldua 604
W Oct 1	Austin, Logos, 683-692
F Oct 3	Austin, thesis statements, 665-669
Week Eight--Logic: Cause / Effect
M Oct 6	Hacker MLA-2, 3. Integrating Resources
W Oct 8	Hacker MLA-4, Documenting Resources
F Oct 10	Gardner (handout)
Week Nine--Logic: Research
M Oct 13	Hacker R1; Description Essay Due
W Oct 15	Hacker R2
F Oct 17	Hacker R3
Week Ten--Logic: Cause and Effect
M Oct 20	Freud 43
W Oct 22
F Oct 24
Week Eleven--Rhetoric: Invention
M Oct 27
W Oct 29
F Oct 31	Jordan 616
Week Twelve--Rhetoric: Style
M Nov 3	King 172; Concept Paper Due
W Nov 5
F Nov 7	Last Day to Withdraw, by NOON
Week Thirteen--Rhetoric: Arrangement
M Nov 10
W Nov 12
F Nov 14	Achebe 592
Week Fourteen--Revision
M Nov 17
W Nov 19
F Nov 21
Week Fifteen--Fall Recess
M Nov 24	Thanksgiving Recess--Classes Canceled
W Nov 26
F Nov 28
Week Sixteen--Rhetoric, Memory and Delivery
M Dec 1	Presentations
W Dec 3	""
F Dec 5	"" Argument Due