Calumet College of St. Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I

Instructor: Dr. Richard Damashek

Office: Room # 522

Office Phone: 219-473-4273

Course Description: English 103 is a competency-based writing course. The goal of the course is to help students produce lively and clear writing with a minimum of errors and to prepare them to succeed in the more advanced writing assignments of Rhetoric 104. Students’ writing competency will be measured near the end of the course with an in-class written essay that will be evaluated by a member of the English Department. If the student’s final essay does not meet the English Department standards, the student may need to take the course again to improve his/her writing abilities. The course employs the writing workshop method of developing quality writing through extensive writing practice, oral presentations and reading. Individual grammatical problems are addressed. Sixty pages of acceptable, typed papers, related to the rhetorical forms developed in class, will be required of each student.

Schultz Writing from Start to Finish

Hacker A Writer’s Reference

Wright Black Boy

2 computer disks

1 spiral notebook

Class Policy on Attendance: In accordance to English program policy, any student missing more than nine (9) hours of class will receive an F.

Class Policy For Assignments: All assignments must be handed in on time, or if late, with a proper explanation. No more than 2 late papers work will be accepted the last two weeks of class.

Course Goals: Students in this course will:

• Develop writing skills, especially writing original, substantive, coherent and organized papers
• Relate the ability to express themselves clearly in speech with the ability to express themselves clearly in writing
• Develop a strong clear voice in writing

Learning Outcomes/Student Competencies: Students will

• Submit 60 pages of acceptable writing including revisions as requested (papers will not be counted until revisions are submitted)
• Demonstrate improvement in their writing over the course of the semester
• Demonstrate comprehension of the assigned reading
• Keep a leaning journal to record their reactions to their reading assignments

Outcome Measures: Final grades will be based on:

1. a passing grade on the final written competency examination (failure to pass the competency may supersede the other outcome measures for this course)
2. submission of 60 typed papers of acceptable writing that shows improvement in the student’s portfolio: 80%
3. receive a passing grade on 75% of the quizzes: 10%
4. a minimum of 1 full page of journal entries for each week’s reading assignment: 10%

NOTE: No student will pass this class if he/she does not meet the minimum requirement of 60 pages of acceptable writing AND PASS THE FINAL WRITTEN COMPETENCY EXAMINATION.

Quizzes: Short quizzes will be given each period. If you miss a quiz, you may ask for a make-up the next class after your return. No other make-ups will be permitted.

Journal: Students are required to keep a journal to record personal reactions and understandings of the reading assignments and classroom discussion. You are expected to bring your journals with you to each class period. Your journal entries should be at least one full page per week.

Tutoring Assistance: students who would like to improve their academic performance in this course are urged to take advantage of the free services of the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Tutoring is conducted by appointment only. Call 473-4273 to arrange an appointment. Students may earn extra credit by attending regular weekly one-hour tutoring sessions. Ask your tutor to give you a copy of the "Tutorial Record Form" to attach to your papers. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are guaranteed to increase your grade by at least one full grade. Sporadic attendance may be of some help to you, but will not guarantee to improve your final grade.

Grading Scale: Letter grades will be assigned according to the student’s fulfilling the requirements listed above.

A: A-: B+: B: B-: C+:

C: C-: D+: D: D-: F:

Tardy: Late arrivals are disruptive to class activities. If you are late more than 10 minutes, I will count that event as half an absence. If you leave class early for any reason, I will count that as ½ an absence.

Class Policy For Assignments: Reading and written assignments are due each week. No more than two late papers may be turned in the last day of the course.

All papers go into a portfolio that I keep in my office. Students are required to have a second copy for their own files. Students must submit a folder for the maintenance of their portfolios.

Conferences: I will meet with you for a private conference during the semester. Failure to attend your scheduled conference will count as one class absence.

Format for Written Assignments: All papers will be/have

1. typed
2. double-spaced
3. one inch margins
4. have a cover page with name and assignment type
5. stapled or paper clipped together

Statement of Plagiarism: If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy: After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals. Students who are failing the course should withdraw by the last week of classes to avoid getting an F on their transcript.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

Unit I How to Writing

Unit II Instances

(readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit IV Monster

(readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit V Parody

(readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit VI Model Telling

(readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit VII Rewrite

Unit IX How to do something you are not supposed

(readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit X Model Character Telling (readings in Schultz and Wright)

Unit XI Opposites

Final in-class written exam

(readings in Schultz)