Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

 

SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC & COMPOSITION I
 
Term:  Summer, 2001-2002 (013)                                        

Course Number: ENG103X

Instructor:   Kimberly Allen 

Office:             518

Office Phone: 473-4294

E-mail: kimberlyallen@prodigy.net  (This is the best way to contact me)

Office Hours: Before or after class and by appointment

 

Instructor Background:

MA, English, Indiana State University, 1995

BA, English, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1993

Adjunct faculty, Dept. of English, Calumet College of Saint Joseph, 1999-present

Faculty advisor to Shavings, 2001-2002

 

Course Time: 7 - 10 pm, Thursdays

 

Course Description:

English 103 is the study and practice of correct, lively, and clear writing. In this course, we employ the writing workshop method of developing correct writing through both small and large group discussions, reading and writing. This course must be taken in the student's first semester at the College.

The writing workshop method also stresses revision. Revision is an important part of the writing process, and papers should be revised and edited before placement in the student's portfolio. While there will be no minimum page count for the portfolios, it would be very difficult for a student to pass without a substantial amount (45-50 pages) of writing and revision.

 

Prerequisites: None                                                                                     

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

·                       Write sustained, well-developed pieces of prose. This includes the competency exam given at the end of the semester.

Definition follows:

1. Central ideas clearly stated

2. Supportive material supportive and substantive

3. Ideas developed logically and clearly

4. Main points and supporting material ordered logically

5. Clear focus

6. Paragraphing used effectively

7. Word choice/sentence structure used appropriately

8. Mechanics used appropriately/effectively

·               Identify the differences between personal and academic writing

·               Develop a proficiency in using computer technology for writing papers

 

 

 

Textbooks:                                                                                                                                       

CCSJ, The Mercury Reader  Hacker, A Writer's Reference  Wright, Black Boy

 

Learning Strategies:

·                       Class discussions (both large and small group)

·               Writing (journal writing, in-class exercises and formal assignments)

·               Collaboration and sharing of ideas concerning the entire writing process: prewriting, drafting, and revision

 

Assessment::

All writing classes use the portfolio as the primary means of assessment. Overall portfolio, student progress, attendance/participation, and ability to meet ruberic standards will determine final grades.

Final grades will be based on:

1.  Progress and improvement in writing, reflected in the portfolio (80% of grade)

·               Fulfilling the requirements of each of the assigned writing forms

·               Timeliness of submission of drafts and any revisions

·               Handing in a minimum of 3 pages per paper of acceptable writing (including required revisions and rewrites and passing the end of course competency writing essay)

2.  Class participation, attendance, quizzes, and assigned exercises (20% of grade)

 

 

 

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

All assignments must be handed in on time. With proper explanation, late papers my be accepted (at the instructor's discretion). No more than two (2) late papers will be allowed, or the final grade will be lowered.

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 92-100          A-: 90-91        B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77           C-: 70-71        D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

All Writing classes allow NINE (9) hours of absences. This includes both excused and unexcused absences.  Please be aware these hours include birthdays, sport events, illness, work, etc. If a problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately. Any student missing more than nine hours of class will receive an F.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

The use of cell phones, beepers, or pagers during class is distracting. Please do not use these devices during class. If you need to make calls, check messages, etc., do so outside of the writing lab, during the class break.

 

Classroom Decorum: Classroom decorum will be maintained at all times. Students have the right to study and learn in an environment conducive to those ends. As the instructor, I also have the right to engage in the teaching process without interruption. Examples of disruptive behavior include (but are not limited to): leaving the class without permission; talking to other students while another student or the instructor is talking; using the Internet or email during class (unless assigned to do so); making phone calls during class, etc.

Any student or group of students who infringe on the rights of other students or on the rights of this instructor will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be allowed back during that period. The student’s removal from the classroom will result in an entire (three hours) absence for the day and will be counted toward the total of nine allowable absences. Students removed a second time for disruptive behavior may be required to withdraw from the course.

 

 

 

Course Outline:

Listed below is a schedule of topics for the semester. I will hand out a separate reading/writing schedule for you to follow. Please note that this schedule might change during the course of the semester (depending on time, class needs, etc.)

ENG103X: THURSDAYS

Class Dates:                                                                            Topics/Assignments:

May 2                                                                                       Into. to class/Letter I

May 9                                                                                       Process Analysis ("how-to")

May 16                                                                                     Narration ("how-it-happened")

May 23                                                                                     In-class assignment/Turn in Narration paper

May 30                                                                                     Letter on Your Behalf (Letter II)

June 6                                                                                       Conferences

June 13                                                                     Comparison/Contrast

June 20                                                                     Cause and Effect

June 27                                                                     Library Orientation/Persuasion

July 4                                                                                        Holiday; no classes

July 11                                                                                      Competency Exam Review

July 18                                                                                      Competency Exam

July 25                                                                                      Discuss portfolio assessment/Summaries

August 1                                                                    Portfolios due

 

 

Class Participation:

This class is a workshop. This means what goes on in class is extremely important. It is absolutely imperative that you attend all the classes and participate fully in class discussions. Students should come to class prepared, having completed all assigned readings and writing assignments.

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. 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. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.  For this reason, students attending tutoring sessions (either through the CAE or online, via SMARTTHINKING.COM) will receive extra credit.  Students need to send documentation of these tutoring sessions to me, in order to receive credit.   

 

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(Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27).  NOTE: Papers for this course will be checked for plagiarism, via a new web service, www.turnitin.com.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

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.

 

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).