Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITION

 

Term:  Summer, 2002-3 (May 12-Aug 2)                                  

Course Number: ENG 105

Instructor:   Nita Danko

Office:  518

Office Phone: 219-989-2683

E-mail:                collegewriting@aol.com

Office Hours:                   By Appointment Only

 

Instructor Background:  I have a Master of Arts, English Literature (18th and 19th centuries).  I have taught English 100 for 5 years.  I have also taught composition at other college for 6 years.  I teach from the developmental reading and writing levels to research writing.  I am a tutor here at CCSJ as well as other colleges.  I adore reading British women writers of the 18th and 19th centuries, and modern American women writers as well.  I am also nerdy enough to love research and academic writing.  Something you might never guess about me?  I love busting packs of NASCAR racing cards!

 

Course Time: Individualized

 

Course Description: English 105 is a competency-based course.  It is designed for students who have completed Rhetoric and Composition courses at another college or university.  The goal of the course is to provide these students with the writing tools necessary for success at Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

Prerequisites: transfer English credits (Composition)

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

·         Demonstrate their communication skills

·         Write sustained, well-developed prose essays

·         Demonstrate strong research skills, utilizing Internet and print resources effectively for academic writing

·         Write a coherent and well-documented research paper

·         Write academically with regard to content and format

 

Textbooks:

 The Mercury Reader (2001 edition) Compiled by CCSJ for Rhetoric and Composition I & II

A Writer’s Reference (4th edition) Diana Hacker

 

Learning Strategies: In-class writing, Group Work, Collaborative Learning, Teacher mentoring and instruction, etc.

 

Assessment:

 Final grades will be based on many things:

a.        Oral and written performance in class

b.       Progress and improvement in writing as reflected in the student’s portfolio

c.       Fulfilling the requirements of each of the assigned forms

d.       Quizzes (if given)

e.        Handing in a substantial amount of acceptable writing   (including required revisions and rewrites)*

 

 

 **Rubrics/Criteria which define acceptable writing**

  1. Addresses the assigned topic
  2. Paper has a clear and focused thesis
  3. Main Ideas are developed logically and clearly and supports the thesis
  4. Material included is supportive and substantive, which supports both the main ideas and the thesis
  5. Paragraphing and transitions are used effectively
  6. Word choice and sentence structure and used appropriately
  7. Mechanics (grammar, punctuation, spelling) are used appropriately and effectively

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 Appropriate readings from The Mercury Reader, and A Writer’s Reference and other handouts will be assigned.  Students are expected to hand in all papers, required revisions, and do all the assigned readings.

 

All assignments must be handed in on time, or if late with a proper explanation.  Late papers will adversely affect the student’s grade.  I will not accept late papers the last week of classes.

 

All papers will be/have:

a.        typed

b.        Double-spaced

c.       Stapled

d.        Done in size 12 Times New Roman only

e.       One inch margins

f.         A cover page with student’s name, paper form and date turned in

g.        Form of paper typed as title on p. 1 of paper

 

Papers not done in this format will not be accepted.

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 In accordance with English program policy, any student missed more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F.  These nine hours include 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.

 

Grading Scale:

Letter grades will be assigned according to the student’s fulfilling the requirements above.  (See Assessment, Class Policy for Assignments, and Class Policy on Attendance.)

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, etc.  It is disruptive to have them going off during class.  If there is an important reason why you must have your phone or beeper turned on (e.g. illness at home, work situation), please inform me before class begins.

 

Course Outline:

 

Forms and Assignments:

 Unit I                    Writing Evaluation: Personal Paper

                                                Focus: Basic writing skills

 

                                Paper I                   Narrative                              4 typed pages

 

 

Unit II                    Writing Evaluation: Academic Paper

                                                Focus: Introduction, thesis, substantive, supportive material, and conclusion

 

                                Paper II                  Comparison/Contrast                4 typed pages

 

                                Paper III                 Cause-Effect                      4 typed pages

 

                                Paper IV                 Persuasive                            4 typed pages

 

Unit III                   Rewrite/Revision

                                                Focus: Developing paper’s content and structure, polishing one’s writing

                                Paper V                  Revision of former paper

 

                                Paper VI                 Second revision or revision of former paper

 

                                Paper VII            Revision (if necessary)

 

Unit IV                   In-class writing assignment

                                                Focus: Learning to write in-class essays, evaluation of writing skills

 

                                Paper VIII           In-class assignment (practice)

 

                                Paper IX                                In-class essay (requirement to demonstrate writing competency)

 

Class Policy on Attendance:  In accordance with English program policy, any student missing more than nine (9) hours of class will receive an F.  These absences include excused and unexcused absences.  Please be aware absences for birthdays, sports, illness, etc., are INCLUDED in the nine hours. 

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: The college classroom is a learning environment.  Therefore, cell phones, beepers, and two-way radios are banned from my classroom.  These devices are not conducive to learning.  If there is an emergency situation, which requires you to use one, I must be made aware of it before class starts.  In the event your device goes off, you will be asked to leave the classroom for that day, and given an absence. 

 

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)

 

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. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal 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.

 

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).