SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC & COMPOSITION I

 

Term:  Fall -2003, (September 2-December 12)

Course Number:  ENG 103

Instructor:  Ms. Linda Richards

Home phone:  219-548-8244

E-mail:  alundyne@comcast.net

Office Hours:                        Tuesday 12:45-1:45

                        Friday                        12:45-1:45

                        And by appointment

 

Course Time: Tuesday and Friday              8:50-10:30

                        10:40-12:00

 

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 oral presentations and reading.  Individual grammatical problems are addressed.   This course must be taken in the student's first semester at the College.

 

Prerequisites: NONE

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

·        Demonstrate their communication skills

·        Demonstrate a strong, clear voice in writing

·        Demonstrate writing skills, especially writing substantive, coherent and organized essays

·        Identify the differences between personal and academic writing

·        Employ technology as it relates to writing essays and papers

 

Textbooks:

 

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

A Writer’s Reference (4th edition or 5th edition) Diana Hacker

Black Boy Richard Wright

 

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.      handing in any and all rewrites as required by instructor

e.       quizzes (if given)

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

g.       passing the end of course competency writing essay

 

A rubric for acceptable writing is found at the end of the syllabus.  The end of course competency writing essay is evaluated according to the same rubric.

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 

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 12 font in New Times 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 page 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 missing 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 listed above (See assessment and 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:

 

Appropriate readings from The Mercury Reader, Black Boy, 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.

 

Please Note:  Modifications to this syllabus may be made to meet the needs of this specific class.

 

September 2:  Unit I - Letter I

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 99-114, Reference, pages 1-22

Writing assignment:  Letter I

 

September 5:  Unit I - Letter I

Reading assignment:  Black Boy, Chapter 1, Reader, pages 28-32 & student choice, Reference, pages 81-108

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

September 9:  Unit II - Narrative (How it happens)

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 52-56, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

September 12:  Unit II - Narrative (How it happens)

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 77-91, Reference, pages 108-149, Black Boy, Chapter 2

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

September 16:  Unit III - How-to

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 92-94, 349-366 & student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

September 19:  Unit III - How-to

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 95-98, Reference, as needed, Black Boy, Chapter 3-4

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

September 23:  Unit III - How-to

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 121-129, 349-366, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 


September 26:  Unit III - How-to

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 28-289 & student choice, Reference, pages 310-377, Black Boy, Chapters 5-6

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

September 30:  Unit IV - Letter on your Behalf

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 298-301, Reference, pages 66-74, Amnesty International letter

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

October 3:  Unit IV - Letter on your Behalf

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 334-337 & student choice, Reference, as needed, Black Boy, Chapters 7-10

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

October 7:  Unit IV - Letter on your Behalf

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 302-321, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

October 10:  Unit IV - Letter on your Behalf, independent reading and writing day

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 130-131, Reference, as needed, Black Boy, Chapters 11-13

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

            Individual conferences and rewrites of papers will occur after the completion of Unit IV papers

 

October 14:  Unit V - Comparison and Contrast

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 133-135, 144-146, 160-169 & student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

October 17:  Unit V - Comparison and Contrast

Reading assignment:  Reference, as needed, Black Boy, Chapters 14-16

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

October 21:  Unit V - Comparison and Contrast

Reading assignment:  Reader, student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

October 24:  Unit V - Comparison and Contrast

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 195-199, Reference, as needed,  Black Boy, Chapters 17-18, to page 342

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 


October 28:  Unit VI - Cause-Effect

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 200-220, MLK essay & student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

October 31:  Unit VI - Cause-Effect

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 219-224, Reference, as needed, Black Boy, Chapters 18, page 343-20

Writing assignment:  notate readings, unit essay

 

November 4:  Unit VI - Cause-Effect

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 257-261, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

November 7:  Unit VII - Persuasive

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 322-327 & student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

November 11:  Unit VII - Persuasive

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages 302-321, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

November 14:  Unit VII - Persuasive, independent reading and writing day

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages & student choice, Reference, as needed

 

November 18:  Unit VIII - Competency Paper

 

November 21:  grading for competency paper.  No class.

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages & student choice, Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  Persuasive unit essay

 

November 25:  Unit VIII paper return and discussion

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages Reference, as needed

 

December 2:  Unit IX                        Summary

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

December 5:  Unit IX                        Summary

Reading assignment:  Reader, pages Reference, as needed

Writing assignment:  unit essay

 

December 9:  Unit IX                        Summary

 

December 12:  Evaluation

 


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 classes and participate fully in the exercises, as well as doing all the required writing.  (Also see section above on Attendance Policy.)

 

 

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.

 

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)  Please be aware that your paper may be submitted for examination for plagiarism to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism-check Internet company with which the college has contracted.

 

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. 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).

 

RUBRIC/CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTABLE WRITING:

English 103

 

Students will write a clear, well-organized academic essay that

 

A.      contains a clear and focused thesis

B.     addresses the assigned topic in a logical progression that supports the thesis

C.     includes substantive material to support the thesis and main ideas

D.     possesses relevant introduction and conclusion

E.      maintains clear focus

F.      uses appropriate paragraphing and transitions

G.  uses appropriate diction and sentence structure

G.     demonstrates an awareness of the conventions of grammar, punctuation and spelling