SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC & COMPOSITION 

 

Term: Fall (2005-1)

Course Number: ENG 105

Instructor:   Connie Wachala

 

Home Phone: (219) 922-8185

E-mail:  csowa@jorsm.com

Office Hours:   By appointment

                               

 

Instructor Background: Free lance writer  (Chicago Tribune, Times, Arts Indiana, Boundary Waters  

   Journal, Skylark).  

Sponsor of Against the Grain, CCSJ literary journal. 

Coordinator of CCSJ Author’s Night programs.

 

Course Time: Monday-Thursday 8:50-10:20 a.m.

 

Course Description: English 105 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.  

 

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

·         Write in appropriate academic, rhetorical forms

·         Employ technology as it relates to writing essays and papers

 

Textbooks:

 

Writing Essentials (Norton)

The Things They Carried  (Tim O’Brien)

 

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 or clipped

d.       done in 10/12 font in either New Times Roman or Courier News fonts ONLY

e.       one inch margins

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

g.       title on page 1 of paper

 

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:

 

Unit I                       Personal Essay

                                                Narrative and/or Letter

This essay introduces the concepts of audience, organization, and basic mechanics                                      

 

Unit II                      The Basic Academic Essay Structure/s

This essay introduces the concepts of introductions, thesis, paragraph organization and development of the main body, and conclusion                                                              

Unit III                     The Compare/Contrast Essay

 

Unit IV                    The Cause-Effect Essay

 

Unit V:                    Re-write of essay forms (rewriting of all or parts of previous essays)

 

Unit VI:                   Competency Essay (week 10)

                                                This in-class essay is evaluated by two 103 professors according to the

established rubric/criteria. The essay is based on the reading of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.  Students MUST pass this essay evaluation in order to pass English 103.  Students can redo the essay if they do not pass the first time.

 

Unit VII:                  Persuasive Essay

This essay prepares the students for English 104, teaching argumentation, research and MLA format.

 

Unit VIII:                 Re-write of Persuasive essay

 

Appropriate readings will be assigned.  Students are expected to hand in all papers, required revisions, and do all the assigned readings.               

 

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.)

 

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

 

 

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.

 

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

 

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.

 

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).

 

School Closing Information:

 

                Internet:                                               http://www.ccsj.edu

               

http://www.EmergencyClosings.com

Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph

Phone: 219.473.7770

 

                Radio:

 

WAKE – 1500 AM

WGN  - 720 AM

WIJE – 105.5 FM

WLS – 890 AM

WZVN – 107.1 FM

WBBM NEWS RADIO 78

 

                TV Channels:

 

2, 5, 7, 9, 32

 

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

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