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099 Syllabus, Morrissette, Fall 04English FundamentalsTexts and Materials Required text: Writing Voyage, Seventh Edition, by Thomas E. Tyner Necessary materials: Loose leaf paper, a good pocket dictionary, and a folder with pockets. Course Overview and GoalsThis course is designed to introduce the student to the methods and materials of academic writing. Through the use of reading journals, in-class writing exercises, homework, and essays, we will explore a variety of ways to craft an essay, take notes on reading material, and respond critically to the material we read. We will work together as a class, sharing our writing with each other, working on joint assignments, and engaging in peer review of each other’s work. Course Structure and RequirementsThis course has two components. The first is learning about the variety of essays one may write for academic purposes. Examples of these are writing from experience, writing to compare, and writing about issues. The second is identifying themes common among the various essays we read. These themes may include old age, American society, prejudices and stereotypes, and popular culture. There will be daily reading and writing exercises, four short essays (4 – 6 pages), and lots of group work. The essays may incorporate notes from your reading journals and work completed in the homework assignments into a more polished work. Time will be given for revision of these essays as it is important that they reflect your best work. Hopefully, by the end of the semester you will have engaged in some group work with every other member of the class. Group work is very important to the success of this class, and the expectation is that you will all read and respond to each other’s work in a respectful manner.
All written coursework, except in-class assignments and the reading journal, must be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around and a 12 point font size (preferably Times New Roman) with a 100% zoom. Homework assignments must be at least 1 page long with your name in the upper right-hand margin. Be sure to title homework assignments. You may title them by giving the number and name of the assignment (i.e., Assignment #1, Name Reflection). Essays must be a minimum of 4 complete (to the bottom) pages. The page requirement does not include title page. If you do not have access to a computer at home, please make use of the computer lab in Healey Library. In-class assignments and reading journals do not need to be typed up. Reading journals must be turned in every Friday with a minimum of two entries. You must save all of your writing for this course. Folders will be turned in when each final draft on an essay is due with all your work so I may review the progress you’ve made over the course of the semester. It is also important to save the assignment sheets as I may refer back to them as we progress through the semester.
All assignments must be turned in on the due date. No late assignments will be accepted. If you are absent, I must receive your assignment by email by 1:20pm the day it is due. Place the assignment in the body of the email as well as in an attachment. If I don’t receive it by then, you will receive a grade of zero.
Finally, please give credit where credit is due. The Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary defines plagiarism as “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own work” (1479). If you quote an author or use an author’s ideas, tell your reader who said it and what you think of it. Trying to pass it off as your own intellectual work is dishonest, and the university takes this very seriously, to the point of dismissal. For more on this subject, please check out the following URL: http://www.lib.umb.edu/webtutorial/module6/Module6-1.html.
Attendance Policy
The official department policy is that you are not allowed more than six absences in a MWF section. This includes sickness and documented emergencies. You will receive an absentee warning after the second absence. If there is a third absence, you are required to schedule a meeting with me to discuss your absenteeism.
A fourth absence will result in a ? grade reduction (from an A to an A-). A fifth absence will result in a half-grade reduction (from an A to a B+). A sixth absence will result in a full-grade reduction (from an A to a B)
If you walk into class during the first 10 minutes after class has started, you will be marked tardy. If you are tardy 3 times, you will receive 1 absence. If you walk into class 10 minutes late or more, you will be marked absent.
Other things that will incur an absence: making a cell phone call or answering one, reading a newspaper in class, and wearing headphones in class.
Assessment
There are six factors I will take into account regarding your grade: participation, reading journal, homework, essays, and portfolio.
Participation (10%) You must be in class in order to participate. You will be expected to participate in classroom and small group discussions. Participation in a small group is key to those of us who have anxieties about speaking in a large group setting. Lastly, and I cannot stress this enough, we will all address each other respectfully, especially when there are strong differences of opinion.
Reading Journal (10%) You will be turning in a reading journal every Friday. This journal will consist of thoughts and ideas you have on the reading assignments for the week, and these entries should help you organize your thoughts for your homework assignments. I will not be looking for neat, organized, grammatical notes. You may use double-entry notes, mapping, or whatever helps you get thoughts on paper.
Homework (30%) The assignments are designed to build one upon the other, and it is very important that homework assignments be done on time and according to the guidelines stated above. Remember, I will not accept assignments turned in late. Failure to turn an assignment in on time will result in a grade of zero. If there is a snow day, you will need to turn in assignments for all cancelled classes and the assignment due for our first day back. In-class written assignments will also be used to assess this portion of your grade, but remember, in-class writing assignments cannot be “made up” if you are absent. To be fair, there will not be unannounced in-class writing assignments.
Essays (25%) Your essays are your most “finished” work in the class. These will be critiqued, revised, proofread, and edited before you hand in the final draft. They reflect your best efforts at synthesizing the materials you have gathered over the course of each unit into one compelling paper. These must be turned in on the date they are due.
Peer Review (15%) There are five scheduled peer review days. On these days each student will read and comment on the work of several of their peers. This type of collaboration is extremely important. If you are absent on a peer review day, please make sure to email me your draft by 1:20pm of the day it is due. If you are late to class, you will be allowed to review your own paper, but I will not disrupt any of the groups to accommodate you. You will receive partial credit in this case. If you come to class with no draft, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will be marked absent.
Portfolio (10%) Your portfolio will include all of your written work for the course, and is submitted at the completion of the course. Place your essays in the right pocket of the portfolio, and homework, in-class assignments, and the reading journal in the left pocket in chronological order. The portfolio will help me assess your progress as a writer, how you have incorporated class discussions and homework assignments into your essay, and your overall achievement over the course of the semester.
Every assignment is given a grade that ranges from 0 to 10.The only time a grade of zero will be given is if the assignment is not handed in on time. The point values are as follows:
10 points: You’ve demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the reading, drawing on what the author says and your own understanding of the subject matter. You are able to debate the issues presented in the text and support your own position with examples. 9 points: You’ve demonstrated a solid understanding of the reading, and are able to connect your own experience to that of the author’s. While you may point out differences between your perspective and the author’s, the argument in favor of your perspective is weak or non-existent. 8 points: You’ve demonstrated that you understand the context of the text. You point to examples from the reading and you bring some of your own understanding of the subject matter to the assignment. 7 points: You may be having difficulty in one or several areas. Read my comments closely (you may also ask to meet with me), revise the paper (you may want to see the tutor), and submit the revision (with the original) to me within two weeks. 5 points: You do not appear to understand the assignment. Please meet with me or the tutor to discuss the assignment and what we can do to aid your progress in the course. You will need to revise the assignment. 0 points: You failed to turn in the assignment.
Your final letter grade will reflect how well you have met the course requirements and how you have developed as a writer, reader, and thinker during the course. This development will occur naturally if you participate in the work for the course.
Other Information
You can reach me by email, telephone, or by stopping by my office during office hours. If something unexpected comes up that will make you late or absent from class, please telephone me or send me a message ahead of time.
I am available during office hours or by appointment. You may ask the tutor for assistance if you think you need such assistance. If I think you are in need of tutorial help, I will request that you meet with the tutor. The university offers support for students in their academic work (tutoring, study skills workshops, academic counseling) through the Office of Academic Support (OAS) on the 1st floor of the Campus Center. The OAS telephone number is 617-287-6550. Tutoring for this course is not available through OAS because we already have an assigned tutor.
Curriculum modifications and adaptations can be made for students with documented disabilities. Students who need adaptations should inform me and should contact the Ross Center at 617-287-7430, or by dropping by the office on the 1st floor of the McCormack building.
The daily requirements of our curriculum may seem demanding, but the objective is to cultivate self-reliance within academic settings. What’s most important to the success of this course is a mind open to exploration and discovery. I look forward to working with you this semester. Overview of Units
Our classes during the first week will consist of an assessment essay, introductions, and going over the course syllabus.
We will cover four of the six units in our text book. They are as follows:
Unit 1 Writing from Experience September 13 – October 4 The final draft of the essay will be due October 4.
Unit 3 Writing About Opinions October 6 – October 27 The final draft of the essay will be due October 27.
Unit 4 Writing to Compare October 29 – November 17 The final draft of the essay will be due November 17.
Unit 4 Writing About Issues November 19 – December 13 The final draft of the essay will be due November 13.
Our last class, December 15, will consist of closing remarks and course evaluation.
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