ENGLISH 1301 Sections 014 & 017 Instructor: Lacy Davis Email: [email protected] Office: Communications 103D Office Hours: MTWR 8:30-9:30, MW 12:15-1:00, F 9:00-noon, and Phone: 716-2733 by appointment Catalog Course Description This course includes a grammar review and a study of the principles of good writing, methods of paragraph and theme development, frequent essays, and readings in literature and the other humanities. Scope/Purpose The purpose of English 1301 is to help students understand and apply the standards of correctness in formal thought and the written English language. English 1301 helps students to think well by teaching them to read and write well through its focus on the writing process, on the use of appropriate grammar and diction, on the use of logic, and on the different methods of essay development. Collateral readings from all areas of the humanities are included. Required Texts - Kirszner and Mandell. Patterns for College Writing. 11th Ed. Bedford/St.Martin’s. - Hacker. A Writer’s Reference. 6th Ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s. Requirements 1. Students will write a minimum of eight essays, including the final exam; these essays will be graded according to the standards set forth in this policy statement. 2. Students will read short stories, poems, and essays from all areas of the humanities, will participate in class discussions of the readings, and will be tested over their understanding of the readings through quizzes, examinations, and/or written assignments. 3. Individual instructors may require additional writing assignments including, but not limited to, resumes, business letters, homework or reaction papers, and journal entries. 4. Individual instructors may also require quizzes or examinations covering, but not limited to, grammar, reading assignments, logic, and rhetorical modes. Instructional Objectives By the end of the course, the student should be able - to understand writing as a process: that is, writing conceived as a connected and interactive process which includes pre-writing, writing, and revision; - to apply the principles of writing as a process and the analysis of audience and purpose to writing assignments; - to write an essay that follows the principles of unity and coherence and that is appropriately developed by means of narration, description, illustration, definition, process analysis, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, classification and division, argumentation, and/or persuasion; - to write an essay in standard English, the criteria for standard English being those described in A Writer’s Reference; - and to understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking in the development of exposition and argument. Assessment and Grading Papers: All papers – including drafts, style checks, edited copies, and final copies – are due on the dates assigned on the syllabus. No essay will be accepted without the prewriting exercises, rough drafts, and editing sheets. Ten (10) points will be deducted for each class day that the final paper is late unless you have received prior approval. Quizzes and Exams: Announced and unannounced quizzes (daily exercises may also count as quizzes) will be given throughout the semester. There will be no make-ups for daily quizzes or exercises. A student must be present to receive credit for exercises graded as quizzes. Major assignments may be made up only at the instructor’s discretion and only if you have discussed in advance the situation with the instructor. Deadlines for turning in your work are firm. Major course assignments will be accepted late; however, late course assignments will receive a 10-point deduction from the assigned grade for every day it is late. Late course assignments will be accepted up to 10 days beyond the due date. If extenuating circumstances will prevent you from handing a paper in on time, talk to me before the paper is due to make arrangements. No late homework/quizzes/in-class participation assignments will be accepted. Informal in-class writing assignments and quizzes cannot be made up. Your grade for the semester will be determined as follows:Grading Breakdown Grade Scale Quizzes/Daily Activities 10% 90 - 100% A Journals/In-class essays 15% 80 - 89% B Essay #1 10% 70 - 79% C Essay #2 10% 60 – 69% D Essay #3 10% less than 60% F Essay #4 10% Essay #5 10% Final Exam 15% Participation 10% Total 100% Attendance Policy In accordance with university policy, students may be dropped from classes, at the discretion of the professor, due to excessive absences. All absences, excused and unexcused, are included in this count. After your 4th absence, you will be dropped from the class with an F. Students are responsible for dropping themselves. However, since this is a student-oriented class, your regular attendance is essential. With each absence, your participation grade will be impacted. If you are not prepared for workshop assignments, you may be asked to leave class and will be charged with an absence. If you must be absent, be sure to contact the instructor and another class member for any changes in the syllabus so that you can be prepared for the next class meeting. Failure to appear without prior notification at required conferences will constitute an absence. Class begins promptly. Two tardies will constitute an absence. Additional Policies and Procedures Smart phones, tablets, iPods, and all other unauthorized electronic devices are disruptive to students in class and are not permitted for use. Please turn off these electronic devices before coming into the classroom. If your device causes disruptions in class, you may be asked to leave class. The use of laptop computers is also prohibited in class. If you have any reason why you feel you should be allowed to use a laptop in class, please come see me. Permission will be granted on an individual basis. If I see you texting, using an iPod, talking on a cell phone, etc., during class time, you will be assigned an unexcused absence without any notification. This means that I will not mention this to you in class. TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BEFORE CLASS BEGINS! Academic Integrity – Plagiarism and Cheating “It is the aim of the faculty of South Plains College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high