English 1301: Composition I Policy Statement Spring 2011 Instructor: Linda McGann Office: CM 103C Office Phone: 894- 9611, ext. 2446 Email Address: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 1:00- 2:00 Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 – 9:30 Friday: 8:00- 11:00, and by appointment Contacting the Instructor: In order of preference and dependability: In person during office hours and by appointment By email at [email protected]. This is always accessible. By phone at 894- 9611, ext. 2446. 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. Course Goals/Objectives: By the end of the course, a student should be able: to understand writing as a process; that is, writing conceived as a connected and interactive process which includes prewriting, 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, comparison and contrast, classification and division, argumentation and/or persuasion; to write an essay in Standard English; to understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking in the development of exposition and argument. Required Text: Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide, 11th ed. by Kirszner and Mandell Selected Readings available through WebCT Student Responsibilities: To attend class regularly. To arrive for class on time. To show courtesy to fellow classmates as well as the instructor. To ask the instructor for help whenever assistance is needed regarding assignments. To show maturity and professionalism in preparation of assignments, and in classroom behavior. To earn daily grades, the average of which will equal at least one essay grade, and which will require prompt and regular attendance. There will be NO opportunity to make up this work, nor will students be allowed to hand this work in late. To read assignments from all areas of the humanities, to participate in class discussions concerning these readings, and to prepare to be tested over comprehension of these readings through daily quizzes as necessary. To write shorter assignments in class and to fully participate in peer editing. Instructor Responsibilities: To be on time and prepared for class. To present the lecture and discussion materials in the clearest and most understandable manner possible. To treat all students fairly, and with courtesy.To be available during office hours, and for conferences by appointment, as well as through email and voice mail. (Please note: email will be answered during office hours; voice mail is less reliable.). Please do not leave phone messages asking me to return your call. To provide help by request to any student as needed during the semester. To return graded assignments as quickly as possible. To keep students informed of their grades as the semester progresses. Semester Grade Composition: Six Essays 700 points Daily Work Average 100 points Participation Grade 100 points Final Exam 100 points Total Possible Points 1000 points A = 1000 – 900 pts; B = 899 – 800; C = 799 – 700; D = 699 – 600; F = 599 and below. Any student who fails to turn in any one of the major assignments cannot pass the course, regardless of the average of the student’s other grades. Daily Grades: This grade is the average of all the daily work assignments including but not limited to reading comprehension quizzes, writing exercises, vocabulary quizzes, rough drafts, and peer reviews. As revision is crucial to effective composition, rough drafts and peer review grades tend to be weighted quite heavily. Participation: Attendance and participation in class discussion determine this grade. Essay grades: Over the course of the semester, students will hand in six major writing assignments. These include the following: A one page descriptive essay A two page narration essay A two to three page process analysis essay A two to three page definition paper (possible group effort) A two to three page scientific report (group effort) A two to three page Ad analysis Essay Evaluation: Essays and writing assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria: accuracy of content; use of the conventions of standard grammar; use of an appropriate method of development for the assignment; use of the principles of unity and coherence; and, use of logical, factual arguments to advance the thesis of the assignment. Grading Policy: Failure to turn in any essay or take the final examination, if required, will result in automatic failure of the course. Essays handed in late require prior authorization from the instructor. A full letter grade (10 points) will be deducted for each day a major writing assignment is late. This does include days the class typically does not meet and weekend days. Those essays that are to be written in class must not be written out of class and merely submitted at the appropriate time. Daily work and rough drafts are due as noted on the class calendar or as announced in class. Late daily work or rough drafts will not be accepted. All final essay drafts must be typed or computer generated. Also, final drafts must be double spaced and produced in Times New Roman font. Font size should be no larger or smaller that size 12. Set margin widths to 1”. Absence Policy Punctual and regular class attendance is required of all students attending South Plains College. There are no excused absences. Students are responsible for all class work covered during absences from class, even in cases in which they are able to satisfy the instructor that the absence was unavoidable (SPC General Catalog).Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class session and a record of attendance maintained. Students with five absences may be dropped