Engl1301_all_Lewter_SP12 English 1301, sections 200, 201, 202 Composition I Policy Statement Spring 2012 Instructor: Dr. S.M. Lewter Office: Reese, Building 3, Room 318-A Office Phone: 894-9611 ext. #4030. Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 12:15-2:15 Friday: I am in class teaching from 9:00-12:00. No office hours unless by appointment. Scope and Purpose of the Course: to help students understand and apply standards of correctness in formal thought and the written English language. This course 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: Patterns for College Writing. Laurie Kirszner, Stephen Mandell. 11th Ed. Materials: Please purchase a three ring binder to hold all handouts and papers. Also get a USB port/flash drive to store all work from the computer. The lab computer hard drives will not store your writing. Course Goals/Objectives: By the end of English 1301, the student will have written the five 500 word essays (plus paper trail) which reflect proficiency in the following: 1. Critical thinking and problem solving Use of proper audience, purpose and subject Appropriate topic, tone and style Appropriate logic, structure, focus and coherence Strong, concrete and developed writing Effective use of peer editing/instructor comments Effective revision2. Creativity In topic, diction, tone, style, development Group work and class discussion 3. Communication/Collaboration Through writing Through student/teacher, student/student interaction 4. Leadership. Personal Responsibility, Honesty and Integrity Regular, prompt attendance Preparation, participation in all phases Avoiding collaboration, plagiarism Respectful behavior towards all Students’ work is evaluated by means of A, B, C, D, and F: Superior, Good, Average, Poor, and Unacceptable. Numerical guides are assigned for convenience in averaging grades only. Essays and writing assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1. Use of conventional standard of grammar (mechanics). 2. Use of the appropriate method of development and organization. 3. Use of the principles of unity and coherence in sentence structure and diction. 4. Use of logical, factual arguments to advance the thesis of the assignment (central idea and support). 5. Appropriate assignment criteria as specified in class. Semester Grades will be determined by the following percentages: Writing: 5 formal essays plus complete paper trail will be required. Each of the five counts 10% of final grade. These essays contain a minimum of 500 words (not to exceed 525) and are accompanied by a paper trail. All five essays plus paper trail must be turned in to receive a passing grade at the end of the semester. Failure to do so results in a failing grade for the semester. The paper trail for these essays must be generated primarily in class. Students will be asked to turn in in-class writing as papers are drafted. 50%Class participation points are awarded for grammar worksheets, in-class writing, peer critiques, and quizzes. To do well, this area above requires steadfast attendance. 30% Exam I: an exam based on an understanding of the reading of assigned chapters and essays in the text plus the grammar covered in class. 10% Exam II: based on understanding the reading of assigned chapters after midterm and the grammar covered for the entire semester. 10% Total = 100% Attendance: A roll sheet will be circulated the first ten minutes of each class meeting. It is student’s responsibility to sign it at the beginning of class. Those not on the roll will not be recorded present for the class day. Being late for class on a regular basis is not tolerated. After student is tardy three times, an absence will be assigned for the fourth tardy and for every one thereafter. Punctual and regular attendance is required of all students attending SPC. Students are responsible for all class work covered during an absence upon their return to class and should either consult Blackboard site or consult a classmate for assignment before returning to class. “Punctual and regular class attendance is required of all students attending SPC. There are no excused absences” (SPC Student Guide). College policy establishes this instructor’s policy. “When an unavoidable reason for a class absence arises, such as illness, an official activity, the instructor may permit the student to make up work missed” (Student Guide). This instructor will not excuse more than three documented absences. Written documentation from doctors etc. must be provided to get an absence excused. Students in this course cannot make up quizzes. If there are circumstances that keep students from attending class on a regular basis, best policy is to drop the class and take it at a later time when a better opportunity with less interference presents itself. Be sure to consult the Student Guide or SPC Catalog for details concerningenrollment or financial aid complications that can arise as a result of excessive absenteeism. This instructor is “required to notify the Office of Student Services when the student has missed the equivalent of 2 weeks, excluding holidays” (SPC Catalogue 21). “Whenever absences become excessive and, in the instructor’s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to absences” that student will be withdrawn from the course and given a grade of X or F depending on work attributed to the student up to last day of attendance. In this course, the drop policy is this: “minimum course objectives cannot be met” when a student misses the equivalent of 2 weeks of class, or six unexcused absences for Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes and four absences for Tuesday/Thursday classes consecutively or randomly. On the next absence after student absences total 2 weeks, that student will be dropped from the course if he/she does not withdraw from the course. For your information: “Instructors are responsible for clearly stating their…drop policy in the…syllabus, and