Clarendon College

SYLLABUS for ENGL 1301, Section 102, MWF 9:00 a.m.

English Composition and Rhetoric I

Spring 2009, 3 semester hours

 

INSTRUCTOR: Jimidene Murphey


OFFICE: Room 110, Phone: 806-874-4830 (direct line).  However, best bet to catch me is to E-mail me at: jimidene.murphey@clarendoncollege.edu. I check email and WebCT at least once a day.

 

OFFICE HOURS:  MW 1:00-4:00 p.m.    and    TTh 9:00-9:30, 11:00-12:00, and 2:30-3:00

 

My office hours are posted on our Clarendon College Web site under Instructional Programs. I will also have several hours each week available for on-line “office hours,” using WebCT. Office hours include responses to email and assigned discussion postings throughout the semester.

CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES:

Classes Begin

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Late Registration Begins

Tuesday, Jan. 13 

Last Day to Register and/or Add/Drop

 Thursday, Jan. 22

12th Class Day

Wednesday, Jan. 28

Last Day to Drop with a 'W'

Thursday, April 9

Good Friday

Friday, April 10

Spring Break

Monday-Saturday, March 16-21

Pre-Registration for Summer and Fall 2009

Tuesday, April 14

Commencement

Friday, May 8

Final Exams

Saturday-Thursday, May 9-14

Final grades due at 10:00 a.m.  and dorms close

Friday, May 15

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: It is my belief that students who take the responsibility for learning will learn the most.  What you learn in this course will come primarily from these sources: textbook exercises, assignments, electronic bulletin board postings from other students and me, and email messages from other students and me. If you ever need extra help, remember that I am only a phone call or an email message away.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of principles of effective writing through analysis of sentence structure, paragraph organization, and theme development.  Includes analysis of model paragraphs and essays, essay writing, assigned library reading, and individual conferences.

 

COURSE PURPOSES:  English Composition and Rhetoric I partially satisfies the requirements for the Associate degree at Clarendon College and is designed for transfer to a senior college.

 

COURSE VALUE:  Ability to communicate across the curriculum; ability to interpret what is read and to accept or reject ideas projected from that reading; designed to fulfill the requirements of the core curriculum.

 

REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

·         Blau and Burak.  Writing in the Works, Boston:  Haughton Mifflin, 2007.

·         Glazier, Teresa Ferster, Carol Friend, and Laura Knight.  The Least You Should Know about Vocabulary.  5th ed.  Boston:  Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.

·         YOU WILL NEED ABOUT 10 SCANTRONS FOR THIS COURSE.  You can get these at the Student Services office.

·         3-ring binder with looseleaf notebook paper.  When we do in-class writing, I WILL NOT ACCEPT TORN-OUT SPIRAL NOTEBOOK PAPER!

·         Dictionary - e.g. The American Heritage Dictionary, Webster’s Collegiate (optional but recommended)

I will not let you in class without your textbooks, binder and notebook paper, Scantrons, and pen!  I will stick to this!

 

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Lecture (comments and explanations of the topics), PowerPoint presentations, online chats and bulletin board assignments.

 

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course the student will

1.     demonstrate the writing process through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing

2.     demonstrate the ability to write for an audience as specified

3.     demonstrate the ability to use different modes of expression in writing—narration, description, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, process analysis, and argument/persuasion

4.     demonstrate the ability to write analytical paragraphs or essays over reading assignments

5.     demonstrate the ability to discuss reading assignments

6.     develop the ability to use writing and analytical skills across the curriculum


Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities. You should expect to acquire these abilities only if you honor all course policies, attend classes regularly, complete all assigned work in good faith and on time, and meet all other course expectations of you as a student.

 

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance

Attendance in college courses is your choice. Because so much of what you will learn in this course is not found in the textbooks, however, it is very important that you attend all classes if you want to be successful. Therefore, a portion of your grade for this course is for attendance (see Grading Policies below). From time to time we will have “surprise events” (pop tests) for daily grades.  These surprise events are not only to determine if you have read the material for the day, but also act as an attendance monitor.  If you aren’t in class to take the pop test with the rest of the class, you will receive a zero for that grade, even if you were late and came in to class after the pop test was over.  I will check with the dean to see who will be out because of official school events. These zeros cannot be made up, but I will drop the lowest grade on daily work.

 

Even if you are gone on a school-sponsored activity, it is still your responsibility to turn your work in on time. I WILL NOT TAKE MAJOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS OR HOMEWORK LATER THAN THE DAY THEY ARE DUE!!!  All major assignments are posted in WebCT for each day, so even if you are to be gone for a school-sponsored event, they will be posted in plenty of time for you to do them early. AGAIN, I WILL NOT TAKE PAPERS LATE! (More about assignments under the heading “Assignments” below.)

 

Respectful Behavior
I will always show you the respect you deserve as a student. I, in return, expect respectful behavior from you. Otherwise, you will be asked to leave the classroom. The main way you show respect in the classroom is by paying attention during class time. I will not tolerate the following:

¨        sleeping

¨        talking to fellow students about things other than class work

¨        talking to fellow students when I am talking or presenting material on the projector

¨        listening to music over the headphones

¨        other similar activities.

One infraction such as this will result in my warning you verbally.  A second infraction will result our visiting the Dean of Students and your being withdrawn from the class, possibly with an “F” for serious or repeated infractions.

 

Ringing cell phones cause disruption and loss of instructional time. Please turn off all cell phones during class. If I hear a cell phone ringing in class, you will receive a zero for your daily grade for that day. AND, I’M NOT KIDDING!  If you must keep your phone on because of work or child issues, please turn it on vibrating mode.

 

Because Clarendon College endeavors to prepare you for the workplace, I do ask that you dress appropriately for class.  This translates to:  I don’t want to see underwear in class!!  It will not be acceptable in the workplace nor my class.  Outside of my class, you can dress as you please.

 

I also expect you to be on time for class.  Five minutes after class starts, I will close the door and will not open it.  If you are on a job, your employer will expect you to be on time, and again, I expect nothing less.

 

Withdrawing from the Course
If you decide that you are unable to complete this course, you must withdraw from it by the date set in the Clarendon College catalog. Withdrawal from a course is a formal procedure which you must initiate; I cannot do it for you. If you think you must withdraw from this course, please talk with me about it first. If you quit turning in assignments and do not go through the formal withdrawal procedure, you will receive an "F." Remember, I will not withdraw you from the course; only you can do that.

You are permitted to drop a course if you obtain an official drop slip from the office and I have signed the slip before the 12th class week. 

Withdrawal from College

When a student finds it necessary to withdraw from school before the end of the semester, he or she should obtain a withdrawal form from the Office of Student Services. Students may also withdraw from the college by sending a written request for such action to the Registrar’s Office. The request must include the student’s signature, the student’s current address, social security number and course information details. Students who withdraw after the census date for the semester and on or before the end of the 12th week of a long semester, or on or before the last day to drop a class of a term as designated in the college calendar will be assigned a grade of “W.”

Remember, you are only allowed to drop the same class twice before you will be charged triple the tuition amount for taking the class a third time or more.  Furthermore, beginning with the Fall 2007 semester, students in Texas may only drop a total of 6 courses throughout their entire undergraduate career.  After the sixth class, you will no longer be able to withdraw from any classes.

 

Academic Dishonesty
School
Policy:  “Failure to comply with lawful direction of a classroom instructor is a disruption for all students enrolled in the class. Cheating violations include, but are not limited to: (1) obtaining an examination, classroom activity, or laboratory exercise  by stealing or collusion; (2) discovering the content of an examination, classroom activity, laboratory exercise, or homework assignment  before it is given; (3) using an unauthorized source of information during an examination , classroom activity, laboratory exercise, or homework assignment ; (4) entering an office or building to obtain unfair advantage; (5) taking an examination for another person; (6) completing a classroom activity, laboratory exercise, homework assignment, or research paper for another person;  (7) altering grade records; (8) using any unauthorized  form of electronic communication device during an examination, classroom activity, or laboratory exercise;  (9) Plagiarism.  Plagiarism is the using, stating, offering, or reporting as one’s own, an idea, expression, or production of another person without proper credit (more about in the following paragraphs).

                                                    

Disciplinary actions for cheating in a course are at the discretion of the individual instructor.  The instructor of that course will file a report with the Dean of Students when a student is caught cheating in the course, whether it be a workforce or academic course.  The report shall include the course, instructor, student’s name, and the type of cheating involved.  Students who are reported as cheating to the Dean of Students more than once shall be disciplined by the Dean.  The Dean will notify all involved parties within fourteen days of any action taken.”

 

PLAGIARISM:  Read the following explanations carefully and be sure that you understand them.

 

1. Word-for-word plagiarism:  The student quotes his or her source without using quotation marks.  Even if the student cites the source, he or she is still plagiarizing because proper quotation procedures were not used.

 

2. Paraphrased plagiarism:  The student uses a source and with the exception of changing a few words or phrases essentially quotes the original.  Even if the source is properly cited, the writing is still plagiarized because the student has used the author’s style, vocabulary, and content and claimed it as his or her own.

 

3. Improper citations:  If a student uses someone’s information other than his or her own, the source of the material must be properly cited.  Failure to do so is plagiarism.

 

4. Improper use of ideas:  Ideas are as equally protected as words.  If the student uses someone’s ideas, but expresses them in his or her words, the student plagiarizes if he or she does not cite the source of the idea.

 

5. Internet use:  Copying and pasting from the Internet is plagiarism.  Purchasing papers from a paper mill is plagiarism.

 

6. Student sharing:  While students are certainly free to work together and study together, an assignment that calls for individual work must reflect the student’s personal effort.  If a student borrows or copies another student’s work, that is plagiarism.  If a student has another student write a paper, that is plagiarism.  If two students collaborate on an individual assignment and turn in the same work, that is plagiarism.

 

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.  It involves legal issues about improper use of materials that do not belong to the student.  Plagiarism is unethical.  A student must do his or her own work; otherwise, the learning process is compromised.  Plagiarism is unfair to fellow students who take the time and make the effort to do their own work.  Essentially, plagiarism is cheating and will not be tolerated.

My Policy:  Anyone who is dishonest in any way (including the following examples) will receive a zero for that category of your grade (not just the particular assignment or test) with no opportunity to make up the zero. Because tests are 60% of the grade, you cannot pass the class if you cheat on a major exam or vocabulary test. You WILL receive a grade of F for more than one violation.  In addition to the above, I invoke my own requirements:

You are guilty of cheating on an assignment by letting someone else complete part or all of your work by

·         using unauthorized electronic devices for in-class assignments or tests

·         using someone else’s electronic files

·         letting someone else use your electronic files**

 ** It is your responsibility to protect your electronically saved files. If someone else turns in an assignment as if it were that student’s work but it is work that you completed, I will have to assume that you allowed it to happen, and both of you will suffer the same consequences. Therefore, make sure your saved files are kept in a place where others cannot copy them. DON’T SHARE DISKS!!!

 

NEVER LET ANYBODY ELSE USE YOUR COLLEGE LOGIN OR PASSWORD!  If you have a computer in your dorm room, keep it password protected! 

 

Class Changes/Notifications
If any changes are made to the class (assignments, due dates, etc.), I will try to inform you individually, especially if we don’t have class due to bad weather. 

 

Due Dates, Assignments, etc.
I handle this class much like it would be handled on a job in the "real world."  Therefore, I expect you to turn all work in by its due date. Due dates will be clearly marked beside each set of tasks. General due dates are given below under the heading Course Schedule.

 

Assignments are due as assigned.  If you are not going to be in class the day of an assignment is due, be sure that you have the assignment brought to me by class time or e-mail it to me by class time.  NOTE:  If you submit an assignment through WebCT, use only Microsoft Word, NOT Microsoft Works or WordPerfect.  AGAIN, I WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE PAPERS UNLESS UNDER THE MOST EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES. Don’t even try to email it to me late; I will just send them back to you ungraded. I will drop the lowest two daily grades.  The assignments will be posted in WebCT, and you will have plenty of time to submit assignments EARLY.

 

Daily Grades:  You will have a series of daily grades that will figure into your grade.  These daily grades will consist of pop tests over assigned textbook reading, attendance, daily exercises, or other such material.  At the end of the semester, I will average all the daily grades.  Since attendance will be one component, you simply need to be in class every day. If you don’t take a daily grade, you get a zero.  Plain and simple.  I’ll try not to schedule any daily grades when we have major events like ballgames or judging competitions out of town.

 

Tests:  You will have tests consisting of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and short answer questions and will cover only the topics we’ve discussed for that unit, i.e., the writing process, research methods, and critical analysis. If you miss a test, you will get a zero; however, I will drop the lowest test grade at the end of the semester. That includes major tests and vocabulary tests collectively; I will not drop one of each.

 

When you take tests, you are not allowed to have any electronic devices on your desk or on your person. Also, you must have both hands visible on the desk at all times.

 

Major Assignments:  Students are responsible for all assignments in this course and must satisfactorily complete all major assignments to receive a passing grade.  Outside assignments:  Outside assignments must be done on a word processor.  The MLA format must be used for all papers. I will NOT drop the lowest grade, so you MUST turn in all your major writing assignments.

 

Important!  It’s always a good idea to have more than one back-up device. Always keep two copies of your work—CC will provide incoming freshmen with “flash” drives with information already on them and to be used as back-up drives. Be very careful with these flash drives--drives carried in backpacks, purses, and pockets could easily become corrupted and unusable.  A lost, stolen, or corrupt disk or flash drive or lost or corrupt data will not be accepted as an excuse for late work.

 

Grading Procedure: The final grade in this course will be determined by the following:
Major Unit Tests and Vocabulary tests ........................................................ 60%

Major writing assignments......................................................................... 20%

Daily assignments .................................................................................... 20%

The final semester grades will be figured as set in the current catalog:
90 to 100…A            80 to 89…B               70 to 79…C        60 to 69…D     Below 60…F

 

ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT: Clarendon College provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Should you have a recognized disability and require special accommodations, you must notify either of the following individuals as soon as possible so that we can provide those accommodations: Dean of Students or your instructor.

 

COURSE CONTRACT:  The last page of this syllabus will serve as a “class contract” as far as your understanding of the course and its policies regarding assignments, tests, and all other requirements.

 

 

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE and CLASS TOPICS

(Subject to adjustments if necessary)

 

 CRQ = Critical Reading Questions                                       QWD = Questions for Writing and Discussion

 

DATES

TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Wk 1

W

Intro to course. Pre-semester grammar and punctuation test.  You will need a Scantron.

Read Chapter 16: Grammar for next class time. 

F

In-class worksheet on grammar.

Read Chapter 17: Punctuation for next class time.

Wk 2

M

Read Chapter 1: The Writer’s Process for next class time.

W

Lecture on Chapter 1 and MLA discussion.

Major writing grade to turn in Friday: MLA Template.   Refer to the MLA Assignment Handout for what to put for a heading, header, etc.  For the body, answer CRQ #1, p. 36 and CRQ #1 and 3, p. 43.

Use this template for all your homework. Before you save the above file, save it first with just the header and heading.  This way, by inserting an automatic Date & Time feature, you won’t have to change the date every time.

F

Free write in class.

Wk 3

M

Daily grade to turn in Wednesday:  Outline Chapter 1 (Refer to the “Example of Outline” handout) Finish Chapter 1 Lecture

W

Read Chapter 2:  Reading and Thinking Critically.

Lecture on Chapter 2.

F

Finish lecture on Chapter 2.

Daily grade to turn in today: Practice 2.2 (#1 and #3), Practice 2.5 (#1)

Wk 4

M

Read Chapter 3 Short Articles: Writing Exposition. Lecture Chapter 3.

Study pp. 12-25 (A through AUTO) in your vocabulary book for your test Friday.

W

Lecture Chapter 3. 

Daily grade to turn in today: Practice 3.3, 3.6, 3.7, 3.11 (#1, #2). 

Practice 3.4 in class writing.

F

Vocabulary test #1 over pages 12-25. Just bring a pencil and Scantron.

Wk 5

M

Read Chapter 4 Application Essays: Writing for a Specific Audience. Lecture Chapter 4.

Daily grade to turn in today:  CRQ #1-2 and QWD #2, p. 94

W

Major writing grade:  Prepare an application for scholarship (refer to the assignment sheet in WebCT for more instructions.)

Lecture Chapter 4.

F

Major Test: Chapters 1-4.  Just bring a pencil and Scantron.

Wk 6

M

Read Chapter 5 Memoirs: Writing a Narrative.  Lecture on Chapter 5.

Daily grade to turn in today:  Write a one-page paper detailing the single most important event in your life so far.  This event would probably have shaped your life in a dramatic way or made a large impact on the person you are today.  MLA form, with appropriate title.  

Study vocabulary words, pages 26-45 (BENE through CUR)

W

Lecture on Chapter 5.

F

Vocabulary test #2

Wk 7

M

Read Chapter 6 News Stories: Writing the Public Record. Lecture on Chapter 6.

Daily grade to turn in today:  Practice 6.4 (#1-#6).  For this exercise, just number the questions and put “full,” “partial,” or “paraphrased.”

W

Lecture on Chapter 6.

Major writing grade to turn in today:  Assignment, p. 183 (see assignment sheet for more information)

F

NO CLASS – outside assignment

Wk 8

M

Read Chapter 7 Editorials: Writing Arguments. Lecture on Chapter 7.

Study vocabulary words, pages 46-69 (DEM through GRAPH/GRAM)

W

Daily grade to turn in today:  Practice 7.2 (do all and explain WHY), 7.3, 7.4, 7.7.

F

Vocabulary test #3

Wk 9

M

Read Chapter 8 Proposals: Writing for Your Community. Lecture on Chapter 8. In-class writing: Practice 8.1 on proposals. (See assignment sheet for further instructions.)

W

Lecture on Chapter 8.

Major writing grade to turn in today: Turn in typed proposal you did with your partner.

F

Major Test: Chapters 5-8

Wk 10

M

Read Chapter 9 Public Service Messages: Writing Appeals. Lecture on Chapter 9.

In-class writing assignment: Practice 9.4

Study vocabulary words, pages 70-93 (HYPER through MORPH)

W

Lecture on Chapter 9.

Major writing assignment to turn in today:  Create your own public service message, using principles you’ve learned in this chapter (see assignment sheet for more information).

F

Vocabulary test #4

S P R I N G   B R E A K ! ! !

Wk 11

M

Read Chapter 10 Websites and Writing for Electronic Media. Lecture on Chapter 10.

W

Lecture on Chapter 10.

F

In-class activity: partners will prepare a website for this class, given the guidelines in the textbook.

Wk 12

M

Read Chapter 11 Film Reviews: Writing Evaluations. Lecture on Chapter 11.

Daily grade to turn in today: Practice 11.8, CRQ 1-7, p. 406

Study vocabulary words, pages 94-119 (PAN through SED/SID/SESS)

W

Major writing assignment to turn in today:  Visual literacy, p. 374.  Number questions as you answer them.

Lecture on Chapter 11.

F

Vocabulary test #5

Wk 13

M

Major Test: Chapters 9-11

W

Read Chapter 13 Research Articles: Analyzing Trends. Lecture on Chapter 13.

F

No class – Good Friday

Wk 14

M

Lecture on Chapter 13.

W

Lecture on Chapter 13.

F

Read Chapter 14 Research. Lecture on Chapter 14.

Wk 15

M

Lecture on Chapter 14. In-class writing assignment. Word list and instructions for comprehensive vocabulary test to be turned in Friday.

W

Lecture on Chapter 14.  Daily grade to turn in today:  Worksheet on plagiarism

F

Vocabulary comprehensive test due

Wk 16

M

Read Chapter 15 Documentation. Lecture on Chapter 15.

W

Lecture on Chapter 15.

F

Post-semester grammar and punctuation test

Wk 17

(Final) Major Test: Chapter 13-15