ENG 1101—Spring 2008

Prerequisite:  Admission to NGCSU

 

Instructor:  Todd Campbell

Office Phone:  706-864-1435

Office:  227 Barnes Hall

E-mail:  tcampbell@ngcsu.edu

Office Hours:  MWF 9:05-10:00, TTh 3:55-5:20; by appt.

Web:  radar.ngcsu.edu /~tcampbell/index.htm

 

Required Texts:

1.  Buscemi, Santi V. and Charlotte Smith.  75 Readings Plus, 7th edition.  Boston:  McGraw Hill, 2004.  ISBN:  0-07-246545-X

NOTE :  The following texts are also required for ENG 1102

2.  Lunsford, Andrea L., Ed.  The St. Martin's Handbook, 6th edition.  Boston:  Bedford/St. Martins, 2008.  ISBN:  0-312-44315-3.

3.  The American Heritage Dictionary or a reliable collegiate dictionary

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A composition course focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills.        

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the writing process by studying and practicing several kinds of writing:  expository, analysis, and argumentation.  Students will demonstrate logic, coherence, organization, development, and clarity of written material.  Students will use appropriate grammar, diction, punctuation and mechanics.

 

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: During the first week of the semester, students will write an in-class diagnostic essay, which will be graded but which will not count toward the course grade.  All ENGL 1101 students will write 5000 words(roughly 15 pages) during the semester of evaluated writing.  Assignments will be distributed evenly throughout the semester and will demand exposition, analysis, and/or argumentation.  If revision is a part of the 5000 words, it must be truly revision–a “rethinking what you have written” (67)–and not just edited or rewritten versions of earlier pages.  There will be a significant research component to the 1101 class, including both the discussion of research methods and an assignment (or assignments) that reflect application of those methods. The assignments might include, but are not limited to, an annotated bibliography, a library project, and/or a documented essay.  A minimum of two of the assignments will be in-class essays, requiring students to demonstrate single-draft writing skills required by Regents’ essay testing.  In addition, the final examination will include a two-hour in-class essay.  Students will also be given frequent reading assignments and may be given tests on reading assignments as well as on grammar and punctuation.

 

EVALUATION:  The course grade is largely determined by performance on the various writing assignments, tests, and homework assignments.  Final essays will count no more than one-third of the final grade.  Class participation will also be graded.

 

Written Assignments

Exposition/Analysis paper (20%)

You will choose a topic or issue and write a 6-9 page expository/analytical paper that explains and analyzes that topic using any or all of the following methods of analysis or modes of discourse:  compare-contrast, illustration, definition, sequence/process analysis, causal analysis, analogy, and classification.  You will be required to use three to five researched sources for this assignment, properly documented in MLA format.  The sources must be highly reputable from a magazine, a scholarly journal, a book, or some other source approved by the instructor.  No Web sites or Web pages.  Three full bibliographies will be included:  one in MLA, one in APA, and one in either Chicago, or CSE/CBE.  Style Workshops will assist in documentation.

 

Persuasive paper (15%)

You will write a 4-6 page persuasive/argumentative "Letter to the Editor" which voices your opinion on the topic researched for the first paper.  Your letter will be sent to an appropriate publication or audience of your choosing, so include all necessary contact information.  You will also need to continue impeccable proofreading because the instructor will not make any corrections to the final draft; make sure you present yourself appropriately.

 

Paper Drafts (15%)

The goal of this course is to improve each student's writing skills in preparation for a successful college career.  Writing is a process filled with constant revision and, ideally, numerous drafts; drafts are a VITAL part of the writing process!  As a result, drafts will count roughly one-third of the papers' grades.  All drafts must be typed; handwritten drafts will not be accepted.

 

In-Class Essays (20%)

NGCSU prides itself on its success on the Essay portion of the Regents’ Test which every public college student must take by the time he or she has earned 45 hours towards graduation.  In the spirit of the Regents’ test, you will participate in three to four in-class essays in which you will write a 2-3 page essay which addresses one of the topics given on that particular day.  You will have roughly one hour for the assignment and will be allowed to use a dictionary during the last 15 minutes of the allotted time.  Blue or black pen is required for all in-class essays.

 

Other Assignments

Tests:(15%)

Tests will take on a variety of formats and will cover a wide range of material from lecture topics to class discussions of readings to grammar/documentation skills.

 

Class Participation:(5%)

Students are expected to put forth 100% effort in every activity, whether in the classroom or out of the classroom; learning is not a spectator sport.  As a result, students will receive a grade for every class work/homework assignment, effort in class discussions, attitude towards classmates, etc.

 

Final Exam:(10%)  The final exam, per department definition, will consist of a two-hour in-class essay.

 

Students will receive significant feedback concerning their academic performance and grades prior to March 3, the last day to withdraw from class with a grade of “W.”

 

Grading Scale

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=0-59

**You must earn a grade of C or higher in this course to take English Composition II.**

 

How can I get . . . ?

Often students ask how they can get a certain grade in the class, but they are not satisfied with my answer, so I thought I would provide a more concrete guideline.  These suggestions do NOT guarantee a grade, but following these suggestions will increase your chances for success.

 

A

attend at least 4 tutoring sessions in the Writing Center and at least 2 conferences with me.

B

attend at least 3 tutoring sessions in the Writing Center and at least 2 conferences with me.

C

attend at least 2 tutoring sessions in the Writing Center and at least 1 conference with me.

D

attend at least one tutoring session in the Writing Center and at least 1 conference with me.

F

attend NO tutoring sessions and do NOT conference with me.

 

FORMAT GUIDELINES FOR ENGLISH 1101 ESSAYS

The format of most out-of-class papers will follow MLA guidelines.  In essence, you must use white 8 ˝ x 11 paper, Times New Roman 12 regular font, one-inch margins all around, and black ink.  All text must be double-spaced.  For more details regarding document design, consult Harbrace 171-177.

 

MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF ENGLISH 1101

The faculty of English has approved the following minimal standards for passing English 1101.  Students must demonstrate their ability to

1.      Compose first-year level essays that are logical, engaging, and informative;

2.      Develop essays that include a controlling idea or thesis, provide adequate supportive evidence, and make use of effective organization;

3.      Demonstrate and apply an understanding of basic rhetorical concepts including ethos, pathos, and logos, and the relationship among audience, purpose, and context;

4.      Compose both single-draft and multi-draft essays, using prewriting, drafting, and revision, as well as editing;

5.      Cite and document material taken from sources;

6.      Construct clear, precise, grammatically correct sentences, using Standard Edited American English, and avoiding awkward phrasing and errors, including but not limited to the following: fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences, subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent disagreement, faulty pronoun reference, misuse of possessives, and misspellings.

[Note:  Achievement above the minimal passing level of C results from exceeding minimum expectations in terms of essay development and quality of content.]

 

Learning Outcomes and Standards

In addition to the minimal requirements, this class has been designed to meet the following Learning Outcomes and Standards:

 

NGCSU General Education Outcomes 1-3: (1) The student will communicate effectively using multiple literacies and forms of expression; (2) The student will demonstrate analytic, contextual, and holistic thinking; and (3) The student will engage in integrative learning.

 

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia’s Common Student Learning Outcomes for the Core Curriculum 1 and 3: (1) Communications: Oral and written communication will be characterized by clarity, critical analysis, logic, coherence, persuasion, precision, and rhetorical awareness; and (3) Cultural and Social Perspectives: Cultural and social perspective will be characterized by cultural awareness and an understanding of the complexity and dynamic nature of social/political/economic systems; human and institutional behavior, values, and belief systems; historical and spatial relationship; and, flexibility, open-mindedness, and tolerance.

 

Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) Information Literacy Outcomes 1-5: (1) Know, (2) Access, (3) Evaluate, (4) Use, (5) Ethics.

 

NCTE AND NCATE  STANDARDS

This class has been designed to meet NCTE standards 3-9, 11 and 12:  (3) Students will apply various strategies of comprehension; (4) they will practice active and effective communication; (5) they will employ a range of writing strategies; (6) they will apply detailed knowledge of language conventions; (7) they will conduct focused research; (8) they will use technological and information resources; (9) they will understand and respect linguistic diversity; (11) they will participate in literacy communities; (12) they will use language to accomplish their own purposes.  Also, this course meets NCATE standards 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.

 

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards 3.1-3.4: (3.1) Candidates demonstrate knowledge of, and skills in the use of, the English language; (3.2) Candidates demonstrate knowledge of the practices of oral, visual, and written literacy; (3.3) Candidates demonstrate their knowledge of reading processes; and (3.4) Candidates demonstrate knowledge of different composing processes.

 

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

Academic Integrity:  To plagiarize is to use another’s words or ideas as if they were your own.  The St. Martin's Handbook notes that you must document all the following material derived from sources: direct quotations, summaries or paraphrases of material; ideas, illustrations, tables, graphs, and charts; and public electronic and personal communication (282-283). To avoid problems, please read chapters 13-16 of The St. Martin's Handbook.

            You are also responsible for reading and following the guidelines on plagiarism presented in the North Georgia College & State University Undergraduate Bulletin: “Academic Integrity Policy” (81-84). The student who plagiarizes will be given a zero for the assignment, typically an F for the class, and should expect disciplinary action by the college.

 

Absence and Withdrawals: To allow for illness and other unforeseeable misfortunes, a student may be permitted a limited number of absences. If a student’s absences exceed 14% of the scheduled classes, the instructor may drop the student from the class with a “WF.” Since this class meets for 42 days, students are allowed only 6 absences; upon the 7th absence, a student will be dropped from the course.  At the discretion of the professor, a student is allowed a make-up examination or essay only for valid and documented reasons (e.g. sickness). If a student misses an essay or examination without a documented excuse, the student will receive a grade penalty (usually a “0”). Foreseeable problems must be discussed with the instructor before the absence.  Any absence on a Writing Group work day will count as two absences.

 

Late Assignments: Late work is defined as any work which the instructor receives AFTER the end of class time.  Late work will be accepted only under the requirements set forth under the Absences section.  Note:  Computers sometimes crash or get viruses or won’t print, so make sure you have at least two copies of your papers:  one copy on your computer and the other on removable storage, be it a portable hard drive or a CD backup.  Print your paper out EARLY if at all possible.  You may e-mail your papers to me; however, if your e-mail does not reach me or you have forgotten to attach the assignment, your paper will be considered late and will be promptly deleted if received after the due time.  Any work left under my door will be recycled if I receive it after the end of class on the due date.

 

Incompletes:  Incompletes are awarded only when a student is doing satisfactory work but, for non-academic reasons beyond the student’s control, is unable to meet the full requirements of the course.

 

Equal Access:  Disabilities and Accommodations.  North Georgia College and State University is committed to equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities.  If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources.  In this case, contact Elizabeth McIntosh, Coordinator, Student Disability Resources at 122 Barnes Hall, 867-2782. E-mail:  emcintosh@ngcsu.edu.

 

Class Evaluations:  Class evaluations at NGCSU are now conducted on-line through BANNER.  Evaluation of the class is considered a component of the course, and students will not be permitted to access their course grade until the evaluation has been completed.   The evaluations will be accessible beginning one week prior to Final Exam week.  Specific instructions will be made available when the surveys are activated.

 

RESOURCES

The Writing Center:  North Georgia has a staffed Writing Center in Dunlap 111.  Writers working at any level and at any stage of the writing process are encouraged to use The Writing Center.  The staff will not write, revise, or edit papers FOR students, but they will respond thoughtfully to students’ essays and help students employ effective writing and revision strategies.  A Writing Center tutor will visit our class and discuss more with you.

 

Some Final Remarks:  Research shows that when students actively engage in their own learning, they have higher success rates.  Being highly engaged in this class means not only turning your work in on time and making sure your work is insightful, interesting, and accurate, but also participating in extra-curricular activities which stimulate the student's mind and soul.  NGCSU has a number of fantastic student organizations waiting to be explored.  Check out http://www.ngcsu.edu/Stu_Lif/sto&apg.htm for a detailed list.

 

I am here to teach you writing.  I am here to help you move your writing from high school level to college level.  I am also here to stimulate your thinking; if you have difficulties in a particular area of writing, let me know.  We are in a working relationship here; just as in any relationship, if you don't communicate your needs, they will not be addressed.

 

In addition, you do not NEED an A in this class to keep HOPE; you NEED a B.  If you graduated from a Georgia high school, chances are good that your grades were inflated; chances are also good that you might be a better writer than your teachers thought.  I need you to eliminate your past English baggage and come to this class with a new set of eyes so we can both work on improving your writing together.  The going won't be easy and you might hate me once April rolls around, but the rewards will be well worth the effort.
COURSE CONTENT--MWF

NOTE:  Under the "Assignment Due" heading, SMH is the grammar book; the names indicate the author(s) of the essays to be read for class discussion on the assigned day, and page numbers are from Buscemi text.

 

Date

Activity

Assignment Due

Jan. 7

Jan. 9

Jan. 11

Writing, college-level writing, expectations

Self-Assessment; SMH xxi-xxvii, 14-24, 300-301, 822-831

Writing Processes

Marius 102-105/SMH 25-27, 54-80

In-Class Writing

ICD/ SMH 903-907

Jan. 14

Jan. 16

Jan. 18

Ethos lecture

SMH 36-48, 504-538

Ethos(cont'd)/Hooks

SMH 36-48, 97-98

Descriptive-Expository Writing (Camera)

Woolf 50-52/SMH 117, 194-195

Jan. 23

Jan. 25

Voice—David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries"

 

Logos lecture-discussion

SMH 64-69, 186-194

Jan. 28

Jan. 30

Feb. 1

Research Methods/Library Orientation

Paper 1A draft due/SMH 81-103

Style Workshop I

SMH 222-248

In-Class Writing

IC1/ SMH 903-907

Feb. 4

 

Feb. 6

 

Feb. 8

Definition and Example

Sontag 118-120, Parker 123-126, Naylor 150-153, Huttman 256-259, Staples 260-264, Kafka 265-272

Analysis (Sequence, Process, and Causal)

Petrunkevitch 81-85, Mitford 92-99, Hubbell 107-111, Cousins 276-279, Meyer 299-305, Trillin 312-320

Library Day

 

Feb. 11

Feb. 13

Feb. 15

Analyzing Sources

 

Style Workshop II (Bring sources)

SMH 249-269

Grouping (Comp-Cont and Classification)

Sheehy 157-164, Viorst 180-185, Lethem 194-197, Catton 205-207, Twain 222-223, Sanders 225-228

Feb. 18

Feb. 20

Feb. 22

Writing Time

 

Working in Writing Groups

SMH 81-103, 139-144/Paper 1B draft due

In-Class Writing

IC2/ SMH 903-907

Feb. 25

Feb. 27

Feb. 29

Test 1

 

Library Day

 

Style workshop III

SMH 270-347

Mar. 3

Mar. 5

Mar. 7

 

Paper 1 due/ SMH 104-109

Midterm Reflections, Questions, & Comments

 

Pathos lecture-discussion

SMH  146-167, 194-198

Mar. 10

Mar. 12

 

Mar. 14

Conclusion paragraphs--Whammies

SMH 98-99

Writing Arguments

Ehrenreich 360-366, Hardin 368-374, Kozol 376-382/ SMH 145-167, 177-210

In-Class Writing

IC3/ SMH 903-907

Mar. 24

 

Mar. 26

Mar. 28

Writing Arguments, pt. 2

Hentoff 384-391, Dershowitz 393-398, Paglia 409-412, Jacoby 414-417/ SMH 145-167, 177-210

Writing Groups

Paper 2A draft due/ SMH 54-78, 139-144

Writing Persuasion

Swift 419-425, King 428-432, Dickerson 434-438

Mar. 31

Apr. 2

Apr. 4

Persuasion, pt. 2

Rodriquez 440-443, Nye 445-449, Brady 451-453

Writing Time

 

Test 2

 

Apr. 7

Apr. 9

Apr. 11

Mixed Strategies

Tan 466-470, Cisneros 495-497, Frazier 507-511

Writing Groups

Paper 2B draft due/ SMH 54-78, 139-144

In-Class Writing

IC4/ SMH 903-907

Apr. 14

Apr. 16

Apr. 18

Narrative essay discussion

Hughes 9-11, Angelou 14-19

Time to Write

 

 

Paper 2 due/ SMH 104-109

Apr. 21

Final Reflections, Questions, and Comments

 

Apr. 28

FINAL EXAM from 8-10 a. m.