Composition II
Section 6
TR 9:30 am-10:45 am
Spring 2007
BH 103
Professor: Laura Gray, Ph.D.
Office: BH 204C
Phone: 918-343-7593
Email: lgray@rsu.edu
Office Hours: (appointments encouraged)
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9-11
Tuesday and Thursday
11-1
Course Introduction
The second semester of college writing builds on the foundation started in Comp I, reinforcing the skills necessary for successful academic writing. Analytical and argumentative reading, writing, and research are emphasized. This course will help students:
1. Build on the writing skills gained in English 1113.
2. Sharpen the ability to read critically, to think critically, and to express opinions in writing about subjects that are still at issue.
3. Understand the importance of argument as it functions in a democratic society and join in academic discourse by reading and responding to others’ ideas on contemporary issues.
4. Understand and implement the rhetorical process as it applies to critical reading, writing, and research.
5. Improve research skills especially as they apply to academic writing.
6. Read and analyze literature.
Required Texts:
· Dial-Driver, Emily. Guide to College Writing. Reno: BentTree, 2005.
· McQuade, Donald, and Robert Atwan. The Writer’s Presence: A Pool of Readings. 5thEd. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
· Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Longman, 2003.
File folders to submit major papers
RSU student email account
At least one computer disk dedicated to Comp II
Notebook
Blue Books (2)
Writing is a process. Because of this, my teaching methods are designed to help each student understand and practice the range of tasks that go into producing a final written piece. This course consists of lectures, class discussions, in-class writing and reviewing sessions, and group work. Students will also read and write outside of class. To highlight the writing process, the greater part of the semester grade will be based on the successful execution of this writing process as demonstrated in prewriting, essay drafts, revisions, and reflective writings as well contributions to the writing process of the class.
Final Grades will be based on the following:
Process (300 points)
Product (450 Points)
Exams (250 points)
Total Course Points
900-1000 = A
800-899.9 = B
700-799.9 = C
600-699.9 = D
0-599.9 = F
Attendance Policy
Class attendance and participation are crucial to individual student success as well as to the success of the class as a whole. Students missing 4 or more classes will have their final course grade lowered accordingly. On the rare occasion that you must miss class, you are responsible for obtaining, from a reliable classmate, any information covered in your absence. You are expected to return to class fully prepared to participate.
Reading quizzes, daily work, responsive writings, peer reviews, and rhetorical précis are in-class projects and cannot be made up for any reason. If you miss class, or are late, you will receive a zero for the missed activity.
The following applies to rhetorical précis:
Each assigned précis is due, typed, at the beginning of the class period in which the essay/article will be discussed. These due dates are outlined in the Schedule and confirmed in class. No late précis will be accepted. Please make sure that you have typed and printed out your précis by the beginning of the class period. (The “5 o’clock” rule applies only to major papers)
Should a student be absent from class on the day a précis is due, she or he may turn in the précis prior to class discussion either in person or via email.
Each student is allowed one précis makeup. Makeup précis should be written over an assigned reading that does not already have a précis due. The above guidelines apply to makeup précis. The student should turn in the makeup précis to me the day the essay/article will be discussed in class.
If a student chooses to complete all assigned précis, he or she may write an additional précis as extra credit. Again, only one précis may be used as either a makeup or extra credit.
Late Papers
In general, I do not condone turning in late papers (indeed many professors do not accept any late work, so budget your time to have all work turned in on time). In some rare cases, however, I realize we all run into problems, so I have included provisions for late papers that apply to everyone. All major papers are due on the scheduled due date by 5 p.m. I will ask for papers in class on the due date, but those of you still finishing up may turn them into departmental secretary, Heather Isaacs, without penalty, until 5 p.m. of that day. For each day after that, 5 points will be deducted from your paper grade. If you anticipate that your paper will be late, see me immediately. Any paper not received within one week of the due date will receive a zero. Students are required to submit all major papers (The Personal Essay, The Expository Essay, and The Research Paper) and take the midterm and final to receive credit for this course. Failure to submit any of these mandatory assignments will result in an “F” for the semester.
Student Conduct
I encourage free and open exchange of ideas and opinions in this class. To ensure that each student has this opportunity, each of us must respect every student’s right to meaningfully contribute to the current discussions at hand. This class focuses on the power of language, both written and oral, and the successful student will learn how best to use language appropriately and persuasively. Misuse of language can act as a silencing tool; therefore, no overtly hostile, sexist, racist, or other xenophobic language or behavior will be tolerated.
Learning is a collaborative process. Each student has an important and unique role in this class and should be prepared to contribute fully throughout the semester. Arriving late, leaving early, sleeping in class, talking out of turn, or other disruptive behavior interferes with the learning experience of every student and, therefore, will not be tolerated.
It is disruptive and rude for cell phones and portable music devices to be used during class—turn them off and put them away during class time.
Cheating and Personal Misrepresentation and Proxy
Taking another person's place in an exam, placement test, or other academic activity, either before or after enrollment; having another person participate in an academic evaluation activity or evaluation in place of oneself all constitute cheating and violate the Student Code of Conduct.
Students should see and adhere to the RSU Code of Conduct, printed in Student Code of Responsibility and Conduct and online. See Title 12.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is representing someone else's ideas or work as your own. To avoid plagiarism, when you use someone else's data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, project, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source. Please review the Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct published by Rogers State University for a full discussion of “Code of Academic Conduct” and plagiarism penalties. A link to the “Code” is on the RSU web site.
Contacting the Professor
My communication information is posted at the top of the syllabus. When sending an email, please include your name, class, and question in the subject line. All emails should be signed with your full name. Otherwise, I can not guarantee that your email will receive appropriate attention. I will make every effort to respond to emails within 48 hours. Emails received after noon on Friday will be attended to the following week. Should you wish to call or come see me, please adhere to my posted office hours. To ensure that I am not in a meeting or meeting with another student, appointments are encouraged.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Rogers State University is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs and services. If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities please let me know immediately so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Office of Student Affairs, Student Union, 343-7754.
Computers are available in the UPA, Stratton Taylor Library, and Student Support Services. Computers are available for class use in BH 207.
The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
ScheduleBelow is the Master schedule for this class. Specific details for each paper and assignment will be given separately throughout the term. This schedule may change as necessary to benefit the class. It is the student’s responsibility to stay apprised of any changes. |
Personal WritingWeek 1 (1/8-1/12) Introduction to Course Assessment Begin Personal Writing Students read for class: “Homeboy”
Week 2 (1/15-1/19) Students read for class: “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” “What’s Your Name, Girl?” Responsive Writing
Week 3 (1/22-1/26) Students read for class: “My Father’s Life” “Salvation” “How to Be a Bad Writer (in Ten Easy Lessons)” Responsive Writing
Week 4 (1/29-2/2)
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Expository WritingWeek 5 (2/5-2/9) Begin Expository Writing Students read for class: “Is a Holy War Inevitable?” —Practice Précis Due
Week 6 (2/12-2/16) Students read for class: “Why McDonald’s Fries Taste So Good”—Précis I Due for this Reading “This is the End of the World” Responsive Writing
Week 7 (2/19-2/23) Students read for class: “How Computers Change the Way We Think”—Précis II Due for this Reading The Midterm Exam
Week 8 (2/26-3/2) The Expository Essay Due
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Argumentative WritingWeek 9 (3/5-3/9) Begin Argumentative Writing Students read for class: “The Declaration of Independence” —Précis III Due for this Reading “This is Our World” Responsive Writing
Week 10 (3/12-3/16) Students read for class: “Worried? Us?” “A Modest Proposal” Rhetorical Précis IV and 50-Minute Essay over this reading
Week 11 (3/19-3/23) Spring Break
Week 12 (3/26-3/30) Continue work with Research Paper
Week 13 (4/2-4/6) The Research Paper Due
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LiteratureWeek 14 (4/9-4/13) Introduction to reading and writing about literature. Selections announced in class.
Week 15 (4/16-4/20) Students read for class: Frankenstein 50-Minute Essay(s)
Week 16 4/23-4/27) Students read for class: Frankenstein 50-Minute Essay(s)
Final Exam Period (4/30-5/4) Final Exam, Thursday, May 3, 9:30-11:30 All students will take the exam at this time—no exceptions. |
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