Composition I
Fall 2006
Professor: Laura Gray, Ph.D. Phone: 918-343-7593
Office: BH 204C Email: lgray@rsu.edu
Office Hours: (appointments encouraged)
Monday and Wednesday
10:00-11:00; 1-3:00
Tuesday and Thursday
9:30-11:00
Friday
10:00-11:00
Required Texts:
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 1953. (ISBN 0-345-34296-8)
Dial-Driver, Emily. A Guide to College Writing. Reno: BentTree Press, 2005.
Glenn, Cheryl. Making Sense: A New Rhetorical Reader. 2nd ed. New York: Bedford, 2005.
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 student’s performance on the following:
Process (400 points)
Product (300 Points)
Exams (300 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 both your individual success as well as 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 may also meet with me during my office hours to discuss your absence and the work you missed. You are expected to return to class fully prepared to participate.
Much of what we will do in class cannot be made up. If you miss class, or are late, you will receive a zero for the missed activity.
The following applies to summaries/responses:
Each assigned summary 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 summaries will be accepted. Please make sure that you have typed and printed out your summary 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 summary is due, she or he may turn in the summary prior to class discussion either in person or via email.
Each student is allowed one summary makeup. Opportunities for this will be announced in class. If a student completes all assigned summaries/responses, he or she may write an additional summary as extra credit. Only one summary may be used either as 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 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 Narrative/Description Essay, The Exemplification Essay, and The Persuasive Essay) and take the mid-term 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. Students will also adhere to the CFA definition of plagiarism. Students must read and sign the Pledge, to be handed out separately, to continue in this class.
Communications and Fine Arts Policy on 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. I will also hand out definitions and examples to avoid plagiarism later in the semester.
Contacting the Professor
My contact information is posted at the top of the syllabus. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of my office hours. To ensure that I am not in a meeting or meeting with another student, appointments are encouraged. Please make appointments throughout the semester to visit with me about your writing; you need not have a “problem” to see me. 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.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Rogers State University is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs and services. Any student who has a disability that he or she believes will require some form of academic accommodation must inform the professor of such need during or immediately following the first class attended. Before any educational accommodation can be provided, it is the responsibility of each student to prove eligibility for assistance by registering for services through Student Affairs.
Students needing more information about Student Disability Services should contact the Office of Student Development at 343-7707.
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 an outline of the schedule for this class. Readings and specific details for each paper and assignment will be given separately throughout the term. This schedule may change as necessary to benefit the class. |
Narrative/Descriptive WritingWeek 1 (Aug 17-The “odd” Friday) Introduction to the Course
Week 2 (Aug 21) Assessment Tests Introduction to Rhetoric Narration/Description
Week 3 (Aug 28) Work with summary/response 50-minute essay I
Week 4 (Sep 4) Labor Day—No class Monday Summary/Response I Due
Week 5 (Sep 11) Rhetorical Exercise I Narrative/Descriptive Paper Due
Week 6 (Sep 18) Fahrenheit 451 50-minute essay II
|
Exemplification WritingWeek 7 (Sep 25) Exemplification Summary/Evaluation II
Week 8 (Oct 2) Rhetorical Exercise II Prepare for midterm writing
Week 9 (Oct 9) Midterm Writing
Week 10 (Oct 16) Fall Break—No class Friday Week 11 (Oct 23) Exemplification Essay Due Introduction to Sources and the Library
|
Persuasive WritingWeek 12 (Oct 30) Persuasion Summary/Evaluation III Due Week 13 (Nov 6) Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”—Nov 8 50-minute essay III Week 14 (Nov13) Rhetorical Exercise III Week 15 (Nov 20) Thanksgiving Break—No class Wednesday or Friday Week 16 (Nov 27) Persuasive Essay Due Editing Projects Week 17 (Dec 4) Presentations Final Exam Dec. 13 –all Students Must take the exam at the scheduled time—No exceptions.
|