English 101; Tu, Th 8-9:15

First-year Composition

Instructor: Randall Sadler

Office: CCIT 236, cubicle M

Office hours: Tu: 9:15-10:15, Th: 2-3

(call or e-mail for an appointment)

Course location: Tuesdays HARV 315

Thursdays COHlab

Course website:

http://www.gened.arizona.edu/eslweb

Drop off location for papers & messages:

English office, Modern Languages 445

Course POLIS site:

http://www.u.arizona.edu/ic/polis/fall99/
Course-Homesite.cgi?ENGL_107-01

e-mail: [email protected]

To leave phone message:

621-1836 (English office)

Required Texts:

Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual. 2^nd ed. Boston: Bedford Books, 1997.

Prineas, Sarah, Lori Church, and Adrian Wurr, eds. A Student�s Guide to First-Year Composition. Edina: Burgess Publishing, 1999.

Selzer, Jack, ed. Conversations: Readings for Writing. 3^rd ed. NY: Allyn and Bacon Publishing, 1997.

A good college dictionary such as the American Heritage, Random House, or Webster's.

Other required materials:

A 100 megabyte "ZIP" disc (may be purchased at the "CATS" store- get a PC version)
Several regular floppy discs formatted for PC computers
A sturdy compact folder to be used for turning in portfolios- this should be a two-pocket folder- do not use a three ring binder.
Copies of your work as needed for class and group discussion
A u.arizona.edu e-mail account

Overview of the Course:

The purpose of this course is to improve your ability to write in a clear and effective manner for the purpose of communication. This skill will be crucial in your success as a student at the University of Arizona, no matter what your eventual field of study. You will be asked to read, discuss, and write about a number of argumentative essays in the anthology Conversations.

You will choose a subject early in the course that may form the basis for your writings throughout the semester. The subject you choose should be, in some form, debatable as it will form the basis for the major essays in the course: A rhetorical analysis and a persuasive essay.

Other writing assignments will include several major in-class essays, including an initial writing evaluation, a mid-term exam, a final in-class writing evaluation, and a final exam. In addition, you are required to keep a journal, which will usually involve readings from Conversations.

Evaluation:

To successfully complete this course you must turn in all assignments on time, come to class prepared to discuss the assigned materials, attend class and conferences, and participate in the in-class workshops and on-line discussions. If you do not submit all the major assignments and complete the exams it is highly unlikely you will receive a passing grade. When the final draft of papers are turned in they must be accompanied by all of the following materials in a two-pocket folder:

� Final and rough drafts on disc

� Final draft on paper

� Rough draft(s) (on paper)

� Associated journal entries

� Peer review feedback

� Copies of research materials (in particular, sections of work quoted)

Late papers will be lowered one letter grade for each day of the week (Monday - Sunday) that they are late. Evaluation of your essay will consider content, organization, expression, mechanics, development of ideas, and maturity of thought. Essays are due at the beginning of the class period- essays brought in at the end of the class period will be considered late.

Writing Assignments:

Assignment	Points	Due Dates (subject to change)
Initial Writing Evaluation	50 pts.	Second week of class
Midterm Essay and other quizzes	100 pts.	Th. Sept. 23, 8AM
Rhetorical Analysis Essay
� Rough draft	Required	Th. Oct. 2, 8 AM
� Final draft	300 pts.	Tu. Oct. 19, 8 AM
Persuasive Essay
� Rough draft	Required	Th. Nov. 18, 8 AM
� Final draft	250 pts.	Tu. Nov. 30, 8 AM
Final Exam Essay	100 pts.	Fri. Dec. 10, 8-10 AM
Journal and other writing assignments	150 pts.	Throughout the semester
Final in-class writing sample	50 pts.	Last week of semester
Total points possible	1000 points

Under this system the attainment of an "A" grade requires at least 900 points; a "B" requires 800; a "C" 700; and a "D" requires at least 600 points. The University of Arizona does not give "+" or "-" final grades.

Questions Regarding Grades:

It is natural that students will have questions regarding their grades on the essays over the course of the semester. I am always happy to discuss your grade with you, but I have several requirements regarding such discussions:

1. You must wait at least one class period before such a discussion.

2. You must have read all of my comments thoroughly.

3. You must be ready to ask me intelligent questions regarding your paper and the grade for that paper (comments such as "But I really worked hard" are not strong arguments)

Essay Format:

All essays must utilize the MLA manuscript format and be documented according to the MLA style, which will be discussed further in class and is discussed in Hacker's manual. All essays must be typed and double-spaced (12-point type, 1-inch margins). The use of a separate title page, in following with MLA format, is optional. Do not skip additional lines between paragraphs and remember to number your pages. Finally, please staple your paper before turning it in. Remember- you must keep copies of each draft and the final draft on disc, as you must turn in these on disc as well. So, when you start on a second draft give it a different name so that it is not copied over (e.g. "The merits of education, draft one"; "The merits of education, draft two").

Course Policies:

Attendance: In order to be successful in this class regular attendance is absolutely essential. The class discussion of the readings, the in-class writings, and the writing workshops will all aid in the writing of your essays and in your own development as a writer. The English Department policy requires me to drop you from this class if you miss more than two classes over the course of the semester. You are also required to attend the two conferences that take place out of class. A missed class counts as an absence. I take attendance (via an attendance sheet) at the start of every class. If you miss the start of class it is your responsibility to sign the sheet before you leave. In the event that you do miss a class it is essential that you contact me (ahead of time if possible) as you are responsible for any missed work.

Tardiness: While it is acceptable to be occasionally late, habitual tardiness (as determined by the instructor) or cases of extreme tardiness (more than 30 minutes late) will result in an absence.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: The Code of Academic Integrity, which is available through the Office of the Dean of Students, must be followed by all students at the University of Arizona. Please read the section in the Student's Guide on this topic (pp. 119-121).

Classroom Interaction: The Student Code of Conduct, which is issued by the Dean of Students, is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. This means, among other things, that your should always: come to class prepared, cooperate with your classmates in small-group activities; cooperate with me by coming to class prepared to ask questions, both in-class and during conferences; and by using all the components of this course to expand your skills and abilities in writing.

The Writing Center:

The Writing Center provides help for ANY students who wish it. This is not simply a place to go if you feel you are a poor writer, although it would be very helpful for these students too. The Center is a great place for students to get one-on-one help with your paper- use it! The Writing Center is located at 1031 N. Mountain and may be reached by phone at 621-3182.

Syllabus Notes:

The readings that are assigned have several purposes: First, they will expose you to sides of important issues that are common sources of debate and social controversy in the United States. Second, they will help you to get ideas for subjects you may wish to write about in this class. Third, they will provide topics for you to write about in your journal.

Daily Schedule

Note that the journal assignments should be finished and the readings should be read for the day on which they are listed!

For the sake of brevity in the syllabus the following items are abbreviated as follows:

Conversations = C
A Student's Guide to First-Year Composition = SG
A Pocket Style Manual = PSM
Journal = J
H = Handout

Week 1

Aug. 24

Harv 315

� Brief course introduction

� Two truths and a lie

� H: Syllabus & daily schedule

� H: Personal Information Sheet

Aug. 26

COHlab

� Overview of the COHlab

� E-mail accounts

� Make sure to have your ZIP disc for today!

� J1: Who are you? (we'll do this at the beginning of the class)

� SG: Read pp. 1-18, "An Overview of First-Year Composition" and "Advice from the Experts"

Week 2

Aug. 31

Harv 315

� Initial writing evaluation (50 points (done at the beginning of class-don't be late!))

� Begin discussion of Rhetorical Analysis- what are the appeals and are they really appealing? or "Is the Rhetorical Triangle really located near the Bermuda Triangle?"

� H: The Rhetorical Triangle

� H: Appeals and Strategies

� C: Read pp. 904-909, "Death and Justice"

� C: Read pp. 909-917, "This is Your Death"

Sept. 2

COHlab

� Continue discussion of rhetorical analysis

� Logical fallacies

� H: Logical Fallacies

� SG: Read pp. 249-264, "The Rhetorical Analysis Essay: How Arguments Work"

� J2: Bring an advertisement from a newspaper or magazine that you, for whatever reason, find to be especially appealing or repulsive. Discuss why you find it to be so, making sure to use some of your newfound knowledge about rhetorical analysis.

Week 3

Sept. 7

Harv 315

� Continue discussion of rhetorical analysis

� The Rhetorical Analysis Paper- what is it all about?

� H: The Rhetorical Analysis Paper

� SG: Read carefully pp. 286-297, "Aryan Nation Appeals"

� J3: Break down and list the appeals and strategies used by the student author in "Aryan Nation Appeals" and tell me how you think he could have made this essay even more effective.

Sept. 9

COHlab

� Begin discussion of research techniques

� In-class exploration of the University of Arizona's online catalogue, SABIO

� Using (or avoiding) the internet for research purposes

� J4: What ideas do you have for subjects for Rhetorical Analysis? Bring at least 3-5 ideas and why you believe these would be of interest to you and, more importantly, to your audience.

� SG: Read pp. 37-54, "The Process of Research: Joining the Conversation"

Week 4

Sept. 14

Harv 315

� Class meets in the lobby of the Main Library

� Continuing discussion of research techniques

� Exploration of the library system and initial search for research materials for Rhetorical Analysis paper

Sept. 16

COHlab

� In-class Rhetorical Analysis and discussion of the readings.

� C: Read pp. 926-934, "Should Drugs be Legalized" and "Prohibition and Drugs"

� J5: Outline the major strategies used by each of these authors and discuss their effectiveness.

Week 5

Sept. 21

Harv 315

� Discussion of the Midterm Essay- An exam you should not worry about too much!

� What is MLA citation and why should I really care?

� SG: Read pp. 388-391, "Sample Assignment #2" and "Sample Essay #2"

� PSM: Look over section on MLA citation.

Sept. 23

COHlab

v In-class Midterm Essay (done at the beginning of the class)

� Continue discussion of MLA citation

� Practice MLA citation on ESL WEB

Week 6

Sept. 28

Harv 315

� Proposal and Annotated Bibliography due at beginning of class (bring them on disc).

� Discussion of the midterm and what that grade at the top of your paper means.

� Discussion of the readings

� C: Read pp. 580-582, "Evan's Two Moms" and pp. 585-588, "Accepting Limits"

� No written journal due, but be ready to compare and contrast the strategies used by these authors and to discuss the issue.

Sept. 30

COHlab

� Workshops on proposals- get feedback from others on your ideas and, I hope, suggestions for additions and changes you might make.

� Work on ESL WEB regarding common problems I have seen in papers during previous semesters.

� J6: What is your greatest challenge on your paper at this time and how are you going to meet this challenge?

Week 7

Oct. 5

Harv 315

� Office hours only today- bring me those really tough questions you haven't figured out yet!

Oct. 7

COHlab

v Rough Drafts of Rhetorical Analysis papers due at beginning of class

� In-class workshops on Rhetorical Analysis papers

� J7: What should a reader really watch for to give you the best feedback possible on your paper? Really think about this and be honest- saying �check my grammar� is not a useful answer!

Week 8

Oct. 12

Harv 315

� Conferences to discuss rough drafts of Persuasive Essay- meet in CCIT room 236 during time you signed up for.

� No regular class meeting for our class on Tuesday.

Oct. 14

COHlab

� In-class workshops on Rhetorical Analysis papers

� Bring the draft I commented on and any revisions you have made up to this point.

Week 9

Oct. 19

Harv 315

v Final Draft of Rhetorical Analysis Essay due at beginning of class.

� Begin discussion of the Persuasive Unit

� SG: Read pp. 299-308, "The Persuasive Essay: Creating An Argument"

Oct. 21

COHlab

� On-line audience workshop- Who in the heck should you write to and why?

Week 10

Oct. 28

COHlab

� Further discussion of the position paper

� In-class discussion of the reading

� SG: Read pp. 313-318, �Ethical Responsibilities Concerning the Use of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles� (Position Paper)

� J8: Done in class at start of period-Which side of this issue do you agree with and why? Be persuasive.

Week 11

Nov. 2

Harv 315

� Discussion of the refutation paper

� C: Read pp. 931-941: A few example of refutation papers

� J9: Bring a short article you wish to refute (could be from a newpaper, one of the sources you may use for your paper, or whatever) and write a short refutation for it (about � a page).

Nov. 4

COHlab

� Grammar discussion and in-class exercises

� Read: �Are We Alone?� from the eslweb (http://www.gened.arizona.edu/eslweb/pessoa1.htm)

� in-class exercise on the reading

Week 12

Nov. 9

Harv 315

� In-class discussion of the introduction and other important points in your paper.

� J10: Bring a good draft of your introduction for your paper.

Nov. 11

Veteran�s Day- No classes!

Week 13

Nov. 16

Harv 315

� Office Hours only today: I�ll be in my office from before 8AM until about 10:15 to give people additional individual help on their papers.

Nov. 18

COHlab

� Rough draft of Persuasive essay due at the beginning of class

� Begin in-class peer review process for rough drafts

Week 14

Nov. 23

� Group conferences to discuss rough drafts of Persuasive Essay- meet in CCIT room 236 during time you signed up for.

� No regular class meeting for our class this week

Nov. 25

Thanksgiving recess- No university classes on Thursday or Friday!

Week 15

Nov. 30

Harv 315

v Final Draft of Persuasive Essay due at the beginning of class

� Buy final exam packet at bookstore and read thoroughly for class on Th- bring questions for the rest of the class with you!

Dec. 2

COHlab

� Final writing sample collected (50 points (done at beginning of the period))

� Begin preparation for the final exam

� Collaborative work on selected review questions for final exam

� SG: Read p. 383: �Overview of the final unit,� 392-403: �Sample final essay assignments for English 101 and 107�

Week 16

Dec. 7

Harv 315

� Last day of class for English 107-1

� Preparation for the final exam- student presentation of review questions

P.S. Last day of classes for the university is Wed Dec. 8

Friday

Dec. 10

Final Exam (8-10 AM)- location to be announced!

P.S. Final exams for the university run from Dec 10-17