English 101 & 107

Fall 2002

Required Texts:

Sadler, Randall, Amanda Brobbel, and Leta McGaffey-Sharp, eds.  A Student�s Guide to First-Year Composition.  23^rd ed. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2002.

Hacker, Diana.  Rules for Writers. 4^th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000.

Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel, and Douglas A. Anderson (Annotation by).  The Annotated Hobbit.  Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.  [due to be published on September 8^th, so you won't find it in the bookstore yet.  I'll let you know when it gets in.]  

A good college dictionary such as Longman or Webster's

Other required materials:

• Access to Microsoft Word

• Several regular floppy discs formatted for PC computers

• A sturdy two-pocket folder for turning in portfolios- 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:

            English 101 is a writing course that is designed to build on your strengths as readers, scholars, and writers: it will help you develop your critical thinking skills, introduce you to research and writing strategies, and improve your ability to read and write at the college level. It emphasizes writing as inquiry, in other words, writing to discover, create, and communicate meaning. You will study a variety of texts that might include historical documents, essays, fiction, films, web sites, and community events.  You will also learn strategies to read closely and apply various methods of analysis and argument. Your job as writers will be to explore these texts and through discussion, research, and writing begin to articulate your understanding and arguments.  As you do this, you will contemplate the ways that these texts reflect the times and culture we live in. 

            To this end, you will keep a writer's journal (writing numerous entries), write short generative assignments, peer responses, and multiple drafts of essays.  This will culminate in three major out-of-class essays and one in-class essay: a textual analysis of a text, a contextual analysis of a text, a cultural analysis of a text, and a synthesis and analysis essay of texts. Each of these papers will involve multiple drafts and writing workshops.  You will also write a final exam essay in class that will be a synthesis of your experiences with the texts of the course. 

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 drafts 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 (turn in 2 copies-one will be returned & the other kept for my records)

• Rough draft(s) with my comments (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.  If you are unable to make it to class on the due date, turn in your essay by the due date and time at the English office�ML 445�or email it to me as an attachment and then give me a hard copy for me to read as soon as possible.  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 turned in at the end of the class period will be considered late.

Writing Assignments:

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, so an 89% is a "B" grade.  I round up grades of .5% or higher, so an 89.46% is considered an 89.5%.  I would round this up to 90%, which is an "A."  89.44%, however, would round to 89.4%�still a "B."

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).

4.      If you are hoping to convince me to give you a higher grade, you must, before talking with me, write a persuasive argument as to why your grade should be changed and bring it with you.

Essay Format:

            All essays must utilize the Modern Languages Association (MLA) manuscript format and be documented according to the MLA style, which will be discussed further in class and is detailed in Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers.  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 (but recommended).  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 on your computer give it a different name so that it is not copied over (e.g. "The Journey, draft one"; "The Journey, draft two").

Course Policies:

            Attendance:  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.  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 or cases of extreme tardiness (more than 30 minutes late) will result in an absence.  Being Late is rude- don't do it.

            Cell Phones:  Turn them off or put them on silent mode.  ABSOLUTELY do not be so rude as to actually make or answer a call on your cell phone while in class.

            Classroom Interaction: 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 use all the components of this course to expand your skills and abilities in writing.  Above all, RESPECT YOUR CLASSMATES.

            PLAGIARISM: DO NOT DO IT!  I have no desire to give out "E" grades in this course, but one CERTAIN way to have this happen is to plagiarize.  I realize that it is pitifully easy to find papers on the Internet, but keep in mind that it is pitifully easy for me to track them down as well.

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 in the Bear Down Gym and may be reached by phone at 621-3182. 

Official Course Policies Statement
Approved by CPAC on 10/8/01

A Student's Guide to First-Year Composition: All First-Year Composition students are required to purchase the Guide. The Guide contains Composition Program policies, course descriptions, sample assignments, model essays, and information about grading and responding to writing.

Introduction to Research: All First-Year Composition students are required to learn how to do documented research. For more on research, see the Student's Guide.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Composition courses are workshop classes which included in-class writing, peer group work and conferences. Students should not be late. If you miss class, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your absence. Therefore, students should not be late. Any in class work missed as a result of tardiness is the student's responsibility to make up. If you miss class, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss the reasons for your absence. Students who miss more than three classes of a MWF course or more than two of a TTH course may be dropped within the first 8 weeks with a W or thereafter receive an E.

Requirements for Writing Assignments:

• In-class and out-of-class writing will be assigned throughout the course. Students not in class when writing is assigned are still responsible for completion of the assignment when due.
• Late work will not be accepted without penalty unless students arrange for an extension before the due date.
• Students are required to keep copies of all drafts and major assignments until after the end of the semester.
• Drafts must be turned in with all essays. Drafts should show significant changes in purpose, audience, organization, or evidence.
• Final copies should be typed and double-spaced with numbered pages and a title.

Conferences: Individual or small group conferences with the teacher will be scheduled each semester. Students should come to conferences prepared to discuss their work. A missed conference counts as an absence. See Student's Guide for more details.

Grades: The Student's Guide explains grading policies, methods of responding to drafts and final copies, and the standards of assessment of the Composition Program. Teacher's comments will consider the following aspects of writing, in the context of the particular assignment: purpose, audience, content, expression, organization, development of ideas, mechanics, and maturity of thought. Students cannot receive a passing grade in First-Year Composition unless they have submitted drafts and final versions for all major assignments and the final exam. For guidelines on discussing grades see the Student's Guide.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: All UA students are responsible for upholding the Code of Academic Integrity, available through the office of the Dean of Students and online through UA Info. Read carefully the summary of the Code that appears in the Student's Guide.

Class Conduct: All UA students are responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct, which can be read online through UA Info.

Disabilities Accommodations: Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements must register with the Disability Resource Center. If you qualify for services through DRC, bring your letter of accommodations to your instructor as soon as possible.

Syllabus: Each instructor will distribute a course syllabus during the first week of class. Instructors will review the course syllabus and policies with students. Students should talk with the instructor if they anticipate a need for alternative assignments or readings.

Daily Schedule 

Note that the journal assignments should be completed and the readings should be read

for the day on which they are listed!

(also note that changes in this schedule are quite likely)