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Required Texts: Swales, John M., and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills. 2nd ed. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 2004. Troyka, Lynn Quitman, and Douglas Hesse.
Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers. A good college dictionary (Longman is an excellent choice). Other Readings will be determined later in the semester. These will depend on the classes you are taking. Other required materials: � Portable storage for computers. I recommend USB flash drives, but good old archaic floppy discs will work too! � 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 uiuc.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 an MATESOL student at the University of Illinois. You will be asked to read, discuss, and write about a number of essays/articles related to TESOL. You will choose a subject early in the course that may�or may not�form the basis for your writings throughout much of the semester. The subject you choose should be, in some form, debatable, as it may form the basis for the major essays in the course: A critical review of an article, a literature review, and a persuasive essay. Other writing assignments will include an initial writing evaluation, in-class writing, and a writer�s journal, in which you will explore your own writing.
Essay Format: All essays must utilize the Modern Languages Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) manuscript format and be documented accordingly, which will be discussed further in class and is detailed in Troyka and Hesse�s Handbook for Writers. All essays must be typed and double-spaced (12-point type, 1-inch margins). As you do revisions of your papers, please give each draft a new file name, so that the old version is not destroyed on your computer. 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. "Literature Review, draft one"; "Literature Review, draft two").
Course Policies: Attendance: Attendance is required. This course will include a great deal of writing during our scheduled meeting times, so missing a class means you are missing part of the work for the course. If you will be absent, please let me know in advance, if possible. Tardiness: While it is acceptable to be occasionally late, habitual tardiness or cases of extreme tardiness is simply rude�don�t do it. This is especially true since you will often work with a partner during class time. Cell Phones: Turn them off or put them on silent mode. If your phone rings during class time, I will confiscate it and use it to make long calls to people in Tahiti! 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. Since our class will meet in a computer lab, it is expected that you will do a large amount of work in class, including writing, peer review, and research. PLAGIARISM: According to Troyka and Hesse (540): To plagiarize is to present another person�s words or ideas as if they were your own. Plagiarism, like stealing, is a form of academic dishonesty or cheating. Because it�s a serious offense, plagiarism can be grounds for a failing grade or expulsion from college. I agree with Troyka and Hesse. DO NOT DO IT! We will discuss this issue further in class.
Evaluation: To successfully complete this course you must turn in all assignments, come to class prepared to discuss the assigned materials, attend class and conferences, and participate in the in-class workshops and on-line discussions.
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. A "C" grade for graduates is technically a failing grade. Work at the C-level does not meet the minimum expectations of rigor as articulated for each assignment. Scores from �0% to �3% (e.g., 81% = �B-�) are minus grades, while scores from �7 and up are plus grades (e.g., 87% = �B+�). 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.�
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