English 1213 Sections 005 and 007 Fall 2003

  The Interactive Course Syllabus     Best viewed with Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher

Self-Ownership in the New Millennium:
An Introduction to Writing Argumentative Research Papers

Instructor: John Richard Stevens        Office: Morrill Hall room 408    Office Phone:  744-2079

Office Hours:  Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9:15, Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30, and by appointment.

E-mail: [email protected]

Course Time and Place:
Section 005: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from   9:30 a.m to 10:20 a.m., Morrill Hall Room 202
Section 007: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 a.m to 11:20 a.m., Morrill Hall Room 306

The Most Important Skills You Must Learn in Composition II:

1. How to use textual analysis to write more focused arguments.
2. How to research your papers and use MLA documentation style guidelines.
I Will Also Teach You Powerful Techniques That Will:

1. Increase your reading speed.
2. Increase your comprehension.
3. Help you remember what you have read.
4. Optimize your note-taking skills and studying efficiency.

Important Note Regarding This Syllabus: It is your best resource, so refer to it early and often throughout the semester.  On the first day of class I give a brief but informative lecture focusing on the major items of importance in this document, and I allow time for a question and answer period.  But even so, I expect you to read this syllabus on your own, more than once, in its entirety, and ask me any/all pertinent questions and points of concern.  It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with all the policies noted herein and effectively negotiate them. Still, I want to make clear that I am available to help you with everything related to this course. If you have questions or concerns I want you to speak with me.  Students who miss the first day of class should make an extra effort to read this document thoroughly and see me during office hours with any questions.

Surf the Syllabus by Choosing a Subject Heading
Subject Headings A through L
Subject Headings M through Z
The Major Projects: Prompts and Guidelines
Choose and View a Week from the Schedule of Activities:


Course summary and objectives:

The following are all key to earning a passing grade:
This is a writing class and the draft and revise writing process is a key element.  Accordingly, my expectations are that you will begin writing and revising all major projects early and often, and also participate in all peer revision workshops. Composition II progresses from the skills developed in Composition I.  That is, your writings are required to include:

1) A thesis statement in the introductory paragraph.
2) Focused body paragraphs that advance the thesis statement.
3) A concluding paragraph that ties together your thesis with key points from the opening paragraph and from the body paragraphs, and also makes an intellectual conclusion, which might be a solution to the focused problem or issue that you have been arguing about, or some further assertion based upon the evidence presented in your paper.

This course will also teach you new skills.  You will learn the basics of MLA documentation style guidelines, and you will learn library research techniques.  In effect, you will advance the Composition I skills of writing an argumentative paper, but further, you will learn how to write an argumentative research paper. Moreover, I will teach you how to compose a polished and professional college level paper: this is the OSU course that teaches you how to research and format a paper for upper division classes.

You must be clear about the fact that all Composition II courses require that students spend some hours in the library doing research.  Composition II is a writing class, but it is also a writing class that is research driven.

It is also my expectation that, as the semester evolves, you will become more astute readers, and more highly skilled writers of academic prose. Along those lines, I expect your writing skills and your analytical skills to progress from one major project to the next.  I will assist you in identifying your writing strengths, as well as the aspects of your writing that will negatively impact your grade in this class and in upper division classes.  No student is expected to completely resolve every problematic aspect of their writing, but you are expected to focus on these issues and demonstrate progress in resolving them. See the  grading rubric on my webpage for more information on the criteria I use to grade your writings.


Here is the Most Important Definition You Will Learn This Semester:
  • Definition of a thesis statement: A DEBATABLE POINT.


    Some Basic Information About This Course:
  • I will teach you to advance your skills in textual analysis, research, and writing arguments. And I wish to make clear that all your writings, with the exception of Thought Papers, must include a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a debatable point. Although you learned how to write thesis statements in Composition I, I will spend class time reviewing the how-to's of writing thesis statements.

  • Other than Thought Papers, follow The 5 Paragraph Essay Format for all your course writings. Writings that do not follow The 5 Paragraph Essay Format will receive a less than adequate grade. I will teach you how to use this format from day one.

    Provisional Syllabus: As the semester evolves, so will this syllabus.  As such, scheduled in class activities may change. Moreover, even if we have departed from syllabus-scheduled activities at times, there is no reason for you to assume that any scheduled work has been cancelled or changed if I have made no such announcement.

    Course Theme and Your Writings: Your writings must, at all times, reflect the theme of the course: Self-Ownership in the New Millennium: An Introduction to Writing Argumentative Research Papers. Part of my grading process will involve assessing how each individual writing assignment demonstrates a connection to that theme.  Writing that does not make evident this connection will receive a lower grade.

    Required Texts:
    1. Speculations (Landrum, et al.)
    2. Writing Worth Reading (Packer)
    3. Keys for Writers (Raimes)

    Other Required Materials:

    Three pocket folders and some floppy diskettes:

    First pocket folder--The four major projects must be turned in for grading in a pocket folder with all drafts.

    Second pocket folder--contains your syllabus and all the class handouts. This second pocket folder should be brought to every class.

    Third pocket folder--contains all work returned to you, so that you have an ongoing record of all your graded assignments.  By keeping your graded assignments organized you will be able to calculate your own grade at any given point in the semester. I will not calculate your grade until after the final examination.

    Floppy diskette--make backup copies of all your final work and your work in progress, so as to avoid lost work through computer related problems.

    Further Requirements:
    You must supply me with a working E-mail address, and subscribe to the class Listserve ASAP.  If you do not provide me with an E-mail address, then you are choosing not to receive information I believe you need. Failing to subscribe to the listserve, or failing to maintain your E-mail account in working order will negatively affect your grade.

    There will be additional assignments that do not currently appear on the syllabus.  They may be assigned via E-mail, during class, or updated to my website.

    You are required to check your E-mail on a daily basis.  If absent, you should communicate with peers regarding missed work, or see me during my office hours. I will not update you by E-mail if you have missed a class.

    Turn off pagers and cell phones.  Don't read outside material in class.  Don't bring food into class.

    E-mail Guidelines:

    Be professional in your E-mails to me and to your peers.

    Treat these as though they are business correspondences.

    Make them brief.  Ask your question and I will provide the necessary information.

    Always sign both your first and last name.

    Always use a subject heading that includes this course number and its section number.

    Finally, use E-mail judiciously, yet understand that these policies are not an effort to discourage your questions. I am available to answer your questions via E-mail, office hours, and during class.

    Web Resources: My own webpage: englishdiscourse.org

    Composition home page: http://comp.okstate.edu

    MLA guide: http://www.mla.org

    OSU Resources:The Writing Center is located in Morrill Hall, room 104. Consultants will assist you with the current draft of your essay. Go To The Writing Center's Home Page.

    Missing the First Day of Class:
    If you were part of my original class roster, in other words if you were enrolled in this class from the first day of the semester or earlier, but simply did not attend the first day of class, then all missed work is already considered late.  Review the policy on     late work.  However, certain assignments require a draft and revise process. This means that you turn in the assignment, I grade it and return it to you, and you generate a revision based on my comments. If you join class so late that it makes impossible the draft and revise process, then some of your missed work will be graded as zero. It is your responsibility to speak to me about missed work, so that I can communicate to you exactly what work you must turn in. You should factor these policies into your decision to remain in this class.

    Transfer students:
    If you transfer into this class, then immediately turn in to me all writing from the former class.  In the event that you have no work to turn in, or if I consider the work to be insufficient, then all of the missed work for this class must be made up and is due on the next class. However, certain assignments require a draft and revise process. This means that you turn in the assignment, I grade it and return it to you, and you generate a revision based on my comments. If you join class so late that it makes impossible the draft and revise process, then some of your missed work will be graded as zero. It is your responsibility to speak to me about missed work, so that I can communicate to you exactly what work you must turn in. You should factor these policies into your decision to remain in this class.

    You must also provide me with the section number of that former class and that instructor's name. Attendance from the former class will be applied to this class.

    Late registration students:
    All missed work must be made up, and is due on the next class. However, certain assignments require a draft and revise process. This means that you turn in the assignment, I grade it and return it to you, and you generate a revision based on my comments. If you join class so late that it makes impossible the draft and revise process, then some of your missed work will be graded as zero. It is your responsibility to speak to me about missed work, so that I can communicate to you exactly what work you must turn in. You should factor these policies into your decision to remain in this class.

    Further, you should communicate with your peers about missed lecture materials, E-mails, etc., or see me during office hours.

    Instructions for Writing Thought Papers:
  • Thought Papers are the only written assignments that require neither a thesis nor an argument.
  • You should address some of the following: Summarize the reading and then follow the summary with your opinion--do this with each point you examine. For instance, what makes sense, or doesn't make sense about the author's points? How might you apply the author's observations, or instructions, to your own writing?
  • Additionally, Thought Papers are graded on the clarity and readability of your prose. Thought Papers should not demonstrate a conversational tone, but rather a scholarly tone.
  • Thought Papers should be 1 to 1½ pages.

    Late work:

      The First Thing You Need to Know is:
  • After the class period ends the work is late.
      Below I List Policies for Turning in Late Major Projects, Late Reading Responses, Thought Papers, Quizzes, and What am I Wondering?:
    Turning in Late Major Projects:
  • The Major Projects, meaning Essay 2, Project 3, the Moveable Bridge Essay, and Essay 4, lose 5% per calendar day, including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc.
  • Late Major Projects must be turned in, no matter how late, or you cannot pass this course. Failing to turn in a major project constitutes automatic failure of this course  (per OSU Composition Program Guidelines).

    Turning in Late Reading Responses:

  • Reading Responses lose 5% per calendar day late, including weekends, breaks, holidays, etc.
  • Review the guidelines for Reading Responses.

    Turning in Late Thought Papers:

  • Late Thought Papers lose 5% per calendar day, including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc.

    Turning in Late Quizzes:

  • Online quizzes are not accepted late. They are graded as zeros. Review the guidelines under Quizzes.

    Turning in Late What am I Wonderings?:

  • What am I Wonderings? lose 5% per calendar day, including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc.
      A Final Word About Late Work:
  • I suggest that you pay particular attention to the information listed below under Missing Work.

    Missing Work: Missing work of any kind can affect your Attendance/Participation/Discussion grade, perhaps to the point of zero in that component of the course.  So when you fail to turn in thought papers, reading responses, discussion questions, etc., not only do you lose credit for that particular assignment, but you may lose points in your Attendance/Participation/Discussion grade as well. If you are not handing in written assignments then I assume you are not doing the assigned reading, or at least you are not adequately analyzing the reading; if your analysis is inadequate then you are not prepared to participate in class and groupwork discussions. Do the coursework as it is assigned, do it to the best of your abilities, and turn it in on time if you expect to pass this course.

    Being Prepared for Class:
    Many of the assignments for this class necessitate the use of my own website and other websites as well. We are all aware that websites experience technical difficulties and become temporarily unavailable from time to time.   I strongly suggest that you read ahead on your syllabus, access all upcoming materials and print them at least a week in advance.  Computer or website related problems are not a valid excuse for the late turn-in of an assignment, nor is it a valid excuse for being unprepared for class.  It is solely your responsibility to make certain that all work is turned in on time and you are prepared for class.

    Quiz Problems (accessing quizzes online):
    Some browsers are designed to cache web pages, which means you may be viewing an old version of a web page, as opposed to its updated version. This is particularly a problem with the AOL browser and Internet Explorer, although other browsers also cache web pages. If I have announced an update to my website, yet when you view the page the new information does not appear, or if you are attempting to access a quiz online and it is not there, then make certain to refresh the page as many times as is necessary for the new information to appear. With AOL and Internet Explorer, do not use the "refresh" icon, but rather use the F5 key repeatedly to refresh the page, and eventually the updated version of the page will load.

    Computer Labs:
    What do you do if your computer or Internet connection goes down?

    All students have access to computer labs on campus.  You will need your student id card to get in and out of the labs in addition to your master password for the novell system.  Most of the labs should have someone on duty to help you find this password, or you may go to the site http://home.okstate.edu/prism to learn your password.  If you encounter difficulties with the prism website, you can call tech support at 744-7836. The printing in each of these labs is free.  Three of the labs are 24 hours: Bennett Hall, Willham Mezzanine, Math Sciences Lab 108 (periodically reserved between 8am-6pm).  Student Union 065 is open M-F 8am-10pm and Sa-Su Noon-5pm.  Business Building 002 (periodically reserved) is open M-Th 8:30am-11:45pm, F 8:30am-4:45pm, Sa Noon-4:45pm, Su Noon-11:45pm.  Classroom Building 4th Floor (periodically reserved) is open M-F 8am-5pm.  Sparc Lab Engineering South 113 is open during Engineering South hours of operation. The OSU Writing Center in Morrill Hall 104 is the only facility that charges for printing, 25 cents per page. Further, to the best of my knowledge the hours of operation listed above are accurate. However, it is your responsibility to verify this information and be prepared in advance to use these labs.

    Formatting of All Course Work:
    All course work, with the exception of in-class writings, must be typed.  If you turn in handwritten work it will be calculated as a zero.

    All course work must be in a 12 point Times New Roman font.  Other fonts, particularly those generating a deceptively higher page count, are unacceptable, and such papers will receive a lower grade.

    Margins are to be either 1 inch or 1¼ inches.

    Always double space.  Do not turn in any typewritten single spaced work or I will reduce the grade by a minimum of one full letter grade.

    Every major project and Reading Response you hand in must be titled, and the title must include a colon. We will discuss this further in class. See the title of this course as an example. Writings that do not follow this guideline will receive a 5 point grade reduction.

    Never use subject headings in your writings. I will give specific examples of subject headings during class. I will reduce the grade of any assignment by 2 points per subject heading used.

    Adhere to the page count guidelines for all assignments.  See the subject heading: Page Count Requirements for: Major Projects; Peer Revision Workshop Drafts; All Course Work, listed below.

    If any of the above problems persist, I will grade the assignment as a zero.

    Major projects:
    There are five major projects in this course, four essays and an annotated bibliography.

    OSU Composition Program guidelines mandate that no student can pass this course unless all of the major projects are handed in.  Even if the project is so late that it requires a grade of zero to be given, the project must still be handed in and the page count must adhere to the guidelines on this syllabus, as well as other guidelines established via handouts/E-mails/lectures.  Failure to hand in a major project constitutes automatic failure of this course.  No exceptions, regardless of circumstances.  Major projects that are late lose 5% per calendar day including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc. You should also review the information listed below under Grading of Your Major Projects and Peer Revision Workshops.

    Grading of Your Major Projects:
    Your paper will not be graded, nor will it be considered as turned in, unless it is accompanied by all the drafts that lead up to it, as well as copies of all secondary resources cited in your paper.  This means you must turn in all your in-class writings as well as your out of class writings.

    Until I, and peer reviewers, have read and commented on an intermediate drafts of the paper  (one that ts typed and meet the assignment requirements as to subject, approach, formatting, and length) and you have revised in accordance with those comments, you cannot turn in a final copy for grading.

    Even if I have read and commented on a paper copy or an E-mailed draft of your paper, but you have participated in none of the peer revision workshops for that paper, you cannot turn in a final copy for grading.  Your only recourse is to schedule at least one consultation at the writing center. One consultation makes up for one missed peer revision workshop. That consultation must take place in-person: E-mail consultations do not count as make-up for a missed peer revision workshop.  The writing center must also E-mail me verification of your consultation.  Only then may you hand in a final copy for grading.  A late major project will also result in a reduction of your Attendance/Participation/Discussion grade, perhaps to the point of zero in that component of the course.

    Also, make certain you are familiar with the information contained below under the subject heading Peer Revision Workshops.

    Peer Revision Workshops:
    Peer Revision Workshops are crucial to the draft and revise writing process taught in this course, and you are expected to participate in all of them.

    I will reduce the final grade of an essay by 5% per day if a peer review workshop is missed for any reason, including absence from class.

    Remember, if you have failed to participate in all of the peer revision workshops for a major project, you cannot turn in a final copy for grading.  Also see the subject heading Grading of Your Major Projects for more information.  Further, even if one or more of the peer revision workshops has been cancelled or rescheduled, and you have participated in none of the peer revision workshops, you cannot turn in a final copy for grading. You should also review the information under the subject heading Major Projects.

    This means you must participate in all peer revision workshops.

    Draft Turn-In Day: 
    For each of your major projects, I will require you to turn in one draft during class on a date I specify. If you fail to turn in your draft I will reduce the final grade of your major project by 5% per day (including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc.) until the draft is turned in. If your draft fails to meet the minimum page count, formatting requirements, etc., then I will not consider the draft as turned in and I will reduce the final grade of your major project by 5% per day (including weekends, holidays, breaks, etc.) until the draft is turned in. You cannot turn in a final copy for grading until you turn in a draft that meets all requirements. Further, you cannot turn in a draft and a final copy for grading at the same time.

    Also, pay particular attention to the information contained below under the subject heading: Page Count Requirements for: Major Projects; Peer Revision Workshop Drafts; All Course Work.

    If you have any questions about these policies, then ask me.

    Page Count Requirements for: Major Projects; Peer Revision Workshop Drafts; All Course Work:

    My instructions for page count requirements are unmistakably clear; on any given assignment I tell you the minimum full page count required to the maximum full page count required.  Assignments that do not meet these requirements receive a lower grade, perhaps to the point of zero.   Also, see formatting requirements.

    For peer revision workshops: if your paper falls even slightly short of the minimum page count, even if only by a line or two of text, you will not receive credit for participation in that workshop.

    Asking the Instructor to Review Drafts of your Major Projects:
    Although I will review the drafts of your papers during peer revision workshops, if you feel that you need some extra assistance I am available.  You may schedule an appointment during my office hours, or you may walk in without an appointment.

    Extra Credit:

    There are two types of extra credit. Students are eligible for one or the other, not both.

    First type extra credit:

    Scholars publish their writings. You are a beginning scholar, and in this class you have the opportunity to publish your writing and earn extra credit at the same time.  And I wish to make clear that participation here is optional.  Choosing not to participate will have no effect on your grade.

    If you decide to participate, you need to do the following:

    • Sign the Student Consent Form # 2, which grants me permission to publish your writings on the Web.
    How much extra credit you can earn:
    • You have (probably) three opportunities to publish your writing, meaning one opportunity for each of the following Major Projects: Essay 2, the Annotated Bibliography, and the Bibliographical Analysis Essay.
    • For each major project of yours that is published it raises your grade to 100 on either 1 or 2 previously graded Reading Responses.
    • This means that a student could, conceivably, earn 100 on from 1-6 Reading Responses.
    • I will decide, based upon the quality of scholarship reflected in your major project, how many Reading Responses will receive the extra credit. The criteria I use to determine the quality of scholarship directly relates to your effective negotiation of various syllabus guidelines, lectures, course materials, etc.  I will cover this further during class.
    • Eligible Reading Responses are those which were written and turned in during the time scheduled for that particular Major Project and must have earned an original grade of 65 or higher.
    • Eligible Essays are those which were written and turned in during the time scheduled for that particular Major Project and must have earned an original grade of 72 or higher.
    • Once you have failed to turn in a total of three Reading Responses, or have received a failing grade on a total of three Reading Responses, you are no longer eligible for any type of extra credit for the remainder of this course. However, if the essay receives a grade of 85 or higher and you request my feedback and revise in accordance with the suggestions, then you may be offered an opportunity to publish the essay with no extra credit points awarded.
    Where the essays will be published:
    • In English Discourse in Composition, which is a non-profit scholarly E-Journal publishing the writings of students enrolled in the classes I teach.  This is my own site on the World Wide Web, located at englishdiscourse.org.   If I launch similar non-profit online projects in the future, then your writing may be published there as well.
    • As author, you retain the rights to your writing, but you are granting me the right to publish your writing on the Web.
    • You are, of course, given credit as the author.
    • If your essay is chosen to be published you will receive an E-mail from [email protected] (which is, of course, me), informing you of the decision.
    • No essays will be published as is. Based on suggestions in the E-mail, you will generate a revision for publication. You will have one week to make the revisions and resubmit the essay for publication.
    • Once you turn in a revised copy of the essay (either on floppy diskette or by E-mail), and if the revised essay meets the requirements set forth in the E-mail, you will receive the extra credit points.

    Second type extra credit:

    • If your essay is not chosen for publication you still have an opportunity to earn extra credit:
    • I will choose one of your previous Reading Responses and you will have one week to revise it in accordance with my suggestions.
    • The revised Reading Response may earn a grade up to but no more than 10 points higher than its original grade.
    • Eligible Reading Responses are those which were written and turned in during the time scheduled for that particular Major Project and must have earned an original grade of 72 or higher.
    • When turned in, the revised Reading Response must be accompanied by the originally graded copy.
    • Second type extra credit opportunities are not eligible for publication.
    Note: save the floppy diskette version of your essay as one of the following file types: doc (Word document), or rtf (Rich Text Format).  This is not difficult to handle; we will discuss types of formats further during class.  Always keep extra paper copies and floppy diskette copies of the essay to avoid computer related problems. Do not give me the only floppy diskette copy of your work! I accept no responsibility in the event that the floppy diskette copy you turn in is lost or damaged. It is solely your own responsibility to maintain extra paper copies and floppy diskette copies of all your work. Further, there will be occasions when I ask you to bring in an extra copy of an assignment before I return the original, so you must keep extra copies.
    Disclaimer:
    The publishing/extra credit opportunities associated with this course are subject to technology-based problems.  Although I expect that all will go well, in the event that unforeseen problems arise I reserve the right to cancel part or all of this component of the course, in which case there will be no publishing or extra credit opportunities associated with this course. Time constraints will not allow for any publishing and/or extra credit opportunities for the Moveable Bridge Essay & Essay 4.

    Avoiding the Use of Gender-specific Language:

    Do not use discriminatory words such as man and mankind.  Use non-gender-specific language like humankind, humanity, and people.  For each instance of gender-specific language in your writings one percentage point will be deducted from that assignment's grade. Further, do not use discriminatory language of any type. For each instance of discriminatory language in your writings one percentage point will be deducted from that assignment's grade.

    Student/Teacher Conferences: On one or more occasions, I may schedule individual student/teacher conferences at my office, in which case a class period will be canceled.  All students are required to participate by scheduling an appointment.

    You are expected to bring with you two copies of the most current draft of the Major Project you are working on.

    I will reduce the final grade of your essay by 5% if a conference is missed for any reason.   There is no way to make up these points.  Further, I will not reschedule appointments: if you miss it or if you are unprepared for it, you will not receive credit.

    Academic dishonesty:

    Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you represent someone else's ideas or written work as your own.

    All references must fully indicate the extent to which any parts of your project are not your own work.

    Any instance of plagiarism can result in a grade reduction, perhaps to the point where a grade of zero would be the result for that assignment.

    Depending on the severity of plagiarism, failure of this course and/or further action may result.

    Plagiarism often results through error.  Even if you are not directly quoting someone else's work, but paraphrasing, you must make certain to give proper credit to that author in the form of an MLA style in-text-citation, as well as a citation on the works cited page of your paper.

    Whether by error or by intention, plagiarism is unacceptable, and the rules pertaining to academic dishonesty apply.

    Absences Policy Attendance/Participation/Discussion Grading:

    Per Composition Program policy:
    6 absences carry no automatic grade reduction

    7 absences result in a 5% reduction of the final course grade

    8 absences result in a 10% reduction of the final course grade

    9 absences result in a 15% reduction of the final course grade

    10 absences result in automatic failure of this course

    However, there are variables that affect this guideline, which are explained below:

    Attendance/Participation/Discussion Grading:

    Your Attendance/Participation/Discussion grade is determined by the following factors: your attendance; how much you participate in discussions; the careful thinking demonstrated by your remarks.  There are also other variables involved that will negatively affect your grade, which include the following: late work; missing work; unsatisfactory in-class work; lack of preparation; unprofessional conduct; and your failure to meet the requirements of this syllabus.   Moreover, I expect you to participate in every class by significantly adding to class discussions, which means group discussions, as well as the discussions led by me.  I expect your reading, writing, analyses, and discussion to reflect careful thought and preparation.  Considering these policies, if you are absent  six or less times but you create a situation that negatively affects your grade, you will receive a grade that is lower than 100, perhaps to the point of zero in this component of the course.

    Other points worth noting:

    1) Arrival after your name has been called for attendance is a tardy; three times tardy equals a charged absence; 5 minutes late is a charged absence; leaving class early is a charged absence.

    2) If you inform me of a past or future absence I will merely acknowledge that you have communicated with me on the matter.  Such acknowledgements on my part do not excuse the absence.  You are either present in class or not, and I make an attendance record of the situation you create.  The only exceptions are for University Excused Absences.

    Missing Class and How to Find Out What You Missed:

    If you miss a class, or classes, I will not update you by E-mail with regard to missed lectures and/or assignments. Rather, see me during office hours and/or consult with your peers.

    E-mail Problems: E-mails you deleted, E-mails you didn't receive, etc.:
    I suggest that you obtain the E-mail address or phone number of a peer or peers with whom you are comfortable and obtain the previously E-mailed information from them.

    If you accidentally delete a group E-mail sent by me, believe the E-mail was never received, or have any other E-mail problems, I will not forward a copy to you.  Ask a peer to do so.

    It is your responsibility to provide me with an E-mail address and maintain that E-mail account in working order.  I will not take on the responsibility of updating you about E-mail being undeliverable to your account.

    How work is assigned:
    Through E-mail, so students are required to check their E-mail on a daily basis. On the syllabus, so check it frequently. In class, so check with your peers if you are absent, or see me during office hours.

    Turning in work:

    I will not ask for work that is due.  You  are responsible for handing in all assignments at the end of class, leaving it in one pile on the student desk nearest to the classroom door.

    Turning in work by E-mail: 

    Only the course work I specify may be turned in by E-mail. If I make exceptions to this rule for specific assignments, it does not establish precedent. Under no circumstances may Major Projects be turned in by E-mail.

    Do not leave assignment turn-ins or notes on my desk in 408 Morrill Hall. If for some reason you cannot turn in the work during class, then leave it in my mailbox in 205 Morrill Hall.

    Being in college and being a professional means being prepared for class.

    Unprofessional Conduct: Some examples of unprofessional conduct are as follows:

    Talking to peers during lectures or silent class activities.

    Sleeping in class.

    Inadequate participation during writing exercises or other activities.

    Discourteous behavior of any kind.

    Pop Quizzes:

    The purpose of these quizzes is to prepare you for the types of questions, thinking, and study habits that will be useful when taking the final examination.  They will always be based on material that has been previously covered in class, and will include, but are not limited to, short answers, true/false questions, and essay questions.

    Most quizzes are taken Online and are accessible from the Teaching English Composition section of my webpage, englishdiscourse.org.

    Some quizzes may be taken during class.  No quizzes may be retaken or made-up: the grade will be calculated as a zero. Some exceptions are made for University Excused Absences,  so refer to the information in that section.

    The number of quizzes will be determined as the semester evolves.  Quizzes will be administered on an as needed/if needed basis.

    How the Quiz/Thought Paper Grades are Calculated: Quizzes and Thought Papers are of equal value when calculated into the Quiz/Thought Paper component of your final course grade.  In effect, any given quiz is worth the same as any given Thought Paper when calculating this component of your final course grade. Thought Papers will sometimes be assigned a numerical grade, sometimes not.

    In Class Writings:
    In class writings will occasionally be treated as Thought Papers or as a Quiz, and will  be assigned a grade that is factored into the Thought Paper/Quiz component of your final course grade.

    What am I Wondering?:
    These are very short assignments, and you will structure them as follows:

    1) Pose a question about the assigned reading. The question should not be superficial, but thought provoking.
    2) Turn the question into a statement that makes a debatable claim.
    3) Write one paragraph that proves your claim is correct. Here you must use textual analysis and textual evidence to support your argument, which means you must include a quote from the assigned reading.

    What am I Wondering? is your opportunity to demonstrate your abilities in the following areas:

    A)The careful thinking involved in your analyses.
    B)Posing thought provoking questions.
    C)Turning thought provoking questions into debatable claims (thesis statements).
    D)Using textual analysis to advance an argument that proves your claim is correct.
    E)Using textual support (quotes from the assigned reading) to provide direct examples of how your analysis relates to the assigned reading.
    What am I Wondering? assignments will be graded on how well you demonstrate the above A through E requirements.

    Click here to view/print a properly formatted What am I Wondering? assignment.

    Proofreading and Editing:

    Students are expected to hand in work that is not riddled with sentence level errors. Papers show a lack of proofreading and editing when they contain a preponderance of errors: extra words, missing words, poor punctuation, spelling errors, the incorrect use of the singular or plural, slang, colloquialisms, improper or insufficient use of paragraphs, and improper MLA citation style.  Such papers will receive a lower grade.
     

    Grading Scale:

    59 and below = F
    60 - 69 = D
    70 - 79 = C
    80 - 89 = B
    90 and above = A

    The Final Course Grade Is Not Rounded Up.

    Course Components and their Percentages of the Final Course Grade:

    1)   15% -- Essay 2 -- Connections Essay -- Page count requirements: 5 full pages minimum to 6 full pages maximum, plus a works cited page. Due date: 9/15/03
    2)   Project 3 (Total Value 25%) -- This is a two-part assignment, as follows:
    2A) 10% -- Annotated bibliography  Due date: 10/10/03
    2B) 15% -- Bibliographical Analysis Essay --  Page count requirements: 6 full pages minimum to 7 full pages maximum, plus a works cited page. Due date: 10/31/03
    3)    5% -- Moveable Bridge Essay --   Page count requirements: 4 full pages minimum to 5 full pages maximum, plus a works cited page.. Due date: 11/14/03
    4)    25% -- Essay 4 -- Argumentative Essay -- Page count requirements: 9 full pages minimum to 10 full pages maximum, plus a works cited page.  Due date: 11/26/03
    5)    5% --  Essay 5 (final examination):  (participation is mandatory)
    6)    8% --  Reading Responses: (see reading responses section below for details).
    7)    10% -- Attendance/Participation/Discussion  (also see absences and missing work)
    8)    5% --   Pop Quizzes and Thought Papers
    9)    2%  --  What am I Wondering?

    Final Examination:
    Participation is mandatory.  There are no make-ups or retakes of the final examination.  Of course, if you do not take the final examination you will receive a zero on the final but there will also be an additional reduction of five percentage points from your attendance/participation/discussion grade. For example, a student who has a course grade of 94 prior to the final exam, and then does not participate in the final exam, will have a final course grade of 89, which is a "B."

    Reading Responses (general information):

    Readings will be derived from our primary text for this course, Speculations, but we will read from other sources as well: handouts; hypertext readings on the Internet; readings on reserve at the library, and other sources as well. A reading response, hereafter referred to as RR, is due for each one.

    RR's are due on the discussion day, which is always the class period that follows the assigned date of the reading.

    Reading Response Instructions (instructions for how to write them):
    A RR is a mini-essay, or a mini-paper. It is a 4 or 5 paragraph essay that is a minimum of 1½ pages to a maximum of 2 pages, plus a third page which is a works cited page in accordance with MLA style guidelines.

    RR's must also include appropriate in-text citations in accordance with MLA style guidelines.

    Below I include the guidelines for The 5 paragraph Essay Format, which you are required to follow for all your RR's, and which we will discuss at length throughout the semester. Or you may Click here to print it as a one page handout.
     

      The 5 Paragraph Essay Format

      The first paragraph:

      1) Begins with a topic sentence that introduces a general theme.
      2) Follows the topic sentence with sentences that narrow the focus of the theme, so that it is less general.
      3) Introduces the author of the text you are writing about.
      4) Introduces the title of that text.
      5) Narrows the discussion of the topic by identifying an issue or problem.
      6) Finishes by making a debatable claim (a thesis statement, which is defined as a debatable point/claim).

      Body paragraphs:
      1) Begin with topic sentences that clearly relate to the topic, or issue, or problem, that was identified in the introductory paragraph.
      2) Sentences that elaborate on the issue, or problem discussed in the introductory paragraph, and also demonstrates a clear connection to the thesis statement.
      3) A sentence or sentences that make a claim about the topic, issue, problem.
      4) A quote from the text you are analyzing that supports your claim.
      5) Your interpretation of that quote, which explains how you arrived at your conclusion, and also demonstrates a clear connection to the thesis statement.

      • Body paragraphs employ the One, Two, Three Rule, which is:

        1) Make a debatable claim.
        2) Support the claim with a quote.
        3) Explain the connection between your claim and the quote, which means you make an intellectual conclusion.

      Concluding paragraph:

      1) Begins with a topic sentence that clearly relates to the topic, or issue, or problem, that was identified in the introductory paragraph.
      2) Sentences that make connections with, or revisit, points from your introductory paragraph and your body paragraphs.  These points now serve to close your argument.
      3) A synthesis of these points that clearly demonstrates the focus of your thesis statement.
      4) A final comment, or intellectual conclusion of sorts that points out the larger significance of your argument.

    Readings on Reserve:
    Hereafter referred to as ROR, they are on reserve at the library, first floor, circulation desk.  These are readings that are not in Speculations; you will write RR's on them.  You must present your student ID card when requesting a ROR, and give the librarian your instructor’s name, the course number, and the section number.  You will then be handed a copy of the ROR, which you should photocopy and then return the original ROR to the circulation desk. Please bear in mind that your peers are also in need of the ROR and, because of copyright laws, there is only one copy available at the circulation desk for everyone’s use.  As such, please have the professional courtesy to keep the ROR for only a few minutes—just long enough to make a photocopy and return it to the circulation desk.  Your peers will be as grateful to you for this courtesy as you will be to them.

    University excused absences:

    If you have a university excused absence and I receive official notification in the form of an E-mail from the proper OSU official, then you will not incur a charged absence.  However, a university excused absence does not excuse you from any coursework except in-class quizzes (more on this in the following paragraph). Make certain that all work is turned in by the due date; if this means that you must turn in the work early, then it is up to you to do so or my policies on late work will apply.  In cases when a university excused absence coincides with a peer revision workshop, then you must turn in the draft early, or my grade reduction policies listed under peer revision workshops will apply.

    When University excused absences coincide with an in-class quiz, then I would presumably receive written documentation of the exemption from class, by E-mail, from the proper OSU official.  In such cases the quiz will be treated as a "pass."  In effect, it will not be factored into your final course grade.  University excused absences do not excuse students from online quizzes.  It is your responsibility to find out whether an online quiz has been assigned during your absence; it must be handed in during the second class meeting not covered by your university excused absence. If you are not certain that you understand this policy, ask me.

    When University excused absences coincide with in-class writings, then I would also presumably receive written documentation of the exemption from class, by E-mail, from the proper OSU official.  In such cases the in-class writing must be made up and handed in on the second class meeting not covered by your university excused absence.  University excused absences do not excuse students from in-class writing.  It is your responsibility to find out what has transpired in class during your absence, and what work needs to be made up. If you are not certain that you understand this policy, ask me.

    Add/Drop Information:
    8/25/03: Last day to add a course (nonrestrictive). Last day to drop with no grade and no fees.

    8/29/03: Last day to add a course (restrictive: requires instructor's signature). Last day to drop with 50% fees.

    11/7/03: Last day to drop a course (grade of “W”). Last day to withdraw from all courses with automatic grade of “W”

    11/26/03: Last day to withdraw from all courses with assigned grade of “W” or “F”

    Students with Disabilities: If you believe you have a disability that may affect your performance in the course, have Student Disability Services contact your instructor who will work with that office to implement any necessary accommodations. SDS is located in 315 Student Union (744-7116)

    THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

    WEEK ONE:

    M 8-18:
    Today's class consists mainly of an introduction to the course.

  • Homework:
    		•

    Follow these instructions, labeled 1 to 4:

    1) Subscribe to the class listserve as soon as possible today, by E-mailing me at [email protected]. Do not include anything in the body of the Email. The subject heading should include ALL of the following information: Subscribe, your first and last name, the time of day our class meets. For example, if I were a student in this class, the subject heading of the Email would read like this: Subscribe John Stevens 9:30.

    2) Click on the following active links, print the handouts, and bring them to every class:

    And obviously, PRINT THIS SYLLABUS!!! (and bring it to every class)
    The 5 Paragraph Essay Format
    Peer Revision Worksheet
    Essay 2 Prompt and Guidelines

    3) Go to the bookstore in the Student Union and buy the Required Texts.
    4) RR 1 on Bertrand Russell's "University Education," in your Speculations book. Structure this and all RRs in accordance with The 5 Paragraph Essay Format.

    If you have any difficulty whatsoever accessing these materials, E-mail me immediately.

    Bring ALL of the above materials to every class!

    W 8-20:
    TODAY'S CLASS: RR 1 on Russell due. Bring to class today: your Speculations book and all the material you printed from my webpage. Today we will discuss Essay 2; read part of Hylton in Speculations; discuss various aspects of arguments, and I will teach you powerful methodologies for taking notes and previewing textbooks.

  • Homework:
    		•
    RR 2 on Hylton.

    F 8-22:
    TODAY'S CLASS: RR 2 on Hylton due. Bring to class today: your Speculations book.  Explanation of the extra credit portion of this course; 35 minute in-class writing on Essay 2.

  • Homework:
    		•
    Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 1, which is due prior to the beginning of Monday's class.

    WEEK TWO:  

    M 8-25: TODAY'S CLASS: Bring to class today: your Speculations book.  Discuss essay 2 questions/concerns; textual analysis and note-taking on Hylton. I will also return your graded copies of RR 1 and RR 2. Last day to add a course (nonrestrictive). Last day to drop with no grade and no fees.

  • Homework:
    		•

    RR 3 on Hylton. Yes, RR 3 is on the very same Hylton reading as RR 2. Here is how this homework assignment works: today during class I handed back your RR 2 on Hylton. You will revise that RR 2 based on my comments and turn in that revision during Wednesday's class. That revision is your RR 3. TIP: For RR 3, focus much attention on strengthening your thesis statement and then focusing the body paragraphs to demonstrate a clear connection to your thesis.

    W 8-27: TODAY'S CLASS: MLA Style Guidelines (from here forward, bring your Keys for Writers book to every class); discuss Essay 2 questions/concerns; basics of the research process and how/where to locate scholarly articles for Essay 2; Click here, print the handout How to Use EZ Proxy, and bring it to class today.

  • Homework:
    		•

    Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 2, which is due prior to the beginning of Friday's class.

    F 8-29: TODAY'S CLASS: Bring to class today your Speculations book. Instructions on how to write What am I Wondering? assignments; continued discussion of Hylton and Essay 2. Last day to add a course (restrictive: requires instructor's signature). Last day to drop with 50% fees.

  • Homework:
    		•
    Go to the library and locate one secondary source, meaning a book or an article, that relates to the subject of your Essay 2. You will use this secondary source as supporting evidence in Essay 2.  Bring to Wednesday's class the secondary source and all of your previous Essay 2 writings. Also, What am I Wondering? # 1, on Hylton, is due Wednesday. TIP: the answer to the question you frame for What am I Wondering? # 1 should probably be your Essay 2 thesis statement.

    August 29, Friday Last day to add (restrictive). August 29, Friday Last day to drop a course (grade of "W") and 50% fees refunded for course.

    WEEK THREE:

    M 9-1  NO CLASS:  University Holiday—Labor Day.

    W 9-3  TODAY'S CLASS: What am I Wondering? # 1 on Hylton due; Instructions on how to write a Thought Paper; Reading Skills Workshop (fiction)--powerful skills that will increase your reading speed, comprehension, and retention. Click here, print the Timings handout, and bring it to class today.

  • Homework:
    		•
    Read pp. 3-9 in WWR and write Thought Paper # 1 about those pages. Also, at the end of your Thought paper (not as a part of it), do any five from the "exercise for opening the mind" on p. 9. Work on Essay 2. You need a draft of three full pages for the Peer Revision workshop on Friday.

    F 9-5 TODAY'S CLASS: Thought Paper # 1 due. Peer Revision Workshop for Essay 2, three full pages minimum, bring several copies; MLA Style Guidelines lecture.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 2. You need four full pages for the Peer Revision Workshop on Monday. Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 3, which is due prior to the beginning of Monday's class.


    WEEK FOUR: 

    M 9-8  TODAY'S CLASS:  Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop for Essay 2, four full pages minimum, bring several copies; we play a round of Thesis Statement Mix-up; Click here, print the Thesis Statement Mix-up Handout, and bring it to class today.

  • Homework:
    • Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 4, which is due prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class.

    W 9-10  TODAY'S CLASS: Reading Skills Workshop (fiction); MLA Style Guidelines lecture.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 2.

    F 9-12  TODAY'S CLASS: Reading Skills Workshop (fiction); MLA Style Guidelines lecture.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 2.

    WEEK FIVE:

    M 9-15  TODAY'S CLASS:  Essay 2 due. Click here, print the guidelines for Project 3, and bring them to class today; bring your Speculations book to class today; Reading Skills Workshop (textbooks), which is a section preview of Lessig. We will spend some time discussing Project 3 and its relationship to all remaining major projects. The first part of Project 3, which is the Annotated Bibliography, is due for final turn-in at the end of week 8, 10/10/03.

  • Homework:
    • What am I Wondering? # 2, about the Lessig reading and turn it in by E-mail, to [email protected], prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class. Continue preparing for the 2 Peer Revision Workshops concerning your annotated bibliography. Review the Project 3 Guidelines.

    W 9-17  TODAY'S CLASS:  What am I Wondering? # 2, due. Continuation of Lessig discussion; bring your WWR book to class today for Reading Skills Workshop (textbook), which is a Chapter Preview, discussion, tellbacks, and note-taking on Critical Reading.

  • Homework:
    • Read pp. 38-57 in WWR(we will have covered much of this during class, which will make this homework reading shorter) and write Thought Paper # 2 about those pages.

    F 9-19  TODAY'S CLASS:  Thought Paper # 2 due. Reading Skills Workshop (fiction); MLA Style Guidelines lecture.

  • Homework:
    • Continue preparing for the 2 Peer Revision Workshops concerning your annotated bibliography. Review the Project 3 Guidelines.   Also, Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 5, which is due prior to the beginning of Monday's class.

    WEEK SIX:

    M 9-22  TODAY'S CLASS: Peer revision workshop for annotated bibliography.  Bring to class in a pocket folder 3 articles along with completed citations/annotations for all three. 50 words minimum for each annotation.  Bring several copies of each citation/annotation.  Remember that in the final version of your annotative bibliography the annotations must be longer. 

  • Homework:
    • What am I Wondering? # 3, about your own annotative bibliography research topic and turn it in by E-mail, to [email protected], prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class. Continue preparing for the remaining Peer Revision Workshop concerning your annotated bibliography. Review the Project 3 Guidelines.

    W 9-24  TODAY'S CLASS: Bring to class all your notes on Lessig; discussion of Lessig reading; in-class writing from your notes and today's discussion on Lessig.

  • Homework:
    • RR 4 on Lessig.

    F 9-26TODAY'S CLASS:  RR 4 on Lessig due; Reading Skills Workshop (fiction): speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking, textual analysis.

  • Homework:
    • Continue preparing for the remaining Peer Revision Workshop concerning your annotated bibliography. Review the Project 3 Guidelines.
    Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 6, which is due prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class.

    WEEK SEVEN:

    M 9-29 FALL BREAK. NO CLASS.

    W 10-1  TODAY'S CLASS: Bring to class today your Speculations book. Reading Skills Workshop (scholarship): speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking, textual analysis on Godwin.

  • Homework:
    • RR 5 on Godwin.

    F 10-3   TODAY'S CLASS: RR 5 on Godwin due. Bring to class today at least one of the scholarly articles you will use in your annotated bibliography, and if possible, it should be an article for which you have not yet written an annotation.

  • Homework:
    • Continue preparing for the remaining Peer Revision Workshop concerning your annotated bibliography. Review the Project 3 Guidelines. Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 7, which is due prior to the beginning of Monday's class.


    WEEK EIGHT:

    M 10-6 TODAY'S CLASS: Draft Turn-In Day and Peer revision workshop for annotated bibliography.   Your draft must consist of a minimum of 6 entries (citations and corresponding annotations) in proper MLA format; the annotations must be complete, meaning 100 to 150 words each. Bring several extra copies for peer revision. Final turn-in due date is Friday.

  • Homework:
    • Work on your annotated bibliography, it's due Friday.

    W 10-8 TODAY'S CLASS: Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction): nonfiction preview, speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking and textual analysis.

  • Homework:
    • Work on your annotated bibliography, it's due Friday.

    F 10-10 TODAY'S CLASS:  Annotated Bibliography due. Bring to class today the Project 3 Guidelines; discussion of Bibliographic Analysis Essay; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction). Go to my website and access English Discourse in Research, the e-journal; choose Volume 1, 2003; choose Number 2, April, and print the Chad Lattin article, "An Overview: The Cattle Industry," and bring a copy to class on Monday.

  • Homework:
    • RR 6 on Manion and Goodrum.

    WEEK NINE:

    M 10-13 TODAY'S CLASS:  RR 6 on Manion and Goodrum due. Bring to class today a copy of the Chad Lattin article (see last Friday's homework for instructions on how it can be accessed). In-class discussion of article; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 8, which is due prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class.


    W 10-15 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bring to class today a copy of your Annotated Bibliography and at least two of your articles; 20 minute in-class writing on Bibliographical Analysis Essay; discussion of Bibliographical Analysis Essay questions/concerns; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on your Bibliographical Analysis Essay.

    F 10-17 TODAY'S CLASS:  Peer revision workshop for Bibliographic Analysis Essay: two full pages minimum, bring several copies; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on your Bibliographical Analysis Essay. Click here,print the textbook handout on British History and bring it to class on Monday.


    WEEK TEN:

    M 10-20 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bring to class today the textbook handout on British History; Reading Skills Workshop (textbooks): speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking and textual analysis.

  • Homework:
    • Prepare for Friday's Draft Turn-In Day and Peer revision workshop for your Bibliographical Analysis Essay: four full pages minimum, bring several copies.

    W 10-22 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bring to class today the textbook handout on British History; Reading Skills Workshop (textbooks): speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking and textual analysis.

  • Homework:
    • Prepare for Friday's Draft Turn-In Day and Peer revision workshop for your Bibliographical Analysis Essay: four full pages minimum, bring several copies.

    F 10-24  TODAY'S CLASS:  Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop for Bibliographical Analysis Essay: bring several copies; bring to class today the textbook handout on British History; Reading Skills Workshop (textbooks): speed reading, discussion, tellbacks, note-taking and textual analysis.

  • Homework:
    • Work on you Bibliographic Analysis Essay, it's due one week from today.

    WEEK ELEVEN:

    M 10-27 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bring your Speculations book to class today; in class reading, discussion.

  • Homework:
    • Work on you Bibliographic Analysis Essay, it's due Friday.

    W 10-29 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bring your Speculations book to class today; in class reading, discussion.

  • Homework:
    • Work on you Bibliographic Analysis Essay, it's due Friday.

    F 10-31 TODAY'S CLASS:  Bibliographical Analysis Essay due. 40 minute prewriting on Moveable Bridge Essay; group discussion of prewriting. These in-class activities will give you a quick-start on the next two major projects, foster peer feedback, and help prepare you for tonight's What am I Wondering? assignment. Click here, print the guidelines for the Moveable Bridge Essay, and bring it to class today; discussion of Moveable Bridge Essay; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Click here, go to the Teaching English Composition page of my website, and take Quiz # 9, which is due prior to the beginning of Wednesday's class. Also, What am I Wondering? # 4, about the topic of your Moveable Bridge Essay and Essay 4, and turn it in by E-mail, to [email protected], prior to the beginning of Monday's class.

    WEEK TWELVE:

    M 11-3 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Moveable Bridge Essay; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on Moveable Bridge Essay for Peer Revision Workshop this Friday, three full pages minimum.

    W 11-5 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Moveable Bridge Essay; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction); bring to class today your Thesis Statements Mix-Up Handout .;

  • Homework:
    • Work on Moveable Bridge Essay for Peer Revision Workshop this Friday, three full pages minimum.

    F 11-7 TODAY'S CLASS:  Peer Revision Workshop for Moveable Bridge Essay, three full pages minimum; in class writing on Moveable Bridge Essay. Last day to drop a course (grade of “W”). Last day to withdraw from all courses with automatic grade of “W”

  • Homework:
    • Work on Moveable Bridge Essay for Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop on Monday, four full pages minimum.

    WEEK THIRTEEN:

    M 11-10 TODAY'S CLASS:  Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop, four full pages minimum.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Moveable Bridge Essay, which is due Friday.

    W 11-12 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Moveable Bridge Essay; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on Moveable Bridge Essay, which is due Friday. Click here, print the Essay 4 Guidelines and bring them to class on Friday.

    F 11-14 TODAY'S CLASS:  Moveable Bridge Essay due. Click here, print the Essay 4 Guidelines and bring them to class today; discussion of Essay 4 assignment; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (nonfiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 4, which is due Wednesday, 11/26/03. Also, Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop for Essay 4 is next Friday, 6 full pages minimum.

    WEEK FOURTEEN:

    M 11-17 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Essay 4; Return of the Reading Skills Workshop for Fiction.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 4, which is due Wednesday, 11/26/03. Also, Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop for Essay 4 is this Friday, 6 full pages minimum.

    W 11-19 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Essay 4; bring to class today your Thesis Statements Mix-Up Handout;  continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (fiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 4, which is due Wednesday, 11/26/03. Also, Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop for Essay 4 is this Friday, 6 full pages minimum.

    F 11-21 TODAY'S CLASS:  Draft Turn-In Day and Peer Revision Workshop, six full pages minimum.

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 4, which is due Wednesday, 11/26/03.

    WEEK FIFTEEN:

    M 11-24 TODAY'S CLASS:  In class writing on Essay 4; continuation of Reading Skills Workshop (fiction).

  • Homework:
    • Work on Essay 4, which is due Wednesday, 11/26/03.

    W 11-26 TODAY'S CLASS:  Essay 4 due. FINAL DAY TO HAND IN ALL COURSE WORK! NO EXCEPTIONS, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES!
    Last day to withdraw from all courses with assigned grade of “W” or “F”

    F 11-28  NO CLASS:  UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY--THANKSGIVING.

    WEEK SIXTEEN: (Pre-Finals Week)

    M 12-1 TODAY'S CLASS:  We watch the first half of the film Animal Farm

    W 12-3 TODAY'S CLASS:  We finish watching Animal Farm

    F 12-5 TODAY'S CLASS:  We review for final examination and I will distribute a study sheet.

    WEEK SEVENTEEN: (Finals Week)
    Final examination date and time:

  •   9:30 Class (1213.005): Monday, 12/8/03, 8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., Morrill Hall Room 202.
  • 10:30 Class (1213.007): Wednesday, 12/10/03, 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., Morrill Hall Room 306.
  •  December 16, Tuesday, Grades due from faculty.
    		•

    COMPOSITION PROGRAM POLICIES Fall 2003

    Contact Information
    Composition Website Address: comp.okstate.edu
    Program Directors: Dr. Elizabeth Grubgeld (Morrill 409) & Dr. Shelley Reid (Morrill 407A)

    Add/Drop Information
    The last day to add or drop a course without the instructor's signature is 8/25. You may add with the signature of the instructor until 8/29. Only the instructor can sign your add card, so give yourself sufficient time to find the instructor prior to the deadline. The instructor is not required to allow you late entry into the course, nor does his or her signature guarantee you a seat. Composition courses are never over-enrolled, nor are seats held for individuals. The last date to drop a course with no grade is 8/25. The last day to drop a course with an automatic grade of "W" is 11/7. The last date to withdraw from all courses with a grade of "W" or "F" is 11/26.

    Students with Disabilities
    If you believe you have a disability that may affect your performance in the course, have Student Disability Services (315 Student Union) contact your instructor to request appropriate accommodations.

    Attendance
    With the exception of minor modifications for students involved in university-sponsored activities such as inter-collegiate athletics and class field trips, and for students who are required to miss class for military service, the composition program does not distinguish among kinds of absences for attendance purposes. See your instructor immediately if you will be absent for any of the reasons listed above. You are expected to be present every day your class meets, but to accommodate accidents, illnesses, and emergencies, we allow a number of absences without penalty. Absences beyond the limit are considered excessive and result in grade reductions. Reductions will be taken on a percentage basis from the total number of points possible in the course. Students are expected to arrive in class on time in order to be counted present. Any request for exemption from this policy must be made in writing to the Program Director. No exemptions were granted during academic year 2002-03.

    Tues/Thurs or Mon/Wed classes: 4 absences without automatic grade reduction
    5 absences = a final grade reduction of 7.5% of total points possible
    6 absences = a final grade reduction of 15% of total points possible
    7 or more absences = failure of the course

    Mon/Wed/Fri classes: 6 absences without automatic grade reduction
    7 absences = a final grade reduction of 5% of total points possible
    8 absences = a final grade reduction of 10% of total points possible
    9 absences = a final grade reduction of 15% of total points possible
    10 or more absences = failure of the course

    Missed in-class work
    Students absent for university-sponsored activities (which do not include social or Greek-sponsored activities, clubs, or intramural athletics) or mandatory military service may make up work missed due to such absence. Other policies regarding missed in-class work are at the discretion of the instructor.

    Late work
    Grades of work defined as "late" (coming in after established due date and time) will be reduced by 5% of the total points possible for the assignment each day it is late. Instructors may determine if this policy includes drafts and how weekends will be counted toward the grade reduction. Instructors may reduce the grade on a paper by up to 5% if a conference or peer editing session is missed.

    Missing work
    You must complete all drafts and all final copies of the four major graded papers in order to receive credit for the course.

    Plagiarism
    According to University Policy, plagiarism is "The representation of someone else's ideas as if they are one's own. Where the arguments, data, designs, etc., of someone else are being used in a paper, report, oral presentation, or similar academic project, this fact must be made explicitly clear by citing the appropriate references. The references must fully indicate the extent to which any parts of the project are not one's own work." Plagiarism can result in failure of the course or expulsion from the University. For more information, see the policies listed at comp.okstate.edu.