GOUCHER COLLEGE (Fall, 2002)
English 104.09
(Academic Writing I)...MWF 1:30-2:20
English 104.21 (Academic Writing I)...MWF 12:30-1:20
Three (3) credits
Instructor: Alan Britt (Van Meter 219)
DESCRIPTION
English 104 is the first of two writing courses. In this course, you will learn a writing process that will enable you to develop a topic, organize your ideas, write a draft, revise, edit and proofread. You will learn to conduct basic research using both print and electronic sources. You can expect to write frequently and apply the skills you learn to other courses and then in your career. The course includes a review of grammar, mechanics and usage.
OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) employ a generative and recursive writing process that includes invention,
planning, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading;
2) work collaboratively with peers to develop and carryout writing projects;
3) write whole essays with clear thesis statements and coherent and unified
paragraphs;
4) think critically and support their thinking with details, examples, reasons,
and evidence;
5) write essays for a purpose, such as argumentation or exposition;
6) vary sentence structure and length for clarity, coherence and interest;
7) employ a variety of rhetorical strategies and modes to express complex ideas;
8) use language appropriate to a given audience;
9) conduct research using both print and electronic sources;
10) incorporate direct quotes, summaries and paraphrases into their
essays;
11) provide documentation for sources on a Works Cited page using
parenthetical documentation;
12) edit their
writing to conform to the grammar and punctuation
rules of standard written English
REQUIRED TEXTS AND SUPPLIES
Reid, Stephen.
The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers.
Upper River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999.
Hacker, Diana.
A Writer's Reference. New York:
Bedford Books of St. Martin's
Press, 1989.
Merriam Webster College Dictionary. (Paperback okay)
Spiral or otherwise bound separate notebook for Journal.
*Please bring texts, notebooks, journal, and writing materials to each class.
ASSIGNMENTS
All papers to be handed in must be typed, double-spaced, using 1" margins and a 12 pt normal font. A word processor or computer will make revising much easier. Be sure to type your name, course and number, and the date in the upper left-hand corner of the paper. Number your pages and staple them together. When necessary, include an appropriately formatted Works Cited section. Consult pages 324-360 in A Writer's Reference for information and examples. Papers are expected to be handed in on time. Lateness will lower the grade of your paper.
GRADING
Grades will be assessed using a cumulative grading process. More weight will be given to essays assigned later in the course.
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
59 or less = F
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Complete a
diagnostic essay and five other essays.
2) Complete assigned readings and exercises.
3) Complete informal writings as assigned.
4) Participate in large and small group discussions.
5) Attend class regularly.
6) Maintain a folder, which includes all of your writing.
ATTENDANCE
Class
participation is an important part of the learning process. Therefore, you
are expected to attend all classes. If you must skip a class, it is your
responsibility to identify and make up the learning missed, either by
consulting
with your instructor or asking a classmate. (Note: Some class sessions will
be
cancelled so that individual conferences can be scheduled. Individual
conference
dates are still counted as class sessions.)
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism
is defined as using someone else's writing as your own. This is
unacceptable and will be dealt with according with the official
Goucher
College
policy. Make sure any material used that is not your own is well documented.
WEATHER POLICY
For
information regarding late openings, listen to local radio or TV stations, or
call the Goucher College switchboard: 410-337-6000. If classes are
cancelled,
proceed with work as outlined and bring all work with you to the next class.
WITHDRAWAL STATEMENT
The last
day to withdraw from this course without receiving a "W" or to change
to audit status is September 10, 2002.
The last day to withdraw with a "W" is
November 8, 2002.
FINAL WORDS
Please be
aware that all essays must be typed or word-processed. You should
save all of your writing on a disk.
Adult
behavior is expected of you in this class. Please take care of all personal
needs before you come to class. Please do not use a cell phone or a pager in
class. And please exercise courtesy to your classmates and the instructor
when
one of them is speaking.
The
instructor reserves the right to make changes in this syllabus if he
deems them necessary.
ACADEMIC WRITING I
College Writing Class Questionnaire/Contract
1) My major is ____________________________.
2) The last book I read was titled ____________________________.
3) If the
teacher needs to reach me, my home phone number is
_________________________.
4) This is
the FIRST / SECOND time I am taking this course. (Please circle
one.)
5) I plan on
earning a letter grade of A B C in this course. (Please
circle one.)
6) Is there
anything you would like to tell the teacher (me) about yourself
before the course begins?
Mr. Britt has explained the English 104 Syllabus to me. I agree to abide by the Syllabus, and I agree to abide by the Goucher Code of Student Conduct.
My Name (Please Print): ________________________________
My Signature: _______________________________
Date: __________________