English Composition II ENG 102-04 (s), 102 -06 (S) fall 2002

Instructor: Elizabeth Renn

Office: 137 McIver Building

Office Hours: 11-12:20 T/R and Wednesday by appointment

Office Phone: 334-5867 Cell Phone: 392-8255

Email address: esrenn@uncg.edu

Website: www.uncg.edu/~esrenn (coming soon!)

Course Description:

This course emphasizes developing ideas and supporting varied writing and speaking tasks. Goals include uses if evidence, control in style and voice, and understanding varied forms and perspectives in both speech and writing.

English 102 is theme-based. This particular section will focus on media analysis. Our goal will be to see, hear, and otherwise interpret images and ideas presented to you through TV, film, print, the Internet, and music. We will use this format as a springboard from which we will improve our powers of critical thought, our writing, and our ability to exchange ideas in a variety of forms.

This class is also “speaking intensive.” This means that speaking (formally and informally) will be a major component of what your grade will be based on. Like writing, speaking well requires practice; it will be a skill we work on and support one another in attaining.

Evaluation methods and guidelines for assignments:

Students will collect their materials in a portfolio that will be evaluated at mid-term and the end of the semester. Final portfolios will consist of 20-30 pages of revised formal and informal writing.

I will not accept late work. At this stage in your academic career you should know that the printer or your disk will destroy your paper, your friend will drive off with your books in his car, and the cats will leave presents on your homework. Make copies of everything so that these sorts of disasters don’t lower your grade. In addition to your timely submission of all required work, your grade is based on quality of work, improvement over the semester, and attendance and participation.

Writing assignments=50%

Speaking assignments=30%

Attendance/participation=20%

Required materials:

• A Lesson Before Dying
• Wolf Whistle, Lewis Nordan
• A good handbook
• Disks for saving writing
• Readings on e-reserve
• Photocopies of drafts
• 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper
• an email account that you check regularly

Assignments:

• 4 5-7 page essays (at least two research-based)
• 6 1-2 page reading responses
• In-class writing and speaking
• Individual presentation
• Group presentation
• Midterm portfolio
• Final portfolio

Course goals:

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. understand the principles of effective and written rhetoric (the rhetorical triangle)

2. write for a variety of audiences and understand audience demands for oral and written situations

3. offer supportive evidence and developed ideas for both written and oral presentations

4. develop evaluative research skills, both library and online sources

5. participate in group feedback and support processes for improving writing and speaking

6. understand effective listening skills as part of the speaking process

Attendance:

Because this class is centered on in-class discussion, writings, and speaking activities, regular attendance is crucial.

You have 3 “free” absences—no questions, no penalties. Use these wisely. After three, your final grade will drop substantially.

If you miss more than six classes, for any reason, you will be dropped from the course. (If it is before midterm, you will receive a W on your grade report. If it is after, you will receive a WF.) No absences are “excused” and no exceptions are made. Being late or leaving early also affects your final grade.

Academic misconduct:

Using someone else’s words or ideas as your own on any assignment is plagiarism. It is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy as defined in the student handbook or at www.uncg.edu/saf/ studies/Honor.html and will be treated as such. If you are concerned about inadvertently violating this policy, please see me before completing the assignment.

Classroom Expectations:

Respect for others is expected. Any behavior that distracts (eating, entering class late, talking while others are talking, etc.) or disrespectful (personal attacks, etc.) is unacceptable. Students may be asked to leave the classroom if they choose to act in this way. Cell phones and pagers should be turned off during class time. You may be reached during classes or conferences at the English department phone number (33405311) in case of an emergency.

Students with disabilities:

If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this course or for which you need accommodation, please contact the office of Disability Services at 334-5440.

The Writing Center:

The Writing Center is located at McIver 101. Its hours of operation are M-Th 9am-8pm and F 9am-3pm. You may drop in or make an appointment by calling 334-3125. The Writing Center is a valuable resource for your writing in this classes and for your other classes. Writing instructors will assist you in any point of your writing process.