NMOR 329
M W 3:30-4:45
Fall 2004
Instructor: Karen Summers
Office: McIver 137-D, phone 334-5857
Office Hours: MW 11-12 and 1-1:30 and by appointment
Email: kcsummer@uncg.edu
Course Description
Welcome to English 101! This course helps you to devise strategies you can
use in all the writing you will do in college. Through the process of writing,
you will also become a better reader and thinker. You will learn composition
skills: generating ideas, focusing, getting your thoughts on paper, and revising
and polishing them. This is a writing intensive class. You’ll produce
lots of writing, both in class and outside of it, of all different kinds.
You will work individually and in groups, in a workshop environment.
Learning Goals
•
Writing and evaluating arguments
•
Communicating clearly and effectively
•
Evaluating and using relevant information
•
Understanding aims and methods of intellectual discourse
•
Evaluating different viewpoints
•
Understanding your audience
Required Books and Materials
Popular Writing in America
The Middle of Everywhere
Writing Matters
The Little, Brown Handbook
English Brush-up, optional
Notebooks, to serve as journals
Folders with pockets to hold ALL the writing you do for this class
A sturdy folder or binder to use as your portfolio at the end of the semester
Internet access
Email account (available for free on campus)
Blackboard account
Access to a computer, word processor, or typewriter
Readings on e-reserve or posted to Blackboard
Course Requirements
5-6 formal essays (about 25 pages of typed, revised, polished, edited writing)
informal essays and other writing
careful reading of assigned material
participation in class discussions
journal of reflections, responses
reading journal
in-class writing
group work
group project with presentation
short individual presentation
conferences with me
portfolio
Policies and Grades
Because this class is centered on in-class discussion, group work, and in-class
writing, regular attendance is crucial. Situations may arise that make missing
an occasional class unavoidable; for this reason you will be allowed four “free” absences.
Missing more than four classes, being late for more than four classes, or
leaving early more than four classes for ANY reason will lower your participation
grade dramatically. Excessive absences may imperil your ability to pass the
class. If you are worried about missing a deadline, see me before the work
is due. It is especially important to be present on workshop days. Respect
for others is expected. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during
class time because it distracts from the work of the class. Keep EVERYTHING
you write! I plan to use Blackboard frequently, so become familiar with it.
We will go over it in class, too.
The grading in this course may be different from what you're accustomed to; grades will only be given at midterm & on the final project, rather than on individual assignments. You will get credit for all work completed on time, which will count towards your final grade. In lieu of letter grades on each assignment, you will get comments that will lead you in your revision. Late work is unacceptable. You will determine your own grade by the amount of effort you put into your work. Final grades will be determined by the following factors:
• Attendance and participation 20%
•
Assignments 20%
•
Final Portfolio 60%
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this course
or for which you need accommodation, please contact me and/or the office
of Disability Services at 334-5440.
Writing Center
The Writing Center is located in 101 McIver. It is open Monday-Thursday 9:00-8:00
and Friday 9:00-3:00. You may make an appointment by calling 334-3125. The
Writing Center is a very valuable resource for your writing in this class
and for your other classes.
Academic Integrity
Using someone else's ideas or words 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/studiscp/Honor.html) and will be treated as
such. If you are concerned about inadvertently violating this policy, please
see me before completing the assignment.
Think of this syllabus as a contract between you and me: Remaining in the class will indicate that you agree to abide by the above policies and fulfill all requirements. Don’t hesitate to see me with any concerns. I check my email frequently. I am happy to have each one of you in my class and look forward to an enjoyable and rewarding semester.
Important Dates
I will provide specific directions for each project or assignment well in advance. This is a brief outline of the course.
August 16 First day of class
August 25 Library workshops; meeting place to be announced on Blackboard and in class
September 1 Workshop 1
September 6 Labor Day holiday; no class
September 22 Workshop 2
October 4-6 Individual conferences
October 18 Workshop 3
November 3 Workshop 4
November 22 FINAL PORTFOLIOS DUE
Nov. 23-28 Thanksgiving holidays
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Presentations
December 6 Last day of class
Blackboard
I plan to use Blackboard as an aid for this course. Copies of all assignments
and documents will be posted as they are introduced in class. Announcements
and changes will be posted, too. Therefore, you should get into the habit of
checking it daily.
http://blackboard.uncg.edu