Course Description:
English 101 is a course that will help you develop your writing, reading, and
critical thinking abilities. In order to accomplish this goal you must have
the strength to be open to the people and the world around you, the courage
to share your own voice and writing, and the patience to listen when others
speak.
Control over your writing and reading choices will help you find the strength, courage, and (probably most importantly) the patience to work on your writing, reading, and critical thinking abilities. You will actively choose your audience, purpose and message with each piece of writing you do. In addition to selected readings I assign, you will choose your own readings from the text. What you write and read about in English 101, as well as how much you get from the class, is largely up to you.
Learning Goals
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
•
Interpret and evaluate argumentative discourse, including writing and speech
•
Construct cogent arguments
•
Communicate those arguments clearly, coherently and effectively
•
Locate, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information
•
Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and methods of intellectual discourse
•
Weigh evidence and evaluate the arguments of differing viewpoints
Texts:
The Mercury Reader
M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A by A. Van Jordan
The Little, Brown Essential Handbook by Jane E. Aaron
Writing Matters
Materials:
? 3-Ring Binder (You will keep EVERYTHING in this class! Your binder should
be at least 1” thick.)
? Dividers
? Loose-leaf paper
? 2 pocket folder
? Portfolio (You won’t need this until the end of the semester)
Other:
Web access (available in the library or any computer lab on campus)
Email is the best way to communicate with me outside of class.
Blackboard will be used for communicating assignments and announcements. In
the event on inclement weather, instructor absence, or during conference weeks,
you may be assigned online activities to complete that will count as your attendance
for days missed.
Classroom Community:
This class will be a writing community and you will be responsible or evaluating
and delivering constructive criticism to your fellow classmates. Although
students should view the classroom as a safe place to express ideas, any
behavior that is discriminatory or otherwise isolating to other students
will not be tolerated. We have a responsibility to one another to create
a healthy learning environment that does not promote hostility or discrimination.
We must maintain a mutual respect and behave in such a way that does not
disrupt our learning community.
Community Guidelines:
? Tardiness – Tardiness not only affects your learning but the learning
of others as well. Because our course is only fifty minutes long, we must use
all of our time wisely. I will begin each class promptly. Three tardies constitute
an absence.
? Turn off all electronic devices.
? Honesty, Trust, Fairness, Respect, and Responsibility – These are the
five values listed in your Student Code of Conduct. (http://studentconduct.uncg.edu).
They are essential to everyone’s ability to express their ideas and share
their writing.
Attendance:
You are granted five absences. On your sixth absence, you will receive an F
in the course unless you withdraw yourself before the deadline. You cannot
get participation points for the days you are absent. Late work will not
be accepted. Turn your work in early if you plan to be absent.
I will post assignments on Blackboard and you will be responsible for any assignments due when you return to class. ***Missing a conference counts as an absence.
Grading:
Porfolio – 50%
Journals – 20%
Participation – 15%
Draft Credit – 10%
Presentation – 5%
Writing Center:
I encourage you to use the Writing Center to get new and different perspectives
on your writing. The Center is an extension of our classroom community and
will give you useful feedback. You will find the Writing Center is located
in McIver 101 and open M-R 9am-8pm, F 9am-3pm, Sunday nights, 6-9.
Disability Access Statement:
If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and are
seeking accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform the Office of
Disability Services at 334-5440 or ods@uncg.edu.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the crime of pretending that someone else’s ideas and words
are your own. This is a serious offense that could result in failing the course
or expulsion from the college. Visit http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/academicintegrity/
for the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Papers:
You will write at least 3 formal papers for this class. They should be submitted
typed, double-spaced in Times New Roman font with 1” margins. Although
there will be due dates for each of these essays, you will have opportunities
to revise each of these papers several times over the semester and choose
from them for inclusion in your final portfolio. Late papers will not be
accepted. The draft credit portion of your grade will be affected by any
missing papers. If you need to miss class on a day a paper is due, you must
make arrangements to turn your draft in early.
Writer’s Notebook:
A section of your three-ring binder will be devoted to your writer’s
notebook. It is a place for you to keep your notebook entries. You are required
to write 3 entries a week. I will provide you with one prompt per week. You
will respond to a reading of your choice from the Mercury Reader, and finally
you will write one free response. Write 15-20 minutes for each entry. I will
collect your journals every two weeks.
Portfolio:
The portfolio will be the culmination of your work in English 101. You will
be including revised and edited versions of your writings. It is necessary
to save all of the writing you do this semester, including in-class writings,
notebook entries, and essays, so that you can use them for your portfolio.
At the end of the semester, you will compile your best work into a portfolio
of polished work. This will include revisions of your papers and a reflective
portfolio letter, all present in an organized fashion. As you write this
semester, think about a theme that runs through your work. What issue keeps
bubbling to the surface? This may drive the organization and structure of
your portfolio.
Criteria for Evaluation of Essays:
? Clarity – Is your essay written in clear and concise language?
? Focus – Does your essay have a clear main point?
Does your entire essay focus on your point?
? Development – Is your essay thoroughly developed with examples and
details?
? Correctness – Is your essay written in Standard Written English?
? Organization – Is your essay clear and logically organized?
Tentative Schedule:
September 7th – Essay #1 Due
October 3rd – Essay #2 Due
November 16, 18, 21 – Presentations
November 21st – Essay #3 Due
December 5th, - Portfolio Due
December 14th – Portfolio’s Returned