Course Description
Welcome to English 102S! This course is both speaking-intensive and writing-intensive
and will help you to devise strategies you can use in all the writing and speaking
you will do in college and beyond. You will learn skills applicable to both
composition and oral communications: generating and focusing ideas, getting
your thoughts on paper, revising and polishing them, and then delivering them.
This section of English 102 will focus on poetry—reading it, writing
and talking about it, and why it matters.
Learning Goals
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Improving ability in oral communication
•
Writing and evaluating arguments
•
Exploring poetry and its relationship to composition and communication
•
Communicating clearly and effectively, orally and in writing
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Researching, evaluating, and using relevant information
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Understanding aims and methods of intellectual discourse
•
Evaluating different viewpoints
•
Understanding audience
Required Books and Materials
A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking
A Short Guide to College Writing
How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry
Hard copies of material I have placed on Blackboard
Any dictionary, including on-line versions
Course Requirements
1 individual oral presentation
2 presentations of poems you have memorized (at least 20 lines)
1 group presentation
2 papers
1 visit to the University Speaking Center
final examination
careful, thorough, and thoughtful reading of all assignments
daily or near daily “other” writing, including trying your hand
at writing poetry
quizzes
in-class writing and discussion
writing workshop participation
group work
Policies and Grades
Because this class is centered on in-class discussion, group work, and in-class
speaking and 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 grade dramatically; after four absences your
final grade will be reduced by 50 points for each one. Absences beyond six
will likely render it impossible to pass the course. Respect for others is
expected. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class time because
they distract from the work of the class and are disrespectful, as is talking
to each other during class discussion or lecture. Be sure to complete the
scheduled readings before class meets.
The grading in this course may be different from what you're accustomed to.
Your classmates will give you immediate feedback on your oral presentation,
you will be asked to evaluate yourself, and I will comment on it as well. Writing
assignments will undergo a group workshop procedure; you will have the opportunity
to revise them before they receive a final grade. Late work is unacceptable.
Do not be absent on workshop days and presentation days. Final grades will
be calculated on the basis of points accumulated over the semester:
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Individual speech 100 points
•
Two recitations of poems, 50 each 100 points
•
Team presentation of a poem 50 points
•
Group presentation 100 points
•
Paper 1 75 points
•
Paper 2 75 points
•
Visit to Speaking Center 50 points
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In-class writing 100 points
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Two poems written by you, 25 each 50 points
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Quizzes 100 points
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Attendance and participation 100 points
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Final exam 100 points
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ABSENCE ON WORKSHOP DAYS -100 POINTS (negative 100!! Don’t do it!!)
900-1000 points=A, 800-899=B, 700-799=C, 600-699=D, 599 and below=F
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, or you can drop in without
an appointment. The Writing Center is a very valuable resource for your writing
in this class and for your other classes. If you go with ANY paper during
the semester—you are not limited to a paper for this class—it
will erase one of your absences. Writing Center staff will send a note informing
me of your visit.
telephone 334-3125 http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter
Speaking Center
The Speaking Center is located in the McIver Underground, room 22. Hours are
Monday - Wednesday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 8pm, and Friday 9am to noon.
You are required to visit the Speaking Center on your own before midterm
break; make an appointment with them at your convenience. They will send
me a note about your visit. You are, of course, not limited to one visit
and I encourage you to take advantage of it whenever you would like additional
help with any speaking assignment throughout your college career.
telephone 256-1346 http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu
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.
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 after the drop date 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
Aug. 16 First day of class
Sep. 13-22 presentation of poem 1
Sep. 29 paper 1 Workshop—no absences!!
Oct. 7 last day to drop class without academic penalty
Oct. 11 no class—Fall Break
Oct. 18-27 individual speech
Nov. 3 paper 2 workshop—no absences!!
Nov. 8-17 presentation of poem 2
Nov. 24 no class—Thanksgiving holiday
Nov. 29 group presentations
Dec. 1 group presentations
Dec. 1 last day of this class
Dec. 6 Reading Day
Dec. 8 final exam—12 noon (not 12:30)