English 101-19

English Composition

Spring 2002

Class: TR, 2:003:15, Graham 310                                                                                                       E-mail: jlfunder@uncg.edu

Instructor: Julie Funderburk                                                                                                                          Office: McIver 136-F

Phone: 334-5837                                                                                                                          Hours: By appointment; W 111

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Overview:

In this course you will read and write critically about texts, ideas, and experience from an individual point of view. Most of you are just beginning your college career, and this class provides you an opportunity to affirm yourself as a student, as one who actively seeks knowledge and understanding and one who endeavors to communicate effectively.

 

Student Learning Goals:

You will develop skills that include the ability to write for a variety of purposes, to consider the demands of audience, to understand how style and voice contribute to communication, to challenge your own ideas by investigating the ideas of others, and to revise your work. By the end of the course, given your efforts in class and outside of class, you should:

Ž                         

Ž                        Be aware that it takes multiple drafts to create and complete a successful text

Ž                        Develop strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading

Ž                        Understand the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes

Ž                        Learn to critique your own and others works

Ž                        Develop knowledge about structure, paragraphing, tone, and mechanics

Ž                        Control such features as syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Ž                        Integrate your own ideas with those of others

Ž                        Understand the relationships among language, knowledge, and power

 

Texts:

Fields of Reading, Motives for Writing, 6th ed. Comley, Hamilton, Klaus, Scholes, and Sommers.

The Selected Stories. Richard Bausch.

A Writers Reference, 4th edition. Diana Hacker.

Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary.

A number of handouts. You must make it your responsibility to keep these handouts in one available and sacred place.

Your own writings and your classmates writings.

 

Attendance:

Attendance is required. You are forgiven two absences. After that, each absence lowers your  final grade one letter, even if your reasons for missing the class are legitimate. Missing five classes will make it almost impossible to pass the course. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining any materials and completing any assignments prior to the next class meeting. You are also responsible for information covered in your absence.

 

Requirements:

You are required to come to class having read the material, ready to actively participate in class discussion. You should always bring the appropriate text with you. There will be in-class writing assignments and group activities that will require you to have pen and loose-leaf paper on-hand. There will be 4 formal papers of at least 4 pages each (you will also hand in drafts), required conferences (probably 3), at least 4 short papers of 12 pages each, several peer review letters, several in-class writing assignments, and various group activities, presentations, and quizzes. You will hand in your portfolio (explained below) at the midterm and at the semesters end. You are required to have an e-mail account for this class (though it does not have to be through UNCG).

 

Grading:

50% participation (includes, but is not limited to, attendance; class and group discussion, activities, and writing assignments; midterm portfolio; and any presentations or quizzes).

50% final portfolio (at least 20+ pages of polished writing, including four formal papers).

 

Late work policy:

There are numerous writing assignments for this class, so in order for things to run smoothly, they must be kept simple. That means no late work. If you are absent, you must make arrangements for the assignment to be turned in prior to class. All writing assignments must be typed or computer generated, double-spaced. I always expect 12-point type and 1-inch margins. Missed assignments receive zeroes, which lower your participation grade (which is 50% of your final grade).

 

Conferences:

We will schedule three one-on-one conferences. If you forget or miss your conference, it counts as an absence in class. You may schedule additional conferences as needed. If you are experiencing difficulties in the class for any reason, feel free to talk to me.

 

Writing Center:

The Writing Center is located in 101 McIver and is open MondayThursday, 9:00 a.m.8:00 p.m., and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You may make an appointment for individualized instruction by calling 334-3125, or you can simply drop in, bringing your work-in-progress with you. Consultants in the writing center are a valuable resource. By bringing drafts and questions to the Writing Center, you gain access to consultants who can offer a perspective, an audience, a listening eye that supplements what the class provides.