English 101-01 Spring 2003 – G. Warlock Vance, M.I.B. (instr.)

Room 227 McIver Bldg. 8:00am MWF

Office: 01J Petty Bldg. Phone: 334-3294 Email: gwvance@uncg.edu

Office Hours: Monday 9-11am (or by appointment)

Texts:

On Writing – Stephen King

Writing Matters – Jones, Grutsch-McKinney, and Tower

The Prose Reader – eds. Kim and Michael Flachmann

Suggested (but not required)

The College Writer’s Reference: Third Edition – Fulwiler and Hayakawa

Other materials will be available through the Jackson Library Reserve system

Other Class Materials You Will Need:

Writing implements (paper, pencils, pens, biros, chisel and stone tablet – your choice)

Pocket folders to hold loose pages

Stapler and paper clips

Chocolate

More Chocolate (maybe coffee and tea too)

Class Overview:

College English 101 is designed to help you improve your writing skills. In addition you will learn methods of analyses that can help you with the interpretation of texts, the construction of cogent arguments, how to communicate ideas effectively, evaluate materials in an objective manner from various points of view and how to present your work in a logical fashion.

I. Student Learning Goals

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

· Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature

· Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts

· Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing

· Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted

II. General Expectations

· Courses will be broad and foundational in nature; they will not assume extensive previous knowledge

Courses will satisfy most (if not all) of these guidelines

Assignments:

You all will be required to write in and out of class, to keep up with the assigned readings, to participate in class discussion on those readings and on other topics, to make journal entries each week on particular subjects (to be announced), to do a variety of group tasks and group presentations, and to produce three major papers over the course of the semester. You will produce about 25 - 30 pages of writing before the end of the term.

Portfolio Method:

This semester we will be utilizing Portfolios. With the Portfolio method you will have the opportunity to revise your work several times during the semester. How many times is entirely up to you. This interesting method allows you not only to explore new possibilities for your ideas, but also to learn as you go. Portfolios also offer you the freedom to explore your own unique ideas without the pressure of worrying if it’s perfect the first time. I’ll explain this more as we progress.

Time Travel: Until we master the art of traveling through time, (so that we may finish work late then travel back to the past to turn it in), you will be expected to turn your work in on the day it is due. If it is not ready on that day you will receive an F for the assignment – no exceptions. If you are ill or absent for some other reason please contact me via email and I will send you the assignment or call you to explain.

Conferences: I will schedule regular conferences with you so that we may discuss current assignments and to provide you with help in those areas where you feel you need the most assistance. I am also available for meetings at other times – please feel free to schedule an appointment with me if my general office hours are not convenient.

Students with Disabilities: In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access to this course, please tell me now, at the beginning of the semester. Please let me know if your needs are not being met or contact the office of Disability Services (334-5440).

Classroom Behavior: This is where we discuss the matter of respect. Respect is one of those funny things that some people seem to demand, but I believe respect is something one earns. I shall endeavor to earn your respect and I hope you will reciprocate. This said, I do have certain rules – show up for class on-time (if you are going to be late, stay home and accept the fact that you’ve earned an absence – it is too disruptive to have people wandering in after class has already begun), do not talk out of turn – allow the person who is speaking to complete their thought, do not try to talk over me – I’ll bring in a megaphone if I have to, no poking fun at someone or intimidating them about their race, beliefs, or religion – this will definitely not be tolerated, sexual harassment is also unacceptable – and please, NO CELL PHONES in this class – turn them off before you enter the classroom. I want this class to be a place of sanctuary from reality. I’m hoping this room will be a place where you feel comfortable – a place where you feel you can learn in a relaxed atmosphere.

Withdrawal: You are required to handle your own withdrawal from this course in the event that you decide to drop. If you fail to properly withdraw and do not attend this course you will receive a failing grade. The last day to withdraw from Spring 2003 courses is 19 March 2003.

Plagiarism: This funny word means STEALING SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK AND CLAIMING IT AS YOUR OWN. As you can see, plagiarism is a CRIME and will NOT be tolerated. We will sometimes work on papers that utilize cited information. Failure to cite any quoted source is considered plagiarizing, as is paraphrasing. If you plagiarize I will know – you will receive an F for the course. Please be aware that other academic sanctions may result in your dismissal from the college. Plagiarism is so easy to avoid – it is NOT worth getting kicked out of school over.

Grading: A lot of professors have a rigid grading scale based on percentages. I like to average grades based on how well you did on your papers, group projects and on your overall improvement, then weigh in your class participation and attendance. You need ALL OF IT to receive a good grade in this class.

Attendance: I cannot stress to you enough how important attendance will be. Should you miss more than 3 classes your grade is in jeopardy. You get the first 3 days to do with whatever you want – miss class on account of oversleeping, visit a friend, etc. 6 or more absences will result in a failing grade for the course.

Office Hours/Place and?: If you have more specific questions that I have not answered, please feel free to ask them now. You may also visit me in my office (over in the basement of the Petty Bldg.) on any Monday from 9-11am. You may also contact me to set up an appointment to discuss whatever we happen to be working on, or an assignment you do not understand.

Syllabus: Rather than having a day-by-day overview of what I hope to accomplish for the entire semester, I have decided to free up the schedule so we can work at a pace that matches all of our styles. Here’s a look at the first few weeks.

M – in-class writing and discussion of outside reading

W – group activity

F – more discussion of weekly readings and lecture/journal entries due each Friday

If you see a reading listed for a particular day it is your responsibility to have read the material

BEFORE the class begins.

WEEK ONE

13 Jan. Monday – introduction to class/syllabus, etc.

15 Jan. Wednesday – a look at Stephen King’s ON WRITING – intro pages through p 47 – in-class writing

17 Jan. Friday – ON WRITING – p 47 through 99 Two journal entries due

WEEK TWO

20 Jan. Monday – NO CLASS – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

22 Jan. Wednesday – group work with ON WRITING pgs 100 – 131 and WRITING MATTERS pgs 11-36

24 Jan. Friday – discuss ON WRITING pgs 135 – 254 Writing Assignment and journal entries due

WEEK THREE

27 Jan. Monday – finish up with ON WRITING – in-class writing exercise and grammar lessons

29 Jan. Wednesday – group activity, POP CULTURE and SEMIOTICS

31 Jan. Friday – Semiotic analyses – how to perform them – Journal entries and First paper due

WEEK FOUR

3 Feb. Monday – discuss different types of essays

5 Feb. Wednesday – group activity based on Semiotic analyses of ???

7 Feb. Friday – read Bradbury pgs 54-60, Roberts pgs 241-257 (Prose Reader) Journal entries due

WEEK FIVE

10 Feb. Monday – in-class writing on SMART TOASTER (library reserves)

12 Feb. Wednesday – group activity on RAELIANS, CLONES, UFO’s and more!

14 Feb. Friday – Valentine’s Day party – Journal entries due

Syllabus updates will be given to you ahead of time so you’ll know what’s coming up. If you happen to think of a question later on – contact me via email or try to see me in my office after class.

The Writing Center

The Writing Center is located in room 101 of McIver. This place is a terrific resource for assistance with paper writing for ANY class – not just English. If you are having difficulty with any aspect of paper writing from brainstorming for ideas to more elaborate grammatical structure problems do not hesitate to utilize this resource. The people who work there are often folks just like yourselves – students who have been in your shoes – the other nice thing about the service is that it is FREE! You can call them to make an appointment or just walk-in during their hours of operation. The contact info is as follows:

The Writing Center

101 McIver Bldg.

334.3125

www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter

M-Th – 9am – 8pm

F – 9am – 3pm