Instructor: G. Warlock Vance, M.I.B.
Office: McIver 137-C. Please note that my office hours will be held in the Elliot Center
cafeteria – you’ll find me on the second floor of the food court area
Email: gwvance@uncg.edu
Office Hours: 2:00 – 3:00pm T, TH (and by appointment)

Texts:
You will need a good dictionary and thesaurus, writing implements, folders for your collected work during the semester, and the following texts:
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
The Country of Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett
The October Country by Ray Bradbury

Feel free to purchase any version of these works you can find.

Theme:
Storytelling – What kind of stories do we tell? How do we tell them? Why do we tell stories to one another?

Goals:
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• To improve your use of oral and written English
• 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
• To become more comfortable with speaking encounters
• Weigh evidence and evaluate the arguments of differing viewpoints

General Expectations

• The skills knowledge, and/or attitudes engendered should be foundational and applicable to a significant range of discourse

Students will have the opportunities to improve both their writing skills AND their speaking abilities as they produce both written and oral presentations. The papers will be short research assignments and journals associated with a particular problem. The oral presentations will vary in length and in subject with both informal and formal assignments given.

Requirments:
It should go without saying that you must complete all of the assignments, hand them in on-time, show up for class AND participate. I cannot stress to you how important this latter part will be toward the determination of your final grade.

Other Resources:
The Writing Center (101 McIver) is an excellent place to go if you need help with your writing. This too will be discussed at length once we begin with writing projects.

The Speaking Center (basement McIver) can provide you with assistance on your oral presentation skills. Both of these services are free to you so take advantage of them!

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism means that you use the words or ideas of another without acknowledging credit for that work. DON’T DO IT! This is an idiotic and bonehead thing to do as it can result in your dismissal from college. Noting and/or quoting a source is easy – follow the MLA guidelines and you’ll be fine. Don’t jeopardize your future career by stealing another’s work. Likewise, copying from classmates is also not permitted or tolerated.

Conduct:
This is where we discuss “respect.” Respect is a funny thing… Some people demand it while others give it away freely. I will never demand your respect, because I believe respect must be earned. I shall endeavor to earn your respect and hope you will do me the same courtesy by complying with some simple rules: NO SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND NO PERSECUTION OF ANYONE BASED ON PHYSICAL HANDICAP, RELIGIOUS BELIEF, PERSONAL BELIEF or RACIAL BACKGROUND. I should also appreciate it if you try not to speak out of turn. Allow the person speaking to complete their thought before you begin to talk. Likewise, do not talk while I’m trying to lecture – there will be plenty of time for in-class discussion thereafter.

Special Accomodations:
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides for special considerations for individuals with certain disabilities, including learning disabilities. Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. You must first register with the Disabilites office on campus before such accommodations can be made.

Grading:
Journals will receive a ? often accompanied with a + or – … if you get a – symbol that means you need to write more or work more effectively with the journal process. Grades will be given for all quizzes, papers and oral assignments. You will also receive a grade based on a combination of your attendance and class-participation. Your final grade will be determined through an average of these various other grades earned during the semester.

Please note that there are no “extra credit” assignments given or accepted.

Journals 20%
Papers 25%
Attendance/Class Participation 25%
Speaking assignments 20%
Quizzes 10%

NOTE:
All syllabi and course-schedules received for this class are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Often events dictate that the lesson plan be rearranged – I will always try to let you know ahead of time if such is to occur.