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English Comp 1 Syllabus
| Instructor: Teri Maddox 22 Broadfield Trenton, TN 38382-2902 (901) 855-0564 | Office C249--Hours posted on door (731) 424-3520 or 1-800-355-JSCC ext. 217--voice mail for message e-mail address: tmaddox@jscc.edu |
I. Course Description
The development of writing skills applied to different purposes with emphasis on logic, organization, levels of usage, grammar and mechanics, information gathering, and audience awareness. Familiarity with basic essay form and outlining techniques is assumed.
Prerequisites:
Satisfactory English and reading scores on placement test or DSE 080 and DSR 080
II. Textbook and Supplies
1. The Macmillan Reader, 6th edition, Nadell and others
2. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers, 5th edition, Hairston and others
3. Blue or black pen, college-ruled loose-leaf paper
4. Two 3 1/2 inch high density diskettes for lab
5. Folder with pockets for portfolio
III. Course Objectives
- To complete the course, the student must be able to:
- Plan and organize content of essays effectively
- Write clear sentences in standard English
- Compose clear thesis statements
- Develop supporting paragraphs using specific details
- Compose effective introductions
- Compose effective conclusions
- Provide appropriate transitions
- Proofread to improve sentences
- Edit to increase sentence variety
- Revise to improve paragraphs and essays
- Incorporate material from secondary sources into original composition
- Document secondary material appropriately
- Use language appropriate to assignment and audience
- Demonstrate comprehension of assigned readings
IV. Course Requirements
l. Complete all homework, classwork, and written assignments--40%
2. Complete a final portfolio of all notes and revisions for 4 prepared papers and two in-class writing assignments--30%
3. Midterm and final exams--30%
Plagiarism
According to Lester in Writing Research Papers, plagiarism is "the offering of the words or ideas of another person as one's own. The worst violation is the use of another student's work. Also flagrantly dishonest are writers who knowingly use sources without documentation" (129). Plagiarism is considered academic theft and will be taken seriously. It can result in an F in the course.
V. Grading Scale:
| A+ 100 | A 97 | A- 95 | B+ 94 | B 89 |
| B- 85 | C+ 84 | C 79 | C- 75 | D+ 74 |
| D 69 | D- 65 | F below 65 |
For your essays and papers, you may get one of the following grades:
- If your paper needs more than average grammatical, organizational or stylistic revision, you will receive an R (65) and you may re-submit the paper after you have made the appropriate corrections. Your grade can be raised up to a C (79) if you re-submit a corrected paper stapled on top of the first draft.
- If your paper needs extensive grammatical, organizational, or stylistic revision, you will receive a T (50) for tutoring, and a tutoring form will be attached to the paper. You should take the form and paper to the Academic Assistance Center on the 2nd floor of the library and make a 30-minute free tutoring appointment with an English teacher to go over how you can improve your paper. You may re-submit your corrected draft stapled on top of the first draft for a higher grade, up to a C (79).
- The only papers that can be re-submitted for a higher grade (up to a C) are papers below a C.
A grade of C will be given to work meeting minimum standards. In order to make above a C, work must meet higher standards.
Except in an emergency situation, tests may not be made up.
Late Work
Homework and papers are due at the beginning of class. If you are working on an assignment when class starts, it will be considered late. Late work will lose a letter grade. Work over two weeks late will lose two letter grades and work over three weeks late will lose three letter grades. Any late work turned in the last two weeks of the semester will receive a D.
Attendance
Attendance is expected and required. It is difficult and sometimes impossible to make up work done in class. After the third absence, the student's final grade will be lowered by 1/3 for each subsequent absence (for example a final grade of B- will become a C after the third absence, etc.) Extenuating circumstances do occur and should be discussed with the instructor.
Tardies should be avoided as much as possible. Occasional tardiness is not a problem, but after the third tardy, I will begin adding your tardies together and four tardies will constitute an absence.
Since we are the first class to meet in the Writing Studio each day, I will unlock the doors by 7:30 for students who wish to come early for individual instruction, catching up on assignments, checking e-mail, or getting ahead on assignments. If you wish to schedule a tutoring appointment with me, 7:30 would be a good time for us to meet.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed by calling or e-mailing the instructor or another student in class. It would be a good idea to exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with one or two students in our class so you can contact each other if necessary.
If you know you will be absent on a particular day, let me know so I can give you your assignments in advance and you will not lose a letter grade for late work.
It is fine for you to call me at home, as long as you call at a courteous time--I get up very early, so I go to bed before 10:00 pm. Often I do not have my textbook at home, so I cannot answer some specific questions from home. I check my e-mail daily, so e-mail is a good way to get in touch with me.
If I am not in my office or at home when you call, be sure to leave a message with your name, the class you are in, and your telephone number. I check my voice mail messages once a day.
Computer Labs
You may work in this lab before class. In addition, the Academic Assistance Center on the 2nd floor of the library has thirty computers for student use. It is open from 7:45 am-8:45 pm Mondays thru Thursdays and until 4:00 pm on Fridays. Darryl Vaught provides technical assistance.
Conferences
Students are encouraged to arrange an appointment if the need arises. If regular office hours posted on my office door are not convenient, other times may be arranged.
Other Classroom Policies
1. For reasons of courtesy and sanitation, do not consume food or drink during class.
2. Since the aisles are crowded in our studio, please use the bookcases in the room to store materials you don't need for class.
3. Courteous, respectful behavior is required at all times, both to the instructor and other students.
4. Turn off cell phones or beepers during class except for emergency situations.
5. Your final grade will be mailed to you by the college. In order to maintain confidentiality and accuracy, it will not be posted or available by telephone. Discussion of your grade is encouraged at any point during the semester.
Special Note:
We are very proud of our Writing Studio. It took many years of planning and a lot of funding for it to be a reality. For that reason we are required to take special care of the equipment. Any students caught willfully tampering with equipment may receive an F in the course. Tampering may include removing keys, intentionally un/replugging parts, theft of a mouse, re-arranging icons, or other acts of vandalism or theft.
Some important dates
| August 27 | Classes begin |
| Sept 1 | Last day to register late |
| Sept 3 | Labor Day Holiday |
| Sept 10 | Last day to receive a 75% refund |
| Oct 29-Nov 9 | Early priority registration for currently enrolled students only |
| Oct 30 | Last day to drop a class or withdraw from college |
| Nov 22-24 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Dec 6 | Final Exam |
The instructor reserves the right to clarify or amend this syllabus as necessary.
Students with documented disabilities should meet with the instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternatives to normal policies.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In case of inclement weather, one of the following three decisions will be made:
- Open on regular schedule.
- Open on "Snow Day" schedule
- Classes canceled (for severe weather)
No announcement on the radio or television means the college is open. Students should use their own discretion
Students should use their own discretion. Radio and television will be notified. Students should listen to a Jackson station for information. This class will meet from 11:00-11:40 on snow schedule.
Radio and television are normally notified in the pre-dawn hours of the day involved because it is usually necessary to wait until then to determine the appropriate decision.
PORTFOLIO GROUND RULES
What" is a portfolio?
A collection of your writing in a loose leaf folder. It should contain the assignment sheet, brainstorming exercises, your essay plan/outline, and first through final drafts for every assignment. All work should be dated. If you revise your essay, the revision should have a new date, not the date of the previous draft. The most recent revision should be on top.
How will the portfolio be graded?
Your finished portfolio will be judged according to standards of good writing that we will discuss in class.
What if I have trouble with one of the writing assignments? Do I have to include all the papers I write even if I don’t like them?
You will be given a chance to choose the four pieces of writing that you want to include in your final portfolio. That way, if you really don’t feel that one of your papers is successful, it doesn’t have to be included.
Does that mean I have to do only four papers?
No. We will be writing on several different topics this semester. Some will be easier for you than others. Your paper will be give homework credit if it is not included in your graded portfolio.
What are the benefits to me?
There are several. You will have the opportunity to revise your work. You will not be penalized for the occasional weak paper. You won’t have to worry about the grade as much as the improvement in your paper. Teacher and peer comments on your papers are suggestions about how to improve your paper rather than negative criticisms. You will improve your skills as a writer and a critic by reading and responding to classmates’ papers. At the end of the course, you will be able to see the amount of writing you have produced and the amount of progress you have made.
How many times will I have to revise a paper?
That depends. Some papers will go through many drafts and other papers may end with a first draft. You may revise until the day the portfolios are due. Papers that are included in your final portfolio have undergone at least three drafts.
What do I need to include with my paper?
Each paper should include all your pre-writing notes, whether they are written on scraps of paper or on a napkin. NEVER throw away anything that has to do with your writing until the semester is over. You don’t know what you may need.
Why do I have to put my pre-writing on paper? I usually do all of my pre-writing in my head.
Since I am not a mind reader, I cannot see any pre-writing that is done in your head. In order to help you become a better writer, I must see all of the stages you went through to get to a draft. Only then can I make suggestions on how you can improve. I can’t suggest improvements to something I can’t see. You will not receive full credit for your paper if parts of your writing process are not included.