EN 100: English Composition (3 credit hours)

Fall 2010

Section 100-12: 11-12:15 TR, Grauel 315

Contact Information

Instructor:Elizabeth Fleitz

Email:

AIM: bluetea26

Office:318J Grauel

Office Phone:573-651-2625

Office Hours:10-10:45 MW, 1:30-2:30 TR (other times by appointment)

Website:

Required Texts and Materials

  • Faigley, Lester. Writing: A Guide for College and Beyond. Brief 2nd ed. (Rental)
  • Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual. 5th ed. w/2009 MLA Update (Purchase—used in EN 140)
  • Nieveen-Phegley et. al. Beyond the Blank Page. 7th ed. (Purchase)
  • Looseleaf binder to collect class notes, brainstorming, in-class writing activities
  • Two forms of digital backup (CD-R, flash drive, other portable storage device)
  • Access to a computer for word processing and internet

Course Description

EN 100 is a writing-intensive course that will introduce you to several of the main types of composition. We will explore all aspects of the writing process, from invention to drafting to revision. In-class activities and homework readings will help you to understand and use a variety of writing skills, which can be applied to each of your essays this semester. Your success in this class depends on your level of engagement, as the majority of the course relies on active participation. In this class, you will learn the basics of essay writing, paragraph development, using sources, making arguments, revising your work, and writing clear thesis statements.

Course Policies

Participation: Active participation is essential to getting the most out of your education, and when we meet only twice per week, it’s absolutely necessary. This is anything but a correspondance course—you are required to be present and participate in each class. This is not a lecture class; I expect you to be prepared to participate in class and small-group activities, impromptu writing, and discussions. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact me to find out what you missed that day. You will be allowed to make up any missed in-class activity within one week of your return to class.

Late Work: I do not accept late work. Unless you have made special arrangments with me, I expect you to turn in all work—drafts, final papers, and homework—on time in class. I absolutely do not accept (and will not count for a grade) any late homework or rough draft. You are free to set up a conference with me or the Writing lab to talk about your draft if it was late, but I do not otherwise give feedback to late rough drafts. Any final draft turned in after the deadline will lose 10 points each day it is late.

Academic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as “those acts which would decieve, cheat, or defraud so as to promote one’s scholastic record,” and states that “[v]iolations of academic honesty represent a serious breach of discipline and may be considered grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the university.” More information can be found at In line with this statement, I do not tolerate any form of plagiarism or cheating. If I find evidence of plagiarism on any of your assignments, the first time you get an automatic zero for the assignment. If you plagiarize a second time, you will be reported to the English Department.

Civility: Since we will be sharing our writing with each other, our classroom needs to be a comfortable, respectful space in which everyone is free to share their thoughts and communicate openly. Everyone in this class holds different values, ideals, and opinions, and we need to be able to respect each person. You don’t need to agree with everyone, you don’t even need to like their ideas, but when you are in this classroom you MUST respect them. Anything less is unacceptable. As your professor, I promise to read your essays and respond to your ideas with an open mind and critical lens, and not base my feedback or evaluation on my own personal beliefs. I require the same of you.

Revision of Essays: This course shows you that writing is a process—rather than asking you to churn out a final draft hours before it is due, we spend time on each stage of the process. Therefore, I will let you revise any TWO final, graded drafts of your essays for a chance at a higher grade. If you choose to revise a paper, you will be required to schedule a writing conference with me to talk about your paper. Revisions are due two weeks after the paper is returned to you.

In-Between Drafts: If you have revised your essay ahead of the due date and would like me to take a look at it, I’m happy to do that—as long as we set up a meeting time and talk about it in person. I am not able to read extra drafts (beyond rough and final drafts) outside of class time or one-on-one meeting time. Contact me to set up a meeting time, or drop by during my office hours.

Food: Food is not permitted in the classroom—unless you’ve got enough for everybody, of course 

Cell phones/iPods/other devices: None of these devices are permitted during class. Please turn them off or set them to vibrate to avoid disruption—and put them away.

Laptops: Since you’ll be asked to bring in a current copy of your essay drafts at various times during the semester, you may find it handy to bring your own laptop for this purpose. Laptops are allowed in class.

Assignments

Five essays (rough drafts (10 pts.) and final drafts (100 pts.) for each)

Making an Observation

Arguing a Position with Sources

Proposing a Solution

Analyzing an Advertisement

Justifying an Evaluation

Homework (5 pt. reading responses, typed or handwritten)

Participation (50 pts.)

Format for all drafts: All drafts and final essays should be formatted using MLA conventions (see Hacker, 148-154 for more information). Both rough and final drafts should be handed in electronically using the DropBox.

Grading Scale:

100-90: A89-80: B79-70: C69-60: D59 and below: F