ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SPRING 2009
Course Title: Composition II Department: English
Course Code: ENGL- 101B-02 Units: 3.0
Days: Tues/Thurs. Class Hours: 12:30-1:45
Instructor: Sherry Forkum, Ph.D. Classroom: 100
E-mail: Office: Faculty Complex
Office Hours: Tues. – 3:30-4:30 Office Phone: XXX.XXX.XXXX
Wed. – 9:00-10:00 Office Fax: XXX.XXX.XXXX
Final Exam Date May.14 – 10:15-12:15 ______
TEXTS: Stolarek, E. & Juchartz, L. (2007). Classical techniques and contemporary arguments. New York, NY: Pearson Longman.
Hansen, R. (1996). Atticus. New York, NY:Harper.
Note: You will have an advantage in class by having your own texts to make notations and have for reference, and as a resource for some for in-class writes, as sharing will not be allowed for a testing situation. Our bookstore has a purchase back program at the end of the semester.
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Supporting Sources: journal articles, newspapers, Internet articles and other library and technology resources will be used in this course. In researching, it is expected that at least six sources will be cited in the Works Cited. Wikipedia is NEVER allowed as a source!
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The reading and/or viewing of works from several different literary genres – short story, novel, drama, and film. Practice in writing critical analysis based on and in response to the reading/viewing. In addition, a research project will be completed. Oral presentations will be expected on specific topics.
COURSE GOALS: This course will help the learner:
Ø Enjoy literature from many different genres
Ø Discuss many of the deepest questions of humanity and truth while engaging in meaningful discussions and practice important communication skills through speaking and writing with a purpose
Ø Learn to relate works of literature to their own lives
Ø Improve in the ability to read, think, and write clearly, logically, and creatively
Ø Develop the skills needed to become a lifelong learner and communicator
Ø Learn more about self and others
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
ü Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to respond to, ideas found in readings of various complexity, subject matter, and length
ü Interpret various works of literature from a Christian world view
ü Identify and complete the steps necessary to write a research paper as evidenced in the completed project
ü Engage the tools needed to pass the Writing Proficiency Assessment
WRITING PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT:
WJU requires that all students demonstrate proficiency in written English as a graduation requirement. At least two assessments in this course have been structured to that end and will be graded on a six-point scale so a grade of four or above indicates writing proficiency. You will be provided with a copy of the grading rubric and detailed instructions for the assignments and you will receive notification of your score. If you do not receive a passing grade on one of the assessments, you will need to fulfill the proficiency requirement by submitting a portfolio with five assignments: a cover letter; a personal narrative; a graded essay from a college-level English course; a graded paper from a course in your major; and a critical analysis of a short reading assignment. The two graded assignments must have grades of B or above. Details on the portfolio, including specific instructions and due dates, can be obtained from the Director of Writing.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Prerequisites: ENGLISH 101A Composition and Communication I
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
· Short Lecture
· Research
· Cooperative Grouping
· PowerPoint
· Small Group/Partnering
· Technology/Software
· Student Presentations
· Online
· Internet
· Student Instructional Devices
GRADING:
* Four graded out-of-class essays
* Choice (Homeless), Inductive, Deductive, Visual Argument
* In-Class Collaborative Presentation
* One collaborative essay
* One Creative Fable
* ReWrite Assignment
* One research project
* Mid-Term
* Final Exam
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
GRADING POLICY: It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of his/her cumulative grade at all times. It is suggested that an online folder be maintained with class notes, handouts, and submitted papers/work. Keep a personal record of your attendance and participation in class with specific dates. You may check your grades and attendance on Moodle, 24/7. It is your responsibility to do a weekly check of your work. This will assure “no surprises” arise. Learn to take care of an issue before it becomes a “past” issue. Alert your professor if you feel there is a discrepancy. It is your responsibility as a student.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is very important in this class as we will be moving through significant amounts of material in class. Also, class participation, both traditional setting and online, represents a portion of your grade, so all students are expected to complete the assigned readings, assignments, and be ready to participate in class and in online postings. Reading responses, class writes, quizzes, and class participation missed due to absences may not be made up. There will be no distinction between “excused” or “unexcused” absences, with the exception of an emergency or death in the family. You need to email the professor, on your Jessup.edu account before class if there is any type of issue that prevents your attending class. Your professor has been around long enough to surmise that poor attendance is almost always related to poor performance in class. It is definitely in your best interest to attend faithfully. If you have an emergency which precludes you from attending class, please arrange to get notes from a classmate. To this end, it is recommended you get the phone number/email of someone in this class you may depend upon. Please note***** your Jessup email account is the mandatory email of this course. All email to you from the professor and teaching assistant will be through your Jessup email account and the only accepted emails from you to the professor or teaching assistant must be through the Jessup email system. Also all email should be written with proper grammar, content, and writing conventions. Use of text messaging format writing will cause instant deletion of your email before being read. English composition is the main force of learning in this course. Please put your course title in the subject line. “English 1B”
PAPERS: All essays/assignments are due on the posted due date and time, on TurnItIn.com through the Moodle site. Extensions will only be permitted in the case of an emergency. Remember the policy that you must turn in work ahead of time if you are absent due to a situation beyond your control (campus rep/performer/athlete). Plagiarism will result in a failing grade and a report filed with the Academic Senate. Check your originality report on TurnItIn.com.
All essays must be in MLA format. Times New Roman Font, size 12, must be used. In the top left hand corner of your first page, please type your name, the professor’s name, the course name, the assignment title, and the date. (See the sample on page 467 of The Open Handbook.) All essays must be submitted electronically as posted on the Moodle-calendar. They will also be returned electronically to the student with comments and the score. Exceptions are the Midterm and Final, and any in-class writes. These will be submitted to Moodle/TurnItIn immediately upon completion, and returned electronically as well. All work is graded online and returned electronically.
Please make note: The IT at WJU is available by phone (ext. XXXX), email (), and walk-in during business hours. Please know that the IT Department is very knowledgeable and are here to help you. When in doubt or when having tech issues, get in touch with them! They will guide you through just about anything tech related.
LATE WORK/MAKE-UP EXAM POLICY: Weekly homework assignments and essays are not subject to makeup. As long as you get your work in on the day and at the time it is due, it will be accepted. Be aware that the deadline given is exactly that, a deadline. The Moodle/TurnItIn site will not allow late submissions. Therefore plan ahead for any technical problems that may arise. We have rare problems that may occur, but again, they are rare. Do not try to submit within the last 15 minutes of the end of the submission time. Your clock is not Moodle/TurnItIn’s clock, nor is it my clock.
Making up a missed scheduled exam will only be permitted if the student fills out the proper paperwork and pays the required fees through the Registrar’s Office. Under certain circumstances you may petition to make up a missed exam due to an unexpected absence. Makeup exams must be completed within one week of the scheduled exam date. The Final Exam must be taken as scheduled and CANNOT be changed.
CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVES, PERFORMERS, and ATHLETES: If you are a student who represents WJU in an off campus activity, you must get a schedule to the professor and teaching assistant within the first week of the semester, and email at least one week before the absence that you will be gone or have to leave class early. All work must be handed in on Moodle/TurnItIn, ahead of the absence. You have the responsibility to stay on top of your work, and to keep the professor aware of your duties as a representative of WJU.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Any student who employs dishonest tactics shall be subject to action ranging from severe reprimand to a grade of “F.” Academic work is evaluated on the assumption that the work presented is the student’s own newly composed work, unless designated otherwise by citations. Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty or facilitating any such acts are not acceptable conduct at William Jessup University. Each student is responsible for understanding the categories as listed in the WJU Student Handbook.
CELL PHONES/LAPTOPS/MP3 PLAYERS/GUM CHEWING: It is the professor’s and teaching assistant’s expectations that each and every student, and those leading the class, will take into consideration respect for the learning environment by turning off all devices with noise and limiting use within the class time. Regarding gum, it has proved to be a major distraction; therefore it is not allowed in the classroom at any time. If an emergency exists that precludes adherence to this request, special permission may be granted by the professor to keep a device on a vibration setting. The penalty for breach of this mandate is simple and swift; the offending party will graciously provide a healthy treat for the entire class at the next scheduled class session.
SOCIAL UTILITY USE: Be aware that the professor and teaching assistant are also on social networking sites and check in often to those sites to be attuned to what is going on and to stay in touch. There is a site on Facebook for English Majors and Minors and sometimes there will be announcements made on the professor’s profile page, the EM&M page, and on Twitter. Please know that what is posted on these types of pages is viewed by a wide array of people. Use wise judgment when posting. Major announcements about class are made on these networks.
DISCLAIMER: This syllabus may need to be amended from time to time. Students will be notified of specific changes during a regularly scheduled class meeting and/or online. The course schedule is a guideline for you to follow, but changes are possible as we progress through the material and course. The professor reserves the right to make changes that benefit the majority of the students and allow for student learning outcomes to be enhanced. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure he/she has the latest version of the course syllabus. Course assignments and the required writings are always posted on the week-by-week calendar on Moodle. Make a habit of checking Moodle as part of your social networking routine. Changes will always be posted on Twitter, as well.
(Please note: I attach an extensive monthly calendar with the reading assignments, and other group/writing/etc. assignments on the dates they are due. This is in addition to the Moodle weekly calendar where assignments are posted.)
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