ENGL 1101-09
Freshman Composition I:
"Violence in America"
Spring 2009
University of West Georgia
Time: MW 7:00-8:15 Room: TLC 1109
Instructor: Phil Purser
Office: Pafford 318 Office Hours: 2-6 TR Phone: 678-839-4758
Email:
Course URL: www.westga.edu/~ppurser
Course Description: English 1101 is an introduction to argumentative writing. Written argument and precise articulation on the page are paramount to a student’s long term collegiate and professional successes; this class gives students the fundamental skills necessary to both interpret and analyze the world around them, as well as to communicate that analysis in written argumentative form. Thorough, interpretive reading is an integral skill for succeeding in this course.
Learning Outcomes:
· To develop reading, understanding, and interpreting of a broad range of written and visual texts from a variety of genres, including but not limited to nonfiction, fiction, poetry, drama, and film.
· To extend the skills of analytical writing, critical thinking, and argumentative interpretation of meaning established in English 1101.
· To enhance the understanding of literary principles and the use of basic terms important to critical writing and reading.
· To construct essays using textual evidence from both primary and secondary sources.
Required Texts:
A Writer's Resource. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill
Holbrook, Teri. The Mother Tongue. New York: Bantam, 2001.
Twain, Mark. "The War Prayer" Full Text: http://www.ntua.gr/lurk/making/warprayer.html
View: Cranberries music video, Zombie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJEySrDerj0
View: Pearl Jam music video, Jeremy at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS91knuzoOA
View: Platoon. (1986). Watched / critiqued in class.
View: Full Metal Jacket. (1987). Watched / critiqued in class.
O'Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried.
Jan Dizard et al. Eds. Guns in America: A Reader.
Communication Policy
The official communication method for this class will be through campus e-mail (MyUWG). You will be responsible for checking your MyUWG email, since I will be using that address to correspond with you. You should also look under “My Courses” on your MyUWG for relevant files, announcements and so on.
Attendance: Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy: For classes that meet three times a week, a student is allowed four absences. Upon the fifth absence, the student will be withdrawn. For classes that meet twice a week, a student is allowed three absences. Upon the fourth absence, the student will be withdrawn. Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences. If the withdrawal occurs prior to prior to the mid-point, the student will receive a grade of W. If the withdrawal occurs after mid-point, the student will receive a grade of WF.
Disruptive Behavior Policy: Students may be dismissed from any class meeting at which they exhibit behavior that disrupts the learning environment of others. Such behavior includes – but is not limited to – arriving late for class, allowing cell phones to ring, speaking disrespectfully to the instructor and/or to other students, checking email or surfing the web, and using personal audio or visual devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance policy above.
Late Work Policy: Late work of any kind is simply not accepted.
Email Policy: I do not accept work of any type submitted via email.
Policy on Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism: The Department of English expects its students to adhere to the university's code of student conduct, especially as it pertains to academic conduct, including plagiarism, cheating, and multiple submissions. The Department of English and Philosophy defines plagiarism as: "taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources." The Department expects that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts; it is another form of misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course. Please see the following link for more info: http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism/index.html. Plagiarizing means you thwart your own education and forego your responsibilities as a researcher/writer/scholar. Furthermore, plagiarism violates the ethical, academic standards of the academic community. These standards include the value of research and informed argument, open and honest debate and sharing of ideas, critical thinking about evidence, the careful presentation of research, and acknowledgement of the sources of ideas. We will devote class time to learning how to incorporate others' ideas honestly and effectively. Students who violate these policies in this course will receive a range of academic and disciplinary penalties including possible expulsion from the university. Within this course, plagiarism will result in the assignment of an F grade for both the assignment and the class.
Extra Credit and Previous Work Policy: There is no extra credit work in this course. Work completed for another class will not be accepted for fulfilling the requirements of this course.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs: Students requiring accommodations for special needs should tell me this as soon as possible after the semester begins. Students should also contact the Office of Disability Services online at http://www.westga.edu/studentDev/index_8884.php, in person at 272 Parker Hall, by phone at 678-839-6428, by fax at 678-839-6429, or by email at . I pledge to do my best to work with the University to provide all students with equal access to my classes and materials, regardless of special needs, temporary or permanent disability, special needs related to pregnancy, etc. If you have any special learning needs, particularly (but not limited to) needs defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and require specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to make these known to me, either yourself or through Disability Services in 272 Parker Hall at (770) 839-6428. Students with documented special needs may expect accommodation in relation to classroom accessibility, modification of testing, special test administration, etc. This is not only my personal commitment: it is your right, and it is the law.
Regents' Exam Statement: The Regents' Examination is a two-part test of minimum-level reading and writing proficiency. Students are required to take this examination during their first semester of course work at UWG. Students who wish to seek preparation for the exam beyond that provided by this course may visit the Writing Center or the Excel Center. For information, visit http://www.gsu.edu/rtp.
Assignments and Grading:
Essay 1...... (10%)
Essay 2...... (20%)
Mid-Term...... (20%)
Essay 3...... (25%)
Final Exam...... (25%)
Total ...... (100%)
My ENGL 1101 & 1102 courses employ the following alphabetic grading scale: A, B, C, D, F
NOTE: Student must receive a "C" or higher in order to progress to the next course.
Writing Center Attendance: All students are encouraged to attend tutoring sessions in the Writing Studio. Please see http://www.westga.edu/~writing/index.htm for hours, appointments, and more information. Please note: The role of the Writing Center is to offer consultation in which tutors question, respond to, offer choices, and encourage revision in student essays. Tutors do not evaluate or prescribe solutions to problematic areas in student essays.
UWG Writing Center
Rm# 1201 TLC
Phone:678-839-6513
Course Calendar: This course calendar will not spell out a rigid day-by-day schedule. In an attempt to stay as fluid as possible in meeting the demands of the class as a whole, I will keep the timeline parameters of this course as loose as possible. This course will, however, transpire according to the following block:
NOTE: March 1st, is the LAST DAY to withdraw from classes with a "W"
IMPORTANT DATES:
Due Dates:
Essay #1 ____Jan 27______
Essay #2 ____Feb 22______
Midterm ____Feb 22______
Essay #3 ____Mar31______
Final Exam ___Apr 28______
Holidays: January 18: MLK Day
March 22-27: Spring Break
February 24: No Class
March 26: No Class
●The Course Syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary.●