Course Syllabus
Summer 2009
ENG 1113 INSTRUCTOR: Judy Roberts
Freshman Composition I OFFICE: MC 538B
Self-Paced OFFICE PHONE: 595-7214 (cell # 629-1553)
E-mail:
Call#: 50606
Section#: 112
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointments
ASSOCIATE DEAN: Mary P. Walker, Communications, MC 423, 595-7064
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS
The Little, Brown Handbook, 10th ed., by H. Ramsey Fowler and Jane Aaron. Pub. Pearson/Longman. New York
A Reader For College Writers, 7th ed., by Santi V. Buscemi, Pub. McGraw-Hill. New York.
MICROCOMPUTER LAB MP 200, computer
WRITING CENTER MC 200, free tutoring
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Composition I guides students through the writing process with regular practice and an analysis of effective writing, ENG 1113 is the first in a sequence of two Freshman Composition courses. This is a self-paced course. Prerequisite: Appropriate CPT or ACT scores, or completion of ENG 0923 and ENG 0933 with a grade of “C” or better, or permission of division chairman.
SPECIAL NOTE: Each student must successfully complete English 1113 (Freshman Composition I) before enrolling in English 1213 (Freshman Composition II), English 2343 (Business Communications), or English 2333 (Technical Writing).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to
1. Restrict a subject and define a clear purpose (thesis or topic sentence);
2. Write well-developed, coherent, and unified paragraphs and essays;
3. Adapt style to a particular audience;
4. Compose sentences that are effective, concise, and varied in structure;
5. Choose words that are precise and appropriate;
6. Use mechanics of English correctly (i.e., grammar, punctuation, and spelling);
7. Understand, analyze, and evaluate assigned readings;
8. Format and document submitted papers using MLA format; and
9. Identify and avoid plagiarism.
TEACHING METHODS
Group meetings, e-mail discussion, black board discussions, complete grammar module located in Blackboard under assignments, required tutoring in writing center, and one-on- one tutoring with instructor.
EVALUATION TECHNIQUES
Grading Criteria: Composition will be evaluated by the following standards.
The A Paper
1. Meets all the course objectives, although it may contain a very few minor
deficiencies.
2. Shows originality of thought.
3. Fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
4. Contains no serious errors in mechanics.
The B Paper
1. Meets al the course objectives, although it may contain a few minor deficiencies.
2. Fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
3. Contains no more than one serious error in mechanics.
The C Paper
1. Attempts to meet all the course objectives but falls short in some respects.
2. Fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
3. May contain a very few serious errors in mechanics.
The D Paper
1. Attempts to meet all the course objectives but falls short in many areas.
2. Fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
3. Contains no more than five serious errors in mechanics.
The F Paper
1. Attempts to meet all the course objectives but falls short in most respects.
2. May contain serious errors in mechanics.
SERIOUS ERRORS IN MECHANICS
1. Unjustified sentence fragment.
2. Comma splice
3. Fused sentences
4. Semicolon separating an independent and dependent clause
5. Failure in subject and verb agreement
6. Confusing pronoun reference
7. Wrong pronoun case
8. Excessive errors in spelling and/or punctuation
COMPOSITION FORMAT
Compositions must be typed and double spaced. Leave 1 to 1 ½ inch margins on all four sides and use only one side of the page.
GRADING SYSTEM
Homework assignments 200 (5 assignments = 40 each)
(Online http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown)
Writing assignments 500 (5 essays)
Tests 200 (mid-term and final) Metro Testing Center
Blackboard 100 (Blackboard Assignments)
Total points 1000
Grading Scale: 900-1000 = A
890- 800 = B
790- 700 = C
690- 600 = D
590- 0 = F
No Extra Credit is Allowed
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Although this is a self-paced class your homework, paragraphs and essays, and journal assignments must be turned in by finals week. Midterm test must be taken by the end of the 8th week. Final exam must be taken by the 14th week.
WITHDRAWALS:
Withdrawal from a class after schedule adjustment period: The procedure for dropping a class is as follows:
1. Obtain the drop form from the counseling Center.
2. Print social security number, name, and course information.
3. Verify the information for accuracy.
4. Sign the form and take it to the registrar’s Office.
5. Keep your copy after it has been date stamped in the Registrar’s Office.
6. The deadline to withdraw shall not exceed three-fourths of the duration of any
term.
PLAGIARISM
This is claiming, indication, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of another writer are one’s own, or following the work of another as a guide to ideas and expressions that are then presented as one’s own. If a student is determined guilty of plagiarism, the instructor will have the option of assigning him/her and F on the paper or allowing the student to rewrite according to the instructor’s specifications. INFORMATION OF HOW TO DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE IN THE WRITING CENTER, MC 306. See MLA Style Documentation Rules in your English handbook.
Course Withdrawal: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Email: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex:
). All communications to you about TCC and
Course assignments will be sent to your MyTCC email address; and you
must use MyTCC email to send email to, and receive email from, the
instructor regarding this course.
inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions
or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to
radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC
website (www.tulsacc.edu).
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may contact the disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
§ Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or test;
§ Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
§ Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class;
§ Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
RESPECT FOR AND CONTROL OF STANDARD AMERICAN ENGLISH
IS THE MAJOR CRITERION FOR GRADING IN THIS CLASS
TCC WRITING CENTERS
Each TCC campus has a writing center, which can be of substantial benefit to students needing assistance in building the language and composition skills for which they will be held responsible. Assistance is also available in research paper format and library techniques. After evaluating your writing, your instructor may recommend specific programs and instructional materials available in these facilities to help you improve your ability to communicate clearly.
The Writing Centers at all three campuses are staffed with professionals to assist students with language and writing problems, and free tutorial services are available by appointment. For all computer use, students will need their own disks. Check with the Writing Center at the most convenient campus for hours and other specifics.
TCC TESTING CENTERS
PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to bring a picture identification (driver’s license) and current validated student I.D., or you will NOT be admitted. While you may bring a dictionary along with the blue outline paper, you will not be allowed to take other papers or books into the Testing Center. Be sure to bring several ball-point pens.
The Metro Campus Testing Center is located in room MC-1018, and will be open according to the following schedule: Please check with Testing Center for this semester.
Monday- Thursday 8 AM- 7 PM
Friday 8 AM- 5 PM Saturday 8 AM –4 PM
REMEMBER: You may choose the date most convenient for you, and you may use as much or as little of the testing session as you need, but be sure to allow enough time to complete your work before the Center closes because you may not leave the Testing Center and return on another day.
SCHEDULE
Summer 2009
Week 1 and 2
· Read pp. 1-17 in “A Reader For College Writers”
· Contact instructor
· Begin discussion on Blackboard. “Flavio’s Home” pp. 254 (Reader)
· Homework assignment 1 – Verbs pp. 275-304
(The Little Brown Handbook 10th Ed)
(http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e)
Web-only Exercises
Exercise 14.1Irregular verbs
Exercise 14.2-s and -ed verb endings
Exercise 14.3Helping verbs
Exercise 14.4Verbs plus gerunds or infinitives
email results to
· Read pp.233-245 in “A Reader For College Writers”
· Write your first essay description
(description located in TCC Blackboard assignments)
Week 3 and 4
· Homework assignment 2 – Sentence Fragments pp. 334 - 341
(The Little Brown Handbook 10th Ed)
(http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e)
Web-only Exercises
Exercise 17.1Sentence fragments
Exercise 17.2Subordinate clauses as sentence fragments
Exercise 17.3Other sentence fragments
· Read pp. 275-285 in “A Reader For College Writers”
· Discussion Board “The Day I Was Fat” pp. 293
· Write essay two – Narration.
(detail description located in TCC Blackboard assignments)
· Homework assignment 3 – Coma spices and Run-Ons pp. 342-349
(Little Brown Handbook 10th Ed)
(http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e)
Web-only Exercises
Exercise 18.1Comma splices and fused sentences
Exercise 18.2Comma splices and fused sentences: Main clauses without and, but, etc.
Exercise 18.3Comma splices and fused sentences: Main clauses without however, for
example, etc. e-mail to
· Read pp. 349-359 in “A Reader For College Writers”
· Discussion Board “High Anxiety: It Never Ends” pp. 362
· Write essay three – Comparison and Contrast
(detail description located in TCC Blackboard assignments)
Week 5and 6
· Homework assignment 4 – Pronouns: Case and Reference 350-363
(The Little Brown Handbook 10th Ed)
(http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e)
Web-only Exercises
Exercise 19.1Pronoun reference: Clear and close reference
Exercise 19.2Pronoun reference: Specific reference [Indefinite it, they, you]
e-mail to
· Read pp. 385-395 “A Reader For College Writers”
· Discussion Board “On Fire” pp.407
· Write essay four– Process Analysis
(detail description located in TCC Blackboard assignments)
Week 7 - 8
· Homework assignment 5 – Commas 430-452
(The Little Brown Handbook 10th Ed)
(http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e)
Web-only Exercises
Exercise 28.1Commas with main clauses
Exercise 28.2Commas with introductory elements
Exercise 28.3Commas with nonessential elements
Exercise 28.4Commas with series and coordinate adjectives
Exercise 28.5Commas with quotations
Exercise 28.6Misuse of commas e-mail
· Read pp. 475-487in “A Reader For College Writers”
· Discussion Board “The Right to Be Let Alone” pp.488
· Write essay five– Argumentation
(Detail description located in TCC Blackboard assignments)
· Continue to work on Argumentation and Commas homework
· All assignments must be completed
· Schedule grade discussion with instructor.
Assignments
Detail assignments are located on TCC Blackboard under Assignments.
Essays: You will write five essays. Each essay is worth 100 points. You will follow the guideline provided in TCC’s Blackboard site under assignments.
Homepage Assignment: You will complete the exercise: Getting to Know Your Class
Detail assignment located in TCC’s Blackboard site under assignments.
Discussion Board: You will discuss five assigned reading in the TCC’s Blackboard site under Discussion Board. You will reply to at least one other student.
Homework assignments: You will complete five homework assignments over grammar. You will need to go online to http://www.ablongman.com/littlebrown10e . After you complete the assigned web-only exercises, you will e-mail scores to your instructor.
Exams: You will take two exams.
Mid-term must be taken before June 29, 2009
Final must be taken before July 20, 2009
These exams will be taken in the Metro Testing Center.