ENG 102: First-Year Composition (Line number: 21383)
12:15-1:30 M Internet & 12:15-1:30 W CPCOM 207
Instructor:Ebru Erdem
Office:LL 350
Office Hrs:1:30 – 4:30 MW, 1:00 – 2:00 Th, and by appointment
E-mail:
Phone: 480-965-3853 (This is the English office, therefore you must leave a message.)
Required Textbook:
Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Ramage, Bean, and Johnson, 6th ed. Allyn & Bacon/Longman, 2004
Recommended Text:
Easy Writer: A Pocket Guide by Lunsford, 2nd ed., 2002, Bedford/St. Martin’s
Students should visit the following links to acquaint themselves with University and Writing Programs policies:
Link to Writing Programs Guide:
Link to Student Code of Conduct:
Required Supplies:
Writing paper and pens or pencils
Two floppy disks
Additional Requirements:
To meet the requirements for this class, you must have an ASURite account, which will allow you to access BlackBoard, and an ASU e-mail address. You can sign up for an ASURite ID in the lobby of the Computing Commons. This must be done by the end of the first day of class.
Disks
You must bring two formatted disks and your textbook with you to every class. Please make sure the disks are compatible with the computers in our classroom. It will be your responsibility to make sure that all disks turned in will be able to be accessed.
Microsoft Word
We have found that Microsoft Word works best for this course. Please save all your files in a format that can be read by a PC version of Word.
Printing
At times, we may utilize the printers in the classroom to print in-class work. Do not print your papers out in the classroom without instructor permission. Under no circumstances should you print out work for other classes in this classroom.
BlackBoard
BlackBoard is a virtual classroom space that allows online discussion postings, virtual group work, synchronous chat, and other features. For the purposes of our class, we will use BlackBoard heavily for in-class and out-of-class discussions and communication. You can access your BlackBoard space at
If you have any questions regarding BlackBoard, please feel free to contact me during office hours or by appointment.
Course Description:
The purposes of English 102 are two-fold: to develop effective argument writing strategies as well as expand critical reading abilities. This course asks you to rethink your approaches to writing and reading and introduces you to what may be new practices as well as new considerations. The goals of the course are more specifically explained below.
English 102 teaches students how to write persuasively and to understand the demands made on them by the arguments they encounter. Argumentation involves articulating a claim, using definitions consistently, supporting the claim with a variety of evidence, and drawing conclusions. Shaping an argument means assessing not only "factual" evidence, but the values, emotions and needs that affect the reasoning process. Students also learn how to construct and present a persuasive character for themselves. In addition, students need to develop their understanding of the relationship between evidence and conclusions.
To attain those goals, English 102 emphasizes the processes of writing so that you will be involved in various invention activities such as brainstorming, fastwriting, drafting, and revising. The course is designed so that a great deal of writing (as well as reading) occurs before the final paper is turned in. In-class work will include peer review, small-group and large-group learning, and writing, all designed to develop your understanding of the interrelationships of the personal and the public.
We are fortunate in this class to have the opportunity -and challenge - of incorporating technology into our English 102 experience. Our purpose in using the available technology will be to enhance our skills as writers, thinkers, and readers. As with all English 102 classes, this will be our primary focus - not the computers themselves. We will use the computers and online discussions and chats in conjunction with face-to-face interaction and discussions to facilitate group interaction and collaboration; this will include activities such as in-class discussions, out-of-class discussions (through BlackBoard), online activities, peer reviews, and in-class research.
While we are fortunate to have this large assortment of tools to choose from during this English 102 course, it will also be important to recognize and prepare for the challenges. Some students, for example, find it difficult to become motivated to complete online work. Some students may find it difficult to be in a place where they can access the Internet when needed. Others might simply feel more comfortable in more frequent face-to-face situations. If you feel any of these circumstances might apply to you, you will want to re-think your enrollment in this course. Please talk to me as soon as possible if you would like to discuss any concerns you might have regarding this class.
The Public Nature of the Class:
This class relies not only on writing but on discussion - both verbal and electronic - as well. Part of becoming a good writer and effective arguer is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others. In this class, our purpose is to come together as a community of writers and thinkers and to use the available technology in a way that will enhance discussions, peer work, and our overall class experience.
This semester, you will complete four major writing projects in addition to a final DiskFolio. You will often be expected to share your writing with others; all of your writing will be considered "public." Thus, you will share your work, including drafts, with classmates and the instructor, who will provide helpful feedback. For this reason, it will be important for you to choose topics that you are comfortable sharing with others. Avoid writing about things that you may not be prepared to subject to public scrutiny or that you feel so strongly about that you are unwilling to listen to perspectives other than your own. This does not mean that you are not entitled to an opinion but that you adopt positions responsibly and contemplate the possible effects on others.
Also, be aware that our class will be composed of diverse members; it is your responsibility to use appropriate language in class and in writing and to respect the opinions and cultures of others, per university guidelines.
Attendance and Participation:
Because of much of your learning depends on the in-class and online activities, you must attend class on a regular basis to receive credit for the course. A student who exceeds 4 absences will fail this course. This includes online sessions! Please note: There is no distinguishing between “excused” or “unexcused” absences, except for extreme situations clarified by the department, college, and university policy. Providing me with a compelling reason for your absence does not warrant my excusing your absence.
* I take attendance seriously, and consider the guidelines applicable to myself as well. However, in the event of an emergency, I will either e-mail you or contact someone to post a sign on the door. If you come to class and I'm not here by the time 15 minutes has elapsed (from when class is to start), please assume that class is cancelled.
Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. If you are not there when role is taken, you will be counted absent. If you are late to class (up to 10 minutes), you must see me after class so I will mark you as “late”, but if you are late 3 times, it counts as an absence. “Attendance” means being present, on time, prepared, and participating for the entire class meeting. If you are chronically late to class, leave early, or are not prepared to participate, I will make a note of this at the end of the class, and it will affect your attendance as well as your class participation grade.
Also, while it may appear that there is no penalty for the four absences, that is not entirely true. Any work that is done and collected in class on a day you were absent, you will not be allowed to make up.
To accommodate students who participate in university sanctioned activities, the Writing Program offers sections of this course at various times of the day and week. We have program advisors across the campus to help students enroll in appropriate sections. If you think this course may conflict with a university-sanctioned activity in which you are involved – athletics, debate team, etc.—please see me after class today (the first day) so that we can talk about options.
Conferences:
During the semester, regular class periods may be cancelled at least one time to hold mandatory writing conferences. If you miss a conference, you will be counted absent for the same number of classes that were cancelled in order to hold conferences. Also note that for the class period before we start conferences, you will be asked to bring in copies of your work-in-progress to share with your classmates. If you do not have your work on the day it is due, you risk losing substantial credit for that assignment.
Course Work:
You must come the each class period prepared to write, to share your writing and ideas with others, and to revise what you have already written. On days that we are scheduled to discuss assigned reading, you must be able to demonstrate that you have read the material and are prepared to discuss it. This means you must work steadily both in class, online, and on your own. Time management is an important element in writing and thus, an especially important concern in this hybrid course.
Computers can be distracting; however, during class time, they must be used only for class-related, instructor directed, activities. Students found using the computers for other purposes during class time will be penalized.
In order to pass the course you must complete and turn in each of the writing projects and the final DiskFolio. Major projects and DiskFolio work must be accompanied by the various invention documents, multiple drafts, and other process materials. When a final paper is due, the final document, all rough drafts of the paper, all peer review sheets, and all homework assignments for the unit must be turned in together in a disk. Projects unaccompanied by the required process materials will not receive a passing grade. Incomplete process work will affect the final grade you will receive for that paper substantially. Your final course grade will also be partially determined by the quality of your process materials.
DiskFolio:
You will keep all of your writing on disk, including in-class and out-of-class working notes, drafts, revisions, final drafts, and homework. At the end of the semester, you will review the work you have generated to date, organize it, analyze your progress, and discuss your insights in a portfolio analysis. Later in the semester, assignment handouts will be provided, carefully explaining the expectations of this project.
Late Work:
I do not accept late assignments. Late papers will receive a grade of E. Late homework, rough drafts, discussion board responses, and in-class assignments will not be accepted. Because you must turn in all 4 writing projects and the final Diskfolio to pass this course, you must turn in a paper even though it is late and will receive an E.
If you are sick on the day an assignment is due, you should arrange to have a friend deliver that paper to me during office hours or bring official documentation, such as a complete doctor’s note (a copy of your prescription is not enough), when you return. You may not email me a copy of your paper. If this is an extended absence, you should phone or email me as soon as possible to discuss your return and submission of work with documentation. I encourage you to see me during office hours, email me, or make an appointment (if you cannot attend my scheduled office hours) if are having a problem with a paper. Students frequently tell me that the most helpful feature of the class was coming to my office to discuss their writing projects. Please discuss concerns with me while we still have options. I tend to be generous with students who take the initiative to consult with me about concerns while they are still “situations” and “not yet crises,” and less generous with those who permit things to slide until a crisis is unavoidable.
Additional Reminders:
Peer Reviews:
On days when a draft is due for peer revision, you will be expected to come with a complete typed draft. Failing to come with a completed draft will affect your attendance/participation grade and your polished paper grade. Your polished paper grade will be reduced by 1/2 letter grade for each peer review you miss.
If you miss a peer review class – face-to-face or on-line – you will not be allowed to have your paper reviewed by someone outside of the class. Even if your draft is incomplete, it is better to attend the peer review class rather than miss class since missing too many classes could result in your failing the class. Moreover, if you come, you will earn partial participation credit.
Also, the quality of the peer review you provide for your classmates will affect your final/polished paper grade.
Paper Format:
Unless otherwise specified, all papers (workshop drafts and final drafts) should be typed and printed and printed on a high-quality printed, 12-point Times New Roman font, and left-justified with one-inch margins. On the first page of the paper, in the upper left-hand corner, place your name, course title, my name, assignment name, due date (single space heading).
Example:
Ima Student
ENG 102
Ms. Erdem
Assignment #1: Classical Argument
January 31, 2004
Your title should then appear, one space down, centered on the page. Please note that the assignment name should NOT be the title of your essay.
* Be sure you make a back-up copy of all your work (keep a hard copy, save it to your c: drive/m: drive or to another back-up disk). This way, any technical problems you might have with your disk/computer or your losing the disk is no excuse for your not turning in an assignment.
Disposition of Papers:
Always keep all of your papers, even after the semester has ended. Any student who appeals a course grade must submit all graded course papers with such an appeal.
Time Commitment:
You should plan to spend at least three hours outside of class for every hour in class. Composition classes require more time from students than many other classes do.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarizing is the act of presenting as your own any work that you did not exclusively generate. Plagiarism of all or a portion of any assignment will be strictly penalized. See the Writing Programs Guide for more information on plagiarism.
Use of Cell Phones/Pagers:
Please make sure that all cell phones, pagers, etc. are turned off at the beginning of each class.
Disability Resources for Students:
ASU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990m (ADA). If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education at ASU, please call Disability Resources for Students at 965-1234. Please feel free to discuss special accommodations with the instructor.
Grades:
Project One 15%
Project Two 15%
Project Three 15%
Project Four 15%
DiskFolio 10%
Peer-Review, Group Work, Participation (in-class and BlackBoard) 15%
Homework, In-Class Writing, and Attendance 15%
Assignment Grading Scale:
A+=100A=95 A-=92.5B+=87.5B=85 B-=82.5
C+=77.5C=75 C-=72.5D+=67.5D=65 E=59
The final course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
E= 50%-59%
Incompletes:
A grade of I (Incomplete) will not be offered in this course except under extreme conditions and with advisement from the Writing Program Administration. A grade of I would result only from a written contract signed by the instructor, the student and the Writing Program Administrator. A student who simply stops attending class will not receive an “I.”
Withdrawal Deadlines:
January 25 SDrop/Add deadline
February 13 FUnrestricted withdrawal deadline (in person)
February 15 SUnrestricted withdrawal deadline (ASU Interactive and Sundial)
April 2 FRestricted withdrawal deadline
April 28 WRestricted complete withdrawal deadline
Overview of the Course
Course Goals:
The composition program at ASU supports the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) and Writing Program Administrators (WPA) outcomes for composition students. They have drafted the following outcomes for first year composition students. The outcomes are provided here to help you better understand what materials and knowledge you will be expected to acquire in first-year composition.