English 101-xx: Introduction to College Writing, Fall 2010

Instructor Name, Instructor Email (must be a University of Louisville email address) Office Location: Office room number (and carrel #) if appropriate, OFFICE PHONE

Office Hours: Two hrs/wk for one section and Four hrs/wk for two or more sections (and by appointment)

Goals:

This course provides an introduction to argumentative writing—the most common and most difficult form of college-level writing. You will practice identifying, analyzing, constructing, and organizing effective arguments. This practice will enhance your understanding of academic writing and prepare you for writing assignments you will receive in other courses across the university. This course satisfies a University General Education Written Communication requirement.

Course Materials:

  • John D. Ramage, John C. Bean, June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Brief 8th Edition.
  • Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner. Freakonomics.
  • Funds for printing out course materials and making photocopies of drafts.

Major Requirements:Additional options will be discussed in orientation.

Assignment / Points / Approximate Due Dates
Draft / Final
Rhetorical Analysis / 100 / Sept 10 / Sept 17
Evaluation Argument / 200 / Oct 4 / Oct 13
Causal Argument* / 200 / Oct 29 / Nov 5
Proposal Argument / 300 / Nov 22 / Dec 3
Reflective Critical Thinking Essay / 50 / n/a / Dec 10
Homework, in-class activities, quizzes / 250-350* / Ongoing: See Blackboard for Details

Class participation will be used to decide borderline grades.

Attendance policy: Additional options will be discussed in orientation

Regular attendance in this class is absolutely necessary. We will be completing exercises and activities daily in class. Students with unexcused absences will not be able to make up points missed from in-class work. Those with excused absences may make up missed points only by coming to my office hours or scheduling an appointment. Excused absences include religious holidays, university-sponsored athletic events, and serious illness documented with a doctor’s note. If you must be absent, email me as soon as you can so we can make arrangements.

Daily Homework: Additional options will be discussed in orientation.

Writing classes are skills-based classes, and you learn new skills through repeated practice. To give you this practice, graded homework applying skills and concepts will be due every class. Most homework assignments will be worth 10 pts, but some smaller ones may only be 5 pts and some larger ones may be worth 20 pts. Homework assignments must be typed and printed. If you email your homework to me before the beginning of class rather than print it, I will reduce the grade by 30%. Late homework will not be accepted.

Late work policy:Additional options will be discussed in orientation.

All work is due when assigned. An unexcused absence does not allow you to miss a deadline. I do not accept late work without a valid documented excuse or unless previous arrangements have been made.

Revision policy:Additional options will be discussed in orientation.

This class is based on the belief that students learn best when given high standards combined with extensive assistance to meet those standards. Consequently, you will receive feedback from both peers and me on drafts of essays. In addition, if you are dissatisfied with a grade you receive on a major assignment, you have up to four weeks from the date of return to revise and resubmit it for a new grade. This new grade will replace the original grade. All revised essays must be accompanied by a cover letter explaining how you have addressed my comments.

Use of student work:

I keep copies of all work that you turn in and will frequently use samples of student work for class discussion. Expect to have at least one of your essays critiqued before the class. If you have concerns about this policy, please let me know.

Daily Schedule and other policies:

A daily schedule of readings and assignments will be maintained on Blackboard. You may also find information on Blackboard about policies on plagiarism, grading scales, students with disabilities, and grievance procedures.

The instructor has the right to make changes to the syllabus and schedule if necessary.