Syllabus for ENG 102 Fall 2011

2. Strong Work Ethic

3. Teamwork Skills

4. Initiative/ Motivation

5. Interpersonal Skills

6. Problem Solving Skills

7. Analytical Skills

8. Use of TechnologyClass Requirements:<br />Students will be expected to come to class fully prepared for discussion. This means that reading the assigned material beforehand for any given day is a must, for fruitful discussions depend on the active participation of all students. Having read the material ahead of time, students should also begin to formulate questions and critiques which they would like to share in class discussion. <br />Since 100 points of your final grade is based on active participation (see below), attendance is required. Absences will detract from your grade. According to the 2010-2011 SWIC Catalog, “If you are absent more times during the semester than the number of times the class meets per week, you may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor” (page 26). <br />Tardiness also disrupts the class. Two instances of lateness count as one unexcused absence – so be on time!<br />Further, to pass the class you must complete all assignments!<br />Assessment:<br />“Students must produce no fewer than 5000 words of finished, edited work, at least 3000 of which should include multiple sources.” (SWIC English Department) <br />This semester, we will complete two large assignments (although they each have several components) for a total of 1000 points for the entire semester:<br />Project #1: Shepard Project (300 points total)<br />Library Scavenger Hunt10 points<br />Synthesis Assignment40 points<br />Project Proposal50 points<br />Annotated Bibliography50 points<br />Draft50 points<br />Final Project100 points<br />Project #2: Ethnography Project (600 points total)<br />Project Proposal50 points<br />Dianna Search25 points<br />Group Research Assignment25 points<br />Annotated Bibliography100 points<br />Interview Transcript50 points<br />Survey Results50 points<br />Draft50 points<br />Oral Presentation50 points<br />Final Project200 points<br />Attendance and Participation (100 points total)<br />Explanation of Assignments<br />All of your assignments (with a few exceptions to be noted later) must be typed. We do have computer labs on campus (for example, Room 344 and our new lab in room 512!) for those times when your regular printer/ computer/ etc. blows up. Be aware that the computer you use at home/ public library/ friend’s house may not be the same as the ones available on campus for student use. Thus, find out early in the semester how this works out with you if you will be using a computer outside this class.<br />In addition, I have pretty clear expectations about how you should present your work. First – no slippery, plastic covers! Just staple your pages together in the left hand corner. Also, no title page (waste of a tree). In the top left corner of the first page of each assignment, please include the following:<br />Your Name<br />Instructor’s Name<br />English 102<br />Assignment Description (i.e. Annotated Bibliography)<br />Date<br />**** Note: We will examine a “rubric” of how your projects will be assessed before you turn in the first project (and we will look at lots of sample papers from former students as well!).<br />Class Policies:<br />Participate!!: You must bring the text we are looking at that day to the class session. You will be responsible for completing the daily assignments before each class. You are expected to attend class regularly. In signing up for this class, you have made a commitment to this course. Therefore, attendance and participation are essential to your own success and that of the class. The instructor reserves the right to drop you from the class at mid-term if you have had an inexcusable number of absences (absent more times than the class meets per week) or haven’t turned in enough assignments to pass the course. Drop yourself from the class if you have too many extenuating circumstances to participate in the course and pass the class successfully. At the end of the semester, I will not give any withdrawals to MIA students – only F’s. <br />Attending class on Day 2 indicates your willingness to abide by the policies and assignments outlined in this syllabus.<br />You must make arrangements for late work with me before a due date. An assignment is due at the beginning of class, not after the class has already started. Late assignments will have points deducted.<br />No cell phones in class. If you must carry one, be sure that the phone is turned off. Of a phone goes off in class, I may ask you to withdraw from the class. Seriously.<br />Inclement Weather Policy: If the college chooses to use the quot;
Snow Schedulequot;
rather than close, the college will open at 10 a.m. Classes scheduled to be in session at that time will be held for the remainder of their scheduled session. Classes that start after 10 a.m. will be held at their usual time for the normal duration.<br />Note on Academic Dishonesty:<br />This is a research-based class, so no surprise that I have to comment on the topic of academic honesty. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Cite any source information using MLA guidelines. I have several MLA handbooks in my office; further, the library also has access to several copies. You may also access MLA information online at the Purdue University On-Line Writing Lab: http://owl.english.purdue.edu. Please refer to the student handbook and the college catalog for more specific information about academic standards. If I find that you have plagiarized (intentional or unintentional), you will receive an “F” for that assignment.<br />The Americans With Disabilities Act:<br />Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Special Services Center at campus extension 5368 (Belleville Campus) or campus extension 6652 (Granite City Campus) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. <br />Safe Zone Program:<br />I am a member of the Safe Zone Program: Allies for Gender and Sexual Diversity. This means that I promise to provide confidential support for members of the college community who are gay, lesbian, transgender, intersex, or cross-dressing. I am available to listen if you wish to talk or if you need referrals to appropriate community resources.<br />Writing = Money??<br />Starting this last year, the English Department here at the SWGCC started offering a scholarship opportunity for any student enrolled or completing ENG 101 or 102. All you have to do is submit an essay that you wrote in one of these classes and you could win $500! Pretty cool, eh? All you need is a 3.0 GPA and be either a PT or FT student here on our campus! You must apply online at www.swicfoundation.com or contact the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation.<br />Pet Peeves:<br />Never, ever ask me “Did I miss something important?” when you miss a class. Of course you did! You also don’t need to give me long, involved “excuses.” What you missed is more important than why you missed.<br />OK, another annoying question is “Do you have a stapler?” Buy one at the dollar store. Maintain professional behavior!<br />Give me at least a week to grade your papers. Asking me the next day if I have graded your paper will cause unneeded stress on your teacher.<br />Please, please, please turn off your cell phone. Seriously. (I know I mentioned this already, but it’s becoming a big “problem” in class in terms of people texting and Facebooking during class discussions!)<br />One Last Note:<br />We are a community – a reading, writing, and learning community that happens to meet in a classroom. Universal respect is essential to the communal atmosphere. Good listening skills and good classroom behavior are required. I truly believe that the writing and discussions we experience can have a profound effect on the way you think about the world. Thus, you are expected to actively and productively participate in class discussions and activities. <br />You will do a great deal of writing in this class, some of which will be shared with both your peers and myself; therefore, avoid writing about topics that you feel are too personal or that may incriminate you. But DO write about ideas that interest you and are meaningful to you. Often, the best writing is personal. I realize that this is uncomfortable for some people, but it is also rewarding when you get thoughtful and constructive feedback. It is never appropriate to make fun of others’ writing or ideas, but honestly and respectfully challenging ideas helps writers clarify and further explain their ideas and arguments. As we get to know each other, I hope that you will be comfortable both sharing your work and responding to the writing of others. This class requires a high level of cooperation and thoughtfulness as we work together to become even stronger writers.<br />