English 1310: College Writing I

Academic Semester/Term: Fall 2017

Course description (from catalog): Expository writing as a means of exploring and shaping ideas. Emphasis on critical reading and the improvement of essays through revision.

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General Education Core Curriculum (Code 010)

Communication Foundational Component Outcomes

Students will examine ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures.

Core Objectives/Competencies Outcomes:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
  • Communication
  • Students will effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
  • Teamwork
  • Students will recognize different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
  • Personal Responsibility
  • Students will relate choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Course Texts and Materials

1)Hacker and Sommers, The Bedford Handbook, 9/e

2)Barrios, Emerging: Contemporary Readings for Writers, 3/e

Course Description

English 1310 is a course in expository writing. You will study the principles of effective composition, with emphasis on the improvement of papers through revision and the critical reading of substantive nonfiction texts. While self-expressive and narrative writing may serve as a means of supporting ideas within a given paper, such writing is not, in itself, the focus of the course.

English 1310 requires a minimum of 4,000 words of graded writing divided among 4-5 out-of-class papers. The final exam is in addition to the 4,000-word minimum.Each paper should run between 750-1,000 words. You will be citing your sources using a standard citation system. Besides the papers you submit for a grade, you will do a good deal of other writing in the course, including drafts, commentaries on the work of other students, and impromptu reactions to reading assignments. You may also be asked to keep a journal or writing log, and/or post to an online class forum or blog.

After completing English 1310, you should be able to draft, revise, and edit texts in which you demonstrate the ability to formulate a thesis (central idea) in an orderly way; form clear and effective paragraphs and sentences; use an appropriate vocabulary; conduct primary research, and apply the grammatical conventions of written English.

Grades

Your grade will be based on a mix of informal and formal, in-class and out-of-class assignments. You must turn in all of paper assignments 1-5 in order to pass this course.

  • Paper #1 (TRACS): 15%
  • Paper #2 (TRACS): 15%
  • Paper #3 (TRACS): 20%
  • Paper #4 (TRACS): 20%
  • Paper #5 (presented in class): 6%
  • TRACS Posts: 9%
  • Daily Assignments: 15%

Grading Standards

C C indicates a satisfactory performance. A C paper demonstrates positive qualities and avoids serious errors. The positive qualities include the presentation of a central idea that is adequately developed and competently organized. The errors to be avoided include serious flaws in the construction of paragraphs and sentences, in the selection of appropriate words, and in the use of conventional written English. The style of the writing is generally clear.

B The B paper surpasses the C paper by demonstrating a higher level of effectiveness in the organization and development of a central idea. The B paper shows greater complexity of thought and development, while sustaining clarity in expression. It has few or none of the common errors in the use of conventional written English. The style of the writing is generally fluent and polished

A The A paper is outstanding work. It is clearly a superior performance according to the criteria of clarity of expression and logical development of a central idea. It shows originality of thought and imaginative competence in the development of the material. It engages and holds the reader’s attention and invites rereading. The style of the writing is consistently fluent, polished, and distinctive.

D D indicates an unsatisfactory performance. A D paper is flawed by any one or several of the following: weakness in establishing or developing a central idea; serious errors in sentence or paragraph construction; serious errors in grammar, spelling, or the mechanics of written expression.

F F indicates an unacceptable performance. An F paper is flawed by one or more of the following: failure to follow the assigned topic; failure to conceive, state, or develop a central idea; serious repeated errors in sentence construction or paragraph development; serious repeated errors in grammar, spelling, or the mechanics of written expression.

U Grade. A grade of U (Unearned Failing) is awarded to students who do not officially withdraw from, but fail to complete, a course (i.e., do not take a final exam, stop attending, etc.) and fail to achieve the course objectives.

Academic Honesty

The Texas State University Honor Code states, “We do our own work and are honest with one another in all matters. We understand how various acts of dishonesty, like plagiarizing, . . . conflict as much with academic achievement as with the values of honesty and integrity.”

Plagiarizing is submitting work that is in any way not your own. Refer to the First-Year English Syllabus and to The Bedford Handbook for definitions and general policies concerning plagiarism. Any cases of verifiable plagiarism, whether deliberate or accidental, will result in a failing grade on the assignment and may result in a failing grade for English 1320. (Note: Peer review and consultation with your instructor or a counselor at the Writing Center do not constitute plagiarism and are encouraged.) As evidence of your commitment to academic honesty, I will ask that you write by hand on every paper you submit for this class the student’s pledge: “I pledge to uphold the principles of honesty and responsibility at our University.”

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend every class. No absence is excused. When an absence is unavoidable, the student is responsible for acquiring missed course materials and the information supplied in class. Students absent more than THREE days may receive a lower final grade for the course; students absent more than SIX days may fail the course.

Late Paper Policy

Papers are due at the beginning of class on the deadline indicated on the course calendar. If you arrive late, your paper is considered late and is subject to a grade reduction. A technological reason for a late paper is not a valid excuse. For each day a paper is late, I will deduct 10 points from the final grade. This includes weekends. You must submit all major paper assignments to pass the class.

Accommodations

Students who need accommodations in order to succeed in this course must inform me within the first two weeks of class.

The Writing Center

I encourage you to use the tutoring services provided by The Writing Center, located on the 1st floor of ASBN. You can book your 30- to 60-minute appointment at

Classroom Policies

Before class: It is vital that you come to class prepared and fully present. Complete all assignments before coming to class.

During class: You should behave in the classroom as in any other professional setting or workplace. Do not arrive late. Remain calm, polite, and respectful as you interact with your classmates, your instructor, and their ideas.

Outside of class: Email is the best way to contact me if you have questions. Please get in the habit of checking your Texas State email regularly—multiple times a day—since this is the primary method of communication used by the university. Before you email me, please make sure that your question is not already addressed in this syllabus or course handouts. Allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.

Technology Policy

All electronic devices must be turned OFF and stowed out of sight of everyone in the room, including you, BEFORE class begins. These items should not make noise or be in view for any reason. I have a zero-tolerance policy on this matter.