ENGLISH 1010-044

EXPOSITORY WRITING

Theme: Who Am I?

Articulating My Place in the World

Instructor: Ms. Keri Mayes

Day & Time: Tue. & Thur. 8:00-9:25 a.m.

Class Location: Jones Hall 134

Office: AMG 305

Office Hours: Tue. & Thur. 9:45 -11:15 a.m.

(and by appointment)

Office Phone: 904-8262

E-Mail:

REQUIRED TEXTS

  • MHR:The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines, 8th edition, by G. H. Muller
  • HHH: Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, 15th edition, by Webb, Miller, and Horner
  • SFC: Surviving Freshman Composition, 2nd edition, by Smith and Smith
  • Any digital material presented over e-mail or WebCT is the equivalent of a required text.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • Spiral-bound notebook or journal of your choice (due Tuesday, January 24, 2006)
  • Access to the internet (WebCT) and word processing software (MS Word only)
  • E-mail address that you check regularly
  • Floppy disks, stapler, & college dictionary

COURSE OBJECTIVES

English 1010 is the first course in your two-semester freshman English writing sequence. We will focus on the process of writing as well as the actual texts that you will produce, which means that you will not only be graded on the written assignments themselves but also on the process you use in order to complete those assignments. In addition, we will focus on what makes an effective college-level paper and will spend time looking at strategies to improve your writing on the following levels: content, organization, word choice, grammar, and mechanics. For more information regarding course guidelines and objectives, consult the English Department's website at: <

CLASS GOALS

This class will involve extensive reading and writing both in and out of the classroom in orderto develop critical thinking skills that will be essential in this class as well as in every aspect of your life. The class theme centers on you, specifically who you are, what constitutes your individual identity, as well as how and where you fit in the larger world. Also, the class is web-supported, meaning that all assignments, handouts, and grades will be posted on WebCT, thereby enabling you to have immediate access to class materials and information. Please drop the class if you do not like this theme or do not have ready access to or interest in using WebCT.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

  • WebCT–You are responsible for checking WebCT dailyand printing assignments, handouts, class announcements, and any other materials I post.
  • Reading – You will read chapters from MHR and SFC (both dealing with strategies for writing and reading), sections fromHHH on matters of rhetoric and style, and other readings that I post on WebCT.
  • Journal –You are responsible for purchasing a spiral-bound notebook or journal, which you should bring to every class. We will spend the beginning of every class period writing in these journals. All entries MUST be in your journal when I take it up in order to receive full credit.
  • In-Class Writing– This may include formal and informal writing, quizzes, group work, oral presentations, and any other activities I deem necessary.
  • Writing Workshops– Through brainstorming, prewriting, revision, and editing workshops, you will learn the importance of each stage of the writing process and how they all work together to create effective writing. You will receive feedback on your writing from your peers. We will discuss the specific requirements for these workshops in class. You should bring the HHH to every revision and editing workshop. Missing a workshop will reduce your final essay grade.
  • Essays – Per English Department guidelines, you will write four formal essays of four full pages (1000-1200 words per essay). In addition, you will writeat least two in-classresponse papersof two full pages (500-750 words per paper). Together, essays and response papers constitute 75% of your final grade. I will return your essays at least one full class period before the next essay is due.

PAPER GUIDELINES

  • All papers are due at the beginning of class on the day they are due. However, you have ONE opportunity to turn in one paper up to one class period late without a grade penalty. Any other late papers will not be accepted, and you will receive a ZERO. This exception does not apply to the final essay, which you must turn in on the due date, or you will receive a zero. The final essay will be returned during or prior to final exam time.
  • Paper Format - All papers must be typed in Microsoft Word, double-spaced, stapled, and both turned in by hand and e-mailed to me in WebCT. In addition, all papers should use 12-point Times New Roman font and have a 1” margin at the top, bottom, and on both sides. NOTE: The default settings for MS Word are 1.25” for the left and right margins—you will need to reset the margins to 1”. All papers will have a title, page numbers, and the appropriate assignment block in the top left-hand corner of the first page. (See HHH 634-35 for further explanation and example.) Not following these guidelines will reduce your final essay grade.

CLASS GUIDELINES

  • Attendance – In order for you to be successful in this class, you need to be here! In my class, absences are neither excused nor unexcused. Simply put, you are allowed fourabsences for whatever reason without being penalized. After the fourth absence, FIVE points will be deducted from your final grade for each absence exceeding the four absence minimum allowed in this class. This includes student conferences; if you miss a conference, you will be marked absent. The only exception to this rule is for absences related to university-sanctioned activities (university athletics, conferences, speech trips, livestock judging, etc.). If you foresee that this may apply to you, you are responsible for notifying me by the second week of class.
  • If you know you will miss class, you must turn in any work on or before the due date to receive credit, but you will not receive any credit for in-class work. Also, it is your responsibility to find out what you miss and obtain copies of any handouts, assignments, or exercises on WebCT.
  • Cell Phones – Please turn off your cell phones BEFORE coming into class. It is rude and

disrespectful to your classmates and me if your cell phone is ringing or beeping during class. Two cell phone rings or any cell phone activity (making a call, playing games, text messaging, etc.) equals one absence.

  • Inclimate Weather – Do not assume that class is cancelled because of weather conditions. You should check the class announcements on WebCT as well as the MTSU homepage for university closing information.

GRADES

In order to pass this course and earn three credit hours, your course average must be a C- (at least a 70) or better. To be eligible, you must 1) complete and turn in all assignments, 2) meet writing assignment deadlines, and 3) meet all requirements for the course as stated in the syllabus. Your course grade will be determined as a ratio of total points earned divided by total points available (see below). Your final grade must exceed the .5 mark in order for me to round up.

Grading Scale: 100-90=A / 89-87=B+ / 86-83=B / 82-80=B– / 79-77=C+ / 76-73=C / 72-70=C– /

Below 70 = F or Possible N

Students who fulfill all course requirements but fail to achieve the grade of C-or better and who are attempting the course for the first time will receive a course grade of N, which gives them another opportunity to pass the course without lowering their GPAs. Final grades will be reported as A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-,F, or N. Although I may use the grade of “D” in grading papers and assignments, no one receiving an overall “D” grade will pass the class.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Be sure to visit the English Department’s website at < for more information on MTSU’s policies on civility in the classroom, academic dishonesty, disabled services, and absences/tardies. Also available are the English Department’s standards, goals, writing requirements, and grading procedures for English 1010.

COURSE POLICIES

Late Work – All assigned work is due on or before the due date listed in the schedule. However, I will give you one and ONLY one opportunity to turn in one essay (but not Essay4) up to one class period late without a grade penalty. After that, I will NOT accept any other late work. This does not include homework or in-class work, which you cannot turn in late.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities– If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, please provide a letter from the Office of Disabled Students. You may contact them at 898-2783 with any questions about accommodations.

Plagiarism – The most flagrant instances of plagiarism are 1) submitting work that is copied from another student’s writing, 2) having someone dictate what should be written, and 3) using printed or Internet sources without documentation. If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating in my class using one of these methods or any other method, you will receive aZERO for the assignment and your activities will be reported to the Dean of Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action. YOU MUST SIGN THE ORIGINAL PLAGIARISM STATEMENT FOUND ON PAGE 11 OF SURVIVING FRESHMEN COMPOSITION by January 26, 2006. Students failing to do this will not receive credit for any work done in this class.

UniversityWritingCenter – The University Writing Center (UWC) is located in Peck Hall 325 (phone 904-8237, email ) and on the web at for students to receive valuable one-on-one assistance with their writing.

*Note: You can receive three points extra credit per visit (maximum 6 points) on each essay for attending the UWC; however, you must write a brief narrative paragraph describing your experience (i.e. with whom you worked, what you discussed, what you learned, how your writing changed or did not change due to the session). I will accept your paragraph only on the day the essay is due.

Scholarships and Student Loans – You are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the terms and conditions of whatever means of financial support from which you benefit. In no instance can I be held responsible for any neglect of your duties. You may find scholarship information at <

This syllabus is a contract between you (the student) and me (the instructor). By staying in this class, you agree to follow all of the guidelines given above and to be responsible for your own actions.

***The attached schedule is subject to modification at the instructor’s discretion.***

WEEK / DATE / HAVE READ FOR CLASS / HAVE WRITTEN / CLASS ACTIVITY / DUE
1 / 17-Jan. / Discussion of syllabus & diagnostic, scavenger hunt
 / 19-Jan. / SFC 6-22 / Quiz, In-Class Diagnostic
2 / 24-Jan. / SFC 31-35, 37-46, 187-9
MHR 20-41 / Quiz, Discussion of readings, group presentations,WebCT / Journal
 / 26-Jan. / MHR 166-7 & 170-82 / Discuss Family Roles Essay 1, BR/PW WKSP / Pg. 11 Plagiarism Statement
 / 30-Jan. / Last day to drop w/o a grade
3 / 31-Jan. / SFC 47-56, HHH (TBA) / Draft Essay 1 / Grammar Presentation #1,
REVWKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
2-Feb. / SFC 57-64, MHR 62-72 / Revised Essay 1 / Discussion of Argumentation, Quiz, ED WKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
4 / 7-Feb. / MHR 73-83 / Discuss Writing Arguments, Quiz, In-Class Writing / Essay 1
9-Feb. / MHR 96-101, HHH (TBA) / 1 pg. Text Response / Discussion of readings, group work, Grammar Presentation #2 / Text Response
5 / 14-Feb. / MHR 219-22, 223-6, 228-32 / 1 pg. Text Response / Discuss readings & Gender Roles Essay 2, BR/PW WKSP / Text Response
16-Feb. / Draft Essay 2 / Student Conferences
6 / 21-Feb. / Draft Essay 2 / REV WKSP(In Peck Hall 326) / E-mail to peers & me in WebCT
23-Feb. / Revised Essay 2 / REV/ED WKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
7 / 28-Feb. / MHR 104-5, 108-17,
HHH (TBA) / Discuss In-Class Education Response, BR WKSP, Grammar Presentation #3 / Essay 2
2-Mar. / Education Response, Discuss T.V. Essay 3 / In-Class Response
 / 6-Mar. / Last day to drop with a “W”
8  / 7-Mar. / Spring Break-No Class
9-Mar. / Spring Break-No Class
9 / 14-Mar. / SFC 155-8 / Respond to idea on
SFC 157 / I am gone to a conference.
Out of class BR/PW WKSP / E-mail work to me in WebCT
16-Mar. / T.V. articles posted on WebCT / Draft Essay 3 / I am gone to a conference.
Out of class REV WKSP / E-mail to peers & me in WebCT
10 / 21-Mar. / MHR 503-4, 505-7,
HHH (TBA) / Revised Essay 3 / Grammar Presentation #4
REV/ED WKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
23-Mar. / SFC 125-32, UWC handouts / MLA Workshop / Essay 3
11 / 28-Mar. / MHR 304-8, 309-13,
HHH (TBA) / 1 pg. Text Response / Grammar Presentation #5, Discuss In-Class American Dream Response, BR WKSP / Text Response
30-Mar. / American Dream Response / In-Class Response
12 / 4-Apr. / MHR 358-73 / 1 pg. Text Response / Discuss Work Essay 4, BR/PW WKSP / Text Response
6-Apr. / Draft Essay 4 / Student Conferences
13 / 11-Apr. / Draft Essay 4 / REV WKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
13-Apr. / Revised Essay 4 / REV/ED WKSP / Bring 2 copies &
e-mail in WebCT
14 / 18-Apr. / Discuss essay revision option & readings, group work / Essay 4
20-Apr. / Revised Essay / REV/ED WKSP / Bring 2 copies
15 / 25-Apr. / Class Evaluation & Discussion / Revised Essay
 / 27-Apr. / Study Day – No Class
4-May / Final Exam 8:00-10:00 a.m. / Return papers