College Reading CURRINS 112

Instructor: Mary Walz-Chojnacki (walls-hoy-not-ski)

E-mail:

Phone: 229-6040 Leave a message and I’ll call you back.

Office: Mitchell 185A Mailbox: Mitchell 177

Office Hours: Monday 1:30-2:30; Tues. and Thurs. 2:00-3:00

And Friday by appointment

Required Text: Viewpoints by W. Royce Adams 8th ed.

The text is sold at the Union Bookstore and at NEEBO Books. It is on reserve in the library (Lower level West Wing) under “Walz-Chojnacki”.

Course Purpose: This course is designed to improve comprehension and critical

thinking skills which you will use for college-level reading.

Course Objectives:

  1. Provide knowledge and practice with identifying thesis statements, organizational

patterns, and supporting evidence.

  1. Develop the ability to analyze, evaluate, discuss and write about contemporary

issues introduced in essays.

  1. Develop the ability to recognize perspective, interpretations and assumptions.
  2. Develop the ability to become an independent learner and a contributor to the learning of others.

Policies

Attendance: Students are required to attend all classes. Punctuality, preparation and participation are expected. Students are expected to be in class on time. Chronic tardiness may have a negative effect on your grade. However, it is better to come to class late (once in a great while) than to stay away if you are a few minutes late. If you miss class due to illness or other emergency, contact me the same day. Students who miss more than two classes, may not receive higher than a C- for this class. Students who are unable to attend regularly will be advised to drop the class. Self-discipline and personal responsibility are required in order to maintain the schedule of class attendance and assignments

Academic Integrity Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty such as copying homework violate university policy and are subject to disciplinary action as detailed in the Student Handbook or visit

Classroom Conduct University attendanceis a choice made by students based upon admission to UWM. Your commitment to a positive, productive classroom environment is presumed. Your instructor has the primary responsibility for classroom behavior and can direct the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or any behavior which violates the general rules and regulations of the institution. Such behavior may be reported to the Dean for disciplinary action. See Student Handbook for details. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off except in the case of a sick child. Headsets and earpieces must be removed and stored before class begins.

Accommodations If special accommodations are needed such as note taking or test taking in order to meet the requirements of this course, please see me early in the semester.

Drops/Withdrawals If you are thinking of dropping this course, please speak with me first to see if you might get caught up. If you decide to drop this course or withdraw from the university, consult the Spring 2014 Schedule of Classes at and speak with your advisor for instructions and drop dates.

Grades

All students begin the course with 100 points. Students will lose points for absences and incomplete or missing assignments or quizzes. Points will be tallied at the end of the semester and translated into a letter grade. Below is a summary of points per assignment and corresponding letter grades. Late work = ½ credit.

Class Participation16

Study guides47 Complete and accurate responses will earn full credit.

Vocabulary quizzes 14 Quiz on chosen words from each selection.

Final reading 12

Independent project11 See the directions below

93+ A82-80 B-69-66 D+

92-90 A-79-77 C+65- 63 D

89-86 B+75- 73 C 62-60 D-

85- 83 B72-70 C-Below 60 F

Independent Project: (11 points) Each student will choose a topic that you are interested in from one of the designated text chapters. You will read the two essays at the end of the chapter. These essays take different points of view on ONE issue. Type your work and edit your writing for grammar, punctuation and spelling. Points will be taken off for format errors.

Complete the following argument analysis for each essay separately. Be sure to address all of these points. Then compare the two essays in two paragraphs.

  1. What is the Topic of the Essay:
  2. Who is the Author and their credentials: (Search for information about the author)
  3. What is the Main idea or Thesis:
  4. List the Supporting Evidence or Reasons given:
  5. List the Sources of evidence: (for example: did the author use experts, research, statistics, government documents)
  6. Write a one-paragraph summary for this essay.
  7. Repeat the argument analysis for the second essay.
  8. Then, compare the positions on the MAIN IDEA for the essays and the quality of the EVIDENCE. Use at least two paragraphs.
  9. Finally, Which position do you agree with? Why? Give at least three reasons.