Freshman Composition I Professor: Margot Reynolds Lagowski
ENC 1101Office: 5-231; Phone (407) 582-1313
DaysOffice Hours: by appointment
BuildingEmail:
Fall 2010
Sometimes we are blessed with being able to choose the time, and the arena, and the manner of our revolution, but more usually we must do battle where we are standing. -Audre Lorde
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ENC 1101 is designed to introduce students to the essay form and to provide instruction and practice in expository writing, including the documented essay. It encourages you to examine the “arguments” in your personal, professional, and academic life and to help you participate in the dialogue around you. As a communicator, you become adroit at utilizing these concepts: specificity, coherence, and vision. Through course work you will shape your voice in these areas by developing effective research, critical thinking, and analytical skills. The reading and writing volume for this course is substantialThe course emphasis covers clarity of central and support ideas, adequate development, logical organization, coherence, concision, appropriate citing of primary and/or secondary sources, and grammatical and mechanical accuracy. Also, the course includes a learning activity designed to ensure competence in the basic use of computers. In addition, the final exam must be completed for credit in this course.
BOOKS AND MATERIALS
Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. The Wadsworth Handbook. 9th ed. Boston: Wadsworth,
2011. Print.
Buscemi, Santi V., and Charlotte Smith. 75 Readings Plus. 9th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print.
One folder with side pockets, loose-leaf notebook paper, and a binder
Optional: Storage device, e.g. jump drive, dictionary
COURSE DELIVERY
The subject matter is presented in various forms, which may include lectures, class discussion, demonstrations, collaborative activities, student projects and presentations, on-line research, guest speakers or public writing.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Score of 83 on writing component of CPT or equivalent score on other state approved entry test or minimum grade of C in ENC 0012 and ENC 0012L, or ENC 0012C or EAP 1640 or ENS 1441; also score of 83 on REA 0002 and REA 0002L, or REA 0002C or EAP 1620 or ENS 1421.
GORDON RULE, VCC CORE COMPETENCIES, and CLAS
To satisfy the state requirement called the Gordon Rule, students in ENC 1101are required to complete multiple writing assignments and achieve a grade of C or higher. ENC 1101 addresses the Valencia Core Competencies to Think, Act, Value, and (especially) Communicate. Evidence of College Level Academic Skills (CLAS) is a graduation requirement. To the extent possible, students will be encouraged to develop reading skills, essay skills, and English language skills as part of the work of ENC 1101. Additional information is available in the current Valencia College Catalog.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Acts of plagiarism include using ideas or words of another source without indicating that these words are quoted/paraphrased (“another source” includes, but is not limited to, TV shows, newscasts, group members, photographs, paintings, etc.), turning in a paper written by someone else, turning in a paper found anywhere on the Internet, and turning in a paper written by someone else who is “helping” you in this course. No plagiarism in any way, shape, or form will be tolerated. Any plagiarism will result in sanctions beginning with, but not confined to, an “F” in the course. The consequences of plagiarism are simply not worth the risks.
COURSE POLICIES
ATTENDANCE
Student attendance determines your success in this course. Attendance policies reflect your strict adherence to the guidelines outlined below.
Absences – Absences are strongly discouraged. If you miss a class, you may turn in any assignment prior to class. Once class is in session, no work may be submitted. No late work will be accepted—PERIOD.
Two (2) absences will result in a warning; four (4) absences may result in withdrawal of the course and/or recusal of final exam.
Two (2) late arrivals equals one (1) absence.
Tardiness - Arrive promptly for class and be ready to engage, participate, and work. Please make a conscious effort to be punctual. I make announcements at the beginning of class, and I will not repeat myself for students who arrive late; nor will I accept you talking to your peer once class is in motion. A tardy is documented; repetitive tardiness will not be tolerated regardless of reason (transportation, family/friend commitments, etc). Late arrivals, extended or student-initiated breaks, and early departures will be recorded for participation grade and may be counted as an absence.
Notes - Absence from class is not an excuse for incompletion of the homework assignments or essays. In the event of an absence, the student is responsible for contacting the instructor about missed work before the next class meeting. The syllabus is not always an accurate indication of the assignment; changes will be made.Please verify the withdrawal deadline at Any student withdrawing before the deadline will receive a W. Any student withdrawing after the deadline will receive a WP (withdrawn passing) or WF (withdrawn failing) depending on the grade in the course.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Our class is discussion-based and lecture-based. Thus I (and your peers) require your full attention. For example, disruptions like talking to your neighbor during lecture or discussion, cell phone usage, unauthorized computer usage (i.e. checking email when I lecture, etc.) and negative non-verbal communication. Because of the discussion nature of the class, I require that you turn off your cell phones. If you forget to turn it off and your phone rings, do not answer it. If your phone should ring during class, you will lose participation points. If you have a personal emergency and must keep your phone on one day, please discuss it with me before class.
NO TECHNOLOGY ABUSE: iPods, laptops, phones, email, etc.
FAIR DISCUSION
Because we all have different points of view and experiences, everyone’s routine, informed participation should make discussion especially rich and valuable for us all. Please keep in mind that students come from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, some of the texts and assignments engage controversial topics and opinions. Diversified student backgrounds combined with provocative texts require that you demonstrate respect for ideas that may differ from your own.
PROFESSIONAL DEAMENOR
Utilize your best speaking, conversation and intrapersonal skills in class, both toward me and your peers. I expect courtesy and decorum. Any lapse in decorum will not be tolerated. Focus on this class once you hit the front door and until you leave the campus.
COURSE WORK
READING
Reading Assignments will appear in the course schedule on the date on which they are homework. You are expected to be prepared for every class, including completing all reading before the date for which that assignment is listed. Failure to be prepared for or to contribute in discussion will affect your participation grade. Reading will be assigned as homework. Typically, I will ask if you have questions about the reading; following Q&A, we will apply your reading to in class writing activity, group activity, toward a major writing project, etc.
Remember that active reading enables you to learn more than passive reading. Hence, taking notes, underlining important or confusing passages, and writing down your questions as you go along will help you to learn more than simply making sure that your eyes see each word in sequence. Do not worry if you do not understand everything in a given text the very first time that you read it. I will help you during my lectures and our class discussions (and during office hours, if you like). However, you should also make every effort to start reading each assignment well enough in advance of the class period for which it is due so that you can reread the passages that seem especially important or confusing. The reading load for this class will be substantial and cumulative. This means that even after a class session and related reading has passed, we will have opportunities to discuss that text. Additionally, this means your final project should reflect applied skills and the information you learned throughout the semester. Thus, please feel free to refer back to previous texts in our discussions of new ones. Simply stated: No one-night stand reading.
QUIZZES & TESTS
I will give un/announced quizzes on the readings and class discussions. They cannot be made up if you are absent or late. They can be over anything covered in the assigned readings and the lectures. These quizzes are not meant to be difficult, but to encourage and award attendance and close reading/ comprehension of course materials. There are two cumulative tests. Missed tests must be made up in the Testing Center within one week of the test day.
CORE ASSIGNMENTS
Essays must adhere to additional notes guidelines and requirements. Documented essays should be submitted in a folder along with the research. Each essay should have a title page following MLA format (see Wadsworth, pg. 261); on the title page include your thesis. All essays must be turned at the beginning of class. They will not be accepted outside of class; they will not be accepted electronically.
Core 1: Memoir- This I Believe (subjective essay) Includes: first-person, patterns of development, order, outline, introduction strategy, description and narrative techniques, and more.
Core 2: Commentary- Exploring Political or Social Commentary (subjective)Third-person
Includes: analysis and interpretation to find patters of meaning, narrative voice, reasoned-position, documented
Core 3: Research- Argumentation & Analysis (subjective)
Includes: Third-person, introduction, position, argumentative thesis, review of literature, good reasons, in-text citations, works cited, opposition, and connection to universal appeal.
Core4: Evaluation- Our Culture (subjective essay)
Includes:Third-person, criteria, persuasion, paragraph variety and development, close-reading
In-Class Essays
In-class essays are scheduled periodically throughout the semester. These assignments will consist of responses to essays in 75 Readings Plus. They will also provide practice for the final exam. Missed in-class essays must be made up in the Testing Center within one week of the writing day in order not to be penalized for lateness.
Computer-Based Learning Activity
To demonstrate competence with the basic use of computers, a formal computer-based learning activity will be assigned. For this particular course, the following assignments, assessment, and percentage of final-grade protocols have been established. Core assignments #2 and #3 will require students to research topics on various online sources. Assessment will be based on effective use and presentation of source material and will be included as part of the essay’s overall grade.
FINAL EXAMINATION
The final examination for ENC 1101 will consist of an in-class writing assignment and questions.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
All papers must be typed or word processed in 12-point Times Roman and double-spaced with 1” margins on all sides. Format, citations and documentation must follow MLA style. Put your name, due date, and assignment (e.g. Assignment 1, Rebuttal Argument Draft, etc.) in the top right corner of all assignments. Staple papers before coming to class. Attempts to pad paper length with overly generous fonts or margins result in an unprofessional appearance. I will return such papers to be reformatted and the assignment may not be graded. Finally, you may submit draft work, references, etc. if needed.
Keep all of you course work: graded Core papers, drafts, peer reviews, 5 point-paraphrases, notes, in-class activities and essays, etc. You must have these items in order to turn in a complete portfolio.
EVALUATION
Your course grade is EARNED.
20% Two Tests (objective and/or subjective)
10% Core 1
15% Core 2
15% Core 3
10% Core 4
10% In-class activities and homework
10% Quizzes and participation
10% Final exam
______
100% = Final grade
Grading Scale
A = 90 - 100 // B = 80 - 89 // C = 70 – 79 // D = 65 – 69 // F = 0 – 64
HELPFUL RESOURCES & WEBSITES
Valencia West Writing Center
Valencia West Communications Center
Valencia West Library
Ask A Librarian
Documentation
Online Writing Lab
Citation Software