Fall2010 Syllabus

CM 101

ENGLISH COMPOSITION I

3 Credit Hours

Textbooks

Subject and Strategy, 11th Edition

Paul Eschholz and Alfred Rosa

A Writer’s Reference, 6th Edition

Diana Hacker

Division of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences

Instructor: Jonathon Wild

The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this syllabus meet, or exceed, the

learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for

this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas Board of Regents.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION I

FALL2010

Course Number:CM 101

Time & Day:M/W/F 1:00-1:55

Location:Room 232

Instructor:Jonathon Wild

Office:F46

Phone:243-1435 Ext: 241

Email:

Required

Texts: Subject and Strategy, 11th Edition, by Eschholz and Rosa

A Writer’s Reference, 6th Edition, by Diane Hacker

Other Required

Materials: A notebook for taking notes and for in-class writing assignments and activities.

A folder with pockets or a binder in which to keep your work.

Recommended

Materials: A good collegiate dictionary.

Office Hours:See hours posted on my office door.

Course Description:

Provides instruction in writing with emphasis on grammatical correctness, acceptable usage, effective organization, expression of ideas, and rhetorical strategies. Assigned readings, research, and expository writing are required.

Prerequisite:Appropriate ACT/ASSET/Compass score, as well as an acceptable level on the college-administered writing sample, if required; or a C or better in Intermediate English.

SEQUENCING:This class is offered in the fall and spring semesters.

Method of Evaluation/Grading:

The five letter grades given for themes, exercises, or tests may be defined as follows:

A = Work of exceptional quality, surpassing the expectations of the instructor.

B = Superior work, with few errors.

C = Average, acceptable work.

D = Substandard work, with unacceptable qualities.

F = Unacceptable work.

Teaching Methods:

Classes will be a combination of lecture, discussion, group exercises, online exercises, and writing labs.

assignment policy:

Students are expected to complete all assignments before coming to class. Late papers will only be accepted with a grade deduction. If you know you will be absent, you may turn in an assignment before the due date.

All essays should be typed and in MLA format. Exceptions may be made for in-class writing assignments.

It is imperative that each student do his or her own work.

Other assignment and classroom expectations:

  • Seven to ten essays of two- to four pages each. Revision will be included. Some essays may require research.
  • In addition, in-class writing assignments and shorter essays will be assigned.
  • An exit writing/exam at the end of the semester. (Optional)
  • Full participation in peer-review sessions.
  • Full participation in in-class discussions.
  • A midterm exam and a final exam.

Course Policies

ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Because English courses include discussion and critical thinking, instructors and students will likely hear and read a wide range of differing opinions and ideas on sensitive and controversial subjects. Therefore, instructors and students are to adhere to the principles of free expression, including respect and civility. All in the classroom are expected to listen to the viewpoints of others without interruptions, name-calling, and other personal attacks. Personal views of instructors and students should not affect grades.

Academic Integrity

It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in class.

Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:

  • Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking someone else’s work and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
  • Giving other students your work knowing that they intend to turn it in as their own creation, giving other students your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.

It is not an infraction of the policy to help other students understand how to do an assignment if they do the work themselves with your assistance.

Cheating:

“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”

  1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or help during an exam.
  2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
  3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been corrected.

Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, WesternMichiganUniversity)

Plagiarism:

“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording, appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a paper as your own that you did not write.

Penalties for Infractions:

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students who violate this policy will face one of the following consequences, depending upon the severity of the case:

  • The student will have to re-do the assignment.
  • The student will receive an F for the assignment.
  • The student will receive an F for the class.
  • The student will be recommended for disciplinary action.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required at all classes and will affect the semester grade accordingly. Missing daily instruction, daily assignments and the opportunity to discuss readings or assignments will directly affect class performance. If you miss a class session it is your responsibility to find out what was turnedin, discussed or assigned on that day. If you are absent, contact the instructor or another class member so that you will be prepared for the next session. In addition, you are expected to take quizzes when they are given. Do not come to the next class and expect to opt out of a quiz because you were absent the previous class. Attending or participating in college-related extra-curricular activities such as sporting and arts events do not excuse students from fulfilling their responsibilities.

I take attendance very seriously because the nature of composition courses is based on their workshop atmosphere, which is why you are expected to come to class, contribute to class discussions, draft and revise, and participate in peer critiques. Assignments build upon one another and attending class regularly will ensure that your assignments are complete and that they meet all of my requirements and expectations. You are expected to contact the instructor PRIOR to any absence.

For students involved in extra curricular activities or those that miss due to illness or family emergencies, instructors may offer alternative assignments during the semester, but it is your sole responsibility to inform your instructor when you will be gone and to make arrangements for any and all assignments.

Conduct:

Classroom decorum is conducive to learning. You can help by yourself and your classmates by actively participating in discussions and exercises. The following behaviors show disrespect to the instructor and to your fellow students and are not acceptable:

  • holding conversations on topics unrelated to the issue at hand
  • talking privately with a classmate(s)
  • chronic lateness
  • leaving and returning to the classroom
  • sleeping
  • doing homework or studying for other classes
  • eating
  • chewing tobacco
  • using iPods, cell phones, or other listening devices
  • text messaging

In addition, please turn off all pagers and cell phones (or any devices that “beep”) prior to entering the classroom.

You are in the class to learn. If you aren’t, others are, and if you unduly disturb that effort, you may be asked to leave the class.

Examination Policy:

Makeup exams will only be given by special arrangement with the instructor and must be completed within a reasonable time frame. The makeup exams may not be the same exams as given in class. NO MAKEUP exams will be allowed without prior arrangements being made with the instructor.

Instructor Assistance:

If you are having problems with the course work or assignments, please let the instructor know as early as possible.

Tutor Assistance:

Tutors are available in the LearningSkillsCenter. Contact the LearningSkillsCenter for more information.

Incomplete Policy:

Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the Student Handbook for a complete explanation.

ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:

CloudCountyCommunity College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:

English Composition I is a General Education “A” course.

Students enrolled inthis course will be expected to fulfill the General Education Communication Goal. The successful student will be able to write a clear, well-organized paper using documentation when appropriate. The paper will meet the following criteria:

  • Main Idea – The paper stays on topic, is unified, clear, defines terms, and meets the requirements of the topic.
  • Organization – The paper includes the effective use of modes, has an introduction and conclusion, and uses transitions.
  • Content – The paper contains specific details, full support, and development of ideas.
  • Mechanics – The paper demonstrates proper use of sentence construction, usage, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Student learning will be assessed by artifacts that are evaluated according to the following rubric:

5 = SuperiorThe paper executes all the elements excellently. The paper has style and personality; it has a clear main idea, logical organization, relevant and detailed content, and full command of all mechanics.

4 = GoodThe paper is good in all elements. The main idea is clear, its organization logical, its content, although detailed and relevant, may not have the impact of an exceptional paper; the mechanics are very good but not excellent.

3 = AcceptableThe paper communicates clearly. Its execution might be average on the whole, but there might be flaws in the idea, organization, content or mechanics. There might be an outstanding element present.

2 = BelowThe paper is below average. The main idea might be somewhat vague; organization skewed, content might not be sufficiently relevant or detailed; or mechanics might be flawed. The paper lacks one or two elements. There may be an outstanding element present.

1 = SubstandardThe paper does not meet standards. The main idea is vague, organization is not apparent, content is irrelevant or lacks detail, and mechanics are highly flawed.

Outcomes Standards for Writing: 85% of the student papers examined will achieve a 3 or higher.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ARTIFACTS:

  • English artifacts must be typed.
  • English artifacts must not have students’ or instructors’ names. Otherwise, the artifacts should be in MLA format.

English artifacts should be complete essays using one or more of the common rhetorical strategies (e. g. description, exemplification, comparison-contrast, argument, etc.)

Department Goals:

The following are the goals students should be able to achieve in CCCC English courses.

  • To write clearly and effectively
  • To read critically
  • To gather materials and synthesize them into the student’sown work
  • To analyze literature
  • To compose creatively

COURSE GOALS:

To become familiar with and integrate into your writing a variety of the following:

  • effective methods for discovering ideas and gathering materials—for example, journaling, interviewing, reading periodicals or books, locating films or images that influence our perspectives;
  • rhetorical strategies that present and support ideas developed with a variety of aims and audiences and sufficient detail to be convincing and interesting;
  • approaches for significant revisions and proofreading in the organization, development of ideas, stylistics, and mechanics of writing, using comments from the instructor and other students—e.g., collaborating with a partner and/or classroom workshops; and
  • print and electronic sources following Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation style.
ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS:

Each instructor measures one or two course goals each semester. Instructors then submit a written report to the Dean of their division. The Dean submits a compilation of their division to the Assessment Coordinator and the Assessment Committee. The course assessment reports will be done on a calendar year basis. Instructors will evaluate the spring semester and the next fall semester. Their report will be submitted no later than February 15 of the next calendar year. The Dean’s compilation will be due no later than March 15. Each course taught by an instructor should be evaluated at least once over the course of two calendar years.

Accommodation for Disability:

If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the AdvisementCenter.

Inclement Weather Policy:

In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be notified:

KNCK1390 AMConcordiaKCLY100.9 FMClay Center

KREP92.1 FM BellevilleKHCD89.5 FMHutchinson

KVSV1190 AMBeloitKSAL1150 AMSalina

WIBW (TV)Chan. 13TopekaKWCH (TV)Chan. 12Wichita

KOLN (TV)Chan. 10Lincoln, NE

Notification will also be placed on the internet at A text message will also be sent out on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it.

Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility of the instructor or staff person.

Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the alarm will sound.

If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been designated.