Office Hours: T 1-2, Austin 151 Or by Appointment

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ENGLISH 1003Stephanie Fischer

TTh2:00 - 3:15

Laurel Hall 308

Email:

Office Hours: T 1-2, Austin 151 or by appointment

SYLLABUS FOR FALL 2013

English 1003 is an introduction to American academic rhetoric and discourse for students who seek greater fluency in spoken and written English. In this class you will have an opportunity to improve and refine your English language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—in an intimate seminar environment, with other non-native English speakers.

You will read a variety of materials from different disciplines, including fiction as well as non-fiction. You will draft and revise short essays,prepare and present independent projects, and practiceclass discussion skills. You also will do group work and peer review. Your final grade will be based partly on your written work and presentations, and partly on your participation in classroom discussions and group projects.

Attendance Policy

Because this class involves a great amount of discussion and group work, it is critical that you attend every class. If you expect to miss more than two or three classes over the semester you should not take this class. More than two unexcused absences will affect your final grade. You must always contact me as soon as possible if you are absent. Absence does not excuse students from assigned work.

Required Textbooks

The ESL Writer's Handbook by Janine Carlock, Maeve Eberhardt, Jaime Horst, and Lionel Menasche.This Handbook will provide you with valuable assistance throughout the semester, and for the rest of your time in school.

My Freshman Yearby Rebekah Nathan.

All other required reading materials can be foundin the Course Materials section of our Husky CT course.

Writing Center

Students are encouraged to seek out tutoring assistance in the Writing Center, located in Austin 159, for help when needed with their assignments. This is a free service, and is highly recommended for even the most confident writers.

Center for Students with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability for which you are requesting an accommodation, please contact the CSD, located in Wilbur Cross, Room 201 at 860-486-2020. In order for faculty to properly address the needs of students who have disabilities, it is necessary that those students approach their instructors as soon as the semester starts. They should bring an official letter from the CSD explaining their specific needs so that instructors can make the appropriate arrangements.

Assignments

• There will be three formal written essays (each @ approximately 4 pages) for this class. Each essay will be constructed over a period of several weeks and will have at least two drafts. Essays are graded cumulatively on all parts of the process. In order to receive an A or B on your essay, you must keep up with each stage of the assignment on time. Late papers, including drafts, will have grades deducted for each day they are late. Hand in assignments on time.
• You will do independent research projects outside of class. The goal of research projects is for you to present orally in class. For some projects I will ask that you also hand in a written summary of your research findings.
• Instead of a final exam, you will be asked to write a final letter reflecting on the development of your ideas over the course of the semester. This letter will be due on the final exam date.
• Each of you will be assigned to lead class discussions at least once over the semester
• Although we will have neither a midterm nor a final exam,you should expect several quizzes on reading and grammar. These will reflect how well you have kept up with our class materials.

Grading

3formal essays, revised. Grades are based on the quality of revisions over at least two drafts. / 50%
Class participation and discussion leadership / 15%
Individual projects and presentations / 10%
Final Reflective Project / 10%
Homework, Quizzes, Response Papers / 15%

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

• Participate in a lively and spontaneous classroom discussion
• Comprehend, organize, and complete the different stages of a multi-faceted assignment
• Choose and define a field research topic with guidance from the instructor
• Understand the principles of academic integrity; use and cite sources without risk of plagiarism
• Recognize rhetorical structures in their own writing and that of their peers
• Recognize specific error patterns such as verb tense, verb form, and subject-verb agreement in their own writing and that of their peers
• Assess the validity of conflicting facts and arguments
• Make an argument based on field research
• Compose and give an oral presentation

Class Communication

All communication with professor and classmates goes toward building our scholarly community. Your emails to your professor and discourse (e.g., feedback) with your classmates should use a respectful tone and academic language – correct terminology, complete sentences, and no slang.

Class Expectations

Students are expected to:

-engage in active learning

-come to class on time

-turn off cellphones and other electronic devices unless instructed otherwise

-bring to every class session: a notebook, pen, and the textbook we are working on for that class period

-use only the target language (English) in class

-use both creative and critical thinking in every assignment

-finish each assignment to your best ability

-submit every assignment on time

-revise each formal paper based on teacher and peer comments and on your own insights

-keep an open mind about the activities and viewpoints you encounter in this class

-showrespect to your classmates, yourself, and me

-consult me right away if you feel confused or feel you are having trouble keeping up

-view yourself as a student who has a great capacity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Please note: It is important to refrain from speaking a language that is not understood by the whole class (including me); it is impolite. I will not tolerate continual talking in any language other than English, and if you persist I will ask you to leave.Let’s be clear, though: talking in class is NOT rude, as long you speak English and what you have to say is related to the course material and themes. I want to hear your voices as much as possible.