English 1102—Composition 2
CRN 83449, Section 04; MW 12:00-1:15 PM
CRN 83453, Section 08; TR 7:30-8:45 AM
Fall 2005

Download a Printable Version of this Syllabus

• MW 12:00-1:15 (83449)

• TR 7:30-8:45 (83453)

Course Content:

English 1102 is a literature-based composition course that develops writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by ENGL 1101, that emphasizes interpretation and evaluation, and that incorporates a variety of more advanced research skills.  Prerequisite: At least a “C” in ENGL 1101.  Three credit hours.

Outcomes:

• Students will significantly advance skills in composition, including drafting, prewriting, revision, and editing.
• Students will significantly advance skills in critical reading, reading comprehension, and discussion of literature.
• Students will significantly advance skills in writing about literature.

Required Texts:

The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature, Michael Meyer, ed.

A Writer’s Reference—5th edition, Diana Hacker

Attendance and Requirements:

I expect everyone to be present and on time for each class meeting.  I hope that your interest in this course and in your own education will draw you to class each time, but I also offer the practical warning that students who accumulate excessive absences will find their final mark adversely affected.  Accumulation of more than three absences will result in significant lowering of your final mark.  Students accumulating six or more absences will fail the course.

Tardiness and early departure are discourteous and distracting.  Accidents happen, and sometimes we all run a little late or must depart somewhat early—this is perfectly excusable when it is a rare occurrence that does not create a disturbance.  Habitual tardiness will adversely affect your mark.  Being present and prepared for class also means keeping up with the syllabus and having your assigned text and necessary supplies with you.  Please arrive at class prepared for written work and discussion.

  Student Conduct:

As a Clayton State University student and as a student in this class, it is your responsibility to read, understand, and abide by the Student Code of Conduct, outlined in the Clayton State University Catalog as “Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities” at: http://publications.clayton.edu/Catalog%202004-2006.doc.

  Classroom Deportment:

Our classroom should be a polite, intellectually stimulating, adult setting, so:

• I expect that all students behave responsibly and respectfully toward me and toward one another.

• All telephones, pagers, and electronic entertainment devices are to be turned off and put out of sight before you enter the classroom—allow yourself time away from these things when you are in class.

• Computers will be accessed for class-related use only and at appropriate, clearly indicated times.

• Eating and drinking in class, provided that there are no posted prohibitions in the classroom itself, should be discreet.

I like to maintain a fairly informal environment, but I am particular about keeping the classroom tone positive and on task.  Please help me keep the class pleasurable and dignified for everyone by respecting these simple guidelines.  Students not adhering to these guidelines will be politely reminded of the guidelines—once; students exhibiting further discipline problems will be considered in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and referred to the appropriate University officials.  Reasonable suggestions as to how we might improve the classroom environment will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

Special Needs:

If you have a documented disability or special needs and require any assistance, please do not hesitate to speak with me as soon as possible.  All information will be kept confidential.  Students who suspect they have a disability that has not been documented or sufficiently accommodated for should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 770-961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

Late Work:

Generally speaking, I will not accept late work.  If your situation is exceptional, persuade me in advance, not on the day the work is due.  In the rare cases that I do accept late work, I reserve the right to drop a letter grade for each day the work is late.  Missed or failed quizzes cannot be made up.

Midterm Grades:

Midterm grades will be posted for all students before the midterm date noted on the University Calendar.  Midterm marks will represent performance on approximately 40% of the total course requirements.

Academic Dishonesty:

In accordance with University policy, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  All students are expected to understand and avoid plagiarism.  Briefly stated, plagiarism involves copying another person’s words or ideas without citing the source with appropriate documentation; please see Diana Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference, fifth edition, pp. 331-4 or consult me outside of class for further discussion of plagiarism.  Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will fail the course and risk further disciplinary consequences at the University level.  There will be no exceptions.

• All students must read the Department Plagiarism Policy and sign and return the contract located at http://a-s.clayton.edu/langlit/resources/L&L%20plagiarism%20policy.htm.

Essay Format:

All formal written assignments are to be word-processed—double spaced with one-inch margins and a standard 12pt Times New Roman or similar typeface—and presented as a quality printout on standard white copy paper.  All cited material must be presented in MLA style with parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited.  Document formatting is discussed at length in Diana Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference, fifth edition, pp. 368-77.  Papers must be stapled in the top left corner (MLA recommends a paper clip, but I prefer a staple) and submitted without additional folders, report covers, or other fancy trappings.

Process Writing:

All essays will be completed in “cycles,” which will include reading, discussion, prewriting, multiple drafts, conferences, revision, proofreading, and corrections.  All students should expect to produce multiple drafts of essays and to respond to constructive critique from the professor.

Reading Quizzes:

There will be an orally administered quiz of about ten questions at the beginning of each essay cycle.  The quizzes are designed to encourage good reading habits and reward consistent and thorough journaling.  If you read closely and carefully and use your journal as assigned, you should do fine on the quizzes.  Missed or failed quizzes cannot be made-up.

Conferences:

Scheduled conferences are designed to create a forum where you can show me your work and ask questions and I can offer direct feedback and suggest revision strategies as your essays move through draft form.  Unless otherwise stated, scheduled conferences are mandatory and require that you arrive on time with a complete draft of your essay—typed and stapled—that represents your best effort.  Please note: with the exception of in-class writing, I absolutely will not accept essays that I have not seen in conference; no conference=zero credit for the essay.

Corrections:

I will return your formal (and first-in class, if applicable) essays with comments, a mark, and—in most cases—required corrections (indicated in red).  Corrections are due on or before the second class period after essays are returned.  Corrections must be submitted in order for you to claim full credit for the essay; failure to submit corrections will result in a penalty of 15% against your assigned mark for the essay in question.  Corrections should be typed and presented in the following format:

1. Definition of the error.  Example: “35a—“Use a comma before and, but, or another coordinating conjunction linking main clauses.”

2. Illustration of the problem.  “Mairs’ essay incorporates humor but her subject is certainly very serious.”

3. The correction.  “Mairs’ essay incorporates humor, but her subject is certainly very serious.”

4. Your corrections should not introduce new errors or make existing problems worse.

Corrections will not receive a formal mark, but I will note their submission and acceptability with a check and a brief comment.  If your corrections are unacceptable, I will turn the work back and ask that you do it again until it is right.

Participation:

I expect each student to contribute actively to the course in his or her own positive way.  This does not necessarily mean speaking up frequently, although speaking up frequently might be your particular manner of participating.  It is entirely possible to get full participation credit through quiet contributions as well.  Please be aware that there is a difference between consistent and lively participation and monopolizing the conversation.  The main point is that you contribute positively to the class and try to give something of yourself to the group.

Disclaimer:

There may be minor revisions to this syllabus over the course of the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and given with reasonable notice.  For further information about Departmental Policy and Grading Standards, please see http://a-s.clayton.edu/langlit/resources/sophomore%20lit%20syllabus.htm.