To move on to the next level of composition (EN110) students must receive a grade of C- or higher in this course.
Homework
Reading: You will generally read at least four essays a week, for which you will write a summary and analysis, answer questions and use new vocabulary in original sentences. As you read, underline key phases and sentences to help you identify and focus on the main ideas.
Writing: All longer written assignments (paragraphs, essays and responses to readings) must be typed. Make sure to leave time to print them out before class. Your written work will be kept in folder, which is essential for final evaluation. We will review this portfolio together towards the end of the semester.
If you are absent you may hand in the homework for the class you missed on the day you return to class, but I would prefer that you drop off the work at the faculty support office before the next class, and get it time-stamped and placed in my mailbox. You should also be prepared for the class you attend after an absence, with all assignments completed for that class as well.
Format of Assignments Written at Home
- Typewritten on standard (A4) paper
- Double-spaced to leave room for corrections
- Name, date and essay number in top left corner of each page
- Pages numbered
- Title centered over the essay, appropriately capitalized (do not underline title)
Problems and Help
Students are asked to make an appointment to meet with me during the first month of the course to discuss problems and needs. Please communicate with me privately at any point in the course if you confused, dissatisfied or feel that you are falling behind. Do not wait until it is too late. You are also encouraged (and may be asked) to seek extra help at the Writing Lab.
Classroom Behavior Policies
No electronic devices can be used during class (this includes iPads, iPods, cell phones, personal digital devices, and lap top computers). Students are not allowed to leave the classroom during class time. At the beginning of the semester each student must give me a folder for handouts and returned written assignments. Students are required to bring a notebook of lined paper (size A4), a pen, and a pencil with eraser to each class meeting.
Course Contract Statement
All class members are responsible for knowing all the information and adhering to all of the policies, procedures, and deadlines as outlined in the syllabus. Any and all changes to the syllabus will be made at the professor's sole discretion and announced in class. Students are responsible for all the changes to the syllabus announced in class, even if they are absent on the day when an announcement is made.
Grading Standards
The grade the instructor gives is a professional judgment of the quality of the student's submitted work and grades are based on shared assumptions and expectations. At the most basic level, the instructor expects that assignments will be submitted on time. Submitted assignments are to be clearly focused and organized, with a discernible thesis statement. Generalizations and conclusions are to be adequately supported and, when appropriate, research documentation is to be well integrated and effectively presented. A formal writing style is required, along with proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It is also important that students and faculty have shared expectations regarding the grading of assignments.
The grade of A reflects excellence. The A paper offers a well-focused and organized discussion appropriate to the instructor's assignment, reflects critical use of relevant materials, and demonstrates effective and formal writing requirements. Papers involving research and outside sources must demonstrate outstanding efforts to identify varied pertinent sources, to employ those materials critically in the text of the papers, and to provide error-free citations of those resources.
The grade of B represents an effort beyond satisfactory and indicates the paper was completed in an appropriate and competent manner and, in general, demonstrates a strong attempt at original and critical analysis, writing, and research. The B paper may contain a number of minor errors of grammar or citation, and its thesis or its conclusions may be undeveloped or too weakly supported.
The grade of C indicates that the paper was done in a satisfactory or appropriate fashion and represents the average work expected for university courses. The presentation is organized around a central idea with arguments supported by relevant examples. The paper is structured into correctly written paragraphs and sentences. Although fulfilling the assignment, the C paper may exhibit one or more weaknesses including, but not limited to, errors of punctuation and grammar, imprecise or incorrect word use, inaccurate or uncritical use of materials, occasional inconsistency of organization or development, and lack of direct relevance of the selected research materials to the topic.
The grade of D indicates that the paper may have a poorly defined topic or thesis, lack clear focus or organization, and contain unsupported generalizations or conclusions. Research support is inadequate, not clearly relevant, or improperly documented. A less-than-minimal research effort is evident. The paper may also suffer from numerous or major formal writing errors.
The grade of F indicates that the paper is not clearly relevant to the assignment and that its topic and thesis are poorly focused or defined. The paper may display inadequate organization or development, unsupported generalizations, and nonstandard formal features (including language usage, sentence structure, paragraphing, and so on). Research support is absent, inadequate, or irrelevant to the assignment.