HOLY CROSS COLLEGE-101-2004
FALL—2004: Schoen
3 Credits
11:30-12:20 MWF
Instructor: Suzanne Schoen, Associate Professor
Office: Vincent
Hall 187 Hours: MWF
Office Phone: (574) 239-8415 Home: (574) 289-1009 (8-8) E-mail: sschoen@hcc-nd.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
English 101(English Composition I) is required of all students. The course emphasizes the principles and practices of effective writing through essays, plus a comprehensive introduction to research skills with a major research paper. Prerequisite: Assessment placement or pass in English 99. The course is student-oriented; moreover, you are expected to handle the class with responsibility, respect, civility and integrity.
REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS:
Kramer, Melinda et al. Prentice Hall Handbook for Writers, 12th ed. Englewood, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1995
Rosa, Alfred. Models for Writers, 7th ed. NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2001
The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., l989
Portfolio
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS & ACTIVITIES:
Read weekly Time/Newsweek
Maintain a journal
Participate in college/community activities/service
Build a vocabulary/spelling file
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To develop and apply skills of reading, thinking and composing
To increase facility in usage, punctuation, sentences and paragraphing
To broaden and utilize effective diction(vocabulary)
To develop and apply the research skills in a major paper
To establish a working portfolio to demonstrate progress and achievement
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS:
To write, refine and apply writing skills with effective punctuation, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphing
To write appropriately for a variety of audiences
To interpret, analyze and evaluate ideas presented in written texts/papers
To develop and apply library and technological skills
To develop and apply critical and creative thinking skills
To interact and cooperatively work with others
FINAL GRADE EVALUATION
20% Essays of Narration, Description, Exposition and Argumentation (750 words minimum)
20% Unit Examinations & Quizzes (no make-ups)
20% Research Paper(1500-2000 words with minimum of 10 sources)
20% Final Examination
10% Portfolio
10% Participation and Activities/Projects
NOTE: Grade will be lowered for tardies, absences and class violations (see below for details).
GRADING SCALE:
95-100 = A 76-79 = C+
92-94 = A- 72-75 = C
89-91 = B+ 68-71 = C-
84-88 = B 60-67 = D
80-83 = B- Below 60 = F
TENTATIVE WEEKLY FORMAT:
Mondays—Study assignments in PH and apply in exercises as group/class
Wednesday—Analyze model essays, develop vocabulary skills and writing activities
Fridays---In-class essays from outside prep, conferencing, group work. Late essays will be docked. There will be a unit exam every 4th week.
NOTE: Always be prepared for quiz on assigned material. Adjustments may be necessary as we proceed.
ABSENCE & CLASS POLICIES:
Attendance is a vital part of your performance and participation. In this 50-minute—3credit class, you are allowed 3 absences. 3 tardies (15 minutes or less) constitute one absence. If absent, the student should speak with the teacher. Should a student exceed the 3 cuts, the grade will be reduced all the way to D or F.
Careless tardies will also reduce the grade.
Attendance, participation and appropriate classroom behaviour are mandatory. Inappropriate behaviors are such things as talking, disruptive actions, sleeping, inattention, leaving class without permission etc. Violations of these will affect your grade as will late work and missing assignments. There is zero tolerance for violations!
Students are responsible for all assignments and class material, even if absent. Late work will be docked and no make-ups on tests or major exams. Responsibilities include required books and tools for class.
Students must be prepared to discuss assignments for the day. All readings and assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day indicated on the syllabus.
If not written in class, all assignments handed in must be TYPED.
This course supports and enforces the policies and procedures in The Student Handbook, including the Academic Honesty Policy. Each student has the responsibility to be aware of these policies, especially those on cheating and plagiarism. This academic integrity issue will be detailed, discussed and strongly enforced. Warning: Cheating and Plagiarism will result in an F.
UNIT ONE
August 23 – Introduction; Review of Syllabus
August 25 – Portfolio & Vocabulary Introductions; also
bring all books
August 27 – In-class Assessment Essay (bring pen; no pencils for essays)
August 30 – Prentice Hall(PH) read pp. 2-35 (Writing Process) & 319-56(Basic Grammar) BRING BOOK.
September 1 – Models for Writers(MW) 29-46:Thesis You are responsible for vocabulary at end of essays, plus content of assignment. Bring MW text. Quizzes are possible on assignment so be prepared!
September 3 – In-class essay(First Draft) Bring outline and pre-writing to class; failure to have prep will be docked as will any late essays.
September 6 – PH 188-221(Sentence Faults) Always bring PH. Labor Day: Classes Meet.
September 8 – MW 47-63: Unity
September 10 – FINAL DRAFT DUE for class presentation
September 13 – PH 221-54(Sentence Revision)
September 15 – Unfinished work and review of unit
September 17 –UNIT ONE EXAMINATION (no make-ups)
UNIT TWO
September 20 – PH 393-420 (Punctuation)
September 22– MW 85-111: Beginnings & Endings
September 24 – First Draft Due –Typed for Peer Review
September 27 – PH 420-458(Punctuation)
September 29 – MW 134-154: Transitions
October 1 – FINAL DRAFT DUE for class presentation
October 4 – PH 475-530 (The Research Paper)
October 6 – Review and possible research paper details
October 8 – UNIT TWO EXAMINATION (no make-ups)
UNIT THREE
October 11 – PH 73-108 (Paragraphs)
October 13 – MW 373-393: Comparison and Contrast
October 15 – RESEARCH TOPIC AND 20 SOURCES DUE (count as points) & In-class First Draft Of Essay
Mid-Term Break
October 25 – PH 142-166 (Sentences)
October 27 – MW 420-444: Argumentation & Critical Thinking & Project Due (details later)
October 29 – FINAL DRAFT DUE from In-class Essay of October 15 & RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE DUE (counts as pts.)
November 1 – PH 166-86 (Sentences)
November 3 – TBA
November 5 – Research Draft Work & Conferencing
November 8 – RESEARCH
PAPER DRAFT DUE (counts as points)
November 10—Review and Conferencing
November 12– UNIT THREE EXAMINATION
UNIT FOUR
November 15 to 19—TBA for flexibility
November 22—RESEARCH
PAPER DUE
Thanksgiving Break
November 29 – TEAM SPELLING CONTEST: each member of winning team(s) will have lowest grade dropped in tests or essays. See PH 308-318 and handouts sheets.
December 1 – Portfolio Review
December 3 –PORTFOLIOS DUE—Late ones docked.
December 6 – Review of English 101
December 8 – UNIT FOUR EXAMINATION (Last Class)
December 10-14: Final Examination Week : Details will be given in early December.
Please Note: This assignment schedule is subject to change, depending on the needs of the students as the course proceeds; nevertheless, the major writing assignments and tests are firm. We will endeavor to stick to assigned dates.
“Nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.”
-- Alexander Pope (1688-1744)