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Course Description and Goals
| Course Theme |
Text and Materials |
Attendance |
Conferences | Course Description and Goals: This course aims to help you further develop the skills and processes for critical reading and writing that were introduced to you in English 101. Our class will be focused on writing, reading and thinking critically, as well as arguing logically and effectively. Writing as a process remains central to the effective presentation of your ideas, argument and research; therefore, this course will demand a great deal of not just research and critical reading and writing, but inventing, collaborating, revising, and editing. You will not merely “clean up” your drafts after suggestions from your peers; you will make major alterations as your thinking clarifies. The process demands diligence, cooperation, and an open mind, but the rewards will extend throughout your entire academic and professional life. This course is also designed to work in conjunction with the larger General Education program to fulfill the following goals: · sharpen critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills as a basis for life-long learning · cultivate an awareness of the moral and ethical insight needed for participation in the human community · increase knowledge and understanding of the past, of the world in which we live, and of how both past and present have an impact on the future The English Department’s detailed explanation of these goals for this class are explained in the Guidebook for College Composition Classes; please read those goals carefully.
Course Theme~Below the Radar: Working Class
Poverty Texts
and Materials: **All materials listed above will be purchased and/or arrangements should be made by our 2nd class. Attendance: Since this is a workshop class, attendance and participation is CRUCIAL. Because your attendance is detrimental and because I will cancel a few classes for conferences, missing class will inevitably and negatively affect your grade, and more importantly, your learning. Showing up tardy (after vital information has already been imparted or groups arranged), you will not be permitted to participate. Please be on time! If you are going to miss one or more classes, email me in ADVANCE, email a classmate, or check COURSE STUDIO for information on what you will miss or have missed. If you are absent from class, you are still responsible for the work completed that day as well as preparation for the next class. Note: I will not play catch up for students who simply choose not to attend. If you have an issue that makes it so you cannot attend class, let me know BEFOREHAND, and in that case, I will assist you. Further, if you show up for the class unprepared (assignments incomplete, reading not read, drafts not drafted etc…), you could be told to go and finish your work, therefore, missing integral feedback, substantial participation points, and/or critical reading journal points. Special Note: Regarding attendance, anyone with perfect attendance--missing 0 classes and 0 tardies--can be bumped up a final grade if on "the line." The exception to this rule is anyone earning a D or F on his/her Portfolio. Conferences:
Periodically, I will hold open conferences with
individual or groups of students. If you miss or are late to your
conference, you run the risk of losing the opportunity to have a
conference with me. Conferences are for you!! They are scheduled to
address any questions, problems, etc… that you or I may have. Students who
take the time to meet with me see real results when revising, and thus,
learn to write more effectively and earn “better” grades. Grades:
Final Portfolio……….…….......70%...due
June 2nd Class Work/Group Projects: Every day we will be reading, discussing, analyzing issues regarding the subject of the working poor. We will be learning and strengthening our ability to think critically, document sources, and persuade logically. We will have substantial group work, writing workshops, and mini projects. Moreover, there will be a larger GROUP SERVICE PROJECT as well. Critical Reading Log: will consist of responses to assigned readings from our two texts and other topics assigned by the instructor for in and out of class. If you simply do the work, providing me with one FULL typed page illustrating you read and thought about the reading, you will receive a "3." If there is more quantity, thoroughness, astute connections it will receive a "5." However, if you do below average work (shorter than required or you have merely summed up--showing no critical thought), you will receive a "1." And finally, if you do not have your assignment on a day and at the moment I collect it or you did not type it, you will receive a 0. What do reading log scores mean? Complete all assignments and bring your reading log (folder) to EVERY class!!! REMEMBER: I do not collect every single entry on the due date. I may collect a response on the day due, on a different day, or not collect it at all. The purpose of the log is that you think about the reading and learn from it. Writing about what you read enables you to process your ideas and provides an opportunity to analyze the writing of others!! The 15% grade is just secondary to the learning aspect of the log!
Computer Classroom
Requirements:
1. Before the second day of class, please go to the Help Desk in 025 Library Annex or entry way of Millet Hall (1st floor) to have your WSU computer accounts activated. You will not be able to follow along or access course material unless accounts are activated. 2. Always come to class with a computer disk and flex card for laser printing. 3. Always save your work in at least 2 places (on a disk and in personal storage space on the campus file servers). 4. When working at home, save your work in a format compatible with classroom software. 5. Please adhere to the rules posted on the wall (no food, no drinks, etc.). ***Please note that once class has begun, no one should be engaged in any computer activity not directly connected with ongoing class work. No one should be checking or composing email, surfing the Net, instant messaging, completing work assigned in some other class etc. I reserve the right to take away participation points if I catch you doing any of the above. Late
Assignments:
Other Important Info: ***Do not forget the Writing Center, located in 025 Library Annex, is an excellent place to receive help with your writing. Call 775-4186 to make an appointment. ***Academic dishonesty means, in part, taking credit for someone else’s words or ideas. They university considers academic dishonesty a serious offense that warrants serious penalties. In this course, we will be discussing how to give credit where credit is due, and therefore, excuses of “ignorance” will not be accepted if plagiarism occurs. You can also consult The Guidebook for a full discussion of academic dishonesty in writing. ***The material in the Guidebook for College Composition Courses should be considered part of the syllabus; please take the time to read it. See http://www.cola.wright.edu/dept/eng/wsuwweb/guide/gened_goals.htm. ***The material on the Computer Classroom Basics web page is also required reading. Please be sure you read and fully understand. See http://cola.wright.edu/dept/eng/, “Computer Classroom Basics” link: http://www.cola.wright.edu/dept/eng/cc_basics/ *** If you need information regarding the Office of Disability
Services (ODS), please call 775-5680 or see their web site (http://www.wright.edu/students/dis_services/). |
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