Rhetoric and Composition

Course Details

Course Number: 1113 Section Number: 118/120

Fall 2011

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: BW 210/PY 103

Days & Times:

TR 11:00-12:20

TR 12:30-1:50

Course Attachments

Syllabus syllabusfall2011.rtf

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Hillary Sommerhauser - Coenen
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Course Objectives

Write thesis-based essays that provide strong support and specific details

Engage in a writing process that includes invention, drafting, and revision

Demonstrate proficient use of Standard Written English
Additional information about course objectives can be found on the department webpage, http://libarts.mwsu.edu/english/.

Course Expectations

Assignments % of Grade

4 In-Class Essays (350-word min. each)

5%(ICE 1) + 10%(ICE 2) + 10%(ICE 3) + 15%(ICE 4) = 40%

4 Formal, Revised Essays (750-word min. each)

5%(FE 1) +10%(FE 2) + 10%(FE 3) + 15%(FE 4) = 40%

Quizzes, Project, and Participation

10%(Qs) + 5% (Project) + 5%(Participation) = 20%

Grading Standards

IMPORTANT: For freshman and transfer students entering Midwestern in Fall 2011 or later, a grade of C or higher in ENGL 1113 is a prerequisite for enrolling in ENGL 1123, and a grade of C or higher in 1123 is required for graduation from Midwestern.
In this class, the following numerical equivalents for final grades are used: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59-0%. Grades on individual assignments will be calculated using the following pattern: A+ = 99%; A = 96%; A- =93%; etc.

Final Exam12/3/2011 10:30 a.m.

Submission Format Policy

All Formal Essays must be submitted typed in MLA format with stamped topics, pre-writing, rehearsal drills, and required drafts in a folder containing all previous Formal Essay assignments.
By enrolling in this class, you expressly grant MSU a “limited right” to all intellectual property created by you for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce your work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.
Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

No late work will be accepted unless arrangements have been made with me. In the event of “Authorized Absences,” arrangements should be made to turn in work early. If work is missed, you should meet with me to determine what can be made up. Missing work will receive a zero grade.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Regular class attendance is expected. Roll will be taken at every class. Students may miss a week’s classes without repercussion; however, after the first two absences, students will have five points deducted from their final averages for each unexcused absence. After one late arrival (a freebie), two late arrivals will count as one unexcused absence. “Authorized Absences,” as defined by the MSU Catalog, will not be counted as unexcused. Students may be dropped from class for excessive absences. For definition, arrival after the instructor has begun the lecture constitutes a late arrival.

Other Policies

This University is part of the academic community in which certain standards of behavior are upheld. In addition, a university education is expensive and part of the responsibility of the instructor is to ensure that each student has an equal opportunity to receive that education. Thus, certain guidelines will be observed during class:

No electronic devices should be turned on or visible during class. Any student seen with such a device out during class will be asked to put it away. Any student who must be asked twice to put the device away or any student whose device has gone off twice during class will be asked to leave and be marked absent. If the instructor sees any device in use during a quiz or exam, the student’s paper will be picked up and receive zero credit. A student may also have a cell phone on vibrate in an emergency situation, but the instructor must be informed before class, and the student must sit so he or she is able to leave class with minimal disruption.

In addition, in accordance with university policy, students are not permitted to eat or drink during class.

Students are expected to come to class prepared. Students must ensure that they have read the assigned reading, as per the schedule. Each assignment is due on the date it appears on the syllabus.

Any student behaving in a disruptive manner will be asked once to stop the behavior. If the disruption continues, the student will be asked to leave and marked absent for the class. If a student is consistently disruptive in class, he or she will be reported to the Dean of Students and potentially dropped from the course.

The best and easiest way for you to improve in this course is to write drafts. Drafts are not required—they are your responsibility. On each draft, I will identify 2-4 “targets” for improvement and will make suggestions about how you should proceed. Usually (not on weekends) I will get drafts back to you the next day, sometimes the same day. If you want an even faster response, bring a draft to my office during office hours. Why wait until you get a grade to try to improve a paper? Think about it.

Revisions are also optional. Revisions with substantial improvement in content, style, or organization will be “regraded,” and the new grade will be averaged with the original grade to get the final grade for the assignment.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.