Rhetoric & Composition

Course Details

Course Number: 1113  Section Number: 123

Fall 2011

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 201

Days & Times: MWF 2 p.m.--3:20 p.m.

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
James M. Hoggard   
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Course Objectives

Throughout the semester we’ll be primarily doing three things: reading and discussing essays and writing essays of our own. The subject matter of the essays the students will write will often be related to the essays we have been reading. Expectations include correctness in spelling, punctuation and grammar. The essays the  students will write will also be expected to be clear in their purpose, content, and development. The papers will be expected to be about 500 words in length, though several of the assignments will need a fuller sense of development than that basic length.

            Regular class attendance is expected, and more than three unexcused absences may well have a negative effect on one’s final grade for the course. Papers that are late in being turned in may also have a negative effect on one’s progress in the course.

            The aim of the writing assignments is to help develop and refine the student’s skills in presenting appropriately descriptive matter, effectively developed argumentation, and sharpness of sustained focus. At the same time, I recognize that writers often consider their writing as a process of discovery more than an articulation of what they have already decided to say before the actual writing begins, and I honor that approach.

The final examination will be an in-class theme that will count double; I do that to emphasize the worth of improvement in one’s writing, which means that when I make out grades, I’ll pay attention to any notable sense of improvement shown by the student during the semester; that means the final grade will, when appropriate, include meditative thinking about the student’s progress and not simply attention to arithmetical averaging.

 

Required texts: Eight Modern Essayists. Ed. William Smart. 6th ed..

                         LB Brief. Jane E. Aaron. 4th ed.


Course Expectations

Aug. 23  Introduction; in-class writing

         25  “The Death of the Moth,” ff

                 

                       30  In-class writing

               Sep.   1  “Shakespeare’s Sister,” 7 ff

 

                           6 “Professions For Women,” 16 ff

                           8  “Shooting An Elephant,” 35 ff

 

                          13  “Shooting” cont.

                          15  In-class writing

 

                          20  “A Hanging”  41 ff

                          22  “Marrakech” 45 ff

 

                          27  “Marrakech” cont.

                          29  In-class writing

 

                Oct.    4   In-class revision

                           6 Writing samples from “Politics …”  51, 52, 56

 

                          11 “Once More to the Lake” 74 ff

                          13  “Once More” cont.

 

Oct.   18  “Death of a Pig” 79 ff

          20  “The Ring of Time” 92 ff

 

          25  In-class writing

          27  “On Going Home” 173 ff

 

 Nov.   1  “On Morality” 175 ff

            3  In-class writing

 

            8  “On Natural Death”  326 ff

           10 In-class writing

 

            15 In-class writing

            17 In-class revision

 

            22 “My Brothers and Sisters” 265 ff

            24  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

 

            29  “In Search of our Mothers’ Gardens” 275 ff

Dec.       1 Wrap-up

 

Final Examination: Sat. Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Room to be announced


Final Exam12/3/2011  

Submission Format PolicyNote: 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.

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.

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.