Rhetoric and Composition

Course Details

Course Number: 1113 Section Number: 210, 211

Spring 2012

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 342

Days & Times:

210 - TR 11-12:20

211 - TR 12:30-1:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Robert Redmon III
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Course Objectives

There are expectations in academic writing that may be unanticipated and challenging to the uninitiated. This class is your initiation. In this class, you will (let’s hope) develop and engage in a writing process that will (let’s hope) result in thoughtful, structured, carefully-worded, thesis-driven, interesting essays that provide strong support and useful detail while adhering to the usage practices of Standard Written English (SWE). The ability to write well will be an asset to your college career and, very probably, other aspects of life. If you disagree, write a letter to your favorite government representative. And if you want that representative (or, really, that representative’s staff) to pay any attention to it...

Course Expectations

Four formal, revised essays (min. 750 words each):

5% + 10% +15% + 20% = 50% of final grade

Four in-class essays (min. 350 words each):

5% + 5% + 10% + 10%* = 30% of final grade

The weekly things, whim:

20% of final grade

* This, the last in-class essay, is also the final exam.

Grading Standards

A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59-0%.

Final Exam5/7/2012 1:00 p.m.

Submission Format Policy

Final and intermediate drafts of written work completed out of class must be typed and submitted via Google Docs. (For specific information w/r/t how this will work, go to http://notgr.net/1113/ ) Each assignment will indicate specific formatting and composing requirements. All typed essays will be submitted in MLA form, information about which will be discussed before the first essay is due and is readily available (of all surprising places) online.

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

For each day (not class day or weekday, day) an essay is late, that essay’s grade will be lowered by one letter grade (ten points). Essays handed in on the due date, but after class, will lose five points. Late work will be accepted via email.

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 will be expected. Roll will be taken at every class. After the third not-excused* absence, each absence will lower the final grade by five points. Late arrivals and early exits will count as half absences. A late arrival will be defined as an arrival after I have taken roll. If you arrive while I am taking roll, or after I take roll, it is your job to make sure I know you are present.Thus, please keep track of attendance.

* An excused absence will be an absence for which a general, meaning I don’t need to know the gory details, explanation is given (via email or etc.) before the next class.

Other Policies

When You’re Writing

You (yes, you!) are encouraged to take advantage of MSU’s writing labs, located in BW224 and the Moffett Library Lounge (opposite the computer lab). The very clever and credible folks there will offer specific feedback on any writing assignment you bring them, but will not edit that assignment for you. You may also give me a draft no later than two days before the relevant assignment is due, and I will go through it and be helpful and all sorts of wonderful things.

Intellectual property rights

By enrolling in this class, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” to all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s 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 in advance the written permission of me and the other instructor involved.

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.