Composition Skills

Course Details

Course Number: 2113  Section Number: 301

Summer I 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 201

Days & Times:

MTWR 8-10 AM

Except for first week, which will be TWRF 8-10 AM

Course Attachments

Syllabus  ENGL 2113-301 Syllabus Summer I 2012-20120430-101728.doc

Lesson Plans  ENGL 2113 lesson plans summer I 2012-20120430-101752.rtf

Textbooks

The Little, Brown Workbook
Donna Gorrell, Pearson
  ISBN: 978-0-558-79024-0 Custom Edition MSWU
MSU Faculty Member
Susan Button   
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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 critical and creative thinking about a timely issue or debatable topic
  • Demonstrate proficient use of Standard Written English  

Course Expectations

Homework and quizzes                                             20

Writing assignments                                                 40

Final Grammar Test                                                  20

Final Essay Exam                                                     20 


Grading Standards

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


Final Exam6/28/2012  8-10

Submission Format Policy

All in-class work must be written on standard white lined paper in pen. All outside class work must be typed, printed, and submitted according to current MLA requirements.

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

All assigned work will be due on dates assigned at the beginning of the class. I do not accept late work. 


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

If you have more than 6 absences (the equivalent of 3 weeks of class), excused or not, you fail the class.  Please note, however, that this is not an invitation to miss 3 weeks of class—class time will provide the instruction you need to meet the objectives of this course and to learn how to develop as a writer.  When you miss class meetings, you miss out on the instruction for which you pay tuition.  In the unfortunate event that you accrue 7 or more absences before the last day to withdraw, you have the responsibility of withdrawing from the class.  Please don’t feel you have to explain or justify any absences to me; I respect your privacy, but you must accept the consequences.  If you miss class, you miss any writing assignment or group work done during that period, and you miss any announcements regarding future assignments.  Notify me in advance if you will not be able to make class; you may leave an email message.  If you must miss class on a due date for an assignment, email it as an attachment or it will lose points.  Consider it your responsibility to be here, prepared for class, or you will not do as well as you wish, nor gain as much as you could.

 

Dropping this course can only be done the week preceding the university’s official drop date.  You may drop the course with a grade of W if at that time you have not exceeded the number of absences allowed in the course and if reducing your course load does not affect your enrollment at MSU.    


Other Policies

Cell phones must be turned off.  Vibrating cell phones are a disturbance and will not be tolerated.  If a student is caught using an electronic device during a test, that student will receive a 0 on that test.  Any behavior that disturbs the learning environment will not be tolerated.  I will give a warning once that a particular behavior is disruptive to the class.  If that conduct continues, an instructor drop will be initiated. 


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.