Composition Skills

Course Details

Course Number: 2113  Section Number: 106

Fall 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 202

Days & Times:

TR 12:30-1:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr Gina Opdycke Terry   
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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 REQUIREMENTS

  • Attendance is required.
  • You must complete all required work in the sequence outlined on this syllabus to receive a passing grade.
  • You are expected to participate in collaborative activities and class discussion.

Grading Standards

Assignments:

8 quizzes                                              20%

4 writing assignments                     40 %

Final Grammar Test                          20 %

Final Essay Exam                               20 %

 

Grading Scale

F: 0-59, D: 60-69, C: 70-79, B: 80-89, A: 90-100

A= Excellent; B= Above Average; C= Average; D=Below Average; F=Unacceptable


Final Exam12/13/2012  10:30-12:30

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.

Late Paper Policy

You must complete all assignments in the sequence outlined on this syllabus in order to receive a passing grade in this course. 

 

Late Papers

  • If you must miss class for illness, a college-sponsored activity, or a religious holy day, write an email to me that includes
    • Date of absence(s)
    • Reason for absence
    • Date of return to class
    • Request to make up missed work
    All missed work must be made up within ONE WEEK of your return to class. I will not accept make-up work later than one week past the date of your return to class.
  • In-class work, quizzes, homework, and major assignments may not be made up in cases of unexcused absences. 

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
  • Come to class; it’s that simple. You are expected to meet class according to the times published in the fall schedule of classes.
  • Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.  To have credit for attendance, students who arrive in class after attendance is checked (first five minutes) must provide evidence (documentation) to substantiate their late arrival.  Otherwise, late arrivals will be marked as absent.
  • Participation and attendance go hand in hand, and participation includes not only speaking and contributing to classroom discussion, but also completing the reading and assignments on time.  Please come to class prepared to discuss the assignments for that day and prepared to contribute to the overall conversation of the course.
  • If you have more than 6 absences, excused or not, you fail the class. 
  • You are responsible for getting notes from a colleague for any class information you may have missed.
  • Quizzes, in-class writing, or other missed work may not be made up if the absence is unexcused, and homework will not be accepted late. 
  • For excused absences, students will have one week to make up the missed work.

Other Policies

Withdrawal

According to the Writing Proficiency Requirement policy, “Any student with credit for more than 90 semester hours who enrolls in and subsequently withdraws from or is withdrawn from ENGL 2113 will not be allowed to enroll in any course except 2113 until the Writing Proficiency Requirement is met.”

 

Plagiarism Policy

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

From the Student Handbook

“Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Dean of Students office.

a. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university faculty or staff.

b. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

c. The term “collusion” means collaboration with another person in preparing work offered for credit of that collaboration is not authorized by the faculty member in charge.”

 

  • 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 quotation, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.  
  • You are responsible for understanding how to use sources in an ethical fashion, as well as the difference between quotation and paraphrase.  If you have questions about using and documenting sources, please consult a Writer’s Handbook or ask me. 
  • Papers that fail to attribute sources properly or are plagiarized, will receive a grade of 0 and I will follow the university’s reporting procedures, which may result in a forced drop from the class.
  • You may not turn in assignments submitted for credit in other courses. 

 

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 my expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

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.

 

Writing Center

I encourage you to begin drafting papers as early as possible and to take advantage of the MSU Writing Labs located in 224 Bea Wood and RC246 Moffett Library.  Writing tutors will not edit your papers for you, but they will provide you with specific suggestions for improving your writing.


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.