TR 9:30-10:50AM
Assignments % of Grade
5 In-Class Essays (ICE) (Two./Three-page/350 word min. each) 10% (ICE 1A+1B) + 10% (ICE 2) + 10% (ICE 3) + 15% (Final) = 45%
4 Formal, Revised Essays (Three-page/ 750-word min. each)
10% (FE 1) +10% (FE 2) + 10% (FE 3) + 15% (FE 4) = 45%
Edit the World, Quizzes, Participation = 10%
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%.
According to MSU’s Undergraduate Catalogue, “letter grades have the following significance:”
Important: For freshman or transfer students entering Midwestern in the fall of 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 MSU.
All formal essays must be typed in MLA format and submitted in your project portfolio along with all prewriting, drafts, and peer edits. Any assignments that do not comply with these requirements will be returned ungraded.
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 the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.
Late assignments (defined as any work not submitted by the start of class on the due date) will be accepted, but the final grade will be docked by 10% each day past the due date. No late work will be accepted more than 48 hours after the original due date.
If you accumulate more than 6 absences (the equivalent of 3 weeks of class), excused or not, you fail the class. This is not an invitation to miss three weeks of class. When you miss classes, you miss out on valuable instruction, and lose out on learning tools that will help you to develop as a writer. If you miss 7 or more classes before the last day to withdraw with a “W,” it is your responsibility to withdraw from the class. Please do not feel obligated to justify any absences to me; just be prepared to accept the consequences. If you are absent, you may not make up any missed in-class assignments, including in-class essays. Please notify me in advance if you will not be able to make class (email is fine). If you must miss class on the day an assignment is due, make arrangements to turn it in early or it will lose points.
Lateness: I expect you to be on time for each class meeting. If you are repeatedly late to class, I will begin marking you absent. Please let me know if extenuating circumstances prevent you from arriving on time.
Plagiarism: 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. I expect you to produce everything you submit for this class. I do not want to see essays written by your mommy, your roommate, your siblings, your friends, or your tutor, and I certainly do not want to see papers, paragraphs, data, or even phrases copied/bought/stolen from a website, book, article, or any other source. Plagiarism will result in an automatic 0 on the assignment, and students who commit plagiarism will be referred to the Dean of Students, as outlined by the “Academic Misconduct” policy in the MSU Student Handbook.
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 Zone Statement: The instructor 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. Disrespect in any fashion will not be tolerated; it is the instructor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.
University Writing Labs: Students are encouraged to begin drafting papers as early as possible and to take advantage of the MSU Writing Centers located in 224 Bea Wood and the Moffett Library lounge on the first floor. Writing tutors will not edit your papers for you, but they will provide you with specific suggestions for improving your writing. The Writing Center hours are 9-4 Monday-Thursday in BW 224 and 6-9 in the Moffett Library Lounge on Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Writing Proficiency Requirement: All students seeking a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they have 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 have 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.