Class meets on MWF from 12 - 12:50 p.m.
Course Goals:
Additional information about course objectives can be found on the department webpage, http://libarts.mwsu.edu/english/.
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%.
ICE #1 = 5%, ICE #2 = 10%, ICE #3 = 10%, ICE #4 (final essay) = 15%
FE #1 = 5%, FE #2 = 10%, FE #3 = 10%, FE #4 = 15%
Quizzes = 10%, Participation (affected by attendance and group work) = 10%
If a student repeatedly fails to turn in work, an academic referral will be submitted. If a student still does not turn in work, the student will be dropped from the class and be given an “F” for the semester.
Assignments % of Grade
Minimum of 4 In-Class Essays (350-word min. each; can include final exam)
Minimum of 4 Formal, Revised Essays (750-word min. each).
Writing assignments should require students to produce approximately 5000 words of graded writing and count for at least 80% of the final grade.
MLA format
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.
I will not accept late work after 48 hours of the initial due date. Ten points will be deducted each day the paper is late. After the 48 hour deadline for late work has passed, the student will receive a zero
Students may miss up to 6 classes. These absences include excused and unexcused absences. After the sixth absence, the student will be dropped from the class and receive an “F” for the semester.
Tardy Policy:
Two tardies equal an absence.
If a student leaves before class is over without informing the instructor ahead of time, the student will be counted as absent without any notice to the student.
If a student comes to class after 15 minutes has passed from the beginning of class, the student will be counted as absent witout any notice to the student.
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 quotation, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. Any work that is plagiarized will receive an automatic “F,” and the student will be reported to Chair of the English Department. If a student is allowed to stay in the class after the report is issued, the consequence of a second offense is an automatic “F” for the class, and the student is reported to the Chair of the Department and Dean of the College.
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 Policy
Other Policies
If a cell phone rings, the instructor gets to answer the phone. The same approach mentioned in the previous sentence goes for texting. If a student is rude, disruptive, disrespectful, or behaves in any other manner ill-fitting for a scholar, then the individual will be asked (first and only warning) to refrain from such behavior. If the behavior persists, then the student will be dropped from the class and receive an “F” for the semester.
University Writing Labs
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 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.