Composition Skills

Course Details

Course Number: 2113  Section Number: 202

Spring 2013

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 205

Days & Times:

Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30-1:50 pm

Course Attachments

  English 2113-202 Syllabus Spring 2013 LB Wkbk MW-20130124-142733.pdf

Textbooks

The Little, Brown Workbook-MSU custom edition  ISBN: 13: 978-0-558-79024-0
MSU Faculty Member
Becky Green   
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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

Email contact is preferred: becky.green@mwsu.edu.  My other contact information is on page 1.  When writing a message, follow conventions of standard written English.  Do not use text-code when you write any professor, and be sure to include a greeting (Mrs. Green,) and a signature (your name). 

What you cannot expect of me is to be available 24/7. While I do check my email and voicemail, excluding weekends, I do not necessarily check them more than once a day or late in the evenings.

  

  • Supplies:

            A 2 to 3 inch three-ring binder

            A folder with pockets and brads (See the instructions on page 8)

            notebook paper (not jagged-edged spiral paper)

            pens/pencils and a highlighter

            a non-electronic dictionary

            a student email account: first.last.mmdd@students.mwsu.edu

 

 

 

Label a folder with brads and pockets accordingly:

 

 

 

Front

 

Name

ENGL 2113- *

Spring 2013

Green

Composition

 

 

 

 

*Place your class number after the course number.

 

 

 

 

Inside

 

 

o

 

 

o

 

Assignments

to be graded

 

 

o

Writing

Resources

 

 

 If your folder is navy blue or black, use white labels, which I have.

I will also make a black marker available during class.

 

 

 

 


Grading Standards

 

Assignment                                                           % of Grade

8 quizzes                                                                      20                                     

4 in-class writing assignments                               40                                       

Final Grammar Test                                                   20  

(Grammar Final—Wednesday, May 1 during class)

 Final Essay Exam                                                       20

 

Your grades in this class are based on this scale: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59-0%.

 If you complete all homework during the semester, you will receive 2 points added to your final grade. 

If you earn less than a 70 on an in-class writing assignment, you may improve, type, and resubmit the assignment once in an attempt to earn a 70. Submit this rewrite and the original assignment in your composition folder. You have one class day in which to make this submission.  For example, if I return your original on Monday, your rewritten assignment is due in class on the following Wednesday.

 


Final Exam5/8/2013  3:30-5:30 PM

Submission Format Policy

 

Assigned exercises from the workbook may be completed in the book.  The homework that I collect will be marked with Yes, meaning your work was passing, or No, your work was failing.  With either mark, you receive credit for having completed the homework.

All writing assignments must follow MLA format.  You may use either pen or pencil to complete in-class assignments.  You must type all out-of-class writing assignments.  Submit all in-class writing assignments and their rewrites in a composition folder that contains both pockets and brads.



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

 

The policy for submitting late work is as follows:  Late homework is not accepted.  A missed quiz or in-class writing assignment may be taken before the quiz or essay is returned in class, which is usually within a week.  Therefore, if you miss a quiz or writing on Monday, you must take the quiz or complete the writing assignment before class time on the following Monday.  Work not completed in this time frame receives a grade of zero.  Make-up these assignments in BW 233 during my office hours. 


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. 

 

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 the opportunity to submit homework and to earn the 2 bonus points, and you miss any announcements regarding future assignments.  Consider it your responsibility to be present and prepared for class so that you can do as well as you wish and gain as much as you can.


Other Policies

 

Be on time:  If you are repeatedly late to class, I will begin marking you absent.  If extenuating circumstances prevent you from arriving on time, please let me know.

Practice courtesy:  When I am speaking to the class, do not walk in front of me.  If you arrive late to class and I have begun teaching, remain outside in the hallway until I invite you into the room.  When another student is speaking, listen. 

 

All cell phones and other electronic devices are disruptive, so silence and put them away during class.  Disruptive behavior, which prevents me from teaching and your peers from learning, is grounds for being asked to leave the room and being counted absent. 

 

If you need to leave the room, you do not need my permission; simply leave when I or a classmate is not speaking. 

 

Eating and drinking are not allowed in the classroom.


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.