Syllabus

English 1110, Rhetoric and Composition (Fall 2014)

MWF: Fine Arts 168

       Jason R. Parks, Assistant Professor

Office: DECK 325                                                                                             Office Telephone Ext. 4425

                                                                                                              Cell/TXT: 765-208-6181

Office Hours:                                                                                     Gmail: jrparks@anderson.edu      

Mon: 8-8:50 , 10-10:50 Tues. 10-10:50                                        Twitter: jrparks321

Wed: 12-12:50, 3-3:50 Thurs: 10-10:50, 12-2:50

Fri: 12-12:50  

Required Texts:

Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. Axelrod & Cooper's Concise Guide to Writing. 6th ed. Boston:

Bedford, St. Martin's, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-312-66890-7(Concise Guide)

Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers. A Pocket Style Manual 6^th ed. ISBN: 978-0-312-54254-2 (Pocket)

Class Blog: auwriters.blogspot.com

Other Required Materials: Notebook for in class journals, Highlighter

What can I expect from this course?

If you commit to this course, you will learn new approaches to the entire writing process. You will improve your critical reading and critical thinking skills. As you approach reading and writing assignments in other courses, you will be more relaxed and confident. Furthermore, you can expect to feel as though you are part of a community where everyone is working together to strengthen their writing skills. You can also expect Prof. Parks to be committed to guiding you through each new challenge this course presents.

How will I succeed in this course?

1. Keep a positive attitude and take risks. If you already feel confident, tackle some new writing techniques or perspectives that are less comfortable for you. If you don’t have a lot of confidence in your writing abilities, stay positive. You can and will improve.
2. Attend all class sessions. Your attendance is valuable to everyone. We need your perspective and your participation. Also, it is a sign of respect for yourself and shows that you take your education seriously.
3. Complete assigned readings and papers. If you put in a concerted effort on each of your papers, you will be very pleased with your results, and your final grade. Along with assistance from your instructor and classmates, AU also has a WRITING CENTER available where you can receive extra guidance with your writing.

Format Requirements:

Essays: All assignments, except those completed in class, must be typed, double spaced (12pt Times New Roman) using MLA manuscript format. Each of the four major essays and the revision should be three full pages long (you may write a little more if you choose). When submitting the essay for a grade, include the first draft with any instructor comments and the peer response sheet.

*Journal Entries: All journal entries assigned as homework must be typed. You may submit them in hard copy in class, and/or via the class BLOG or as GoogleDocs attachments. Either way, submitting the journals is your responsibility. You will also be required to make periodical blog posts throughout the semester. auwriters.blogspot.com. These should represent your best writing and should be thoughtful.

Grading: The four essays are 100 pts. each, and the final revision essay is worth 80 points. The exam is 70 pts. You will also have the opportunity to earn an additional 150 points through journals, blog posts, homework, quizzes, and class participation. Your final grade will be calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total points available (700). This percentage will then be converted to a grade using the English department standard grading scale:

93-100% A           87-89% B+           80-82% B-            76-73% C              60-69% D

90-92%   A-          83-86% B              77-79% C+           70-72% C-            0-59%    F

Attendance Policy:

After four absences (including excused absences), students must meet with me to discuss truancy. Further Absences will only be excused if I am notified by the Dean of Students office (in the case of emergencies or illness) or by your professor or coach (in the case of a field trip or sporting event). Meet with me to discuss other extenuating circumstances. I reserve the right to deduct 3% from your final grade for every absence beyond 4.

Late Policy:

In Class Assignments:

If you are not in class, daily assignments, quizzes, homework, etc. may not be made up, unless you have made specific arrangements ahead of time.

Four Major Essays:

I very rarely accept papers more than a couple days late. If you have good attendance and are on time with most of your process work, you’ll never have a problem with late papers. If you miss class and don’t show up to key sessions, you don’t stand much of a chance. You should always ask, but be prepared to explain in detail.

PEER CRITIQUE SESSIONS:

Part of the writing process for each essay will be participating in small group critique sessions. Failure to participate in a peer workshop (due to absence or lack of participation) will result in a 10% penalty to essay grade.

Please see the departmental English 1110 syllabus for the course objectives and for information about how this course fulfills Liberal Arts requirements. The departmental syllabus is available online at http://anderson.edu/academics/english/writing/1110syll.html and will also be distributed in hard copy form on the first day of class.

Students having special problems that might affect their performance in class should notify the instructor during the first week of school. Possible arrangements can be made to work closely with the Learning Center, a tutor, or special time provided by the instructor.

* Tentative Schedule. Always check blog: auwriters.blogspot.com

UNIT ONE: Writing Profiles  (August 25- SEPT. 19)

*Assignments should be completed before class on the date listed.

Mon.  August 25  Introduction to College Writing

Wed.  Aug 27        Read CONCISE GUIDE Chapter 1 p. 1-12 and complete reflection 6 w/ 250 words. Bring

printed or laptop.  Bring your textbooks. Preview of Profile Essay Assignment.

Fri.     Aug 29      Read pp. 57-67. Quiz over Readings. Group Activity in Class.

                                (In Class: Read “I’m Not Leaving Until I Eat this Thing” pp. 68-70)

Mon. Sept. 1         LABOR DAY (NO CLASS MEETING)

Wed. Sept. 3         Read pp. 82-92. Type up short responses to p. 87 “Exploring your Preconceptions”

Fri.    Sept. 5          Notes/Prewriting Assignment Due for Profile Essay. See Handout. Read pp. 93-97 Concise Guide.

Mon.  Sept. 8        Read “The Long Good-bye: Mother’s Day in a Federal Prison” pp. 75-79. 

Wed.  Sept. 10      Journal Due. Analyzing Writing Strategies pp.  80-81.

Fri.    Sept. 12        First Full Draft Profile Due, *Peer Review. Read pp. 98-102 in Concise Guide.

Mon. Sept. 15       First Draft of Profile Essay Returned.

Wed. Sept. 17       Revision Session

Fri.    Sept. 19        Final Draft Due.

UNIT TWO: Explaining A Concept

Fri Sept. 19 - Fri Oct. 10

Key Textbook Pages: Concise Guide: pp. 106-157

Rough Draft Due: Mon. Oct. 6^th Print Copy Due in Class.

Final Draft Due: Fri. Oct. 10^th    via Google Docs.

*Fri. Oct. 10th  No Class Fall Break

UNIT THREE: Evaluation Essay

Mon. Oct 13- Mon. Nov. 10

Key Textbook Pages: Concise Guide: pp. 260-313

Rough Draft Due: Fri. Oct. 31^st Print Copy Due in Class & Google Docs.

Final Draft Due: Mon. Nov. 10^th via Google Docs.

UNIT FOUR: Position Paper

Mon. Nov. 10- Mon. Dec. 1

Key Textbook Pages: Concise Guide: pp. 158-205

Partial Draft Due: Friday, Nov. 21^nd Print Copy in Class & Google Docs

Final Draft Due: Monday, Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. via Google Docs.

*Nov. 26 & 28 Thanksgiving Break

UNIT FIVE: Revision & Exam

Mon. Dec. 1 – Fri. Dec. 5

Revision Planning Week. Final Revised Essay w/ Cover Letter Due at Exam Time.

Key Textbook Pages: Pocket Manual. To Be Determined.

FINAL EXAMS

Dec. 8-11 Final Exam Schedule

1:00 Class:  Monday, Dec. 8^th, 11:40-1:20

2:00 Class:  Wednesday, Dec. 10^th, 1:30-3:10