Department of English English 131: 011 Rhetoric and Composition - Syllabus -

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1 1 Department of English English 131: 011 Rhetoric and Composition - Syllabus - Instructor: Caleb Clardy Office: Liberal Arts #257 Ph.: clardycl@sfasu.edu calebclardysfa@gmail.com Class Schedule: MWF 10:00-10:50 AM Room: Ferguson #171 Office Hrs: MW 1-5pm Required Texts: Ballenger, Bruce, The Curious Writer. Third Edition. Longman/Pearson, 2011 Harris, Muriel. Prentice Hall Reference Guide. 8th Ed. Fox, Nancy and Elizabeth Tasker, eds. Lumberjacks Write. 3 rd Ed. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead Press, (Free distributed in class) Course Description In English 131, students study and practice the writing process with a focus on analytical reading and writing. Students will read and write a range of essay types, including expressive, critical, and persuasive. Essay assignments address rhetorical analysis and critical responses to close readings of text. Students in English 131 are required to write a minimum of four formal essays (totaling at least 16 pages) and at least one in-class timed essay. English 131 is a requirement for all students who do not qualify for ENG133H or 235H. Prerequisite: Pass or exemption from THEA or a C in English 099. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in English 131 to be admitted to English 132. Class Work and Assignments: During the semester, you will be assigned five different types of essays and written work. Assignments will include: The assignments and grades for this course will be weighted as follows:

2 2 Personal Narrative (2-3 pages) 10% Summary (2-3 pages) 10% Rhetorical Analysis (3-4 pages) 15% Synthesis (Group project, 3-4 pages per person) 15% Proposal (6-7 pages) 25% Daily work (homework, quizzes, timed writings) 20% Final portfolio and reflection essay 10% In-class work - Students will bring in partial drafts of their assignments where they will be assessed in class by both the instructor and classmates through the use of an Elmo overhead projector. Every student who brings in printed drafts for assessment will receive bonus points on the final grade for the assignment. Final drafts of assignments will be turned in via uploading the file (Word or PDF) to Turnitin on the course link on Blackboard (no print-out is needed). Each assignment will be marked up and graded on-line for students to see after the grade is posted. Assignments must be uploaded by midnight (11:59PM) on the day they are due. Assignments uploaded late will be docked 10% in points for each day it s overdue. After two days, late assignments will automatically be given ZERO points. SAVE YOUR WORK POLICY: There is absolutely NO excuse for unsaved work. My flashdrive broke or My computer crashed is NOT an excuse. For this, please see or google documents via use of a gmail account. Students must earn a grade of C or better in order to pass and go on to Eng 132. Cell phone policies: Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away. Attendance: Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and poor attendance will directly affect your participation grade. Students are allowed three absences during the semester. After that, 2 points will be deducted from their total score for each unexcused absence. Regardless of the nature of the absences (excused or unexcused), a student will receive an F in the course after missing 9 class meetings for a MWF class or 6 classes for a TR class. Plagiarism: Plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated and will result in a failing grade and possible suspension. All students are required to submit their assignments to TURNITIN where they will be checked for any evidence of plagiarism. For more information on plagiarism, Please refer to Academic Affairs, Section A-9-1 in the

3 3 University Policy and Procedures Manual (on-line). AARC: This is the resource center inside Steen Library where free tutoring/writing assistance is available to all SFA students. Students are encouraged to seek help from well-trained assistants. Students with Disabilities and Accessibility: Refer to Policy F-33 and F-16 in the University Policy and Procedures Manual (on-line). Discrimination/Harassment Policy: Refer to Policy E-46 in the University Policy and Procedures Manual (on-line). English 131 Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of ENG 131, you (the student) must attain the following outcomes: 1. Experience in all phases of the writing process, including invention, drafting, peer reviewing, revising, editing, proofreading, and final presentation. 2. Proficiency in identifying the rhetorical situation of another s work; also the ability to write and communicate appropriately yourself based on the rhetorical situation. 3. Proficiency in analyzing the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) of another s work; also the ability to use rhetorical appeals effectively in your own compositions. 4. Proficiency in critical thinking and analysis in reading demonstrated by your ability to identify the purpose, tone, thesis, and supporting evidence in assigned texts, as well as the text s effects, strengths, and weaknesses. 5. Proficiency in critical thinking and analysis in writing demonstrated by your ability to develop topics and theses supported by textual evidence and your own analysis in conformance to the instructor s requirements. 6. Ability to compose expressive, expository, analytical, and persuasive essays in response to specific requirements and/or situations and to use various forms (methods) of development, including narrative, classification, division, example, and compare/contrast, in written, visual, and oral communication. 7. Ability to write unified and coherent paragraphs of grammatically correct sentences. 8. Proficiency in MLA basics. This includes 1) proper page formatting (heading, title, page numbering), 2) basic in-text citations (introductory phrase, quote or paraphrase, parenthetical citation, and explanation), and 3) a properly formatted works cited page. 9. Experience in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis, presentation, and written response within various group scenarios and projects. 10. Understanding of the different types and levels of plagiarism and how to avoid them. Texas Exemplary Educational Objectives for English 131 The English 131 learning outcomes meet the following Texas Exemplary Educational Objectives (EEOs): Communication EEO 1: To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.

4 4 Communication EEO 2: To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate communication choices. Communication EEO 3: To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expositive, narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication. Communication EEO 4: To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding. Communication EEO 5: To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development of exposition and argument. Rubric sheet for analysis and grading of essays I. Content and Development Excellent Fair Poor 1. Strong introduction that engages readers Thesis statement established Logical structure and coherent order Paragraphs function well, with effective transitions 5. Clean lively prose Imaginative descriptions of people/events Conclusion is strong and effective Overall content of essay is fully developed II. Grammar, Usage, Accuracy Excellent Fair Poor 1. Appropriate diction/avoids clichés Punctuation, capitalization, spelling Free of verb errors (agreement, tense, form) Free of pronoun errors (agreement, tense) Free of sentence structure errors (run-ons, comma splices, fragments) 6. Free of stigmatize errors (wordiness, vague references, awkwardness, etc.) 7. Sentences are varied and complex

5 5 8. Tone, imagination, clarity, readability