ENGL1101 - Composition I

• focus on a purpose
• use conventions of format and structure appropriate to various situations
• understand a writing assignment as a series of tasks, including finding, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing appropriate sources
• use a variety of technologies in the writing process
• develop flexible strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proof-reading
• demonstrate competent use of syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Required Text:

• Trimbur, John.  A Call to Write 2nd ed.  New York: Longman, 2002.  ISBN #0-321-08492-6.

• Any good college dictionary.
• A good handbook of grammar and usage, such as The Longman Handbook or the Harbrace Handbook.
• A guide to the Internet, such as Walker, Janice R., and John Ruszkiewicz. writing@online.edu.  New York: Longman, 1999.  ISBN #-0-321-02699-3.

• 3.5-inch HD (High Density) diskette, IBM-formatted.  (I recommend you buy two diskettes--one to back up your work on, just in case.)
• Email account (NOTE: You will need to have a Georgia Southern account for your Web page work.  If you do not know how to access it, please make arrangements to find out!)
• Hard case for your diskette (Do not carry it loose.)
• Stapler or paper clips (Please do not fold the corners of papers; use a staple or paper clip).
• A folder or portfolio in which to keep your work.

Informal writing activities may include listserv discussions, peer response, and heuristics, among others; formal assignments will include at least four multiple-draft assignments that demonstrate the student's ability to meet the course and Regents Core Curriculum goals.

All essays will be formatted following MLA manuscript format (see http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/tutorials/mlawp.html for instructions using Word Perfect or http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/tutorials/mlaword.html using MS Word).  Please come to class prepared.   No excuses.
 

Class Listserv

All students will join, read, and contribute to the class listserv discussion.  You are required to make at least one posting per week in response to the readings, class discussions, or to each others' postings.  You will need to access and read the postings frequently to keep up.  You may also choose to post more than once per week, either responding to other students' posts, asking questions regarding assignments, readings, or class discussions, or discussing topics of interest to the general student population.  Spamming, use of inappropriate language, or posting of inappropriate materials will not be tolerated.  It is your discussion board, and as such it is up to you (the students) to police it.  For more information on joining the course site, see schedule of assignments.
 

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory.  My attendance policy is firm: no excuses are allowed.  However, missed assignments may be made up.  It is the student's responsibility to find out any assignments or information missed as a result of tardiness or absence.  Please make arrangements with another student early in the semester to ensure that, should you need to be absent, you will still have access to this information.  Late assignments will automatically be lowered one full letter grade, or 10% (again, no excuses; save your creativity for your essays).
 

Grades

Distribution of final grade:    Attendance and Class Participation  Listserv Postings (10 @ 5 pts.) Group Presentation In-class activities (7 @ 10 pts.) Essay #1 Essay #2 Web project 10 pts. 50 pts. 10 pts. 70 pts. 15 pts. 20 pts. 25 pts.

Grades are assigned as follows:    A  B  C  D  F  180-200   160-179  140-159  120-139  Below 60

For information on criteria for evaluation of student compositions, see English Composition for Students in English 1101 and English 1102.

Pleasse note that a grade of "C" or better in ENGL1101 is a prerequisite for ENGL1102.
 

Regents' Exam

The Regents' Exam must be taken before students accumulate 45 semester hours, otherwise students will be required to take RGTE 0199 (Regents' Review). For information on the Regents' Exam, see http://www2.gasou.edu/writling/regentslink.html.
 

Disclaimers

All assignments in this syllabus are subject to change, depending on the instructor's assessment of students' needs.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed assignments, handouts, changes to the syllabus, and other course-related information.

Inappropriate use of computer resources can result in students losing their accounts, failure of a class, or legal repercussions.  Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to illegal access of information (hacking), using someone else's account without authorization, tampering with the settings on Georgia Southern University's writing lab computers, uploading, downloading, or installing pirated software or files, and viewing or distributing pornographic or otherwise offensive materials using Georgia Southern's facilities.  If you are unsure whether or not a specific use is allowed, contact Computer Services.
 

Assignments

The schedule of assignments is a tentative one and is provided for planning purposes only.  Students are expected to check the schedule frequently for changes, and to complete all assigned readings and coursework as shown by the dates listed.  Additional information on assignments may be added to this site and/or discussed in class.  It is the student's responsibility to find out any assignments or information missed as a result of tardiness or absence.  (See also Attendance policy above).

The content of personal and other unofficial home pages is not sanctioned by Georgia Southern University and does not represent official information or opinions of the University. jwalker@gasou.edu is solely responsible for the contents of this page.