Housatonic Community College
EN 101 Composition
Professor: Scott Empric
Spring: 2007
Office: B 202
Telephone: 332-5147
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Page: www.geocities.com/scottempric
WebCT Vista: http://vista.ctdlc.org
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00pm; Thursday 3:30 - 4:30pm; By appointment
Required Materials:
Convergances
A two-pocket folder for your writing portfolio
Any college-level paperback dictionary: American Heritage Dictionary recommended
Purpose:
Composition is designed to help you become more knowledgeable college-level writers by studying the skills necessary for effective written communication. In this course, we will define and explore the process of writing including methods of development, prewriting, organization, revision, editing, and research. The principles of rhetoric and logic will also be stressed in each writing assignment. In addition to your own writing, we will analyze works of prose as a basis for our exploration of the writing process.
Prerequisites:
Satisfactory score on placement examination or passing EN 100R with a grade of C or higher.
Attendance:
In a class that explores the process of becoming a better college student, attendance and participation are crucial to your success. Because this course requires you to be actively involved through attendance, class discussion, and group work; however, you are responsible for whether or not you attend class, so there is no formal attendance policy. You are responsible for what you miss, and are expected to have all assignments completed by the next class meeting. If assignments are not complete a zero will be given. Work done in-class, including tests/quizzes, cannot be made up.
* Those who attend all classes will have their final grade raised by one half letter grade.
Writing Assignments:
You will complete several writing assignments over the course of our semester together. Specific details about each assignment will be provided in due time. It is important to keep all the steps involved with your completing an assignment including, prewriting, drafting, revision, and final draft. Papers without these steps will not be accepted. I will not accept late papers - papers not turned in when I ask for them are deemed late, and will not be accepted unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date. Please note that I will not accept any final drafts that are not typed, nor will I accept final drafts that do not include rough drafts/prewriting materials.
NOTE: Showing up with an un-typed rough draft and/or a draft not at least one full typed page will earn a deduction of points.
Writing Responses:
They include homework, responses you will write in class, written evaluations of classmates' drafts, and any other writing exercise we may do throughout the semester. These responses or reflections can often serve as the basis for your major writing assignments.
Writing Portfolio:
All writing that you do should be kept in a folder specifically for this class. The portfolio will develop into a showcase for your development as a writer. At the end of the semester, you will select writing that you have done for the course that you feel best represents your developing skills as a writer. The writing you select, in addition to a letter to me describing your selections and development, will be placed in the folder purchased for the Writing Portfolio. The work you produce will, and may eventually be placed in your Writing Portfolio, will have been turned in and responded to me at least once. At the end of the semester, your portfolio will be graded holistically - each paper will not receive another grade. Specific details and guidelines will be provided after your first assignment.
Research Assignment:
As a requirement for the completion of the course, you must complete a research project. We will tackle this process over the course of the semester. We will start with a library tour. We will discuss how to research, what information is valuable, how to incorporate research into your writing, how to cite sources and how to finish with a paper that cites information you have discovered as a result of your research.
Grading Policies:
Written responses you turn in (not all will be turned in) will be graded on a scale of 1-5 (5 being excellent). Quizzes will be graded on a scale A-F. All formal (revised and typed) papers, including the research project, will be graded 0-100. All other assignments will be checked for thoughtfulness and completion.
Evaluation:
| Grammar Groups | 10% |
| Writing Responses/Quizzes/Participation | 10% | Formal Writing Assignments | 30% |
| Writing Portfolio | 30% |
| Research Project | 20% |
All assignments done in-class or as a response should be neatly written. Specific instructions for each assignment will be outlined during class time.
Missing assignments, quizzes, and class work may not be made up unless you notify me in advance you will be absent, or extenuating circumstances arise! In these cases a make up assignment of my choosing will be offered.
A Few Guidelines:
Without agreed-upon standards of behavior, no community can function effectively. In order for all of us to get the most we can out of this class, the following terms are non-negotiable: