ESSENTIALS OF COLLEGE RHETORIC
One should not aim at being possible to understand,
but at being impossible to misunderstand.
Quintilian
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English 1301 FALL 2011 Texas Tech University
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ENGL 1301 – 038 & 048 Instructor: Linda Gilmore
038 – W 8:00 - 9:20 Email: linda.gilmore@ttu.edu
Room 350
Office: 461 English Building 048 – W 12:30 - 1:50
Room 455 Office Hours: Wed 9:30 - 12:30
And by appointment
REQUIRED TEXTS
Purchase the required text from the campus bookstore, another local bookseller, or online: (Do not buy used copies)
First-Year Writing: Writing in the Disciplines
5th Custom Edition
Texas Tech University 2011 - 2012
The St. Martin’s Handbook (e-book version)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Rationale: The focus for this class is the exercise and development of critical thinking, reading, and writing skills through reading and discussing the writing of others and creating and improving upon your own. This class includes a lot of reading, thinking, talking, and writing. You will also be expected to comment on the drafts of some of your classmates.
Additionally, the atmosphere of this class is open, welcoming, and meant to encourage original thought, imagination, and inspiration as well as the application of mechanical skills such as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
STANDARD COURSE POLICIES
1. Come to class
2. Keep up with reading assignments
3. Turn in work on time
4. Keep a copy of all work handed in
5. Take an active and civil part in classroom discussion
6. Take notes
7. come prepared with your books, pencils, paper, etc. to class
8. Do not plagiarize
CLASS CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Be prepared for class by doing the assigned readings and assignments in advance.
Bring your text with you to class each week.
Of course, I expect that we will treat each other with the respect and civility due to peers and colleagues, though this certainly does not preclude healthy discussion and debate.
No discriminatory behavior towards another person will be tolerated.
Cell phones and laptops will be allowed as long as your conduct is not a disruption to others.
Campus newspapers and other reading material not directly associated with class work will not be permitted.
*If at any time your behavior interferes with the learning environment in this class or becomes belligerent or disrespectful to me or your classmates, you will be asked to leave the classroom. You will also be marked absent for the day regardless of how long class has been in session.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this class, students will:
become more effective communicators while also gaining insight about themselves, their peers, and the world
Demonstrate the ability to specify audience and purpose and to make appropriate communication choices
Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate form and content in written, visual, and oral communication
Demonstrate the ability to apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development and documentation of exposition and argument.
OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT
Identify, discuss, and analyze various rhetorical strategies and elements of the writing process
Analyze text and visuals, and compose summaries and paraphrases of those works
Synthesize ideas presented in a variety of works and present those ideas in a coherent essay
Demonstrate a competency with conventions of Standard English
PARTICIPATION & ASSIGNMENTS
Participation:
Your participation grade will be based on the criteria listed above and is determined by me.
Your participation grade will be based on the criteria listed above and is determined by me.
In class activities
Class discussion
Turning assignments in on time
Attendance/Coming to class on time
Lack of distraction with computers, cell phones, chatting, etc.
Assignments:
These are homework assignments submitted on RaiderWriter:
Assignments:
These are homework assignments submitted on RaiderWriter:
Brief Writing Assignments
Essay Drafts
Peer Critiques
Writing Reviews
see pages xxi - xxii in your textbook for a general description of the assignments. you will find a detailed course syllabus on the RaiderWriter website.
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION & GRADING
All official assignments will be submitted online via RaiderWriter:
be sure and use the FIREFOX browser.
Once submitted, your assignment goes into a grading pool and will be randomly assigned to graduate students for grading. You will receive a letter grade based on a grading rubric as well as in-text tags and general comments.
GRADING CRITERIA
See pages xxii in your text for grading criteria breakdown.
EXTRA CREDIT
you can receive extra credit for visiting the University Writing Center. this extra credit can be applied to missing in class activities and will count toward your participation grade.
EXTRA CREDIT
you can receive extra credit for visiting the University Writing Center. this extra credit can be applied to missing in class activities and will count toward your participation grade.
UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER
If you would like assistance with your writing at any time, the University Writing Center can be a great help. the UWC is located in room 175 of the ENGL/PHIL Building. you may also access tutors and writing resources via the UWC website:
DUE DATES AND LATE PENALTIES
All assignments must be turned in online by 11:59 pm (central standard or central daylight time) on the date stipulated in the online syllabus. After you turn in an assignment, confirm that it has been received by checking your list of submitted assignments. Be sure and keep a copy of your work.
If you have trouble submitting your work online for any reason, email me prior to the deadline for the assignment and include a copy of your completed assignment along with an explanation of the technical problem. As soon as the technical problem has been resolved, you must submit your assignment as usual. The late penalty may be removed if you provide proof that you completed the assignment on time.
Any assignment(s) submitted late will receive a 10-point deduction per day late. For example: if an assignment is two days late and received an initial grade of 88, after the 20 point penalty is applied, the final grade will be 68. Turning assignments in on time is essential to your success in this course.
Any assignment(s) submitted late will receive a 10-point deduction per day late. For example: if an assignment is two days late and received an initial grade of 88, after the 20 point penalty is applied, the final grade will be 68. Turning assignments in on time is essential to your success in this course.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance in this class is especially important since we only meet once a week. I expect you to be on time for class, to attend every class session, and to remain in class for the full time allotted.
You are allowed 2 absences. After your second absence, your final course grade will be reduced by 5% for each additional absence. for example: if you have a final grade of 98% but have a total of 4 absences, your final grade will be 88% - in other words you've gone from an "A" to a "B" because of absences. additionally, this will affect your participation grade so your grade will be penalized in two ways. Your Dean may also be notified in accordance with University policies.
APPEAL PROCESS
If you feel that a grade you have received does not accurately reflect the quality of your work, you may appeal the grade by writing an essay that includes ALL of the following criteria:
1. Must be at least 500 words in length
2. Must be a civil and respectful argument for the change of grade
3. must include specific examples from the assignment in question
4. must be submitted to me within seven (7) days of the day you
received the original grade
be aware that, when I review your assignment, I have the option of raising or lowering your grade or leaving it as it is. If you want to appeal the final grade you get for this course, refer to the TTU appeal process as outlined in the course catalog
INCOMPLETES
A final grade of “Incomplete” is given only when a student’s work is satisfactory in quality but, due to reasons beyond his or her control, has not been completed. It is not given instead of an F. Refer to page xxxv in the textbook for more information regarding Incompletes.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Plagiarism: To use another’s words or ideas without giving them proper credit OR to reuse your own work previously submitted to this or any other class.
As university students, you are bound to be academically and professional honest when producing your work. Submit only original work. Do not plagiarize. Give proper citation for any words or ideas borrowed from another source. Adhere to the university’s policy on plagiarism and academic honesty.
Penalties for plagiarism will be severe, including (but not limited to) receiving no credit for an assignment and/or immediate failure of the class. more information on the TTU Academic Integrity and Plagiarism can be found at:
SPECIAL NEEDS
Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services to me during my office hours. Please note that I am not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405 or go to their website:
RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS
Texas law requires institutions of higher education to excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. The student shall also be excused for time necessary to travel. If you intend to observe a religious holy day, you should make that intention known to me prior to the absence. You will be required make up any missed work. If the work is not made up in a timely fashion, you will be penalized.
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR
• Office hours in the English Building room 461 on Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:30 and by appointment.
Please use any of the above methods to contact me to discuss any course questions or concerns.
I will do my best to respond to your email queries within 24 hours, except during weekends and holidays.
