ENG 102.036 T-R 11:30 -12:45 PM, CBC C309, Composition II. Fall 2008
Course Description English 102 builds upon the critical thinking, reading, and writing capabilities that students developed in English 101. Students learn the processes necessary for collecting and incorporating research material in writing. They learn how to evaluate, cite, and document primary and secondary research sources, and how to develop arguments to support them with sound evidence. Course Texts Dialogues, UNLV Edition, Goshgarian and Krueger Writing in the Margins, Brown Course Objectives Specific skills and abilities you will learn in this course are:
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To understand argumentation as a process that seeks to understand a range of views and that treats opposing views respectfully
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To use research, reading, and writing as tools for questioning, critical thinking, and informed communication
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To critically read and write with attention to the use of evidence
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To develop an understanding of the strategies of argument
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To analyze and evaluate reasons and evidence in arguments
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To design and implement appropriate research strategies
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To evaluate primary and secondary research sources
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To summarize, paraphrase, and synthesize research material
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To plan and to organize a research essay
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To integrate and document research sources
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To address purpose and audience effectively in a research essay
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To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your own writings and those of others
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To revise through several drafts
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To use conventions of format, structure, and language Course Requirements Assignments include both out-of-class and in-class work and will include research, informal writings, drafts of essays, peer responding and editing, and assigned readings from the texts. To successfully complete ENG 102, you must:
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Write an in-class diagnostic essay during the first week of class
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Complete the two online library research tutorials and quizzes and submit certificates
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Complete weekly reading assignments of approximately 30 to 50 pages
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Design research strategies and conduct library and Internet research
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Actively participate in in-class writing workshops and discussions
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Write at least one graded in-class essay
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Complete three formal, out-of-class writing projects of no less than three to five pages each
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Write a research-based argumentation essay of no less than seven to ten pages
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Take two department exams plus a final exam In-Class Activities In-class activities will include
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Discussions of assigned readings
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Workshops related to the current writing assignment including exploratory writings, planning, drafting, revising, and editing
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Collaborative exercises and peer response sessions You are required to actively participate in all in-class activities. Attendance Policy Attendance is mandatory. If you miss class for any reason, you are still responsible for the material and content of the class and for any assignment given for the next class. If you miss more than the equivalent of two weeks of classes (5 sessions), your final course grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. If you miss more than the equivalent of three weeks of classes (7 sessions), you will fail the course. Keep in mind that the allowed absences are intended to be used for unavoidable absences due to illness or emergencies. Please arrange your schedule so that you can arrive on time and stay for the entire class period. Repeated late arrivals or early departures may translate to absences. Students with a demanding work schedule or those who are engaged in assisting family or friends with medical or personal problems should weigh the importance of school and personal activity. Don't overload your life and try to fulfill the impossible. Absences Due to Religious Holidays Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during the semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day at late registration ( 8/29/08) of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays that do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. Absences Due to University Activities University policy as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog is: “Students who represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity shall have the opportunity to make up any assignments or examinations missed as a result of this event. It is the responsibility of the student to provide official written notification to the instructor of the course at the earliest time possible of his or her intention to participate in a university sponsored event, but no less than one week prior to the date of the missed class” (62). Special Accommodations for Disability The UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137. Their numbers are: 895-0866/Voice, 895-0652/TTY, and 895-0652, FAX 895-0651. For additional information, please visit <http:// tudentlife.unlv.edu/disability>. Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility, and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV's function as an educational institution. Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism – using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any other source, without proper citation of the source – constitutes grounds for failure in this course. See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (Approved December 9, 2005; located at <http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductpolicy.hyml.> Writing Center One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to students at The Writing Center, located at the Central Desert Complex, Building 3, Room 301. Although walk-in appointments are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. When you go to your appointment, take a copy of your assignment and any writing that you may have completed on the assignment. Copyright The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to Follow copyright and fair use. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEITHER PROTECT NOR DEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS OF FAIR USE LAWS. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, you are encouraged to visit the following website: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/. Last Day To Drop November 3 is the final date to drop or withdraw from the course without a grade being recorded. No withdrawals will be permitted after this date. Library Assistance The University Libraries (http: //www.library.unlv.edu ) offer free, brief clinics and workshops to help you Improve your research skills and same time researching. Bring a topic to a Research Clinic for in-depth consultation with a research expert. Check the schedule online or call 895-2123. The Library Research Tutorials ENG 102 students are required to complete the library's online research tutorials “Finding Books” and “Finding Journal Articles.” At the end of each tutorial, there is a very short quiz (four questions) for students to complete. The page must be printed and submitted to the instructor. Class Conduct You are expected to behave courteously and professionally in your interactions with your peers as well as your instructor. Please remember that the classroom is not the place for taking naps, eating meals, conversing with friends, or working on assignments for other classes. Turn off cell phones. Do not text message. No tape recorders or video recorders are allowed without permission. Late Assignments Policy Late assignments are unacceptable. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a hospital stay, please notify me in advance of the due date, otherwise your paper will be considered late. Specific assignments will detail due dates. Papers are to be delivered in the classroom. Do not take them to the Department of English or send them by e-mail. This is not an online course. Assignment Submission Requirements All writing assignments must be computer typed. Papers must be formatted according to MLA guidelines. This will be covered in class. Department Exams Two department exams will be administered for the purpose of program assessment. This is required for all courses that are part of the General Education Core Requirements. The two forty minute exams will be administered to students during a class session. The two exams will be calculated at 10% of the course grade. Course Grade Calculation The Undergraduate Catalog defines the letter grades as follows: A Incomplete Grade In order to receive a grade of “I” or Incomplete, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least 75% of the semester when, for reasons beyond control, the student fails to complete the last part of the course. Grading A major portion of the course will be based on a researched argument paper. Assignments will develop writing skills during the first weeks of the course. Assignments 10% Final Grades Tests 5% 100-90 A Final Paper Proposal 10% 89-79 B Works Cited 10% 78-68 C Short Version of Paper 20% 67-57 D Final Version of Paper 20% 56 or less F Department Exam 5% (UNLV allows + and -) Department Exam 5% Final In-Class Essay 5% Participation 10% 100 points Participation: Students are rewarded for high attendance and engaging in discussions. A grade is an estimation of the quality of submitted writing, of what finally appears on the page. As a teacher, I focus my evaluation on what students have written. Every paper requires effort and time. The grades I give are neither rewards or punishments, just an evaluation, an informed and educated estimation of writing that fails or fulfills the criteria set for the course and specific assignments. I do not penalize students for opinions I do not share nor do I reward opinions I may personally like. Please remember I am not grading you as an individual, I am grading the paper submitted. Assignment Descriptions The following is a general course guide.
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