Fall, 2007 • Section 22: MW 12:30-1:45 • EDUC-205
The objectives of English Composition 1 (ENGL 1101) are to teach students how to read and write at a beginning college level. During the course, students will learn to write essays that are efficacious, succinct, and interesting; to cite proper support for suppositions; to examine and think critically; to increase their confidence in all forms of written discourse. Through various class readings, blog entries, discussions, and individual guidance, students will practice and develop integral skills for the communication and inference of ideas both written and verbal.
Required Materials
- Diane Hacker. A Writer’s Reference. Fifth Ed. (2003)
- Norman Mailer. Why Are We at War?
(2003)
- A Criterion access card
- An email account accessible on-campus, preferably your MSC account
- A college dictionary
- A flash (“jump” or “thumb”) drive
- A personal computer with reliable internet access
Course Requirements
The following components will be weighed as follows to determine the student’s final grade in English Composition I. Remember: two aspects of composition in 1101 are critical in the grading process: mechanics and content. Always proofread and revise any writing before submission.
All requirements must be fully completed for a student to pass the course.
Out-of-class (Formal) Essays (50%)
Students will complete three, formal, out-of-class essays on assigned topics. These essays must be formatted according to MLA style and submitted in a pocketed folder. Since this is a writing class, essays will be weighted most heavily in evaluation.
Essay Assignments
Blog (20%)
Students are required to keep a weekly written response on assigned topics; there are a total of ten blog entries for the semester, five of which will be completed before midterm. Each blog entry must have a minimum of 350 words. Each topic should be linked to at the beginning of each blog entry. Along with each blog entry, each student is required to comment critically on at least two other students’ entries. See How to Blog and How to Comment for assistance in getting started. We will do your inital blog set-up during the first week of class.
Regents-type Essay (10%)
Students will complete one, timed (60 minute), in-class essays on assigned topics. The in-class essay will take the form of a practice Regents’ Essay Exam and will be given as a final exam.
Daily Work (10%)
Regular class attendance and active participation in classroom discussion and the class group are required. Additional assistance can be obtained from the instructor during office hours, by appointment, or by email. I encourage students to communicate with me if they have any difficulties with the course or the materials. It is ultimately your responsibility to succeed, so gaining additional assistance — especially if you are struggling — is paramount.
Two Criterion essays will also count toward your daily work grade. This class has been selected to participate in an ongoing software testing study administered by the Division of Humanities at Macon State College. As part of this study each of you will submit, in class, at least two online essays through Criterion. These essays will receive an immediate “score” of between 1 and 6. You should know that these “scores” will not be factored into your class grades; I may, however, give you some kind of extra credit for the successful submission of this essay counted toward your participation grade. I may also assign a daily grade of a zero for each of the two essays you are required to submit. Cards that give you access to this site are purchased at the bookstore with your textbook. It is the responsibility of the individual student to purchase these cards. If you have questions about your participation in this study, please call Dr. Kevin Cantwell, Coordinator of Freshman English, at (478) 471-5766.
DOE (10%)
All students are required to pass the DOE before moving on to ENGL 1102. Students will be given three opportunities to successfully complete this task before the midterm drop date. Students must pass this exam with the minimum grade of a 60 in order to pass the course. Each student’s best grade will factor into class participation.
Assignment Calendar
Week 1
Monday 8/20: Course Introduction
Wednesday 8/22: Register for Blog and Group • Diagnostic Essay on Criterion • Grammar Diagnostic on Exercise Central • Blog Introduction: To practice using your blog, post an entry that introduces yourself in about 100 words. What is your major? What are your interests? What are your first impressions of college? Anything you’d like.
Week 2
M 8/27: Introduction to College Writing: Subject, Purpose, Audience • Read Hacker, pp. 3-13; you might also consult the MSC OWL for additional readings on these subjects; remember to have your reading done before you come to class
W 8/29: Blog: Perception; Before writing, be sure to review “Blog” above, and How to Blog; your blog entry should be finished and posted before coming into class
Week 3
M 9/3: No Class for Labor Day
W 9/5: Blog: Right or Wrong?
Week 4
M 9/10: Title, Opening Sentence, Introduction, and Thesis Statement • Read Hacker, pp. 14-24; additional reading on the MSC OWL
W 9/12: Blog: Hijack!
Week 5
M 9/17: Body and Conclusion • Assign Essay 1: The Hobby (due 9/26) • Read Hacker, pp. 24-37; additional reading on the MSC OWL
W 9/19: Blog: Human Rights v. Majority Rule
Week 6
M 9/24: Rough Draft Workshop: Bring a rough draft of your first essay to class
W 9/26: Essay 1 Due
Week 7
M 10/1: DOE Exam A • Conference sign up: if you wish to rewrite your first essay, you must sign up for a conference
W 10/3: No regular class • Conferences in H/SS-117
Week 8
M 10/8: Essay 1 rewrites due • DOE Review• DOE Exam B: complete this by midnight, 10/10
W 10/10: No Class • Read Mailer Why Are We at War?
Week 9
M 10/15: Editing and Revision • Read Hacker, pp. 37-54; additional reading on the MSC OWL • DOE Exam C (if needed)
W 10/17: Blog on Mailer • Begin discussion on Mailer; bring in at least five questions you have on the text with you to class • Last day to drop course with a “W”
Week 10
M 10/22: Mailer Discussion (cont.) • Assign Essay #2 on Mailer
W 10/24: Blog #2 on Mailer
Week 11
M 10/29: Rough Draft Workshop
W 10/31: Mailer Essay Due
Week 12
M 11/5: Conferences
W 11/7: Mailer Essay Rewrites due • Blog: Metaphysical Assumptions
Week 13
M 11/12: Documenting Sources • Read Hacker, pp. 329-377 • Essay 2 Rewrites Due • Assign Essay 3: The MSC Essay or The Value Essay (due 11/21) — for either essay, you should cite at least 2 solid sources; if you are unsure about a source, ask me before using it
W 11/14: Blog: The Alligator River Story
Week 14
M 11/19: Rough Draft workshop
W 11/21: Essay 3 Due
Week 15
M 11/26: Regents’ Essay Introduction • Review: Sample Regents’ Essay, Approved Regents’ Essay Questions, Regents’ Essay FAQ
W 11/28: Blog: Who Are You? (Double Assignment: 700 Words) • Conferences • Complete Self Assessment
Week 16
M 12/3: Essay 3 Rewrites Due • Log into Criterion (remember that?)
W 12/5: Final In-class Essay • Taken on Criterion
