ENG 111 Expository Writing Syllabus Guilford Technical Community College

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1 ENG 111 Expository Writing Syllabus Guilford Technical Community College 1 Division: Arts and Sciences Chair: Ms. Connie Carroll Office: DH 210 Department: English/Humanities Chair: Dr. Jo Ann Buck Office: DH 304B Course Information Course Number: ENG 111 Credits: 3 Pre-requisites: Appropriate placement scores in English and Reading or completion of developmental courses with a minimum grade of C Description: This course is the required first course in a series of two designed to develop the ability to produce expository prose. Emphasis is placed on the writing process including audience analysis, topic selection, thesis support and development, editing, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. In addition, students will be introduced to field and library research, including the skills of summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting source material. Assignments will require use of word processing and presentation software Textbooks: Axelrod, Rise B., & Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin s Guide To Writing Custom Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin s, Troyka, Lynn Quitman, and Douglas Hesse. QA Compact. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, St. Peter, Deana, Carol Marion, & Megan Simpson. College and Workplace Writing Guide. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead, The Dumbest Generation by Mark Bauerlein Other assigned readings will be placed on Moodle. Supplies: - One paper folder with three clips in the middle - Access to a good thesaurus and dictionary will prove invaluable. Instructor Information Instructor: Mr. Josh Herron Address: jpherron@gtcc.mailcruiser.com (I ll check & respond between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, except college holidays.) is the best method. Also, Blackboard IM will be up during my office hours (see below). Office Information Location: Davis Hall 122 Campus: Jamestown Address: 604 High Point Road City, State, Zip: Jamestown, NC Office Phone: or , ext Office Hrs: MWF 9-10:00am My Writing Center Hours: MWF 11:00am-12:00pm Class Information Beginning Date: 8/22/11 Withdrawal Date: 11/2/11 Number of Weeks: 16 Meeting Times: 8:00am-8:50am (FJL02); 10:00am-10:50am (FJL16) Meeting Locations: Davis Hall 307 (FJL02); Applied Technologies 336 (FJL16)

2 Student Learning Outcomes In order to pass this course, a student must pass each of the following student learning outcomes. Failure to pass any outcome will result in a failing grade for the course regardless of course average. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate all of the following outcomes to the standards identified on the course assessment rubrics with a minimum grade of C for each outcome: 1. Write college-level expository essays with a clear thesis, clear organizational strategy, and supporting detail. 2. Revise writing using proofreading and editing comments. 3. Write a college-level essay incorporating academically appropriate field research. 4. Incorporate academically appropriate print and electronic research using MLA documentation into writing. 5. Write at least three college-level essays in a timed setting. 6. Analyze non-fiction readings and other texts through the use of summary, paraphrase, and discussion. Employability Skills The following basic employability skills are considered essential for career success and are emphasized in the GTCC curriculum. 1. Teamwork Work with others to analyze a situation, establish priorities, and apply resources for solving a problem or accomplishing a task. 2. Responsibility Exhibit individual behaviors that support the official goals and objectives of the organization and its members. 3. Communication Effectively exchange ideas and information with others in oral, written, or visual form. 4. Problem-solving Identify problems and potential causes while developing and implementing action plans for solutions. 5. Information processing Acquire, evaluate, organize, manage, and interpret information. 6. Adaptability Exhibit flexibility and receptivity to changing technologies, methods, processes, work environments, organizational structures and management practices. General Education Core Competencies The following core academic competencies are considered essential for student success and are covered in the GTCC curriculum. The broad purpose of a learning-centered two-year technical and community college in the culturally diverse world of the 21 st century should be to prepare graduates for productive employment, university transfer, and lifelong learning through the attainment of the following skills, knowledge, and values: 1. Effective Communication a. Speak clearly with grammatical correctness b. Use standard written English in traditional and electronic media c. Design professional caliber documents for workplace or academic context 2. Critical Thinking a. Access, evaluate, and synthesize information from both oral and written sources b. Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines, to draw reasonable and evidence-based conclusions 3. Problem Solving 2

3 a. Use scientific inquiry method b. Apply problem solving skills to real world experiences/applications c. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem 4. Technological Literacy a. Use electronic and print resources to access, retrieve, process, and communicate information b. Demonstrate proficiency of appropriate computer technology 5. Global Literacy a. Develop an awareness of diversity b. Develop an awareness of the interdependence of our world 3 Grading Policy Points System Grade Points Needed A B C D F 599 & below Evaluation of Performance: Assignment Total Possible Points: 1. Essays (4) Demand Writings (3) Response Papers (10) Final Assessment (Exit Exam) Peer Reviews (4) Quizzes Participation (In-Class and Online) 55 Extra Credit Opportunities: (1) Up to three Response Paper prompts worth 5 pts each, (2) Short oral presentation see handout about this up to 15 points Attend Class. The English Department policy allows students to miss no more than SIX MWF classes during a semester. There is no distinction between excused/unexcused absences in this class. You have six days to use however you want, but be wise with them. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F in the course. Your grade will be negatively affected if you miss demand-writing days and/or peer review sessions. Also, it is also your responsibility to withdraw from a class by the course withdrawal date of November 2, Otherwise, you ll receive an F in the course that goes on your transcript. Prepare for Class. Showing up to class unprepared (specifically not doing your homework) reflects poorly on you and affects not just you but the whole class. You are expected to have completed your homework and to have read the assigned pages if you show up for class. These assignments are critical to your grasping of the course concepts.

4 Digitally Submit your Essays. All essays will be submitted online through Moodle. Essays are due by 4:00 pm on the due date. 4 Response Papers. Please see handout about Response Papers. Revise an Essay. If you are unhappy with the grade you received on a paper, you may revise it once for a new grade. If you received a D or lower, a revision is required. Discuss Graded Assignments. I d enjoy very much meeting with you to discuss questions you may have about my grading policy. However, please take a minimum of 24 hours after receiving your graded assignment to read through instructional feedback, develop questions, and set up a conference time. Moodle is our Course Hub. You should check Moodle often as I will post announcements and materials that will not always be sent to your address. ALL quizzes will be taken online, not during class. All of the important handouts and more resources for your success will be on our Moodle Course Page. In addition, your grades will be updated in the Moodle Grade Book sometimes before I am even able to return assignments. About Late Work: Late essays will be accepted with 25 points each day that it is late including weekend days. After the 4:00pm deadline, the 25-point deductions begin. Other than essays, assignments cannot be made up or submitted late without prior approval of instructor. (This also applies to demand writing class days, peer review days, and exam days.) About Missed Assignments: If you plan to miss any of the demand-writing days or peer review sessions not advisable), you must make arrangements with me before you miss if you don t want to earn a zero. No exceptions. (Quizzes should not be missed since they will be online.) When You Me, be professional. Make sure to include your first and last name and your class section. Also, I do not accept work (late or on-time) via . No exemptions to this rule. Code of Conduct for the Learning Environment GTCC is an institution for adult learning. The GTCC learning environment reflects a partnership between instructors with the desire to teach and students with the desire to learn. In order to create an appropriate environment for teaching and learning, there must be mutual respect. Listed below are guidelines for behavior which the College has established to ensure that the learning environment is not compromised. 1. Identification. To promote a safe learning environment, all persons who are consistently present on a GTCC campus are required to have in their possession at GTCC issued ID and present it upon request by college personnel. 2. Tobacco Free. Because of the commitment of GTCC to health and well-being, students violating the Tobacco Free Campus Policy (no tobacco products allowed including

5 cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.) will be subject to probation for the first offense and suspension (one semester) for the second offense. 3. Profanity. To promote a respectful learning environment, GTCC students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner appropriate for their course of study. Physically or verbally lewd or indecent behavior, profanity, threatening or sexually explicit language and obscene acts are strictly prohibited. 4. Dress. GTCC expects all students to dress in a manner in keeping with the serious academic intent of the college and acceptable to the community. In keeping with the mission to prepare students for success in the workforce, students are expected to dress appropriately within the generally accepted bounds of good taste. The college respects individual style and creativity as long as students dress in a manner which is not disruptive or distracting to the educational environment and conforms to the expectations and standards of the professional community. Inappropriate clothing: o Clothing that displays nudity or implied nudity, profanity, or violence o Sagging or low cut pants (no skin and undergarments exposed) o Deeply low-cut shirts/blouses o Shirts/blouses with midriffs showing 5. Respect. All individuals are expected to maintain mutual respect in the learning environment. Respectful Learning Environments Exclude: o Inappropriate or offensive commentary or body language regarding the course, the instructor, assignments, or fellow students. o The use of cell phones, beepers, and other personal communication devices upon entering class. Individuals may not receive or send telephone calls, text messages, or pages during class. o Side conversations as they are disruptive. o Working on outside activities while in class including homework for other courses or personal activities. o Transaction of personal business with the instructor other than before or after class. o Wearing strong scents (perfume, aftershave, etc.) of any kind as others may be allergic to them. o Using Internet access for other than valid, academic purposes that are related to the course. 6. Absences/Attendance. To sustain a Learning College environment, students are expected to attend all classes unless officially excused. Students should inform the instructor in advance if they know they are going to miss a class and must take responsibility for getting missed assignments from other students. Students should not expect to make up work, such as unannounced quizzes or tests, after an unexcused absence. Instructors are not responsible for re-teaching the material students miss because of an unexcused absence. Students are expected to remain in a class the entire time. Individuals should not enter the class late or leave early. Rare exceptions may be excused, particularly under emergency circumstances, but students should be prepared to 5

6 explain tardiness to the instructor after class. Likewise, the need to leave early should be explained to the instructor before a class Guests. In the interest of safety, children should not be left unattended in public areas. Only persons registered for a course and listed on the attendance roster may attend class in any learning environment. All college personnel have the authority and responsibility to ensure these guidelines are followed. Students who fail to adhere to the guidelines listed could be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action. Policies and Information Quality of Instruction Statement The GTCC faculty members are committed to providing quality instruction. If there is a concern about the instruction provided, treatment of an individual or a group of students, or professional conduct of instructors, first see the instructor, then the department chair, and then the division chair. The description of Students' Rights and Responsibilities can be found in the current Student Handbook/Calendar. ADA Statement If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and are seeking accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform the disability Access Services Director (Ms. Melissa Cox: Room 202B Medlin Campus Center, ext. 2363) as soon as possible. It is important to request accommodations early enough to give disability Access Services adequate time to consider your request and recommend reasonable accommodations. Instructors will provide necessary accommodations based on the recommendations of disability Access Services. e-learning Policy This course has an online classroom in Moodle. This classroom can be accessed by going to the homepage for GTCC and clicking the word, Moodle. Here you can access course documents, possible assignments and stay in contact with both your instructor and classmates. If you experience difficulty accessing our online classroom, please notify your instructor immediately. Inclement Weather Policy The inclement weather day(s) designated by the college for this term is Dec. 14. Remember that should we have bad weather and this day(s) is used for a make up day, you are required to attend school and should you miss, this day would count against the attendance policy below. Departmental Attendance Policy The department attendance policy is reasonable. Students may miss no more than 6 hours of class in a semester in a course that meets three hours each week. Students will be considered tardy for class up to 15 minutes late or if they leave up to 15 minutes early. Three tardies equal one absence. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late will earn an absence. Complete details of the departmental policy will be provided by the

7 instructor. Students who are absent beyond the hour allowance will no longer be admitted to class. Students who do not complete withdrawal paperwork or just stop attending class will likely earn an F in the course. 7 Late Work Policy/Make-Up Work Policy No late assignments will be accepted without prior approval by the instructor who will designate how approved assignments will be submitted. It is the student s responsibility to make-up all work missed while absent as the instructor allows (some in-class work/quizzes, etc. cannot be duplicated) and be ready to submit required assignments on time when returning to class from an absence. Withdrawal Policy It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from a class by the course withdrawal date of November 2. Failure to follow the withdrawal procedure will result in a grade of F for the course. Cell Phone and Use of Other Electronic Devices The use of cell phones or any other electronic devices for purposes entirely unrelated to class activities or concepts--random web-surfing, texting, etc.--is patently inappropriate and a violation of professional courtesy. Students who disengage from the class activities by texting, calling others, leaving class to take a call or any other improper use of various digital devices may be marked absent at the instructor's discretion. Unless you have a problem taking notes by hand, you are not allowed to have laptops out in this class. If you have a legitimate issue, make arrangements with me first. Otherwise, I ll ask you to put it away. Student/Instructor Partnership A common way of describing education is to speak of it in business terms. In such a description, the college and its instructors are the service- providers and their students are the customers. But the comparison is a false and misleading one because college demands more of its students than a retail establishment asks of its customers. In addition to an investment of money, students must invest their time, their attention, their good faith, and their energy. Customers go to stores to buy the goods or services the store has for sale. It s a simple, oneway transaction. Learning, however, is a process. It takes quite a long time, in comparison to a simple purchase, and the transaction is ongoing. If it is to be successful, the student must be committed to its success at least as much as the instructor is. When was the last time a retailer asked you to do homework, for example? In a successful learning environment, students and instructors are partners in a mutual enterprise. Plagiarism Plagiarism is using someone else s words or ideas as your own. Your GTCC Student Handbook lists using others work as prohibited and subject to disciplinary action (see the Student Handbook discussion under Disciplinary Policy/Prohibited Conduct. ) A fuller explanation of the English/Humanities Department Plagiarism Policy is detailed in the College and Workplace Writing Guide that is a required text for this course. In short, plagiarism is wrong and may cause you to fail the course.

8 8 Computer and Internet Access All students must have access to a computer that has a word processing program such as Microsoft Word and the Internet. These resources are considered to be basic tools for both modern education as well as the modern workplace. Each campus has open computer labs that are available to all students, and computers can also be accessed in public libraries. All classes at GTCC have a Moodle site that is associated with the class and may be used extensively by the instructor. When you register for a class, you will be enrolled in the Moodle site for that class. You should access your Titan Cruiser account since that is how the college will communicate important information to you. Other online tools such as , instant messaging, and chat rooms may also be used for communication outside the classroom, so download Blackboard IM at the Moodle login site to have instant messaging access to your instructor. Tutoring The Tutoring Center provides free tutoring to currently enrolled GTCC curriculum students who seek assistance with their coursework. The purpose of the tutoring program is to help students become independent and successful learners by assisting them to develop good study skills, to increase their understanding of course content, to enhance their selfconfidence, and to develop a positive attitude toward learning. The majority of tutors are currently enrolled students who have made an A or B in the course or its equivalent in which they are tutoring and have been recommended by their instructor. All students interested in receiving tutorial assistance or being a tutor should see the Tutoring Center staff for an appropriate application form. The Tutoring Center is located in room in the James L. Williams Health Careers Building, ext Stop by to see the hours of operation. The Writing Center AT 324 (MTWR 8am-4pm; TR 5-7pm; F 8am-2pm) The English/Humanities Department sponsors and staffs the Writing Centers. Writing Centers offer individual assistance for all GTCC students with writing assignments from any class they take. Questions about getting started to incorporating primary and/or secondary sources papers can be addressed. While our services are not intended to include proofreading, we will help guide your editing and revision process. Services are free to GTCC students. While it s possible you can receive help by just dropping in, we encourage you to make an appointment several days in advance if possible. Hours of availability are posted on the department s web site. The AT Open Computer Lab The Open Lab houses 132 computers for student use free of charge. Access to the Internet and software taught in curriculum classes is available. Printing is available at 10 cents per page. Both a card-accessed and a coin-operated photo copier are also present in the room. Help from the two professionals and student lab assistants with the range of software loaded on these computers is always available. Students can get help with Moodle and use of the Internet as well. The Open Lab operates Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00pm and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Electronic Classroom Supplements Moodle is GTCC s online course management system. All GTCC courses have Moodle sites, even those that meet in a traditional classroom. The web address is Many instructors use Moodle course sites to upload handouts, provide assignments, and

9 generally communicate with students enrolled in the course. Blackboard IM, an instant messaging system, is also available at the Moodle site for students to download. Blackboard IM also allows online access to your instructors and classmates. Netiquette Expectations 1. All forms of correspondence to both the instructor and your classmates must abide by the GTCC Student Code of Conduct. 2. You are in a classroom with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. At least once during your studies here, you will encounter someone who has an opinion that is not yours. Discussions should focus on the topic, not the person. 3. All correspondence between the instructor and classmates should be in full sentences and free from slang or IM speak. 4. Please avoid ALL CAPS and a variety of colors on your discussion board postings and e- mails. These make your content difficult to read. 5. You cannot use your access to your classmates' as a way to deliver commercial correspondence and political endorsement information. Course/Grade Concerns Any issues related to grades, course, or instruction should follow a clear process. To pursue an issue about a course, the student must: ** 1. Set up an appointment with the instructor at a time separate from class time. This process assures focus on the student s concerns at a time set aside specifically for that purpose. The student must bring the completed Issue Resolution Form. Blank forms are available from the Administrative Assistant in Davis Hall 333 or downloaded from the course s Moodle site. 2. Bring relevant documents to the appointment, particularly the student work and the assignment in question, course syllabus, and other materials as requested by the faculty member or deemed important by the student. 3. If the meeting with the instructor does not reach a resolution, the student may set up a meeting with the department chair, Dr. Jo Ann Buck, Davis Hall 304B, ext. 2489, jmbuck@gtcc.edu. Because this is a formal appointment, the student must submit the following items to the Administrative Assistant in Davis Hall 333 at least 24 hours before the meeting with the department chair: a. the signed Issue Resolution Form with the outcome of the meeting with the instructor b. a printout from WebAdvisor of the student s academic record c. any materials requested by the department chair or the faculty member 4. As mandated in the GTCC Management Manual, Section III Evaluation, the decision of the department chair is final. Subject to Change This course syllabus is subject to change as determined by the course instructor. If changes are needed, an addendum to the syllabus will be provided to each student and implementation of changes will be set forth at date that addendum is issued. 9