Harford Community College

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1 Harford Community College English Composition - Research Writing English 109-Course Number: Fall 2007 Cindy Fischer 119 Edgewood Hall Office Hours: (See below) Telephone: cfischer@harford.edu Random October 24 to December 17 Last Date for Refund = Withdrawal Deadline = 11/29/07 Online Course Syllabus Required Text *You cannot succeed in this class without the required text.* Ruszkiewicz, Walker and Pemberton: Bookmarks: a Guide to Research and Writing, 3rd edition. (Be sure to buy the new 3rd edition at the bookstore) Harford Community College Style Guide: Supplement to "MLA Handbook" Harford Community College Style Guide: Supplement to "APA Manual" (Both style guides are free of charge; copies are available online or at the HCC Library.) Optional but highly recommended MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (sixth Edition) by Gibaldi, Joseph (at Barnes and Noble, Bel Air, MD) *A thesaurus (at Barnes and Noble, Bel Air, MD) Noodlebib: Hint: Do Not Use MSOffice s research paper devices. They are not correct in MSOffice 2003 or MSOffice Use Noodlebib and the guidelines from your textbook. This will save you much heartache when you begin writing your papers. Assignments

2 Tasks Points Awarded o 2 Self Assessments (6 pts. Total) o 7 discussion assignments **Full 7 pts. For good initial posting and good responses to two other students in class. "That was good." "I like what you wrote." "I agree with you." are not acceptable. Posting must have more "meat." Discussions are open 10 days to 1 week before due date listed below and on the calendar. In other words, discussions finish on dates posted. o 3 papers 7 pts. (49 pts. total)** 45 pts. (135 pts. total) o 1 midterm (done in HCC Test and Assessment Center) Part 1 in Test and Assessment Center 100 pts.) NOTE!! This is worth 20% of final grade o 1 Final paper (proposal 20 pts., annotated bibliography 20 pts., draft of final paper 70 pts.) Final Paper (100 pts.) No matter how many points a student has accumulated, he/she must have completed all assignments. 210 pts. 500 pts. total Be sure to keep up-to-date. There is a cut-off of 11:30 P.M. on the date a written assignment is due. WebCT will not accept your assignment after this time. Be aware that clocks may differ. I strongly urge you not to wait until the last minute to submit your paper. Late papers will be accepted with an explanation. There may be a 2 point per day penalty. In addition, you may submit rough drafts for comments up to one week before due date. Schedule (class/begin date/assignment) Go to " s on Content Page for learning activities. For details on written assignments go to "Assignments" on Content Page. Assignments are also located in "Handouts". Class Outcomes Assignment First Week Oct. 28 Orientation Introductions Research Definition Orientation Assessment Discussion 1T (Post by 11/4)

3 One Nov. 4 Steps for writing a research paper Sources, Hypothesis, MLA Formatting Chapter 1-3 Review Class Chapter 4-10 Chapter 24 Discussion 2T (Post by 11/11) Paper #1 (Due 11/11) Two Nov. 11 Three: Nov. 18 Four: Nov. 25 Five Dec. 2 Library & Electronic search Boolean Logic Primary & secondary sources Bibliography Proposal Plagiarism Annotate sources Notations Summarize Paraphrase Quotes APA Formatting Evaluating your writing Organize Rethink Style Documentation Chapter 5-6 Chapter 7-8 Discussion 3T (Post by 11/18) Proposal (Due 11/18) Annotated Bibliography (Due 11/25) Chapter 9 Chapter Midterm in Testing Center (Complete by 12/2) Discussion 4T (Post by 11/25) Paper 2 (Due 11/25) Chapter Chapter 25 Don't forget midterm (12/2) Chapter 15 Discussion 5T (Post by 12/2) Paper 3 (Due 12/2) Chapter Chapter 18 and 25 Chapter 19 Discussion 6T (Post by 12/9) Rough Draft (Due 12/9)

4 Six Dec. 9 Final Week: Dec. 16 Review Discussion 7T (Post by 12/16) Final Paper (Due 12/16) Review Final paper due 12/16 Instructor Cindy Fischer 119 Edgewood Hall cfischer@harford.edu The most efficient way to get in touch with me is to use WebCT located on the Course Tools menu on the left-hand side of the Content Page. Look for my name, its listed at the top of the class roster. I will be checking the course for , discussion entries, and assignments at least once a day, 7 days a week. About Your Instructor Welcome to Research Writing 109! I am glad you're in my class, and I look forward to working with you. I strongly urge you to start with the Orientation and Getting Started icons on the content page. I also strongly encourage you to print out this syllabus and keep it handy for reference. My name is Cindy Fischer and I am the Literacy Instructional Specialist for the Adult Basic Education (ABE), GED, and English as a Second Language (ESL) in Harford Community College's Continuing Education Program. In this job, I wear many hats. I am president of the State association of adult education - Maryland Association for Adults in Community and Continuing Education, and I am a State Trainer in Adult Disabilities. I am instructional specialist to all the instructors in our program, and I advise and assess students. There is never a dull moment! I have been with Harford Community College for 9 years. Writing has always been a passion for me; I teach at least one writing course a semester (except for summer). I have a BA in English/Secondary Education from Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, Ohio and a MS in Educational Technology from Towson University. I lived most of my life in Cincinnati, Ohio, where my dad and five of my siblings still live. One sister lives in Atlanta, Georgia. I am married and have two adult children, Nick and Maria. I taught English and Reading at McNicholas High School in Cincinnati before we moved to Columbus, Ohio. Before Maryland, we lived for three years in Vernon, New Jersey and I taught Reading and Writing at Sussex Community College. I have lived in Maryland for ten years now, which is the second-longest we have ever lived in one place over our thirty year marriage!

5 I believe Harford Community College is an excellent place to learn and develop the skills you will need to be a better, more productive person. My son is a Harford Community College graduate and has a BA in Business/Marketing from Towson University. My daughter takes a couple of classes at a time at HCC in general studies. Lastly, I'd like you to know that I love to read, swim, talk, crochet, and write. Again, I look forward to a productive and enjoyable semester! Welcome! Office Hours You may leave messages on my voice mail if I am not in the office, and I will respond as soon as I can. You are always welcome to drop by my office in 119 Edgewood Hall on the Harford Community College campus; and if I am available, I will be glad to help you. Grading and Response Time o While I logon and answer new each day, I may be unavailable on weekends. Since I have a full time job here at the college and other responsibilities, I may not be able to answer immediately, but will respond as soon as I can. I periodically contact the class with updates, changes, or other important information so check your every day. o Written Assignments: I will post scores and comments within one week after the due date of an assignment. The exception is a major assignment, which will take longer to grade. Go to the Assignments module and click "grades" under the appropriate assignment to view your grade and any comments I may have left for you. Course Description (HCC Catalog) This course emphasizes the use of exposition and argumentation, along with library research and documentation techniques, in developing research reports, term papers, lab reports and other analytical writing. This course is recommended for those desiring to transfer to a four-year institution or those desiring additional training in writing skills. Course Objectives To complete this course, the student must do the following tasks: Use exposition and argumentation in developing clear and effective research reports, term papers, lab reports, and other analytical writing (Academic Outcomes: communication, critical thinking, information literacy) Collect and evaluate pertinent research material properly, which includes familiarization with the library and its electronic search devices, and methods of note-taking (Academic Outcomes: critical thinking, information literacy) Formulate and develop a clear hypothesis or thesis (Academic Outcomes: communication, critical thinking) Use proper documentation techniques to include in-text citations and references (Academic Outcomes: communication, critical thinking, information literacy) Note: See the current Harford Community College Catalog for a complete

6 Course Outline description of the Academic Outcomes. Topic selection Gathering information and honing library skills Taking notes and compiling/collating information Writing the research paper Managing the format and mechanics of a paper Writing the works cited (MLA and APA) Form and style of other disciplines Course Policies and How to Get Started Begin class by reading this Syllabus carefully Next, Click on "Getting Started" for important information about how to navigate the class Keep up to date: While every effort has been made to assure accuracy of posted content, changes may be necessary. Look for announcements and news every time you logon. Assignments may be completed any time after they are released until the posted due date. Any assignment, including tests, not completed by due date may be subject to a grade penalty and may not be accepted. Written Assignments: Information and instructions are provided in the Assignments module. I recommend using Microsoft Word to prepare your assignments. Microsoft Works does not work in WEBCT/Blackboard. If you have Microsoft Works, you must save your documents as a rtf file (Rich Text Format). I also suggest saving your files as cfischerpaper1 use first initial, full last name, and name of assignment. Follow WebCT directions for submission online. If you have difficulties, contact the Help Desk ( ) or online@harford.edu for assistance. The following topics will NOT be approved for any paper in this course. This is not because they are controversial or that I, as the instructor, take sides. It is that they are overdone and boring. Be more flexible and creative. 1. pro-life/pro choice, abortion 2. gun control; gun rights 3. prayer in schools 4. death penalty 5. drug legalization including marijuana 6. Iraq 7. PETA, animal rights 8. euthanasia 9. smoking Help with Writing: If you have difficulty with the written assignments, a Communications Skills Center is available on the Harford Community College campus ( ). Grading: Your final grade is based on the total number of points you earn on all assignments. Letter grades are assigned according to College policy at the end of the semester: A=90%-100% ( pts.), B=80%-89% ( pts.), C=70%-

7 79% ( pts.), D=60%-69% ( pts.), F=less than 60% (299 pts. and below). Criteria for grading/assessment and point value of individual assignments is included as part of each assignment. Monitor your progress by clicking My Grades on the Content Page. (For more information, see Handout on Grading Criteria for this class). Plagiarism statement: The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or part, by someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of "F" for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the program or College. Support Services Disabilities: Harford Community College is committed to serving students who have documented physical, learning, psychological, or other disabilities. Students who have a disability are responsible for contacting Disability Support Services at to discuss their needs for accommodations. All shared information will be held in confidence. Take advantage of these services provided to you as a student of Harford Community College. Communication Skills Center: ( ) This is a great source for help with written assignments. Math Skills Center: ( ) Provides help with improving mathematics skills. Tutor Services Center: ( ) They'll hook you up with the services of a tutor. Online tutoring is now available. You may access by calling Leslie Connery at or by ing her at lconnery@harford.edu More information regarding the Communications Center is included under Getting Started and in the Handouts folder on the Content Page. Every effort is made to assure the accuracy of this Syllabus. Changes to assignments and/or due dates may be made at any time and will be posted online.