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    ENGLISH 10600 COURSE POLICIES FALL 2011

    Syllabus Approach: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

    COURSE OVERVIEWWelcome to English 10600: Introductory Composition.

    Our syllabus approach is called Writing Your Way IntoPurdue. Each of the assignments in this sequence isaimed at getting you actively involved with the Purduecommunityand exploring your own place within itwhile developing college-level writing abilities andresearch skills.

    In this section of English 106 youll be examining your life at Purdue and beyond through aseries of five major projects. Well begin with who you are and how you got here (LiteracyNarrative). Next, youll write a report on how to do research in your major using thecollections and databases of the Purdue library system (Library Report) and then explore(and enter) an argument among professionals in your anticipated career path, honing yourresearch skills and learning to produce an annotated bibliography in the process (ResearchPaper Project). In the course of the semester, youll also write an impression paper on aPurdue performance we experience as a class (Performance Project) and compose regularblog entries that touch on your life before, during, and after your student career here atPurdue (Blog Project). Well end with a multimedia group project oriented towards campussocial action (Public Service Announcement). Throughout all these assignments, we

    will be focusing on learning to recognize, analyze, and effectively utilizerhetorical strategies. (Rhetoric, as youll soon be learning, involves communicatingpersuasively with an eye to purpose and audience.)

    In addition to these major assignments, youll be doing numerous in-class writing activities.Over the course of this semester, youll do regular planning and prewriting, compose andrevise numerous drafts, do peer reviewing of other students drafts, learn about and applyprinciples of design and visual rhetoric, and write short reflections on each of your projects.It sounds overwhelming, I know, but well work through the process of composition step bystep, and at the end of the semester youll be amazed at all youve accomplished.

    LEARNING GOALS

    This course is aimed at developing writing and critical thinking skills that are of greatbenefit to students in all majors and disciplines. Writing clearly and persuasively, practicingeffective time management, mastering academic research skills, and analyzing print andvisual texts are all important learning goals of English 106. Beyond this, the Writing YourWay Into Purdue sequence challenges you to think about yourself in new ways and toreflect on, and define yourself within, the rich variety of academic discourse communitieshere at Purdue.COURSE ORGANIZATION: Classroom, Conference, and Lab Setting

    This class meets twice a week in a traditional classroom, once a week in a computer lab,and once a week in smaller groups in the conference center.

    English 10600/Fall 2011/Adrian McClure 1 of 7

    Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

    ConferenceHEAV 225ENGL 10600-205CRN 41879

    Computer LabBRNG B275ENGL 10600-183CRN 41857

    ClassroomHEAV 105ENGL 10600-183CRN 41857

    ConferenceHEAV 223ENGL 10600-206CRN 41880

    ClassroomHEAV 105ENGL 10600-183CRN 41857

    Contact InformationInstructor: Adrian McClureOffice: Heavilon 123Office Phone: 49-40510Office Hours: Wednesday 10:30-11:30, and by appo

    Email Address:

    Class Website:

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    In the conference setting, you will meet with me (and at times, a small group of yourpeers) on a set day once a week. I will provide you with a conference schedule tellingyou when your particular session (which will occupy only part of the 50-minute period)begins and ends, and I will also inform you of any changes in this schedule over thecourse of the semester. Missing your conference is counted as an absence, and itsimportant to be on time.

    In the classroom setting, there will be a mix of lectures, discussion, individual andgroup writing activities, peer reviewing, and occasional quizzes.

    In the lab, you will receive training in important skills like how to navigate the Purdue

    library databases, use movie making software, etc., and you will also be busy writingand responding to blog posts.

    ABSENCE POLICYRegular attendance in all three of these settings is important to your success in the course,especially because in many cases, the work you miss cannot be made up. I do realize,however, that sometimes you have illnesses or circumstances beyond your control whichcause you to miss class, so I am allowing you three absences without any attendancepenalty. If you exceed three unexcused absences, however, your final letter grade will belowered. This means if you have 4-5 unexcused absences, the highest grade you mayobtain is B. If you have 6-8 unexcused absences, the highest grade you may obtain is C,and if you have 9-11 unexcused absences, the highest grade you may obtain is D. If you

    have 12 or more unexcused absences, the highest grade you may obtain is F.

    OFFICE HOURSIf you want to discuss class topics one-on-one, or if youd like to discuss your grade, I will behappy to meet with you during my office hours. Our time will be most productive if youcome prepared with specific questions and concerns. (If you want to discuss your grade,please send me an email in advance stating your area of concern and the reason you feelthe grade was unfair.)

    COURSE EXPECTATIONSComputer Lab ResponsibilitiesWhen we do computer work in the lab setting, you must be able to access the space

    available to you on the server. In addition, you should back up your all your documents on aflash drive. Needless to say, you are expected to treat all computer equipment with respect,and you must follow Purdues and ITaPs rules concerning your internet account andsoftware theft.

    Professionalism and YouPlease conduct yourself professionally at all times. You should not harass, threaten, orbelittle others in any way. As in any college classroom, you are expected to listenrespectfully to the views of others.

    Cell phones and iPods should be stowed away, and you should not be conversing, readingthe newspaper in class, or surfing the net in computer lab unless it is part of our assignment

    that day. (This is standard operating procedure in college, especially in courses with smallenrollment.) My policy is to give you one warning for unacceptable behaviors. If youcontinue or repeat the behavior, I will ask you to leave class for the day, and you willreceive an unexcused absence.

    GRADINGOver the course of the semester, you will accumulate 1000 points. The points will translateinto specific grades. I assign all grades using a +/- system. You will be given rubrics andpoint values for each of your assignments. The rubrics indicate which areas you did well inand which areas you need to improve in.

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    AssignmentsPointsLiteracy NarrativeTotal100

    Planning/Prewriting5Drafts 1 and 2 (@ 5 pts ea)10Peer Reviews10

    Final draft65Reflection10Library ReportTotal100

    Planning/Prewriting10Drafts10Peer Review

    10Reflection15Final Draft [formatted]55Research Paper ProjectTotal200

    Planning/Prewriting10Proposal20

    Drafts20Peer Reviews10Annotated Bibliography (5+ sources)20Final Draft100Reflection20Performance ProjectTotal

    100Planning/Prewriting10Draft10Peer Review10Reflection/Impression Paper50Evidence of Interview20Public Service Announcement (Group Project)

    TotalEnglish 10600/Fall 2011/Adrian McClure 3 of 7

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    200Copyright/Fair Use Questions15Storyboard and Script20Annotated Bibliography (4+ sources)15Video and Presentation100Reflection25

    Your participation on this project25Blog

    100Small assignments and quizzes

    100Participation in class/lab/conferences

    100Total Points Possible

    1000

    General CriteriaHere are the criteria I use ingrading your assignmentsyoucan use these statements asclues about how you might worktoward a higher grade:

    90-100 (A)You did what theassignment asked at a high

    quality level, and your workshows originality and creativity.Work in this range shows all thequalities listed below for a B,but it also demonstrates thatyou took extra steps to beoriginal or creative indeveloping content, solving aproblem, or developing a verbalor visual style.

    80-89 (B)You did what the

    assignment asked of you at ahigh quality level. Work in thisrange needs little revision, iscomplete in content, isorganized well, and showsspecial attention to style andvisual design.

    70-79 (C)You did what theassignment asked of you. Workin this range tends to needsome revision, but it is

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    complete in content and the organization is logical. The style, verbal and visual isstraightforward but unremarkable.

    60-69 (D)You did what the assignment asked at a low level of quality. Overall, thework still needs significant revision; the content is often incomplete and chaotic and theorganization is hard to discern. Verbal and visual style is often non-existent or chaotic.

    Below 60 (F)Theres no reason to go here. If you put in honest effort, its extremelyunlikely you will receive an F in this course. Ordinarily, students who receive this gradedont show up or dont do the work. (If you are doing your best and are receiving this grade,you might consider dropping the class.)

    ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINESFormattingThe work you turn in for this course must be properly formatted and reasonably free oftypos. Sloppy or poorly-proofread documents will be returned to you for correction. Use a12-point, readable, standard font and double spacing unless I instruct you otherwise. In thisclass, MLA-style formatting is the default; you will be using it on all assignments unlessinstructed otherwise. (I will be providing instruction on this in class.) In your heading, youmust include the following information (double-spaced) in the top left corner of the firstpage:

    Your name Jane Purdue

    Name of paper/assignment, and draft # Literacy Narrative, Draft 2

    Course number English 10600

    The current date 23 January 2011

    In the header of every subsequent page, right aligned, put your last name and the pagenumber. Unless otherwise announced, I will collect all assignments at the beginningof the hour.

    Grammar, Spelling, and PunctuationComposition is not a course in grammar, although from time to time we may do quick

    reviews of tricky topics. At this stage in your academic career, you are expected to takeresponsibility for mastering whatever basic writing conventions you may need to improve. Ifyou are having problems in this area, you should see me, consult the Purdue OWL website,and/or go to the Writing Lab for help.

    Late WorkAll work must be submitted on time. We do regular peer review in this course, and if yourassignments are late, you will not receive valuable feedback you need for revision. Latework will be accepted only under extenuating circumstances, and you must consult with mebefore the class period in which the work is due. Where no arrangement is made, work willbe docked one letter grade for each day it is late.

    Drafts, Revising, and Peer ReviewRevision is an essential part of writing well. This is why at least one draft of each paper willbe written for peer review in class, and both the drafts and the peer reviews are submittedas part of the final project. As you revise your first draft, I expect you to add material, cutextraneous information and redundancies, reorganize your thoughts and arguments, anddevelop your ideas more fully. In later drafts, I expect you to do more sentence-level editingfor style and to proofread your work carefully. I will provide you with handouts that willguide you though the peer review process as you work with each other's papers. In additionto peer input, you will also receive general comments from me on each of your draftspointing out strengths and identifying any areas that need extensive revising.

    Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

    Plagiarism is the act of appropriating another persons work, in whole or in part, and callingEnglish 10600/Fall 2011/Adrian McClure 5 of 7

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    it your own. We will have discussions throughout the semester about what constitutesplagiarism and how to avoid it. Penalties for plagiarism range from a failing grade on theplagiarized assignment and notification of the Dean of Students' Office to failure for thecourse and, in extreme cases, expulsion from the university. (Seehttp://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.php for more information onthis topic.) Academic honesty is expected of all students at Purdue, and the vast majority ofstudents respect this. Those tempted to plagiarize should bear in mind that all final draftsmay be submitted to a plagiarism checker.

    THE COURSE WEBSITE

    The website for this section of English 106 is http://courses.rhetorike.org/mcclure/.You willbe signing up for membership on your first day in the lab and consulting it regularly

    throughout the semester to check on the weekly class schedule, explore links, post andcomment on blogs, turn in project assignments, etc.

    Website HomepageThe class schedule for each upcoming week is posted on the website homepage. Theadvantage of this system is its flexibilityall major project due dates are set, but dailylessons, activities, and reading assignments can be tweaked or altered as the semesterprogresses depending on class needs.

    Syllabus TabHere you can find the syllabus as well as the current schedule of conference sessions.

    Calendar TabThe calendar lists all major project due dates.

    Projects TabThe assignments, rubrics, and associated handouts for each major project can bedownloaded here.

    Blogs TabThis is the tab you use to view, respond to, and edit class blogs.

    Links TabHere you can find useful links related to each of the major projects as well as other related

    topics.

    My ToolboxYour personal toolbox enables you to post blogs and to turn in your assignments using thedropbox.

    IMPORTANT PURDUE RESOURCESIn addition to meeting with me in conferences and office hours, you have other valuableresources at Purdue to help you with your writing and writing assignments.

    The Writing Lab in Heavilon Hall, Room 226, offers FREE tutoring services to Purduestudents at any stage in the writing process, either by appointment or on a drop-in

    basis. (Visit their website for more information, or call 494-3723 to make anappointment.) There are also two drop-in only, satellite locations with evening hoursat Hicks and Meredith Hall.

    The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is used by millions of users worldwide andprovides a wealth of accessible information on all aspects of composition

    (http://owl.english.purdue.edu).

    The Digital Learning Collaboratory (DLC) provides help with creating multimediaprojects (such as our final PSA assignment). You can check out equipment like digitalcameras, use the computers, learn new software, or reserve space to work

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    http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.phphttp://courses.rhetorike.org/mcclure/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/http://courses.rhetorike.org/mcclure/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.php
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    collaboratively on your project. For more information, go tohttp://www.lib.purdue.edu.

    STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESStudents with disabilities must be registered with Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) in theOffice of the Dean of Students before classroom accommodations can be provided. If youare eligible for academic accommodations because you have a documented disability thatwill impact your work in this class, please schedule an appointment with me as soon aspossible so that we can discuss how to effectively implement your accommodations.

    REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALSThere are two required textbooks for thiscourse:

    In addition to these two required textbooks, which you should bring toclass every day during the relevant sections of the course, you will also

    need the following materials:

    A computer storage device, preferably a flash drive. Make sure you bring your storage devicewith you on our lab days.

    A supply of spring clips and a stapler. Please staple your individual shortassignmentstogether, but hand in your entire project with all the individual elements held together with aspring clip (NOT a wire paper clip!). This is a requirement, not a request.

    Writing materials. Make sure you always come to class with paper and pencil (or pen). A good print or online college-level dictionary. A binder or folder in which to keep your assembled semesters body of work. You should

    always keep your notes, planning, prewriting, peer reviews, and EVERY draft of your work inprogress since you need to hand these in with your final projects.

    Finally, you are required to purchase a $12 student ticket to the Wednesday, February 23rd

    7:30pm Purdue Theatre performance ofArabian Nights. This performance will be in HansenTheatre, which is located in Pao Hall. I will purchase the tickets as a block, and later in thesemester, you will need to pay me in cash to receive your ticket. Attending thisperformance is a requirement of this section of English 10600, so mark your calendar now.

    FINAL NOTEComposition, like any skill, requires bothtraining in techniques and long hours ofpractice. You will work hard thissemester, but you will also definitelygrow as a writer. As a medievalist, Iencourage you to think of this course asan apprenticeship from which you willemerge as a "journeyman" writer, readyto independently pursue your own pathto mastery.

    English 10600/Fall 2011/Adrian McClure 7 of 7

    equirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semes

    They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 2nd ed. by Gera

    ISBN: 9780393933611

    de to Writing with Readings, 2nd ed. by Richard Bullock and Maureen Daly Goggin, Norton, 2009.

    19

    http://www.lib.purdue.edu/http://www.lib.purdue.edu/