ENGL 1107 Syllabus
Instructor: B. Keith Murphy, Ph.D.
http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/bkeith.htm
Office: Bond 238
Office Phone: 825-6392 (messages) Bond 217 Email:
Sophist@Bigfoot.Com
ENGL 1107, Argumentative Writing (I credit)
non-online course web site: http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/1107.htm
online course address: http://www.webct.aa.fvsu.edu
Required Text:
Current Grammar text required for ENGL 1101
Additional course materials can be found at the following World Wide Web site: http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/1107.htm
Course Description:
The student will develop analytical and critical skills in more depth than in English 1101 and with particular focus on writing summaries of and responses to challenging specimens of print and non-print texts from a variety of disciplines. As such, this is an intensive writing course focusing on developing the student's abilities through practice.
Course Objectives:
As a result of successful completion of this course, the student will be prepared to:
A. write analyses of print and nonprint texts;
B. respond critically to texts from popular culture artifacts,
C. demonstrate clear and logical thinking; and,
D. observe relationships among texts in an inter-disciplinary context.
Course Overview (summer style):
Week One: Introduction and Overview. Diagnostic Essay
Week Two: Critical Questions Timed Essay 1
Fact, Value, and Policy
Organization
Week Three: Clarity and vividness
Reasoning, Research Tim ed Essay 2(I s t revisions due)
Week Four:Fallacies and Argument Construction Timed Essay 3(2nd rev.)
Week Five: Audience Analysis (Final Revisions due) Portfolio Due
Student is also responsible for a minimum of one hour per week working in the CSC outside of regular class times.
Statement of Learning Outcomes:
This course will allow the student to gain the following skills as delineated in Fort Valley State University's "General Education Outcomes" in the following manner (the letters and numbers in brackets refer to specific "General Education Outcomes" as outlined by FVSU):
[1, a,b,d]. Students will develop communication skills through writing essays and other forms of writing that emphasize analytic exposition.
[l,c]. Students will use computers to access multi-media materials, to engage in word processing, and electronic database searches.
[2, ac]. Students will enhance their critical thinking through critical reading of assigned selections and completing critiques and analyses on those selections.
[2,d]. Students will demonstrate imaginative and creative thinking in discovering relationships between texts, idea, and culture.
[4, a]. Students will write on cultural an ethical issues of the contemporary world.
These outcomes will be assessed through the end-of-term portfolio, analyses of weekly essays, and exercises.
Course Overview:
ENGL 1107 is designed to strengthen the student's skills in critical analysis, organization of thoughts and ideas, and writing. Through intensive research, analysis, and writing exercises the student will gain an understanding of how the written word is used in interpersonal, professional, and social interaction. Through weekly writing assignments, the student will identify and correct individual weaknesses as well as work toward the development of a strong, precise, and vivid writing style.
Policy Statements
Grading Policy
Grades for essays and examinations are based on the following criteria:
A grade of C means that the work in question was of "average" quality. All basic criteria were met, C work demonstrates no original thought, little creativity, and little investment in time, effort, or resources.
A grade of B means that the work in question is good (above average, yet not quire excellent), B work- demonstrates some original thought, creativity, and investment of time, effort, pride, and resources. B works has minimal errors, or logical flaws.
A grade of A means that the work in question is excellent (standing above the work of your peers). A work demonstrates original thought, creativity, individual pride, and an investment in effort and resources. A work has no errors, no logical flaws, and is well presented.
A grade of D means that the work in question was rushed, poorly executed, and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the ideas isolated by the assignment. D work demonstrates little thought, effort, pride, or responsibility. A D may be assigned for an assignment that fails to fulfill the requirements of the assignment.
An F is given to work that does not fulfill the assignment requirements.
No Late Work Will Be Accepted.
The bulk of the grade for this course will come from an evaluation of the student's portfolio. To receive at least a C, that portfolio must include the following:
1. At least six (6) timed, and then fully revised essays. All drafts must be included along with the final draft.
2. At least two (2) timed essays (60 minutes) that have been evaluated as, at least, passing by the C. S.C..
3. At least four (4) critical responses to a text. The original text should be included with the response.
4. Graded copies of all quizzes and exercises.
Point Allocation: 100 total points are possible. The portfolio is worth 80 points. The CSC will assign a grade that is worth 5 points. The other 15 points will be composed of weekly essay grades and exercises. Letter grades will be assigned based on a simple decimal scale: A (90 - 100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (0-59). Please Note: You are responsible for making sure that you are properly enrolled in this course. You are also responsible for withdrawing on time, or initiating any academic action to extend the time in which to complete this course.
Attendance Policy
This class utilizes the attendance policy as outlined in the FVSU Catalog. For each unexcused absence after the first, you will lose on point from your final average. See catalog or FVSU handbook for a detailed explanation of the policy and such notions as "excused absences."
You are responsible for all information covered in the classroom whether you are present or not; even if the absence is "excused."
After the first instance, excessive tardiness will count as an absence. If you arrive after the attendance sheet has been circulated, you are tardy.
Examination Policy
All timed essays will allow you one hour (60 minutes) to complete the essay. You are expected to bring your own dictionary, writing utensils, paper, and any supplementary materials.
Quizzes will consist of short essay questions dealing with a specific text. You will receive no warning prior to these quizzes.
Technology Expectations
You are required to purchase and bring two diskettes (3.5") that will be used exclusively for this course. You will also be expected to utilize word processing software (available on campus computers) and the WWW (available in the library). All revised papers must be typed using either WordPerfect or MicroSoft Word.
Supplementary Reading. Assignments, Activities, Etc:
All supplemental material, unless otherwise notified, will be available at the following
World Wide Web site: http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/1107.htm