Course Syllabus -- Fall 2011
Instructor: E. Andrew Love, BA, MS
Email: alove@bolivar.k12.mo.us
Blogger: http://ealove400.blogspot.com
SBU Catalog Description: Expository writing based on a study of essays. In addition to the writing of essays, students will write a research paper. Prerequisite: Score of at least 18 on the ACT exam in English. General Course Description: This college-level course focuses on both effective writing and critical reading. Structured around the philosophy of Aristotle, the course emphasizes the use of rhetorical strategies.
Essential Learner Outcomes: Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:
1. analyze his or her own writing and that of others;
2. employ recursive writing processes that demonstrate skill in generating material, evaluating sources, drafting, revising, and editing;
3. produce formal and informal writing employing correct diction, syntax, usage, grammar, and mechanics;
4. focus on a purpose (e.g., explaining, problem solving, arguing) and vary approaches to writing based on that purpose;
5. respond in writing to the needs of different venues and audiences and choose words for appropriateness and effect;
6. produce written defenses of conclusions using relevant evidence and reasoned argument;
7. access and/or generate information from a variety of sources, including the most contemporary technological information services;
8. evaluate information for its currency, usefulness, truthfulness, and accuracy;
9. organize, store, and retrieve information efficiently;
10. reorganize information for an intended purpose, such as research projects; and
11. present information clearly and concisely, using traditional and contemporary technologies.
General Course Requirements:
· writing five major essays, including at least one source-supported essay
· completing several short writing assignments
· reading and analyzing nonfiction essays and other works
· studying the English language
· participating in in-class activities, including brainstorming, writing, working cooperatively, discussing texts and ideas, taking notes, and responding to peers’ writing
· taking quizzes, a semester final, and other assessments
Important Information:
In this weighted college-level course, on grade cards students are assigned only As, Bs, Cs, Ds, or Fs (no pluses or minuses). BHS uses progressive grading: the grade you receive every six weeks covers your work for the semester to that point. Much of that grade will be based on the major essays, some of which you will be required to revise for a higher grade. Failure to turn in all major essays may result in an F for the course.
Major essays must be turned in when they are due. If you do not turn in your paper on the due date, bring it to me the next calendar day, if possible—do not wait until the next class meeting. For every calendar day that your paper is late, you are subject to a reduction in points (typically 5 to 10 points per day from a possible 100).
NOTE: If you are absent for any reason—excused or unexcused—your paper still must be turned in before or on the due date. If you know you will be absent (e.g., for a field trip or college visit), you must turn in your paper early. If you are unexpectedly sick or have an emergency, email your paper to me as an attachment (see address at top of syllabus). If you have no means of getting the paper in, contact me, either by phone or by email, to explain why your paper will be late. In any situation involving a late essay, discuss your circumstances with me to avoid losing a significant number of points.
Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Plagiarism includes (1) quoting or paraphrasing a source without citing that source; (2) copying, buying, or stealing an essay from another person or source; and (3) “recycling” a paper you have turned in (or will turn in) for another class. I may require you to supply a draft, notes, and copies of sources with some essays; I will assign an F for the essay grade if there is evidence you plagiarized all or part of it.
Essays and some other writing assignments must be typed, in MLA style. If you don’t have access to a computer at home, make other arrangements early. Smaller writing assignments can be handwritten (legibly!), using blue or black ink.
Basic guidelines for typing your essays in the MLA style:
· On the first line at the top left, type your name. The next three lines contain your teacher’s name, the course name, and the date (e.g., 15 September 2010).
· Center your title (do not underline it, italicize it, bold it, or put it in quotation marks).
· The entire paper should be double-spaced—no more, no less.
· Use a proportional, serif font such as Times New Roman (do not use Calibri or Arial, for example).
· Use a font size of 12—no larger, no smaller.
· Set the top, bottom, left, and right margins of your paper at 1 inch. In older versions of Word, you will probably have to change the default side margins.
· Number all pages using the “Header” feature of your word-processing program. Include your last name before the page number.
· Do not use a title page; do not put your essay in a binder or folder. Neatly staple the pages together.
Standards for Participation and Success in This Course::
· Be in class. If you are absent, you will miss important information essential to your success.
· Avoid being tardy.
· Be attentive; do not read magazines, work on homework from other classes, text, or sleep.
· Participate meaningfully and constructively in class activities, including discussions.
· Demonstrate a willingness to spend time revising before submitting papers. (Writing a paper the night before it is due does not allow time for meaningful revision.)
· Incomplete or poorly done work is unacceptable, as is work that has not been proofread and spell checked. Do not expect me to put more effort into grading your work than you put into completing it.
· Take a mature approach to your work, exhibiting good organizational skills and work ethic.
· Maintain a positive attitude toward and willingness to learn from correction and guidance.
· Take responsibility for your actions. Do not make excuses or blame others.
· Acts of rhetoric occur in writing, speech, behavior, dress, and more—and they always have a purpose and address an audience. Be conscious of your own acts of rhetoric.
· In your final year of high school, learn as much as you can to help you succeed in college and in life.
