ENGLISH 106
Introductory Composition
Louis Slimak, Graduate Instructor
Heavilon 220
Office hrs: M 12:30 – 1:30 and by appointment
Email: lslimak@purdue.edu
Web: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~lslimak
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
Welcome to English 106; a 4 credit hour composition class common to every Purdue undergraduate. All courses produce the same amount of finished writing; what differs is the route taken. This course is unique in that its two (or twenty one, depending on how you make the categories) most important ingredients are myself (playing the role of instructor) and each of you.
My course emphasizes the classic Greek elements of argument, combined with precise, scientific, logical, rigorous critical thinking mixed with creative strategies of form and function in multimodal and contemporary media avenues. We study these things because I think they are not only important (albeit mostly subconscious) but also useful in producing better writing. In other words, the textbooks and class calendar provide an outline. The flesh of this course is created by you and your classmates.
As I have already hinted, some of our text production will be done using multimedia, and some of it may be given through short assignments, or “typical” essays. Your writing topics will be solely the governance of you and your classmates. You pick the topics and the arguments. I look for a rhetorical awareness, a sense of audience, style, critical analysis and synthesis, ideas of ethos, pathos, and logos, argumentation, and narrative techniques.
The class website is your source for all the logistical information in this course; check it regularly as it will be updated regularly. BRAND THIS INTO YOUR EYES!* This will be the only piece of paper you will see from me this semester; check the website often! *not responsible for anyone who takes the eye-branding comment seriously
There will also be a class listserve for me to contact all of you via email; again, check your email regularly, as I will make use of the listserve regularly.
REQUIRED TEXTS
The Structure of Argument (Rottenberg & Winchell) - under instructor last name: SLIMAK or CRN: 19344
Making Sense (Coleman, Brittenham, Campbell, Girard) - under instructor last name
COURSE EXPECTATIONS/PARTICIPATION
In order to accomplish the course goals, you must come to each class prepared. This means coming to class on time, as well as completing your readings and outside assignments. Active and informed participation in class discussions and collaborative work is also crucial. In terms of writing assignments, you will be required to complete:
4 informal and creative response projects (varying page length and format) at 75 points each
2 (4-5 pages) formal argumentative research papers at 150 points each
1 final project that will consist of:
1 8-10 page research paper at 300 points
In-class quizzes, activities, and participation counting for 100 points
IMPORTANT!: Failure to complete an assignment CAN result not only in a zero for the assignment, but also a failing grade for the entire course.
GRADING SCALE
Your points will be translated into percentages; your final grade will be calculated according to the following percentage scale:
1000-920 A
900-919 A-
899-875 B+
874-830 B
829-800 B-
799-775 C+
774-730 C
729-700 C-
699-600 D
599-below F
Although such instances are rare, I reserve the right to reward students who have shown dramatic progress with higher grades than the scale suggests.
Note about Incompletes: The mark of ‘I’ is inappropriate if, in my judgment, it will be necessary for the student regularly to attend subsequent sessions of the class. I will give an Incomplete only in cases of extreme emergency.
CLASS PARTICIPATION & ASSIGNMENTS
This is one of the most important components to the success of the course. All reading and outside assignments are to be completed prior to class. This means reading carefully and critically, bringing materials to class, and coming prepared to engage with the ideas and your class. Class investigations are participatory assignments that may include critical and active discussions as well as in-class collaborative work, and directly contribute to your success in the writing assignments.
Reading assignments are to be completed for the Tuesday lecture of that week; we will discuss them that class and then work with them in a more free-form nature the following class. Quizzes are given on the readings often and can be given either lecture class period.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is welcomed, expected, and mandatory.
However, that’s only the first half of the story. The second half is that coming to class and, say, sleeping is the same as not coming to class. This course is informative, stimulating, challenging, and, occasionally, fun, but only if you’re here, in class, awake and ready to yell at me. If you’re tired, hungover, sick, not in the mood to listen to me, not in the mood in general – stay home.
WRITING DEADLINES & SUBMISSIONS
You are expected to submit assignments by the deadlines listed. All written work is due at the BEGINNING OF CLASS unless otherwise noted. In order to be considered for a grade, all assignments are to be complete, of the minimum PAGE count, (word-processed, 12 point legible font, double-spacing, with one inch margins). No emailed assignments will be accepted without PRIOR agreement by and arrangement with me. No out of class papers will be accepted if they are handwritten. As a courtesy to me, please staple your papers. Late assignments will be accepted with no questions up to one full day later than required, at a ten percent penalty; all work after that is an automatic zero - no exceptions! Also, late work will NOT be eligble for revision.
Revisions will be given one full week from the day essays are returned, after which they will not be accepted. Revisions MUST be turned in with the original essay and my comments on it! Otherwise, I will not re-grade the essay.
Incomplete work is not considered as a fulfilled assignment, and is the same as not turning in an assignment.
CONFERENCES & CONTACT
In addition to regular weekly conferences, I am open to discussing matters pertaining to the course, readings, and your writing; please feel free to contact me via email or phone as well as in person. I hope you will also take advantage of my office hours and email.
PLAGIARISM
Cheating: All written work submitted for a grade in this course must be the product of your own composition. Ideas generated due to reading and group discussion may provide the inspiration for your work, but should not be the sole ideas represented. With collaborative projects, of course, ideas should be representative of the group’s work. Instances of plagiarism will automatically result in a 0 for the assignment, will be reported to the Dean of Students, and can result in an ‘F’ for the entire class and immediate removal.
Plagiarism is the act of presenting as your own work another individual’s ideas, words, data, or research material. The concept applies equally to written, spoken, or electronic texts, published or unpublished. All ideas and quotations that you borrow from any source must be acknowledged: at a minimum, you should give the name of your author, the title of the text cited, and the page number(s) of the citation. The only exceptions to this requirement would involve what is familiar and commonly held (e.g. the fact that the earth is round). You should know that penalties for plagiarism are severe and can entail suspension from the University. Students are responsible for reading and understanding the University policy on Cheating and Plagiarism set forth in Purdue University’s Academic Integrity: A Guide for Students available at http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/integrity.htm.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Insults, slurs, or attacks of any kind will not be allowed in my class. Any student who engages in this type of behavior in the classroom will be permanently removed from my class. In other words, forced to drop the course, in addition to other possible punishment given by Purdue University (See the Purdue University Student Code of Conduct (Available at http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/osrr/conductcode.htm). In order to have an effective teaching and learning environment we must all practice both respect and tolerance, without question or exception.
As we will be discussing subjects that will be controversial to some students, all remarks made in class must be framed in such a way as to be open to challenge and critical analysis. Within the confines of my class, Nothing is True, but often we do find ourselves in some sort of discursive agreement. I welcome all points of view, but, again, urge you to present them in a way that is open for discussion, and inoffensive. You will know if you cross the line, and it will be solely the province of my judgment as to what action is taken. If I feel that the offense was accidental, I typical take a moment to discuss it with the class, so that we all may learn from it. If I feel it was intentional, or if any student demonstrates a regular practice of being crude or offensive, I will immediately remove them from my class.
Please be advised that we will be reading about, discussing, and writing about issues of class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, politics, race etc. if you have personal or theological beliefs that may hinder your discussion and/or participation please let me know ASAP so that we can discuss your options.
CELL PHONES, LAPTOPS, AND iPODS, OH MY!
Cell phones are welcome in my class, but please make sure they are set to silent or vibrate. If you need or even want to take a call, that's fine, but please do so outside of the class, and far enough away from any class to ensure that you aren't being disruptive. Texting is fine during class, within reason. If you're texting for fifty minutes straight, I'm not going to be pleased. Laptops are also welcome, provided they are being used for class-connected purposes. iPods are NOT to be used during class as I cannot think of any way in which they may be relevant to the purposes of composition.
THE WRITING LAB
The Writing Lab (Heavilon 226) is a superb resource. The staff is willing to help no matter what stage you're at in your paper, from brainstorming to putting on the final touches. Since writing a good paper entails having other people looking at it and giving you feedback, visits to the Writing Lab are highly recommended.