English 108 - Fall 2007

Fall 2007

ENGLISH 108

Rebecca Whitus Longster

Syllabus and Policy Statement

This page may be accessed on the world wide web at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rebeccal/comp/108f07

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time, or the tools, to write." --Stephen King

Rebecca Whitus Longster, Instructor
Office: Heavilon Hall 303c
Fall 2007
Phone: (office) 49-62803 (dept. office) 49-43740 (home) 765-884-8225
Class meetings: TTH 3:00 - 4:15 HEAV 220
E-mail: RebeccaL@purdue.edu
Office Hours: TTH 10:30 - 11:30, 1:00 - 3:00 and by appt.

Time Travel and Paradox

link to 108 Schedule (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rebeccal/comp /108f07/schedule.html)

Required texts:
Butler, Octavia E. Kindred. 25th anniversary ed. Boston: Beacon Press, 2003. (ISBN 0-8070-8369-0)
Koontz, Dean. Lightning. New York: Berkley, 2003. ISBN 0425192032
Heinlein, Robert Anson. The Door Into Summer. (1st Ballantine Books Trade Ed edition) New York: Del Rey, 1997. (ISBN 0-3454-1399-7)
Niffenegger, Audrey. The Time Traveler's Wife. First Harvest Edition 2004. (ISBN 0-1560-2943-x)
Faigley, Lester. The Little Penguin Handbook. New York: Pearson, Longman, 2007. (ISBN 0-321-24401-x)
Access to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>

Suggested texts:
Graff & Birkenstein. They Say, I Say (ISBN: 0-393-92409-2)

Class Policies

1. Come to class	2. Keep up with reading assignments.
3. Turn work in on time.	4. Keep a copy of all work handed in.
5. Take an active and civil part in class discussion.	6. Do not plagiarize.
7. If you don't understand something--ASK.	8. Be courteous (no cell, no ipod, etc. during class)

grading Course Description

Students in English 108: Accelerated Freshman Composition are usually at the top of their class in writing skills, having come from a high school AP or CP program or in some other way demonstrated an adeptness with and command of the written word that is well above the standard. Because that is so, our focus for this class is much less on the grammar and mechanics of writing; my expectation is that you already know how to use those tools correctly. Instead, my intent is to help you develop and exercise your critical thinking, reading, research, and writing skills through reading and discussing the writing of others and creating and improving upon our own.
I've chosen the theme of Time Travel and Paradox for this semester as a different way of stretching your critical reading, thinking, and writng muscles ~ and have some fun at the same time! (at the same time ~ get it?) In addition to print, we'll be viewing some theme appropriate videos, and I'll be directing you to some thought provoking websites. You will be asked to read the texts (print, video, & online) of this English 108 class with a critical eye, engage in thoughtful and productive discussion of the multi-faceted issues attendant upon these topics, and ultimately to research and write about some of those issues.
You must be prepared to spend a great deal of time and energy on this class. However, I shall endeavor to spread the reading load out as evenly as possible; likewise texts presented in alternate media (video, online) will be spread over the semester as well. Major papers will be due at fairly regular intervals, you'll do a research paper about midway along in the semester and prepare a multi-media presentation (individually or with 1 or more classmates) as your semester project. Clearly we will have much to do and talk about in class, but you'll find that you will be well compensated for the time and effort you put in to the class, if only by how much your contribution enhances the experience ~ and how much fun you'll have!
I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the stretching of your critical muscles this class and theme necessitates will stand you in good stead not only for this class but also in future endeavors that ask you to think outside the boundries of everyday "reality."

grading Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance is required as class discussion will form a significant part of fulfilling the course objectives. Additionally, at least 10% of your final grade will be based upon attendance and participation--and if you don't attend, you can't participate. More than 3 absences will be considered excessive and will reduce your final grade by 10 points per day absent. If you know in advance that you have to miss class, please let me know, and in the event of an emergency, get in touch with me as soon as you can. If you do miss a class you are still responsible for the material covered and for getting any assignments due at the beginning that class to me as soon as possible.

Regular participation is also very important and will impact your final grade. Although I may not appear to be, I am acutely aware of how many people participate in class discussions. I find it easier to get to know you as a person, for example: remembering your name, when you participate in the discussion. Also, I rather rapidly come to recognize who is participating and who is not, so one cannot rely upon the same half dozen people to "carry" the discussions. If we have gotten several weeks into the semester and I can't come up with your name immediately, you're probably not talking enough. Likewise, if at the end of the term when I'm compiling grades I can't bring to mind any point in the semeser when you spoke up and contributed to the discussion, that can reduce your attendance and participation grade by as much as 30%. While I realize that some of you may be shy or feel uncomfortable expressing your opinions, I encourage you to make every effort to do so. We are interested in what you have to say, all comments and questions will be treated with respect, and your contribution will add value to the experience, for you, for me, and for your classmates.

grading Assignment Preparation and Timeliness

You are expected to produce high quality professional papers. For all essays, follow the MLA format guidelines in the MLA Style Guide posted on the OWL site <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>
Late Work
Missed in-class assignments and quizzes cannot be "made up." Papers and other out of class assignments are due at the beginning of the designated class period unless otherwise announced. Please turn in all your work on time as it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to keep all the assignments together (and thus easier to grade and return) if they're not all turned in at the same time. Also, late papers receive a grade reduction of 10% per business day late (so, for instance, if a paper is due on Tuesday and you turn it in on Thursday, your grade for that assignment would be reduced by 20% before it's even read), and I find it extremely distasteful to have to reduce a grade simply because the assignment was late. On rare occasions I do grant a short extension (24-48 hrs), without penalty, if circumstances warrant it. If you need one, ASK.

grading Conferences

While I do not cancel class for individual conferences, I do encourage you to meet with me individually to discuss your progress, grades, etc. You may do so during the in-class work time I will set aside for you or by making an appointment with me outside class. If you have questions or need to contact me for any reason, your best bet is to send me e-mail as I check it daily and respond immediately if possible (When you send email, please remember to include your class # in the subject line so I can find your message more easily.). Next best is to call me at home. If I'm not there, leave a detailed message and I'll return your call. As a last resort, you can leave a message with the English Dept. at the number above.

top policies description attendance assignment prep conferences grading

Grading

Semester grades will be composed of the following:

Paper one = 100pts
Paper two = 100pts
Research project = 200pts
Multi-media Project = 300 pts
Attendance and Participation = 100 pts
Quizzes. = 100pts
Total = 900pts

90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D below 60 = F

Note: Quizzes will be unannounced. The number of quizzes you have to take will be based upon my perception of your level of involvement with the material (i.e.. are you reading the material, making comments or asking questions that indicate critical thought, actively contributing to and participating in class discussions, etc. ~ see dicussion of participation above.)

developed by Rebecca Whitus Longster, Fall 2003
page last updated: 08.18.06
corrections and suggestions to: RebeccaL@purdue.edu