English 108 - Spring 2006

Spring 2006

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/108s06

"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
Spring 2006
Phone: (office) 49-62803 (dept. office) 49-43740 (home) 765-884-8225
Class meetings: MWF12:30 & 2:30 HEAV 120
E-mail: RebeccaL@purdue.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10:30 - 11:20, 1:30-2:20 and by appt.
Required texts:
    Marjorie Ford and Jon Ford. Dreams and Inward Journeys, Fifth Ed (ISBN: 0321123948)
    Stephen King. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft ( ISBN: 0671024256)

Recommended texts:
    Strunk, William Jr. and E. B. White. The Elements of Style, Fourth Ed (ISBN:020530902X)
(all texts are available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com)

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.	.

grading Course Description

English 108 is the new designation for Accelerated Freshman Composition. English 108 students 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 producing our own.
You will be asked to read the texts of this English 108 class with a critical eye, engage in thoughtful and productive discussion of the texts and attendant issues, and ultimately to write to those issues and/or ideas in the texts or on the topic that you find particularly interesting, engaging, or otherwise important.
I've chosen this textbook and designed this syllabus specifically to expose you to various and perhaps new perspectives on how and what kind of writing "works," and why, and to discover with you the kind of power and influence writing can have. In addition to the medium of the print textbook, I have added both visual and auditory components to the "texts" for this class. These components will take several forms, from various genres of print literature to film and other forms of art. Additionally, I have created the syllabus to focus on the Narrative in its many forms, both personal and public. It is my hope that, through reading critically and thinking deeply about what you've read, through viewing and observing with a critical eye, and through discussing the several texts with myself and your classmates, such exposure will encourage you to read and observe and experience more widely, to approach what you read and observe and experience with a more critical and inquisitive perspective, to investigate your ideas more thoroughly, and to find your own particular voice in your critical writing for this class and others--to become, yourself, a better and more active reader, observer, thinker, and writer as you respond to these and other works and continue to add to your own personal and public narratives.
You must be prepared to spend a great deal of time and energy on this class. I shall endeavor to spread the reading load out as evenly as possible; films will be shown on a big screen in GRIS on Monday nights (dates to be provided in your schedule); and major papers will be due at fairly regular intervals, but you'll find that I'm fair and you will be well compensated for the time and effort you put in to the class. (For instance: each week that you have a film viewing on Monday night, you'll also have that Friday "off" in terms of attending our class.)
I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the readings and the other texts (both form and content) are thought-provoking, often compelling, and at times even fun. I believe, also, that what you learn and experience in this class will stand you in good stead not only as you learn and write for this class but also in the learning and writing you do beyond this class. Most importantly, you can play a major role in choosing the direction we take in discussions, in exercises, and in the experience as a whole. I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am.
Welcome to the class.

grading Attendance

Regular attendance is required as class discussion will form a significant part of fulfilling the course objectives. Additionally, a significant part of your grade will be based upon participation--and if you don't attend, you can't participate. Missing a film viewing will count as one absence. More than 5 absences on a MWF schedule (3 on a TTH schedule) will be considered excessive and will adversely affect your final grade. 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 or a film viewing, 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.

grading Assignment Preparation and Timeliness

You are expected to produce high quality professional papers. Neatness, visual appeal, and mechanical and grammatical correctness do matter though they do not by themselves guarantee that a paper is well written. All papers should be typed or word processed using a letter quality printer and should have appropriate margins, spacing, pagination, etc. See the following for specific requirements:

Each of your final draft essays will have in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, single spaced:
--your name,
--English 108
--and the date.
(do not use a cover page)
You will then double space, center, and type in the title of the paper. Double space again and begin the text.
All papers (and drafts) are to be: --double spaced,
--in 12 point font
Each page will contain:
--1 inch margins all around.
--page number
--your name (a running header or footer is good for the last two).

Late Work
Missed in-class assignments and quizzes cannot be "made up." Papers (both major papers and the brief writing assignments) and other 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, 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, 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.). 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.

Again, welcome to my class!
Rebecca top policies description attendance assignment prep conferences grading

Grading

Semester grades will be composed of the following:

Paper one = 100pts
Paper two = 100pts
Proposal = 100pts
Annotated Bibliography= 100pts
Research project = 300pts
Misc. (in-class writing, exercises, etc.) = 100pts
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.)

developed by Rebecca Whitus Longster, Fall 2003
page last updated: 12.25.05
corrections and suggestions to: RebeccaL@purdue.edu

link to 108 Schedule (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rebeccal/comp /108s06/schedule.html)