English 304 - Fall 2006

Fall 2006

ENGLISH 304

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/304f06

"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 2006
Phone: (office) 49-62803 (dept. office) 49-43740 (home) 765-884-8225
Class meetings: TTH 10:30 - 11:45 HEAV 120
E-mail: RebeccaL@purdue.edu
Office Hours: TTH 12:30 - 1:20 BRNG, 4:30 - 6:30 HEAV and by appt.
Required texts:
Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein They Say, I Say, ISBN:0-393-92409-1
Strunk, William Jr. and E. B. White. The Elements of Style, Fourth Ed ISBN:0-205-30902-X
Access to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>
Other Texts as yet to be determined

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

English 304: Advanced Composition is, as you may have read in the course description, "designed to give training in non-fictional, non-narrative composition beyond the basics of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling. The training includes study and class discussion of rhetorical principles and models. The assignments, both reading and writing,
focus on employing major expository methods (generally specified for each paper) in the handling of various subjects (generally left to the student’s own choice); the methods stressed are defining, classifying, comparing, contrasting, analyzing, explaining, distinguishing, and arguing."

A nice, tidy little sum up of what, in general, you may expect from an advanced composition class, isn't it?

In truth, we will be doing some of the above. We will definitely be reading strong examples of good rhetoric, and we will be delving into the uses of those rhetorical principles mentioned above. Indeed, some of the papers you'll be writing will no doubt fall into the catagories of "models and methods" therein described. But that is not all we'll be doing this semester. We will be reading other books besides standard textbooks, both fiction and non-fiction; we'll be looking at other sources for reading and writing in, like the internet, perhaps a film or two, and a live, on stage production of 1984 later in the fall; and who knows what other kinds of "texts" we'll explore. For now, perhaps it is enough to know this: The theme of this English 304 class (I like to have a theme) will be:

What in the world are we doing?

Excellent question, eh? Well, I intend that we should spend our time this semester answering that question, each of us, as indiviuals and as members of our several communities. What is it that we believe in, think about, do in the world? What events and choices and aspirations and dreams and experiences have influened who we are in the world? Who are we in the world right now, this instant? and who do we want to be? How do our actions or even intentions shape or change the world? Or do they at all? All this and much more we will be exploring both through reading and examing the several texts of the course and through writing . . . about anything, as long as it is important to who you are and what you're doing in the world. And, trust me, it's going to be fun.

Welcome to English 304.

Rebecca

grading Attendance

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 on the 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 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. 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, 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 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:

Articles (1-2 pgs) = 200pts
Brief essay (5-7 pgs) = 100 pts
Journal Responses = 100pts
Research project = 300pts
Misc. Participation (in-class writing, reading, peer reviews, etc.) = 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.)

developed by Rebecca Whitus Longster, Fall 2006
page last updated: 08.18.06
corrections and suggestions to: RebeccaL@purdue.edu

link to 304Schedule (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rebeccal/comp /304f06/schedule.html)