Sunday, August 19, 2012


Macon State College
Department of English
Fall 2012
English 1102  Syllabus and Policy Statement:
A book is a portable form of magic. ~ Stephen King

Instructor: Mrs. Sharon Aiken, H/SS 248   
Office phone: 478-471-2893
Office hours:  T/TH: 8:30-9:00 a.m.; 3:30-4:30 p.m., and by appointment
       Website:   aikenenglish1102fall2012.blogspot.com

Best means of contact: email.  Use your Macon State email. I check and respond to my Macon State email, Monday-Thursday and on Sunday evenings.  I expect you to do likewise, because I use email for class announcements or changes in the class schedule. 

Required Texts and Materials: 
Ø  Lunsford, Andrea A. The St. Martin’s Handbook. Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2008 or other collegiate grammar text
Ø  pocket folder for the research paper, and binder or notebook of your choice to be submitted at the end of the semester  
Ø  blue or black pens (NO  hot pink, neon orange, lime green) for in-class quizzes and compositions—not pencils
Suggested Texts:
Ø  King, Stephen.  On Writing -- the second half of the book
Ø  a good collegiate dictionary                                               

Class Description:   This is a composition course that develops writing skills beyond the proficiency required by English 1101; English 1102 emphasizes interpretation and evaluation based on an introduction of fiction, drama, and poetry, and incorporates a variety of more advanced research methods.  An oral communication component is also required.

Class Goals:  By the end of the course, each student will:
Ø  Be able to research a work of literature using the Web and traditional library resources
Ø  Gain further experience using MLA citation methods
Ø  Be able to write a clear, in-class explication of a poem
Ø  Be able to write an effective analysis of a work of fiction and a work of drama
Ø  Gain further experience in using Web-based course assignments

Text Box: The best way to develop your writing is to write AND to read.  There are no shortcuts, no easy outs, and no simple solutions.  Read everything, both good and bad; read cereal boxes, directions for electronics, the internet, job descriptions, grocery lists, novels, essays, magazines, candy wrappers – everything.   You will gradually begin to develop a sense of identifying good writing that is detailed, organized, unified, coherent, clear, and complete. Bad writing will show you what to avoid; good writing will show you what to emulate.  This class does not meet every day, but if you truly want to succeed and develop, it is in your best interest to write and read, every day, to seek help when you need it, to do your best, whether your best is a “C” or an “A.”   











Class Policies:
1.  You must have passed English 1101 with a “C” to be enrolled in this class.

2.  You may miss two class days without penalty; if you miss more than four class meetings, your grade is up to my discretion.  Be on time.  If a student is late on a regular basis, I may advise the student to drop; I have the discretion to penalize constant tardiness by either adding a missed day to the number of absences or lowering the overall course grade.  If tardiness disrupts my class, the lab door will be locked, and you will be counted as absent.

3.  Assignments are to be handed in on time, typed. Title all assignments and use MLA format. *Do NOT title your essay as the work read in the text.  You didn’t write “A Worn Path;” therefore, your essay analysis of the story’s should not be titled by that name; it would be more appropriate to title it The Importance of Place in Welty’s “A Worn Path.”   Use the name of the work in the title, if you like, but NOT as the title.

4.  If you miss a daily assignment, you may not make it up; if you miss a major assignment, that grade will be based on my discretion. You must complete all major assignments to pass the class. Since all writing assignments in 1102 will be based on reading selections, there will be frequent, unannounced quizzes.

5.  I will give letter grades; if you have a question about a grade, drop by my office or ask me after class; if you wish to challenge a grade, do so in writing, no sooner than a day after getting your paper back, and no later than three class days after I return that assignment.

6.  If you plagiarize an assignment, that grade will result in a zero.  If you cheat on a test, you will get a zero.  Plagiarism occurs when a writer uses the ideas, wording, organization, etc. of another writer without proper citation, whether intentional or unintentional. This includes having someone “help” you write the paper, buying the paper online, or lifting ideas, sentences, and paragraphs from another text.  Keep an electronic copy of all assignments and be prepared to send it to me immediately if asked.  Please go to the MSC Library site for further information on avoiding plagiarism.  Students should know that failing the class is the common penalty for plagiarism.

A plagiarism prevention service is used in the evaluation of written work submitted for this course.  As directed by the instructor, students are expected to submit their assignments, or have their assignments submitted, through the service in order to meet the requirements for this course.  The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.

7.  POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:  “As a Macon State College student and as a student in this class, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the MSC  Student Code of Conduct.  The Student Code of Conduct is included in the MSC Student Handbook and is available online at  http://www.maconstate.edu/studentlife/studenthandbook.pdf

8.  POLICY ON DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:  “Students seeking academic accommodations for a special need must contact the MSC Counseling and Career Center (478-471-2714) located on the second floor of the Student Life Center on the Macon Campus.”

9.  If you have a D average based on the major assignments, no participation or daily grade average can bring that average up to a C. [Division Policy]

10.  I expect common sense and courtesy, including the following:
  • Unless there are extenuating circumstances, please turn your phones on OFF before entering the class.  If there are circumstances that necessitate your keeping your phone ON, please clear that with me in advance.
  • It is unprofessional, rude, and ill-advised to wear electronic devices either in your ear or dangling from it during lecture or class participation. 
  • Don’t surf the Web while I’m teaching OR when a member of the class is speaking or giving a presentation.
  • Work on assignments for other classes someplace else. 
  • Please avoid distracting other students (or me) – I am usually distracted enough for us all.
 11.  REQUIRED:  You will need to keep your all of your various writings [paragraphs, drafts, revisions, and final drafts], neatly, in chronological order in a folder of your choice.  These will be submitted to me prior to the final exam.  It is the policy of this department that I keep your writing for one semester.  Therefore, should you want these returned, please see me at the end of Spring Semester 2013.  Suggestion:  I would suggest to anyone taking this course that you keep a personal folder with copies of all your writing, as it is a representative of the unique individual you are.

12.  There is always a possibility that we may be affected by inclement weather.  In the event that weather conditions make travel conditions hazardous, be aware that class may be cancelled for the day and a class assignment may be given via email.  Check your email, as I will typically notify you in advance, if at all possible.  NOTE: I live in rural Jasper County; if schools are closed in Jasper County, it is a safe bet that MY classes at MSC will not be held.

The best way to develop your writing is to write AND to read.  There are no shortcuts, no easy outs, and no simple solutions.  Read everything, both good and bad; read cereal boxes, directions for electronics, the internet, job descriptions, grocery lists, novels, essays, magazines, candy wrappers – everything.   You will gradually begin to develop a sense of identifying good writing that is detailed, organized, unified, coherent, clear, and complete. Bad writing will show you what to avoid; good writing will show you what to emulate.  This class does not meet every day, but if you truly want to succeed and develop, it is in your best interest to write and read, every day, to seek help when you need it, to do your best, whether your best is a “C” or an “A.”  







 1102 Assignments:
v  Combined average of daily quizzes and/or exercises
and  class participation*                                                                               10%
v  Fiction Essays  - 2                                                                                             20%  (10% each)
v  Written & oral explication of poem                                                        20% (10% each)
v  Essay over Oedipus (drama)                                                                       10%
v  Research Paper (Essay)                                                                                 20%
v  FINAL  Exam                                                                                                       20%

Active Class Participation:
Criteria
25 pts.
20 pts.
15 pts.
0-10 pts. & below
Attendance
Attends class regularly – with no more than 1 absence at mid-term; usually prompt & professional
Attends class regularly; no more than 1 absence at mid-term; professional & seldom tardy
Attends class regularly; may have more than 2 absences at this point; professional
Has missed more than 2 days and often presented as unprofessional
Level of Active Engagement
Proactive in class; contributes with ideas, questions, observations; answers questions; treats classmates & professor with courtesy
Contributes to class; frequently offers comments, answers & asks questions; treats classmates & professor with courtesy
Offers some observations and answers questions now and then or when called on; treats classmates & professor with courtesy
Rarely contributes to class by offering ideas or asking questions. primarily a non-participant. Does not add to class discussion, but sits silently.
Listening Skills
Listens when others talk; builds on others’ ideas; involves others in class by asking questions or seeking others’ responses
Listens then others talk; frequently builds on ideas of others.
Listens when  others talk, but does not respond to ideas
Often does not listen when others talk; often distracted by his/her own agenda—e.g., the internet, studying for another class, talking to peers, when inappropriate
Preparation
Almost always prepared for class, with assignments and required class materials
Usually prepared for class
Frequently prepared for class
Seldom prepared

Tentative Schedule – Please note that unannounced pop quizzes are not listed (yes, I know that should be obvious, but   . . .): 

08/20:  Review syllabus, texts, policies, expectations; word association-- locate, read “The Old Man at the Bridge” for Wednesday—analyze with elements of literature
08/27:   “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place;” writing about literature
09/04: Labor day holiday on Monday; for Wednesday  Essay #1 – DUE
09/10: “The Cask of Amontillado”  80; “The House on Mango Street,”  127; “Everyday Use,” 559
09/17:  “A Rose for Emily,” 526; “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” 584
09/24: Essay #2 DUE; introduction to research; students will select one of the following stories: “The Things They Carried,” “The Yellow Wallpaper,”  “Young Goodman Brown”
10/01: Discussion and Research
10/08: Discussion and Research
10/15: Research Paper Due – worth 20% of final grade; introduction to poetry
10/22: Poetry Selections: TBA
10/29: Poetry Selections: TBA
11/05: Written & Oral Poetry Analysis—worth 20%
11/12: Introduction to Drama - Oedipus
11/19: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
11/26: Oedipus
12/03: Oedipus
12/10: FINALS BEGIN--Refer to MSC Academic Calendar for date and time

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