Composition IIEnglish 102 Section I01 (ONLINE)

Great Basin CollegeSummer Session 2011

Tentative Syllabus

(Due dates and some assignments may change before the class begins)

 Professor Susanne Bentley

E-mail: Use WebCampus e-mail for all correspondence                                        Fax: 753-2131     Office Hours: The best way to contact me is through e-mail. If you need to reach me early in the semester, call my home number: (775) 753-4388.You may also make an appointment to meet with me or to speak with me by phone at a time that is convenient for you by writing to me through e-mail.

Course Description:

Composition II is a three-credit course that continues the reading and writing done in English 101. The course emphasizes writing from sources, argument, the investigative paper, and research techniques. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 100 or ENG 101.

The purpose of this course is to help you become better writers and more critical readers and thinkers, as well as to help you develop a sense of your own voice and place in a community of writers.  This course will help you discover your purpose for specific types of writing and develop authority in communicating your ideas and experiences to your intended audience. We will also focus on conducting research, both in the library and on the Internet, and discover ways to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize sources. We will use many forms of research including field, library, and Internet research, while exploring a variety of topics.

Course Objectives:

This course addresses the major goals of research-based writing:

to enjoy the academic project of research for its own sake to read with critical facility, especially for future academic work.

English 102 concentrates on learning to read closely and reflectively, and on integrating the material that you’ve read into an intelligent, accessible written version for another audience.

to produce clear, concise, interesting prose. English 102 recognizes that we can all write, but that all of us can always get better at it. It is both a skill and an art that requires the regular practice that perhaps only a writing course provides.

to understand and practice the key academic research skill: synthesis. Synthesis is that technique which combines the material discovered during research into a new, coherent piece of writing, that pays particular attention to voice. (Voice is you, the writer, behind the words; voice allows the audience to hear the author of the document.

to understand the use and misuse of statistics. English 102 offers the perspective that, although research involves statistical data, not all of that is reported in good faith or with clear motive. Researchers must be able to evaluate the use of statistics and to recognize the inflated, sensational, or oversimplified use of them. The text How to Lie with Statistics has been chosen to further our understanding of mass data.

to learn to use documentation formats, esp. MLA & APA guidelines. Writers are expected to follow standardized reference formats, but English 102 reviews each of these two widely used, academic, professional set of conventions.

Required Texts and course materials that must be obtained by the end of the first week of class:

1.    WebCampus login

2.    Huff, Darrell. How to Lie With Statistics. ISBN:9780393310726

3.    Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers 13th ed. ISBN 978-205-65191-7

5.    A subscription to Comp Class (see information at the end of the syllabus).

6.    Great Basin College Library card7.    A college dictionary (or use the one on CompClass)8.    A storage device for storing your work

Purchase of textbooks and a subscription to CompClass are required.

Method of Instruction:  This class will take place in a variety of ways including online lecture, online class discussions, instructor feedback, and student question/answer. Assignments are submitted via WebCampus and through the companion Website to our text called CompClass.

Your Commitment: This is a sixteen week class that is condensed into five weeks. As a student in this class, you should be prepared to spend at least fifteen hours a week reading, preparing assignments and participating in class activities. It is essential that you commit yourself to this degree of involvement to be successful in this course. The class transfers to major universities, such as the University of Nevada and the University of California, so you should be prepared for a workload and a level of intellectual engagement comparable to these systems. The specific assignments and requirements for the class are explained in detail in the “Assignments” section of WebCampus.

WebCampus : This is  a completely online course. Your assignments will be due through the WebCampus platform. You received a WebCampus username and password in the mail before class started; this will give you access to the course.

To Check Your Grades: Go to “Assignments” and click on “Graded.” You will see your grade for each assignment that has been graded. On some assignments, I will give you feedback directly on your paper. To see my comments, click on the attachment entitled “your name graded.doc.” Essays and major assignments also have a grading form, which you will be able to access through the graded assignments tab.

Course Policies and Expectations

Assignment due dates:  The GBC English Department enforces a “no late papers” policy.  If you submit a late assignment, it will not be accepted. Please plan ahead for computer problems or server disruptions.

Each assignment has a due date. If you experience an emergency and miss the due date, you may submit your assignment within 24 hours of the due date for a twenty percent reduction in credit. The assignment will be marked as “late.” No more than two late assignments will be accepted during the semester. After the 24 hour period, you cannot submit your assignment. No assignments will be accepted through e-mail.Assignment Submission Guidelines:  All work must be typed and be formatted according to MLA guidelines. Your work must be saved as a Microsoft Word

document. This means the file extension will say either “.doc” or .docx.”  If you do not have Microsoft Word, you need to save your document as a Rich Text Format document  (rtf) in order for me to read it. It is your responsibility to understand this process. Microsoft Works is not the same as Microsoft Word.  If I can’t open your document, you will not receive a grade for the assignment. Ask the Help Desk for assistance if you do not understand how to save your work in the correct format.

 

Submitting Assignments: All assignments must be turned in to the Assignment Drop Box on WebCampus.  You have until 11:55 p.m. on the due date to submit the assignment. Plan on turning in your assignments at least one day before they are due to avoid unforeseen circumstances, such as your browser not working or power outages.

After 11:55 p.m., the Assignment Drop Box will allow you to submit a late submission within 24 hours of the due date. This assignment will be marked “LATE.”  Twenty percent of the grade is reduced for a late assignment. No more than two late assignments will be accepted during the semester. Only assignments submitted through the correct assignment drop box will be accepted. Do not send any assignments to me through e-mail.

Format for Papers: All essays must be submitted in proper 2009 MLA format. If you have not taken a college composition course in the past year, MLA style has made some changes. You need to use the current MLA format. Read the chapters in your texts on MLA Documentation carefully to see how to do this. Also review your text for an example of a correctly formatted MLA paper. Use 12 pt. standard font, such as Times Roman or Ariel, on all assignments. Read the link on the homepage under “Lecture Notes” on “Format for English Papers” for more information.

It is expected that you have learned proper grammar, sentence structure, syntax, and punctuation in English 101. Use a handbook or CompClass to check these before you submit an assignment. Present work that is neat, carefully proofread, and correctly formatted.  Practice proper paragraph structure - indention, a topic sentence that presents the paragraph’s main idea, sentences in the paragraph body that develop the topic sentence with concrete details, data, facts, and examples, and a concluding sentence.

NOTE:  Failure to follow these format guidelines may result in your paper being returned without an evaluation.Your assignments are outlined in detail on Web Campus. Go to the homepage and click on the appropriate learning module for assignments.

Professionalism in Writing: This course is a professional setting, and every message you send in such a setting needs to be clear, concise, and checked for

spelling and grammar. An infrequent mistake is understandable, but if your email messages and postings are continually difficult to read, this will affect your final grade. Your writing reflects the quality of your thinking. Every message you send has the potential to elicit a reaction from your reader. Give careful consideration to how you want your readers to perceive you. When readers in a professional setting see documents with improper syntax, poor grammar, and misspellings, this affects how seriously readers will take the writer.

Do not assume that because email and discussion postings can be written quickly that they can be sloppy. Use correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation for all of your e-mail correspondence. Use the HTML editor on all of your email messages and check them for spelling using the “ABC” icon before you send your message.

Point of View: In academic writing, use the third-person point of view (he, she, it, or they). If you are writing about a personal experience, it is permissible to use first-person point of view (I), but use this sparingly and only when it adds to your paper. Do not use second-person point of view (you) in academic writing. Also, avoid using contractions in academic papers.

Comp Class:

Conducting research and communicating your results are major components of this class. The Comp Class website provides exercises to help you with various stages of the research process, as well as exercises to help you improve your particular writing challenges, and assignments will be due each week from the website. You will complete the assignment and send it through the Comp Class website. Due dates for exercises will be posted on the Comp Class Website.

A subscription to CompClass can be purchased online at this address:

<http://courses.bfwpub.com/yourcompclass/get-started.php>

Once you get to this page, scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Comp Class without E-book” and “Purchase Access.” The cost is less than $20 and a subscription will last for one year.

It is best to purchase your subscription online, as we had some issues with the cards purchased last semester from the GBC bookstore. (This was not the bookstore’s fault, but the software publisher’s).

 Attendance:

Checking the course Website at least four times a week is expected. Failure to stay current with assignments is grounds for being dropped from the class. Assignments are often due every day of the week, except for Sunday.

You must complete every essay assignment in order to pass this course. 

There is a due date for each assignment. You must submit assignments through the appropriate assignment drop box by the due date.

 Withdraws:  If you must withdraw from the course for any reason, it is your responsibility to do so by the deadline. If you fail to withdraw, your instructor will issue an “F” as your final grade.  

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Academic dishonesty is defined as an act of deception in which a student claims credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work. Academic dishonesty is a violation of the GBC Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated in this class. Any evidence of academic dishonesty/plagiarism in this course will result in a failing grade on the assignment and/or a failing grade for the course. You should be aware that at other schools you will risk failing courses and potential suspension/expulsion for academic dishonesty, which is considered a very serious offense. If you are ever uncertain about your use of another person's work (ideas, language, data, etc.), you must come to see me about it.

Acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

CHEATING--unauthorized copying or collaborating on a test or assignment, or the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials;

TAMPERING--altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents;

FABRICATION--falsifying experimental data or results, inventing research or laboratory data or results for work not done, or falsely claiming sources not used;

PLAGIARISM--representing someone else's words, ideas, artistry, or data as one's own, including copying another person's work (including published and unpublished material, and material from the Internet) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one's own;

ASSISTING--assisting another student in an act of academic dishonesty, such as taking a test or doing an assignment for someone else, changing someone's grades or academic records, or inappropriately distributing exams to other students.

In this era of the Internet, it is always tempting to use others' ideas and words from the vast resources on the available on-line. Do not give in to this temptation unless you are willing to cite your sources completely. Remember, if you found something on the Internet, chances are I can find it too.

Safe Assign:  You will submit some assignments to a plagiarism prevention Website called Safe Assign. You will have the opportunity to revise your paper to correct problems with citations. If any portion of a paper or assignment that is submitted for the final submission is found to be plagiarized, it will result in failure of the course. 

Student Conduct Policy

Students are expected to follow the Student Conduct Policy for students in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) outlined in the Great Basin College Catalog. Students will specifically be held accountable for behaving in a civil and respectful manner toward other students and the professor in their classroom and online communications such as e-mail messages, discussion postings, and written assignments.

The college catalog states, “Messages, attitudes, or any other form of communication deemed to be outside the bounds of common decency/civility as judged by common standards of classroom behavior (determined, as they would be in a regular classroom, by the instructor) will not be tolerated” (29).

Pay particular attention to those last four words. Any student who behaves rudely to another student or to me will be dropped immediately. During the first week of class, students will be required to sign an acknowledgement that they have read the Academic Integrity Policy and Student Conduct Policy and understand that they will be dropped from the class for violating it.

Confidentiality:  The English Department respects the policy that your grades are your and your instructor’s business only.  However, during the semester, student writing will be shared with peers and/or Writing Center tutors for revision purposes and may be publicly displayed.  This is an integral part of the college writing program.  If you have comments concerning this policy, please make them known to me during the first week of the course. 

Grading Policy

 The final grade for the course is based on completion of all assignments.  If you do not complete all writing requirements, you will not pass the class! No exceptions!  Assignments that are turned in past the due date will not be accepted, and you will receive a grade of “0” for that assignment. 

Your final grade is based on the following assignments:         

Assignment Points   Syllabus Quiz 25Journal Article Analysis (2) 40 pts.

eachBrainstorming for a Research Topic and Preliminary Research Question

15

Research Question 15Punctuation of Academic Titles 20Focused Research Interview with GBC Librarian 25

Quizzes 15 - 20 pts. each

Confirmation of Field Research Interview 10Clarification Project 100Summary of Field Research Interview 25

Informative Project Research Proposal

15020

Formal Sentence Outline 50Annotated Bibliography 50

Final Research Project 250Safe Assign submissions 20 points

eachStatistics Book Assignments 10 points

eachComp Class Website assignments are not added to the total number of points. Completion of Comp Class assignments will be figured into the final grade.

10-50 points each

Pluses and minuses may be figured into the final grade. In order to receive full credit, an assignment must:

1)   be turned in on time and follow proper format2)   be complete and well thought out3)   reflect academic, college-level work/writing4)   incorporate critical thinking5)   meet the requirement for minimum number of words6)   adhere to MLA standards for formatting and documentation 

See “Grading Criteria for English 102 Papers” for more detailed information:

..\Assignments\grading criteria for English 102.htm

How to Succeed in this Class:

Purchase and read the required texts Complete all assigned writing and reading on time Stay current with all reading assignments Participate in and complete all class work Participate in peer critique assignments conscientiously (we may have a peer review for some essays) Use the correct format for submitting your work

Accommodations:  GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities.  An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students.  Please contact the Student Services Office in Elko at 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations. 

This is your class.  If you have any concerns, academic problems, or need special assistance, please discuss all matters with me as soon as you can. If you have further concerns, see the current GBC Catalog.

Learner Outcomes (SEE DETAILS BELOW)

Measurement

Communication Skills Completed Research Paper; evaluated according to attached rubric

Analyze statistical content of article

Written statistical analysis; evaluated with attached rubric, esp. #4, 8, 9

Collect and evaluate information from Internet sources

Written report and ranking of websites; rubric for website evaluation

Develop hypothesis, gather data, draw conclusions, present conclusions in written format

Written essay evaluated with attached rubric, esp. # 4, 8, 9

Analyze, differentiate roles of individuals in society; describe divergent attitudes, values and beliefs; synthesize ideas from reading and thinking to create new text

Written essay evaluated with attached rubric, esp. # 4, 8, 9

Communicates and expresses thoughts fluently and expressively

Written essay evaluated with attached rubric, esp. # 8, 10, 11

This course fulfills a General Education requirement.Learner Outcomes: General Education and English 102 1. Communication SkillsWritten CommunicationStudents who complete general education courses will demonstrate the ability to use written communication skills in the following ways. 

Choose essay/paper format appropriate to audience and purpose. Choose diction and style appropriate to audience and purpose. Integrate evidence, examples, and details to support the central idea or thesis of the text. Develop coherent and effective paragraphs. Use standard edited English and the documentation style appropriate to the discipline.

 Accessing InformationStudents who complete General Education courses will demonstrate the ability to access information. 

Collect information from electronic, print and live sources Evaluate the validity of the information Organize information into usable format Document sources of information

 Reading SkillsStudents who complete General Education courses will

Adjust reading speed according to genre, difficulty of text, and reading purpose. Recognize functions of various selections of text, i.e. offering evidence to support a point Identify the purpose of the author as presented in a text Summarize and /or paraphrase main points Define vocabulary

Identify and explain cultural codes in texts Create new text which integrates and synthesizes pre-existing knowledge and knowledge gained from

reading in the writing of new texts (papers, essays, and the like) Measurement of learner outcomesAll English 102 students produce a research paper which fulfills the above standards. Research papers are assessed using a standard rubric developed by the English department; the rubric is attached to the syllabus (rubric numbers 1 – 11). 2.  Critical Thinking Quantitative Ability 

Identify problems that require mathematical solutions

Apply appropriate mathematical operations to problems and achieve correct solutions

Measurement of learner outcomes Read How to Lie With Statistics and analyze the statistical content of an article chosen from a current

publication, applying such concepts as the base for calculating percentages, calculation of mean, median and mode averages, and size of sample.

 Reasoning and Independent Thought 

Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of multiple sources in synthesis exercises and to identify connections between the theses they are developing and those of their sources.

Measurement of learner outcomesIn synthesis assignments, students must create clear theses and utilize opposing arguments to strengthen their own positions. The writing rubric is used to assess these assignments. Scientific Understanding 

Apply the scientific method to problem solving and understanding, and to utilize the results to make predictions and analyze the implications and consequences.

 Measurement of learner outcomesStudents apply the scientific method by developing a hypothesis, gathering supporting data, drawing conclusions, and presenting those conclusions in a research format. A writing rubric is used to assess the resulting paper (4, 8, 9). 3.  Personal and Cultural Awareness 

Analyze and differentiate the roles of individuals in society, and describe divergent attitudes, values and beliefs in society.

 Measurement of learner outcomesStudents choose topics in which they have an interest and explore multiple perspectives from sources on that topic. Students’ writing responds to what others think and believe; this writing must demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives of others. Students must also synthesize ideas from their reading and thinking to create a new text which displays their own ideas. A writing rubric is used to assess the resulting paper (4, 8, 9). 4. Personal Wellness 

Explain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors which promote personal well-being. Measurement of learner outcomesSelf-expression is one of the most important aspects of personal wellness. It empowers students to succeed in academic endeavors as well as in the workplace and social settings. Accurate and fluent self-expression is evaluated through a writing rubric attached to each student paper (8, 10, 11). 5. Technological Understanding 

Use basic computer technology competently in current applications. Measurement of learner outcomes

Students demonstrate the ability to use word processing programs to produce accurately formatted papers. Students access and evaluate sources for research papers through library databases and the Worldwide Web. Proficiency is evaluated through an appropriate writing rubric (2, 3, 4).

RESEARCH  WRITING EVALUATION FORM (Sample) 

Minimum Standard Requirements

 An essay receiving an evaluation of “unacceptable” in any of these first four areas is considered unfinished and receives no grade.

  

 

 

Excellent

25 points

 

 

 

 

Good

20 points

 

 

 

 

Adequate

15 points

 

 

 

 

Weak

10 points

 

 

 

 

Unacceptable

0 points

 

(1) The essay uses the conventions of standard edited English (spelling, punctuation, grammar, paragraphing, etc.).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) The essay’s format and presentation follow the specifications of MLA format (typed with standard margins, fonts, correct parenthetical references, Works Cited page, etc).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3) The essay’s sources (whether primary or secondary sources) and the use of those sources are appropriate for college writing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4) The essay completes the assignment specified by the instructor, and the writer uses the required number of scholarly sources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(5) The essay explores a complicated idea regarding the topic and clearly shows what insight the writer gained from his or her research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6) The essay presents a sound argument. There are no errors in logic or reasoning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

(7) The essay is well-organized, focused, and unified with well-developed paragraphs. The author makes specific connections between the supporting arguments and the thesis. All points clearly support the thesis.

 

 

 

(8) The writer takes a scholarly approach to the topic. Voice and tone are appropriate for academic writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9) The essay critiques the use of statistics relating to the topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(10 The essay shows originality and creativity in realizing #5-9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Overall Evaluation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accessing Your Comp Class for This Course

You are required to purchase access to Comp Class for this course. Comp Class is an online learning space that integrates an interactive writing handbook, tutorials, and a number of other study aids.

1.) A subscription to CompClass can be purchased online at this address:

<http://courses.bfwpub.com/yourcompclass/get-started.php>

2.) Once you get to this page, scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Comp Class without E-book” and “Purchase Access.” The cost is less than $20 and a subscription will last for one year.

3.) You will be prompted to follow the on-screen instructions to find your course. You will start by selecting the school's state/province, the school name, then your instructor, course, and/or section. There are several courses and sections under Professor Bentley’s name. Be sure to find the right course and section. (English 102 – Summer 2011)

4.) Purchase the subscription using a credit card. You will also be asked to enter your email address, choose a password and you will be ready to go.

If you have any trouble during the registration process, please call 1-800-936-6899 or email the textbook publisher at techsupport@bfwpub.com.

Instructions for students who used Comp Class in Professor Bentley’s English 101 classes:

1.) Point your browser to http://courses.bfwpub.com/everydaywriter4e.php

2.) Click on "Need to Switch Courses?” in the left-hand box by the “login” button.

3.) Follow directions for enrolling in English 102. Your subscription from last semester should still be active.

If you have any trouble during the registration process, please call 1-800-936-6899 or email them at techsupport@bfwpub.com.

There is a link to the login for CompClass on our course homepage. You may also copy this link onto your desktop.

If you are still not sure how to access CompClass, follow this link to a video about registration:

http://courses.bfwpub.com/yourcompclass/resources/CompClass_Students_Getting%20Access%20to%20CompClass_final.htm

Tentative

Assignments are subject to change before the class begins 

 English 102 Online Assignment Schedule WRP refers to your textbook, Writing Research Papers. Huff refers to How to Lie with Statistics.

Always check for correct MLA documentation in Ch. 14 or Writing Research Papers before you cite a source or write a Works Cited entry.

Assignment details and due dates appear on your WebCampus course calendar and in the Assignment Drop Box. Dates below are subject to change.

Find the Learning Module for each week by first going to the course homepage. Click on the icon for the week.

Check the Comp Class Website at the beginning of each week. You will have assignments due on the Comp Class Website every week.

Week 1 (July 5 – July 9)

Tuesday: 

Read the entire syllabus and be sure that you understand all of this information.

Using your username and password, log on to Comp Class and complete the first assignments.

Read WRP 1-38 and begin reading the articles for the Journal Article One Analysis folder.

Read the lecture in this week’s Learning Module Get a GBC Library card no later than this Friday 

        Due: Submit the Syllabus Quiz through WebCampus no later than 11:55 p.m.

Due: Quiz 1

Wednesday:

Read WRP 39-106 and Appendix B. Read Huff 7-26.

Begin reading articles for Journal Analysis 1.

        Due: Quiz 2

Read: Brainstorming a Research Topic

 Thursday:

        Read WRP 107-131 and Huff 27-36. EW Read Journal Article Two.

Due: Library Tutorial

Due: Quizzes 3 a and b

 Friday:

Due: Journal Article Analysis 1

Saturday:         Due: Comp Class Assignments due

Week 2 (July 11 – July 16)

Monday:

Read WRP 94-106 and 132-151.

Read Journal Article Two articles.

Read the lecture in this week’s Learning Module.

Work on Comp Class assignments for this week.

        Due: Quiz 4

Due: Brainstorming a research topic

Tuesday:

        Read: Huff 37-65 and WRP 169-193.

        Due: Quiz 5

Due: Research Question

        Due: Confirmation of Field Research Interview Appointment due.

 Wednesday:

        Read: Huff 74-86.

Draft and proofread Clarification Project.

        Due: Quiz 6

Thursday: Work on Clarification Project

Due: Quiz 7

Due: Journal Article Two Analysis

Saturday:

Due: Clarification Project Final Draft Due

        Due: Complete Focused Research Interview with GBC Librarian

        Due: Comp Class assignments due              

Week 3 (July 18- 23)

Monday:

        Read WRP 194-212, Appendix A, and Review pp. 213-38. Read Huff 87-99.

        Read the lecture in this week’s Learning Module.

        Due: Quiz 8

        Due: Interview summary

Tuesday:

        Review WRP pp. 239-281.

Work on Informative Essay this week

        Due: Quiz 9

Wednesday:

        Review WRP 282-309

       Due: Research Paper Proposal

Due: Quiz 10

Thursday:

Due: Quiz 12

Saturday:

Due: Informative Essay

Due: Comp Class Assignments due Saturday

Week 4 (July 25 – July 30)

Monday:

Read the lecture in this week’s Learning Module.

Read WRP 153 – 168.

Due: Quiz 13

Due: Sentence Outline for final project

Tuesday:

Due: Quiz 14

Thursday:

Due: Annotated Bibliography

Comp Class assignments due Saturday

Week 5 (August 1 – August 5)

Monday - Wednesday:

Work final draft of research project

Thursday:

Polish and proofread final draft

Friday:

Final Research Project due