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Course Information:

ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing    Summer 09   LA 113     MWF 8:45-10:25
Instructor: Christa Albrecht-Crane, Ph.D.
Office: LA 126f
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:15-1:15, and by appointment
Office Phone: 801.863.6286
Email: christaa@uvu.edu
Web: http://research.uvsc.edu/albrecht-crane/

Short Syllabus in PDF format

Course Objectives and Goals:

English 1010 emphasizes, in writing intensive workshops, basic college knowledge and skills. This course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to help you become a competent, confident reader, thinker, and writer in college and beyond.  Expect to read with care and attention, to engage in whole-class and group discussions, to write frequently, and to share that writing with your peers--both informally during class activities and formally during peer workshops. Everything we do in this course is to help you grow as a critical thinker and as a writer. This course focuses on the following elements of good writing:

Rhetorical Knowledge:

• develop an awareness of purpose, audience, and genre

• understand the rhetorical potential and appropriateness of closed-form and open-form prose

• use conventions of format, structure, and style appropriate to a given rhetorical situation

Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing:

• learn to think  beyond assumptions and consider multiple, diverse points of view

• understand writing as a process that required time, careful thought, and multiple drafts

• learn to locate and evaluate both print and electronic sources

• develop the ability to incorporate effectively information from outside sources into your own writing

• become a better reader and learn to critique effectively your own and others' work

Knowledge Conventions:

• learn conventions of the academic essay (introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, conclusion, transitions, etc.)

• become familiar with style conventions (MLA) in order to accurately and responsibly document sources of research

• minimize surface errors (grammar, punctuation, mechanics)

Course Text:

Ruszkiewicz, John J. How to Write Everything: A Guide and Reference. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. (purchase this book at UVU bookstore)

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Small group activities and class discussion will be emphasized. Research shows that what occurs during class is an important part of the learning process so your attendance is necessary. If you miss class, talk to a classmate or two and get their notes, then talk to me if you have specific questions about what we covered.  Excessive absences (more than two) will lower your grade. Missing more than four classes will result in your failure of the class. Attendance will be taken at the start of every class period, and late arrivals and early departures will count against you. 

Participation

Our class sessions will be structured almost exclusively around discussions.  In general, it will be more enjoyable for all of us (and you’ll do better) if you attend class regularly, do the required reading, and be prepared to discuss what we’ve read.  

In this course you are expected to be an active learner and to take responsibility for your work. Your participation/attendance grade will be affected if you miss class. I expect active participation in class discussions throughout the semester. “Heaping up” participation efforts one week in order to make up for low participation at other times will not help your overall score. In order to encourage as much participation from as many students as possible, I will make every effort to insure that everyone will be heard during our class discussions. I strongly discourage “fluff” contributions and disruptions. I reserve the right to penalize students who, in my judgment, make repeated and obvious efforts to undermine quality discussion and/or to bolster their participation score with irrelevant comments. 

Grading

If, at the end of this semester, you have earned a C in this class, it means you did what was minimally expected of you: you came to all classes and did all the work.  If you want a B or an A, you must not only come to all the classes and do all the work, but you must do the work with shining effort and attention.

You must complete all class assignments in order to receive a passing grade.  Full details about each assignment can be found under "assignments" on this web page. 

Classroom Etiquette

Cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. are to be turned off before you come to class. Refrain from using your cell phone for text messaging at all times while you're in class.  f this section meets in the computer classroom, I insist that during class time students do not check and respond to personal email and/or instant messaging services. In addition, please do not use laptops during class time. Class members should treat each other with respect and a productive attitude.
 

Students with Disabilities

If you have any disability impairing your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the Accessibility Services Department (room BU-145).  Academic Accommodations are granted for all students who have qualified documented disabilities.  Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the Accessibility Services Department.

Academic Honesty

The Statement from the UVSC “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Code“ reads: “Each student is expected to maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms, including but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism, and fabrication as defined hereafter.” 

With respect to this particular class plagiarism refers to knowingly copying another person’s work or ideas and calling them one’s own or not giving proper credit or citation.  This covers copying sections or entire papers from printed or electronic sources as well as handing in papers written by students for other classes or purchasing academic papers.  Plagiarism and cheating are not only dishonest but they cheat you out of learning.  You must submit your own work in this course.

The consequences for academic dishonesty are grave.  The penalty for a first offense in an F for the assignment; a second offense means that you fail the course and will be reported to the Department Chair and to Student Advising.  If you have any questions about plagiarism, please talk to me.

Contacting Me

I encourage you to visit my office, whether it is to address a specific concern or simply chat about the course. If you cannot meet during my office hours, I am happy to schedule another time to meet with you but you will need to talk to me ahead of time. 

The best way to contact me outside of office hours is through e-mail. You may call me at my office during office hours.