ENGL 3000: Professional Considerations
for English Majors

Fall 2009

Section A01
TR 4-4:50  LA 102

Syllabus in printable pdf format

Christa Albrecht-Crane, Ph.D.

url: http://research.uvsc.edu/albrecht-crane

email: christaa@uvu.edu

office: LA 126F

office hours: TR 10-11; other days/times by appointment

office phone: 863-6286

Required Text

Tim Lemire, I'm an English Major--Now What? Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 2006. ISBN 3531310992.

Course Description

This course introduces students to the English major at UVSC.  It discusses various career and educational choices that are applicable to an English major.  It also guides students regarding self-assessment and areas of interest within English studies.  The course is structured around lectures, discussions, guest speakers, and student involvement.

Course Goals

At the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Discuss the differences between creative writing, technical writing, literary studies, and English education emphases
2. Identify various career tracks available to students with an English major
3. Analyze their own areas of interest in the field of English studies
4. Communicate with local professionals who use English studies in their careers
5. Begin preparing for a future utilizing an English degree

Course Requirements

Attendance: 

Attendance is required. 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 three 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. The participation grade will be based on the following elements: (1) you arrive on time; (2) you participate actively in class discussion; (3) you have read assigned readings; and (4) you exhibit a respectful and positive attitude towards your peers and the class in general.  

Required Writing:

 A. Career Research Paper

This paper (5 pages), due at the end of class, will focus on an ideal career path a student wants to pursue. Outside sources and one industry interview must be part of the research included in this paper. Papers must use MLA documentation style correctly. Please refer to this handout for more information.

B. Reading Responses

A 350-500 word essay (about 1-1.5 pages), due on the days indicated in the schedule below. The essay will be a brief summary and--primarily--a response to the week's reading. Consider using the paper to pose questions you have about the week's reading and to gauge your interest in the professional and academic paths you might take following graduation. Reading responses cannot be made up in case of an absence.

Class Grading:

You must complete all class assignments in order to receive a passing grade.  The course grade will be determined based on the following components:

Deadlines:

Writing assignments are due in class at the start of the period on the date indicated on the weekly schedule. Generally, I do not accept late work unless a student faces a real emergency. In the event that I accept late work, I reserve the right to reduce its grade in relation to its lateness—with the minimum penalty of one full letter grade for each day the paper is late.

Reading and Assignment Schedule

(green indicates the days Seniors need to attend class; white is for Beginning English Majors; yellow are days that ALL students have to attend)

Information about technical writing:

• "Getting a Technical Writing Job, even if You Have no Experience"

• "A Career in Technical Writing"

• 2007 Salary Database in Technical Writing

• Article, "The Technical Writing Internship"

• Technical Writing Internships
   

Information about the Job Market (for Senior Roundtable):

• http://careers.utah.edu/careers/WHOG/English.pdf

• http://careers.utah.edu/careers/majors/Humanities/english.htm

• http://www.utahnonprofits.org/index.php

Additional Class Concerns

Course Calendar:

Students are responsible for reading and keeping up with the weekly course calendar. Please be aware that this schedule is tentative and that it might be changed as we go along. It is your responsibility to make note of such changes when they are announced in class. 

Final Exam:

Students are required to complete a final exam assignment during the scheduled final exam period. Details about the exam will follow in class.

Students with Disabilities:

Academic Dishonesty:

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.

This syllabus may be changed to accommodate the needs of the students or the instructor.

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