ENGLISH 1010 Syllabus

College Writing 1 http://research.uvu.edu/mortensen/1010

Your Professor

I'm Lee Ann Mortensen and I have an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Utah.  Though I have written in a variety of genres, I primarily focus on neo- postmodern, sort of minimalist prose/fiction that focuses on marginalized voices in the West. Click here to read my sometimes upsetting, angry, funny, four-letter-word work (that means it isn't everything for everyone). I've been published in journals like Ploughshares, River Styx and Prism International.

OFFICE: Liberal Arts room 114B (the metrosexual)
HOURS : TTR 10:30-11:20AM, and I am available after 5:30PM by appointment. 
PHONE: 801-863-8785
E.MAIL: mortenle@uvu.edu.

Course Overview

You might think experienced writers have a magic gift, but what they really have is an awareness of some important writing concepts.  For instance, experienced writers know that a writing project often begins with an interesting question or problem (often an impossible-to-solve dilemma), and a desire to think deeply about that problem's complexity.  This is sometimes the hardest thing for new writers to learn.  Experienced writers also know that complex dilemmas are usually more interesting to read about (especially for college audiences) than mere vitriol (if you don't know this word, practice being an experienced writer and look it up).  Experienced writers know readers want to be at least a little bit surprised as they read, which often means the writer also has to be open to surprise--as Robert Frost says, "No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader" (Preface to Collected Poems, 1939).  Experienced writers know there are many rhetorical strategies (look up "rhetoric" or see your Bedford glossary) that can be used to appeal to (or enrage, or entertain, or explain, or persuade, or even "merely" inform) diverse audiences.  Experienced writers also know there are many different processes that lead them into a "final" draft, including reading other authors to learn from their styles or their ideas (and reading multiple connotations between the lines helps), talking in groups to hear a wider range of opinions, freewriting to help see more complexly what they really think, researching to find out what knowledgeable (and not so knowledgeable) experts are saying, writing a detailed draft with exploration in mind, getting feedback on the writing to see how they can improve, and a lot of revision.  In this general education writing class, you'll be doing all of these things, and you'll become a more critical thinker, and educated person, in the process.  

Because you should know grammar by now (or know how to find out about it), we focus mostly on the other processes of writing.  If you feel you are not grammatically ready for this course, please take English 095 or 098 for grammar basics.  If you feel you are overly ready for this course, please go to the College Testing Center and take the English CLEP test, and there are many Internet sections of this course available as well at http://www.UVU.edu/disted/.

Once you have earned a passing grade for this course, you will then go on to take second semester College Writing II, English 2010 (humanities) or 2020 (sciences), which will be a deepen your ability to read and use sources in your writing. 

Texts and Other Required Expenses

• Wysocki, Anne Frances and Dennis A. Lynch. The DK Handbook. Pearson, Longman: New York. 2009.
  

• The Internet:  We will have readings and lectures available as links from the course calendar that you must be able to access.  A computer with the Internet and E.mail, either at home or on campus, is thus required (all of you can use the Open Lab computers in SC 116; SB101; SC215; LI100).  Go to the Center for Student Computing Web site for more information at http://www.uvu.edu/studentcomputing/openlabs/.
  

• The Library: they have books and films on reserve, as well as extensive on-line databases for your assignments and researching requirements.

• A good dictionary, preferably one you will bring to class each day and use every time you don't know a word.  You can also use the on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary if you are always sitting by a computer when you read.
  

• A dedicated place where "journal" entries can be kept which will include freewrites, brainstorms, research notes, analytical notes etc.  I will check journal work off during class or via email the day it is due.
  

• A method for making coherent file backups of EVERYTHING!
  

• Xeroxes of your essays for peer review groups (you may be copying 4-30 drafts of your writing sometimes for small groups, and sometimes for the entire class to workshop).
  

• Time.  The general rule for the amount of time needed to complete homework outside of a college class at an average, passing level (that means a C) is two hours of homework for every single hour of class.  In other words, each week we spend three hours in class, so EXPECT to use at least six hours of your week writing and reading and doing research for English 1010.  Some students may require much more time than this.
  

• Photocopy Fee:  All students in English 1010, 2010, and 2020 classes are assessed a $1.00 photocopying fee upon registration. These fees allow students to receive approximately twenty copies each per semester (in addition to syllabi and tests). You will receive handouts and exercises during the course of this class that amount to the twenty copies you are allotted.
  

• IF WE MEET IN A COMPUTER LAB, you will also pay a $13 fee for the maintenance of the lab and printing. $1 has already been assessed for photocopying..  
  

• Handouts (usually on-line via the course calendar may be given as needed (part of your course fee already pays for handouts).

Grading

1. UVU Grading Guidelines - see UVU policy by clicking here.

2. Graded Activities - Along with completing assigned readings, you will keep your written work to include in a final portfolio that demonstrates your overall improvement as a writer, a critical thinker, and a researcher. This porfolio will contain:

• Self-Reflective Essay (50 pts)
• Assessment Essay (ungraded, but worth 50 pts)
• Problematizing Critical Essay (100 pts)
• Exploratory Research Essay (150 pts)

As a way to help you with the above essays, you will also complete the following shorter assignments (see the course calendar for details):

These points and assignments are subject to change.

Your grade for the course is determined by how many points you get out of the total.  Each assignment builds on the previous one, and there are not a huge amount of total points, so missing even one assignment can make your grade go down drastically.  Sometimes I require revisions of main essays for better grades, but if you have a dispute about a graded assignment, you are allowed to write me a three page, double-spaced, logical justification for why you believe you deserve a better grade.

3. Attendance - Because this class relies on writing and critical thinking demonstrations, in-class computer activities, group discussions, peer review workshops, attendance is extremely important.  

IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 5 CLASS PERIODS, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY FAIL THIS COURSE.  

If you are late more than 3 times, or if you leave very early more than 3 times, this will count as one of your three allowed absences.  Because you are allowed to miss three class periods, explanations for absences or lateness are not required or desired before, during, or after class.  Just be aware that even if you only miss 3 classes, your grade will suffer.  

If you do miss class, consult with a responsible class mate afterward to see what you missed.

If you miss a peer review/workshop day, you will automatically have 40 points deducted from your total.  If you are bothered by this policy, you are allowed to write me a five page, double-spaced, logical justification for why you believe this is an unfair practice.

3. Handing Work In ON TIME - For any assignments handed in or E. Mailed late, you will lose 5 points off your total score.  Obviously, this can add up and cause your grade to drop no matter what kind of writer or thinker you are.

4. Final Exam - Exams cannot be completed early.

5. NO CELL PHONES or MP3 players (no ear buds) etc.--if I tell you to put away your other digital items (like a computer), please close them.

Other Course Rules

1. Computer Usage - In this class, you are expected to use computers to access this course Web site, course calendar  (sec. 19; sec. 49), and E. Mail, as well as do quick research for our essays, write and revise.  You are also required to word process most of your writing assignments (this does not usually include your journal).  I can help you with some computer skills if you come see me during office hours, and you can always ask for help in the CSC open labs (SC 116; SB101; SC215; LI100).

2. Read Your E. Mail - Please check your E. Mail on a regular basis for important information, updates, questions, and clarifications from me.  Your on-campus UVLink email is at https://uvlinx.uvu.edu/lumlogin/lumlogin.aspx . You can send me E. Mail at mortenle@uvu.edu.

3. Course Calendar - For this class, we have a Web-based course calendar which lists daily readings and assignments due before class, as well as a summary of in-class activities.  You are responsible for reading and keeping up with this Web calendar.  Be sure to ask questions about the calendar assignments before they are due!

4. Additional Writing Help - You can meet with me after setting up an appointment, or come to my office (see above).  You can always E. Mail me with questions at mortenle@uvu.edu.  You can also use the excellent UVU On-Line Writing Lab (OWL) for feedback on your essays, and for additional grammar tutoring.  Visit them at http://www.uvu.edu/owl. 

5. Being A True, Mature Learner - In my class you are a writer in a community of writers.  You are also a curious learner, and a thinker, and someone willing to seriously discuss issues and try new things.  Do not disrupt this writing and learning community with apathy, lack of preparation, chit chat, excuses, sleeping, overt inattentiveness, or bad attitude.  If you choose to mistakenly pretend you are in high school, I will immediately kick you out of my classroom and have you administratively dropped (in other words, as I said above, don't waste our time).

6. Students with Disabilities - If you have any disability which may impair your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the Accessibility Services Department (WB 146; 863-8747). Academic accommodations are granted for all students who have qualified disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the Accessibility Services Department.

*7. Respect and Maturity are absolutely necessary in college, and especially in an advanced, contemporary fiction and theory course.  I will assume you have learned seriousness and maturity already and treat you accordingly.

8. No cell phones should be visible during class (and that includes no earphones linking to your cell phone), and laptops must be used for note taking or reference only.

9. Remember, no children are allowed in classrooms at UVU--see the Wee Care center for day care information.

10. Final exams cannot be taken early.

 

Plagiarism

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism, or the use of others’ words or ideas without proper attribution, is an impediment to your education and to the educational mission of Utah Valley State College. Under the policy of the English and Literature Department of UVU, work that has been plagiarized must receive a failing grade. A distinction is made between unintentionally plagiarized work, which must be corrected in order to be considered for a passing grade, and intentional plagiarism, which will be forwarded to the Office of the Dean of Student Life as a disciplinary matter in accordance with UVU’s statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities. Evidence of intentional plagiarism will cause you to fail this course. Please refer to www.uvu.edu/courseinfo/engl/plagiarism_policy.html  to read the department’s full statement on plagiarism, and speak to your instructor if you have any questions about avoiding plagiarism.

Email Me with syllabus questions: mortenle@uvu.edu

Then start checking your daily assignments on our web calendar.

Copyright © Lee Ann Mortensen 2009

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