SYLLABUS FOR ENGLISH 101 005
English Composition I
Fall 2005, TR 11-12:15 p.m., PA 205

Instructor: Todd M. Bunnell
Phone: 241-6235
Office/Hours: 411 Reneau, MW 9 a.m.-Noon
E-mail address/website: tbunnell@muw.edu <www2.muw.edu/~tbunnell>

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
*The Writer's Selections, Fourth Edition
*Little, Brown Handbook
*A college dictionary
*Pocket folder

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
EN 101 stresses the elementary principles of logic and rhetoric that govern effective organization and presentation of ideas in writings. Minimal instruction in grammar and mechanics will be included, but the main emphasis is on appropriate limitation of topic and the development of a thesis in a unified, coherent piece of writing.

GOALS:
To develop stronger grammatical and mechanical skills
To help students limit topics and to create limited, coherent essays
To help students organize and structure thoughts in writing
To familiarize students with the process of writing
To familiarize students with the standard essay format
To develop critical thinking skills
To give students a broad knowledge of rhetorical patterns
To help students be prepared for written work that might be encountered in future college courses

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Each student will be required to write four papers consisting of 500-600 words each and one documented research paper (four-source minimum, 700 words). The final exam will be a 500 word, in-class essay. Students will also be expected to complete various in-class activities, homework, and unannounced quizzes which CANNOT be made-up. Each essay must be typed and double-spaced and submitted in a pocket folder. Late papers will be docked one letter grade for EACH DAY I have not received them. NO EXCEPTIONS!

METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be determined by the following:

*Four essays -- 50%
*Research paper -- 20%
*Final -- 25%
*In-class activities and quizzes -- 5%

NOTE: There are no D or F grades in EN 101. If the student's writing is below a "C" standard, a grade of "NC" (No Credit) will be given for the course. This will not affect the student's QPA.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is very important. Each student will be allowed to miss four (4) classes. On the fifth absence, the student will automatically receive a grade of NC for the course. You are responsible for being aware of your own absences. I will not notify you of the number of absences you have, but you are welcome to check with me. Note: There is no difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence. Also, please come to class on time and prepared. Excessive tardies will add up to an absence.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES:
1. Each theme must be typed and double-spaced.

2. No title page is needed. The front page should have, in the top left-hand corner:

Student's name
Bunnell
EN 101
Date

3. Any essay submitted must have a TITLE or it will be lowered one letter grade. Do not underline, bold, or put titles within quotation marks or in all caps. Also, try to be creative with your titles.

4. Always submit each essay in your collective class pocket folder. Any essay not submitted in a folder will be lowered one letter grade.

5. Before taking the exam, you must have, and present to me, your class pocket folder complete with ALL OF YOUR GRADED ESSAYS OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE FINAL!

6. Please turn off all cell phones before entering the classroom. If there is a special circumstance, notify me in advance.

7. You MUST submit photocopies of all sources used in your research paper. Failure to do so will result in the final draft being lowered one letter grade.

8. On peer response days, students are expected to come in with a complete rough draft and be prepared to analyze and discuss in both a written format and orally those rough drafts in small peer groups. The rough draft does not have to be typed.

9. Students will be expected to complete various in-class exercises as a class, in small groups, and individually. Those exercises will include discussion and analysis of both written and visual materials.

PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas or writing as your own without giving credit to that individual or source. A plagiarized composition will receive a zero, and under extreme cases, you may even receive a grade of NC for the course. Documentation (parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited) must be used when quoting an outside source. When in doubt, ask me!

DISABILITIES:
It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the instructor so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.

IMPORTANT DATES:
September 21 -- Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of WP/WF
October 19 -- Last day a course may be dropped
November 11 -- Last day to withdraw from the university

WEEK 1 (August 18) -- Introduction to course. Diagnostic.

WEEK 2 (August 23-25) -- Description and Narration discussion and class exercises. Group description and narration compilation. The Writing Process ("Essential Reading and Writing Skills,"1-21).

WEEK 3 (August 30-September 1) -- Pre-Writing. Brainstorming and Freewriting. Thesis discussion. Group thesis statement exercise.

WEEK 4 (September 6-8) -- Rhetorical pattern discussion: Exemplification and Comparison and Contrast.

WEEK 5 (September 13-15) -- Rhetorical pattern discussion continued: Cause and Effect and Definition.

WEEK 6 (September 20-22) -- Chapter 2 ("Events That Shape Our Lives," 60-99) and Chapter 4 ("Cultures That Shape Our Lives," 140-172) discussion.

WEEK 7 (September 27-29) -- Peer Response Groups. "Events/Culture" rough draft due. EVENTS/CULTURE THEME PAPER DUE. Chapter 5 ("Others Who Shape Our Lives,"173-204) discussion.

WEEK 8 (October 6) -- Grammar discussion.

WEEK 9 (October 11-13) -- Grammar quiz. Peer Response Groups. "Others" rough draft due. OTHERS THEME PAPER DUE. Chapter 6 ("Media That Shape Our Lives," 205-238) discussion.

WEEK 10 (October 18-20) -- Chapter 7 ("Technology That Shapes Our Lives, " 239-279) discusssion. Peer Response Groups. "Media/Technology" rough draft due.

WEEK 11 (October 25-27) -- MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY THEME PAPER DUE. Song Lyric Analysis discussion.

WEEK 12 (November 1-3) -- Song Lyric Analysis discussion continued. Peer Response Groups. Song Lyric Analysis rough draft due.

WEEK 13 (November 8-10) -- SONG LYRIC ANALYSIS PAPER DUE. Begin research paper discussion.

WEEK 14 (November 15-17) -- Research paper discussion continued.

WEEK 15 (November 22) -- Conferences. Annotated Bibliography Due.

WEEK 16 (November 29-December 1) -- Oral presentations. RESEARCH PAPER DUE. Review.