English 105

Freshman Composition

930-1020 MWF BLC 17

Fall 2005

Jeffrey W. Timmons, Ph.D.

Graybeal Hall G6

jtimmons@vwc.edu

www.vwc.edu/~jtimmons

757.455. 3390.

Office Hours: MW 12-100, TTH 10-1130, 130-300, and by appt.

 

Course Description:   An intensive introduction to several forms of college writing and to the critical thinking and research skills essential to producing them.  This course requires the completion of a portfolio that meets standardized requirements and is judged proficient by an outside reader.  Students must meet individually with the instructor at least seven times during the semester to discuss their writing.

 

Required Texts:         

Ramage, John D, John C. Bean, and June Johnson.  The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing. 4th ed.  New       York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2006.

Cometbus, Aaron.  Double Duce.  San Francisco: Last Gasp of San Francisco, 2003.

 

Course Requirements:           Three Final Portfolio Essays:                 375pts

                                                Short Writing Assignments                    200pts

                                                Two Writing Exams:                             100pts

                                                Four On Time Submissions:                  100pts

                                                Four Peer Reviews:                              100pts                         

                                                Attendance:                                          75pts

                                                Quizzes:                                                50pts

                                                Participation (questions/comments)        50pts Potential Extra Credit

           

Grading Scale for Final Grades: A = 950pts; A‑ = 900; B+ = 875; B = 850; B‑ = 800; C+ = 775; C = 750; C‑ = 700; D+ = 675; D = 650; D‑ = 500; and F = anything below the D‑ grade. 

 

Portfolio: SAVE ALL YOUR WRITING FOR THE SEMESTER, as you will be submitting it as a portfolio at the end of the semester.  In lieu of a final exam, you must submit a writing portfolio that contains the short writing assignments, the exams, the three major essays, and a cover letter.  The portfolio is read by another member of the English department who determines whether your written work is proficient to pass the course or not. If not, you must register for English 105 again in the following semester.  If you do pass, register for a 200-level English course no later than your sophomore year.

 

Conferences: You must complete at least seven conferences with me during the semester.  All conferences must be completed by December 1. 

 

Attendance: You cannot miss more than SEVEN classes for any reason and pass this course.  Chronic lateness and/or early departures can constitute absences.  Your attendance grade is determined by the total number of classes missed: B= 2, C = 3, D = 4, F = 5 or more missed classes.  The student is responsible for any material and/or assignments missed during an absence.  It is highly advisable NOT to miss class on days that assignments are handed out or discussed—see the schedule below. 

 

Make-Up Exams: All exams must be completed on the day and time they are scheduled.  Unless arrangements are made in advance of a scheduled exam, no make-up exams are given. 

 

Quizzes: These are given during the first five minutes of class to those students who are present in class.  They can not be made up nor are they given to students who arrive late to class. 

 

Reading Load: You should plan to do a substantial amount of reading outside of class.  Since meet MWF, your reading load will be heavier over the weekends then during the week.  The reading load will also be heavier at the beginning of the semester, so be prepared and plan accordingly.

 

Late Work:  All assignments must be completed by their respective due dates.  Assignments submitted late suffer stiff penalties, and they are not guaranteed to be read or graded.  The Short Writing Assignments will not be accepted late at all. 

 

Completion: All assignments must be completed to pass this course.

 

Course Policies:  Students are responsible for knowing the course policies and responsibilities as they are stated in this syllabus.  The instructor reserves the right to revise the policies, schedules, and assignments contained herein.  Any changes are announced in advance.

 

Accommodations: Virginia Wesleyan College recognizes and is sensitive to students with special needs.  In accordance with Title 5, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the college provides reasonable accommodations based on appropriate and recent medical or other documentation.  The student’s choice to use accommodations is voluntary, however the student must register with the Disabilities Coordinator, Fayne Pearson (455.3246, fpearson@vwc.edu).  Based on an evaluation of the student's documentation and discussion with the coordinator, reasonable accommodations are determined. Faculty are notified accordingly.

 

Plagiarism: Representing someone else’s work as your own constitutes grounds for failing this course.

 

Honor Code:  Students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the honor code found in the Student Handbook and Catalog.

 

 

Date

 

Topic

 

Reading

 

Due

Aug. 29

Introduction, Syllabus

Argument: Outline, Thesis (CCC)

Sample Essay (686-675)

Short Writing Assignment #1

 

 

 

 

31

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

In Class Assignment

Short Writing Assignment #2

5-7, 16-21, 47-54

Short Writing Assignment #1

Sept. 2

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

In Class Assignment

54-72

 

7

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

In Class Assignment

Essay Assignment #1

73-85, 91-92, 97-115

 

 

9

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

 

Short Writing Assignment #2

Conference #1

12

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

 

117-144

 

 

14

Discuss Rhetoric/Argument

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

Thesis

Short Writing Assignment #3

HO: Churchill

 

34-41

 

 

19

Discuss: Churchill, “The Ghosts of 9-1-1”

Summary

5-37

 

 

 

21

Discuss: Churchill, “The Ghosts of 9-1-1”

Critical Response

 

Short Writing Assignment #3

Conference #2

23

Discuss: Churchill, “The Ghosts of 9-1-1”

Integrating Sources and Citations i

 

643-652

 

26

Integrating Sources and Citations ii

Discuss Exam

Analyze Exam Questions

652-666

713-726

 

28

Exam: Churchill, “The Ghosts of 9-1-1”

Draft Format/Submission

 

 

 

30

Essay #1 Due: Text Analysis

Essay Assignment #2

Short Writing Assignment #4

Revision Assignment: Next Class

 

 

Essay #1

Conference #3

Oct. 3

Revision/Proof-Reading: Bring Essay #1

To Class

507-526

 

5

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

3-22

 

7

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

 

 

10

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

27-96

Short Writing Assignment #4

Conference #4

12

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

 

 

Holiday: Oct. 13

17

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

101-167

 

19

Discuss: Cometbus, Double Duce

 

 

 

21

Exam: Double Duce

Draft Format/Submission

 

 

 

24

Essay #2 Due: Literary Analysis

Essay Assignment #3 Topic Selection

Revision Assignment: Next Class

 

Essay #2

Conference #5

26

Revision/Proof-Reading: Bring Essay #2

To Class

Essay Assignment #3 (MLA)

527-541

 

 

28

Topic Discussion

Short Writing Assignment #5

 

 

31

Research

601-615, 624-631, 7-16, 22-38

 

Nov. 2

Sources/Purposes

Posing a Question Discussion/Group

Drafting Assignments

391-410, 440-444

 

4

Drafting Argument

 

 

7

Meet in Library

 

 

Conference #6

9

Drafting Thesis, Opening

 

 

11

Essay #3 Due: Documented Argument

Revision Assignment: Next Class

 

 

14

Revision/Proof-Reading: : Bring Essay #3

To Class

 

 

16

Revision/Proof-Reading: : Bring Essay #3

To Class

542-556

Essay #3

Conference #7

18

Revision/Proof-Reading: : Bring Essay #3

To Class

542-556

 

 

21

Drafting Conclusions

Revision

556-569

Holiday: Nov. 24

28

Grammar/Punctuation Review

 

 

30

Portfolio Cover Letter Assignment

727-742

All Conferences Must Be

Completed By Dec. 1

Dec. 2

Portfolio Assignment and Review: Bring All Portfolio Contents To Class

 

 

All Conferences Must Be Completed By Dec. 1

5

Portfolio Letter Due In Class

 

 

Portfolio Letter

7

Evaluations

Last Class Meeting: Portfolio Due

 

 

Portfolio