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English 250
General Course Policy
BEST Learning Community – Fall 2007
Instructor Information:
Bob Corey bccorey@iastate.edu
Office Hours: MWF
Office: Carver 334 Phone: 4-2378
Mailbox: 310 Carver
Course Materials:
Ishmael Daniel Quinn
The Future of Life Edward O. Wilson
Handbook
Supplemental readings provided by instructor
Professional journals-library
Overview:
This course is designed as a first-year introductory writing course. The focus of this class
is to show you the relationship between English and Biology. Through that focus, we will
explore the genre of argument, including the relationship between writer and audience,
and at the same time, learn to write, read, and think more critically and creatively. Your
tasks will include learning to develop topics through correct expression and logical
organization. Your critical reading will prepare you to analyze, not only an author’s
technique, style, and position, but also your own.
I hope that you will acquire the necessary writing and language skills to be successful in future
academic endeavors. Because this is a Biology Learning Community (BEST), the emphasis will be
on topics and discussions related to that field.
During this class, I use a type of Socratic method of teaching, which relies heavily on questions. Through
probing questions, I hope you will discover a means to explore and analyze ideas, investigate alternative
opinions, and examine diverse scenarios and situations in an attempt to stimulate thinking and class
discussion. The class relies heavily on discussion and exploration of ideas, and acceptance (or perhaps
tolerance) of a wide range of ideas and views (Yes, it’s true, all people just don’t think the same way –
imagine that!).
The course will be divided into three units:
Unit 1:Critical Reading: After your Skunk River Navy experience, the first part of the semester
will involve reading and discussing Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and The Future of Life by Edward
O. Wilson. These books, recommended by Dr. Colbert, will be referenced during both classes.
Dr. Colbert has also been a frequent visitor to class adding some great insights during our
discussions of the books. The readings and discussion will provide you topics for your papers.
Unit 2: Annotated Bibliography Scrapbook: The middle part of the semester will be devoted to
developing an Annotated Bibliography and Scrapbook. This project is research oriented and will
provide you an in-depth look at a topic of interest.
Unit 3: Reading in the Content Area: The last part of the semester will be devoted to articles and
essays related to the environment. You will read and answer questions about the readings, then
analyze the arguments presented. Based on your reading and analysis, you will then develop
papers on related topics.
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Objectives for the Class
 Examine topics through the genre of argument
 Learn to analyze your own and classmates’ written, oral, visual, and electronic
communication
 Develop time management skills as you refine the communication process
 Participate and provide meaningful contributions to class discussions
 Demonstrate growth as a communicator, reader, and thinker
 Recognize rhetorical strategies used by others to promote a particular position and adapt
those strategies to your own communication.
Expectations:
You may find this class challenging, at times difficult. You might even find it an enjoyable, learning
experience. However, in order for you to receive the benefits from the class and your classmates, you
must follow the 3 Ps: be present, be prepared and be a participant, all of which is part of being a student. I
expect you to make your best effort to complete the assignments on time and be involved in your
learning. Your work in this class and dedication to your learning are reflections of your commitment to
your education and intellectual development. I hope your work reflects a strong commitment.
In order to make the best use of class, please keep interruptions to a minimum so please turn off all
electronic devices (cell phones) and return your trays and seats to an upright and locked position. We’re
about to take off!
Attendance:
Responsibility for material presented in class is yours and yours alone; therefore, you are responsible for
finding out what material is covered in class if you are absent. In-class assignments, missed workshops, or
conferences cannot be made up and you will receive a 0 for that assignment, unless you have made prior
arrangements. If you know ahead of time that you will be gone, see me about the work and dates for when
the material is due. I expect you to attend every day, but I know that situations occur that may keep you
from attending. I will allow 4 absences without penalty (excluding the aforementioned conditions). 5 or
more absences will adversely affect your grade - your final grade will be lowered one full letter grade. If
you have more than 8 or more absences, passing the course may prove impossible.
Tardiness is a distraction and disrespectful to the class. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be
considered absent.
Grading:
Your grade in this course is based on your ability to correctly develop your talents related to
Context, Substance, Organization, Style, Delivery. I will provide a rubric, which will include the criteria I
look for when I grade your papers. If you have questions about these criteria, please address them early in
the semester.
 Late Papers/Assignments: Late assignments will receive one half credit unless
provisions have been made in advance of the due date. If I feel you are having a
problem with turning in late work, we will schedule a conference. Unforeseen events do
occur and cannot be planned for, however these are usually very rare (hen’s teeth rare). I
am an understanding and flexible person, but I don't want to hear about computer/printer
problems the day the paper is due. Being absent the day a paper is due is another popular
choice. Papers turned in after class, put in my mailbox, shoved under my office door, or
sent overnight from Tahiti will be considered late and given half credit. All other in-class
assignments that are late will receive a 0 (see attendance above).
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 Computer problems: These seem to have replaced the old “my dog ate my homework” routine.
If you think a problem may occur, plan ahead. Don’t wait until the morning of the due date to
print off your paper or any other assignment – Murphy’s Law usually hits about then.
 Paper Format: All papers will be word-processed and use APA format.
 What else to include: When you submit a final draft of your paper, you should include:
 The workshopped draft
 The final draft
 Photocopies of all resource material
 Workshop/peer review responses
All assignments should meet or exceed the requirements given for each assignment.
Assignments:
 You will have several major assignments that will include Written, Oral, Visual, and
Electronic communication this semester. There will also be two shared assignments with
Biology. Be sure to make copies of your work before it’s turned in.
 Topics for your papers may come from the readings you will be assigned.
 There will be numerous in-class assignments throughout the semester, which will be both
individual and collaborative. These assignments cannot be made up if missed, so attending
class regularly is important.
 Revision, not correction, of papers is encouraged and is an integral part of your grade. You
will have the opportunity to revise papers. Information will be handed out regarding my
revision policy.
 Reminder: Late papers will be marked down. Unless otherwise cleared by me, late papers
will automatically receive half credit, if they’re accepted at all. If turning in assignments late
becomes a habit, assignments will not be accepted and will receive an F. I hope we would
conference on this matter before it becomes a huge problem.
Plagiarism:
Don’t do it! Most students don’t cheat, but too many web sites like “SchoolSucks” are out there waiting
for the unwitting. You don’t wish to fail, and I don’t wish to fail you. I do hope you pass on your own
merits, not those of someone else. The policy regarding plagiarism can be found on the ISU website
(available to all) and I will follow that policy. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the policy. It is
in your best interests to go over the information
Readings:
The material presented in this class is critical for your understanding of the course and the type of
assignments you will work on. Though not all the material will be covered during class lectures
or discussions, you will be responsible for demonstrating knowledge of the material in your
assignments. There will also be several supplemental readings, which can be used as source
material for your writing.
Conferences
Conferences about your writing are critical to your continued improvement and growth. Conferences
provide me with insight into how you think about a topic and how you present that topic in writing.
Conferences also provide you an opportunity to refine your thinking and explain to me what is going on
inside your head about the topic. Conferences help us reach an understanding about each other and help
polish your paper before the due date. Conferences will be held throughout the semester and are an
important part of your grade. Sign-up sheets with dates and times will be made available, and you are
expected to attend all conferences.
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Shared Assignment with Biology – Draft a letter to your great grandchildren describing how the
ecology of central Iowa has changed over the past 150 years until the present time,
and how you expect the ecology of central Iowa to change from now until the time
your great grandchildren are entering college. You can find good overview if Iowa’s
ecology at: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/portrait/pdffiles/portrait.pdf
Shared Assignment with Biology – After reading Wilson’s Future of Life, submit a one-page book
report responding to one of the three questions described on page 2.
Writing Contest – I will hold a writing contest based on your Skunk River Navy experience. Awards
will be given for essay and poetry. More information will be given in class.
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English 250 – BEST Learning Community
Tentative Syllabus Fall 07
(As Dr. Colbert and I collaborate, due dates and shared assignments may change)
(1)Aug. 20-24
(2)Aug. 27-31
(3)Sept. 3-7
(4)Sept. 10-14
(5)Sept. 17-21
(6)Sept. 24-28
(7)Oct. 1-5
(8)Oct. 8-12
(9)Oct. 15-19
(10)Oct. 22-26
(11)Oct. 29-Nov.2
(12)Nov. 5-9
(13)Nov. 12-16
Nov. 19-23
(14)Nov. 26-30
(15)Dec. 3-7
(16)Dec. 10-14
Unit 1:
Shared Reading
Introductions; Syllabus and Course
Policy; PPT Prepare SRNavy (SRN
“before” paper); paper Journals;
Summary+Summary Article (Due
Friday 29th)
Continue reading Ishmael; Discussion +
Journal;
Hand out: A and C paper;
SRN assignment; Summary
info
Start reading Ishmael;
Hand out: Observation Paper
Assign and Material; Start
observations
Continue reading Ishmael Discussion +
Journal; Begin reading The Future of Life
Discuss Chapters 1-2+ questions and
Ishmael Paper due; Tech
journals; Discuss vocabulary and Summary Def/Concept paper due
(Summary Assignment)
Discuss Chapters 3-4+questions and
journals
Discuss vocabulary and Summary
Discuss Chapters 5,6,7+questions and
journals; Peer edit paper;
Discuss vocabulary and Summary
Conferences
Future of Life Paper due;
Unit 2:
Habitat, Collaborative Project with
Bio-Science in Middle School
Habitat: Divide into groups; Select
species; Divide up the work; Start your
research; In class work
In class work; Continue work on Habitat;
Sign up for presentation dates; In class
work
Habitat Presentations
Saving Place unit
Saving Place unit-work on paper, draft
due Wednesday; Scrapbook
Presentations on Friday
Thanksgiving Break
Tentative Shared assignment with Bio;
Children’s Story/Science in Middle
School
Dead Week: Present Children’s Story/
Science in Middle School
Finals week
FOL Paper Due Mon 23rd;
Scrapbook Assignment due;
Saving Place paper due
Observation Paper Due;
Quick Ref Guide due;