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KEEP THIS SYLLBUS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES IN CLASS.
ESL 118/ENG 101
Section 001 MWF 9 am CRT 227
Section 002 MWF 10 am CRT 227
Section 003 MWF 11 am CRT 227
Section 004 MWF 12 pm CRT 227
INSTRUCTOR
Mrs. Amy Shields
Office: Curtin Hall 504
Mailbox: Curtin Hall 4th floor & 672
Office hours: MWF by appointment
Phone: 414-301-3658
Email: grisk@uwm.edu
TEXTS FOR ENG 101: First Year Composition Reader (FYC)—Readings on D2L site
Student Guide to the English Dept’s 1st year Writing Prog. (SG)
The DK Handbook by Wysocki and Lynch, 3rd edition (DK)
MATERIALS: Notebook for taking notes
Pocket Folder
Manila Folder (for your portfolio)
Different colored pens
Flash drive (USB port)
UWM email account
Stapler
Print card ($20)
All students in the sections noted above are required to follow all polices and guidelines as
stated in the “English 101 General Course Description” hand-out and the Student Guide.
Please read the Student Guide thoroughly asap. Below are some highlights and specifications.
PREREQUISITES
This section is reserved for students whose first language is something other than English.
Students need to have scored a 2 on the EPT test, ESL-PIC level 4, received a grade of C or
better in English 117, or have been placed into 118 based on transfer credit from another
university.
CREDIT/HOURS
This class is a 3 credit course. Thus for each credit, you should put in to this class 2-3 hours of
work outside the classroom. That equals spending 6-9 hours per week on this class alone. For
other UWM policy information, see http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/SyllabusLinks.pdf
ADD/DROP INFORMATION
The last day to add this course is February 5th. The last day to drop the course (without
transcript notation) is February 19th. March 25th is the last day to drop with a transcript notation.
(These are the same deadlines as those for most other courses at UWM.) Students not yet
registered and waiting to add the course must continue to attend class until they can be added.
Missing a class will cause the student’s name to be dropped from the waiting list. If the student
returns to class at a later time, his or her name will be added to the bottom of the list.
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ESL SECTIONS
I am also the Coordinator of ESL 118 and ESL sections of English 102. The English department
offers the equivalent of 101 as well as other levels of composition designed specifically for
English as a Second Language speakers. These sections have smaller class sizes and
teachers who are trained to work with non-native speakers of English. Non-native speakers of
English who are interested in the ESL course should talk with me during the first week of class.
ADMINISTRATIVE DROPS
Students who do not attend the first week of class may be administratively dropped from the
course to make space for students wishing to add the course. Students who fail to meet the
course prerequisites may also be administratively dropped from the course.
ATTENDANCE/LATE POLICY
CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. In other words, there are no excused absences
regardless of the circumstance. You are allowed 6 absences which is the equivalence of two
weeks of classes, and it is your responsibility to keep track of them. Attendance is also required
at both peer and student/teacher conferences; missing such a conference or not coming
prepared counts as an absence.
Concerning conferences, everyone gets an equal amount of conference appointments.
However additional ones are available for those who are motivated. Unfortunately, additional
appointments will not be given to the student who 1) doesn’t come prepared to any of the
conferences with a revised draft from the previous one read and handed back to him/her; 2) who
misses an appointment for any reason. My time is valuable and is only reserved for the student
who is willing to work.
Do note that conferences can take place over a number of class periods, usually 2-3. So
attending one conference marks a student present for all class periods during that time. Thus
missing a scheduled conference marks a student absent for all the class periods during that
time. For example, if regular class is cancelled for 3 days to fit in conferences, then a student
would be marked absent for 3 days for missing his/her scheduled conference during that time.
Thus missing a conference can greatly impact your total absences allowed for the semester.
Falling asleep and/or using your phone for any amount of time also counts as an absence.
All students are responsible for all the information assigned in homework or presented in class
whether they are in class or not. Thus you need to contact me and/or go on our D2L site to get
assignments, hand-outs, etc when you miss class.
If you are more than 15 minutes late to class or leave class early, you will be counted absent for
the day. Habitual tardiness/early exits will be treated the same as absences. I will record
how late you arrive to/leave from class. If the amount of time you are not present adds up to a
full class period, I will count this amount of time as a day absent, and that will affect your final
grade.
I, too, will be prompt for class. However, if something does occur and I do not arrive on time,
please wait for 15 minutes to allow me time to show up.
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WRITING CENTER TUTORING
There will be some students in each section that will be recommended to attend a weekly
session with a tutor to work with language and grammar issues. These students will be
identified after a couple writing assignments are due.
WRITING CENTER INFORMATION
Where: CURTIN 127
How: Students can make their own appointments online any time at
www.writingcenter.uwm.edu
or by calling 229-4339
GRADES
UWM uses a portfolio system as one of the main determiners as whether you pass or fail the
class. This means that in order to complete the class successfully,* you need to submit a
portfolio of three extensively revised essays on the due date and time as stated in the syllabus
calendar. You will not be given a specific grade on any assignment throughout the semester
(until the end on your report card). Instead, you will get feedback on your portfolio writing, etc.
to help you improve. Please note that the feedback in this class doesn’t focus on grammar. Also
not all assignments will receive written feedback; some assignments are meant for class
discussion and/or are not revisable.
Once your portfolio has been successfully* submitted, the portfolio readers' evaluation of your
portfolio will determine which of these two categories your final grade falls into:
1) a passing portfolio = a final grade of C or better
= you are qualified to pass ESL 118/English 101
2) a failing portfolio = a final grade of C- or lower
= you are not yet qualified to pass ESL 118/English 101
Once the category of your final grade is determined, your specific final grade within the given
category will be based on:
 the quality of your final portfolio essays = 50%
 quality of essays and completed homework throughout semester = 25%
 attendance, participation, and overall effort = 25%
*Completing the class successfully is defined as the following:
o 6 or less absences
o Completion of all assignments during the semester
o Handing in a complete portfolio on the due date and time
o Your teacher having read multiple drafts of each portfolio essay submitted
All four requirements above need to be met in order for a student to be deemed as having
completed the class successfully. In other words, automatic failure occurs when one or more of
the requirements have not been met. Thus if a student solely has missed 7 or more classes,
that will equal automatic failure. Or if a student has not completed all of the assignments during
the semester, that will equal automatic failure. Or if your portfolio is missing an assignment, that
will equal automatic failure. Or if I have not seen previous drafts of any of the essays in the
portfolio, that will equal automatic failure. One or any combination of the above circumstances
equals automatic failure.
Regarding final report card grades (once the student passes portfolio): everyone has an A on
the first day of class. If a student maintains** the A throughout the semester, then he/she will
see an A on the final report card. Of course, a student who does less than what is required of A
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work, will fall into the A-, B+/B/B- and C+/C categories.
**Here is all that must be achieved to receive an A on the final report card for this class:
--Every assignment and all drafts of every essay completed in full and handed in on time
--Every assignment and all drafts of every essay completed with the goal of going beyond what
the task asks for; doing more that what is asked
--Demonstrating high quality work/thinking/understanding of the curriculum with every
assignment
--Demonstrating great ability and skill in writing and thinking in all work written and verbal
--All the objectives of the assignment addressed thoroughly and creatively
--All essay assignments having 2 or more pages by the due dates
--Having a positive attitude about the curriculum, class activities, classmates, assignments, and
self
--Being respectful at all times of self and others
--Being actively present in every class by taking notes and actively listening
--Verbally participating with meaningful ideas every class period in large group and small group
discussions
--Willing to try new things and putting full effort into them
--Caring about learning and helping others to do so
--Having a mature attitude
--Always representing yourself fairly and honestly
--Follows directions and all the steps of every task
If you’d like to discuss your grade after the semester is completed, we will need to do it in
person. At that time, you will need to have original copies of ALL of your work completed
throughout the semester including work with my comments on it in order for a grade discussion
to occur. If you don’t have these documents, your grade can’t be contested.
WRITING ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS/LATE WORK POLICY
Be sure to save all of your informal writing, notes, drafts with written responses, and relevant email messages. These materials will assist you in revising work and in writing your last essay for
the course, the reflective essay. Keep all hard copies of assignments that you do (including
ones handed back to you by me) throughout the semester as we’ll use all past assignments in
class more than once.
All essays submitted must have been written specifically for this course, not re-used from
another course.
All assignments are due on the due dates at the beginning of class. If you are absent the day an
assignment is due, the assignment is due the next class period you are present if you already
received the assignment task, and then it won’t be considered late. If you are absent the day an
assignment task is handed out, then you can receive the task the next class period and
complete it in the same required amount of time. In other words, an assignment is considered
late when you are in class (having already received the assignment) and your completed
assignment is not.
Regarding late work, everyone gets a one time computer excuse, but this excuse can only be
used once. After that, a late assignment is a late assignment and subject to penalty no matter
what. Late work will not be commented on and this could affect your final grade. * See
rule #3 below for further discussion.*
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D2L dropbox:
In addition to physically handing in to me your work, you will also be putting a copy of all of your
work into your D2L dropbox. In other words, all assignments and essays (including copies of
your final portfolio essays) need to go into the dropbox. Thus in order for an assignment to be
considered complete and submitted, I need to have received a hard copy of it on its due date
and a copy must be uploaded to the D2L dropbox on its due date.
FORMAT OF ESSAYS/WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Follow MLA guidelines for all formatting issues. Here are some specifics: All papers written
out of class are required to be typed or printed in black ink on white paper in 12 font. This
includes all rough drafts. Head the paper with your name, my name, ESL 118/English 101, and
the date all in the upper left hand corner of the first page. Make the next line the title and center
it in the middle of the page. All pages should be numbered in excess of one page and stapled.
Drafts of papers (including first/peer review drafts) must be double spaced, with one inch
margins, and no returns between paragraphs. The rough draft(s) must also be handed in with
final draft. The rough draft(s) must be stapled behind the final draft. The effort grade of the
paper will be penalized if formatting is not correct.
Final versions of papers must be correct in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and
usage. All papers must be written in Standard American English.
Format of portfolio:
 essays are stapled separately inside a manila folder
 on the tab of the folder, write your ID #, our course number and section
It must be submitted on time (as delineated in the calendar at the start of our class time in my
office). IT MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED IF NOT SUBMITTED ON TIME.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is cause for a failing grade on the assignment, failure of the course, and possible
expulsion from the university. Plagiarism is also getting a native speaker to “help” you write
your essays. See Student Guide for further discussion.
ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCE CENTER
If you work with an advisor at the ARC, please bring your VISA statement to me within the first
week of class. If you are concerned that you might have a learning disability, visit the ARC
office in 112 Mitchell Hall, x5822.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER AT UWM
The Student Success Center is located in Bolton 120. You can make an appointment with a
mentor. A mentor is a friendly and helpful UWM student who has been at UWM for a couple of
years already. You can meet with a mentor on a regular basis. Here is the website for the
Student Success Center, full of helpful ideas and resources for connecting with friendly people
and succeeding academically at UWM: http://www4.uwm.edu/ssc/index.cfm
CLASS RULES:
1. All work assigned must be completed and handed in/seen by the teacher and uploaded
to D2L in order to be eligible to pass the class.
2. All work exceeding 1 page (if not duplexed) needs to be stapled before class starts.
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3. If you don’t have your work that is due, don’t ask “Is it ok that I don’t have my work?” The
answer is “no, never.” Thus there is no need for any discussion if you don’t have your
work that is due. Just get it done and hand it in asap. In the case of a legitimately large
problem (e.g. death, loss of limb, head trauma) that prevents you from completing your
work on time, contact me via email as soon as the problem occurs. For any smaller
issues, there’s no need for discussion; refer back to the beginning of this rule. Life
lesson: learn to deal with the problem/obstacle as this will not be the last time you will
encounter or need to overcome such issues in life.
4. When you arrive to class, unpack all work and reading materials that are due so
everything is on your desk by the time class starts. This includes a notebook and writing
utensil. If work needs to be stapled, have that accomplished before class starts as well.
5. Pack up when class if over, not any minute before.
6. During class, all questions need to be addressed to the teacher. Don’t ask those sitting
next to you—no matter the question. All you end up doing is disturbing said student from
doing the task at hand or listening to the teacher. S/he can’t listen to you and the teacher
at the same time.
7. Try to ask questions in class, not after.
8. If you arrive late to class, sit in the closest available seat next to the door. Walk in as
quietly as possible without speaking.
9. Understand that from this moment forward you are trying to set up good work and life
habits. If you are about to make a poor or immature choice, think what your future family
or boss would need you to do. Then make the right choice.
10. Your work is 100% your responsibility. I, your instructor, will match your effort. This
means that I will give the same amount of effort into helping you with the assignment that
you put into it. Like many things in life, your success and failure are your responsibility.
11. This class has very high standards for you. Your job is to reach for them as best as you
can keeping a positive attitude. You can do the work, or you can make excuses, but you
can’t do both.
CALENDAR
You are expected to bring assigned texts to every class period. Assigned readings for any
particular class are to be completed before the class meets. The assignment sheets will explain
specific texts needed while this calendar is a general guide to what is due when. Adjustments
will be made and assignments can be added or changed as we go through the semester.
Attending class is the best way to be kept abreast of all assignments and due dates.
Most of our assignments and hand-outs are on our D2L site. Numbered assignments are under
“The Whole Assignment Sequence.” (Be sure to only print the page you need.) So if you are
absent go there to get the assignment so that you don’t get behind.
Check your UWM email the night before every class for any reminders or updates.
Mon Jan 25: Introductions; Receive Syllabus, #1 and Course Description
HW: #1, Buy books & print card, Make sure have access to PAWS and D2L
Wed Jan 27: #1 due; Discuss course; Receive #2; Receive Blue Reflective Book. Keep
Blue Book with you at all times in class.
HW: #2 Bring SG, Course Description, DK HB, Dove; Finish Reflective writing
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Fri Jan 29: #2 due; Share reflective writing; Discuss SG, DK HB, & Dove. Receive #3
HW: #3; Bring Gallop article
Mon Feb 1: #3 due; Discuss Gallop article; Blue book writing; Receive #4 Part 1
HW: #4 Part 1; Print and read “Context to Sacco” on D2L. Finish Blue book writing;
Bring DK HB
Wed Feb 3: #4 Part 1 due; Discuss Sacco. Receive #4 Parts 2 & 3
HW: #4 Parts 2 & 3; Bring DK HB
Fri Feb 5: #4 Parts 2 & 3 due; Discuss Sacco & DK pages; Do “Describe and Analyze Your
Reading Experience” with Sacco.
HW: Finish activity
Mon Feb 8: Interpretive Questions In-class activity; Receive #5
HW: Finish #5; Bring DK HB
Wed Feb 10: #5 1st draft due; Discuss essay structure
HW: Revise #5. Staple 1st draft behind second draft of #5. Just need one copy of
2nd draft of #5. Bring that stapled document next class. Bring SG
Fri Feb 12: #5 2nd draft due; Discuss SG goals
HW: Revise #5. Read email. Need to bring TWO COPIES of your essay (stapled
separately). Also need to bring a stapler. Staple 2nd & 1st draft behind one of the
3rd draft copies. The second 3rd draft copy is stapled by itself.
Mon Feb 15: #5 3rd draft due TWO PRINTED COPIES; Partner Peer Review.
HW: Revise #5. Staple latest draft on top of other drafts. So then should have a
stack of 4 drafts stapled together. Do NOT print new copies of previous drafts.
Wed Feb 17: #5 4th draft due with previous drafts stapled behind it; Receive #6—put in Blue
Book. Discuss reverse underlining. Receive #7.
HW: #7. Highlight/underline Murray. Need to have a copy of Murray with you next
class. Bring SG & Reverse Underlining article with you. Finish #6.
Fri Feb 19: #7 due; Receive #8. Discuss Murray’s article. Discuss SG. Blue Book
writing
HW: #8 & underline or highlight Behar
Mon Feb 22: #8 due; Do reverse underlining with Behar
HW: Read DK HB pages 144-151 & 196-199; Read Behar again
Wed Feb 24: Discuss DK HB; Discuss Behar. Receive #9
HW: #9
Fri Feb 26: #9 due; Interpretive Question Activity. Receive #10
HW: #10. Outline your 1st draft of #10 in your notebook
This week is a good time to hand in Sacco for me to read.
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1st
Mon Feb 29: #10
draft due; Controlling Purpose discussion. Partner peer review.
HW: Revise #10. Develop outline further. Read p. 246-253 in DK HB. Bring SG.
Wed Mar 2: #10 2nd draft due—make sure you have a controlling purpose in this draft; Set
up conference appts. Go over DK HB; Do “Purpose: Are you in Control?” revision activity.
Receive #11
HW: Revise #10 and complete #11. Read MLA section in DK HB; Bring DK HB
Fri Mar 4: #10 3rd draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #10 & complete #11. Read MLA section in DK HB; Bring DK HB
Mon Mar 7: #10 3rd draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #10 & complete #11. Read MLA section in DK HB; Bring DK HB
Wed Mar 9: #10 3rd draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #10 & complete #11. Read MLA section in DK HB; Bring DK HB
Fri Mar 11: #11 due & #10 4th draft due with previous drafts stapled behind it; MLA lesson
with DK. Receive #12
HW: #12. Revise Sacco if putting in portfolio
Mon Mar 14-18: Spring Break
Mon Mar 21: #12 due; Blue book writing and summary discussion. Discuss reading. Receive
Mid-Term Eval
HW: Revise Sacco & Behar if putting them in port & Do Mid-Term Eval; Read
Tohe again
Wed Mar 23: Mid-Term Eval due & Sacco and/or Behar Revision due; Discuss Tohe.
Receive #13
HW: #13. Bring Gallop’s article; Start revising Behar
Fri Mar 25: #13 due; Discuss reading. Receive #14
HW: #14
Mon Mar 28: #14 due; Interpretive Questions in-class activity. Receive #15
HW: #15
This would be a good week to hand in a revised draft of Behar if you are putting this
essay in your portfolio.
Wed Mar 30: #15 1st draft due; Peer Review
HW: Revise #15. Bring SG
Fri Apr 1: #15 2nd draft due; “Goal Partner Peer Review”; Review goals. Receive #16—
Blue book
HW: Revise #15 & Behar essay if putting it in your port. Finish #16
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Mon Apr 4: #15
draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #15. Bring DK, SG, & everything folder which includes all
essays/assignments thus far, notes, reflective activities/blue book to prep for #17
3rd
Wed Apr 6: #15 3rd draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #15. Bring DK, SG, & everything folder which includes all
essays/assignments thus far, notes, reflective activities/blue book to prep for #17
Fri Apr 8: #15 3rd draft due; Conferences in Amy’s office
HW: Revise #15. Bring DK, SG, & everything folder which includes all
essays/assignments thus far, notes, reflective activities/blue book to prep for #17
Mon Apr 11: #15 4th draft due with previous drafts stapled behind it; Need to decide
which two portfolio essays will be going in port. Receive #17; Reflect on work done this
semester
HW: #17 & Bring SG every day from now on. Decide which essays will be in port
Wed Apr 13: #17 1st draft due; Discuss Reflective goal. Partner peer review
HW: Revise #17 & make decision about which essays will be in port by next class
Fri Apr 15: #17 2nd draft; Sacco or Behar revision due; Do 118/101 Reflective Essay
Revision activity. Receive sample Reflective essay.
HW: Revise #17. Read sample Reflective. Bring DK HB
Mon Apr 18: #17 3rd draft due with previous drafts stapled behind it; Discuss sample
Reflective. Receive “Final Submissions”. MLA discussion. Receive sample port
HW: Revise Port essays
Wed Apr 20: Sacco or Behar revision due; Discuss sample port. Break into revision groups.
Make conf appts.
HW: Revise Port essays
Fri Apr 22: Behar or Tohe revision due; Do Evals
HW: Revise Port essays
Mon Apr 25: Conferences
Wed Apr 27: Deadline for missing assignments; Conferences
Fri Apr 29: Conferences
Mon May 2: Conferences
Wed May 4: Portfolios due in Amy’s office at the start of class.
Grades are due around May 25. If all goes well, I can get grades done by then. Do not email
me inquiring about your grade. You must access PAWS to get that information.