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English 250
General Course Policy
AgBus Learning Community Spring 08
Instructor Information:
Bob Corey bccorey@iastate.edu
Office Hours: MWF by appt. TR 9-2 or by appt.
Office: Carver 334 Phone: 4-2378
Mailbox: 310 Carver
Course Materials:
A Brief Penguin Handbook by Lester Faigley 2nd Ed
Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan
(amazon.com)
Supplemental readings provided by instructor
Overview:
This course is designed as a first-year introductory writing course with an emphasis on research
and writing argument. In this class, you will explore the genre of argument, the relationship
between writer and audience, and at the same time, learn to write, read, and think more
critically and creatively. You will also learn to develop topics through correct expression and
logical organization. The critical reading will prepare you to analyze, not only an author’s
technique, 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 an Ag Bus Learning
Community, the emphasis will be on topics and discussions related to that field.
I use a type of Socratic method of teaching that relies heavily on questioning. I will question your
thinking on particular subjects, topics, and your own thoughts and opinions. Through questions, I hope to
provide you with a means for exploring and analyzing ideas, investigating alternative opinions, and
examining diverse scenarios and situations in an attempt to stimulate thinking and class discussion. The
class relies on discussion to help generate topics for assignments and asks your acceptance (or perhaps
tolerance) of a wide range of ideas and views (people just don’t all think the same – imagine that!).
Objectives for the Class
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Learn to think critically about information
Improve critical reading skills
Improve communication skills via WOVE pedagogy
Examine topics through the genre of argument
Learn to assess your writing and take measures to improve weak areas
Improve time management skills
Participate in class discussions
Demonstrate growth as a writer, reader, and thinker
 Recognize rhetorical strategies used by others to promote a particular position and adapt
those strategies to your own writing
Expectations:
There are certain expectations that I have of you. In order for you to receive the benefits from the class
and your classmates, you should follow the 3 Be Ps: Be Present, Be Prepared and Be a Participant, all of
which is part of being a student. I expect you to read your assignment sheets. I expect you to make your
best effort to complete the assignments and be involved in your learning. If anything is not clear to you,
you should make an appointment to see me so we can clear up any problems. Your work in this class
and dedication to your learning are reflections of your commitment to your learning, your education, and
your 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 .
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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. Unless you have made prior arrangements, you will receive a 0 for that
assignment. If you know ahead of time that you will be gone, see me about the work and due dates. Keep
in mind that this is not a correspondence course. I expect you to attend every day, but I know that
situations occur that may keep you from attending. I will allow 3 absences without penalty (excluding the
aforementioned conditions). A 4th or 5th absence is considered excessive and will adversely affect your
grade - your final grade will be lowered one full letter grade. If you have more than 6 absences, you will
not pass.
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, Organization, Style, Sources, and Delivery. I will provide a rubric, which will include the
criteria I look for when I grade your work. 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, you and I 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. Printing the paper in the lab is poor planning. 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.
Learning to be responsible is as important as learning about any other subject. All other inclass assignments that are late will receive a 0 (see attendance policy above).
 Computer problems: These seem to have replaced the old “my dog ate my homework” routine. If
you think a problem may occur (and it will), 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.
 “Oh, my printer ran out of ink.”
 “My computer crashed last night. Can I turn the paper in later today?”
 “I tried to upload my paper, but it didn’t work.”
 Blah, blah, blah…
 Paper Format: All papers will be word-processed. All papers submitted online must be in MS
Word format. Other forms lose formatting, and some can’t be read at all (rft, wps, Works Vista, etc,).
 What else to include: When you submit a final draft of your paper, you may/should include:
 The final draft
 Photocopies of all resource material
 Workshop/peer review responses
To receive a passing grade, your work should meet or exceed the requirements for each
assignment.
Assignments:
 You will have several major assignments that will include Written, Oral, Visual, and
Electronic communication this semester. There may be shared assignments with your Ag Bus
classes. Be sure to make copies of your work before it’s turned in.
 Topics for your papers may come from the readings, class discussions, and/or shared
experiences in your major.
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 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 and information regarding my revision policy will
be handed out later.
 Reminder: Turn in assignments complete and on time. See me early in the semester if you
are having trouble. Let’s work together to make class meaningful and successful.
Plagiarism:
Don’t do it! Most students don’t cheat, but too many web sites exist waiting for the unwitting, and since
“SchoolSucks” is new and updated, I can get into to it to see what papers have been posted. 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 is in your Student Guide and I will follow that policy. It is in your
best interests to go over the information. Please be familiar with it and Iowa State’s policy regarding
plagiarism and the process involved.
Readings:
The readings presented in this class are critical for your understanding of the course and the type
of communication you will be doing. Though not all the material will be covered during class
lectures or discussions, you will be held responsible for demonstrating knowledge of the text
material in your writing. There will also be several supplemental readings, which can also be used
as source material for your writing.
Conferences
Conferences about your writing are essential to your continued improvement and growth. Conferences
provide me with insight into how you think about a topic and how you present that topic. 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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English 250: Spring 08: Tentative Syllabus: Bob Corey
Text: A Brief Penguin Handbook by Lester Faigley 2nd Ed
Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan
All readings, answers to questions, and writing must be completed prior to class time (on the date
indicated) and you are strongly encouraged to bring your text to class. This semester, you will put together
a portfolio to be collected at the end of the semester. I encourage you to store your documents-flash drives
are a good idea. Lab days are Mondays in Durham 91.
Week One: Introduction
Monday, January 14 (Lab) -- Introduction to course; Summary Exercise;
Wednesday, January 16 – Activity: In class activity; Grammar quiz (#1);
Friday, January 18 – Activity: Summary Exercise
Read: Chap 6, 7 in your handbook,
Homework: summarize the material and make a list of at least 5 important areas of
interest.
Due: Grammar #1
Week Two: Tech Definition/Concept
Monday, January 21 – No class. Martin Luther King, Jr. day
Wednesday, January 23 – Read: Chap. 8, 9, 10 in handbook plus summary
Activity: Explaining a Concept;
Due: Chapter 6-10 summaries
Friday, January 25 – Activity: Grammar #2 (in class); Tech Def; Begin work on Concept Paper
Week Three: Tech Definition/Concept
Monday, January 28 (Lab) – Activity: Tech Def/Explain Concept Assignment
Homework: Prepare draft of paper
Wednesday, January 30 – Due: Draft of Tech Def/Concept paper – peer edit
Friday, February 1 – Due: Tech Def/Concept paper;
Activity: Grammar #3; Conferences; Begin reading Naked Economics – you will
need to keep a journal of your reading. I will provide information to think about
starting with Chap 2.
Week Four: Naked Economics
Monday, February 4 (Lab) – Activity: Begin discussion over Naked Economics Chap 1
Homework: Continue reading
Wednesday, February 6 – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 2 plus Journal activity
Friday, February 8 – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 3 Journal activity
Week Five: Naked Economics
Monday, February 6 (Lab) – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 4 Journal activity
Wednesday, February 8 – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 5 Journal activity
Friday, February 10 – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 6 Journal activity
Week Six – Naked Economics
Monday, February 13 (Lab) – Activity: Prewriting for Naked Economics Paper
Wednesday, February 15 – Activity: Discuss book; Chap 7-12
Friday, February 17 – Activity: Conferences
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Week Seven – Naked Economics
Monday, February 20 (Lab) – Activity: Go over ISU Library web page plus other online sources.
Wednesday, February 22 –Homework: Using proper citation technique, summarize the pages
read, with proper citation, include one paraphrased section of material (be sure to
cite it) and one direct, long quote (be sure to cite it) from the chapter.
Activity: Documentation Practice; Grammar #6
Friday, February 24 – Due: Naked Economics Paper; Grammar #6
Week Eight: Mini Page
Monday, February 27 (Lab) – Activity: Begin Mini Page Assignment
Wednesday, March 1 – Activity: Continue Mini Page; Grammar #7;
Friday, March 3 – Activity: Continue Mini Page
Week Nine: Mini Page
Monday, March 6 (Lab) – Activity: Mini Page Assignment – Rhetorical Analysis
Wednesday, March 8 – Activity: Present Mini Page
Friday, March 10 – Activity: Present Mini Page
Due: Rhetorical Analysis
Week Ten--Spring Break
Week Eleven: Site Visit Report-Profile
Monday, March 20 (Lab) – Activity: Profile search of company; Analysis
Wednesday, March 22 – Activity: Discuss company profile; compose outline for
paper/presentation
Friday, March 24 – Due: Outline of company profile
Activity: Prepare draft of Profile
Week Twelve: Site Visit Report-Profile
Monday, March 27 (Lab) – Activity: Peer edit Profile
Wednesday, March 29 – Activity: Finalize
Friday, March 31 – Due: Report – company profile
Activity: Grammar #8
Week Thirteen: Speculating About Causes (Econ. Trends and Phenomenon)
Monday, April 3 (Lab) – Activity: Groups - Online research-economic trends/company impact on
economy
Due: Grammar #8
Wednesday, April 5 – Activity: Check out cameras and photo economic impacts
Friday, April 7 –Activity: Check out cameras and photo economic impacts
Week Fourteen: Speculating About Causes (Econ. Trends and Phenomenon)
Monday, April 10 (Lab) – Activity: Work on photo array and design poster
Wednesday, April 12 – Activity: Group work poster & presentation
Friday, April 14 – Activity: Group work poster & presentation
Week Fifteen: Presentation of Economic Trends
Monday, April 17 (Lab) – Activity: Finalize Presentation; begin work on Proposal
Wednesday, April 19 – Activity: Presentation on Economic Trends; Work on proposal
Friday, April 21 – Activity: Presentation on Economic Trends; Continue working on proposal
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Week Sixteen: Dead Week Presentation-Economic Trends
Monday, April 24 (Lab) – Proposal workday
Wednesday, April 26 – Proposal Presentations
Friday, April 28 – Proposal Presentations
Week Seventeen
Final exam – TBA -- Final self-evaluation report due