Harford Community College
Spring 2009
English 101-English Composition
Mrs. Tittle
Fallston 162
Phone: (443) 412-2104
Ltittle@Harford.edu
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Friday by appointment
Texts:
Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2008.
McWhorter, Kathleen T. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop mature writing skills in the essay form,
including the documented essay. Through a series of essays in a variety of
modes, students achieve proficiency in presenting and supporting their own
ideas and incorporating the ideas of others into their essays.
Student Learning Objectives and Academic Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate, in a series of at least six (6) successful 500800 essays including compare/contrast essay, summary/response essay, a
research essay, and a final in-class writing, competency in effective prose.
Upon completion of this course, the student will have:
1.
The ability to write unified papers. This objective involves the
development of an outline based on a clearly stated, well- focused,
and worthwhile thesis statement, which is firmly adhered to in the
resulting essay.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking)
2.
The ability to write coherent papers. This skill involves providing
transitions between ideas and in other ways showing relationships
between parts of the essay.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking)
3.
The ability to provide support. This objective involves giving sufficient
specific evidence to convince the reader of the validity of the thesis
statement.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking, information
literacy)
4.
The ability to communicate rationally. This objective involves the use
of basic principles of logic.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking)
5.
The ability to construct sentences that are grammatically and
mechanically correct. (Academic Outcome: communication, critical
thinking)
6.
The ability to use language accurately and concisely.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking)
7.
The ability to collect, use, and document evidence from other sources
than personal experience, including written sources.
(Academic Outcome: communication, critical thinking, information
literacy)
Course Requirements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Attend class and scheduled conferences regularly.
Complete four out-of-class essays.
Complete assignments for class and attend scheduled conferences.
Complete three in-class writing assignments, including a sample, midterm, and final essay.
Complete library instruction and related assignments.
Prepare all out-of-class essays using appropriate word processing for
editing and revising.
Receive a passing grade on the research paper (at least a D)
Write a final in-class essay of at least a “C” to pass the course
with a grade higher than a “D”.
Keep a folder of graded materials.
Essay Requirements:
Students will be required to write:
1.
at least six 500-800 word essays, including in-class and out-of
class essays
2.
out-of-class essays completed on a word processor/computer
3.
write specific types of essays
 an illustration essay
• a process essay
• a compare/contrast essay
• a summary/reaction essay (mid-term essay written in class)
• a 5-7 page (approximately 1600 words) research essay with
a works cited page and all supplementary materials
 a final in-class essay
Research Requirements:
Students must attend two sessions of library instruction and must write at
least four essays based on library research, namely the summary/response
the compare/contrast essay, research paper (argument) and final exam.
Assessments:
Prewriting conferences may be required by the instructor and counts toward
attendance.
Each paper must be submitted by the deadline and requirements established
by the instructor. Out-of-class essays must be word-processed. All revisions
to an out-of-class essay must be completed prior to submission for a grade.
Once graded, the essay may not be written for a higher grade. In
order to meet an instructor’s minimum standards for passing English 101,
students may have to write more than the minimum number of required
assignments.
The student will receive a passing grade (A, B, C, or D) upon demonstrating
competence in writing essays. This competence is demonstrated in both inclass and out-of-class writing and is based on the preceding course
objectives.
The “I” grade is rarely used in English 101. It is to be used only when a
student is doing satisfactory work, has a minimum of work remaining to be
completed (e.g. the final or one paper only), has conferred in advance with
the instructor who agrees that the “I” is appropriate, and has devised a plan
with the instructor for completing the work before the deadline for removal
of “incomplete”. When “I” is given, the instructor and the student have made
a commitment to continue working together for the defined length of time
unless the work is completed prior to that deadline.
*See attached sheets for grading specific to each essay and research paper.
Once students have satisfied these minimum requirements, the final
grade will be based on these criteria:
1.
Example/Illustration essay
10%
2.
Process essay
10%
3.
Compare/Contrast
15%
4.
Summary/reaction essay (midterm)
15%
5.
Research assignments and essay
20%
6.
Final Exam (in-class writing)
20%
7.
Attendance/assignments
10%
100%
Assignments:
Separate assignments may be issued such as writing plans, bibliography,
outline, preparedness for conferences, etc. The instructor may require
assignments not listed on the syllabus. Students will be held responsible for
completing any additional assignments. It may be necessary, based on the
students’ needs, to increase the number of graded assignments.
Manuscript Form:
All papers submitted for a grade must be typed and double-spaced with 1 ½
inch margins. The paper must contain a title. The student’s name, date,
instructor’s name, and paper type (example, definition, etc.) must appear in
the upper left hand corner of the first page. Use size 12 font and be sure to
document all outside sources using MLA format, as needed.
A separate cover sheet is unnecessary. Pagers should be stapled in the
proper order. DO NOT PLACE PAPERS IN A FOLDER OR BINDER. No graphics
or other decoration is necessary.
Revision Policy:
The instructor assumes that the student has used the steps in the writing
process and has revised his/her paper prior to submission for a grade. Once
graded, the essay may not be rewritten and resubmitted for a higher
grade.
Late Assignments:
Essays will be accepted one class past the original due date with one letter
grade penalty. The research paper and in-class writings will not be
accepted late. If you know you will be absent the day an assignment is due,
arrangements can be made to hand in or complete the work early.
Attendance:
Attendance is extremely important and will be noted each class session.
Attending a conference is considered attending class. One absence is
considered acceptable. Each additional absence will result in a 3 point
deduction from the 30 point attendance grade. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor when he/she is unable to attend class.
Six absences or more will result in failing the course.
Students are expected to be on time and stay for the duration of the
class.
College Academic Policies and Student Conduct:
HCC students are bound by the academic policies outlined in the most
current HCC catalog.
(http://www.harford.edu/CreditPrograms/Catalog/default.asp)
Behavior:
All students are required to behave as mature, respectable adults. No
distracting, offensive, or disrespectful behavior will be tolerated. Students
may be asked to leave the class if they cannot be part of a polite audience or
group. This includes sleeping, side conversations, using profanity, listening
to music or using a cell phone in any way.
Please turn off all cell phones and other technology and do not use them
during class. These devices should be put away during class. Do not leave
class to use these devices and then return to class. Violation of this policy
will result in the student being asked to leave class. He/she will be
considered absent for that day.
Academic Dishonesty:
Students should be familiar with and adhere to the policy governing
academic dishonesty and its sanctions as written in the HCC catalog.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of someone else’s materials (a book, and
article, another essay, etc.) without citing the source or the use of that work
as one’s own. To avoid concerns about plagiarism, save all drafts to show
the writing process. Also acknowledge ideas from other writers through
proper documentation.
Students guilty of plagiarism (intentional or not) or other forms of cheating
will receive an F on the specific assignment and, at the discretion of the
instructor, the student may receive an F for the course. Be careful that a
well-intended tutor or friend does not write your essay for you or that you
fail to document the use of outside source materials in your essay. Do not
purchase a paper or assignment.
Students with Special Needs:
Harford Community College is committed to serving students who have
documented physical, learning, psychological, or other disabilities. Students
who have a disability are responsible for contacting Disabilities Support
Services at 443-412-2402 to discuss their needs for accommodations. All
information shared with Disabilities Support Services will be held in
confidence.
The instructor reserves the right to modify and/or change the course
syllabus with reasonable notification to students.
Course Schedule
This schedule may be modified as the course progresses.
January 28
Assignment:
Introduction to the course
Review syllabus
In-class writing assignment topic
Read chapters 3, 4, 5 of text, section 1-3 of Rules
Prepare for in-class writing
Feb. 2
Assignment:
In-class writing
Read chapters 6-7 of text and section 4 of Rules
Feb. 4
Prewriting, narrowing the topic
Thesis statements
Body paragraphs
Beginnings and endings
Effective revision
Read chapter 10 of text and section 15, 16, and 17 of
Rules
Assignment:
Feb. 9
Assignment:
Example essay
Effective sentences and sentence variety
Common comma errors
Write rough draft of example
Read pgs. 869-905 of text; sections 19, 20, 32 and 33 of
Rules
Feb. 11
Assignment:
Individual Conferences- bring rough draft and outline
Write final copy of example essay
Read chapter 11 of text
Feb. 16
Assignment:
Individual Conferences- bring rough draft and outline
Write final copy of example essay
Read chapter 11 of text
Feb. 18
Example Essay Due
Process essay
Word choice and coherence
Write thesis and outline for process essay
Assignment:
Feb. 23
Assignment:
*Research paper assignment
Selecting and narrowing a topic for research
Writing plan for research paper
Review thesis and outline for process essay
Transitions (p. 54-56 of Rules and p. 128-130 of text)
Sentence variety, punctuation and word choice summary
Write rough copy of process essay; select research paper topic
Feb. 25
Assignment:
Individual Conferences-bring rough draft and outline
Write final copy of process essay; read chapters 17, 18,
and 19 of text and sections 47-51 of Rules
March 2
Library Orientation Session 1
* Writing plan and topic due
March 4
Assignment:
Individual Conferences-bring rough draft and outline
Write final copy of process essay; read chapters 17, 18,
and 19 of text and sections 47-51 of Rules
March 9
Summary/Reaction Essay- note-taking and outlining
Argument and research
Process Essay Due
Creating a working bibliography for research paper
Researching print and electronic sources
MLA format
Noodlesbib.com
Read chapter 20 of text and sections 52-56 of Rules,
Assignment:
March 11
Assignment:
Hand out in-class writing assignment
Write working thesis, highlight article, and complete
outline for summary/reaction
Prepare for in-class writing; read p. 46-52, chapter 22, and
p. 687-690 of text and sections section 46 of Rules
March 16
Library Orientation 2
*Working thesis of research paper due
March 18
In-class writing: Summary/reaction essay
March 23-27
SPRING BREAK- NO CLASS!
March 30
Assignment:
Compare/Contrast
Locate appropriate articles for Compare/Contrast essay
and bring them to class
April 1
Compare/Contrast
Evaluate articles for compare/contrast
Locate articles for compare/contrast essay. Write rough
copy of compare/contrast essay; complete working
bibliography for research paper
Assignment:
April 6
*Bibliography for research paper due
Individual Conferences- bring ALL material related to the
compare/contrast essay
April 8
*Bibliography for research paper due
Individual Conferences- bring ALL material related to the
compare/contrast essay
April 13
Compare/Contrast Essay Due
Outline for research paper
Evaluating sources/database worksheet
Plagiarism and paraphrase
Write outline for research paper; begin rough copy of
research paper
Assignment:
April 15
Assignment:
MLA format
In-text citations
Continue rough copy of research paper
April 20
*Outline for research paper due
Formatting the research paper
April 22
Peer response groups
(bring ALL related materials for the research paper)
Rough copy of research paper
Assignment:
April 27
Self-evaluation of research paper
(bring ALL related materials for the research paper)
April 29
Individual conferences
Bring all material related to the research paper to the
conference
Write final copy of research paper
Assignment:
May 4
Assignment:
Individual conferences
Bring all material related to the research paper to the
conference
Write final copy of research paper
May 6
Research Papers Due- no late papers!
All work related to the research process MUST be
handed in with the research paper.
May 11
Final Exam Assignment Return research papers
Questions regarding final exam
Find articles for final exam
Evaluate final exam articles
Prepare for the final exam.
Assignment:
Final Exam- Monday, May 18 from 9:35-11:35