Spring 2015 1
WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Fairbanks Campus
School of Languages and Literature
English 1301
Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students
in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional
success, and service to God and humankind.
Course Name: ENGL 1301.PL Composition and Rhetoric
Term and Year: Spring 2015
Full Name of Instructor: Alyson Johns-Robinson
Contact Information:
Phone: 907-385-1084
E-mail: alyson.johns-robinson@wayland.wbu.edu
Office hours are by appointment. My policy is to be available for my students. If you need to meet
with me before class, after class, or at another location such as the Wayland office, I am able to do
so. Please feel free to call me between 9:30 am (after my first cup of coffee) and 10:30 pm. I do not
check my e-mail regularly. If you have question, please call or text me.
Class Meeting Time and Location:
Location: FTWW Feb. 26-May 14th
Thursday: 6:00 pm (18:00 hours)-10:00 pm (22:00 hours).
Catalog Description: Principles of clear, correct, effective expository writing, with illustrative readings
and frequent essays and conferences are an essential part of 1301
Prerequisite: None
Required Textbook and Resources:
Ruszkiewicz, John J., Jat T. Domage. How to Write Anything. Boston: Bedford St. Martins. 2012. Print.
Recommended:
Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference, 7th Edition + Writing in the Disciplines ISBN: 9780312601430
Required:
One coloured pen
Microsoft Word/Computer Access: For the most part, Open Office does not always load into
Blackboard and Note does not format; please use Word.
Optional Materials:
The instructor will provide any other optional materials.
Course Outcome Competencies: Upon the conclusion of this course, students actively engaged in
learning will be able to:
1. Apply standard rules and conventions of the English language to written expressions.
2. Summarize the steps and components of the writing process.
3. Compose academic, nonfiction essays or responses in at least four different rhetorical modes or
style.
4. Demonstrate basic college-level research skills.
5. Employ active reading strategies.
The more the student puts into the course, the higher his or her outcome competencies will be.
Attendance Requirements: As stated in the Wayland Catalog, students enrolled at one of the
University’s external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings. All absences must
be explained to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be made up. When
a student reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, three, the
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instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the campus executive
director. Any student who misses 25 percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may
receive a grade of F in the course. Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the
instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.
Any student, who does not miss any class, except for documented TDY, will receive a 15 point bonus on
his or her final grade.
The instructor encourages students to establish a “study buddy” so that if a student does miss class, the
student does not get behind.
Life happens and if there are any extenuating circumstances, please speak to the instructor (please
remember that communication is your responsibility and explaining issues after the fact prevents any
assistance). Homework assignments, especially Blackboard assignments, are expected to be turned in
regardless of absence.
Disability Statement: “In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the
policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational
program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator
of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 2913765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.”
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria:
Grading will be done on a points scale:
900-1000 A or 90-100%
800-900 B or 80-90%
700-800 C or 70-80%
600-700 D or 60-70%
Below 600 F or below 60%
Grading Rubric
Class: Individual/
Team Participation:
100 points
Written assignments:
275 total points
Journal
150 total points
Midterm/Quizzes
100 points
Exercises
150 total points
Final Project/ Research paper: 225 total points
Final Research breakdown:
Rough Draft/outline-50 points
Content and Communication-35
Works Cited-40 points
Grammar/Editing Guide-30 points
Paragraph and Format-30 points
Revision and ISEA elements-40 points
*Late assignments will receive a 10% point deduction per day on the assignment grade. Late
assignments 5 days late will not be accepted with the exception of a documented military TDY or
exercise. If there are extenuating circumstances, please speak to me. My ESP is broken. Do not e-mail me
your assignments-I will not grade them.
** The more a student devotes to his or her learning, the more the student learns and is able to apply his
or her knowledge to the world at large and his or her academic career.
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Class/Team Participation
1301 is a workshop-based writing course. Students are expected to engage weekly in groups-teams for
editing, brainstorming, discussion, homework, analysis, logistics, and writing rough drafts. Therefore,
students must be prepared to bring their work with them to class. Students are expected to act in a
professional manner when editing. Individual participation is defined as contributing to class discussion,
asking questions, debating ethically and professionally with your peers and the instructor, completing
bookwork, and bringing rough drafts and outlines to class. Rough Drafts for essays are not accepted as
students lose the value of peer-review.
Extra Credit: There is no out-of-class extra credit. Some group work is counted as extra credit and
cannot be made up. If a student finds a Blackboard error, that student will earn +.25 points on his or her
final grade.
Writing Assignments:
The only way to learn to write is to write. Students will be learning the process of writing and various
writing skills that they will use throughout their academic career. Each assignment will build upon the
other. Students will be writing in class and at home. Students will be writing 3 papers of varying lengths,
starting with shorter papers and ending with a full research paper. Papers will typed, 12 size Times New
Roman font, double spaced, one-inch margins and MLA style. The instructor will provide more
information during the first night of class. Papers have minimum lengths, those lengths mean to the
bottom of the minimum paper requirement.
Presentation/Argument Paper:
Students will either be completing an Argument Style Debate which includes sources, outline and a group
debate or an Argument Paper.
Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments are paramount to the writing process. One cannot learn to write without reading and
one cannot learn to write without writing. Students are expected to read the assigned work before class as
indicated on syllabus and engage in active reading (which will be taught). Reading assignments are
usually limited to 20 pages. Students should be prepared to discuss styles, argue positions, critique and
analyze readings. The instructor believes that all opinions, views and literary analysis are valid and
important to the class and each student deserves the right to be treated with dignity and respect
regardless of differing opinions. Whilst engaging in class discussion, students are expected to respect
differing views and opinion of classmates.
Research Paper:
A 8-12 (8000-10,0000) page research paper will be due at the end of the semester. Topics must be
approved. The instructor will be walking students through the research process and does not expect
students to enter 1301 with a grasp on research or research techniques. The instructor will explain the
research process in detail and provide further information during class. Students are encouraged to budget
their time and keep with the “On Task” portion of the syllabus regarding the final paper.
Tests, Quizzes and In-Class Work
There will be NO FINAL EXAM. The Research Paper will act in lieu of a final. At times, there will
be unannounced quizzes . Quizzes cannot be made up. Quizzes provide an assessment of whom is
reading the assignments, studying and who is not. Students will be doing in-class work and should be
prepared by bringing their book to class each night.
Journal Entries
Students will be responding in Journal entries weekly in class regardless of them being listed in the
Tentative Homework Assignments. They are submit via Blackboard in the Weekly Assignments. Journal
entries cannot be made up.
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Plagiarism:
Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Students will be expected to sign a form regarding plagiarism. A
student who engages in plagiarism will be automatically given an F for the course.
Literary Writing
Papers written in any English class are written as if they were to be submitted to a literary academic
journal. The instructor will provide more information on the expectations of literary writing. Therefore,
directions for each essay assignment are provided so that the student can achieve the goal of literary
writing.
Professor/Student Meetings and Communication and Philosophy:
If a student needs to speak to the instructor, the instructor is available. Please note: student/instructor
meetings and discussions are confidential. Because of the hours of class, many times students need to
meet before class or after. Please respect the confidentiality of your fellow students. If you cannot meet
either before class or after, I am available by phone from 9:30 am (after my coffee) until around 10:30
pm. Please feel free to call at home. I usually arrive an hour before class and can meet with any student
during that time and am willing to stay after class.
Self-Initiation:
Students must expect some individual initiation in their own learning process. Students are expected to
engage in outside classroom research as research is a foundation to writing and to use the textbook tools
provided. The professor is available to guide you, provide lectures, and walk you through the course. The
professor will assist students with any difficulties; however, students are the main motivator in their
learning process.
Technology
The instructor will be using technology on a weekly basis.
Do not bring your laptop to class. If you do happen to bring your laptop, please leave it OFF.
Turn off your cell phone and do not text your friends during class or you will be asked to leave.
Please keep your cell phone off the desk/table, do not pull it out during class, or leave it in your lap.
You will be asked to leave or the cell phone will remain on my desk.
*If there are extenuating circumstances please speak to the instructor before or after class.
Tentative Homework Schedule:
The syllabus is subject to change at times and at the Professor’s discretion. Reading assignments are usually
limited to 20 pages per week. Students can expect a 2 week turn-around between submission and receiving
graded papers.
Week 1 Goals: Feb. 26
Lecture: Introduction, Syllabus, Active Reading and note taking, the mechanics of writing, Building a
Thesis, Outline Basics
Bring the following to class:
 Text books, paper, and coloured pen (these items should always be brought to class). (Some
students may not have their books during the first week of class, please seek out a “study buddy”
if you do not have your text yet).
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Read Charles Bazerman. A Relationship between Reading and Writing: The Conversational
Model. (Found in Blackboard under Journal Articles)
 Answer Reading Summary questions
 Journal Entry (spring board for entry found in Weekly Assignments. Journal Entries are not
accepted late)
 Find a picture in a magazine and bring it to class.
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Week 2 Goals: March 5
Lecture: MLA format, thesis statements and essay building, “Parrot Sketch Included” Create
outline/mind-map or five-questions mapping for Description paper based on picture in-class.
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Read pgs. 36-42, 398-405, 503-505.
 Write Description Paper (450-500 words).Correct MLA format is worth 3 points. Submit to
SafeAssign by March 11th, 11:59 pm or 23:59 pm
 Write Journal Entry: Possible topic, Why do you read or not read?
 Read, Maring, Gerald. The Impact of Reading. (in Blackboard under Journal Articles)
Week 3 Goals: March 12
LIBRARY TOUR MEET AT NOEL WINN LIBRARY IN FAIRBANKS MANDATORY
In-Class work: Introduction to Works Cited and Annotated Bibliography.
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:.
 Read pgs. 296-299, 491-493
 Works Cited and Annotated Bibliography due March 25th by 2359 hours or 11:59 pm
 Write Journal
Spring Break March 17-21. No homework is assigned during the break; however, late assignments
run into the break.
Week 4 Goals: March 26 Bring Laptop to Class
Nuts-n-Bolts of a Research Paper and analyzing data. Begin Causal Analysis paper.
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Read Scanlon, Patrick. Student Plagiarism On-line: How do We React? Pgs. 161-165. Found in
Journal Articles in Blackboard.
 Reading Summary.
 Read pgs. 138-144, 149-154, 377-78
 Submit Causal Analysis Rough Draft (700-850 words) to SafeAssign by April 1st , 23:59 or 11:59
pm. Bring a Hard Copy to class.
 Write Journal
Week 5:April 2 Midterm review
Lecture. APA introduction, graphs and charts and abstract
Homework Assigned at End of Class
 Submit Causal Analysis final draft to SafeAssign by April 9th 11:59 pm or 2359 hours.
 Write Journal Entry
 APA Citation and Annotated Bibliography
 Create one graph and one chart assignment in Blackboard
 Create Abstract (150 words)
Week 6 Goals: April 9 Midterm (midterm cannot be made up. Only military with Documented
TDY from supervisor may postpone.
Lecture: Ethical Definition paper.
Homework Assigned at End of Class
 Turn in Ethical Definition Rough Draft Paper (1000-1250 words) by April 15th to SafeAssign by
23:59 hrs.
 Reading summary questions.
 Write Journal
 Readings TBA
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Week 7 Goals: April 16 (April 23rd will open early because of the work expectaations)
Lecture: Argument Debate Introductory, Abstract, PIE and integrating sources, Watch Dr. King’s “I
Have A Dream”
Homework Assigned at End of Class:
 Read “I Have a Dream” found in Journal Articles
 Answer Reading Summary Questions
 Begin Argument Debate points and outline
 Submit to SafeAssign AND Writing Center by April 22th 11:59 or 23:59
 Write Journal
 Task oriented and time budget: Begin outline and preliminary writing for your Research paper
(self-initiated)
Week 8: April 23
Research Paper Workshop, Group Debate Workshop (please feel free to bring your laptop)
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Turn in Argument Paper Final Draft to SafeAssign (750-1000 words) April 29th 23:59 hours.
 Reading TBA
 Write Journal
 Time Budgeting: Write Research Paper Outline and Abstract (Submit to SafeAssign by April 29th
11:58 or 2359.
Week 9: April 30
Lecture: Argument Debate .
MOVIE: Finding Forester (attendance mandatory)
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Write Journal
 Finding Forester summary questions. If you missed the movie you cannot submit the assignment.
 Finish Research paper Rough Draft and submit to SafeAssign May 7thth, 23:59 Bring 2 Hard
Copies to Class for second editing session and your Writing Center copy corrections. If a
student fails to bring 2 copies to class for the peer-review editing session. and submit his or her
paper to SafeAssign the student will receive a 0 on his or her Rough Draft. Your Rough Draft
should be 90% completed (at least 1500 words).
Week 10 May 7
Lecture: Research Paper Workshop Bring 2 copies of Finished Research Paper Rough Draft to class!
Homework Assigned at the End of Class:
 Finish Final Research Paper (1750 words) and submit to SafeAssign May 11th 11:59 pm or 2359
hours. NO LATE Papers are accepted without a documented military TDY or exercise.
 Write Journal
 Write Research review entry
Week 11 May 14 (Tentatative: Research papers returned)
 Literary Analysis
 TBA
 Short paper presentations: What was your topic, why did you choose your topic, what was your
thesis, what new research did you find, did the research change or challenge your original thesis
and premise, what were your conclusions. (Grade will go under Writing Assignments and
Participation).