The University of Central Oklahoma
Course Information and Syllabus
English Composition 1153
CRNs:
18241 in Liberal Arts (LA), room 217
at 11:00 MWF
18242 in LA 217
at 12:00 MWF
Instructor: Jeannine Bettis, English Department
College of Liberal Arts
Office: LA 221-I, Phone: 974-5518;
E-mail address: jbettis@uco.edu
Office Hours:
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. M – F
and by appointment
Fall
2015
Policies and Syllabus
English 1153 – Fall 2015 – J. Bettis
Class Catalog Description: This course is the same as ENG 1113 but designed
for international students.This course provides instruction in college-level writing,
covering grammatical skills, rhetorical issues, and cognitive abilities necessary to
produce effective academic prose. The primary purpose of first-year English is to
produce writers of competent expository prose by providing an environment which acts
as an initiation into the academic world. Credit may be earned in only one course from
ENG 1113, 1143, 1153, or 1173. Prerequisites: None.
Course Overview:
English 1153 is the first of two required courses in grammar and composition skills at
the University of Central Oklahoma for speakers of English as a language to which they
are not native. Its purpose is to prepare its students to meet the academic and
professional expectations which they will face in the future. Proficiency in writing,
reading, grammar usage, and mechanics in English will be furthered in the course of the
semester. Orientation to the university and the culture are also provided through special
field work and opportunities for field-based scholarship. Critical thinking in evaluation
and problem-solving is stressed, also, in preparation for more advanced work.
Editing will be improved through grammar study designed especially for students from
backgrounds other than English-speaking. Exercises, quizzes, and major examinations
(i.e., the midterm and final exams) will allow the student to measure progress throughout
the term. Also, grammar usage will be examined in compositions, and thorough marking,
discussion, and correction of the writing will follow. The culmination of this study will
be the creation of able editors of their own work.
Composition types and methods will also be studied, and specific types of writing will be
explained, planned, and executed. Narrative, argumentation, and problem-solution
formats are studied in this class; and business writing will be addressed, as well. In-class
and out-of-class writing of compositions will provide practice in various writing
situations, and multiple drafts will allow the student to receive feedback regarding
revisions and editing. Each student will also write a portfolio journal of two pages each
week, over a period of eight weeks, recording and reflecting on his or her college
experiences.
In addition, smaller assignments will allow students to gain points for quizzes in class,
group work in and out of class, and exercises. Extra points may be available for small
papers written over campus or community activities as discussed in class. Point totals will
be divided by total points possible to derive the final percentage of the grade. Students
wishing to keep track of their grades need only total their points over points possible.
Good luck to all!
Course Policies
English 1153 – Fall 2015
J. Bettis, Instructor
PLEASE NOTE:
Link to Administration Policies: Academic Year 2015-2016
Textbook:
Rules for Writers, by Diana Hacker, 7th Ed., Bedford Books
ISBN13: 978-0312647957
Materials: A pocket notebook with no wires for compositions,
a notebook of the student's choice for note-taking;
white, 8« x 11 ruled paper; black or blue pen (I
suggest buying two or three of these). Students
will also write out of class, and will be required
to keep personal copies of all major assignments;
therefore, it might be wise to have a special
flash drive for these.
-----------------------------Course Objectives: Discipline knowledge, global competency,
service learning, and problem-solution objectives also
detailed below. (See “Transformative Learning Outcomes”)
A.
Students will practice analyzing the writing
situation, purpose, and audience for various types of
composition (discipline knowledge).
B.
Students will practice use of effective writing in
introductions, topic paragraphs (i.e., topics and best
developmental strategies), and conclusions of papers
of various sorts (discipline knowledge).
C.
Students will practice methods of planning, shaping,
drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
(discipline knowledge, problem solving).
D.
Grammar study with emphasis on special needs of international students will provide descriptive and
prescriptive instruction. Student progress will be
measured through testing and composition analysis.
E.
Field work and extra-credit assignments will encourage
student involvement with the community outside the
classroom and the broader world (global competency,
service learning, problem solving)
English 1153, p. 2
Course Requirements
The following are requirements for satisfactory completion
of Composition 1153 in this class. Some items are not on the
syllabus because they are of a continuous nature.
Please note:
ALL ITEMS BELOW ARE REQUIRED.
1.
Completion of the essays and tests listed on the class
syllabus, and of written and oral assignments. This
includes compositions, tests, quizzes, etc.
2.
D2L entries at the end of the semester
containing the following materials:
(a). all compositions written and graded during
the semester;
(b). reports or extra-credit compositions as
assigned and/or performed during the term;
(c). corrected compositions as assigned in class.
3.
Students will be required to hand in class notes at the
end of the term. These will not receive grades per se,
but should demonstrate college-level commitment to
retaining material presented in class.
4.
Satisfactory class attendance is required. Absences
exceeding four will be harmful to the student's mastery
of the subject. Discussion with instructor is required
should such absences occur. Absences exceeding 25% of the
class periods will result in a failing grade.
-----------------------------Composition Requirements
(Forms)
The following specifications apply to out-of-class
compositions.
*
*
*
*
*
The paper must be typed and double-spaced.
Use font 12 Times Roman, plain style.
Use one-inch borders at margins.
No cover page is needed for these compositions.
Title should be centered, and correct capitalization
used—that is, traditional capitalization.
* Further instruction will be provided in class.
English 1153, p. 3
Essay and Other Examinations
Some compositions may be written in class; quizzes and
examinations over composition techniques, grammar, and punctuation will be taken in class also. Please note policies:
While it is rare for students to cheat on exams, students are
required to avoid the appearance of cheating. Therefore,
1.
2.
3.
4.
Desks are to face the front of the classroom.
Students are not to look at others' persons or desks
during the exam.
Outlines and/or other materials permitted during the
exam will be examined by the instructor prior to the
testing.
Students may not wear caps, hats, or sunglasses while
testing.
Of the examinations, the midterm and the final will
have the greatest impact on students' grades.
-----------------------------Grades: 750 Formal assignment points possible + 100 flex
points on homework, pop tests, and daily work in class. Final
point totals will be given during the last week of class.
Four major compositions (400 points) will be allotted grades
on a letter system from A through F; points are assigned to
each letter grade. For quantitative purposes:
A equals 98 points; an A- is 92; B+ is 88; B is 85; B- is
82; C+ is 78; C is 75; C- is 72; D+ is 68; D is 65; D- is
62. If the paper receives an F grade, a number will be
given on that paper which may be from zero to 61 points.
Journal points are allocated at 5 pts. per page, total 90
points, plus 10 points for completion of all, total 100
points. Examination grades will show points earned over points
possible (e.g., 125/140). Further points will be earned in
assignments including quizzes, homework, group work, and extra
credit opportunities. See below for total points possible.
Full Composition Totals: 350 points (3 @ 100 pts., 1 @ 50)
Journal Total: 100 points (2 pages per week x 8 weeks)
Week Five Exam: 50 points
Midterm: 100 points
Final Exam: 150 points
Total 750 points; plus up to 100 flex points on homework, pop
quizzes, and in-class work as needed by the class.
All points received will be totaled at the end of the term,
and divided by points possible. This percentage forms the
total course grade (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D).
Technology Policies:
1. Cell phones should be turned off and put up prior to class.
2. Laptops will not be used in class except as instructed, in
order to hone note-taking skills and focus on the
environment, teacher, and fellow students.
Late Work, Incompletes, and Absences
1.
One late paper and/or examination will be allowed without
penalty to the grade if the student has a signed excuse.
If the paper or exam was done by fellow students in class,
the late student will be required to make up the assignment under proctoring, at a time within one week
under conditions similar to those in class.
2.
Grades of "Incomplete" may be given IF:
(a). The student has experienced a valid
emergency which has made completion
impossible, and this is documented;
(b). No more than two assignments and/or two
weeks of class have been missed;
(c). The instructor is advised in a timely manner.
3.
Attendance is required. Students who must miss one class
meeting need not advise the instructor, but are strongly
advised to obtain class notes from a classmate. Students
missing more than four class meetings are required to meet
with the instructor after making an appointment.
Absences over 25% will result in a failing grade.
Plagiarism
All writing assignments for this course must be entirely the
student's own work. If it is not, the student is guilty of
plagiarism, which is not tolerated at U.C.O. Plagiarism consists of:
1.
Copying the words of another writer without the use
of quotation marks and documentation.
2.
Using the ideas of another writer without crediting
that writer and documenting the source of the information.
3.
Incorrectly copying or inadequately paraphrasing.
Quotes must be not only credited, but also exact; no
alterations should be made to the text cited. Also,
paraphrasing must be different from the original in
sentence structure, phrasing, and style; changing of
of only some words is unacceptable.
Plagiarism cases are generally referred to the university's
Disciplinary Committee. If found guilty, the student may be
expelled from the school. At the least, a grade of F is
entered for the course.
Turnitin.com Plagiarism Syllabus Statement: UCO subscribes to the Turnitin.com
plagiarism prevention service. Students agree that by taking this course, all required
assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review Turnitin.com
for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted assignments will be included as source
documents in the Turnitin.com restricted access reference database for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism of such assignments. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject
the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com website. Turnitin.com is
just one of various plagiarism prevention tools and methods which may be utilized by
your faculty instructor during the terms of the semesters. In the UCO Student
Handbook, there is a process for contesting any plagiarism allegations against you.
TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OUTCOMES – FROM UCO ADMINISTRATION
Transformative learning is a holistic process that places students at the center of their own active
and reflective learning experiences. All students at the University of Central Oklahoma will have
transformative learning experiences in six core areas: discipline knowledge; leadership; research;
creative and scholarly activities; service learning and civic engagement; global and cultural
competencies; and health and wellness.
This course supports the following tenets of transformative learning in these ways:

Discipline Knowledge—students explore, discuss, and practice the techniques,
conventions, and processes that produce college-level writing. This is basic to this
course.

Global and Cultural Competency—students read and write analytically about global
and cultural issues and direct writing to divers audiences. Our compositions have
exactly these effects, especially given the international students’ concerns.

Problem Solving (Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities)—students analyze
complex texts, produce creative and scholarly papers and presentations, conduct
limited and focused research, and document sources. Limited research and textual
presentation are the subject of the second half of the term.

Service Learning and Civic Engagement—in service learning sections, students
write about a significant service learning experience; in other sections, students learn
how the public use of language has the potential to affect an audience and to effect a
change in their communities. Specific community problem-solving is addressed in
both argumentation and problem/solution compositions in this class.

Health and Wellness—students read about, write about, and discuss those
intellectual, emotional, and spiritual issues that give human existence vitality and
meaning. Issues of human connectedness are basic to our course work here.
Syllabus: English 1153
J. Bettis, Instructor
Fall 2015
Please note: This syllabus is not a substitute for class attendance. If the student
must miss class, he or she is encouraged to contact a classmate or the instructor
for notes and other information regarding class activities. Assignments below will
be supplemented as needed with further exercises. Student journals, at least
two pages per week as assigned, are a continuing assignment, with beginning
and due date noted here. For details, see the class assignment page.
Note: Copies of ALL compositions will be submitted on D2L, even those
also submitted for hand-marking, as a back-up and evaluation tool.
Week One: August 17 – 21
Course introduction and first essay assignment
Grammar vocabulary review: parts of speech
Assignments: Study class notes and homepage materials
Group meetings and writing of introductions
Portfolio Journal, 2 pages (at journal end,100 POINTS)
Week Two: Aug. 24 – 28
Grammar work: parts of speech and sentence structures preparatory to
sentence analysis
Paragraphs of introduction to group members will be due Friday
(50 POINTS) 1 ½ page.
Assignments: Journal (two pages: not to submit now; keep it on docs)
Memorization as assigned in class (e.g., prep. list)
Study parts of speech and sentence structures
Week Three: Aug. 31 – Sept. 4
Discussion of forms in English writing, especially for business use
Grammar: Practice with sentence analysis
Continue “College Journal” assignment; be ready for “pop” checks
Assignments: Complete sentence analysis practices
Work on memorization assignment
Syllabus, p. 2
Week Four: Sept. 9 and 11 (No classes on Monday: Labor Day)
Scholarship letters will be introduced this week
.
Grammar/editing: Practice with sentence structures; prepare for a basic quiz
in week five; specific day will be given in class.
Assignments:
Prepare for grammar quiz
Planning sheets for application letters
Week Five: Sept. 14 – 18
Planning sheets for job letters will be reviewed and discussed
and final drafts are due as instructed in class.
Review test over grammar to this point (50 POINTS): Objective
Editing: Continuation of analysis; beginning prescriptive grammar ASAP
Assignments:
Rough draft business letters
Grammar practices as provided online
Week Six: Sept. 21 – 25
Job application letters are due as assigned this week (100 POINTS).
Return and discussion of grammar tests
Grammar principles: Avoiding common errors
Assignments: Readings/practice over grammar principles
Study all materials in preparation for midterm in week 8.
Week Seven: Sept. 28 – Oct. 2
Review of terms and concepts in next week’s midterm, with catch-up as
needed
Discussion of composition terms and techniques for inclusion in the midterm
exam
Syllabus, p. 3
Week Eight: Oct. 5 – 9
Monday: preparation for a brief writing assignment to be announced
and discussion of composition principles
Review for midterm exam on Monday of next week
Assignments: Midterm review and preparation
Week Nine: Oct. 12 and 14 (No classes Oct 16: FALL BREAK)
MIDTERM EXAMS FIRST SESSION (100 POINTS) Objective and
short essay question
Discussion of critical thinking and argumentation
Writing process, composition terms and rhetorical techniques
JOURNALS ARE DUE by WEDS. THIS WEEK (16-pages for full credit)!
(100 POINTS: 6 points per page + 4-point completion credit)
Week Ten: Oct. 19 – 23
Preparation for argumentation using primary research only, with local theses
Assignments: Read Chapter 4 in Rules, especially 4-C.
Consider topics for argumentation; only topics which
are local in nature, from the list given in class, may be
chosen. Bring ideas for these as instructed in class.
Week Eleven: Oct. 26 -30
Discussion of argumentation essays
As time permits, a special study of verb forms, tenses, and voices will
begin.
Assignments: Work on argumentation papers and study verbs
Syllabus, p. 4
Week Twelve: Nov. 2 – 6
Work will continue on argumentation essays
In-class study of verbs and practices with these, including modals
Assignments: Complete argumentation essays and study verb tenses
.
Week Thirteen: Nov. 9 – 13
Argumentation essay final drafts are due this week (100 points).
Discussion of problem-solving compositions; outline templates provided
Select thesis for problem/solution from the list provided;
NOTE: the thesis must be LOCAL and LIMITED to the UCO
community. Research may NOT be secondary
Assignments:
Study usage rules as covered in class; memorize these.
Read Chapters in Rules on comma, semi-colon, and colon use.
Week Fourteen: Nov. 16 – 20
Outlines underway for problem/solution papers. These must be in
correct academic format to be accepted.
Punctuation study, with individual and group practices, as time permits
Assignments: Work on argumentation or problem/solution composition.
Finish work on problem/solution papers.
Syllabus, p. 5
Week Fifteen: Nov. 23 ONLY: Thanksgiving Break
Problem/solution papers are due Monday this week (100 points)
In-class group work on punctuation will be done for points and practice.
At the end of punctuation study, discussion begins of expectations of
academic and business communities in terms of composition and
professional presentation.
Assignment: Practice sheets and readings as needed.
Week Sixteen: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4
Preparation for comprehensive final exam will be undertaken, with catch-up
study if required.
Final exam contents: Objective questions and an essay component
Final Exam Week: December 7 – 11
FINAL EXAM DATES:
11:00 MWF class final exam is on Monday, Dec. 7, at 11:00 a.m. (150 points)
12:00 MWF class final exam is on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 11:00 a.m. (150 pts.)
Please note that final exam times may differ from regular class times.
Also, students with three or more finals in one day may be provided an
alternative time. Please see your instructor if this is the case.