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English 103_Section 411
Summer I 2011
Office:
Office Hours:
Welcome!
205 Strode Tower
Clemson, SC 29634
Online (E-mail access Mon-Fri)
Wendy Blanchard
Online
Phone:
E-mail:
RCID Graduate Office # 864656-2655
*Note: I am not on campus
this summer. Please contact
me via e-mail.
CCIT # is 656-3494 for
Blackboard issues.
wlblanc@clemson.edu
I enjoy teaching English 103 and working with my students at Clemson. It is
important to me that your writing improves in this course and that you
leave this course understanding what is expected of a scholarly academic
writer. To that end, please understand that I will ask for you to
push the boundaries of what you have done in high school or even college.
The quality of the research is essential to the quality of the paper you
submit, and I will ask that you also submit separate Works Cited pages in
MLA format before you even begin your paper. You will quickly see why.
Because an on-line environment allows for less interaction between us, it
can seem impersonal. I will stay in touch with you regularly via email, and if a
student asks a question that I have not answered in this syllabus or
announcements, and the question is not of a personal nature, I will forward it
so that it can help everyone.  You will be interacting with one another via
the Blog, group emails and peer revision, Discussion Boards, and again
with just your small group for the Multi-Modal project Discussion Boards on
Blackboard. Material will come up quickly and be due in a timely fashion
(please assume that all times given are for Eastern Standard Time [EST]), but
that is to be expected when each class period equals a week in a
normal class. It is accelerated learning, but the overall paper length has
been cut in half compared to the regular classroom ENG 103 papers, so in
that way we have tried to compensate for such an intense experience. Let’s
get started.
Note: What follows is the generic English 103 syllabus, so it should apply
to other students taking this same course at Clemson, though I have
added my own due dates, which are set by the instructor. It follows the
Clemson Academic Calendar, (also see Gradebook section), so that students
understand how to access their grades, when they are available, etc. . . .
Also see my notes under “Email Responses” and “My Help.” I have also
added my own Course Outline at the end, in addition to placing it on the
Calendar in Blackboard. I find that if a student has this information in two
Course
places or more, they are sure to find it. I have also given you student
Descriptiion/Goals: examples from my prior students (with permission) in the “Content” link,
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and some leniency when it comes to lateness, but we will still be moving
very quickly, so let’s get that work in on time! 
This course focuses on writing and critical thinking by using an integrated
approach to writing that teaches various rhetorical strategies for reading and
constructing arguments (written and visual) in both print and digital
environments. You will learn to read texts critically according to key
components in argumentative discourse (i.e., claims, grounds, explicit and
implicit assumptions, fallacies, etc.) and to recognize the different purposes of
argument. You will write and revise three writing projects based on issues and
research raised in the various texts read during the semester. The
assignments will give you extensive practice in reading critically and writing
according to the rhetorical conventions of an argumentative essay using the
full range of writing processes—invention, arrangement, drafting, revising,
editing, and proofreading—for multiple assignments. During this course, there
will be four course strands that guide your learning:
Rhetoric and Argumentation – Rhetoric, where we will explore the uses of
rhetoric as a tool of persuasion in written, visual, and multimodal texts. We’ll
learn how rhetoric works through attention to persona, audience, and
persuasive appeals (such as pathos, logos, ethos, kairos). Rhetoric teaches us
how we might persuade others, and whether to be persuaded ourselves. In
addition, we will examine strategies of argument and critical thinking about
the world we live in. To these ends, we will pay particular attention to
cultural and individual assumptions, to evidence and other types of support,
to arguments and fallacies, and to rhetoric and language. This strand also
encompasses the entire writing process (abstracts, outlines, multiple drafts,
edited final products), as well as formal attention to arrangement, style,
grammar, punctuation, and document design conventions.
Information Design and Technology – Information design and technology,
where we will explore recently developed technologies for research,
composing, and communication. We will also learn to design multimodal
compositions (involving combinations of text, graphics, and in some cases,
sound) that form dynamic visual arguments.
Research – Research, where we will use a wide variety of conventional and
online search strategies to gather information about a topic and learn to
integrate these sources into writing while producing an original text. Most
important to this strand is the promotion of academic integrity and
establishing our ethos as writers. Our credibility as writers is the foundation
of learning how to research effectively and appropriately, and how to
integrate our sources into our writing honestly. To that end, we’ll explore
effective strategies for note-taking, integrating quotations, and learning to
hold a scholarly conversation with our sources.
Collaboration – Collaboration, where we will gain experience working with
others to achieve a common goal and learn the social aspects of writing
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processes. We will learn the value of multicultural differences and the value of
persuasive discourse in cultural contexts. Collaboration also means helping
hold each other accountable for academic integrity. We’ll learn about our
texts, our topics, and our own methods as writers by engaging in many
collaborative activities during class.
Required
Materials:
Envision in Depth: Reading, Writing, and Researching Arguments. By Christine L.
Alfano and Alyssa O’Brien. Pearson Longman, 2009.
The DK Handbook. By Anne Frances Wysocki and Dennis A. Lynch. Pearson
Longman, 2009.*
Access to Envision Companion Website at
http://wps.ablongman.com/long_alfano_envision_2/
Evaluation:
Syllabus & Announcements
Quiz
Visual Rhetoric Paper
Research Argument Paper
Multi-Modal Project
Participation
Grading Scale:
A 100-90
Saving Work:
5%
25%
25%
30%
15%
B 89-80
C 79-70
D 69-60
F 59-0
When you upload an assignment to BlackBoard, I want you to save the file as:
project name: [your_last_name]_[project_title]. It should be submitted under
“Content” link.
All the assignments need to be in one file, not several. For example, images
should be embedded in the file instead of attached as a separate file. Copy all
five into one file using page breaks. If you upload separate files for an
assignment, your grade may be affected negatively for that assignment. Please
note that late penalties will apply.
Your papers do not need a title in the center. Instead they need the following
information on either the left or right of your 1 inch margin:
Student Name
ENG 103 Section 411
Date
Assignment Title
Arrangement (p. 59)
Word Count
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BlackBoard:
The syllabus, class notes, and assignments can be found in the “Content” link.
You need to use the “Content” folder to turn in all your assignments. Just click
on the Item (for ex., Thesis Statement) and it will say “Upload Assignment:
Thesis Statement.” Make sure to say something in the box so that it will let
you send it, attach the file, and submit it.
Peer Edits:
Since we will not meet in a classroom this semester, we will not have the
benefit of doing peer edits in class. However, I suggest that before you turn in
an assignment, you let someone else in the class read over the assignment for
you. I suggest that you email a few members of the class and ask if they would
like to work with you this semester. Student teams are assigned per the
announcements page at the beginning of the course for peer edits and for
additional help as you move through the course. I will furnish email
addresses for assigned team members to one another, which you can also get
by logging into the Clemson website. Please go ahead and email each other
and introduce yourselves.
Turning in an
Assignment:
Plan A: We will be using BlackBoard as the medium for this semester. When
an assignment is due, I expect it to be uploaded on BlackBoard by the due
date (for example, if an assignment is due on July 12, it needs to be uploaded
by 11:59 pm Eastern time (EST) on July 12. I do not want you to upload the
assignment and then email it to me. Just place your document on BlackBoard.
If you are late, still place it in Blackboard (see “Late Work” section for points
off per day). You do not need to ask permission. I will take off the points once
it arrives. No late work will be accepted past June 20th at 11:59 PM EST for the
end of the semester. If it is placed in Blackboard after this date/time, it will
not be graded. I do not like being unduly strict about times and dates, but
Clemson adheres to a strict schedule for grade distribution, so it forces me to
do so as well.
How to upload an Assignment:
1. Click on “Content” on the main screen in Blackboard. You should then
see a list of all your assignments for this semester.
2. Click the link for the assignment you wish to turn it. For example, if
you were turning in the Visual Rhetoric Paper assignment, click
“View/Complete Assignment” underneath the Visual Rhetoric Paper
assignment. Once there, the process is like attaching an email. You
will need to type something into the comment space. Most students
just type, “hey” or “here you go.”
3. After attaching your file, you need to hit “Submit” NOT “Save.”
4. After submitting you need to go to “Gradebook” (found under “My
tools” on BlackBoard’s home screen) and check to make sure you
uploaded your assignment correctly. If you have successfully
completed the process, you should see an “!” under that assignment.
5. Anything else means that it did not work, and you need to either try
again or follow Plan B (see below). You may need to give BlackBoard a
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few seconds before it uploads your assignment.
6. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK TO MAKE
SURE THAT YOUR ASSIGNMENT WAS UPLOADED CORRECTLY. IF NOT,
THEN IT WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE.
Plan B: If BlackBoard is experiencing difficulties, is not working properly, or
you did not see the “!”, only then can you email me your assignment as an
attachment, not copied in the email. I will not accept any assignment that is
copied into an email; please note that late penalties will apply if it is late.
Please turn in only completed assignments. Partially completed assignments
will be returned ungraded. Please note that late penalties will apply.
Late work:
Late Penalty: All assignments are due on the due date by 11:59 PM EST,
except for the group project, which is due by 11:30 PM EST. Weekends count
too. The generic syllabus deducts 10 points off per day, but I am only
deducting 10 points total (off whatever actual grade you make); however, I
will not grade any work past June 20th at 11:59 PM so that I can wrap up
course grading. In addition, you are only allowed to be late on one (1)
assignment TOTAL during this course for these 10 points off. After that, I
give a zero for a late assignment.
Extensions need to be approved by me prior to the due date.
Academic
Integrity:
According to the 2007-2008 Undergraduate Announcements, “As members of
the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green
Clemson’s vision of this institution as a ‘high seminary of learning.’
Fundamental to that vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor,
and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of
others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from
the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating
or stealing in any form.”
Other
Information:
Questions concerning a grade. If you have any questions concerning a
grade, just send me an email at wlblanc@clemson.edu. I go out of my way
to be very fair with grades and am not interested in making this course
difficult beyond measure. My goal is that your writing improves and if I see
you trying, I reward that effort.
Gradebook. I will keep BlackBoard updated with your grades as I move
through the course grading; however, some items are graded more quickly
than others. Please note that the date for all grades to be in for the course
is June 27th, so you will see all of your grades posted by June 25th in
Blackboard. It is usually the case with me that I will get your grades into
Blackboard earlier, but I do ask that you not write me to find out where
your grades are or why your peer has a grade and you do not, as I have not
graded yours yet. In other words, hold your horses.  If you are unsure of
whether I received an assignment, check Blackboard and it will show you
when you submitted it. All grades will be in Blackboard by 11:59 PM on
June 25th.
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Following Directions. This step really saves both you and me a great deal
of extra work. I try to post the directions in two if not three locations to
make extra-sure that you read them. Please help us both out and do just
that, and then if there are questions, I will be happy to help. Make sure
that for the thesis statement and rough draft submissions for the opening
and 1st paragraph, that you wait for feedback before proceeding with
writing. You may always continue with your research while you wait, as
well as with other aspects of the course. 
 My help. I know that it is difficult to know what professors expect with
assignments. Since we will never meet face to face this semester, I will
help out with assignments and class material as much as I can. I will
answer questions about drafts of your assignments; however, please, do
not ask me to proofread rough drafts and correct it sentence by
sentence as that is what your peers can help you do. During 2nd Semester,
should you take another writing class, you may also contact the Writing
Center at Clemson (see website). Just keep in mind that the Writing
Center only gives general focus for papers and may require face-to-face
meetings. They do not re-write the actual paper or really touch the paper
other than to read it.
 Unlike the generic syllabus requirements, I will want to read your
opening paragraph and first paragraph of your rough draft (due May 27th
and June 8th respectively), which hopefully is of benefit for you. I have
set due dates for turning in rough drafts on the Course Outline and the
Calendar (due May 27th and June 8th respectively). I will then send you
back 3 main comments per draft for areas I think need particular
attention, but that in no way means the rest of the paper should be
perfect. You will need to critique it using the wealth of materials available
in your textbook and the Envision on-line website, which also has student
examples, your peer’s comments and any further assistance you receive,
as well as just editing your own work. You are your best critic, and
working on your own piece will pay great rewards, which is exactly how
your professors improve their own writing pieces. Please note that my
directions for your paper(s) always preempt both the book/website and
the Writing Center.
I also ask that you are respectful of my time as I am not on the computer
most of the day. If you have questions about an upcoming assignment, to
insure a timely response from me, please ask the question at least a day
ahead of when the assignment is due. I am not on the computer from Friday
afternoon through the weekend. I will be happy to return emails on Monday.
 Class Proceedings: Since this is an online class, you will have to be
responsible and really keep up with your work and readings. I promise
that you will not do well on the tests or assignments unless you READ the
assigned material, follow the syllabus and read the announcements.
 Sample thesis statements, sample opening paragraphs and 1st
paragraphs, sample MLA Works Cited and rubrics are located in the
“Content” link.
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I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to keep up with the
material. You will begin to feel very overwhelmed if you do not.
 Email Responses: Since we will communicate via email, I will respond to
you within 24 hours to your emails except for Friday afternoons through
the weekend. I check emails every day during the week and I will return a
response, but again pay attention to my announcement regarding
deducting points for asking questions that are on the syllabus and
announcements. If it is a case of not understanding something, I will be
glad to help.
Important Clemson Dates:
May 18th
Classes Begin
May 23rd
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University without a W grade
rd
June 3
Last day for instructors to issue midterm evaluations
June 8th
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University without final
grades
June 20
All work must be completed and in by 11:59 PM EST if you are submitting
late work.
June 22nd-23rd
Examinations – this class has no exam
th
June 27
9:00 A.M. Deadline to submit all grades for instructors
Students with
Disabilities:
It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis,
reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities. Students are
encouraged to contact Student Disability Services to discuss their
individualized needs for accommodation.
Please let me know as soon as possible so we can work out accommodations.
Class Outline
 First day of course: Print out the Syllabus and all Announcements, as well
as the Calendar (if Blackboard allows it). Read them! Note that I deduct
points on your participation grade for asking me questions on the syllabus
and announcements as I am not here to save you reading time. Most of
you will be great at following directions and a complete joy to have in class,
but sometimes I can have a one or two students that create repeated extra
work for no apparent reason other than not reading.
 First day of course: Sign in to the Blog (see Blog link on the Blackboard page
and Blog address is also listed under the Announcements). You must have a
Google Account, so if you do not have one, please go ahead and signup for
a Google Account.  It is imperative that you go to the blog and begin
discussing ideas as your group will be formed through self-enrollment off
of this information.
 Please take the Syllabus Quiz (worth 5% of overall grade) located in the
“Content” link and submit by May 18th at 11:59 PM to Blackboard. If you
are unsure, after following my directions, how to submit to Blackboard,
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contact CCIT at 656-3494. They can go into your course and see what you
are doing, which I cannot do.
 Note the discussion board reading assignments are due May 23rd and 31st,
June 6th, 13th, and 20th. You will see directions under the “Discussion
Board” link. 10 points are deducted if they are not in by 11:59 PM EST on
the due date.
 Please read thesis statement samples under “Information” before
submitting the May 19th assignment. I am looking for an “umbrella” idea
that will cover your paper, and three particular areas that you will discuss
under that umbrella. This paper (see directions under “Content” link) is
not a fact-based, high school history paper. It is a look at an idea that
must have SOME controversy around the topic so that you can access
research that disagrees with your point of view. Again, see the directions.
Submitting a simple, fact-based paper is the same as not having done the
assignment.
 Thesis statement for Visual Rhetoric Paper is due by Thursday, May 19th at
11:59 PM EST. If you do not follow directions, it will be returned to you
with “please follow directions” on it and considered late. You will have 24
hrs. to amend it. I will help you re-write your thesis statement. Please see
directions on your syllabus and under the “Content” link (which also has
student samples, which you must read) in Blackboard under “Thesis
Statement.”
 Visual Rhetoric paper opening paragraph and 1st paragraph due by 11:59
PM EST on Friday, May 27th. Please wait for feedback before submitting the
rest of the paper.
 Works Cited in MLA format (only) for Visual Rhetoric paper due on
Wednesday, May 25th by 11:59 PM EST. Margins and formatting, including
hanging indents, should be correct. I will only return it if it is wrong. If you
do not hear from me, the quality of the research is as expected and the
formatting is correct. Not following MLA format = zero. Use
www.easybib.com for an easy and accurate MLA sheet. The only way it
will be incorrect on Easybib.com is if you complete the boxes inaccurately.
Then download it to Word rather than copying/pasting it. You can ONLY
label it Works Cited at the top of the page if you are following MLA
format. Make sure your margins are only 1 inch (the Purdue Owl example
looks .5, but that is because it came from a website).
See Content link for information on MLA at Purdue Owl. It will be under
general information for the papers under Rough Drafts for Opening and 1st
paragraph papers and also under Works Cited for Each paper.
 Visual Rhetoric Paper (final version) is due Thursday, June 2nd by 11:59
PM EST. Please place in Blackboard per the directions above under
“Turning in Assignments.” Please see directions in your syllabus and
“Information” link on Blackboard under Visual Rhetoric Paper.
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 Thesis statement for Research Argument Assignment is due by Friday,
June 3rd at 11:59 PM EST, so that I can re-work it on Monday/Tuesday
and send it back to you. If you do not follow directions, it will be returned
to you with “please follow directions” on it and considered late. You will
have 24 hrs. to amend it. Please see directions on your syllabus and under
the “Content” link (which also has student samples, which you must read)
in Blackboard under “Thesis Statement.”
 Research Argument paper opening paragraph and 1st paragraph due by
June 8th at 11:59 PM EST.
 Works Cited in MLA format (only) for Research Argument paper due on
Tuesday, June 7th by 11:59 PM EST. Margins and formatting, including
hanging indents, should be correct. I will only return it if it is wrong. If you
do not hear from me, the quality of the research is as expected and the
formatting is correct. Not following MLA format = zero. Use
www.easybib.com for an easy and accurate MLA sheet. The only way it
will be incorrect on Easybib.com is if you complete the boxes inaccurately.
Then download it to Word rather than copying/pasting it. You can ONLY
label it Works Cited at the top of the page if you are following MLA
format. Make sure your margins are only 1 inch (the Purdue Owl example
looks .5, but that is because it came from a website).
 Research Argument Paper (final version) is due Tuesday, June 14th by
11:59 PM EST. Please place in Blackboard per the directions above under
“Turning in Assignments.” Please see directions in your syllabus and
“Information” link on Blackboard under Research Argument Paper.
 Multi-Modal project is due on Friday, June 17th at 11:30 PM EST (please
note that it is not my usual 11:59 PM as Blackboard only gave me one
choice). See “Information” link for additional information on evaluating
these projects. They need to be uploaded to youtube.com or prezi.com and
the address sent to me by the time indicated. I will also need the website
address if you made a wix.com or a weebly.com website. Further
information about the project will be placed on the Assignment page as we
proceed in the course. See the “Information” link for sample links to
student projects. Also, sample student projects links are listed under the
Announcements for this project. Note that Blackboard has a Grade Sheet
Evaluation Form for your project under “Information.”
This schedule is subject to change.
Summer Session I 2011
May
17
Tues
Late enrollment
18
Wed
Classes begin; $50 late enrollment fee applies
Summer I 2010, English 304
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19
Th
Last day to register or add a class
23
Mon
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University without a W grade
3
Fri
Last day for instructors to issue midterm evaluations
8
Wed
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University without final grades
13
Mon
Last day to order diploma for August graduation
21
Tues
Study day
22 - 23
Wed - Th
Examinations
27
Mon
9:00 A.M. Deadline to submit all grades
June
Class Posts- This is worth 10% of your overall final grade. This is a really easy way to
earn 100.
Assignment
Possible Points
Your Points
Posts- You may post your reading response at any point,
but please bear in mind the due dates (see Calendar and
Discussion Board for dates). You have to respond once to
your classmates’ posts, and post your own, in whichever
order you wish. The responses need to be at least five
sentences each.
Post 1 – due May 23rd
Post 2 – due May 31st
Post 3 – due June 6th
Post 4 – due June 13th
Post 5 – due June 20th (will not be accepted late)
Total
Summer I 2010, English 304
100 pts (20 pts
each)
20 pts (10 points
for each post)
20 pts (10 points
for each post)
20 pts (10 points
for each post)
20 pts (10 points
for each post)
20 pts (10 points
for each post)
100pts
10
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