USF Department of English ENC 1101 Syllabus | Fall 04
Section ___
Phil Chamberlin
pchambe3@helios.acomp.usf.edu
AOL Instant Messenger Screen Name: pchambe3
Office: CPR 233
Hours Available:
1:50-3:20 MW and by appointment.
Additional hours TBA.
Office hours subject to change. Online office hours TBA.
Department Phone: (813) 974-2421
ENC 1101 offers instruction and practice in the skills of writing and reading. More specifically,
ENC 1101 emphasizes expository and academic writing and textual interpretation. This is a
Gordon Rule course, so all students must write at least 6000 words over the course of the
semester.
By emphasizing planning, rhetorical analysis, idea synthesis, and process writing, this course will
prepare you for the academic writing you will be expected to produce as a college student.
Student writing is based on conversation, memory, experience, reasoning, library research, and
Internet-based research. Students must learn to interpret, critique, summarize, and paraphrase
texts. Students will compose multiple drafts with careful revision and editing to suit the needs and
expectations of particular audiences.
In terms of thematic issues, this course invites students to think rhetorically about academic
culture. The major writing projects encourage students to think rhetorically about academic life.
Both ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 explore the foundations of knowledge and learning as outlined by
USF's General Education Plan.
Pre-Requisites
ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 must be taken in numerical sequence.
Required Texts


The Call to Write, 3rd edition by John Trimbur
My Comp Lab
Major Projects and Activities
The table below provides links to the major course projects and activities, the weeks assigned to
each, and anticipated grading weights (please note that the instructors reserve the right to adjust
grade distribution to account for special activities). Also, these assignments and their order are
subject to change, although doing so will not significantly increase the course’s overall workload.
Title
Assigned Weeks
% of Grade
Entrance Essay: The Ideal Learning Experience Week 1-2
5%
Project I: Technology Literacy Autobiography
Weeks 2-4
10%
Project 2: Analysis & Critique of USF’s
General Education Program
Weeks 5-7
10%
Project 3: The University Community
Weeks 8-10
10%
Project 4: Literary Analysis
Weeks 11-13
10%
Homework & My Comp Lab Work
Ongoing
10%
Blog
Ongoing--beginning Week 3 15%
Portfolio
Weeks 14
20%
Interaction
Weeks 1-15
10%
Course Technology Requirement
From web-based assignments and material to email and Blackboard, ENC 1101 requires
consistent access to the Internet, word-processing, desktop publishing programs, and a
printer. As quoted at http://isis2.admin.usf.edu/compustore/studentpolicy.asp, USF's
Technology Policy is as follows:
“USF expects students entering the university to possess significant computer
skills and have ready access to computer hardware and software appropriate to
their degree programs. Competency in the basic use of a computer is essential
for success in many majors at the university as well as in a number of general
education and elective courses. Class assignments for courses, including some
of those taken in the first semester, may require extensive computer use. Each
year, increasing proportions of courses offered throughout the university are
adding computer use requirements. Students who come to the University without
necessary computer skills are provided access to numerous free computer
training classes. Training in various software applications and web languages is
offered throughout the year, including the summer session. Students may find
information about these valuable computer training opportunities at
http://www.acomp.usf.edu/training.html.
Not having access to a computer will be not be an acceptable excuse for not having
checked the syllabus for homework, not having checked your USF email address for
class announcements, or not having made the required online journal posts. Students are
required to check their USF email account (use of this account is mandatory) and the
course Web page for updates. If you use an email address other than your USF address,
you will be required to forward your USF mail to your regular email address so that you
do not miss any announcements.
Please note: Not having access to a computer or system failures are no longer valid
excuses. The availability of many open-access computer labs on the Tampa campus,
makes it easy to continually have access to this course and its information and tools.
Archiving
For archiving purposes, your instructor may require you to submit electronic copies of
your assignments in addition to paper copies. Your instructor may require you to archive
your work at Blackboard or print copies.
You must keep all your written work until you have received your final grade for the
course. You may archive your work on a disk/CD, a website, or in printed format. If you
have questions regarding the grade for an English Composition class, you may be asked
to produce all the written work completed during the semester. Also, you need to keep
your work that your instructor marks up so that you can submit these at the end of the
semester when you turn in your Portfolio. At the end of the semester if your instructor
requires paper documents, you may want to submit a self-addressed stamped
envelope/folder when you submit your Portfolio so that the instructor can mail back your
documents.
Keep in mind, though, that your instructor is not responsible for archiving your work after
the final week of the semester.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. This is not a lecture class. Class meetings will be spent
engaged in activities that will directly and immediately address your needs as a writer. It
is impossible to "make-up" missed days. Unexcused absences will result in one grade off
for whatever assignment was due on the day of the absence. Also, for each unexcused
absence after three on a three-times-a-week schedule, one-third grade will be taken off
your final grade (e.g., for four unexcused absences, a “B” becomes a “B-”; for five, the “B”
becomes a “C+”). The same deductions will be made for a twice-a-week schedule for
each unexcused absence after two.
Missing a scheduled conference with your instructor will be treated the same as any other
absence.
Also, please avoid tardiness. An entire class can be disrupted by a single student who
arrives late. Starting with the third tardy, every two tardies will count as one unexcused
absence.
Policy on Religious Observances: Students who will be absent from class due to religious
observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor at least one class period
prior to the absence. All excused absences (due to illness, emergency, religious holiday,
etc.) need to be cleared with your instructor. You will not be penalized for excused
absences; however, since there will be a workshop portion of nearly every class, any
absences, even if excused, may adversely affect your grade.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor regarding information about
missed work. If a student must miss two or more consecutive classes, communication
with the instructor is vital.
Please be aware that when a student frequently misses class, it is usually in the best
interest of the student to withdraw from the course and retake it the following semester.
Excessive absences cannot be rewarded with an “Incomplete Grade” according to USF’s
grading policies. Being absent on a day an assignment is due is not an acceptable
excuse for late work.
Student Conduct Policy

As a courtesy, please turn off your cell phone before class begins.

Please do not address your instructors in email or on the discussion forum as you
would your friends. Remember, your instructors are constantly evaluating the quality
of your communications. This includes grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Internet
"shorthand" is not appropriate for communicating with your instructors or your
colleagues on class assignments.

Posting deliberately inflammatory material to discussion forums or blogs is
unacceptable. Make sure that you edit carefully for tone as well as for grammar,
style, and spelling.

Personal attacks posted to discussion forums or blogs will not be tolerated. If you
have a comment or an addendum to someone else's post, please make sure you
articulate your points in a calm, objective manner.

Posts that contain objectionable content will be removed at the discretion of your
instructor(s). We expect that you will not include foul language in your posts or email.
Please do not post any inappropriate images or links to pornographic or gambling
Web sites.

Please do not upload any music or video files to discussion forums or blogs. We do
not wish to run the risk of violating copyright restrictions. These spaces are not
forums for file-sharing.

Derogatory comments about the subject matter of the course (e.g., "I hate English so
much!") are inappropriate and reflect poorly on the poster. We strive to make the
course as interesting as possible for everyone, and we welcome any constructive
suggestions for improvement that are written in a respectful tone,
Disruption of Academic Process
Disruption of academic process is defined as the act or words of a student in a
classroom or teaching environment which in the reasonable estimation of a
faculty member: (a) directs attention from the academic matters at hand, such as
noisy distractions; persistent, disrespectful or abusive interruptions of lecture,
exam or academic discussions, or (b) presents a danger to the health, safety or
well being of the faculty member or students.
Punishment Guidelines For Disruption Of Academic Process
Punishments for disruption of academic process will depend on the seriousness
of the disruption and will range from a private verbal reprimand to dismissal from
class with a final grade of "W," if the student is passing the course, shown on the
student record. If the student is not passing, a grade of "F" will be shown on the
student record.
If we all work hard to treat each other respectfully, we will find ourselves in a
wonderfully positive learning environment. You'll come away with a rich
educational experience, and your teachers will be delighted to have had you as a
student.
Grading & Lateness Policies
Your instructor may grade you on a 1 to 100% basis or a letter grade basis. The
Blackboard_Grading rubric will be used for the mathematical breakdown on a 100 point
scale to a letter grade scale.
Letter grades, including plus and minus grades, will be given on major writing projects. To
determine final grades, the individual grades will be converted to points according to the
Grade Point Average grading system as follows:
A+ 4.00 B+ 3.33 C+ 2.33 D+ 1.33
A 4.00 B 3.00 C 2.00 D 1.00
A- 3.67 B- 2.67 C- 1.67 D- 0.67
For final grades, averages within the range between these points will go to the higher
grade (e.g., 3.68-4.0 = “A”; 3.01-3.33 = “B+”; etc.).
A final grade of C- satisfies specified minimum requirements for grades of C (e.g.,
Gordon Rule and Composition I requirements). Student exemptions for the writing portion
of CLAST require a 2.5 combined GPA in Composition I & II.
The grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be given for only very compelling reasons. (USF
Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2003, pages 43 – 45:
An “I” “may be awarded to an undergraduate student only when a small portion of
the student’s work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning
a passing grade.”) Assigning a student the grade of “I” for Composition I or II
must be approved by the instructor and the Director of Composition.
All assignments must be completed on time. Your instructor will not accept late in-class
assignments or late out-of-class homework assignments. Your instructor will accept late
Projects (for a list of Major Writing Projects see above); however, late projects will be
penalized. For each school day that the report is late, its final grade will be dropped one
level.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
At the beginning of the semester, you must review Responsible Resource Use, which you
can access at http://www.2learn.ca/mapset/SafetyNet/plagiarism/current.html
After reading Responsible Resource Use, you will be asked to print and sign an
Accountability form which your instructor will keep on file.
Your work will be checked for plagiarism using the Internet, the gated web, and
Turnitin.Com. The University of South Florida has an account with an automated
plagiarism detection service which allows instructors to submit student assignments to be
checked for plagiarism. Your instructor reserves the right to submit assignments to this
detection system. Assignments are compared automatically with a huge database of
journal articles, web articles, and previously submitted papers. The instructor receives a
report showing exactly how a student’s paper was plagiarized. For more information, go
to http://www.turnitin.com/.
Instructors of ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 will follow USF policies regarding plagiarism,
cheating, or disruption of academic process outolined in the USF Student Handbook at
http://www.sa.usf.edu/handbook/02/academics/ImportantAcademicPolicies.htm and
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0304/adadap.htm
Also, please be aware that plagiarism is unacceptable at all stages of the drafting
process.
Incomplete Grade Policy
An “I” grade indicates incomplete coursework and may be awarded to graduate and
undergraduate students. (Undergraduate rules apply to non-degree-seeking students.) It
may be awarded to an undergraduate student only when a small portion of the student’s
work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade. Until
removed, the “I” is not computed in the GPA for either undergraduate or graduate
students. The time limit for removing the “I” is to be set by the instructor of the course.
For undergraduate students, this time limit may not exceed two academic semesters,
whether or not the student is in residence, and/or graduation, whichever comes first. “I”
grades not removed by the end of the time limit will be changed to “IF” or “IU,” whichever
is appropriate. If an instructor is willing, he or she may accept work from a student after
an I grade has changed to an IF or IU grade, and assign the student a final grade in the
course, unless the student has graduated. Whether or not the student is in residence, any
change to “IF” grades will be calculated in the cumulative GPA and, if applicable, the
student will be placed on appropriate probation or academically dismissed. Students are
not required to re-register for courses in which they are only completing previous course
requirements to change an “I” grade. However, if a student wants to audit a course for
review in order to complete course requirements, full fees must be paid.
Policy for Making Up Missed Work
All assignments must be completed on time. Your instructor will not accept late in-class
assignments or late out-of-class homework assignments. Your instructor will accept late
Projects (for a list of Major Writing Projects see above); however, late projects will be
penalized. For each school day that the report is late, its final grade will be dropped one
level.