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Instructor:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours:
Dr. Jim Richey
903-510-2468
drjimrichey@gmail.com
By appointment
ENGL 1301: Grammar and Composition I
Text:
Strategies for Successful Writing 10th edition
by James A. Reinking and Robert von der Osten
Must have full edition (not the brief or concise edition)
Supplies:
1. Access to a computer for writing activities.
2. Internet access and a UT Tyler Patriot email account
3. USB flash drive.
Course Objectives:
English 1301 teaches students to share information, explore ideas, and identify/analyze ideas, values, and
data through writing--everything from discovering topics to generating material, to making points, to
producing well-developed essays. You will be able to
1. Demonstrate the capacity of using various writing forms (for example, responses, journals, notes,
reports, and others) to complete a specific writing task.
2. Write well-organized essays that come to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions supported by
relevant evidence and tested against relevant criteria and standards.
3. Develop your thoughts around some points of view and then organize them logically and coherently
with supportive details.
4. Master the basics of writing conventions for different purposes.
Course description:
This writing class relates writing with purpose by focusing on the relationship among personal sociocultural values to professional development. Although you may not be able to answer any questions or
solve dilemmas in terms of career or life, you have many opportunities to explore them and reach your
own decisions/conclusions. You will explore your thoughts about college education in light of some
career you may be interested in pursuing and investigate professional opportunities in terms of your life
goals and potentials.
Almost all classes are conducted as workshops in which you develop and complete a writing assignment
gradually through the writing process. You will develop thoughts and ideas (largely in class) in the
process that involves free-writing, focused-free-writing, drafting, revising, and rewriting. You will master
revising and editing skills by learning about and reshaping your writing habit through working
collaboratively with your peers and the instructor.
Professor-specific Requirements and Policies:
All papers submitted in this class will be typed in MLA Format: size 12 Times New Roman font.
Microsoft Word (.Doc files) and Rich Text Format (.RTF files) are the only acceptable files for online
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submissions. If you submit your assignment or test in an incorrect format, and do not resubmit before
deadline, you will receive a zero.
ATTENDANCE: You will be required to log in for "attendance" (try to log in daily to check your class
email--which is how I will correspond with you). You have until the day and time listed on the assignment
to submit the work to me as an attachment Online. Do not think of the date and time as the due date; think
of it as the last possible date and time I will accept it. Do not procrastinate! Expect the unexpected.
"Murphy's Law" is always in place: “If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong.”
I will give you plenty of time to do each assignment. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit it to
me. If you have computer problems etc., I will not be able to help you. Give yourself at least 24 hours
(before the final due date) per assignment. Remember computers crash, cars break down, flash drives fail,
etc. Plan for these things to happen! Once the due date and time for the assignment has past, I will NOT
accept it late.
Academic Dishonesty: Any student who plagiarizes (claims someone else's work or ideas as his/her own)
will either receive a zero on that assignment, fail the course, or be dropped by the professor from the class.
The professor will make the final decision in this matter. In addition, the student may be subjected to
further disciplinary action from the college. There is to be NO collaborating on assignments or tests unless
I specifically request this.
Explanation of Requirements:
Papers: 1.5 to 4 word-processed pages (depending on the assignment).
Mini-Portfolios: You are required to document your writing process. Along with each final draft
submitted for the instructor’s review, you may turn in a complete portfolio that includes a cover letter of
process, graded/un-graded in-class writings, notes, drafts showing peer work and revisions/rewriting, etc.
Final Exam: The final examination is a prose in letter form to reflect on your development as a writer. It is
required to complete this class. Missing the final exam may result in failing the course.
Grading: You will receive grades for all your papers, class participation, and the course. Simply doing a
paper and fulfilling requirements just meet the minimum requirements for this class. An A or B paper
must demonstrate clear thinking, logical development of the topic and each paragraph, organized
details, precision and conciseness in style, and grammatical correctness.
Below is how you will earn your course grade:
All assignments will be averaged together for a total of 60 percent of your final grade. I will, however,
drop your lowest assignment grade (does not include those marked TESTS). There will be at least two test
grades this semester (they are marked TEST beside the title). All tests (including the final) will be
averaged together for a total of 40 percent of your final grade.
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University Policies:
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness: If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file
an intent to receive grade forgiveness with the registrar by the 12th day of class. Failure to do so will
result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average.
Undergraduates will receive grade forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three course repeats;
graduates, for two course repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler.
Required MAPP Test for all Juniors: The University of Texas at Tyler requires the Measure of
Academic Proficiency & Progress (MAPP) Test of all first time degree-seeking students who have
completed at least 60 semester credit hours must complete the MAPP Test by the April, 2010 registration
period. The MAPP is a web-based test used to assess general academic skills developed through core
curriculum courses. MAPP testing sessions will be offered beginning in September, 2009, on all three
campuses. The MAPP testing schedule on the main campus is posted at http://www.uttyler.edu/aie/
Students on the Tyler campus register for the testing session of their choice by e-mail to
MAPPregistration@uttyler.edu. Register at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability in your
preferred session. The Tyler campus testing site is RBN 3040. Students attending the Longview
University Center or the Palestine Campus may take the MAPP during regular operating hours of the open
computer labs at each site. Why do we require this test? UT Tyler is committed to quality instruction
and learning. The MAPP is a nationally normed test that allows comparison of UT Tyler group scores
with national peers. The prestige of your degree will be impacted through national recognition based on
UT Tyler performance.
Disability Services: If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you request
disability support services/accommodation(s), please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support
Services office so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a
student requesting disability support services/accommodation(s) must provide appropriate documentation
of his/her disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. In order to assure approved services the
first week of class, diagnostic, prognostic, and prescriptive information should be received 30 days prior
to the beginning of the semester services are requested. For more information, call or visit the Student
Services Center located in the University Center, Room 282. The telephone number is 566-7079 (TDD
565-5579). Additional information may also be obtained at the following UT Tyler Web address:
http://www.uttyler.edu/disabilityservices.
Social Security and FERPA Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the
confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so
that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail)
risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted
electronically.
Student Standards of Academic Conduct: Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student
who engages in scholastic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person,
taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the
attempt to commit such acts.