ENC 1145 is a course in which students study how texts work, and learn how to construct arguments about poems, short stories, novel excerpts, or dramatic works. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to introduce a topic or issue, and articulate a thesis as a reaction to, or analysis of, a literary or material text. Students will then support and develop this thesis, work with secondary sources, and organize an argument employing evidence from class material as well as outside sources to strengthen their assertions.

    Because class attendance is critical to your understanding of class material, you are allowed only two unexcused absences over the course of the semester. After two unexcused absences, your final grade average will be dropped five points for every day missed. An absence due to illness or family crisis may be excused if properly documented to my satisfaction. In addition, if you participate in a university-sponsored event (music, theater, field trip, or athletics), you must provide me with documentation from an appropriate authority. Whether or not an absence is excused, you are responsible for contacting a classmate or me to find out what material you missed and any work that was assigned. If work is due in class on the day of the absences, the work is due in my mailbox by 4pm that day.

    One or two tardies (arriving late in class or departing class early) will be excused if the reasons are acceptable and if there is valid documentation. Otherwise, tardiness is not acceptable because it is disruptive, and, beyond any excused tardies, class participation grade and overall grade will be affected (2 tardies = 1 absence).

 Class Participation:

    In addition to attending class, you are also expected to contribute class discussions and participate in workshop sessions with your peers. Learning is not a solitary process, but one that necessarily involves others and I thus consider class participation a very important part of achieving this class’s goals. Please show respect for your classmates while they are speaking; turn off all cell phones, beepers, or furbees so that they do not distract us during class. If a cell phone does go off in class, I will use it to make a long-distance call and embaress you thoroughly.

 In-Class Writing & Quizzes:

    Every week, you will complete in-class writing assignments that will deal with the material that has been assigned and discussed that week. In addition, you will have reading quizzes throughout the semester on material that is being discussed for that class meeting. If you are reading the texts as we progress though the semester, you should do fine.

 Format:

    All work is due at the beginning of class on the day it is due. All major essays should be typed on only one side of 8 ½” x 11” white paper, MLA format, stapled, and be in Times New Roman font. On days when drafts are due (workshop days), you must bring two copies of your paper to class. These copies should be clean, typed papers (the same format as the final draft) and already well edited by you. I will not accept any papers that are not in this format.

    Any in-class writing assignments should be on one side of loose-leaf college-rule notebook paper and in blue or black ink.

Peer Review:

    On peer review days, you have the opportunity to earn two 100 quiz grades: one for reviewing others’ essays and one for having your own rough draft. In order to earn the quiz grade for having your rough draft, you must have at least 95% of the draft finished.

 Revisions:

    You may revise any and/or all of the essays in this class. Revision does not simply mean fixing all of the errors that I have marked on your paper; rather, it entails make global changes to your essay. To this end, you must first work on your essay on your own. Then you MUST make conference with me about the essay. I will not simply tell you what you should do with the essay but will instead answer any questions that you have. The revision of each essay is due on the peer review day of next essay.

 Gordon Rule:

    All work must be completed for a grade since the work assigned fulfills the Gordon Rule, which stipulates that students are to write a minimum of 6000 words that receive feedback, are graded, and give experience in various types of writing important in disciplines, workplace, and civic areas.

 Plagiarism:

     Unless the work assigned is specifically designed to be completed in groups, all work must be individual. Evidence of collusion (working with another student or tutor not connected with class), multiple submissions (turning the same work in two courses), plagiarism (use of another’s ideas, data, and/or statements without acknowledgement or with only minimal acknowledgement) will lead to the procedures set up by the university for academic dishonestly in the Honor Court.

 Classroom Dynamics:

     Because class participation relies heavily on individuals feeling comfortable expressing their opinions, you must always show respect for the diversity of opinions expressed in this class. You must also demonstrate respect for gender, racial, class, and ethnic differences among your colleagues and instructor.

 Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

    Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

 Challenging a Grade:

    Any complaints about separate assignments should be addressed to me and not to the English Department. If you have any complaints on the final grade, you may see me at the beginning of the next term. If you find that you still have complaints after our meeting, you may express your complaints on a form in the English Department Office (4012 Turlington). The form and accompanying course material will be given to the Director of Writing Program Administration for further action. A review committee may decide to raise, lower, or keep the originally assigned grade. This decision is final. The material submitted will remain on file in the English Department Office.