Course
Description:
The focus of
this course will be on how writers write: what they do and how they do it.
Students should expect to explore and develop their own writing style and
technique. They will learn what it means to write in an academic
environment and to adapt their style accordingly. Students will practice
exploring ideas, generating questions, conveying information, and adopting
a persuasive stance in writing. They will get help in demonstrating
logical reasoning, adequate factual support, clarity, organization, and
appropriate language choices. Beyond these concerns, the course encourages
students to develop a degree of creativity, grace and style which will
make their writing interesting and readable.
Learning Objectives:
Through a sequence of reading, writing, and workshop exercises, you
will:
- become familiar with the
composing process and learn to adjust it to accomplish various writing
tasks
- develop analytical reading and
critical thinking skills
- develop expository and
argumentative writing skills
- show mastery of sentence
structure and mechanics, avoiding serious grammatical errors by using
revision and editing strategies
- conduct research including
critical reading, use of library resources, evaluation and synthesis of
divergent views, and use MLA citation methods
- use collaborative learning in
various contexts
General Comments: I wish I could
say, as one might about cooking gourmet French cuisine or fly fishing,
that writing is not for everyone. But the truth is that you can't do well
in the world today without an ability to write, so whether you like it or
not writing IS for you. I hope this class can expose you to writing as a
somewhat enjoyable experience. I've tried to build in some exercises and
experiments that will make it fun.
Writing is not easy, even for those who
make it look easy. As Thomas Mann wrote, "A writer is someone for whom
writing is more difficult than it is for other people." Expect to do
a lot of writing and revising during the semester, both in class and
outside of class. I'm allotting quite a bit of class time to
workshops in which you will be working with your essay drafts to make
changes and to edit for grammar, punctuation and mechanics. You'll also
find yourself helping your classmates revise their essays.
Basic Communication (BC2) - SUNY
GE Learning Outcomes: Students will produce
coherent texts within common college-level written forms; demonstrate the
ability to revise and improve such texts; research a topic, develop an
argument, and organize supporting details; develop proficiency in oral
discourse; and evaluate an oral presentation according to established
criteria.
Required Text
and Recommended Web Sites:
MyCompLab
Your textbook includes an access code to
use MyCompLab. This is a web site where you can submit assignments,
complete grammar and writing exercises, read my comments on your writing,
view your grades, and share commentary with your classmates.
General Requirements:
1. Come to
class. |
2. Keep up
with reading assignments. |
3. Turn work
in on time. |
4. Keep a
copy of all work handed in. |
5. Take an
active and civil part in class discussion. |
6. Do not
plagiarize. |
7. If you don't understand something--ASK. |
Attendance: You are expected to be in
class. Attendance sheets will be passed every class - make sure you sign
it. If you miss more than two classes (the equivalent of 3 class periods)
your grade may be lowered. If you have a legitimate emergency, please
contact me as soon as possible, and be prepared to provide some material
evidence of the emergency. If you know you are going to miss a class, it
is your responsibility to contact me before class (preferably via
telephone).
Tardiness: If you arrive late it is up to you
to make sure you sign the attendance sheet. It is up to you to see that I
receive an assignment on time, even if you are unable to be in class. It
is also up to you to find out what the assignment is for the next class if
you do miss a class. Assignment and due dates will always be available on
the class web site, so there is no excuse for not knowing that something
is due.
Individual Conferences: Classes will be canceled
at some points during the semester and I will be
meeting with each of you individually to discuss your writing and assist
you with essays that you are working on at the time. Although there are no
grade points associated with these individual conferences, missing one
will count as two regular class absences. It is during these
private meetings that I can be of the most assistance to you personally,
so they are extremely important.
Late Assignments: Late assignments will receive a lower
grade than those received on time. See the specific policies on the
Assignments page. All due
dates are printed on the assignments and will be available on the class
web site. I will try to remind you prior to the due date of each
assignment when it needs to be handed in; however, if I occasionally
forget, it remains your responsibility to be aware of the due date, and
you will still be subject to loss of credit.
Accommodations for Students with
Disabilities: "All individuals who are diagnosed with a
disability are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As such, you may be
entitled to certain accommodations within this class. If you are diagnosed
with a disability, please make an appointment to meet with Student
Disability Services (SDS), 209 Alumni Hall, ext. 2137." See the
Americans with Disabilities
Policy. I will make every
effort to accommodate your needs: please be sure to communicate with me
regarding any special needs you may have.
In-Class Behavior: Disruptive behavior will not be
tolerated. This includes beepers, cellular phones and personal
conversations that distract the class. Anyone disrupting the class will be
told to leave. Arriving late is also disruptive, so out of respect for
others please be on time. Sharing one's work and ideas in class is never
easy, but it is certainly worthwhile. I expect you to treat your
classmates and their work with utmost, unflagging respect. Anything short
of that will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism: "Plagiarism means using another's work
without giving credit. You must put others' words in quotation marks and
cite your source(s) and must give citations when using others' ideas, even
if those ideas are paraphrased in your own words."
Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 The Regents of the University of
California. At SUNY
College at Oneonta plagiarizing can result in no credit for the assignment
in which plagiarism occurred, a failing grade for the course, or,
potentially, dismissal from the college. For a guide to plagiarism see
Avoiding Plagiarism from UC Davis.
Help: Please do not hesitate to call me and
we can arrange a meeting time and place outside of my office hours. I want
you to do well in this course, and I'll do my best to help make that
happen.
Learning Support Services:
Students who feel themselves in need of some additional
assistance with their writing beyond what I can provide, are
strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Learning Support Services
at SUNY Oneonta.
Last update
January 17, 2007. |