Course Requirements

Southwestern College
English 114-60, Introduction to Composition
Instructor: Swan Ashby
Class Time: T 4:30-6:20, Th 4:30-5:20
Room: 413
Lab Time: Th 4:30-5:20
Lab Room: 423
Units: 4
Instructor email: sashby@swccd.edu
Instructor mailbox: 430J
Instructor Office: 400K
Office Hours: Th, 6:30-7:50


Class Description: The Introduction to Composition emphasizes following the writing process in order to complete at least six graded essays, the longest of which being three pages. Various readings are required to use as models for writing and bases for critical thinking.

Required Text: Langan, John. College Writing Skills with Readings. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

Course Objectives:

• You will write at least six short essays, two of which will be in class. Two of these essays will be at least three pages long.
• You will use methods of organization (modes) to plan, organize, and develop essays such as comparison/contrast, cause/effect, division/classification, exemplification, and argumentation.
• You will develop and write effective and appropriate introductory, concluding and body paragraphs for each of the types of essays.
• You will use appropriate transitional words and sentences in between sentences and paragraphs to improve unity of essays.
• You will incorporate other writers’ material into your essays in the form of paraphrase, summary, and direct quotes.
• You will conduct research and incorporate research into your writing using MLA format.
• You will read and critically analyze essays in your textbook in order to make connections between readings and your own writing.
• You will read other students’ essays and identify and correct grammatical and structural problems.
• You will identify and correct grammatical and structural problems in your own writing.

Grade Breakdown:

Four formal essays……………..40%
Research Essay…………………15%
Essay Mid Term…………………5%
Essay Final……………………....5%
Writing Journal………………….10%
Homework………………………10%
Class Participation………………..5%
Quizzes………………………….10%



Course Policies:
Attendance:
In-class activities depend on your presence. Please come every day on time. You will be permitted 2 absences per semester; your grade may be compromised if there are more. It is not necessary for you to contact me if you are not in class. Do not continually leave early or come late; I will count these occurrences as partial absences.

Homework Length/Content:
Homework is based on your readings from the Skills text and must be typed, double-spaced, and unless otherwise specified, 1 ½ pages long. You are required to use relevant quoted material from your reading in each of your homework assignments. Once you learn MLA format, all homework must be in MLA format.

Lab:
The weekly lab hour is an integral part of this course, and you are required to attend all sessions. Each lab assignment is listed first next to “LAB” on your course schedule. This is the assignment you MUST be prepared to complete. If you are not prepared to complete the first assignment on the course schedule, a second, alternative assignment is listed. If you have to do the alternative assignment, you will receive no credit for class participation for the day. The same behavior expected in the classroom will be required in the lab. Excessive talking, checking e-mail, or otherwise disruptive/disrespectful behavior will result in your being dismissed and marked absent from lab.

Preparation:
You must come to class having done the reading, homework, and writing that is due that day. Be prepared for reading quizzes, which may be unannounced. Also, all work is due at the beginning of class. No credit will be given for homework that is done in class.

Journals:
Journal responses are based upon the readings from Skills text and from your own experiences. You are required to write 1FULL page per week. After each reading, you will be given questions to choose from the Skills text. Choose a question only if you can write at least 1 page; if you cannot write at least one page but would still like to respond to that question, choose an additional question to equal one or more pages of response. Journals require at least ONE FULL page per assigned reading.

Late Homework:
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A MEDICAL/ EMERGENCY EXCUSE. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND CLASS WHEN AN ASSIGMENT IS DUE, TURN IT IN TO ROOM 430J BY THE END OF THE DAY WITH THE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING YOU HAD AN EMERGENCY. THIS RULE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.


Essay Revision:
Every essay you turn in will be graded according to content and technical ability. You will receive a grade when I return the essays. If you are not satisfied with your grade, you will have ONE week from the day your essay is returned to revise it. Once you revise it, your grade is final. Your revising your essay does not guarantee to raise your grade; however, revising your essay cannot lower your grade.

Academic Honesty:
If you plagiarize (try to pass off another person’s writing for your own) in any form, you will risk at the least an F in the course and possible referral to the Dean of Student Affairs. There is ZERO TOLERANCE of plagiarism in this course. If I have questions about the authenticity of your work, I will ask you to prove in some way that the work is your own; this may involve my looking at your notes or your completing another task in my presence. If you fail to prove that your work is your own, you will receive an F in the course. Staying in this class indicates your acceptance of this policy.

Professionalism:
Professionalism is crucial to the advancement of your career, both in college and beyond. It includes punctuality, preparation, attitude, participation, and a consistent willingness to assume personal responsibility.

Course Content:
This course will challenge you to analyze subjects about which you may have strong opinions. In addition, some of the materials that we will be reading/viewing may contain “mature content” and represent unconventional viewpoints regarding sexuality, race, politics, etc. If you object to reading about, writing about, and/or discussing such issues, it is recommended that you enroll in a different section of English 114.

Classroom Etiquette:
 Sexist, racist, and/or homophobic comments are offensive and inconsistent with an academic atmosphere; they will not be given a forum in this class.
 Please give your full attention with others are speaking. Also keep in mind that participating in discussions includes taking turns; even if you have a lot to say, give others the space to contribute too.
 Please do not pack up and leave until class is over.
 Please turn or silence all cell phones or other noisemakers.

Special Needs:
If you have special needs (vision or hearing difficulties, a learning difference, physical challenge, etc.), please let me know right away, and I will do my best to accommodate you. Contact your DSS specialist for the Academic Accommodations Form, and give me a copy, so I can make any necessary adjustment/s for you. This syllabus and class schedule are available in alternate format upon request.



Writing Center:
English 114 assumes college-level writing proficiency, including the appropriate grammar and punctuation skills. If any aspect of your writing is not yet at this level, it is your responsibility to improve these skills through the use of campus resources like the Writing Center. The Southwestern College Writing Center (428A) provides free tutoring to writers of all levels of ability on a walk-in basis. The purpose of the Writing Center is to guide and teach students rather than to “fix” papers; tutoring is designed to help you develop and refine skills that you will carry with you beyond a given assignment or course. The tutors will be happy to assist you at any stage of the writing process. You are required to visit the Writing Center at least once for this class.

*The course requirements and class schedule are subject to change according to time constraints or other unforeseen occurrences.