Dr. Richard Wisneski SPRING 2005
Office: 1804 RT Telephone: 216-687-7461
Email address: Office Hours: MW 12-1 and by
appt.
A continuation of ENG 111, the objectives
of ENG 112 are to enhance analytical and argumentative essay writing, build on
critical reading and writing skills, and do extensive research using a
university research library.
To accomplish these objectives, we will
work on recognizing different analysis techniques; becoming familiar with
library resources and research skills; and, annotating and reviewing different
types of sources. We will also focus extensively on how to be better critics of
our own writing, and how to be aware of the processes we utilize in writing
analytical essays and researching topics. Lastly, we will work on properly
documenting sources and avoiding plagiarism.
When you finish this course, you will be
able to write a more in-depth and balanced argumentative/analytical essay, know
the various methods involved in research, and do an extensive research project.
II.
TEXTS AND MATERIALS
1.
Rereading
2.
Faigley, L. (2005). The Brief Penguin Handbook.
3.
A computer disk, (Zip disk, thumb drive, CD-ROM),
IBM-compatible, preferably.
4.
A
·
NOTE:
Even if you already have an e-mail account through such suppliers as AOL or Yahoo,
you MUST get and activate your CSU e-mail account. All e-mail
correspondences for the class must be done using this and only this e-mail
account to avoid e-mail glitches. Check your e-mail regularly. I will occasionally
send e-mail notices on weekdays.
III. ATTENDANCE:
You are allowed THREE (3) class absences, no
questions asked. If you go beyond 3 absences, 0.15 will be deducted from your
final course grade, regardless of the reason. This means, missing 4 to 7 classes
will not seriously affect your grade (although it WILL be affected). Missing from
8 to 11 classes will seriously affect your grade. My philosophy regarding
attendance is:
Although you pay the tuition money, you pay to learn something from this class, and you cannot learn from it if you are not here. Regular attendance is essential for you to benefit from this class.
NOTES:
·
If you are more
than 10 minutes late to class, DO NOT COME IN. You will be marked absent
regardless. Wait until after the class is over to speak with me.
·
If you have to
leave class early, let me know in advance of class. If you can only stay for
less than half the period, you will be marked absent. NEVER LEAVE CLASS
EARLY WITHOUT INFORMING ME. If you leave class early without informing me,
you will be marked absent for the entire class period, and will jeopardize
being withdrawn from the course.
·
Some excuses,
such as doctor’s appointments, car accidents, and sudden illnesses, are
understandable, and will be excused provided you make up the work.
However, excessive absences such as these will still lower your grade,
because you cannot learn from this class if you are absent excessively. If
this clause seems unfair, you should take this course with another instructor
·
IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 11 CLASS MEETINGS, I WILL AUTOMATICALLY FAIL YOU
IN THIS COURSE, REGARDLESS OF REASONS FOR ABSENCES OR GRADE.
Simply put, if you foresee a
problem with attendance, or if you disagree with my philosophy regarding
attendance, do not take this class from me.
IV.
GRADING POLICY
Your grade for the course will be
determined by the following:
A.
Research and Writing Activities,
including Group Presentation: 20%
B.
Short Essay Portfolio:
20%
C.
Participation: 10%
D.
Research Project: 50%
A. Research
and Writing Activities, including Group Presentation (20%):
A large component of this class involves
becoming adept at library research. You will do research activities throughout
the semester.
Research Activities must be: (a) TYPED; (b)
Turned in on time. 0.15 points will be deducted for each day including
non-class days the activity is late. If the activity is late by a full week, it
will not be accepted; and (c) Respond fully and adequately to the questions and
tasks posed.
In addition to the activities, you will do
one small group presentation in the semester, which will involve doing research
based on a topic from our book. Your grade on the presentation will be based on
(1) your response to other group presentations, following my handouts in class;
(2) the comments your classmates give you; and (3) completing the tasks for the
presentation per my instructions.
Lastly, there may be occasion writing
activities. A short formal essay will be assigned at the beginning of the
semester to determine if extra tutoring is necessary.
NOTES:
·
On the group activities, group members will all
receive the same grade, regardless of how the work is divided. It is your
responsibility to decide who does what in the group and how the group is
managed.
·
Because we will be doing some work in the
library, attendance is important. It is your responsibility to see me if you
miss any of this work. Your grade will be affected if: (1) any of the work
is missing or (2) writing assignments are of poor quality.
B.
Short Essay Portfolio (20%):
In the first half of the semester, you will
create a writing portfolio, which will contain in it two formal essays. The
portfolio will be collected twice. Each time, your portfolio will have:
1.
Extensive notes on your sources and your
methodology.
2.
Pre-writing activities.
3.
At least one complete rough draft
(complete meaning more than a couple of pages).
4.
A final TYPED draft, revised, not edited. The final version of each essay must be
typed, double-spaced, titled, use 11 or 12 pt. font, and have standard margins.
If these requirements are not met, the paper will be turned back as unacceptable.
5.
Peer-critique, which will be done in class.
6.
Self-critique, which will be done in class.
All of this work MUST be turned in to me in
a FOLDER. I will not accept it otherwise.
In the end, I will give you a paper grade
and an over-all grade. The over-all grade is determined by the paper grade AND
all the work put into the final portfolio. THE OVERALL GRADE IS WHAT COUNTS. I will give paper topics in advance, as well
as length requirements.
NOTES:
·
IF YOU DO NOT BRING IN A COMPLETE ROUGH
DRAFT OF YOUR ESSAY THE DAY ROUGH DRAFTS ARE DUE, YOU CAN RECEIVE NO HIGHER
THAN A “C+“ ON YOUR FINAL PORTFOLIO AUTOMATICALLY. This means, a 1- or 2-page
handwritten rough draft is NOT acceptable.
·
Half a letter grade will be deducted for each day
including non-class days an essay is late. If an essay is late by more than 3
days, it will not be accepted.
C.
Participation (10%):
This class will be part lecture, part
classroom discussion. I will take into account who participates in class
throughout the semester, and give extra credit if one participates
constructively and frequently. Conversely, I will deduct from the final
course grade if one’s classroom performance shows disrespect towards one’s
classmates or me, or disrupts the class in any way.
D.
Research Project (50%):
Throughout the semester, you will be
working on an extensive research project, which will be analytical in nature, not
a report or strictly informative paper. The final paper alone will not
determine your grade. Rather, the grade will be based on the final product and
the stages leading to the final product. Details will be handed out later in the
semester.
V.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
I expect all students to demonstrate
professional, collegiate behavior. I will not tolerate:
1. Any disruptive behavior that
negatively affects the performance of your classmates or the operations of the
class. I will determine what constitutes disruptive behavior. Such behavior
includes, but is not limited to, talking in class that has nothing to do with
classroom agenda, CELL PHONES, consistently arriving late to class,
sleeping, doing other homework, or not doing constructive work in the computer
lab or in the library.
2. Disrespect towards your
classmates or towards me.
2. ANY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS THE CLASSROOM
ENVIRONMENT OR WHICH DEMONSTRATES DISRESPECT TOWARDS ME WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT
YOUR FINAL COURSE GRADE REGARDLESS OF WORK COMPLETED, AND MAY RESULT IN MY
WITHDRAWING YOU FROM THE CLASS.
There will be a considerable amount of
reading for the class, and the focus on writing will be on being as analytical
and in-depth as possible. It is important that you do the work, stay on
schedule, and be organized. You should expect to devote at least four
hours a week to this class outside of class.
Make use of my office hours. If you have problems with
the work at all, whether it is difficulty understanding a particular text or
with a writing assignment, SEE ME. If you have a problem
participating in class, see me. If you do not see me, then I will assume that
all is well as far as you are concerned. I will not seek you out. Also, do not
wait until the end of the semester or last minute when an assignment is due to
speak with me. I will not listen to you at this point.
My goal is to help you learn and benefit
from this class, particularly in helping you write more in-depth and
well-argued essays, and produce a well researched, well-written research paper.
Lastly...
YOUR OWN EFFORT DETERMINES YOUR GRADE
In the end, I don't give you a grade; you earn it.
·
FAILURE TO DO THE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OR THE
ESSAY PORTFOLIO WILL RESULT IN A FINAL COURSE GRADE OF NO HIGHER THAN “C.”
·
FAILURE TO PASS THE FINAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO WILL
RESULT IN AUTOMATICALLY FAILING THE COURSE.
·
MISSING OVER 11 CLASS MEETINGS WILL RESULT IN
AUTOMATICALLY FAILING THE COURSE.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week 1:
Wed, Jan. 19: Introductions. Research Activity #1 assigned.
Fri., Jan. 21: Syllabus.
Week 2:
Mon. Jan. 24: Research activity #1 DUE; Discussion of
Reading Strategies.
Wed., Jan. 26: 1st essay assignment handed
out. Group Presentation Sign-Up Sheet distributed.
Fri., Jan. 28: Discussion of essay assignment.
Week 3:
Mon., Jan. 31: Research Activity #2 assigned and
discussed
Wed., Feb.2: Group Presentation.
Fri., Feb.4: Work on essay #1.
Week 4:
Mon., Feb.7: Rough Draft DUE.
Wed., Feb.9: Research Activity #2 DUE. Group
Presentation
Fri., Feb.11: Research Activity #3 assigned and
discussed.
Week 5:
Mon., Feb.14: Essay Portfolio #1 DUE. Essay #2 assigned
and discussed.
Wed., Feb.16: Group Presentation.
Fri., Feb.18: Research Activity #3 DUE. Work on Essay
#2.
Week 6:
Mon., Feb.21: NO CLASS—President’s Day.
Wed., Feb.23: Research Activity #4 assigned and
discussed.
Fri., Feb.25: Group Presentation.
Week 7:
Mon., Feb.28: Rough Draft DUE.
Wed., March 2: Group Presentation
Fri., March 4: Research Activity #4 DUE
Week 8:
Mon., March 7: Essay Portfolio #2 DUE; Research Project
Assigned.
Wed., March 9: Bibliography assigned; Group
Presentation.
Fri., March 11: Work on bibliography, prospectus
MONDAY, MARCH 14 – FRIDAY, MARCH 18: SPRING BREAK
Week 9:
Mon., March 21: Conferences
Wed., March 23: Conferences
Fri., March 25: Conferences
·
PROSPECTUS DUE AT CONFERENCE.
Week 10:
Mon., March 28: 1st two journal entries DUE.
Discussion of research
Wed., March 30: library research
Fri., April 1: pre-writing, “Background Section.” Bibliographies
DUE. [Last day to withdraw]
Week 11:
Mon., April 4: Discussion of sample essays.
Wed., April 6: Library Research.
Fri., April 8: Pre-writing, “Analytical Section, Part
One”
Week 12:
Mon., April 11: Work on Presentations.
Wed., April 13: Library research
Fri., April 15: Annotated Bibliography DUE. Pre-writing,
“Analytical Section, Part Two”
Week 13:
Mon., April 18: Remaining 4 journal entries DUE.
Wed., April 20: Conferences.
Fri., April 22: Pre-writing, “Introductions and
Conclusions”
Week 14:
Mon., April 25: Conferences.
Wed., April 27: Rough Drafts DUE.
Fri., April 29: NO CLASS
Mon., May 2: Presentations. Abstract and Outline DUE
Wed., May 4: Presentations
Fri., May 6: Course Evaluation forms; Presentations
FINAL RESEARCH
PORTFOLIO DUE ON MONDAY, MAY 9, BY 12 P.M.