This course is designed to prepare students for the variety of writing tasks they will be asked to perform both in and out of college. After the completion of this course, students will have spent time identifying, constructing and evaluating effective arguments in various forums. They will learn the use of audience and rhetorical strategies in their own work as well as edit the work of their peers. They will gain practical knowledge of library and internet research techniques, as well as implementing them in papers and projects. In order to meet these goals, students must be prepared to view E306 as importantly as any course in their major and commit time and attention to the class in order to improve their writing skills. This course will use computer-assisted instructional technology in the furthering of these goals. The LAN (local area network) in PAR 102 will provide another resource for the discussion of coursework as well as provide a medium for group project work.
This course requires participation by class members, and you will be receiving a participation grade for the course. It is important that you are here in order to peer edit and contribute to class discussion, so attendance is required and will be recorded. Four unexcused absences will be reported in writing to the studentŐs dean and six unexcused absences are grounds for failure. Accepted excused absences are those due to religious holiday observances (notify me in advance that you will be absent) and illness (provide me with a note from a doctor). Tardiness can also disrupt class proceedings, and if you are not there when the roll is taken, you are counted as absent.
All assigned work is mandatory. Homework is due according to the times and days specified on the syllabus. Any work handed in late will automatically be penalized at least one letter grade, but drafts and peer reviews will NOT be accepted late. If you are unable to hand in an assignment in class, you may deliver it to my box in the FAC 8 or turn it in to the network if possible. Do not ask staff in the English or DRC office to take your work. Computer problems will NOT excuse turning in work late. NOTE: I do realize that sometimes issues arise over which you have no control -- if you are not able to complete an assignment by a scheduled date, know that I can be reasonable with students who have evidenced an honest and attentive effort in class.
Turning in work written by someone else, or any other form of scholastic dishonesty is not acceptable and may result in a failing grade for the course. A report of the incident will be made to the Office of the Dean of Students. If you have any questions about source materials you are using, talk with me about those sources/problems before turning in the assigment in question. Do not use editing services other than those offered by the Undergraduate Writing Center in FAC or the Learning Skills Center. The UWC is free to students and available anytime you have a writing question (for any UT course).
To pass this course, both first drafts and final versions of all major paper must be turned in on time. First drafts will not be graded, but turning them in is an essential part of the process and failing to do so will effect your grade. I will comment on these drafts in a general way to help guide your revisions. Only the final versions of the project or paper will be graded. Your final grade will be calculated according to the average of the following assigments:
A+ 98 B+ 88 C+ 78 D+ 68 A 95 B 85 C 75 D 65 A- 92 B- 82 C- 72 D- 62 F (1-59)Paper or assignment not turned in: 0.