The HyperTextBooks Daniel Kies
Department of English
College of DuPage
Composition 2
English 1102		 Contact Form

Syllabus



Course Calendar


Please, understand that this syllabus explains how grades are determined and advises you about course and college policies. You need to follow the course calendar to see your assignments for each week throughout the course.


Office:


BIC 2729E


Office phones:


630-942-2415
630-942-3935 (fax)


Office hours:

 Office Hours On Campus 

Virtual Office Hours
 
in
BIC 2729E
 
 
in the
Chat Room on eForum
 
Tuesday
Wednesday		 1 to 3 pm
9:30 to 11 am 		Monday
Thursday		 11 am to 1 pm
11:30 am to 1 pm
   
   
[other times by appointment] [other times by appointment]


Email:


All email addresses go to the same place. All of these are equally good:


Our Textbook's Web Sites


http://myWritingCourse.com/

  • an easy to remember web location that will take you to the home page for our free textbook online

//papyr.com/hypertextbooks/comp2/

  • the location of my English 1102 HyperTextBook

//papyr.com/eforum/

  • eForum: our online message board and chat room for English 1102


Course Description, Goals, and Outline:


The College of DuPage catalog description of English 1102 states that it is the …

Second course in two course composition sequence. Students continue to develop experience in reading, thinking, and writing critically by writing essays that demonstrate ability to analyze and evaluate the ideas of others and integrate them into their own writing. Reinforces student experience with the conventions of standard written English and the conventions of documentation while developing student ability to carry out independently the proper method and responsibilities of research.

The goal of the course is to introduce us to what it means to do researched writing at this level of our education. These goals are true for both the College of DuPage and the Illinois Articulation Initiative. So in this section of English 1102 (Composition 2), we will focus on academic, researched writing, with special attention toward analysis and argumentation. In our class, we will

  1. Apply a process approach to writing that incorporates independent research
  2. Develop and support a thesis in an essay incorporating research
  3. Apply strategies for organizing texts
  4. Analyze and respond critically and creatively to the ideas and strategies in the writing of others through reading a variety of texts, including academic discourse
  5. Use discourse appropriate for an academic audience
  6. write one paper related to 1984, and
  7. Create more advanced, independent research projects and observe the conventions of documentation and citation


Course Materials:


My classes need only my freely accessible HyperTextBooks, and a copy of George Orwell's 1984. You can buy the Signet paper back edition of the novel in the college's bookstore (or at any bookstore near you). Furthermore, your local library is also likely to have a copy or two. The complete novel is also available online from a number of sources:


Writing Assignment Evaluation:


Academic writing is judged by the quality of both its content and its presentation. Below, you see the general rubric detailing the requirements and expectations of any writing assignment in first-year composition.

General rubric for first-year college/university writing

(Consult the content rubric on each assignment page for additional grading information.)

Criterion A B C D F
Thesis and point of view Addresses the assignment topic completely; clear and possibly original thesis with supporting statement(s). Addresses the assignment topic completely; clear thesis with supporting statement(s). Mostly addresses the assignment topic; clear thesis. Somewhat addresses the assignment topic; thesis exists but needs clarification or strengthening. May incompletely address the assignment topic; no obvious thesis, or confused thesis.
Content/evidence Has clearly read around the topic; uses specific evidence persuasively to support thesis. Uses specific evidence adequately to support thesis. Uses some evidence to support thesis. Uses little evidence to support thesis. Uses little or no evidence.
Critical thinking Demonstrates thorough analysis of the topic using appropriate criteria; analyzes underlying assumptions. Analyzes different aspects of the topic using appropriate criteria; analyzes underlying assumptions. Some analysis of the topic from more than one perspective. Little analysis of the topic; may be one-sided; mostly description or report. Does not attempt to analyze the topic; may simply describe or report.
Reference to sources Summarizes, paraphrases or quotes effectively; demonstrates good knowledge and use of MLA citation conventions; includes complete reference list. Summarizes, paraphrases, or quotes well; demonstrates basic knowledge of MLA citation conventions; includes complete reference list. Attempts summaries, paraphrases or quotes; cites all sources; some knowledge of MLA citation conventions; includes complete reference list. Attempts to summarize, paraphrase or quote are weak. Cites some, but not all sources; shows little knowledge or understanding of citation conventions; reference list missing or incomplete. Attempts to summarize, paraphrase or quote are very weak. Cites very few if any sources; shows little or no knowledge or understanding of citation conventions; reference list reference list may be missing or incomplete.
Logical argument Constructs logical and persuasive argument using inductive or deductive reasoning; avoids logical fallacies. Constructs logical argument using inductive or deductive reasoning; largely avoids logical fallacies. Pattern of reasoning is mostly clear; there may be one or two logical fallacies. Pattern of reasoning is sometimes clear; there may be several logical fallacies. Pattern of reasoning is mostly unclear; there may be many logical fallacies.
Structure The assignment is clearly structured at whole-text, paragraph and sentence level; progression from idea to idea is clear and easy to follow. The assignment shows mostly good whole-text, paragraph and sentence level organization; progression from idea to idea is mostly clear and easy to follow. The assignment has an adequate overall structure, but there may be occasional breakdowns in progression from idea to idea at paragraph or sentence level. The assignment is not well-structured overall; progression from idea to idea is often confusing at paragraph or sentence level. The assignment is not well- structured at one or all of these levels: whole-text, paragraph or sentence level; progression from idea to idea is unclear.
Grammar, vocabulary & usage Uses a wide variety of appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures; carefully edited; no serious ESWE* departures. Generally uses a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriately and accurately; Carefully edited; ESWE departures do not usually impede meaning. Uses mostly appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures; some ESWE departures make the text hard to follow. Needs more careful editing. Often uses inappropriate, inaccurate or limited vocabulary and /or grammatical structures; many ESWE departures impede meaning. Needs editing. Inappropriate, inaccurate or extremely limited vocabulary and /or grammatical structures; very many ESWE departures; no or little editing apparent; meaning is difficult to follow.

* ESWE = Edited Standard Written English

Additionally, an essay earns 0 (zero) points if …
  1. … you submit the essay after its deadline.
  2. … you do not meet the additional requirements of the rubric found on the assignment page.
  3. … the essay has excessive grammar and usage errors, i.e., is in obvious need of proofreading.


While the general rubric above emphasizes the traits valued in any writing assignment for this course, specfic rubrics detail the additional requirements of a particular writing assignment. On each assignment page in this online textbook, you will find the specific rubrics outlining the requirements of those particular assignments. For example, below is the additional, specific rubric for the research paper.

Rubric for the research writing assignment

(This rubric works in conjunction with the general rubric above.)
Below are the minimal requirements of both the College of DuPage and the Illinois Articulation Initiative for Composition 2.
  1. The paper will be an argumentation/analytic exploration of some area of research related to the ideas and themes of 1984 or George Orwell's work more generally.
  2. The minimum length of the text is 2500 words, not including any front or end matter (such as headers, title pages, outlines, table of contents, notes, bibliographies, or appendices). There is no maximum length.
  3. The paper must employ a minimum of eight sources, both primary and secondary, both book and periodical, and the sources must be scholarly/professional sources. Scholarly books and periodicals are accessible through the COD library and its databases. Web resources, encyclopedias, newspapers, and news magazines (even if you access them via the databases) are not allowed under any circumstances, without a compelling reason. If you wish to use any of those sources, then you must clear those resources with me first. Using sources barred here is an automatic 10 point deduction, perhaps more.
  4. The paper must incorporate quotes/paraphrased materials from both Orwell's work and your abstracted sources. Failing to use your abstracted research is an automatic 10 point deduction, perhaps more.
  5. The paper must conform to the MLA style sheet/format. Failure to follow the MLA is an automatic 10 point deduction, perhaps more.
  6. Include a photocopy (or scan) of each page of each resource that you include in the paper. Failure to supply the cited pages is an automatic 10 point deduction, perhaps more.
  7. Failing to produce a full draft (from title to works cited) by its due date is an automatic 15 point deduction.
  8. A final paper that does not match the topic/subject of the research paper proposal or the research abstracts is automatic failure.


Course Calendar


Please, understand that this syllabus explains how grades are determined and advises you about course and college policies. You need to follow the course calendar to see your assignments for each week throughout the course.


Tests & Final Exam:


Tests and exams will be presented online through this web site. Students will take three tests during the course. Additionally, students will take one comprehensive final exam at the end of the course. (See the course calendar.) Tests and the exam are not timed and are open book, open notes.

Our tests and exams are based on the reading we do, on our labs, and on the HyperTextBook materials. The primary objective of the exams is to ensure that you read the text closely and that you master the concepts we will cover in this class.

This term we will discuss several concepts necessary to reading and writing academic argumentation, such as

  1. the nature of claims,
  2. the use of definition,
  3. the kinds of evidence and appeals,
  4. the nature and use of underlying assumptions,
  5. the nature of logical fallacy in argumentation,
  6. the nature and use of manipulative language,
  7. the use of underlying assumptions as a source of information about the writer,
  8. the nature of hidden arguments in an essay,
  9. the nature of inherent contradictions in an essay,
  10. the use of audience analysis, and
  11. the difference between necessary and sufficient information when analyzing an argument.

The examinations may consist of true/false, multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, essay, and other questions designed to test your mastery of the concepts listed above and your knowledge of the material we will read for this course.

If a student needs special assistance or provisions for testing or in-class writing, please let me know well in advance of our exams or writing assignments posted on the course calendar.


Final Grades:


Your final grade for the course depends on the total number of points that you have earned:

Conversion of points to a final grade
Final Grade
in English 1102		 Required Number
of Points
A 100 - 86
B 85 - 71
C 70 - 56
D 55 - 41
F 40 -  0


You earn points for the final exam, tests, abstracts, research paper, and writing labs:

Points earned for each assignment grade
Final Exam Tests Abstracts Research Paper
Percentage Points Percentage Points Grade Points Grade Points
100-96 28 100-90 4 A 3 A 30
95-91 25 89-80 3 B 2 B 23
90-86 22 79-70 2 C 1 C 15
85-81 19 69-60 1 D 0 D 8
80-76 16 59 -0 0 F 0 F 0
75-71 13





70-66 10





65-61 7                  
60-56 5                  
55-51 3                  
50- 0 0                  

The different assignment categories are weighted differently, as you can see in the following table. The research paper and abstracts are very important for us. Most of the available points are in those assignments. Tests and the exam are next most important.

There are no extra credit assignments or make-up tests/exams.

Therefore, it is important for you to do your best on each assignment the first time. Attend lecture. Read thoroughly. Study carefully. Ask questions. Take notes.

Available points in English 1102
Assignment Category No. of Assignments
Highest possible points for each assignment
Point subtotal for each category
Research Paper 1 · 30 = 30
Abstracts 10 · 3 = 30
Exam 1 · 28 = 28
Tests on 1984 3 · 4 = 12
Grand total of points available in English 1102 = 100

The writing labs are supplementary exercises – not assignments – to help you master the ideas we are covering in the text (and to prepare you for the final exam). The labs do not add points toward the final grade.


Course Calendar


Please, understand that this syllabus explains how grades are determined and advises you about course and college policies. You need to follow the course calendar to see your assignments for each week throughout the course.


Due Dates & Deadlines


Due dates (assignment deadlines) are not flexible. Late assignments earn no points toward your final grade.

  1. You must submit each assignment by its due date.
  2. Due dates are listed on the course calendar. Unless noted otherwise on the course calendar, the deadline for each week's assignment is Saturday, 11:59 PM.

Of course, I know that life does not always run smoothly. Trust me: I know this. If you need more time to complete an assignment, if you are having trouble completing an assignment, just ask for an extension: I will help all that I can.

  1. You must request the extension — and receive my approval — before the assignment deadline.
  2. If you can't email, leave a voice mail at my office.
  3. For any last minute emergency, bring evidence of the emergency.

To earn any grade in this section of English 1102, you must do all the assignments — to the standard of college-level work — even if it is late work and you will receive no points toward your final grade.

  1. I maintain this policy for one reason: I believe it is unfair for some students to do all the work for the whole semester while other students do just enough to get by — and still hope to pass the course. Therefore, in my sections of the course, to earn any grade for this course, students must do all the assignments.

    I reserve the right to fail any student who does not complete all of the assignments required by this syllabus and the course calendar.

  2. Under no circumstances will I accept late work during the last two weeks of the semester or during exam week.


Attendance


Attendance is required. For my classroom sections of this course, we will keep a sign-in log. For my online sections, log in to the web site. Once logged in, your name and email will be stored as a cookie on your computer, and the web server will record your attendance automatically. Check the FAQs if you are having trouble logging in. Recent changes to state and federal financial aid laws require that I keep attendance records. For example, consider this quote from the College's "College of DuPage 2014-2015 Rights and Responsibilities, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Understanding your Financial Aid" page:

According to the Federal Refund Policy, if you withdraw from or stop attending all classes prior to completing 60% of the term, you could owe a refund of grant and/or loan funds to the College of DuPage and to the Federal Government. The amount owed is based upon your grant and/or loan amounts and your last date of attendance.

When I was your age, I could only afford to go to college/university because of financial aid. So I want to do my best to ensure that the college has as much finanical aid for its students (my students) as possible. If I did not keep attendance, then perhaps the government might not be as generous in giving financial aid money to our college, and I don't want that to happen. Therefore, I will keep attendance.


Plagiarism


All work submitted for credit must be completed by the student who is registered for the course. Plagiarism (or any other form of cheating) is sufficient grounds for failing this course. Students found guilty of plagiarism (or cheating) will fail the course and, by College policy, might be excluded from other credit courses.


Incompletes


Incompletes will be allowed for special cases such as health or family emergencies, call to active duty, or sudden, verified illness. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation for all requests for a grade of Incomplete. Students must also have successfully completed 67% of the required course work prior to the request for a grade of Incomplete.

Grades of Incomplete must be completed within the next academic term. Please let me know prior to the final exam week of the term if you think you might require an incomplete.


Satisfactory/Fail
(S/F) Grading
Option


If students elect the "Satisfactory/Fail" grading option for this course, they must complete all the course work, earning a grade of "C" or higher to meet the requirements for a "Satisfactory" grade.


The College's
Withdrawal Policy


Effective Fall 2012, the final day for a student to withdraw from any course will be equal to 75% of the academic session. See the academic calendar on the College's web site for full details (http://www.cod.edu/academics/calendar.aspx).


Computers and Composition:


Our class will incorporate computers as tools both for writing and for learning about writing. I have created a course that uses a minimum of software (any web browser, your college-assigned email, and a word processor). I have also tried to keep the focus on writing skills rather than computer skills. However, to do research in the 21st century requires us to learn about library databases and other research related software. So I realize that an our course does demand some degree of technical sophistication from all of us, but that is the reality of doing research these days.

Be assured though that I have tried to keep the technical aspects of the course reasonable.


Sending Assignments


Most assignments are sent through the course web site itself. Send essays, papers, or anything else via your college-assigned email or via the Contact Form on the web site. You will find a link to the Contact Form everywhere in our online textbook, and I will teach you how to copy and paste your work to me through the Contact Form.

  • Remember that if you write to me regarding course work from a personal address, I will reply only to your college-assigned email.
  • Remember too that you should only use your college-assigned email address to prevent spam filters from deleting your message.


File Naming
Conventions


Since you will be sending your assignments to me through the web site or through email, we need to establish a useful way of naming our documents to ensure that we can keep accurate records. When saving your work for me, please include your last name, the course, and the assignment as part of the file name. For example, compare:

smith-kevin-comp1-essay1.doc = a good file name
my paper.doc = a bad file name


Some Final Notes
  1. Read and keep a copy of this Syllabus, and the Course Calendar, and your essay assignments. Those pages will help you organize your work so that you can complete this course successfully. Furthermore, those pages may prove valuable to you should you transfer course credit from this institution to another.
  2. Our class has a motto: Orthodoxy is unconsciousness. You will earn bonus percentage points on the final exam for knowing the motto.


Course Calendar


Please, understand that this syllabus explains how grades are determined and advises you about course and college policies. You need to follow the course calendar to see your assignments for each week throughout the course.
Syllabus
English 1102

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