ENGLISH 1551 Dr.

Lee Fall 2012 1

ENGLISH 1551 : WRITING 2

CRN 21691; T/Th 11 12:15 PM
Tuesday: Cushwa Hall 2058 Thursday: DeBartolo Hall B50

Instructor Information
Dr. Karen K. Lee Office: DeBartolo 236 Office hours, Fall 2012: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 2:45 PM; Saturday 11:45-12:15 PM; and by appointment* email: kklee@ysu.edu (best way to reach me) office phone:330-941-1633

Opus the Penguin by Berkeley Breathed

ENGL 1551 Course Catalog Description

Practice in writing with emphasis on the process of investigation: exploration of topics, formulation of tentative theses, collection of data from suitable primary and secondary sources, and clear and appropriate presentation of the results of these inquiries. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to perform research on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: ENGL 1550 or Composition Placement Test results. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h. Writing 2 is a general-education requirement.

Course focus
Building upon the critical reading, thinking, and writing skills learned in Writing 1 (English 1550), students in Writing 2 work to refine their ability to construct credible, authoritative, and appropriatelydocumented arguments.

Students in Writing 2 will:

Read and critically analyze texts, especially texts containing arguments, focusing on the rhetorical strategies authors use to advance their claims. Critique their own and their peers writing using various evaluation strategies. Write primarily nonfiction, argumentative essays built upon writing-process materials such as drafts, peer reviews, and instructor comments. Use computer labs and other online resources as tools for cultivating their writing.

Placement
Placement into Writing 2 is based upon successful completion of Writing 1 (English 1550).

Fee
YSU requires students to pay a technology and materials fee in Writing 2. This fee is used to maintain and replace equipment, software, and supplies.

*I'm usually on campus five days a week, please don't hesitate to email me to make an appointment.

Texts

The required handbook is EasyWriter 4th Edition with MLA/APA Updates: A Pocket Reference by Andrea A. Lunsford. ISBN: 0-312-65031-0
Other assigned readings for this class will be available digitally, either online or in PDF; they will be posted to the class Blackboard site.

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Course Theme
The research and writing for this section of ENGL 1551 will be focused on issues affecting Youngstown, YSU, Northeast Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. Researching and writing about the place you live will give you the skills you need to be an engaged citizen of your community. So even if you wind up moving to a new area after you graduate, you will be able to take the skills you learn in this class and apply them anywhere. We will spend the first few weeks of the semester discussing various topics that would be suitable for your research projects, such as the economy, urban gardening, the shrinking city, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This will help you decide which topic you would be interested in learning more about. This topic will then be the focus of your work for the semester.

Major Projects and Course Work

Note: These are brief descriptions, please refer to the assignment descriptions for details, due dates, and the like. Inquiry Proposal This assignment asks you to describe the topic you choose to investigate over the course of the semester. (5 points) Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography These assignments ask you to become familiar with scholarly and popular sources of information concerning your topic of interest. (30 points) Primary Research Project This assignment asks you to collect original data to answer a research question related to your chosen topic. (15 points) Researched Argument In this project you will compose a document that helps change peoples minds or gets them to take action on a problem related to your topic. (20 points) Final Project A review of your work throughout the semester. (5 points) Homework, Quizzes, and In-Class Activities In addition to the major writing projects above, there will be unannounced quizzes on course readings, homework assignments, and in-class activities to complete throughout the semester. These cannot be made up, so attendance is crucial (please see the section on attendance in this document for more details). (25 points) Total points possible: 100
To be eligible to pass the course, you must (1) complete and submit each of the major projects listed above on time,(2) actively and positively engage in in-class, online, and other class activities on a regular basis, and (3) meet the minimum attendance requirements as described on page 4.

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Grading and Grade Scale

As noted above, the assignments and projects in this class are each worth a certain number of points; there are a total of 100 available points. Evaluation of work will note the number of points earned. At the end of the semester the total number of points earned will translate into the following grades: 90100 points: A 8089 points: B 7079 points: C 69 points and lower: NC (No Credit)

Technology and ENGL 1551

Readings, assignments, and other information vital to your success in this course will be posted to the course Blackboard site. If you arent familiar with the basics of Blackboard, now is the time to get acquainted with it. If you dont have a reliable Internet connection at home, then make arrangements to do assigned digital readings when you are at school or at your favorite WiFi spot. From time to time you will receive email communication concerning this class through your YSU email account, so please be sure to check it regularly. If you use another email service (like Gmail), consider forwarding your YSU email to the email address you use more often. Assignments and projects for this class require a computer and a basic word processing and document design program such as Microsoft Word (or Libre Office, a free open source program available for download at http://www.libreoffice.org/). If at any time you have problems accessing the Internet from home, or if your home computer isnt working properly, you will need to find a public computer lab or other means of access. Problems with computers do not excuse for falling behind or for failing to complete required assignments. Because computer problems are a fact of life, always complete your assignments early. If your Internet service goes down, it is your responsibility to find a solution. If your computer breaks, use another one. Find a way to get assignments and projects done on time in spite of any technological problems. Students are especially encouraged to develop a data back-up plan (USB drive, Google Docs, Dropbox.com) and use it consistently, as lost files, malfunctioning computers, or any similar technological problem will not excuse late work.

Attendance
Work done during class time work cannot be made up you must be present to participate. As a result, the more classes you miss, the lower your final Course Work grade will be. Even if you are absent, you are still responsible for understanding all the lessons and information covered in each missed class. You can do so by reviewing the course Blackboard site or talking to a fellow class member before or after the class. After doing this, send me an email with any specific questions on the materials you may have. Because of the importance of in-class work, you should plan on coming to every class session. This will serve you well in case you do encounter those unavoidable events that occasionally prevent you from attending class for example, illness, car trouble, or other emergencies at some point in the semester. The only exceptions to this policy for making up in-class work are for religious holidays that the university does not close for, or for university sponsored events that require your attendance. Please provide written notice to me no less than two weeks in advance of these events so we can make arrangements for making up work due. In the case of university sponsored events, a letter from the team coach or supervising faculty member is also necessary. Note that if you are late to class or leave class early, you will be subject to losing one point of your final Course Work grade per incident.

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Maximum Number of Absences

Since in-class participation is so vital, missing more than seven classes (thats over two weeks of class) will in most cases result in a failing grade for the course. If you encounter a severe hardship that prevents your attendance for several days, please contact me to see if additional arrangements can be made; otherwise Ill assume youve decided to opt-out of the semester.

Late Work
Late work is not accepted. If you are going to be absent on a project due date, please make arrangements to turn it in early. If a serious and unavoidable problem arises, such as hospitalization or a death in the family, you should contact me either via email or in person prior to the project due date to determine whether or not an extension for the work may be granted.

Class Room Etiquette

Digital Distractions
I know that most of you may think you can pay attention to a presentation while texting or reading Facebook, but research indicates otherwise; one studys findings indicate that multitaskers are not being more productive they just feel more emotionally satisfied from their work (http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/multitask.htm). Its also been my experience that students who spend most of class time distracted by non-classroom activities are the ones who do the most poorly at the end of the semester. Not only are you missing out on important information when you are distracted by texting, Facebook, or the newspaper, but you are also causing a distraction to the instructor and the other students. Furthermore, in the workplace you would not whip out your phone and start texting a friend about your plans for the weekend in the middle of a business meeting, nor would you wear headphones while talking to coworkers, so please dont do that in our class. Please use the lab computers for class purposes only. Returning to our workplace analogy, employers are unhappy to see workers spending time online instead of working. Many workplaces have programs in place to track where you go and what you do online and some of them even block access to sites such as Facebook. Use class time to develop the habit of staying focused on the task at hand. Penalties for indulging in these digital distractions include being called out in class, being asked to leave, and a one point deduction from your final Course Work grade per incident.

Arriving Late and Leaving Early

Arriving to class late is distracting to everyone. Please be in your seats and ready to begin work at the designated start of class time. Those who arrive to class late will have point deducted from their final coursework grade per offense. Leaving the class before the end of the class period is similarly rude and will be similarly treated.

In-class work sessions

From time to time we may have in-class work sessions. These are for your benefit; they let you get a head start on projects and assignments, they give you a chance to get input on your work, and in the case of group projects they give you the chance to collaborate with your team. You wouldnt just get up and leave your work before the end of the work day, so please dont just get up and leave during these work sessions; wait until class has been dismissed.

Respectfulness
To create and preserve a classroom environment for optimal learning, all participants share a responsibility in creating a civil and non-disruptive forum. Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in this classroom in a manner that does not disrupt teaching or learning. Both instructor and students should respect the rights of others seeking to learn. Differences of viewpoint or concerns should

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be expressed in terms which are supportive of the learning process. The short version of this is, as Bill and Ted put it so eloquently, be excellent to each other.

YSU Syllabus Requirements

Per YSU/YSU-OEA Agreement, Article 25.3, all syllabi must include a grading policy and an attendance policy. These policies are described in this document on pages 2 and 3.

Engagement in the Learning Process

Engagement in the learning process is a key goal of a college education for all students. Students are expected to engage in their education by completing in- and out-of class assignments, participating in in-class discussions, and being prepared for and actively involved in peer-editing processes. Students in Writing 2 are expected to: Read text selections assigned by the instructor. Draft and revise several writing assignments that culminate in a final researched argument. The total number of words will be at least 5,000 words. Students will plan and carry out a research project that includes determining what support they need and from where they might get it, using various kinds of credible sources, and composing a final project that incorporates varied, academically credible sources. Follow the schedule and policies in the instructors syllabus regarding preparation, attendance, classroom participation, and assignment deadlines.

Center for Student Progress (CSP) / Disability Services office (330-941-1372). At minimum, students are expected to learn to use research from MaagNet, OhioLink, and credible Internet websites in their writing.

Grades
Final grades for Writing 2 are A, B, C, and NC (No Credit): Students who earn a grade of A or B have fulfilled course assignments at an outstanding or higher than average level; a C indicates satisfactory performance in the course. A final average of less than C will earn a grade of NC for the course. An NC does not affect the overall GPA, but it does appear on the students transcript, and the student must repeat Writing 2. It may be retaken only once without the approval of the dean. Students are responsible for being aware of their grades in Writing 2 when they register for their next semesters classes. YSU Policy on Incomplete grades: The instructor may assign a grade of Incomplete (I) only if the following conditions are met: the student has requested the Incomplete ahead of time; all course work prior to this request has been satisfactorily completed; the Instructor agrees that an I is warranted. YSU policy states that students have at maximum one semester to complete an Incomplete; instructors are permitted to require that the work be completed in a shorter amount of time. If no formal grade change occurs within one semester, the I automatically reverts to an NC. Please note that I only allow Incomplete grades in extreme instances such as a death in the immediate family or a major illness. Audit Policy: Students who register to audit a composition course should consult the instructor about minimum requirements.

Information Literacy
Information literacy is essential. In Writing 1, students were introduced to Maag Library and shown how to use readings in their essays. Now, to enhance students information literacy and facility with research in various formats, they will use Maag Library, electronic sources made available through OhioLink, and other credible websites in projects, culminating in a final researched argument.

Computer Lab Classrooms

Because Writing 2 is held in a computer lab for approximately one half of its weekly meeting time, students have the opportunity to become good at using computer and Internet capabilities to help them write and research. Students requiring additional assistance may be referred to the

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Transfer credit: Students wishing to receive transfer credit for a college composition course taken elsewhere must have that course evaluated by the Composition Program Director(s) before taking any of YSUs composition courses.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Anyone requiring special adaptations or accommodations should inform the instructor as soon as possible. In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the Office of Disability Services (phone: 330-941-1372) in the Center for Student Progress at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Disability Services.

Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty

All assignments completed in Writing 2 must be the product of the students own thought and inquiry. Plagiarism means presenting words, ideas, or information found in works written by others as if they were your own. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, all forms of cheating, as well as receiving inappropriate assistance from others in completing an assignment. Instructors are responsible for teaching students about plagiarism and for distinguishing between intentional plagiarism and unintentional errors of citation. However, students are responsible for any actions that might constitute plagiarism. The penalty for plagiarism ranges from failing the assignment to getting an NC in the course. For more information, see the YSU Student Code, particularly Articles I and IX, at http://www.ysu.edu/thecode.pdf. In this section of ENGL 1551, plagiarized papers or homework assignments will result in an F on the assignment with a slim possibility of revising for no higher than a C, depending on the nature and scope of the plagiarism; it may also result in an F in the course, and a report to the university discipline officer. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask, either in class or during office hours.

Center for Student Progress

The Marion G. Resch Center for Student Progress is a resource on campus established to help students successfully complete their university experience. Please phone (330) 9413538 or visit the Center for assistance in tutoring or for individualized assistance with social and academic success. The main Center is located in Kilcawley West below the bookstore.

Academic Support Resources The Writing Center

Students may seek one-on-one or group assistance at the Writing Center by calling (330) 941-3055 or visiting ysu.mywconline.com to make an appointment with a Writing Center Consultant. The Writing Center has hours Monday through Friday whenever classes are in session. Sunday hours are available in fall and spring semesters. Find Writing Center locations at http://web.ysu.edu/writingcenter/.