Overview of Course*

This class is the logical extension of English 101.  In 101 we learned the basics of essay writing; now we will learn to write more effectively, stylistically and efficiently. If a student's writing shows major concerns about punctuation, development, organization or any of those domains, she needs to attend the Writing Lab for remediation before entering 201, as that is not its purpose -- 201 will help a student gain mastery of her skills, enabling her to reach an audience with style and grace.  These are large goals; that is why it is imperative that the basics are well under control before attempting this course. 

The course material will be learned through the following components:

Course Outcomes:

Responsibility Outcomes

A critical step in becoming a truly educated individual is that of taking responsibility for one's own learning.  The following outcomes address this step:

Class Procedures and Requirements

1. Readings

Reading assignments are related to seminar questions for both in-class writing and out of class seminar papers.

2. Seminars

Once a week, all students are required to participate in a small group seminar. This will take place in groups in the classroom. What this means is that you will need to be available for discussion on either Wednesday and Thursday, depending which group you are in. You are expected to participate at least two times during the discussion.    Our seminars focus on the week's readings and lectures, so it is imperative to attend well-prepared. Read assignments carefully, marking important or difficult passages, and take notes in the margin; write down questions you have. Active participation is required and evaluated.

3. Seminar Papers

In addition to participating in the seminar discussion, you must have completed seminar paper to bring to peer edit day, each Tuesday. A seminar paper is a 2 to 3 page analytical response to a topic question designed by the instructor. It must be submitted according to manuscript form -- first page without a title page. Use your handbook to help with formatting.

4. Research Essays

Academic writing most often requires research. Therefore, many papers will require using either the text and/or outside sources; all students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of basic research and documentation skills. Two longer papers will require this type of research. All papers should use MLA documentation form.

5. Weekly Journal / Discussion Board

Each week students are expected to respond to the questions posed for discussion; the question each week will be tied to our journal, and thus, you will need to be sure to type your responses in a word processor before pasting them in the discussion board.

6. Assessment Activities
In addition to writing assignments and class discussion, reading quizzes, both announced and unannounced, class activities, and self-evaluation opportunities will occur. Each assignment will be worth a certain number of points, and the total points for the quarter will be the basis for your final grade. These points will be converted to percentages and ultimately decimal grades based on the Community Colleges of Spokane's grading scale (see catalog).

7. Reading Journal

By Friday of each week, students will submit a response to the question posed by the instructor.  These journals will be minimally marked.

Participation, Attendance and Other Housekeeping Tasks

1. Participation and good attendance are essential to a composition class. Participation in this learning community comes in the form of seminars, discussions, and assignments.

2. Late Work and Withdrawals -- To receive credit for a seminar paper, please turn it in at the time and date specified. In other words, you cannot attend your seminar if you do not have your seminar paper completed and ready to be turned in.

Seminar papers will not be accepted late; however, to allow for the unexpected, you may turn in one seminar paper late without excuse or penalty if you submit it within one week of its due date. To do this, you must use the late Late Paper Certificate. If you submit all seminar papers on time (in other words, if you do not use your late-paper option), I will change your lowest seminar paper grade to full points.

There is NO late paper option for the research essays. You will know their due dates well in advance and, therefore, should be able to plan for the unexpected. You should be aware that I do not give "Z" grades lightly. If you stop attending the class, or you decide to stop attending school altogether, please withdraw officially. If you are ill and cannot come to campus, SCC can assist you in such a situation.

Other items to keep in mind:

1. Keep in regular contact with your instructor and other class members.
2. This writing/reading course will largely be a workshop. You are expected to play an active role as a member of a community of learners.
3. Please familiarize yourself with what constitutes plagiarism and the consequences of it.
4. All papers and assignments are due at the time listed on the class web page.
5. The key requirement is to be prepared and to participate and to do all of the assigned work -- readings and writings -- on time. You are responsible for all information presented in the class, whether or not you are there to retrieve it.
6. After the 2nd week of class, I  will not be bringing in handouts.  You need to get them from the web yourself during class on our computer workday -- this helps you learn one of the college's outcomes: responsibility. 
7. If you have anything that might hinder your progress in this class, you need to let me know, so that I can help you. If you have special accommodations that need to be made to ensure your success in class, I need to be notified during the first few days of the class.  
8. Since attendance is so vital to our class, periodic "spot checks" worth five points will be given.  These will happen in the first ten minutes of class, and they cannot be made up.  Since they are awarded for being there, you cannot receive them even though you arranged to be missing on a certain class day. Please do not expect me to accept your attendance points when you are more than ten minutes late for class. It is not fair to the other students who arrive on time.
9. Moreover, while this may seem harsh, being in the hospital or at a funeral are sad events, yet I cannot make special circumstances for you.  I have built enough leeway into the class that a couple of missed classes will not cause undue stress on your grade. The late paper certificate will take care of late assignments. If you have to miss more than that, perhaps it would be better to take a "medical" or "family emergency" withdrawal from the class, as you would not be learning what's necessary to pass the class anyway. Please do not try to manipulate this policy, as it is unfair to me and you.

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