English 1103-02: Composition I

MWF: 12:00-12:50 SWALM 105

Professor: Dr. Stacy Kastner (smk318@msstate.edu) Office: 202 Howell Hall Office Hours: M/W, 3:30-5:00; F, 1:00-2:00 (in starbucks) and by appointment

SYLLABUS
One of the many gifts of the writing craft is that our apprenticeship to writing never ends. At eighty-one years old I am still a student to my page. When I first read Chaucers The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne, I believed it was a lament. Now I read it as a celebration. I will never stop learning to write, and I will continue to write what I did not intend. Old in years and young as a writer I am sustained by the certainty that this morning and the next, and the nextmy instructive page will surprise me by revealing what I didnt know I knew. Donald Murray, Write Before Writing, in Thomas Newkirk, Teaching the Neglected R

Writing exists at the intersections of individual and social, of intentions and uptake of others, of agency and conformity, of form and meaning, of pattern and novelty. Writing exists at the intersections of the spontaneous and the planned; of the conscious and the nonconscious; of our histories, presents, and futures. Charles Bazerman, On The Wonder of Writing, 2009 Conference on College Composition and Communication Chairs Address

COURSE DESCRIPTION English 1103 stresses principles of logic, rhetoric, and analysis that govern effective organization and presentation of ideas. Primary emphasis is on close reading, careful analysis, and argument. You will be expected to create a limited thesis and develop it appropriately while meeting conventional standards of accuracy in mechanics. (Page 21 in GFC). REQUIRED TEXTS A Guide to Freshman Composition, 5th Ed. (GFC) Forming a Critical Perspective (FCP) The Little, Brown Handbook, 4th Custom Ed. (LBH) Additional course readings (posted to course website) Course Website: www.bullygoodwriting.wordpress.com REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY Mississippi State University Email Reliable Storage (e.g., dropbox, flashdrive, external hard drive) Reliable Backup Storage (e.g., dropbox, flashdrive, external hard drive)

A Personal Computer (or consistent access to a computer) with Internet Access, Sound Card, and Webcam that you bring to every class meeting (please see me if you do not have access to a laptop or smartphone) Blog Account (Wordpress.com)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Gain knowledge and experience that will empower you as a reader, writer, and rhetor in the University and beyond Learn to identify authorial purpose, thesis, and tone; differentiate between main ideas and supporting details; identify stated and implied ideas; describe organizational strategy; distinguish between fact and opinion; make logical inferences from reading; accurately summarize, paraphrase, and organize information from reading; evaluate the persuasiveness of a written text; and apply reading to past knowledge and new contexts Learn to apply fundamental strategies of composing: invention, drafting, revising, editing; develop a controlling idea or thesis; develop effective organizational strategies; provide and arrange supporting details coherently; differentiate between analysis and argument; construct logical and persuasive arguments; adapt writing to specific purposes, contexts, and audiences; synthesize sources into writing by summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting; document sources correctly using MLA; and employ conventions when appropriate to academic writing EXPECTATIONS I look forward to all of us learning from each other this semester, and to help ensure a productive work environment, I have some general expectations: Attend and participate in each scheduled class session (including small group writing conferences and online/virtual class sessions). Contact me in advance if you know there are sessions you will have to miss so that we can make alternative arrangements for your work. An excess of three unexcused absences will lower your course grade by one letter grade, no exceptions. Make time to read and understand all assigned readings (which includes communicating with classmates or with me if you are having trouble understanding anything). Create and submit thoughtful and creative assignments and work on time (the only time I accept late work is if we have previously discussed this and arranged alternative due dates). Show respect for one another this includes paying attention when others are speaking, reading others work carefully and thoughtfully, being considerate of other students feelings, using appropriate language, and making your points without being combative or confrontational. This will be particularly important for small group writing conferencesthink about how you can create a learning environment that encourages a robust exchange of ideas. Note: Disagreement with someones idea or statement is perfectly acceptable, even encouraged; thats part of learning to think and process the different ideas and worldviews around you. However, if you do disagree with an idea or statement, explain why you disagree without attacking the person who said it. Please read pages 11-14 in Guide to Freshman Composition, 5th Ed. which outlines further the composition programs policies and procedures.

ASSESSMENT All work in the course will be evaluated based on how well you meet the expectations of the assignment, completeness, and thoughtfulness. For further information regarding the assessment of individual assignments, refer to A Guide to Freshman Composition, 5th Ed. and visit the course website (www.bullygoodwriting.wordpress.com) and refer to individual assignment pages. SPECIAL NEEDS AND ACCOMODATIONS We all have limitations and styles of learning that may be different from others. If you are concerned about how this class is taught or about the classroom environment, please see me as soon as possible so that I can make any changes that are necessary. Feel free to see me before or after class, during office hours, or contact me initially through email. If you have a learning difference, I encourage you to register with the appropriate office, Student Support Services: Montgomery Hall; 662-325-3335; http://www.sss.msstate.edu/disabilities/ ACADEMIC HONESTY I am genuinely interested in your analyses, experiences, reflections, and thoughts and I am looking forward to the opportunity to read and talk over your writing; therefore, I expect that all work in the course that you turn in will be your own and will follow MLA citation guidelines to acknowledge your incorporation of others ideas. Pages 15-19 in A Guide to Freshman Composition, 5th Ed. for an explanation of what constituted plagiarism and for the composition programs policies regarding plagiarism. Upon discovery of a violation of the University Honor Code, I will follow procedures outlined pages 16-17. University Honor Code As a Mississippi State University student I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, chart, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do. Please visit http://www.honorcode.msstate.edu/policy/ to familiarize yourself with the Universitys full honor code, policies, and procedures. If you have any questions about academic dishonesty, plagiarism, or the Mississippi State University Honor code, I encourage you to visit me during my office hours or make an appointment and to attend one of the following Student Honor Code Office sessions: Tuesday, August 20th: 5:00-6:00, McCool Hall, Taylor Auditorium Wednesday, August 21st: 5:00-6:00, McCool Hall, Taylor Auditorium Thursday, August 22nd: 5:00-6:00, McCool Hall, Taylor Auditorium

ASSIGNMENTS (see course website and GFC for full descriptions) Course Introduction In Class DUE:
In Class In Class Collected, 9/4

20 pts.
Syllabus Quiz (5 pts.) Diagnostic Essay (no grade) Pre-Test (no grade) Writers Workshop (10 pts.) Reading Response and Reflecting Blog (5 pts.)

Weekly reflective reading response blog post due every Sunday at midnight

Unit I: Literacy Narrative 9/9 DUE:

9/9 9/11 Posted to personal blog, by 12:00PM on 9/16 Posted to personal blog, by 12:00PM on 9/16 Will sign up in class 9/23

190 pts.
Visual Literacy Narrative (5 pts.) Visual Literacy Narrative Presentation in Small Groups (5 pts.) First Draft (20 pts.) Second Draft (for group writing conferences) (20 pts.)

Second Draft Cover Letter (for writing group conferences) and peer responses (10 pts.) Writing Group Attendance and Participation (face-to-face and online) (20 pts.) Final Draft (100 pts.) Reading Response and Reflecting Blog (10 pts.)

Weekly reflective reading response blog post due every Sunday at midnight

Unit II: Analysis DUE:

190 pts.
Posted to course blog, 9/25 9/27 (via email), due by 12:00PM 10/7 10/7

Silva Rhetoricae Activity (5 pts.) First Draft (20 pts.) Second Draft (for group writing conferences) (20 pts.) Second Draft Cover Letter (for group writing conferences) and peer responses (10 pts.) Writing Group Attendance and Participation (face-to-face and online) (20 pts.) Final Draft (100 pts.) Reading Response and Reflecting Blog (15 pts.)

Will sign up in class 10/14

Weekly reflective reading response blog post due every Sunday at midnight

Unit III: Comparative Analysis 10/16 DUE:

Posted to course blog, 10/28 Posted to course blog, 10/28 Will sign up in class

185 Pts.
First Draft (20 pts.) Second Draft (for group writing conferences) (20 pts.) Second Draft Cover Letter (for group writing conferences) and peer responses (10 pts.) Writing Group Attendance and Participation (face-to-face and online) (20 pts.)

11/4

Final Draft (100 pts.) Reading Response and Reflecting Blog (15 pts.)

Weekly reflective blog post due every Sunday at midnight

Unit IV: Argument 10/30 DUE:

11/6 Posted to personal blog, 11/15 Posted to personal blog, 11/15 Will sign up in class 11/25

190 pts.
Paper Proposal (5 pts.) First Draft (20 pts.) Second Draft (for group writing conferences) (20 pts.) Second Draft Cover Letter (for group writing conferences) and peer responses (10 pts.) Writing Group Attendance and Participation (face-to-face and online) (20 pts.) Final Draft (100 pts.) Reading Response and Reflecting Blog (15 pts.)

Weekly reflective blog post due every Sunday at midnight

Course Conclusion 12/2 DUE:

225 pts.
Reflective Essay (25 pts.)

Final Exam (200 pts.) IS FRIDAY, 12/6, 12:00-3:00