ST.

AUGUSTINE COLLEGE
Syllabus for English 160 and EWL (Composition 1)
FALL 2009
INSTRUCTOR
NAME AND EMAIL

Trischa Duke

CREDIT HOURS:

4 Semester Hours
Days: MW
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Rooms: 146 & Computer Lab
ENG 109, 121, or placement test

COURSE
SCHEDULE:
PREREQUISITES:
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:

trischa.duke@gmail.com

Development of accurate reading comprehension and writing skills including

descriptive, expository, and persuasive texts; introduction to the research paper;
development of study habits and skills including note-taking, outlining,
summarizing, formatting written work, and using reference materials to improve
written expression.

TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS

th

REQUIRED
TEXTBOOK (S)

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES:

v Hacker, Diana. A Writers Reference. 6 edition Boston: St.Martins, 2007.

v Mather, Marjorie and Brett McLenithan. Eds. Clear Writing: Readings in
Expository Prose. Toronto: Broadview, 2007.
v TRIO Student Handbook
In Order to pass this course, students must meet the following objectives:

Demonstrate an understanding of all parts of the composing process

Demonstrate an understanding of and proficiency in applying the principles

of exposition and argument: focus and limitation of subject, thesis, and
support of thesis be example or argumentation; use of specifics to support
generalizations; organization of ideas; consistency, awareness of
audience, and appropriateness of tone and style

Demonstrate the ability to plan, organize and write in-class essays

Demonstrate research skills; e.g., computer-assisted search and use of

current MLA manuscript and citation format

Demonstrate an ability to read, comprehend, and critically analyze essays

and other texts as assigned
Using appropriate methodologies, students demonstrate the ability to read, listen,
and communicate with understanding and critical discernment.
Students learn to evaluate ideas and outcomes, solve problems, and make
informed decisions based upon consideration of evidence, reason, and
implications.
Students learn to access information efficiently and effectively; evaluate it critically
and competently; and use it accurately and creatively.
Students develop recognition of and respect for diversity through cultural
interactions in and outside the classroom.

INTEGRATED
GENERAL
EDUCATION
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

GRADING:

Student performance will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Grading Scale:
0-59%=F
60-69%=D

70-79%=C

80-89%=B

90-100%=A

Evaluation:
1.
4 Essays
60%
Essays 1-3: 30%
Essay 4 (Capstone Project): 30%
(These must be word-processed and in MLA style. The first 3 essays must be 2-3
th
pages typed, and the 4 essay must be 4-6 pages typed. All drafts of all 4 essays
must be turned in to receive a passing grade, even if your total average is above a
59%. Any essay that is found to be plagiarized in part or total will receive a grade
of zero. See also the note on plagiarism on the next page.)
2.
Homework and Quizzes
10%
(This section includes quizzes, electronic exercises, in-class participation,
responses to reading assignments and smaller in-class writings.
3.
Midterm exam
15%
4.
Final exam
15%
LATE WORK:

PARTICIPATION/
ATTENDANCE:
ACADEMIC
HONESTY:

Points may be deducted for late work at the instructors discretion.

Class participation is an essential component for success in this class. In order to
participate, you must complete the readings and the writing assignments by the
assigned due dates. By doing this, you will be prepared to take full advantage of
the presentations, discussions, and peer reviews.
St. Augustine College expects all students to abide by the Code of Student
Conduct as published in the Catalog, including behavior related to academic
honesty as described under Academic Guidelines and Expectations and Prohibited
Conduct. Violations will be reported to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.
Plagiarism: Students who plagiarize will receive the grade 0 (zero) in the
corresponding assignment or project. Students who copy on exams or submit
assignments or projects prepared by a third party shall receive the grade of 0
(zero). Instructors assigning this grade will notify the student, the Academic
Advisor, and the corresponding Department Chair. (Source: St. Augustine College
Chicago 2002-2003 Catalog 93)

MAKE-UP WORK:
INCOMPLETES

Students may complete any makeup work that they may have missed during their
absence. Late assignments should receive point deductions based on the length
of tardiness.
Students who have passing grades [70%] and who have taken the midterm and
completed all the assignments through week 13 may be given an incomplete
grade if they have an emergency in the last three weeks of the semester. A
rationale for an incomplete must be submitted in writing before the last day of the
semester to the class instructor and receive written approval by the instructor. If
you dont show up and you have given no notification, you will receive zeros for
any missing assignments and exams. Students should submit the coursework to
their adviser who will then submit the documents to the Language and Literature
department. Students have one semester to complete the missing coursework.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

ASSIGNMENTS:

Any student with special needs or difficulties in learning and/or in completing

course requirements should notify the instructor immediately so that available,
reasonable accommodations can be arranged. Documentation of the student's
disability and how it impacts their participation must also be submitted to the
Academic Dean.
4 Essays
These must be word-processed and in MLA style. The first 3 essays must be 2-3
th
pages typed, and the 4 essay must be 4-6 pages typed. All drafts of all 4 essays
must be submitted to receive a passing grade even if your total average is above a
59%. Any essay that is found to be plagiarized in part or total will receive a grade
of zero. See also the plagiarism note under ACADEMIC HONESTY
Midterm Exam (see below)
Final Exam
The final exam is an in-class essay. It follows the same guidelines as the midterm.
Homework and quizzes include in-class writing assignments, quizzes, and
responses to readings.

MIDTERM AND
FINAL EXAM:

The midterm is a two-day exam. In the first class period students will be asked to
write a short response paper where they take a stand on an issue. In the second
class period, students will be presented with an argument and will write a short
response paper analyzing the argument.
The final exam will be in the same format as the midterm, but students will have
only one class period to take a stand on an issue and analyze an argument.

CAPSTONE
PROJECT:

Paper 4: Research Paper. This is a four page research essay. Topics may vary
per section, but the guidelines are the same: at least four pages of text including
proper MLA in-text citations, one separate works cited page, a three page rough
draft and works cited page and a preliminary outline. The paper is due during the
last week of class.

COURSE TOPICAL OUTLINE:

WEEK/DATE
1: 8/26

CLASS TOPICS & OBJECTIVES

Personal Narratives

READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS

Clear Writing:
Read from Personal Experiences

2: 8/31

Personal Narratives cont.

Vocabulary Words Group 1

A Writers Reference:
Section C: Planning
Section D: Format
Clear Writing:
Continue Personal Experiences
A Writers Reference:
Section C: Drafting
Section B2: Parts of Sentences

3: 9/7

Personal Narratives cont.

No class Monday, 9/7

Clear Writing:
Continue Personal Experiences

4: 9/14

Languages and Culture

Vocabulary Words Group 2

Begin essay #1: Personal Narrative

A Writers Reference:
Section C: Writing Paragraphs
Clear Writing:
Read from Languages and Culture
Work on revisions of essay #1
A Writers Reference:
Section S6: Sentence Emphasis

5: 9/21

Languages and Culture cont.

Clear Writing:
Continue Languages and Culture
A Writers Reference:
Section C: Revising

6: 9/28

Languages and Culture cont.

Begin essay #2: Cultural Issues

A Writers Reference:
Section G1: Subject/Verb Agreement

7: 10/5

Languages and Culture cont.

Continue work on essay #2

Clear Writing:
Continue Languages and Culture
A Writers Reference:
Section P1: Comma
Review
Finish revisions of essays #1 & #2

8: 10/12
9: 10/19

Midterm Exam
Social Issues
Vocabulary Words Group 3

Clear Writing:
Read from Social Issues
A Writers Reference:
Section G5: Fragments

10: 10/26

Social Issues cont.

11: 11/2

Social Issues cont.

12: 11/9

Any Clear Writing unit that hasnt been

covered

13: 11/16

Any Clear Writing unit that hasnt been

covered
Vocabulary Words Group 4

14: 11/23

Any Clear Writing unit that hasnt been

covered

A Writers Reference:
Section G6: Run-Ons
Begin essay #3: Argumentative Essay
Clear Writing:
Continue Social Issues
Clear Writing:
Continue Social Issues
A Writers Reference:
Section S4: Shifts
Clear Writing:
Read from any unit that hasnt been
covered
A Writers Reference:
Sections MLA 1 & 2
Begin essay #4: Short Research Paper
Continue work on essay #4 and revisions of
essay #3
A Writers Reference:
Sections MLA 3 & 4
Complete first draft of essay #4
A Writers Reference:
MLA 5

Nov 26-28 is Thanksgiving recess

15: 11/30

Any Clear Writing unit that hasnt been

covered

Finish all revisions

A Writers Reference:
Review of MLA sections

16: 12/7

Review

Submit Paper 4
Final Exam

*This syllabus should be considered a contract between each student and instructor.