English 100

Purpose: In this course, you will develop writing skills meant to help you succeed in academic environments. This class will help you utilize what you already know about writing and will help you discover ways to make your writing more effective. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking skills, which will be incorporated into class discussions and assignments. Writing assignments will be based, in part, on personal experience and on readings from the texts. Sentence style, syntax, grammar and mechanics will also be emphasized.

This course will be based on a distance approach that allows students to work on assignments independently. I will examine your writing and discuss your errors and successes with you. It is important to know that I will require you to work through problems to achieve success. By re-writing drafts you will learn new ways to get around our own barriers.

Goals in English 100:

To read, understand and analyze college level material

To develop your innate ability to make and convey meaning through language

To understand various rhetorical terms and principles

To produce writing that synthesizes the views of other writers

To use proper MLA citation

To support or refute a claim using appropriate evidence

To paraphrase and summarize accurately the ideas of others

To use library and Internet sources

To understand and be attentive to the conventions of written discourse

To revise writing in response to critiques

Basic Commitments:

1. You are here because you choose to be here. Therefore, you care about this class, want to do well, and know you can succeed.
2. You agree to complete assignments on time.
3. You know that you can ask questions about your writing and that you need to utilize any comments to improve the standards of your writing.
4. You will take advantage of all legitimate help, such as tutors, textbooks, office hours, and so forth.
5. Because it takes time to produce anything of value, you are prepared to spend as much time as needed to fully comprehend the material. The rewards will far outweigh the work.

Course Requirements:

1. Students are expected to read all class assignments and directions. I trust that you will email me with any questions about assignments. A strict time line will be maintained in this class. Predicaments are unavoidable, however, but special arrangements will not be granted unless you keep in touch with me. Special arrangements are privileges, not rights.
2. Complete 4 essays, which will be left in your portfolio. The portfolio must contain all parts of the assignment, including prewriting, rough draft(s), and final draft or you will not receive a grade. Essays are due on the assigned date. Late papers will not be accepted. If you have an emergency, email me.
3. Revisions are just that - a new vision of the paper. Minor corrections of grammar and mechanics will not change the grade. Think hard about comments written on your paper and consider class discussion of the essays. As a general guideline, at least one fourth of your paper must be new for you to receive credit.
4. Write one five page research paper.
5. EPE Exam.

Required Materials:

The Writer's Workplace with Readings, Sandra Scarry and John Scarry, Heinle Pub., 6th edition. ISBN# 1413030688

Grading Policy: Your final grade in based upon the following:

Essays 1 thru 4 = 100 points each

Research paper = 250 points

Midterm = 100 points

Final = 100 points

Details regarding the course are set forth in the class website (see below). When you go there, pay particular attention to the syllabus section and the assignment section.  

• Update email on WingSpan so it will transfer to Blackboard
• Your WingSpan ID becomes your Blackboard Username
• Your WingSpan PIN number (six digits only) becomes your Blackboard password
• To change these on Blackboard requires you change them on WingSpan
• Data will be transferred from WingSpan to Blackboard on a regular basis

Once you get to the welcome page, click on the Fundamentals of Composition  course link on the right, and you will go to the course site. Familiarize yourself with the course site and if you have any questions please email your instructor with your concerns. Get your textbook and get started with your initial assignments. A major key to your success in this course will be keeping up with both the reading and other assignments.   

If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professional and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the DSP&S office at (626) 914-8675. Please discuss your accommodations with me by email and be sure to allow at least one week to arrange appropriate accommodations.