Syllabus for Freshman Writing Composition I

For non-native speakers of English

EN 120-005
Spring 2016 Semester
MWF 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
The University of Alabama
Instructor: Lauren Lackey
Email: lalackey@crimson.ua.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Co-teacher:
Robert Keating

Email:
rhkeating@crimson.ua.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Prerequisites:
None
Course Description:
This course is an introductory course in a two-part series of English composition and rhetoric for
international students. EN 120 allows students to gain experience and competency in academic writing
at the university level through the guided practice of composing several types of writing found in
academia. The focus of this course is to build a foundation of writing for international students that
helps them be prepared for EN 121, an argumentative based writing course.
Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A grade of C- is required as a
prerequisite for advancing to another English course at The University of Alabama.
Goals and Objectives:

The goals of this course are as follows:

o

To create awareness of the students personal writing processes

To help students learn to identify different styles of writing found in academic courses

To understand the authors purposes for writing and the intended audience

To be able to find and integrate sources in essays through the use of critical thinking and
active reading skills

To be able to organize an essay with a strong, clear introduction, thesis statement, body
paragraphs, and conclusion

To be able to properly use both instructor and peer feedback throughout the writing process

To successfully present ones writing to a group of peers

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

Identify the steps in the writing process and understand their individual approach to the writing
processes through the use of drafts and conferencing with instructors.

Discuss the similarities and differences in the types of papers written throughout the semester.

Identify the authors purpose and the intended audience in order to effectively evaluate a source.

Accurately integrate direct quotations, paraphrases, and summaries from both primary and
secondary sources in order to make their writing stronger and more academically credible.

Identify and discuss the functions of each part of an essay (i.e., introduction, thesis statement, topic
sentences, body paragraphs, and conclusion).

Create strong thesis statements based on the requirements, purpose, and audience as outlined in the
assignment sheet and adapt the format of the papers body to meet the same expectations.

Evaluate another students writing in order to aid in the writing process.

Engage with the instructor of the course about the essays and discuss both the positive and negative
aspects of the writing process through conferences.

Required Texts

Ruszkiewicz, John J.
How To Write Anything,
latest edition (ISBN: 978-0312674892)

University of Alabama custom edition of Diana Hacker's

A Writer's Reference
, Latest edition
(Bedford)

Attendance Policy
Regular attendance in your writing class is vital to your growth as a writer. Regular attendance equals
success. You should, therefore, strive to attend every class meeting. It is in class, after all, that you will
learn the habits of good writers, as you will have ample opportunities for conversation, collaboration,
questioning, revising, writing, etc.
Occasionally, however, you may have to miss class. The First-year Writing Program Attendance Policy
makes reasonable allowances for such absences. Please review the following information carefully:
You should not miss more than
six class meetings f
or this class. You are considered absent any time
you are not in class-
no matter what the reason.
M
aking up missed work does not erase absences.
Doctors
notes do not erase absences, either. An absence is an absence.


If you miss more than six classes, you will receive a course grade of NC ("No Credit") for excessive
absences. Your instructor is required to assign this grade, except in rare cases warranting a policy
waiver. However, you may appeal an attendance-related NC grade to the Director of First-year
Writing after grades have been submitted.
Instructors
do not need to see documentation except in cases of missed major-grade work
(papers,
tests, projects); however, you should keep up with all documentation in case you wish to appeal your
absence-related NC grade after the end of the semester. It is your responsibility to keep in contact
with your instructor about absences or problems that may affect your performance in the class.
What You Can Make Up
Making up missed work does not erase absences. Again, you should strive to attend every class
meeting.
You may make up major-grade work (such as papers or tests) if class was missed due to legitimate
circumstances beyond your control (i.e., documented illness or medical emergency; a family funeral;
activities at which you officially represent the University of Alabama). If such circumstances should
arise, please promptly communicate them to and document them for your instructor.
You may make up major-grade work missed due to absences for other reasons only with the consent
of your instructor.
You may arrange to turn in major-grade work in advance or by email only if allowed by your
instructor.
What You Can't Make Up
Class discussions, group work, in-class writing, or other daily class work in a writing class cannot be
reconstructed. Therefore, daily work missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up. Missed
daily class work will have a negative impact on your grade!

If you are part of a university-sanctioned athletic team, you must provide your instructor with an
official travel schedule for the semester.

Policy on Late Coursework

Late rough drafts and late final drafts will be treated separately. Remember, late = anything turned in
after the due date as scheduled by the instructor.

Any daily work assigned is due at the end of class. Daily work not turned in by the end of class will
not be accepted. Homework assigned is due within the first ten minutes of class. Homework that is
not turned in when requested by the instructor will not be accepted.

Rough drafts for this course will be due at 11:59 on the due date listed on the syllabus through
Blackboard Learn/Turnitin, unless otherwise specified by the instructor.
Rough drafts are not
graded, but failure to turn them in will result in a loss of 25 points from the final draft score.
All late

rough drafts will result in a 1-point penalty on the final grade for that assignment for each day it is
late. After the scheduled conference with the instructor, if still no draft is submitted, that draft will be


considered a 0.

Final drafts are due at 11:59pm on the due date listed on the syllabus and assignment sheet through
Blackboard Learn, unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Late final drafts will result in the loss
of one full letter grade per day late. For example, a paper earning a B+ turned in one day late will be
given a C+. Emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis with proper documentation and
notification.

Outline of Topics

Narrative (10%): The first major assignment of this class is a narrative paper. The goal of this essay is
to tell the readers a true story about something that happened in your life. Remember: your first draft
must be at least 500 words. Your final grade will include your attendance at student / teacher
conferences and whether or not your paper was submitted on time. (1000 words)

Informative Report (15%): You will compose an informative report on some topic related to
something you find interesting. This could be a city, a culture, a historical figures life, etc. You must
clear your topic with Lauren or Rob before you begin writing. Your first draft must be at least 625
words! Remember, your grade will take into consideration your attendance at student/teacher
conferences. If your paper is submitted late, you will lose points. (1250 words)

Evaluation Paper (15%): You will compose an evaluation paper on a topic of your choice. Suggestions
include advertisements, local restaurants, video games, public policies, a work of art or literature, a
movie, etc. You must clear your topic with one of your instructors! The first draft must be at least 625
words. Your final grade will include your attendance at student/teacher conferences and whether or
not your paper was submitted on time. (1250 words)

Proposal Argument (15%): You will compose a proposal paper in which you present potential
solutions to a problem that interests you. The problem can be one from your home country, the
United States, or a problem that affects your life as a student. The problem you choose must be one
that is ongoing in the world today, whether it affects one city, one state or region, or an entire nation.
Do not choose something that has already been solved by a countrys government or by current
technology. You must propose solutions, evaluate the feasibility of those solutions,
and
address any
opposing arguments. You must clear your topic with your instructor before you begin writing. Your
first draft must be at least 750 words! Remember, your grade will take into consideration your
attendance at student/teacher conferences. If your paper is submitted late, you will lose points. (1500
words)

Presentation (15%): You will present one of your papers, choosing between
only
the informative
report, evaluation, or proposal argument, to your classmates and your instructors. This presentation
should include a PowerPoint or other visual aid. You are expected to use professional presentation
techniques and to clear your topic with Lauren or Rob beforehand. If you are not prepared to
present on the day you sign up for, or if you are absent on presentation day, you will lose points. (7-10
minutes long)

Final Reflective Essay (10%): For your final examination, you will compose a reflective essay in which
you will critically reflect on and evaluate your growth as a writer over the course of the semester. It
will be completed outside of class, but it must be submitted to Turnitin on Blackboard by the
assigned final examination time. (1000 words)

Class Attendance & Participation (15%): To receive points for class attendance every class meeting,
you must arrive at the classroom
on time a
nd remain in your seat until class time is over, unless you
have a legitimate excuse not to do so. If you are ten minutes late or more to class, you will be counted
absent. Three tardies will count as one absence.
Even if absences do not exceed the limit set by the
university, excessive unexcused absences will cause points to be taken off your final grade.
Class
participation includes active involvement in class discussions, activities, and group work, as well as
attention to the instructor during lecture. For full credit, you must actively participate in any and all
activities during class.
Cell phone use will also result in the deduction of participation points.

Grading Summary for Final Grade

Narrative

10%

InformativeReport

15%

EvaluationPaper

15%

ProposalArgument

15%

Presentation

15%

FinalReflectiveEssay

10%

Classparticipation/attendance

15%

InClassEssays
TOTAL

5%
100%

Grading Policy
Written work will be evaluated in these five general areas: Content/Development, Organization,
Style/Tone, Grammar/Mechanics, and Attention to Directions. A work must be excellent in all
areas; B work must be good in all areas; C work must be at least competent in all areas; D work is
marginally below college standards in at least one of the areas; and F work is clearly below minimum
college standards in one of the areas. Work that does not follow the assignment (though otherwise
acceptable) will also receive an F. Work that is not done or not turned in is recorded as a zero
.
All
major papers will be graded and returned before the next final draft of a major assignment is due.
Freshman-level proficiency in writing is required for a passing grade (see ABC-No Credit policy below).
Papers are graded numerically according to rubrics that will be distributed for each assignment and
posted to Blackboard Learn.
Final numeric grades
will be converted to letter grades according to this scale:


100-97=A+; 96-93=A; 92-90=A-; 89-88=B+; 87-83=B; 82-80=B-; 79-78=C+; 77-73=C; 72-70=C-; 69
and below= NC
A, B, C, No Credit Policy
NOTE: Final grades for the class below a C- are given a mark of No Credit (NC), which does not reflect
on your GPA but will require you to take the course again. You may also receive an NC for excessive
absences; please see the attendance policy.
Chain of Command
If you have a problem with anything that happens in this class,
please see me first.
I am here to work
with you on any issues you might be facing regarding this class. If we are not able to resolve the
problem, please contact Josh Weathersby, Graduate coordinator of the TESOL program
(jweathersby@crimson.ua.edu).
Late Instructor
If I am late and there is no notice on the door, please wait ten minutes then send someone to Dr. Lius
office (Morgan Hall, 210) to tell him I was not in class.
Writing Center
The Writing Center, located in 322 Lloyd Hall, is a w
onderful
free resource for students.
They do not
proofread papers or write papers for you
, but they can help with overall structure, organization,
development, and mechanics. Take a copy of the assignment sheet and any work youve completed
toward the assignment when you go. In addition to improving your paper and likely your own general
writing skills by utilizing this resource, you will also be given 2 bonus points for each papers final grade
when you give your instructor proof that you made an appointment and went to the Writing Center.
Go to
http://writingcenter.ua.edu/ for more information or to set up an appointment.
Disability Statement
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as
soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability,
but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha
Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a
disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with
disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East,
before receiving academic adjustments.
Policy on Academic Misconduct
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe
standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students
a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct
includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help


or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary
Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
Turnitin
: The University of Alabama is committed to helping students uphold the ethical standards of
academic integrity in all areas of study. Students agree that their enrollment in this course allows the
instructor the right to use electronic devices to help prevent plagiarism. All course materials are subject
to submission to TurnItIn.com for the purpose of detecting textual similarities. Assignments
submitted to TurnItIn.com will be included as source documents in TurnItIn.coms restricted access
database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism in such documents. TurnItIn.com will be used
as a source document to help students avoid plagiarism in written documents. All papers, including
rough drafts, will be turned in through Turnitin on the course Blackboard Learn website.
**You may
not
recycle papers written for another class**
Severe Weather Protocol
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all
university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a
building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from
windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has
expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the
warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30
minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general, classes will remain
in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly,
some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather
related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National
Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the
National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path
of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate lifesaving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative
to get to where you can receive information from the
National Weather Service
and to follow the
instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take.
Class Environment
Be respectful of your classmates and instructors. Help create a learning environment that is positive
and productive for everyone.
Your instructors will not tolerate harassment of a
ny
kind (this includes
harassment because of gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, economic background, etc).
Feel free to contact me or the graduate TESOL coordinator (Josh Weathersby) if any person or aspect
of this class makes you feel uncomfortable. I want everyone to have a positive learning experience in
this class. Remember:
Cell phones and use of other electronic devices are not permitted while class is in
session. This includes laptops or iPads, etc. unless being used specifically for a class activity.
Repeated
violations will result in your dismissal from the classroom and a reduction of your participation grade.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments for EN 120-005

Spring 2016

Subject to changeany changes will be announced in class, through email, a

nd/or
posted to
Blackboard Learn
The following is a general schedule of classes, assignments, due dates, readings, etc.
**May be changed always contact me with doubts or questions**
DATE

TOPIC & ACTIVITIES

DUE IN CLASS

Week 1: Jan. 13-15

Wednesday

Introductions and overview of syllabus,

university policies, class goals, and class
objectives

Friday

Overview of the Hacker Book and

In-Class Essay: Strengths and
Weaknesses of Writing, What You
Hope to Learn

Bring a pen/pencil and paper!

Monday

NO CLASS- MARTIN LUTHER KING

DAY

Wednesday
Last day to add or drop a
course without a grade of
W

Introduction of Narrative Essay and

Parts of the Essay: Intro/Hook, Body,
Conclusion, Introduction to
Assignment Sheet

HTWA: pp. 10-22 Narrative

Friday

More on Narrative Essay: Content,

Organization, Quotations.
Review Assignment Sheet, introduce
outline assignment

NarrativeEssayTopicsDue

Week 2: Jan. 18-22

Week 3: Jan. 25-29

Signed policies sheet due

Narrative Rough Draft Due at 11:59 Monday, Jan. 25th

Monday

Peer Review of Outlines for Narrative

Essay, Introduction to TurnItIn,
Discuss Writing Center Policies,
Introduction to Conferences

Outline of Narrative Essay

Wednesday

Conferences

Show up at conference time


Friday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Week 4: Feb 1-5: Narrative Final Draft Due at 11:59 PM on Monday, Feb. 1st
Informative Report: Introduction and
Thesis Statements

HWTA: pp. 44-53, 59-60

Wednesday

Quotations, Paraphrasing,
Summarizing, Dropped Quotes, Signal
Phrases

Friday

MLA format - Class activities, Academic InformativeReportTopics

Sources
Due

Monday

Narrative Final Draft Due @

11:59 on Blackboard

Week 5: Feb. 8-12: Rough draft of Informative Report due on Monday, Feb. 8th at 11:59 PM
Monday

Review of Student Sample Paper: Use of Look over the sample paper on
Peer Review Sheets (Group Activity)
Blackboard Learn

Wednesday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Friday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Week 6: Feb. 15-19: Second draft of Informative Report due on Monday, Feb. 15th at 11:59 PM
Monday

Conclusions, Citations, Works Cited

Pages

HTWA
: pp. 503-525

Wednesday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Friday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Week 7: Feb. 22-26: Final draft of Informative Report due on Monday, Feb. 22nd at 11:59 PM
Monday

Introduction to Evaluation Paper: How Read pp. 106-126 in

HTWA
to begin building an argument,
discussion of thesis statement and
structure of essay

Wednesday
Midterm grades available

Finding and appropriately integrating

sources

Evaluation Essay Topics Due

Friday

Peer review of Sample Evaluation Essay

and Outlines (group work)

Outline of Evaluation Essay

Due

Rough draft of Evaluation Essay due on Monday, February 29th at 11:59 PM

Week 8: Feb. 29-March 4


Monday

Writing for an Audience: What You

Need to Know/Grammar review

Wednesday

Conferencing

Show up at conference time

Friday

Conferencing

Show up at conference time

Second draft of Evaluation Essay due on

Sunday
, March 6th at 11:59 PM
Week 9: March 7-11
Monday

Peer review: Evaluating Other Writers

Bring printed draft!!!

Wednesday

Conferencing

Show up for Conferences and

bring comments from Peer
Review

Friday

Conferencing

Show up for Conferences and

bring comments from Peer
review

Final draft of Evaluation Essay due on Friday, March 18th at 11:59 PM

March 14-18: Spring Holidays Class Dismissed!!

Week 10: March 21-25

Rough Draft of Proposal Essay Due Friday, March 25th at 11:59 PM

Monday

Review of all Writing Skills and

Introduction to Proposal Essay

Wednesday

Possible C
omputer Lab Day: Looking

Friday

More on Proposal Essay /

HTWA: pp. 176-191

for Topics and Sources

Grammar Review Day

Week 11: March 28-Apr. 1 Second Draft of Proposal Essay Due Friday, Apr. 1st at 11:59 PM
Monday

Conferences

Show up at conference time

Wednesday
Conferences
Last day to drop a course w/ a
grade of W

Show up at conference time

Friday

Peer Review: Evaluating other writers

Bring in printed copy of second

draft!!

Conferences

Show up for Conferences and

bring in comments from Peer
Review

Week 12: Apr. 4-8

Monday


Wednesday

Conferences

Friday

NO CLASS- HONORS DAY

Show up for Conferences and

bring in comments from Peer
Review

Week 14: Apr. 11-15

Final Draft of Proposal Essay due on Monday, April 11th at 11:59 PM

Monday

Overview of Presentations and Rubric

used for presentations; introduction of
acceptable presentation topics.

Wednesday

Reflection over essays and discussion of

re-write opportunities. Discussion of
chosen Topics for Presentations

Topic for Presentations

Friday

Presentations

**Must attend class**

Monday

Presentations

**Must attend class**

Wednesday

Presentations

**Must attend class**

Friday

Presentations

**Must attend class**

Week 16: Apr. 25-29

Monday

Presentations

**Must attend class**

Wednesday

Reflection Paper Introduced, Re-write

paper review

Receive presentation grades

Friday

Semester review /
Class evaluations

Final day of class!

Week 15: Apr. 18-22

FINAL EXAM MUST BE SUBMITTED TO BLACKBOARD ON MAY 3rd BY 2:00 PM

*Late exams (reflection papers) will NOT be accepted for

any
reason*

By signing below, I hereby state that

I have read and understood the above syllabus,
including course
and university policies and expectations, and all of my obligations and rights as a student in this course.
I understand that changes to the syllabus may be made without prior notice, and I take responsibility
for following the above policies, honor code, and expectations of my instructor.

Student name: ______________________________

Signature: __________________________________

Date: _________________________