State University of New York at Stony Brook

SYLLABUS: WAE 194, Advanced Composition

Semester: Fall 2016
Instructor: Jean Hendrickson
Office: SBS S-123

Email: Jean.Hendrickson@stonybrook.edu
Office hours: MWF 12-1 and by appointment

Required Textbook:

Better Writing Through Editing by Peterson et al. (NO E-BOOKS)

ISBN: 978-0070498853 (SBU Bookstore: stonybrook.amazon.com)

Other Requirements:

Students must have access to a computer and printer, and they are
required to check SB email and Blackboard daily. Downloading free
Microsoft Word through Softweb is strongly recommended:
https://it.stonybrook.edu/software/title/microsoft-office

Course Description
The purpose of WAE194 is to provide students with writing experiences designed to improve their academic
essay writing skills through the process of prewriting, drafting, and revising. It also strives to build confidence,
fluency and grammatical correctness in students writing generally, and it serves as preparation for WRT101. To
accomplish these goals, students work on expanding their English competence on the sentence and paragraph levels.
Specifically, they work on strategies that promote independence and self-evaluation of their own and others writing,
complete many short in-class writing assessments, and produce at least two longer revised essays. In-class grammar
proficiency tests and a midterm are also administered throughout the semester. These tests evaluate the free use of
particular grammatical points in context. The final exam, an essay-writing test in response to text, is judged by a
committee composed of ESL writing instructors.

Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1.
2
3.
4.
5.

Write correctly structured English sentences and paragraphs.

Write sentences and paragraphs using appropriate vocabulary that clearly conveys meaning.
Edit own and others writing for content and grammatical accuracy.
Write cohesive paragraphs and essays.
Paraphrase on the sentence level.

Course Policies
1. Placement Policy: A writing sample will be taken from each student on the first day of class. Based on the
instructor's evaluation of that sample, a student may be moved to a different level of writing course. THIS
EVALUATION CAN SUPERCEDE THE SCORE EARNED ON THE WRITING PLACEMENT
EXAMINATION AND/OR SAT. The instructor's decision regarding the student's level of writing is final.
2. Attendance and Lateness Policy: Attendance is required. You need to be present in class, but attendance will
not be recorded. Since there are pop quizzes and/or in-class writing at the beginning of nearly every class, and much
of the semester is devoted to peer editing and other interactive learning activities, you will not be able to do well
without being present, alert, and participating actively during class. You may not use your cell phone during class.
3. Late Work Policy: ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN ON TIME.
1. Assignments submitted late will be downgraded by one grade per day, e.g., B to B- to C+, etc.

2. Incomplete assignments, or assignments that do not fulfill my requirements, will not be counted.
3. If you are absent, you must submit that days assignment electronically or in person within 24 hours of the class.
Work submitted after that will be downgraded by one grade per day.
4. When you return to class after an absence, you must have with you the assignments and be prepared for that day.
Work submitted after that will be downgraded by one grade per day.
5. There are NO make-up quizzes or tests without a documented medical excuse.
4. Grading: Grades will range from A to F. Below a C, the student must repeat the course. A departmental
committee will determine whether the students final exam passes the minimum requirements for exit from WAE
194.
Composition of Grade:
Percentage
Pop Quizzes (lowest two will be dropped)
15
Contract work
10
Grammar proficiency writing tests (TBA)
10
Midterm (Mon. 11/21)
15
Final drafts of two essays (see Blackboard Assignments)
10
Final exam (Tues. 12/13, 8:00-10:45 am)
40
5. Contract Work
Each student will sign an individualized contract promising to work on certain problematic grammatical and/or
semantic features of their writing. The student thereby agrees to work on these areas independently for at least two
hours each week. Contract work will be assessed twice during the semester. The contract can be fulfilled by:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Completing assigned chapters of the textbook (and self-correcting using answer keys)
Doing interactive, computer-corrected exercises on approved internet sites (see Blackboard Web Links)
Coming for individual tutoring sessions with the instructor
Doing extra writing or rewriting focusing on one or more grammar points, to be checked by the instructor

5. Disability Support Services (DSS) Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning
disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services (631) 632-6748 or
http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/dss/. They will determine with you, what accommodations are necessary and
appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their
professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website:
http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities/asp .
6. Academic Integrity Statement: Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally
accountable for all submitted work. Representing another persons work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are
required to report any suspected instance of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. For more
comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the
academic judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/
7. Critical Incident Management: Stony Brook expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of
other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts
their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, and/or inhibits students ability to learn.
8. Electronic Communication:
Email and especially email sent via Blackboard (http://blackboard.stonybrook.edu) is one of the ways faculty
officially communicates with you for courses. It is your responsibility to make sure that you read your email in your
official University email account. For most students that is Google Apps for Education
(http://www.stonybrook.edu/mycloud), but you may verify your official Electronic Post Office (EPO) address at
http://it.stonybrook.edu/help/kb/checking-or-changing-your-mail-forwarding-address-in-the-epo. If you choose to
forward your official University email to another off-campus account, faculty are not responsible for any
undeliverable messages to your alternative personal accounts. You can set up Google Mail forwarding using these

DoIT-provided instructions found at http://it.stonybrook.edu/help/kb/setting-up-mail-forwarding-in-google-mail. If

you need technical assistance, please contact Client Support at (631) 632-9800 orsupportteam@stonybrook.edu