Syllabus
English 101
Online
Spring 2011
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Please note: This syllabus is quite long! Once you've reviewed it online, you may want to print it out for your future reference. |
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Course Name, Number, Number and Pre-requisite English 101 - Composition I
3.0 sem hrs credit Pre-requisite: Entry-level competence for EGL 101 as demonstrated by assessment testing. |
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EGL 101 introduces strategies for planning, writing, and
revising expository essays based on experience and reading. Content includes
purpose, context, genre, and the rhetorical situation as elements in the
writing process, as well as critical reading and analysis as the basis for
essay writing. EGL 101 is the first course in a two-course sequence. |
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The student will be able to ·
Write essays based on analysis of course readings, personal experience,
and/or other sources, as assigned. ·
Develop these essays using inductive and deductive reasoning, rhetorical
modes, and other forms of organization, as assigned. ·
Demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose for each essay, through
appropriate diction, syntax, and voice. ·
Use techniques of summary, paraphrase, and direct quotation as needed in
written analyses of course readings. ·
Document material from sources according to MLA format ·
Demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism and source documentation ·
Develop critical thinking skills through analysis of course readings,
student essays, and other course materials, both in group discussion and in
writing |
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There are serious consequences to violations of the
academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide
students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the
policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary
record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice
President for Student Affairs for a period of three years.
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The course consists of 8 approximately two-week
modules. The first week is an orientation, which allows students to
become familiar with the course structure, the WebCT software, the design of
the textbook, and one other. Each of the 7 remaining modules focus on writing
in a particular non-fiction genre, as indicated below. At the beginning of
each module, I will post a list of readings and assignments to the course web
site. The activities are a mixture of individual work and collaborative
interaction with other class members. Individual activities include
brainstorming, drafting, and revising to produce both a first and a final
draft of each of the seven major writing projects. Collaborative/interactive
activities require reading and discussing writing samples, both in small
groups and as a whole class, as well as peer reviewing one another's rough
drafts.
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Independent student reading of textbook and web-based materials, asynchronous group discussions, collaborative small group work to develop topics, one-on-one communications between instructor and students, and small-group discussions (in designated discussion areas) as appropriate. Analysis of student and professional writing (primarily prose non-fiction), and practice in writing various genres of non-fiction. Students will compose at least two drafts of papers and assist one another in the revising process by providing--with the instructor's guidance and assistance--positive and non-judgmental feedback designed to help develop, focus, and refine works in progress. Grammar, mechanics, and style will be treated as appropriate to the particular forms of writing taught in the course. Written responses to questions or quizzes may be included to encourage student participation. |
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First and foremost, an online course does not involve any less work than a traditional, campus-based course. You should plan on spending 10 to 12 hours per week on this course. Although you have some flexibility in deciding when to spend time on the course, you have none regarding whether you will spend time on it. Each module involves several individual and interactive activities, and you will submit short assignments every 2-3 days on average. Consequently, you need to log into the course at least 4 times each week. This course makes use of active learning, including collaborative exercises and group discussions. You are expected to participate by logging into the course frequently (a minimum of four times per week) and reading and responding to one another's contributions. Merely logging on and reading messages do not constitute satisfactory course participation. In addition to completing course assignments in a timely fashion, you are expected to ask questions, offer comments and suggestions, share your thoughts and make meaningful contributions to the exchange of ideas in the course. A written statement of each module's readings and activities will be posted to the course website on the first day of the module. You then pursue the week's readings and the activities based on that listing. Generally, you are required to submit various kinds of materials to the class discussion forum. Then you read and comment on another's contributions. In addition, you will submit a personal/private assignment directly to the instructor, either through e-mail or through your online Writer's Notebook. All communication of information and discussions, and all submission of assignments, should be conducted through the course website, or—if our course website is not functioning, you may email me using my college email address (sylvia@oakton.edu) or phone number (847/635-1963). You will write a minimum of 4500 words throughout the term: 7 major writing assignments of at least 500 (but not more than 1,000) words each and in a variety of non-fiction genres. In addition, you will have numerous shorter exercises and discussion questions which you submit in writing. As part of the writing process involved in the major assignments, you will read and comment upon another student's first drafts in a process of mutual assistance. The guiding questions provided should help you assist other writers in focusing and refining their prose. Please do not plan to grade, score, or otherwise evaluate another's work in order to directly affect course grades. Further, you will not "correct" another's grammar, spelling, or mechanics in any but the most general and nonjudgmental ways, nor will you be asked or allowed to "play English teacher." Failure to complete reading and writing assignments may result in a substantial reduction in your final course grade. For each of the 7 major writing assignments, a draft of at least 500 words will be due at the time of the peer reviews. If you do not have a draft of the required length posted by the due date, you will receive no points for the first draft and one letter grade will be deducted from the final draft of the paper. A private, electronic Writer's Notebook has been created for each student in the Discussions area of the course website which will serve as a place to conduct invention and drafting activities, to reflect upon your research, and to confer with the instructor about your projects. The instructor will assign regular brief exercises which are to be recorded in this notebook, and use of the notebook for these exercises is required. If you do not log in to the course, participate, and submit assignments for a period of one week, I may contact you to discuss the situation. |
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Axelrod, Rise B, and Charles R. Cooper. Internet access, access to Microsoft Word, and a web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. |
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Methods of Evaluation The components of your course grade and their
relative weights are as follows:
Course grades will be based upon both the quality of written work and participation in class activities. The quality of written work will be assessed with regard to: A. Precision in identifying and analyzing audience, and use of style, diction, and detail appropriate to that audience; B.
Clarity of thesis or purpose and the degree to which structure, selection of
detail, and mechanical elements (i.e., grammar, syntax) serve to clarify and
advance that purpose. The quality of participation in class activities will be assessed with regard to: A. Frequency--You are required to log in to the course at least 4 times per week; B. Regularity--Your log-ins should occur over the space of several days, not all on one day; C.
Quality--You should ask questions, offer comments and suggestions, share your
thoughts, and try to make meaningful contributions to class
discussions. Short responses, such as "Yes, me too" or
"I disagree," which do not explain, expand, or clarify your
thinking do not constitute quality participation, and neither does logging in
and only reading course materials. All assignment grades
are recorded as points, not letter grades, even though you will receive letter grades on the
major writing projects. The table below translates letter grades into
percentages:
Course work that is not submitted on time, or does not meet the minimum requirements of the assignment, will receive a Zero (0) not an F (50 pts). So the percentages
shown in the first table above translate into points as follows:
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"Attendance"--While there isn't an attendance policy in the conventional sense here, the timely completion of assignments and the level of your interaction in class discussions and other activities are the primary measures of your degree of involvement in this course. If you are prevented from completing assignments by emergency, illness, or other pressing circumstances please contact me as soon as possible. Problems with Technology--We may run into some problems with the technological elements of the course during the semester, and I understand and will make accommodations if you have computer problems. But please do not use computer problems (real or imagined) as excuses for not completing assignments. If you have computer problems which would prevent you from submitting assignments on time, please contact me as soon as possible. Also, remember that you have access to Oakton's computer labs and can use them to complete and submit assignments. You may also quite likely be able to access the course via internet terminals at your local public library. Unacceptable Conduct--Students are expected to help maintain a constructive and positive learning environment for the class. Your instructor reserves the right to deny participants course access based on unacceptable behavior or conduct including (but not limited to) racist or derogatory remarks, foul language, inflammatory comments, condescending or rude remarks, or flaming. (For a more complete discussion, see the Netiquette document, located under the Orientation icon on the course home page.) |
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College. Last updated 11/26/10.