College Academic Writing Course: Composition 1000 with John A. Nieves - Prof. John Nieves, Study notes of English Language

Download College Academic Writing Course: Composition 1000 with John A. Nieves - Prof. John Nieves and more Study notes English Language in PDF only on Docsity! Composition 1000 Section 51 Instructor: John A. Nieves E-mail Address: nievesj@missouri.edu Office: McReynolds 376 Office Hours: TR 12:15-1:45 Classroom/Time: Strickland 107/TR 11:00-12:15 Course Description: This course is designed to coach students through the processes of writing a college-level academic paper, doing high-quality research and executing an effective argument. In this course, students will be exposed to many strategies for organizing and creating an effective composition. The students will also be asked to find such compositions in the world around them and be able to discuss those compositions critically. Skills such as analysis, evaluation and synthesis will be emphasized over the course of the semester. Students will engage in a variety of formal and informal writing exercises in order to hone these skills. Students will also be given guidance in the area of providing meaningful feedback in peer review. Because reading, writing and thinking are linked in the academic world, students will be asked to engage in all three exercises regularly. Assessment: Because of the emphasis on writing in this course, 80% of each student’s grade will be based on writing (formal or informal). Each of the two major projects will be graded twice: once after going through an extensive drafting and planning period and once at the end of the semester after a revision and editing period. Iterate writing (abstracts, research check points, peer review, drafts and pre-bibliographies) also makes up a significant portion of the student’s grade. Informal writing (discussion board) that helps develop critical thinking and provide practice in evaluation, analysis and synthesis has similar weight. The final 20% of a student’s grade is participation. The participation grade will consist of participation in classroom discussion and group activities. This requires students to be present in class. This grade will be decreased by 10% for each absence over three. Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each day after the deadline. The grading criteria for each paper will be given to the students on the day the paper is introduced. This allows students to understand expectations. Grade Breakdown: Project 1: Analysis of a Creative Work 20% (Project 10%/Revision 10%) Project 2: Globalization 20% (Project 10%/Revision 10%) Informal Writing: 20% Iterate Writing: 20% Participation: 20% Grading Scale: A+ 98-100 A 92-97 A- 90-91 B+ 88-89 B 82-87 B- 80-81 C+ 78-79 C 72-77 C- 70-71 D+ 68-69 D 62-67 D- 60-61 F 0-59 Classroom Policies: While this course is designed to inspire lively conversation and debate, students should refrain from using derogatory language of any type and should treat other students and the instructor with respect at all times. This same etiquette is expected in the informal posts and on peer review. Three tardies (more that three minutes late) count as an absence. Absences can lead grade penalization as noted above. I do not believe in quizzes or tests. However, I will ask someone who does not seem to be keeping up with the material to come to my office for a meeting. In that meeting, I will attempt to ascertain the individual issue causing the problem. This course will not have a final exam. I will gladly spend time with students during my office hours at any point in the writing process. If my office hours are difficult for you to attend, please notify me via e-mail so I can arrange to be in my office at a time that is suitable to all parties involved. Course Technology Requirement: This course does require access to the internet (whether it be public or private) on a regular basis. It also requires Microsoft Word, Mac Word or the Open Office equivalent (other programs can be used, but if they are, all documents must be saved as .rtf files). Disability Services Information: To request academic accommodations (for example, a notetaker), students must also register with the Office of Disability Services, S5 Memorial Union, 882-4696. It is the campus office responsible for reviewing documentation provided by students requesting academic accommodations, and for accommodations planning in cooperation with students and instructors, as needed and consistent with course requirements. For other MU resources for students with disabilities, click on "Disability Resources" on the MU homepage. Academic Dishonesty Statement: Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards breaches of the academic integrity rules as extremely serious matters. Sanctions for such a breach may include academic sanctions from the instructor, including failing the course for any violation, to disciplinary sanctions ranging from probation to expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, collaboration, or any other form of cheating, consult the course instructor.