• Location: RS 331 (19122) & RS 332 (19127)
  • Date & Time: Fall 2008 - TTh 08:00AM-08:50AM (19122) & MW 11:00AM-11:50AM (19127)
  • Office Hours: RS 211 - MW 8:30-9:00; 10:30-11:00 & TTh 10:45-11:45 & by appt

Image of Sistine Chapel ceiling"A writer is someone for whom writing is harder than it is for other people"; -- Thomas Mann

Course Description

Welcome to the English Writing 59 website. Lecture, pair/group work, in-class and out-of-class exercises, discussion, quizzes, and short writing assignments.

ENGWR 59 is a required co-requisite for ENGWR50. That means if you are currently enrolled in ENGWR50, you must also be enrolled in ENGWR59 and get credit for 59 in order to pass your ENGWR50 class. However, if you have already completed ENGWR59 with a "Credit" designation, you do not have to repeat the 59 class to enroll in ENGWR50. You may also enroll in ENGWR59 alone if you wish to brush up on grammar and sentence skills for an ENGWR100 or 300 class. By the second class meeting, you must have documentation to show which section of ENGWR50 you are enrolled in if you are taking this class as a co-requisite for ENGWR50. Download the latest syllabus here.

Required Texts

Syllabus of readings from World Reader: The Modern World, Harper Collins, Mary Ann Caws and Christopher Prendergast

We will be discussing all of the following short novels. Copies are available at the bookstore and in the reserve section of the library. You can also find inexpensive copies in used bookstores.

Syllabus

Course Objectives:

  • An introduction to intermediate grammar, punctuation and sentence-writing skills.

Class Format:

  • Lecture, pair/group work, in-class and out-of-class exercises, discussion, quizzes, and short writing assignments.

Grading: This class is Credit/No Credit. In order to receive credit

  • You must have no more than 3 absences (a fourth absence will drop you from the class) or 2 classes missed in a row.
  • Your quiz average must be 70% and
  • You must have completed 70% of your classwork/homework.

You can make up two quizzes during the make-up week at the end of the semester. This is the only time you can make up quizzes you have missed.

Plagarism:

  • Plagiarism means "kidnapping" someone else's writing and turning it in as your own. That means not only copying someone's paper but also "borrowing" ideas or sentences from a source without giving that source acknowledgment. In your research paper especially, you will look for support in outside sources to back up your ideas, but the reasoning and the sentences must be yours. If you plagiarize any part of a paper intentionally, I will drop you, and if the offense is serious, I will send your name to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

Accommodations:

  • If you have a learning disability, a physical disability, or other special needs, please let me know as soon as you can so we can arrange special accommodations. This kind of confidential discussion is best handled during my office hours. You can expect confidentially and cooperation regarding any circumstances and needs that have been verified through the disability centers on campus.

Extra Help:

  • Please feel free to drop by my office or call or email me if you have questions or would like individual help. I really want you to succeed in this class, and I'll work with you to help you accomplish your goals. Remember, you're in this class to learn, and my job is to help you do so. If you run into problems keeping up with the work, have an emergency that will keep you from participating for an extended time, or simply are confused about an assignment, then contact me, and I'll work with you to help you succeed. If you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed and are thinking about dropping the class, please email me before reaching your decision, I may be able to offer some help that will keep you in the class.
  • I look forward to teaching this class.

Important Dates: Los Rios Academic Calendar

Assignments

Reader-Responses/quizzes (10 points each): I will ask you to write at least one typed page, about 250-300 words most Mondays starting the second week of class. These and discussion questions we will develop will prepare you for class discussion and help you identify topics to explore in your essays.

Attendance (50 points):

  • Your regular attendance is key to class success. I award 50 points, equal to one quiz grade for class participation. To earn 50 points, you must have perfect attendance and participate in class. That means homework must be completed and you participate actively in group and individual assignments. Absences, tardies, leaving class early, and missed assignments will lower the number of points you earn for class participation.
  • You are allowed three absences in this class (not consecutive). I will withdraw you from the roll upon your 4th absence (or 3rd consecutive absence) unless there are compelling, extenuating circumstances. Even an emergency will extend this allowance by only one class and the 5th absence will be a drop. This means you will also be dropped from your ENGWR50 class. Make sure you call me if you have to miss class and get the homework from a classmate.
  • Please be on time and stay until the end of class. Being late or leaving early for any reason 3 times equals 1 absence. Being more than 10 minutes late or leaving more than 10 minutes early also results in one absence. Wandering in and out of class also counts as a tardy. Remember: habitual absences (more than 3) will result in your being dropped from the class.
  • If you have babysitting problems, work conflicts, or other scheduling problems, drop this section and enroll in a 59 class better suited to your schedule.
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