what is english 106?

English 106 is a class that will give you the opportunity to think and talk and write and research using all of the resources available to you: the library, the internet, technology, your classmates, and me. As you know, you will meet four times a week with your English 106 class. Two days, Monday and Thursday, will be spent in a "traditional" classroom (HEAV 105), and though we'll have chairs and desks and a chalkboard, I can't guarantee that it will be your traditional English classroom experience. We will spend Wednesdays in a computer classroom (WTHR 214) exploring different ways we can use technology to communicate with each other through writing. We won't just be talking about word processing; we'll consider how we can communicate our ideas through e-mail, chat rooms, blogs, list serves, and web pages. On either Tuesday or Friday, you will meet with me to conference about the work we're doing in class (HEAV 225). We can talk about the readings we've done, your writing, technology…basically anything that has to do with our class. Sometimes you'll meet with me one-on-one; other times we'll meet in small groups. The conference schedule will be posted on the course week on Monday of each week.

course goals

When you've completed this course, you will have:

required text and materials

The Rhetoric of Change course eBook on CD-ROM

Access to a computer with the following software:

All of the software is available on any ITaP computer on campus. The software is also available at Boiler Copy Maker in Purdue Memorial Union at a discounted price if you are interested in purchasing it, but it will not be necessary for you to do so.

course expectations & participation

In order to accomplish the course goals, you must come to each class prepared. This means coming to class on time, as well as completing your readings and outside assignments. Active and informed participation in class discussions and collaborative work is also crucial. You will be responsible for the following this semester:

course blog (5%)

The course blog (short for web-log) is a forum for us to continue the conversations we begin in the classroom after our class time is over. You'll have the opportunity to reflect on the readings, raise questions, discuss issues, and share ideas about the course material…or anything else on your mind, for that matter. You will be responsible for 48 blog postings by the end of the semester, which is equivalent to roughly three postings to the blog per week. I won't be keeping track of who posts and who doesn't every day; it's up to you to be responsible for posting. That said, I would strongly encourage you to post early and often-36 posts in the last three days of class will not be looked upon with favor.

pre- and post-conference assignments (10%)

To prepare for each of your conferences with me, you will complete a pre-conference preparation assignment that you will bring with you to your conference time. This may include a written assignment or a pre-conference worksheet, but you will know ahead of time what you should bring to your conference. After each conference, you will also complete a post-conference worksheet that reflects upon what was discussed in your conference--revision goals, writing concerns, or other issues we addressed. This document should be e-mailed to me no later than one class day after your conference. Be sure to save a copy of each of the pre- and post-conference assignments you complete because they will be included in your final process portfolio.

miscellaneous short writing assignments (10%)

Throughout the semester, you will complete brief writing assignments that are related to our readings and classroom discussions. All assignments (except for those completed in class) must be typed and legible, and you must turn them in to me at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Late writing assignments will not be accepted.

final writing portfolio (45%)

You will complete four projects this semester that you will turn in at the assigned due date. Each paper will earn a tentative grade; this grade can be improved if you choose to make substantial revisions on your papers for the final writing portfolio, and the final grade will be given to the draft you include in your final writing portfolio. Once I have returned your papers with my comments and tentative grades, you are welcome to turn in revised drafts to me as you continue polishing your paper. The last day I will accept drafts for review is November 29, 2004. Your final writing portfolio will include the final drafts of the four writing projects you complete this semester, as well as an essay reflecting on what you learned as a writer and reader this semester.

This portfolio will be due by Monday, December 13 by 12 noon.

process portfolio (30%)

All writing is a process, and we have a better understanding of that process when we look at all the materials we create as we write. The process portfolio provides a way to collect those materials, and it is an essential tool for you to keep track of your research and writing process as you move through your projects this semester. Your process portfolio should be clearly divided into four sections-one for each of the projects you will complete this semester. You should keep all invention and planning documents you completed for each project, as well as any research notes, bibliographical information, outlines, drafts, or other documents you complete-in your research portfolio. This binder should be attached to your hip this semester, at least when you're doing anything related to English 106. Bring this binder with you to class every day, and be certain you have it when you come to conference with me. The material you have in your binder is proof of the work you're doing in class, so it's important to keep it updated and organized.

Your process portfolio will be due with your final portfolio on Monday, December 13 by 12 noon.

point distribution

grading scale

Although class participation is not a graded component of the course, it is to your benefit to actively participate in classroom activities and discussion. If, at the end of the semester, you are at the border between two grades, I will use your class participation as a means of determining your grade.

attendance

To get as much out of this class as you can, you've got to be in class. Therefore, more than three absences from either the traditional or computer classroom sessions will result in your final course grade being lowered five points for each additional absence. You may miss one conference without penalty, and your grade will be lowered five points for any conference absence after that.

I expect that you are on time for class. If you are 15 minutes or more late to class, you will be marked absent for the day.

In case of extended illness or an emergency, please contact your advisor and the Office of the Dean of Students to make necessary arrangements.

office hours

I look forward to discussing with you matters pertaining to the course, readings, and your writing. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone, and I hope you will also take advantage of my office hours, which are Tuesday and Thursday from 12-1 p.m. in HEAV 417.

peer review workshops

You will be responsible for participating in in-class writing workshops where you will benefit from the constructive criticism of your fellow students. Attendance and participation in peer workshops is mandatory, and workshopped drafts of all projects must be turned in as part of your final portfolio. You must be in class and prepared when a workshop is scheduled; failure to participate in these workshops will result in a deduction of 20 points from your final portfolio grade for each workshop you miss.

plagiarism

Cheating: All written work submitted for a grade in this course must be the product of your own composition. Ideas generated due to reading and group discussion may provide the inspiration for your work, but should not be the sole ideas represented. With collaborative projects, of course, ideas should be representative of the group's work. Plagiarism is the act of presenting as your own work another individual's ideas, words, data, or research material. The concept applies equally to written, spoken, or electronic texts, published or unpublished. All ideas and quotations that you borrow from any source must be acknowledged: at a minimum, you should give the name of your author, the title of the text cited, and the page number(s) of the citation. The only exceptions to this requirement would involve what is familiar and commonly known (e.g., the fact that the earth is round). You should know that penalties for plagiarism are severe and can entail suspension from the University. Students are responsible for reading and understanding the University policy on Cheating and Plagiarism set forth in Purdue University's Academic Integrity: A Guide for Students.

classroom environment

I am committed to creating an classroom environment that raises questions, challenges our beliefs, and forces us to think critically; however, it is crucial that this is done in a respectful, tolerant manner. Insults, slurs, or attacks of any kind will not be allowed in my class. Any student who engages in this type of behavior in the classroom will be permanently removed from the class and may be subject to punishment given by Purdue University (see the Purdue University Student Code Of Conduct).