The purpose of English 112 (Critical Reading and Writing) is to prepare
you for the different types of
reading and writing that will be expected of you during your college
years. As such, you will be learning about reading and thinking
critically,
analyzing sources, writing effectively and persuasively, and
researching topics which interest you. Because you will be
communicating with others for the rest of your life (not just in
college), these activities are designed to help you learn to think and
write more clearly and objectively.
In order to pass the class you must
abide by the guidelines in the
Syllabus, Expectations, and Policies.
Prerequisites
All students must receive a passing grade in Eng. 111 and must have take then Writing Placement Test (WPX). This test is part of freshman orientation. Transfer students must take the WPX, even if they have transfer credit for Eng. 111.
Students who have not taken the WPX
by the end of the second week
will dropped from this class. You can take the test online via
Blackboard. To take the test, contact:
Academic Advising
and Career Center
University of Michigan-Flint
285 University Pavilion
Flint, MI 48502-1950
Phone: (810) 762-3085
Toll free - Michigan: (800)
942-5636
Email: advisors@list.flint.umich.edu
Instant messenger: umfadvising
I strongly suggest
all students take Blackboard
Orientation before taking an on-line class. Students who are not
familiar with Blackboard may have trouble keeping up with the class. If
you need a refresher, you have access to an on-line Blackboard Manual
(just click Tools on the class main page). The online Student Help
Guides are even better.
Corequisite
Depending on their WPX some students may be required to take 1 or 2 credits of Eng. 109 (Writing Workshop) in addition to Eng. 112. Students who have placed in Eng. 109 must complete 109 to get credit for Eng. 112. Students who want more practice can enroll in Eng. 109 even if they place out of it -- and I encourage it if you are interested. Not only will it help you become a better writer, it's fun!
Make sure your hardware and software
meet the Technical
Requirements
for online
classes. If your hardware and software do not meet these requirements
you may have trouble accessing the class or keeping up with the work. I
also recommend a high-speed Internet connection (i.e., not dial up). Lack of computer or
Internet
access is not
an
acceptable excuse for missing deadlines or otherwise not keeping up
with the class work. If your computer crashes or your Internet
connection fails, make other arrangements immediately! That may mean
borrowing a
computer or going to a campus computer lab. The locations and hours for
campus computer labs are included in the Technical
Requirements.
A student
computer account (includes UMID
number, e-mail
address, passwords, etc.)
An M-Card
(student ID, library card,
copy card, and Rec Center card
-- all in one card)
At least two places to back up your important files (jump drives, hard drive at home, etc.). Always have a back-up! Lost files are not an acceptable excuse for missing paper deadlines.
Books may be purchased at the campus
bookstore or online at Amazon.com
or Barnes and Noble.com. Use the ISBN numbers listed below to be sure you have
the
correct edition of each book.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Akers-Jordan, Cathy, ed. The First-Year Writing Program: A Survival Kit. 11th ed. (purchase hard copy at the campus bookstore or download as free pdf file on English Department web site). (NOTE: you will need Acrobat Reader to open the file. You can download it free at Adobe).
Kirszner, Laurie G. & Stephen R. Mandell. The Brief Wadsworth Handbook. 5th ed. (ISBN 1-413-020305)
Ruggiero, Vincent Ryan. Beyond
Feelings: A Guide to Critical
Thinking. 8th ed. (ISBN 0073535699)
English 112 is an ABC>N course.
That means students must receive
at least a C to pass. Participation is very important. Students can do
passing work and still receive an N if they do not participate.
Students who receive an N must take the class over, so it imperative
that you do all the work and participate every week.
Class grades are based on several major papers and various short
assignments.
Participation is mandatory and failure to participate can lead to a
failing grade, even if students completes all the assignments.
For details, refer to Grading Policies.
Eng. 111 and Eng. 112 have a strict
department-wide attendance
policy
(refer to The First Year Writing
Program: A Survival Kit). For an online class that means
actively participating in
the weekly the
Discussion Board (DB) and peer-editing.
The
Discussion Board
The DB points are 30% of the class
grade. Students earn these points by participating in the week
discussion; there will be two or three each week. Students can earn
three points per discussion. To do so they need to:
1. Post a 50-word post (in response
to the week's assigned readings) by 11:55 p.m. Wed.
2. Post a 25-word post (in response to another student's post) by 11:55
p.m. Fri.
Students lose points if:
* They miss either deadline (-1 point)
* A post is not the required length (-1 point)
* They post only once per discussion (-2 points)
* They don't post at all in a discussion (-3 points)
Students may not earn points (or extra credit) for "optional" discussions.
Refer to DB Policies (in the Policies
section)
for details.
The DB points show up in Blackboard gradebook as "Discussion Participation" and students can view them any time.
Peer-editing
Peer-editing means working in groups
to peer-edit other’s
papers. You will do this for each of the major papers. You get credit
for posting a draft for your groupmates to edit.
You also get credit for each paper you peer-edit. Like the Discussion
Board, peer-editing is required. I do not accept papers which have not
been peer-edited. Refer to Paper Policies (in the Policies section) for
details.
Peer-editing and quizzes make up 10% of the class grade. The show up in Blackboard gradebook as "Quizzes" and students can view their scores any time.
This class is offered in 14 units. We
will do one unit each week,
but you will be able to access all the units (except for quizzes) at
any time.
Students will have a major paper due approximately every three weeks.
There will be weekly deadlines for readings, discussion, etc.
Unit 1
Introduction to the course
Introduce Paper 1
Unit 2
The Writing Process
Peer-Editing (PE)
Unit 3
Beginning Research (introduce Paper 3)
Word Processing (read all how-to files!)
PE Paper 1
Unit 4
Critical Thinking Pt. 1
Paper 1 Due
Unit 5
Critical Thinking Pt. 2
Unit 6
Argumentation (Paper 2 in more detail)
Evidence
Journals vs. Magazines
Citing Library Databases
Paper 3 Topic and Tentative Thesis Due
Unit 7
MLA Documentation Part 1
PE Paper 2
Spring
Break
Unit
8
Research Paper Part 1 (Paper 3 in more detail)
Paper 2 due
Unit 9
Applying Critical Thinking: Evaluating Web Sites & Urban Legends
Citing Web Sources
Unit 10
MLA Documentation Part 2
Paper 3 Draft Annotated Bibliography Due and Prospectus/Detailed
Outline Due
Unit 11
Research Paper Part 2
PE Paper 3
Unit 12
Research problems and questions
Paper 3 Due
Unit
13
Paper 4 Due
Unit 14
Discuss Research Paper Presentations (Paper 4)
Wrap up course
Evaluations
I want to warn you in advance:
this class is a lot
of work! You will do the same amount of reading, writing, and research
as my on-campus version of this class. In fact, whether you take it
online or in the classroom, this
will probably be one of the most demanding classes you take at UMF
(especially if you are a freshman or have never had to work on several
writing projects at the same time).
Composition classes are
always intense because they involve a lot of reading, writing, and
research. Some people think online classes are easier or less work
than regular classes, but that is not true. Online
classes are even more work because the student
is responsible for completing the work by the deadlines and using
Blackboard effectively on his or her own. Most professors will not be
sympathetic if you aren't comfortable with Blackboard and computers;
they are essential elements of any online class.
Time Management
How much time per week should
you devote to this class? Since it's a 3-credit class, plan on spending
at least three hours a week "in class" (online in the class,
participating).
For each credit hour, plan on at least two hours outside of class for
reading, writing, and research (3 x 2 = 6 hours). That's a total of at
least 9
hours a week for this class.
I do not allow extra credit or
make-up work of any kind. This is college, not high school, and I
expect you to do you best on every assignment and submit it on time.
I do allow rewrites on most
papers. You may rewrite any papers that were turned in on time, except
the research paper. Refer to the Paper Policies and the Paper 3
assignment sheet for details.
Another warning: the pace will
be very fast. Because of this, I expect you to be
proficient with
Blackboard. If you have not taken an on-line class before or if you
have not taken the Blackboard Orientation, you may have trouble keeping
up, and we don't have time to wait for you. Let me be clear:
I encourage all students to
take their papers to the Marian E.
Wright Writing Center (559 French
Hall) for tutoring. The tutors there are trained to help you with your
individual writing needs. They will also help you make sure your paper
meets the assignment requirements. The Writing Center is free and open
five days a week for your convenience. Call 766-6602 or stop by to make
an appointment.
NOTES:
It has been my experience that the
students who do best on their
papers are those who take advantage of the Writing Center's services.
Don't wait until the day before your paper is due—make your appointment
several days in advance (especially at the end of the semester when
they are very busy) so you have time to revise your paper.
You are welcome to visit the Writing
Center as often as you like,
for any of your papers, and I encourage you to do so!
I will be available online and in my
office during my office hours;
feel free to e-mail me or drop by. This is time when you can get
individual help, ask questions, or just talk privately. If you have any
questions about the class, requirements, your work, etc., please ask!
You don't need an appointment to see me during office hours, but if you
can't meet with me then, I'd be glad to make an appointment to meet
with you at your convenience.