Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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)

The DB points show up in Blackboard gradebook as "Discussion Participation" and students can view them any time.

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

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 recommend taking this class if you work a lot of overtime, plan on getting married this semester, or plan on having a child this semester. Students in these situations in the past have always failed this class because they can't keep up with the work.

Extra Credit

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.

Pace

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:

Being unfamiliar with your computer, campus e-mail, or Blackboard is not an acceptable excuse for missing important e-mail, deadlines, etc. so make sure you understand how to use them!

Likewise, computer problems and/or lack of computer or Internet access is not an acceptable excuse for missing important e-mail, deadlines, etc., so if you have computer or Internet trouble make alternate arrangements, even if it means going to a campus computer lab.

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.

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.