Course Description:
ENC 1102 emphasizes argument, research, and style. Through its emphasis on thinking rhetorically, providing evidence for assertions, creative thinking, and writing as a process, ENC 1102 will prepare you for argument and research-based writing in academic settings. Students will compose multiple drafts, respond to peers' drafts, sharpen their research skills, and improve their revising and editing skills. Students will complete numerous style exercises to sharpen their editorial skills and offer oral presentations on stylistic issues. In terms of thematic issues, this course engages students in writing as social action then invites students to think rhetorically about some of the "perspectives" of USF's General Education Plan.
The overall theme for this course will be how video games inform and reflect our identity. Students will examine computer games from a cultural and sociological perspective as it relate to their own world-view. Students do not need to have experience playing video games to take this course. As long as students contribute to class discussion, keep up with the readings, and conduct research, a student should do fine with this class.
Students will write three major (1500 to 2000 words) projects that each require an annotated bibliography. Students receive feedback on each of these projects three times by their instructor and at least once by their peers. Along with the three major projects, Students write two in-class essays and a variety of homework assignments (reading quizzes, research exercises, grammar exercises, etc.). Students write informally via a public blog or a classroom forum on a weekly basis and then three times during the semester they publish a public blog or essay. At the end of the semester, a final reflective letter that summarizes what they have learned about argument, persuasion, and rhetorical principles.
Students enhance their editorial and collaborative skills in small-groups by conducting peer reviews. In addition to receiving helpful feedback from peers, students will receive feedback on each major project at least three times by their instructor: the first version may total 5% of the grade (if your instructor chooses to grade the initial version); the second version will total 10-15%, and the third version will be included in the final portfolio. By the end of the semester, students will complete a portfolio that includes a reflective letter, major revisions to one of the major projects, and editorial revisions of the other two projects (see Portfolio Guidelines)
(More in comments...)
9 comments:
Required Texts/Tools:
Textbooks:
1. The Brief Thomson Handbook bundled with an English21 access code and The Sundance Reader (specifically designed for USF), ISBN: 1428224890. When purchased from the USF bookstore or Grey’s bookstore, the package includes four years of free access to English21 (a comprehensive writing and grammar website).
2 Dynamic Arguments
Access to a computer:
Students will need a USF Net ID/Blackboard access. Also, you must also use Microsoft Word or other compatible software to word-process documents. (or Open Office at http://www.openoffice.org/). All of your work should be saved as a .rtf file. If you have a laptop please consider bringing it to class because we will be using computers throughout the semester.
Additional readings
Students will either be online at this website or PDFed on the Blackboard site. Most readings will be on the assignment schedule or announced during class.
Video Game Play:
Throughout the semester, we will spend a significant amount of time in studying games and virtual environment. Every game has cultural or social implications, so please don’t feel that you must spend a lot of money to purchase a video game. There are plenty of games on and offline that can be used for your assignments. I will also post a recommendations list and update that list throughout the semester.
Four Manila Envelopes:
Students will need four Manila Envelopes. All of your drafts, outlines, and final projects will go in your envelopes and I will collect these envelopes after every project.
Major Projects and Assignments:
Project 1: Rhetorically Analyzing Video Game Arguments—20%
This Project engages students in comparing the rhetorical approaches of two different video games. Students analyze these two arguments based on the video games’ appeals to ethos, pathos, logos and other devices for creating effective arguments.
.
Project 2: Resarching Ethical Issues in Video Games—20%
For your second major project, you will engage with a video game that deliberates an ethical dilemma. This will require you to consider the complexity of the video game’s characters and the quandaries that they face and require you to go beyond the game, the characters, and the circumstances as just pure entertainment. Your 1,500 word essay will be an investigation, analysis, and evaluation of the ethical issues in a selected video game.
Project 3: Propose a Video Game–25 %
Project 3 challenges students to take a stand on a public issue and to use the principles of video game rhetoric to propose a game that would facilitate positive social action. Students apply rhetorical principles such as ethos, pathos, and logos as they write for a "real" audience of their choice. Students enhance their knowledge of the conventions of academic discourse by developing an annotated bibliography and integrating research into their argument. .
Informal Writing and Two In-Class Essays—20 %
Students will write 2 250-word in-class essay that reviews, summarizes, and paraphrases two different works. These will be assigned and will be relevant to the readings and to your overall assignments.
Homework, Group Work and In Class Quizzes – 15 %
In addition to group work and in-class quizzes, we will be writing two separate essays (250 words each) that practices the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting. I reserve the right to use your work for research and evaluative purposes outside of class. I will inform you as to how I will use your work, in writing, and you can approve/disapprove my usage as you see fit.
Technology Requirement:
From web-based assignments and material to email and Blackboard, ENC 1101 requires consistent access to the Internet, word-processing, and a printer. Not having access to a computer will be not be an acceptable excuse for not having checked the syllabus for homework, not having checked your USF email address for class announcements, or not having made the required online journal posts. Students are required to check their USF email account (use of this account is mandatory). If you use an email address other than your USF address, you will be required to forward your USF mail to your regular email address so that you do not miss any announcements. (Note that when you forward USF email to some Internet accounts such as Yahoo and Hotmail, your messages will be delayed by two days.)
Please be aware of USF’s Technology Policy at http://usfweb2.usf.edu/compustore/studentpolicy.asp. As mentioned in the Policy:
“Students who come to the University without necessary computer skills are provided access to numerous free computer training classes. Training in various software applications and web languages is offered throughout the year, including the summer session. Students may find information about these valuable computer training opportunities at http://www.acomp.usf.edu/training.html. “
ePortfolio and Paper Submission Policies:
In addition to paper copies, you will be required to submit an electronic portfolio (a compilation of all of your projects during the semester. See http://www.collegewriting.us/1101/Portfolios.aspx).
Public Writing Guidelines:
As a student enrolled in ENC1102, you may be asked to engage in public writing, which could include writing an email, publishing a post to a blog, or writing in a wiki. Never publish anything on a website that you are uncomfortable sharing with strangers, and avoid disclosing personal information (For more information on Public Writing go to: http://www.collegewriting.us/Lists/Readings%20%20Public%20Writing/AllItems.aspx).
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. This is not a lecture class. Class meetings will be spent engaged in activities that will directly and immediately address your needs as a writer.
*
It is impossible to "make-up" missed days.
*
Unexcused absences on any day that one of the three Writing Projects is due will result in one whole grade off per class day the paper is late.
*
Missing a scheduled conference with me will be treated the same as any other absence.
*
Starting with the third tardy, every two tardies will count as one unexcused absence.
*
It is the student's responsibility to contact me regarding information about missed work. If a student must miss two or more consecutive classes, communication with me is vital.
Policy on Religious Observances:
Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to me, in writing, by the second class meeting.
Student Conduct Policy:
We strive to make the course as interesting as possible for everyone, and we welcome any constructive suggestions for improvement that are written in a respectful tone. Please observe common courtesies.. If any behaviors interfere with instruction, both on and offline, I will then follow policies regarding student conduct from the USF Handbook.
Disruption of Academic Process:
Disruption of academic process is defined as the act or words of a student in a classroom or teaching environment which in the reasonable estimation of a faculty member: (a) directs attention from the academic matters at hand, such as noisy distractions; persistent, disrespectful or abusive interruptions of lecture, exam or academic discussions, or (b) presents a danger to the health, safety or well being of the faculty member or students.
Punishments for disruption of academic process will depend on the seriousness of the disruption and will range from a private verbal reprimand to dismissal from class with a final grade of "W," if the student is passing the course, shown on the student record. If the student is not passing, a grade of "F" will be shown on the student record.
If we all work hard to treat each other respectfully, we will find ourselves in a wonderfully positive learning environment. You'll come away with a rich educational experience, and your teachers will be delighted to have had you as a student.
Disability Accommodations:
Any student with a disability should be encouraged to meet with the instructor privately during the first week of class to discuss accommodations (See Student Responsibilities: http://www.sds.usf.edu/Students.htm). Each student must bring a current Memorandum of Accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services that is prerequisite for receiving accommodations. Accommodated examinations through the Office of Student Disability Services require two weeks notice. All course documents are available in alternate format if requested in the student’s Memorandum of Accommodations. (See faculty responsibilities: http://www.sds.usf.edu/faculty.htm).
Grading:
Using your USF Net ID, you will be able to access your grades on Blackboard throughout the semester. I will grade you on a 1 to 100% basis or a letter grade basis. The Blackboard Grading rubric will be used for the mathematical breakdown on a 100 point scale to a letter grade scale.
Letter grades, including plus and minus grades, will be given on major writing projects. To determine final grades, the individual grades will be converted to points according to the Grade Point Average grading system as follows:
For each unexcused absence after three on a three-times-a-week schedule, one-third grade will be taken off your final grade. (For four unexcused absences, a “B” becomes a “B-”; for five, the “B” becomes a “C+”). Although the final decision is up to your instructor, deductions for absences during a twice-per-week and once-per-week class are based on weekly equivalents and will adversely affect your final course grade.
A+ (97-100) 4.00
B+ (87-89.9) 3.33
C+ (77-79.9) 2.33
D+ (67-69.9) 1.33
A (94-96.9) 4.00
B (84-86.9) 3.00
C (74-76.9) 2.00
D (64-66.9) 1.00
A- (90-93.9) 3.67
B- (80-83.9) 2.67
C- (70-73.9) 1.67
D- (60-63.9) 0.67
A final grade of C- satisfies specified minimum requirements for Gordon Rule and Composition. Student exemptions for the writing portion of CLAST require a 2.5 combined GPA in Composition I & II. Remember that your final Blackboard percentage will not reflect deductions due to lateness or absences.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism includes the use of a quotation, that is, the exact words of a text (interview, lecture, periodical, book, or website) without quotation marks and documentation; the paraphrasing of ideas or passages from a text without documentation; the inclusion from a text of information not generally known to the general public without documentation; and the following of the structure or style of a secondary source without documentation. View USF’s Policy on Plagiarism from the Undergraduate Catalog: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/adadap.htm. Because plagiarism is a problem at USF (as well as at other universities), you will be asked to review Avoiding Plagiarism. After reading this page, you will be
required, at the beginning of the semester, to print and sign the Classroom Policies Agreement Form, which I will keep on file. You are required to pass the Plagiarism Self Test. I may also ask you to complete this exercise in MLA documentation.
Incomplete Grade Policy:
The grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be given for only very compelling reasons. Assigning a student the grade of “I” for Composition I or It must be approved by me and the Director of Composition. For more information, refer to the USF Undergraduate Catalog’s “I” Grade Policy: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/gradetc.htm#i
Grade Grievance Policy:
The English Department follows the CAS Grade Grievance Policy outlined at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/arcsagp.htm. Following Step III A, the student should submit the statement of the particulars to the Director of Composition. Other copies should be distributed as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. In addition, the student should submit his or her writing portfolio to the Director of Composition.
Policy for Making up Missed Work:
All assignments must be completed on time. I will not accept late in-class assignments or late out-of-class homework assignments. I will accept late Projects; however, late projects will be penalized. For each class day the project is late (for up to a limit of two weeks), one whole letter grade will be deducted.
Please Cut and Paste this post into a word document, fill it out, and Return it to your instructor.
Name_______________________________________________
Instructor_____________________
Course__________ Section______
Semester/Year: Fall, 2007
I have read and understood the syllabus for this course, including the following policies and requirements:
*
Required Texts/Tools
*
Major Projects and Activities
*
Course Technology Requirement
*
Archiving
*
Attendance and Tardiness
*
Student Conduct
*
Disruption of Academic Process
*
Grading and Lateness
*
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
*
Incomplete Grades
*
Making Up Missed Work
I have also read and understood the following:
Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of the Academic Process:
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/adadap.htm
Avoiding Plagiarism:
http://collegewriting.us/FrontPageDocuments/Plagiarism.aspx
In submitting this form, I acknowledge that my success in ENC 1101 or 1102 relies on my abiding by these policies. Furthermore, I attest that I am the author of all of the writing that I submit and post, online and offline.
Student Signature ________________________Date ________
Where is the Zombie reading? It was on the page yesterday, but I have not been able to find it today.
yep same thing here I have checked for the zombie passage and have never found it, it says check bloew but eaach time I check there literally is nothing below it. I hope this is relized before class tommorow
The Zombie passage is found in your class section of the blog. (Click the blog post with your class color included in the title.)
Post a Comment