English 101
Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield
Spring 2007
COMPOSITION 101
CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
1. The textbooks
required for English 101CD will be Riding the White Horse Home by Teresa
Jordan and The Concise Wadsworth Handbook by Kirszner and Mandell.
2. A Home Page
for this class has been created within my university Home Page and all of the
class information as well as other resources can be accessed at the follow URL:
http://faculty.unk.edu/b/bloomfields
2. Grades will
be determined by a point system and will include several factors:
A. FORMAL PAPERS (275 possible points)
Students will write four papers in
response to reading and writing assignments discussed in class: the first of 3-4
pages (750-1,000 words); the second of 3-4 pages (750-1,000 words) the third of
4-5 pages (1,000-1,250 words); and the fourth of 10-12 pages (2,500-3000 words)
with a minimum of 3 outside sources and two illustrations. If the text for the
class (Riding the White Horse Home) is used, it should be cited but will
not count as an outside text.
The organization, content, style, and
grammar of the essays as well as the quality and appropriateness of the
research in the final memoir will help determine the points earned. The papers
will be worth 40, 60, 75, and 100 points respectively. They must be typed
according to the MLA format in 12 point Courier New font with the word count on
the last page. The essays must be turned in fastened together with a paper clip
and inside a two-pocket folder along with all rough drafts. Points will be
deducted for late papers, missing rough drafts, or inability to follow
instructions.
B. DAILY GRADES (44 possible points)
In addition, daily writing
assignments, including rough drafts, will be worth either 2(**), 3(***), 4(****), or 5 (*****) points. Asterisks mark when
these assignments are due and how much they are worth. If a student is absent,
he or she may hand in the assignment early, hand it in at the session following
the absence, or work out a special arrangement with the professor if unusual
complications arise. Revision is emphasized in this class, so draft points are
crucial.
C. PARTICIPATION (32 possible points)
Participation is an important part
of the discovery, writing, and revising process. As we will be doing group
collaboration and individual conferencing during the class periods, attendance
is crucial. Points will be given for every class attended, with 3 extra points
for no absences. After two absences, an additional point will be deducted for
each absence. Only under exceptional
circumstances will absences be excused or modifications made.
The class will meet for 32
sessions. For example, if a student has
perfect attendance, he or she will receive 32 points. If a student misses one class period, 31
points will be earned and 30 points if two sessions are missed. After that, not only will students not receive a point for attending that
period, but an additional point will be subtracted. (3 absences = 28 points; 4
absences = 26 points; 5 absences = 24 points, etc.) This graphically
demonstrates how poor attendance could substantially harm a student's semester
grade. Three points will be added for perfect attendance (excused absences will
not count for extra credit but will toward daily attendance).
3. Daily writing
assignment points, attendance points, and points for the four papers will be
totaled and graded according to an assigned scale that will be available to the
students at the beginning of the semester.
4. My office is
in 109D Thomas Hall, and this semester my office hours will be from 11:00-12:30
T-TH. If a student cannot meet with me during this time, I will be happy to
make special arrangements. My office
number is 865-8867. Students may leave a
message with the English Department secretary at 865-8299 or contact me by
e-mail: bloomfields@unk.edu.
5. Any student who feels
s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Please contact Academic
Success at 308 865-8214,