English 102:
Expository Writing
Writing Family
History
Dr. Susanne George
Bloomfield
Spring 2004
COMPOSITION
102:WRITING FAMILY HISTORY
CLASS
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
1. The textbooks required for English 102 will be Riding the White Horse Home by Teresa Jordan and Writing the Research Paper: A Handbook 6th ed. by Winkler and McCuen as well as selected handouts and articles "On Reserve" at the library.
2. Grades will be determined by a point system and will include several factors:
A. Writing Assignments (500 possible points)
Students will write a 6-8 page Researched Reading Response of Riding the Wite Horse Home (approximately 1500-2000 words) worth 200 points and a "Family History" of a minimum of 14 pages (approximately 3500 words) worth 300 points. Points will be deducted for late assignments.
B.
DAILY GRADES (104 possible points)
Daily Writing Assignments (71 possible
points):
In addition, daily written responses will be awarded from 2-4 points. An asterisk (*2,*3,*4, or *5) marks the daily assignments for which points will be given. If a student is absent when a daily assignment is due, that student will not receive those points unless he or she hands in the assignment early, hands it in at the session immediately following the absence, or works out a special arrangement with the professor if unusual complications arise.
Attendance (33 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, additional points will be deducted for each absence. Only under exceptional circumstances will absences be excused or modifications made.
The class will meet for 30 sessions. For example, if a student has perfect attendance, he or she will receive 30 points plus 3 bonus points, bringing the maximum attendance points possible for the semester to 33. If a student misses one class period, 29 points will be given, with 28 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 = 26 points; 4 absences = 24 points; 5 absences = 22 points, etc.) This graphically demonstrates how poor attendance could substantially harm a student's semester grade. In addition, is a daily assignment is due, a student could lose up to 6 points for one absence.
3. Daily assignment points, daily writing and attendance points, and points for the Literary Analysis and the Family History will be totaled and scaled together for the final grade. The scale will not be determined by any set percentage or curve but by natural breaks in the point list. After the first paper, a scale will be posted so that students will be able to determine their approximate standings at that time.
4. I will hold an individual conference with each student before the "Family History" assignment is due. Regular classes will not be held during that week, so if a student misses a scheduled conference, it will be considered as two absences.
6. My office is in 204 Thomas Hall, and this semester my
office hours will be from