COLLEGE COMPOSITION II, ENG 112 (3)
COURSE SYLLABUS, FALL 2009

Instructor: John Palen
Office: S053
Phone: 989-631-0644 (home, landline); 989-708-5199 (cell); 989-689-9199 (messages)
Email: japalen@aol.com; johnpalen@delta.edu

Office Hours:
T-Th, 3:30-4 p.m. (half hour after class)

Required Tools and Materials:
Computer access to World Wide Web, email
Binder or folder of your choice to keep handouts, notes, copies of your work.
There is no required textbook. Readings will be assigned from the Web or given as handouts.

Course Description:
English 112 continues the development of fluent, effective and confident writing. You will work alone, in small groups and in conference with me to expand your abilities and versatility in the process of composing for a range of purposes, audiences and situations, including academic research writing. Prerequisites are Eng111 or Eng111A, C or H.

Your most important project will be a 1,500-word paper, with documented sources, on a significant topic of your choice. You will place the issue in context and take and defend a fact-based and rational position on it, while giving fair consideration to opposing points of view.

Approximate Course Schedule:

Part I: Exploration
Choose a topic and begin the exploratory process.
First Writing Assignments : Four 100-word summaries of magazine articles of your choice dealing with your topic. Summaries may be turned in during class at any time through Thursday, Oct. 1. Each summary counts 5 percent of the course grade. Summaries may be revised for one higher grade.

Part 2: In-Depth Exploration
Continue to explore the topic in more depth.
Second Writing Assignment: A 400-word summary and review of a book of your choice on your topic. Due in class Thursday, Nov. 5. The review counts 10 percent of the course grade, and may be revised for one higher grade.

Part 3: Drafts and Revisions
Write and revise several drafts of the paper for group discussion.
Third Writing Assignment: A complete, working draft of your paper for me to read and evaluate. Due in class Tuesday, Nov. 24. The draft counts 20 percent of the course grade. No final paper will be accepted unless I receive a draft by Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Part 4: Editing and Fine-Tuning
Continue revision for group discussion, with particular attention to clear organization, proper documentation and correct writing (grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.).
Fourth Writing Assignment: Final product, a complete, polished paper. Due in class Thursday, Dec. 10. The paper counts 50 percent of the course grade. May be revised for one grade higher. The paper won’t be accepted if I did not receive a complete, working draft by Nov. 24.

Grading:
Each assignment will get a letter/numerical grade (A=4.0, A-+3.7, B+=3.3 etc.). Each assignment is also weighted as a certain percentage of the final grade. For example, the final paper counts 50 percent of the course grade. The weighted assignment grades will be added to arrive at the course grade: A=94-100; A-=90-93; B+=87-89; B=83-86; B-=80-82; C+=77-79; C=73-76; C-=70-72; D+=67-69; D=63-66; D-=60-62; E=59 or less. You are responsible for keeping track of your own grade as the course progresses, although I will be happy to calculate your grade at any particular point if you are worried.

Course Policies
Attendance:
Be here. You will be dropped from the class on the fourth unexcused absence. Absences are excused at my discretion for illness, family emergency or unavoidable work conflicts. If you believe you have an excuse to be absent, check with me as soon as possible.

Academic Integrity:
Do your own work. Give credit to others when you use their facts, ideas or language. Academic dishonesty could result in your failing the course and/or being reported to college authorities.

Students With Disabilities
If you have a documented disability which affects your academic performance, and need an academic accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Services in D102. The telephone number is 686-9330. Mike Cooper is the Disability Services Director. His office is in D-WING, D102. His number is 989-686-9322.

Other:
I have some hearing loss, so please be patient if I ask you to repeat yourself. Please remember to silence cell phones while in class. Be respectful of each other and of me.