English 101B Spring-07 Policy Sheet

Books and Materials

How English Works: A Grammar Handbook with Readings , by Ann Raimes
A college level dictionary
2 two pocket folders for major essays and journal assignments

Course Objectives

to prepare you for the English requirements of your university work.
to cover advanced English grammar as it applies to writing, academic formatting and punctuation conventions.
to help you master features of academic writing such as drafting, choosing topics, developing and organizing material and revising.
to help you analyze your own writing by reading and commenting on students' written drafts and classmates' papers.
to help practice the important skills of summarizing and responding through assignments.
to increase your vocabulary.
to develop fluency and self-confidence in writing.

Requirements

Write 4 major essay assignments during the semester
Complete in-class writing assignments and quizzes
Complete writing journal and vocabulary assignments each week
Participate actively in class discussions and small group activities
Attend each class ( Your grade will be lowered if you have more than 3 absences .)

Journals

You will have regular assignments for your journal (approximately two pages per week). These assignments will be kept in a 2-pocket folder, with new assignments added each week. The journal will be a place to try out the grammatical and organizational features we are discussing in class. Out-of-class journal assignments will not be evaluated on correctness, but I may ask you to edit your writings for specific grammatical features or practice certain structures as you write in it. The journal will most of all improve your fluency, making it easier for you to generate material in writing and sometimes be used as starting points for one of the major papers.

Attendance

Since 101 B is a “skills” class, not a lecture class , you need to attend regularly. Because your attendance is so important not only for your own benefit but also for your classmates, I will keep track of your attendance record. Missing more than three classes (one week of classes) will cause your grade to be lowered. Missing more than six classes (two weeks of classes) may cause you to fail the course. Absences will only be excused if I have been notified AHEAD of time (not during the class or after class), unless it is an extreme situation! We have limited time during our 50 minute sessions, and class will start promptly at 9 a.m. if you are in section 1 and it will start at 1:10 pm for the section 3. If you are more than ten minutes late for the class, you will be counted absent for the day.

Late Work

It is very important that you keep up with assignments. Improvement in English occurs with regular practice, and to make certain that you get that practice, you will have journal and vocabulary assignments due most Fridays. These assignments are due at the beginning of the hour for which they are assigned and will receive a zero if they are late. If it is necessary for you to miss a class, e-mail me or a classmate so that you can have your assignment ready for the next class period . Many of the assignments will be listed in your syllabus, but some assignments will be given in class, so it is always safe to check with me if you have to miss a class.
Assigned papers are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. I will not accept late assignments except by prior arrangement. Papers accepted late will be penalized one letter grade (from B to C) for every class period they are late. Ensure that you make backup disc copies and hardcopies of work done on the computer. Computers ‘eating' your work or printers stubbornly refusing to print will not be accepted as excuses for missing papers.

Grading

Major writing assignments 40%
Journals and Vocabulary assignments 30%
Quizzes 20%
Attendance and participation 10%

A 94-100% B- 80-82% D+ 67-69%

A- 90-93% C+ 77-79% D 63-66%

B+ 87-89% C 73-76% D- 60-62%

B 83-86% C- 70-72% F 59 and below

Conferences

Please feel free to make an appointment to discuss any questions you have about the course, or stop by during my regular office hours. You can always contact me by e-mail. I am here to help!

Disabilities

Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Regabilitation Act. If a student has a disability that requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Disability Resource(DR) office for information on appropriate policies and procedures. DR is located on the main floor of the Dean of Students Building, Room 1076; their phone number is 515-294-6624.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism means copying another person's writing and representing it as your own. This is considered as serious academic offense, no matter whether you copy from a published writer or a friend. A plagiarized paper will receive an F, will result in your course grade being lowered, and may result in your failing the course. If you have any doubts about whether you are using secondary sources correctly, please check with me before you hand in a paper. When using materials other than the ones provided for the class, you are required to submit a photocopy of the page(s).