English 101 -- Dr. Hastings
NSU -- Fall 1998

 English 101

Course meets:   MWF 9:00 (SH 101)   or  MWF 1:00 (Lib 118)
Office:     Seymour 317             Phone:    626-2404
OFFICE HOURS:  TuTh 9-12
Required Texts:     Horner, Harbrace College Handbook.  Harcourt Brace.
            Cavitch, Life Studies.  Bedford/St. Martin’s.
          STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: A good college dictionary of American English.

Course Description:  This course provides an introduction to the writing process at the college level, including such academic tasks as a critical response to the ideas of others and the presentation of original ideas supported by research.

Course Objectives:  To attain greater mastery of the writing process through completion of a variety of types of papers; to develop critical reading and thinking skills through writing and discussion; to develop appropriate research skills for college-level papers.

Course Requirements:  Because of the collaborative nature of this class, regular attendance is MANDATORY.  In addition, students will be required to write regularly in and (mostly) out of class, participate in group editing of and responses to other students' work, contribute to general class discussions, and complete a portfolio (see description below) and a research project.

Evaluation and Grading:
        Grades will be weighted as follows:
            Each paper (of four)           15 %
            Research project                 25 %
            Attendance                          15 %
                Attendance grades will be awarded as follows:

Number of Absences
Letter Grade
0-1
A 
      2 
A-
3 
B 
4 
B-
5 
C 
6 
D 
More than 6
F 
    This grade is then raised one-half point for regular participation in class discussion or lowered one-half grade for failure to participate in discussion.

    In addition, you may have ONE (1) excused absence, to be used for funerals, illness, official university or school travel, etc.  If you are careful about less necessary absences, there should be little effect on your final grade.  You should make every effort to contact me if you miss class.

All work must be completed in a timely manner; there will be a penalty for late or uncompleted work.  This penalty will consist of the deduction of one-half letter grade for each class day a paper is late!  For ungraded writing (i.e., not papers or paper drafts), I will spot-check to make sure you have completed the assignment.
Class Schedule: Also, be sure to avoid plagiarism by consulting the plagiarism page.

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