English
1101 Fall 2009
Rhetoric and Composition
CRN 8170, Section 05, T 8-10:30, PSC 115 (Online)
Dr. Thomas Harrison
Office H/SS-133
Phone 478-471-5799
Fax (Humanities Division) 478-757-3624
email
thomas.harrison@maconstate.edu
Humanities Division
H/SS-101 471-5792
Office: 10 a. m.-11 a. m. MW
10 a. m.-12
noon TRF
and by appointment
Texts: Robert C. Solomon and Kathleen M. Higgins, The Big Questions, 8th ed.
Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual, 5th ed.
An adequate college dictionary
Pathways: Models for College Composition, current
Purpose: The purpose of English 1101 is to teach students to write clear, precise, and effective papers that inform the reader about the writer's personal experiences, explain an idea, argue a position, and respond to essay questions, such as those used on the Regents' Exam. The focus of this course is the short essay (300-1000 words). In addition, time will be devoted to the study of the way others structure their knowledge in writing and to the synthesis of information in research.
Formal Requirements: The writing for this class will be done as much as possible on word processors. There will be four completed essays in addition to the Criterion essays (see below), consistent with the reading and instruction; a research project; summary, synthesis, and critique practice; exercises and quizzes as needed. A library orientation early in the quarter may also be required. Writing will be evaluated by the standards specified in the "Standards for Written Composition" of the Division of Humanities.
Criterion: Each of you will submit, in class, at least two online essays through Criterion. These essays will receive an immediate "score" of between 1 and 6. You should know that these "scores" will not be factored into your class grades; your instructor may, however, give you some kind of extra credit for the successful submission of this essay. Your instructor may also assign a daily grade of a zero for each of the two essays that you are required to submit. Cards that give you access to the site are purchased at the bookstore with your textbook. It is the responsibility of the individual student to purchase these cards.
Technical Policy: A plagiarism prevention service may be used in
evaluation of written work submitted for this course. As directed by the
instructor, students are expected to submit or have their assignment submitted
through the service in order to meet requirements for this course. The
paper may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for
plagiarized content in future student submissions. Student Conduct: As a Macon State College student and as a student in
this class, it is your responsibility to read, understand, and abide by the MSC
Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct is included in the MSC
Student Handbook and is available online at
http://www.maconstate.edu/studentlife/studenthandbook.pdf
Disability Accommodations: Students seeking academic accommodations for a special need must contact the MSC Counseling and Career Center (478-471-2714) located on the second floor of the Student Life Center on the Macon campus.
Assessment: The instructor controls 80% of the graded assignments for the course (see General Information Sheet, Section IV). The Final Examination will count 20%. The remaining 80% of the grade will be based on the average of grades on the formal requirements above.
Attendance: Online. Attendance at orientation, Criterion writing, and the final exam is required.
Journal: Your journal will be a narrative of your thinking and progress on your research project. The journals will be collected periodically.
Schedule:
Class will meet for orientation the first day, Tuesday, August 18, 9-10:30 a. m.
Reading: The reading from The Big Questions is designed to stimulate you to ask questions and examine, perhaps reaffirm, you own patterns of thinking and reacting to the world around you. The writing assignments are designed to give you an opportunity to discover what you do and do not understand about the world and how you relate to it.
Week 1: "A Little Logic," "Philosophical Questions," "The Meaning of Life." Begin Paper 1.
2: "God" Paper 1 due.
3: "God," "The Nature of Reality" (Metaphysics) Criterion 1,
Tues., Sept. 1, 9 a. m., PSC 115.
4: "The Nature of Reality."
5: "The Search for Truth." (Epistemology)
6: "Self."
7: "Freedom."
8: "Morality and the Good Life." Research begins about here.
9: "Morality and the Good Life" (Ethics) Criterion II, Tues., Oct. 20, 9 a. m., PSC 115
10: "Justice and the Good Society"
11: "Philosophy, Sex, Race, and Culture"
12: "Beauty" (Esthetics)
13:
14:
15:
Final Exam Tuesday, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 8-10 a. m., PSC 115.