Washburn University
Fall 2011
Course Name: Advanced Composition Online
Course Credits: Three (3) Credits
Instructor: Karli Davis
Email: karli.davis@washburn.edu
Course Goals:
To develop writers who use the English language effectively and who read and write critically. Students will be able to: demonstrate and practice strategies for idea generation, audience analysis, organization of texts, drafting, evaluation of drafts, revision, and editing.
Required Texts and Materials:
- Kelly. The Seagull Reader: Essays. 2nd ed., 0393930920
- Strunk & White. The Elements of Style. 020530902x
Grading Criteria:
Assignment #1—Summary 15%
Assignment #2—Personal Narrative 20%
Assignment #3—Persuasive Essay 30%
Assignment #4—Analysis 20%
Homework, Readings, & Blogs 15%
- A student must complete all assignments to pass this class.
- English 101 is graded on the traditional A,B,C, D, F marking system. These grades are based on the following point scale:
A – 90-100% B – 80-89% C – 70-79% D – 60-69% F – Anything below 60%
Essay Submission:
All assignments are due at the assigned time on the assigned date. The office staff will not accept any work. You must submit your work to me—no exceptions. Specific submission requirements are noted on each assignment sheet. Students must submit a draft for feedback and effectively complete all aspects of each writing assignment unless otherwise noted on the assignment sheet. If not, the instructor reserves the right to not accept the final essay. For example, students who change their topic must still complete all stages of the writing process for the new topic.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
- Consider plagiarism for what it is: an academic crime. There will be times in this semester and beyond when your coursework might seem overwhelming and even impossible. Despite any misgivings that you may have, never take another’s work for your own, borrow ideas without offering credit/proper citation, or otherwise participate in any form of academic dishonesty. When you give your best effort in each of your classes, you are demonstrating your abilities as a scholar, and more importantly the depth of your character. Do not cheat yourself. You have the abilities to grapple with difficult concepts for a reason. Challenge yourself!
- I reserve the right to refuse any student credit for a plagiarized paper. Students demonstrating this unimaginative and uninspired writing will receive a “0” on the assignment in question.
- Two of the most common instances of unintentional plagiarism are 1) when students fail to acknowledge the IDEAS from a source and 2) when students receive too much outside assistance. Please be aware that if someone else writes passages of your text for you, then this act is plagiaristic, academically dishonest, and cause for penalty.
Late Work:
Late work will not be accepted in this class. Students need to be responsible and make arrangements to get their work to the instructor on time. The instructor makes few, if any, exceptions to this policy.
Revision Policy:
One goal of English 101 is for students to revise their essays before submitting them as final products to be evaluated. As students revise their works in progress, they are encouraged to email the instructor with questions, and to schedule appointments with the Writing Center or Library Reference Staff for outside assistance as appropriate. However, students in English 300 can revise any essay that was submitted on time, was not plagiarized, AND received a grade of “D” or below. This permission to revise is contingent on emailing the instructor to discuss revision strategies. Revisions are due by 5 p.m. December 9, and the final grade of the essay will be the average of the original and the revision.
Guidelines for Online Communication:
- You are welcome to email me with questions or concerns related to the course. I usually respond within 24 hours, though it will likely be longer on the weekends.
- Remember, this class uses online communication for academic purposes. With all forms of class communication, remember that anything you say (or write) is permanent, either in the minds or inboxes of your classmates and the instructor. Therefore, respect each other online. Students should conduct conversations in the same ways they do in a traditional classroom setting. Students who receive inappropriate online communications should contact the instructor immediately.
- The instructor uses the Washburn email system. Students are expected to regularly check the campus system for course communications.
University Additions
Mission of the University:
Washburn University enriches the lives of students by providing opportunities for them to develop and to realize their intellectual, academic, and professional potential, leading to becoming productive and responsible citizens. We are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarly work, quality academic and professional programs, and high levels of faculty-student interaction. We develop and engage in relationships to enhance educational experiences and our community. Washburn University Board of Regents, 2010
Definition of a Credit Hour:
For every credit hour awarded for a course, the student is typically expected to complete approximately one hour of classroom instruction, online interaction with course material, or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two additional hours of student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.
Academic Misconduct Policy:
All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work. Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work. Washburn University’s Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in greater detail and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs. For guidelines regarding protection of copyright, consultwww.washburn.edu/copyright/students. For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Suite 200, or go on-line to:
www.washburn.edu/admin/vpaa/fachdbk/FHsec7.html#VIIIDisability Services:
The Student Services Office is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities. Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services. The office MUST have appropriate documentation on file in order to provide services. Accommodations may include in-class note takers, test readers and/or scribes, adaptive computer technology, brailled materials. Requests for accommodations should be submitted at least two months before services should begin; however, if you need an accommodation this semester, please contact the Student Services Office immediately.
Location: Student Services, Morgan Hall Room 135 (new location)
Phone: 785-670-1629 or TDD 785-670-1025
E-Mail: student-services@washburn.edu
Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to the Student Services Office.
Office of Academic Advising:As a Washburn student, you may experience difficulty with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment. The Office of Academic Advising is available to help students either directly through academic advising, mentoring, testing and developing learning strategies or by identifying the appropriate University resource. If you feel you need someone with whom to discuss an issue confidentially and free of charge, contact Academic Advising in Morgan 122, 785-670-1942, advising@washburn.edu. Withdrawal Policy:
During fall and spring semesters, students may go online and withdraw from full semester courses through the second week of class with no recorded grade. From the third through the eleventh week a “W” is recorded for any dropped course. After the eleventh week, there are NO withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course (View dates of deadlines by linking to the appropriate academic calendar http://www.washburn.edu/admin/vpaa/calendars.html ). For short-term or summer course deadlines, please check the appropriate Semester/Session Course Bulletin Web Site (www.washburn.edu/schedule) 