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Spring 2009-- Class #13041

Homepage: http://www.csun.edu/~mm2173/English098N

The Contemporary Reader 9th Edition, Gary Goshgarian ISBN : 9780205568222

Under the Grammar Hammer Updated, Douglas Cazort ISBN : 9781565656475

The Soloist Steve Lopez ISBN : 9780425226001 (Available at most bookstores)

New Voices 18th Edition, a CSUN publication

A portable dictionary

8 1/2" x 11" notebook paper

Three 2-Pocket Folders (2 for essays and 1 for Journal Assignments)

Email account (free at any CSUN computer )

3 Blue books (for In-Class essays.)

"Intensive study of basic writing skills with focus on students' own writing."

(CSUN catalog.)

This course is designed to prepare you for English 155 with the study and practice of college-level writing. A major part of the writing process is having something to say, so you will also practice analytical thinking and the transfer of those thoughts to the written word in the form of essays. At the end of the semester you will enclose three essays and all of their rough drafts, along with one in-class essay, in a folder. This portfolio will then be submitted to a team of instructors who will read them and decide if your writing is ready for English 155.

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Course Philosophy: Written communication is essential to your success, both in the university and in the work world. You bring to the university discourse your own unique experiences and philosophy. The university needs your input to remain a vital and relevant part of the community at large. This semester you will work on ways of developing and expressing your ideas in an acceptable, cogent form in preparation for your full participation in the university community.

Course Requirements: In order to receive Credit you must pass BOTH the classroom portion of the course AND the portfolio evaluation.

1. We will work on writing in every class. If you miss class, you miss important work that cannot be made up. Because of this your grade will be affected after three absences, and you will automatically fail for more than five absences (three weeks = 20% of the class).

2. Class starts at 9:30 am sharp. If you are late to class you will miss important material, therefore, two tardies equals one absence and might put your grade in jeopardy (see above.)

1. The reading assignments are to be done by the day due. You are required to participate in the discussions and you cannot do so if you have not read the assignment. Unannounced quizzes will be given at regular intervals, usually during the first five minutes of class.

2. All written assignments are to be completed by the day they are due. Essay rough drafts are to be workshopped with your group, so you must bring enough copies for the group and one extra for me.

3. Journal (homework) assignments are an essential component of this class and will be collected at unscheduled intervals, usually unannounced. Keep journal pages in a folder and bring to class.

4. On-line tasks are to be completed as assigned.

Essays: NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED!!!

1. You will be required to complete three revised essays and at least three in-class essays.

2. Each revised essay will be developed from a written prompt and must undergo at least two rough drafts. Each draft must be workshopped with your peers. To receive credit the essay must show substantial revision in the final version.

3. Revised essays must be typewritten, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and in MLA format.

4. In-class essays are written once, in the classroom, without prior prompting.

Portfolio:

At the end of the semester, if you have satisfactorily completed all of the classroom work, you will be allowed to submit a portfolio of your essays to a committee for evaluation. The portfolio must contain the three revised essays with rough drafts attached, one of the in-class essays, and a letter to the portfolio reader.

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Plagiarism Policy: DON'T DO IT.

Plagiarism is "Intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one's own in any academic exercise." (CSUN Catalog.) "Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program . . . (is) an offense for which a student may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary sanction." (CSUN Catalog.)

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