LANG 120.H02: Foundations of Academic Writing
Fall 2007, UNC-Asheville
MWF 2:45-4:00, KH 232 (Mon. & Wed.), KH 037
(Fri.)
Dr. Lorena Russell (lrussell@unca.edu)
http://facstaff.unca.edu/lrussell/lang120sp2005/
Contact
Information:
Email is the best way to contact me:
lrussell@unca.edu. I have regular office hours Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:30-3:30
in KH 211. If these times don't suit your schedule, please make an appointment
(or try a drop-by). You can also reach me at 251-6594, or leave a message in my
departmental mailbox or outside my door.
Course
Description:
Language 120 is designed to introduce advanced writers to the
expectations and demands of academic reading and writing, and to provide
multiple opportunities to practice and explore the composition process. Because
this is a writing course, you can expect to write almost every day of the
semester. Logically, a course devoted to teaching academic writing will contain
a substantial focus on information literacy. Learning how to access and manage
information through Ramsey’s Information
Literacy
Resources will be a central component of the course.
In class you will spend time in groups: planning, writing,
reading, and responding to each other's work. We will also meet Fridays (unless
told otherwise) in a computer lab (KH 037). Typically, in-class group work
will involve exercises which will serve as building blocks for unit essays.
Since the class functions as a workshop, your success will largely depend on
your active participation in group and class activities.
The course will be divided into three separate units, each
focused on a major writing project. The first unit will draw from the text
Citizenship Now! and focus on
issues of diversity and citizenship in America. The second unit invites
you to investigate an academic field and issue. The third and final unit will be
a scholarly analysis of a selected film.
Required
Texts:
·
Ford, Jon
and Marjorie Ford. Citizenship Now.
Longman’s Topic Reader. New York: Pearson Education, 2004.
·
Misc. online
sources (to be printed and brought to class on discussion days)
·
Your current
drafts (always have a copy of your
current papers with you for in-class workshops)
Course
Goals:
Upon completing LANG 120, students will:
·
Understand
the value of writing as a tool of discovery, learning, and creative thinking.
·
Understand
writing as a recursive process involving prewriting, drafting, revising, and
editing.
·
Understand
and respond to various communication situations: includes voice, audience,
purpose, developmental strategies, and language choices.
·
Recognize
strengths and revise weaknesses in organization, coherence, style, and
structure.
·
Develop
research abilities in finding, evaluating, and using sources honestly and
responsibly.
·
Integrate
material from secondary sources according to appropriate academic documentation
conventions.
For an elaboration of my approach to
teaching writing, see
Assumptions.
Course
Requirements, Expectations and Procedures:
Writing. The course is divided into three separate units. For each
of the units, you will complete one or two preparatory papers (“feeders”) and
one final project assignment (“unit paper” or “unit project”). See “Formatting
Guidelines” for specific expectations.
Reading. You are required to read assignments and to discuss those
readings in class. You can also expect to occasionally write responses to
questions on the readings at the beginning of class (“reading checks”).
Participation. You are expected to be a regular and active participant in
class discussion and group work. You will participate in (and be graded on) oral
presentations at the end of the semester.
Attendance. Because your participation is such an important part of
this class, your regular and punctual attendance is required. Of course,
illnesses and emergencies may arise. If you can, let me know in advance if you
will miss class. If you can't let me know in advance, contact me as soon as
possible.
Department policy allows for 3 absences. Any further absences may be penalized by
lowering the final course grade by 1/2 grade for each hour missed. If you are
late to class more than twice, each successive instance of tardiness will be
counted as an absence. Students remain responsible for all material covered in
missed classes, including announcements and changes of schedule. This means that
if you miss a class, you should ask another student, not the professor, to fill
you in on what you missed. Excessive absences may result in an F for the
course.
Snow Days.
Should the weather get dodgy, please check (snow line, local
news or
UNCA home page) to see if classes are cancelled or if we'll be on a
late day schedule.
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting another’s writing or ideas as your
own. We will devote class time to learning how to avoid plagiarism through
proper documentation. Each student is expected to respect and honor academic
codes of honesty, and to abide by
departmental and
university standards concerning documentation and plagiarism. I take
plagiarism seriously, and reserve the right to fail any student who plagiarizes
class work.
Late Papers.
Because promptness is a standard expectation of academic
writing, I do not typically accept late papers. If you are having trouble
completing an assignment, please let me know in a timely fashion.
Special Needs. If you have special needs (such as learning disabilities,
anxiety or depression) that might affect your ability to complete work for
class, please either let me know or contact Ethan Fesperman.
He can be reached at 232-5050.
His email address is
efesperm@unca.edu. Please
Technology. You will be expected to use computers for writing, research
and communication, as well as for completion of some course assignments. We will
meet in a computer lab most Fridays. Course materials (handouts,
resources, readings and assignments) will be made available on the Internet. You
should check the course site and your UNCA email regularly for class
announcements and updates. If you have problems or concerns with the
technological demands of the class, please come see me.
Evaluation:
The UNCA literature & language
department expects that all students completing LANG 120 will write at an
average or above-average level, and therefore does not accept final course
grades lower than a “C-.” This means that a final grade of “D” will translate
to an “F.”
All final papers, version essays, drafts
and assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned dates. Failure
to have an adequate draft for a workshop or scheduled conference will result in
lowering the final paper's grade by one mark (B to B-). You should always
have a current copy of your paper with you, even on days when a draft or version
copy is not specifically due. Plan to bring an electronic and hard copy of
your current drafts to class every day.
Your final grade will be averaged based
on the following percentages:
|
Minor (Feeder) Assignments (5) |
25% |
|
Major Unit Project Assignments (3) |
45% |
|
Class participation
|
30% |
Resources:
I highly recommend the
University
Writing Center for individual consultations throughout
the semester. Visit them in Ramsey Library, or call to make an appointment:
251-6596.
Campus Computer Labs are located throughout campus. If you anticipate needing help with
computers, use New Hall 008.
Ramsey Library for reserve
and non-print materials, as well as useful handouts on
information literacy.