Course Syllabus

 English 101: College Composition

MTWRF 9:00am

PAT 245

Instructor	Contact	Office Location	Office Hours
Miina De Lara Pronounced Mee-na Deh Lah-rah	mskoog@ewu.edu Canvas Message	Pat 203M	Mon and Wed 10am to 11am

 

E-mails and messages will be answered between 8am and 5pm with some possible delay.

 

Instructor Credo

As a member of the Eastern Washington University community, I will exemplify the traits of an Eastern Eagle: Grit, Grace, Gratitude and Greatness. I am committed to making the Eastern experience one which promotes access, learning, and well-earned completion.

 

Course Description

English 101 provides opportunities for students to develop and enhance their written communication skills, stressing the organization, development, and support of ideas and perspectives in exposition and argumentation as public discourse. Additionally, English 101 familiarizes students with library resources and provides instruction on the application of the rules and conventions of standard American English.

 

Course Goals

By the end of English 101 students will be able to:

1. Read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of popular and/or scholarly texts.
2. Identify and analyze the elements of the rhetorical situation, including genre, context, purpose, audience, subject, stance, and author.
3. Use academic discourse to compose a variety of analytical, argumentative, and reflective texts that appeal to an academic audience.
4. Generate mostly error-free texts that include focused topics that are controlled by implicit/explicit theses (points), supported by main ideas, developed with evidence, and organized in ways that influence a particular audience to think, feel, or act as a result of the information presented.
5. Analyze, use, and document evidence (examples, quotations, paraphrases, etc.) from secondary sources to supplement and complement the student’s own writing.
6. Compose in a voice, tone, and style that is appropriate for the target audience and specific purpose.
7. Develop a recursive and collaborative writing process that includes planning, drafting, revising, organizing, editing, and proofreading.
8. Identify and analyze logical fallacies in their own and in others’ writing.
9. Collaborate in small and large peer-groups for the purpose of sharing relevant ideas, respectful opinions, and constructive feedback.
10. Identify areas in their own and in peers’ writing where revisions are needed to create texts that will appeal to specific audiences.

 

Classroom Format

Our class is an in-person class. We will be using Canvas to complete most assignments and submit essays. All assignments and due dates will be posted on Canvas. It is your responsibility to keep up with announcements, due dates, and other content on Canvas.

 

Textbooks (provided ONLINE via Inclusive Access)

• Lunsford, Andrea, et al. Everyone’s an Author with Readings. 3rd ed., Norton, 2020.
• Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say, I Say with Readings. 5th ed., Norton, 2021.

 

Grade Distribution and Evaluation
Major Writing Projects ·         Narrative Essay ·         Research Essay ·         Researched Argument Essay	40%
Presentation ·         Research Presentation	10%
The Writing Process ·         Rough Drafts and Peer Reviews of all three Major Writing Projects	20%
Homework and In-Class Work ·         Discussion Board Posts ·         Various homework and in-class assignments	20%
Preparation and Engagement ·         Daily preparation, engagement, and participation in class discussions	10%
Extra Credit Opportunities	5%
TOTAL	105%

 

University Policy

Students who are enrolled in English 101 must complete the course with a grade of 2.0 or better (75%) in order to move on to English 201 and graduate from Eastern Washington University.

 

Grading Scale   4.0                          95-100% 3.9                          94 3.8          A             93 3.7                          92 3.6                          91 3.5                          90 3.4          A-            89 3.3                          88 3.2                          87 3.1          B+           86 3.0                          85 2.9                          84 2.8          B             83 2.7                          82 2.6                          81 2.5                          80 2.4          B-            79 2.3                          78 2.2                          77 2.1          C+           76 2.0                          75 1.9                          74 1.8          C             73 1.7                          72 1.6                          71 1.5                          70 1.4          C-            69 1.3                          68 1.2                          67 1.1          D+           66 1.0                          65 0.9                          64 0.8          D             63 0.7                          62 0.6                          61 0.5                          60 0.4                          59 0.3                          58 0.2                          57 0.1          D-            56 0.0          F             55 and below

 

Classroom Policies

Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation is a part of your grade and grades will be entered weekly.

Please attend daily and be on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late to class I will count it as an absence. Exceptions will be made for inclement weather days where road conditions may affect everybody’s ability to safely get to class on time.

 

You are allowed three absences with no penalty enacted upon your grade. I do not excuse additional absences. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your own absences.

Additional absences will begin to affect your final cumulative grade according to the chart below. Eight or more absences will result in a failing grade.

Absence Policy
1st – 3rd Absence	4th Absence	5th Absence	6th Absence	7th Absence	8th Absence
No grade penalty	-2 final cumulative grade penalty	-2 final cumulative grade penalty	-5 final cumulative grade penalty	-5 final cumulative grade penalty	Failing Grade
Sample Grade 95%	Sample Grade 93%	Sample Grade 91%	Sample Grade 86%	Sample Grade 81%	Sample Grade   F

 

Note that you need a final grade of 2.0 (at least 75%) in order to pass this class.

 

If there is a point when I feel that you can’t satisfactorily complete the course assignments because of absences I have the option of failing you during the second half of the quarter. All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those who show affiliation with that particular religion. Accommodations must be requested and approved via student services.

 

Grading Policy

Grades for each assignment will be posted as soon as possible. Some assignments take longer to grade and as such may not be graded for up to two weeks. If you would like feedback sooner, have questions about my comments, or would like more-detailed feedback, please come and see me during my office hours. It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades and to alert me if you believe a grade has not been entered correctly.

 

 

 

Late Work Policy

All assignments must be submitted within 48 hours of the due date to be eligible for full credit. Most assignments will be submitted electronically via Canvas. Assignments done in-class cannot be made up or turned in late. If you have any issues submitting an assignment on Canvas email me ASAP so I can fix it. Each assignment in Canvas has a due date and time. I will accept late work according to this chart:

Late Deductions
Example	Jan 20th	Jan 21st	Jan 22nd	Jan 23rd	Jan 24th	Jan 25th	Jan 26th
	Due Date	1 Day Late	2 Days Late	3 Days Late	4 Days Late	5 Days Late	6 Days Late
before 11:59pm	On-time	No penalty	No penalty	-10%	-20%	-40%	-50%
NOTE: All assignments are due by 11:59pm on Canvas. Policy applies during weekdays and weekends. No credit will be given for assignments submitted 7 or more days late.

 

Incomplete Policy

Incomplete grades are only assigned under exceptional circumstances.

 

 

Composition Department Policies

Class Conduct Policy

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that doesn’t interfere with my ability to teach or a student’s ability to learn, as outlined in the EWU Code of Student Conduct. Violations of the Code of Student Conduct may result in the violator being asked to leave, and/or the instructor pursuing disciplinary proceedings through the Dean of Students office. This could result in penalties such as suspension or dismissal from the University.

 

Examples of disruptive behavior include the following:

• Disrespectful and/or hostile language, posturing, or gestures.
• Talking while other students and/or the instructor is talking.
• Arriving late or leaving early.
• Phone usage in class.

 

Course Content Statement

The composition program recognizes an instructor’s right to introduce subject matter that may challenge students’ ways of thinking. I do this to promote critical thinking. Freedom of speech, as determined by the courts, applies only to open public forums and not to the classroom. Put simply, discourse is welcome, but must be respectful in nature.

 

 

 

University Policies

Academic Integrity Policy

Eastern Washington University students are responsible for upholding the Code of Academic Integrity, available through the office of Undergraduate Studies and online at https://access.ewu.edu/university-college/academic-integrity. Any question of Academic Integrity will be handled as stated in the EWU Academic Integrity Policy.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement

No person shall, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of Eastern Washington University.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations Policy

Eastern Washington University is committed to providing support for students with disabilities. If you are a student with physical, learning, emotional, or psychological disabilities and need accommodations, you are encouraged to stop by Disability Support Services (DSS), TAW 124 to speak with Kevin Hills, the Manager of DSS or to call 509-359-6871. For more information on DSS, visit http://access.ewu.edu/disability-support-services/students/srr.

 

Affirmative Action Statement

Eastern Washington University adheres to affirmative action policies to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.

 

 

Additional Resources

Digital Access

• Canvas: We will be using our Canvas site (canvas.ewu.edu) for just about everything. It is your responsibility to keep up with course announcements, assignment due dates, and other content posted to Canvas.
• Cloud Storage: You need to be able to save your work in more than one place. If your computer dies, you lose your flash drive, or your submission to Canvas didn’t actually submit—you’re out of luck. Therefore, I would suggest using a cloud service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud Drive (all of which offer FREE plans) to save your work. Cloud services sync over wifi, allowing you to access your content on any device—-anywhere.
• Microsoft Office: EWU offers FREE access to Office 365 for students, including downloads of Word and PowerPoint for your personal computer. Here’s the link: https://access.ewu.edu/it/services/help-desk/how-to-get-software/for-students. You may choose to use other programs to complete your coursework (such as Google Docs/Slides, Pages/Keynote and Open Office), but you may need to convert the file type in order to submit your work to Canvas. PLEASE NOTE: I will only accept the following submission file types on Canvas: .docx, .pdf, .pptx, .jpg, .png, .mov, .wmv, and .mp4
• Eagles Email: If you need to email me, please use your Eagles’ account. You may also use the Canvas app to message me directly.
• SpellCheckPlus: We will be using this web-based program to check our work at different stages of the writing process. You can use it for free at https://spellcheckplus.com/ or purchase $9 pro access for one year at http://pro.spellcheckplus.com/promo/?pcode=ewu1. It does not auto-renew.
• If you are having issues with any of these services, please talk to me during office hours or contact EWU’s IT Help Desk at helpdesk@ewu.edu or 509-359-2247 or visit them in-person on the lower level of the library.

 

Library Resources

 

EWU Libraries provides access to 750,000 books and over 50,000 journals, magazines and newspapers online and in print. EWU has two library branches: the JFK Library on the Quad in Cheney, and the Riverpoint Campus Library on the second floor of the Academic Center in Spokane. The librarians are available to assist students in all of their research needs in person, IM chat, email, or by phone. To access our resources, contact us, or for more information, visit http://www.ewu.edu/library.

 

The Writers’ Center is a free resource for EWU students, staff, and faculty. In one-to-one, online or face-to-face 50-minute sessions, Responders offer thoughtful feedback on any kind of academic or personal writing, at any stage in the writing process. The Writers’ Center also provides feedback on forms of visual and digital communication like PowerPoint presentations, posters and websites. For more information about the Writers’ Center and to schedule an appointment with a Responder, visit www.ewu.edu/writerscenter or contact us at one of our locations:

 

PLUS aspires to enhance the quality of student scholarship through active learning by offering one-on-one tutoring, online tutoring and supplemental instruction study groups. Visit https://sites.ewu.edu/plus/ for more information.