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English 999: Support for English Composition I
Fall 2021,
Section 07A (CRN 84918)

Macon campus, TR 12:30-1:20 TEB 373
2 credit hours


Dr. Chip Rogers
chip.rogers@mga.edu
www.chipspage.com

Office: Arts and Letters (SOAL) 219
Telephone
: (478) 471-5739
Office hours: Monday 9:00-11:00, Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-4:00
   and by appointment


Objectives

The MGA Catalog describes English 999 as "intended to provide co-requisite support for students requiring remediation in reading and/or writing while they are enrolled in ENGL 1101—English Composition I. Topics will parallel topics studied in ENGL 1101 as well as the essential reading and writing skills needed to be successful in ENGL 1101. Taken with ENGL 1101, this is a composition course focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills." In a nutshell, ENGL 999 provides focused support on skills essential to succeeding in English Composition I.

Required Texts and Materials
bulletThe same handbook required for English 1101: The Little Seagull Handbook, 4th edition, with Exercises and InQuizitive, by Richard Bullock, Michael Brody, and Francine Weinberg, available in digital form in D2L Access to InQuizitive is required.


Policies 

Attendance:
Each class is important, so it is crucial that you be in class on time every class. I record attendance, and absences do affect your grade. Students with more than four non-illness-related absences fail the class. Students who must miss class because of illness (COVID or otherwise) should notify me before the missed class meeting. I will try to work with you on any major assignments you happen to miss (assignments other than reading quizzes), especially when you notify me of the absence before missing class: email me whenever you must miss class.

Late work: Late work receives a letter-grade penalty for each class day (i.e. Monday or Wednesday) the assignment is late. Work submitted more than three class days late will receive no higher grade than F.

Plagiarism: Except for assignments expressly calling for collaborative effort, all written work must be your own. Any unacknowledged borrowing from the writings of others will be considered plagiarism, a serious breach of academic integrity. I will submit cases of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty for review by the Student Conduct Officer. The penalty for plagiarism in this class is an "F" for the entire course, not just the assignment in question. See the more specific definition of plagiarism in the English 1101 Syllabus Supplement; also see "On Plagiarism."

Cell phones/personal electronics: The use of cell phones and other hand-held personal electronic devices is forbidden in the classroom. All such devices must be kept out of sight for the duration of class—off of desks and out of laps. I will count absent any student texting or viewing a personal electronic device, and if the problem persists I will ask students not abiding by this policy to leave the classroom.


Course Components

Participation/Engagement: This is very much a hands-on class, with lots of activities requiring not merely attendance but committed, engaged participation both in the classroom in assignments outside of class. Being attentive and participating in all class activities is a major key to success in the course.

Reflection assignments are brief responses to writing experiences and Growth Mindset videos.

Writing exercises: assignments paralleling or complementing ENGL 1101 writing exercises.

Grammar and mechanics exercises: mostly independent work in the Norton InQuizitive online system.

Writing Center visits: a required minimum of two visits for active tutoring sessions with the Writing Center (online tutoring sessions count as well as face-to-face). See https://www.mga.edu/student-success-center/writing-centers.php.


Final grade breakdown


 In-class participation
10%
 Engagement in out-of-class activities
10%
 Reflection assignments
25%
 Writing exercises
25%
 InQuizitive exercises
25%
 Writing Center visits 
5%


A note on note-taking: Although this course involves little lecture and we do not have unit tests on the readings and discussions, you will have a much easier time writing effective papers—papers that receive higher grades—if you take notes during every class period. "A" students typically take extensive notes. Even in discussions where your classmates do more "discussing" than the professor, you should take notes on any significant points made by anyone in the discussion. You would also do well to underline, highlight, or otherwise make note of all passages from the readings that we take special notice of in class.

The Bottom Line:I hope every member of this class gets an A, and I will do all I can to make this happen. Don't get me wrongthe standards for "A" work are high, and I make no exceptions in course policies on absences, missed assignments, plagiarism, or late work. The number-one key to succeeding in this class is that you take responsibility for your own success, meaning that you attend to all assignments with careful, earnest diligence, that you respond positively to any setbacks and heed my feedback on all assignments, and that you seek my help as much and as often as you need it. I guarantee you have one of the most accessible professors at Middle Georgia State: ask for help outside of class, and I'll do my level best to deliver

Addenda to the syllabus:
bulletEnglish 0999 Syllabus Supplement
bulletEnglish 0999.07A schedule of readings and assignments