Kovick

WRTG120 Course Syllabus

Term: Fall 2015

ENGL/WRTG120: Composition I: Writing the College Experience

T/R, 3:30-4:45 pm, Room: 414 Pray-Harrold
Laura Kovick
Email: [email protected]
Course Blog: http://kovick-wrtg120.weebly.com/
Office: 613P Pray-Harrold
Office Hours: T/R 2:00-3:00 or by appointment
Course Description
This course introduces the use of writing and reading for inquiry. Students write extended
essays on subjects relevant to the college experience using conventions of standard written
English; assignments may also incorporate other genres and styles. Emphasis is placed on
using writing and reading as a process for discovery and on communicating ideas to audiences.
Course Overview
Welcome to WRTG 120! This semester we will work on your writing: writing for college and
writing for life. Everything we do in this class focuses on writing: how effective writers write
in a variety of situations, in and beyond college, what successful writing looks like, and how
specific practices, strategies, and processes will help you become a strong, successful
communicator. This class is planned to be a small, interactive workshop. For that reason, you
will be expected to actively participate in each class session. This means it is expected that
you will have read the assigned readings and will be prepared with comments about the
readings to share in class. It also means that you will come to class with your completed
written assignments ready to share with your peers.
Much of this class will be led by you, in pairs or small groups. You will share your
understanding of readings while I, as the instructor, serve as a guide to help clarify points,
offer explanations, and maintain our focus and direction. The class will be a safe zone of
engaged learners sharing our ideas. I promise to be prepared and enthusiastic for each class,
and I expect the same level of engagement and enthusiasm from you. I am looking forward to
getting to know each other during this workshop!
Course Texts and Materials
-

Lunsford, Andrea A. Writing in Action. Boston: Bedford St. Martin's, 2014. ISBN 978-1319-00314-2. (required)
Losh, Alexander, Cannon, and Cannon. Understanding Rhetoric (EMU Custom Edition).
Boston: Bedford St. Martin's, 2014. ISBN 978-1-319-00314-2. (required)
(3) Metal clasp, manila envelopes for portfolios
Writing journal/notebook brought to class each day.
You will need a notebook with pockets every day in this class. Keep all work for final
portfolios!

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WRTG120 Course Syllabus
Term: Fall 2015
The texts are only available as a bundle at the EMU Student Center Bookstore (not
Amazon or other online sources). You must get the EMU version of Understanding
Rhetoric. Copies are also on reserve in Halle Library. Supplemental readings will be available
to you as PDFs and hyperlinks accessible on Canvas or our class website. You should access
these materials for reading on the screen or, if you prefer, for printing and reading. Plan to
spend at least $20 on printing and photocopying over the course of the semester.
Course Outcomes (We will continually refer to these. Please mark this page.)
Principles + WRTG120 Outcomes

Description

Rhetorical knowledge

You will have practiced using language consciously and

identifying rhetorical qualities in composing situations.

Writing process

You will have engaged in invention, drafting, and rewriting,

providing explicit evidence of a writing process.

Genre conventions

You will have demonstrated awareness of academic writing

genre conventions, including mechanics and syntax.

Multimodal transformation

You will have adapted your writing to distinct rhetorical

contexts, drawing attention to the way composition transforms
across contexts and forms.

Reflective practice

You will have applied feedback from instructor, peers, and

individual reflection to rethink, re-see, and ultimately revise
your work.

Projects
The course progresses through a series of three projects. These projects involve a gradual
build-up among many different components which will be assembled into a final portfolio.
The three major projects for the course are:
1) Literacy Narrative 2) Rhetorical Superheroes 3) Rogerian Argument
Each project will be included in an Invention Portfolio--a collection of in-class writing and
shorter pieces you prepared as you developed the project. Each project portfolio will include
a reflective essay that introduces its contents, recounts striking moments of learning, and
draws explicit connections between your work in the course and course outcomes. As a final
project, you will create a course portfolio including a reflective essay drawing distinct and
clear connections between your work and course outcomes. Remember to save all course
work for your final portfolio!

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WRTG120 Course Syllabus
Term: Fall 2015

Feedback
You will receive many different kinds of feedback to your writing during this course. Some
responses will come from fellow students and some will come from your instructor. All forms
of feedback, including responses you receive from scheduling individual appointments in the
University Writing Center, are important; they tell you how readers are responding to your
writing. This will also help you learn how to assess your own work.
Grading
The breakdown of graded items is as follows:
Project One: Literacy Narrative and Invention Portfolio
10%
Project Two: Rhetorical Superheroes and Invention Portfolio
30%
Project Three: Rogerian Argument and Invention Portfolio
40%
Final Course portfolio with reflective cover letter
20%
*Daily assessment will include written work, writing prompts, and class
discussion/participation/attendance
Each of the projects will be described fully in separate prompts that I will circulate at an
appropriate time in the semester. Grades on projects will adhere to the Universitys A-F
system. You must complete all major projects, the final portfolio with reflective cover
letter, and attend the Celebration of Student Writing on Thursday, December 3, from 45:30 p.m. to be eligible for a passing grade in WRTG 120.
*Please note that I do not discuss students grades during class time. I encourage you to make
an appointment or see me during office hours to discuss any matters.
Course Policies
Turning in Writing (Keep Everything!)
All assignments are due on the front table at the beginning of class. Portfolios will be
collected at the start of class on the due date. Keep everything you write for the class
because you will gather the invention portfolio and drafts of projects four times
throughout the term. The work for each project will all be placed in one of the
envelopes listed under course materials.
Late Work
All work must be submitted by the start of class (3:30 pm) on the due date to be
considered on time and therefore eligible for full credit. This policy applies whether or
not you are in class on a given day. In other words, if you miss class, you are still
responsible for meeting all related deadlines. Late work will not be accepted for
credit, except as discussed in relation to the portfolio. Missed invention portfolio
items may be turned in with the portfolio on the project due date for partial credit.
Attendance and Participation
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WRTG120 Course Syllabus
Term: Fall 2015
Students are expected to attend class. You will, for example, routinely discuss reading
assignments, write in class on impromptu topics, participate in collaborative activities,
and engage in peer review of drafts. Participation, involvement, and engagement with
the activities will be factored into your overall grade. If you miss a class, you are still
responsible for all work assigned, including turning in work by the stated deadlines.
Absences and lack of preparation for class will affect your classmates' work as well as
your own. The work you do in and in preparation for each class is vital to our daily
sessions.
Consistent with the English Department policy, students who miss four classes
without any official documentation should not expect to pass the course. To be
considered present, you must be no more than 5 minutes late and must stay for
the entire class time. In addition, our syllabus and schedule are only a projection and
may be subject to occasional changes and revisions.
Technology / Cell phones:
Cell phones are to be silenced and kept out of sight during class time. There will be
times during the semester that you will be asked to bring your laptops or use your
cellphones for class-related activities. I expect that your in-class use of these devices
will be focused exclusively on the task at hand. If technology becomes a distraction or
a hindrance to the learning process, we will no longer use them in class.
You will be expected to access the class website between classes and check your email
for updates. When using a computer, save your work frequently, always make backup
copies, and plan your projects with extra time allowed for unexpected challenges. The
Pray-Harrold printer on the 2nd Floor is notoriously slow and ineffective. Do not plan on
printing your homework right before class; you will likely be disappointed and late.
Much of the work you do for this class will be typewritten. When turning in documents,
follow MLA paper formatting. This means using Times New Roman 12 point font, double
spacing, and one inch margins. Whatever the format of the assignment, I strongly urge
you to plan ahead, to familiarize yourself with file formats and with the submission
process, and to approach me with questions about submissions well in advance of the
due dates.
Communication with Peers / Communication with the Instructor
While you can expect a fair amount of leadership and direction to come from me, you should
also make arrangements early in the semester to communicate with your peers. You are
strongly encouraged to identify one or two (perhaps more) peers in the class with whom you
can discuss readings and assignments and approach when you find something unclear. My hope
is that we utilize a climate in which dialogue and interaction runs between the instructor and
students and also between and among students when questions come up. Finally, you should
always be proactive about asking questions when you have them, either by raising questions
during class, posting comments/questions on the blog, or contacting me or one of your peers
privately.
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WRTG120 Course Syllabus
Term: Fall 2015

Email
To communicate by email we will use our emich.edu accounts, accessible via myemich.edu.
You can also see me during my office hours or set up an appointment to meet with me on
campus. With rare exceptions, I will respond to all email inquiries within 48 hours.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism occurs when a writer passes off another's words or ideas without acknowledging his
or her source, whether intentionally or not. For example, turning another's work as your own
is plagiarism. If you plagiarize in this class, you will fail the assignment on which you are
working and your case may be passed to the University for additional disciplinary action. For a
more detailed explanation of Eastern Michigan University's stance on academic integrity, refer
to Section V.A. of the Student Conduct Code.
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
If you have a documented disability that affects your work in this (or any other) class, the
Disability Resource Center can provide support for you. It is my goal that this class be an
accessible and welcoming experience for all students, including those with disabilities. If
anyone believes they may have trouble participating or effectively demonstrating learning in
this course, please meet with me (with or without a Disability Resource Center (DRC)
accommodation letter) to discuss reasonable options or adjustments. During our conversation,
I may suggest the possibility/necessity of your contacting the DRC (240 Student Center; 734487-2470; [email protected]) to talk about academic accommodations. You are welcome
to talk to me at any point in the semester about such issues, but it is always best if we can
talk at least one week prior to the need for any modifications.
Academic Projects Center
The Academic Projects Center is located in 116 Halle Library (487-0020, extension 2154). The
Center is open M-Th from 11-5 and is staffed by University Writing Center consultants, Halle
Librarians, and Information and Communications Technology staff who can help with writing,
research, or technology needs. No appointment is necessary. When you visit the Academic
Projects Center, be sure to bring a draft of what you're working on and your assignment sheet.
University Writing Center
The University Writing Center (115 Halle Library; 734-487-0694) offers one-to-one consulting
for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students can make appointments or drop in
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Fridays. Students should bring a draft of what theyre working on and their
assignment. The UWC opens for Fall 2015 on Monday, September 14, and will close on Monday,
December 14.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
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WRTG120 Course Syllabus
Term: Fall 2015
There may be times during the semester when you feel overwhelmed or depressed and cant
seem to pull yourself out of it. Located at 313 Snow Health Center (734-487-1118), CAPS
offers mental health services to all students. Please do not hesitate to call them for help.

Important Dates:
Literacy Narrative and Invention Portfolio due

Thursday, Oct. 1

Scheduled Conferences with instructor

*(classes cancelled these two days)

Tuesday, Oct 6
Thursday, Oct. 8

Rhetorical Superheroes and Invention Portfolio due

Thursday, Oct. 29

Rogerian Argument and Invention Portfolio due

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Celebration of Student Writing, Student Center Grand Ballroom

*(we will meet in class and walk over)

Thursday, Dec. 3, 4:00-5:30

Final Portfolio and Reflective Cover Letter due

Thursday, Dec. 10

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