English 120: College Composition II: Course Policy and Syllabus, Spring 2021

Vanessa Rickertsen, Instructor

Email: [email protected]
Mailbox: Minard 318 (main English Department lobby)
Office: Minard 318E30 (inside the main English Department office)
Virtual Office Hours: M, W 9-10 am, by appointment

BULLETIN COURSE DESCRIPTION

Advanced practice in reading and writing of various genres for different situations and audiences. Includes field research,
collaboration, and visual communication.

SPECIFIC COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this section of College Composition II, we will focus on how rhetoric, research, and writing are present in our everyday
lives. We will developing techniques to engage critically with the world around us, both in consuming and creating. This
will be achieved through various readings, class discussions, small weekly assignments, and major writing projects. In
addition to building these skills, we will explore writing as a process that is recursive and unique to each writer. This will
be achieved through completing drafts of major writing assignments, reflecting on revisions, and engaging in peer-
review.

REQUIRED TEXTS

• Arnold, Lisa. Writing Critically: Genres and Rhetorical Choices. 2nd Edition, Fountainhead, 2020.
** THIS TEXT WILL BE ACCESSED ONLINE VIA TOPHAT**

ACCESSABILITY AND ACCOMMODATION

Students have the right to education and it is my responsibility to make that education accessible to all students. If you
are ever struggling with the course work, uncomfortable with the class environment or content, or facing challenges that
impact your ability to achieve the course goals, please let me know so we can make a plan for success.

In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with special needs who need accommodations in this
course should contact me as soon as possible so that the appropriate arrangements can be made. Any students with
disabilities or other special needs who need special accommodations in this course are invited to contact the Disability
Services Office (www.ndsu.edu/disabilityservices) and share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as
possible. As outlined on the disability services website, although instructors may need to be flexible with
accommodations, they will hold students with disabilities to the same academic standard as other students.

Veterans and student service members with special circumstances or who are activated should notify the instructor as
soon as possible and provide Activation Orders if requesting any accommodations.

UNIVERSITY LEARNING OUTCOME

English 120 satisfies the General Education Communication Outcome, which states: Students will use a variety of modes,
particularly written, oral, artistic, and visual to: effectively communicate analysis, knowledge, understanding, expression
and/or conclusions; skillfully use high-quality, credible, relevant sources; demonstrate appropriate conventions in a
variety of communication situations; and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in a
variety of contexts.
ENGLISH 120 SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

To satisfy the General Education Communication Outcome, students in English 120 learn to communicate in a
rhetorically effective manner, in a variety of genres for various audiences, purpose, and situations. English 120
emphasizes multimodal and academic genres, and extends reading and writing to include genres common in public
communication situations. To this end, students will:

• Recognize how genre depends on situation, audience, and purpose through close reading and analysis of a
variety of genres (particularly those used in public situations and academic settings).
• Compose and organize rhetorical content, which may include personal observation, argument, analysis, and
synthesis, appropriate for a range of genres, situations, purposes, and audiences.
• Choose appropriate conventions, writing tone and style, and document design for a range of genres, situations,
purposes, and audiences.
• Demonstrate meta-awareness of rhetorical concepts (genre, audience, purpose, situation, tone/style, etc.)
through written reflections.

Additionally, students in English 120 learn to integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and effective manner.
English 120 instructs students in library and web research skills and introduces field research as an additional
means of finding or generating ideas and knowledge. To this end, students will:

• Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate for a variety of genres, situations, purposes, and
audiences. Sources may be popular or scholarly, and print- or web-based, and primary or secondary.
• Use evidence, some of which may be derived from personal experience and field research, to demonstrate an
awareness of a larger conversation and multiple viewpoints surrounding an issue.
• Integrate evidence appropriately in writing through summary, paraphrase, or direct quotation.
• Cite sources accurately and consistently in the text and on a Works Cited page, using an established style sheet
(such as MLA or APA style).

GRADING BREAKDOWN

100- Participation
Participation will be earned through attending classes, engaging with class discussions and activities, consistently
turning in work, and meeting deadlines. If you are going to miss class, please contacts me before.
100- Weekly Assignments
Assignments due on Blackboard using the Blog feature. This work is designed to supplement the work we are
doing on our larger projects and to engage further with the course material and concepts. Doing this work will
allow you to be prepared for class.
150- Profile Unit
• 5- Draft (x2)
• 10- Reflection
• 130- Final Draft
250- Rhetorical Analysis Unit
• 5- Draft (x4)
• 5- Reflection
• 225- Final Draft
200- Commentary Unit
• 20- Proposal & Annotated bib
• 5- Draft (x2)
• 170- Final Commentary
100- Open Writing Unit
• 25- Open Writing Submission (x4)
100- Final Portfolio
ATTENDANCE

If you are going to be absent from class, you are responsible for turning in work on time or ahead of time. Please email
me prior to missing any class. Obviously, life happens and if you unexpectedly miss class, please still contact me as soon
as you are able. Attendance is vital in this course as much of our in-class work is difficult to make up outside of class. In-
class lessons and activities are designed to help you learn and grow the skills required to be a successful writer and
student. Zoom links for attending class will be made available on our Blackboard page.

Expectations for Zoom:

• While I do not require cameras to be on, I do highly encourage you to have your camera on when possible.
Doing so shows me you are engaged with the class and your classmates. Plus it helps me get to know you
better!
• I know that conversations can move quickly in a Zoom discussion, and it can be overwhelming to get a word in.
In that vein, the chat is a great option! That is a space for you to work out your thoughts, even if you think the
conversation has moved on or you are anxious about accidently cutting someone off.

ACADEMIC INTEGRETY POLICY

In all writing, ideas and words taken from any source should be documented. Failure to credit ideas or material taken
from sources constitutes plagiarism, a violation of the University’s academic regulations, and is subject to disciplinary
action. All writing you do for this course must be your own and must be exclusively for this course. Please pay special
attention to the quotes, paraphrases, and documentation practices you use in your papers.

Work submitted for this course must adhere to the Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct as cited in the
Handbook of Student Policies: “The academic community is operated on the basis of honesty, integrity, and fair play.
NDSU Policy 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct applies to cases in which cheating, plagiarism, or other
academic misconduct have occurred in an instructional context. Students found guilty of academic misconduct are
subject to penalties, up to and possibly including suspension and/or expulsion. Student academic misconduct records
are maintained by the Office of Registration and Records. Informational resources about academic honesty for students
and instructional staff members can be found at www.ndsu.edu/academichonesty.

All written and oral presentations must “respect the intellectual rights of others. Statements lifted verbatim from
publications must be cited as quotations. Ideas, summaries or paraphrased material, and other information taken from
the literature must be properly referenced” (Guidelines for the Presentation of Disquisitions, NDSU Graduate School, 4).

English Department Policy on Plagiarism:

Instructors in the English department try to distinguish between inadvertent and deliberate plagiarism. Initial instances of
inadvertent plagiarism will be pointed out and revision will be required to receive a passing grade. Deliberate plagiarism
may result in zero for the assignment, possibly an F for the course. See the English department guidelines, and Writing
Critically chapter 6, for more details:
https://www.ndsu.edu/english/majors_and_minors/english_department_policies_attendance_and_academi c_honesty/

OTHER POLICIES/INFORMATION

Late work
Students are expected to turn work in on time unless otherwise arranged with the instructor PRIOR to the due date
(preferably at least 24 hours in advance). Work that is turned in after deadlines without making arrangements with the
instructor will be docked 5% per day.
Technology
This class will often require you to use technology in class. Technology should be used responsibly during class time.
Students using technology in a disruptive or distractive manner during class time may be asked to put the technology
away and/or lose participation points. Students are expected to be responsible for their learning in the course and are
therefore advised to be mindful of their use of technology in the classroom.

Blackboard & Email

Students are responsible for checking Blackboard and email (PLEASE use your NDSU email!) regularly as these are the
platforms that course updates and information will be made available through. If you have any questions, comments,
concerns, or just need to chat, please reach out to me via email or drop into my virtual office hours.

Additional Resources
As a member of the NDSU community, resources are available for you should you need help in dealing with adverse
reactions to things happening in the world today. A variety of resources are listed below: For students on campus and
remotely (telehealth):
• Counseling Services: 701-231-7671; https://www.ndsu.edu/counseling/
• Disability Services: 701-231-8463; https://www.ndsu.edu/disabilityservices/
• Student Health Service: 701-231-7331; https://www.ndsu.edu/studenthealthservice/
• Dean of Students Office: 701-231-7701; https://www.ndsu.edu/deanofstudents/

In a crisis or emergency situation:

• Call University Police: 701-231-8998 Call 9-1-1
• Go to a Hospital Emergency Room Go to Prairie St. Johns for a Needs Assessment: 701-476-7216 (510 4th St. S.)
• Call the FirstLink Help Line: 1-800-273- TALK (8255) or 2-1-1
• Call Rape and Abuse Crisis Center: 701-293-7273

Course Revision
I reserve the right to modify/change the course any time during the semester.

Final Notes
This semester will be challenging. There will be unexpected obstacles throughout the semester and sudden changes to
campus and everyday life is anticipated. I want each one of you to succeed, so please let me know if there is ever
anything I can do to help you achieve success. Please be flexible and gracious with me and each other as we navigate
this semester. But, above all, be flexible and gracious with yourself. Take care of yourself mentally, physically, and
emotionally.