ENG 100- Introductory Composition

Fall 2009
Yavapai College – Prescott Campus

Welcome to English 100!

COURSE INFORMATION:
CRN: 30333
Day/Time: MW 9:30-10:45
Location: Bldg 3 Room 204
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: ENG 061 or satisfactory score on the skills assessment.
Instructor: Laura Darrow
Email: laura.darrow@yc.edu (preferred form of communication)
Office: 3-241, enter through 3-212
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:45, Tuesday 11-12:15, Wednesday 8-9:15 &
12:30-1:45, Thursday 11-12:15
Office Phone: 771-6156 (during office hours only)

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Textbook: The Little, Brown Handbook: A Custom Edition for Yavapai College,
eds. Fowler and Aaron.
*This edition is available ONLY in the Yavapai College bookstore. If you have
other editions of the LBH, please consult with me.

Technology Note:
We will be using computers to write essays and our class is in a computer lab. If
you are uncomfortable using Microsoft Word, please let me know. You also need
to be familiar with Blackboard and you need to check your YC email frequently.
Some exercises you will do for class will need to be completed online outside of
class time. A list of the computer labs on campus is available here: https://
www.yc.edu/content/its/computerlabs-yc.htm
COURSE CONTENT:

1. Focus
2. Logic
3. Voice
4. Organization
5. Details
6. Sentence Structure
7. Language
8. Source Documentation
9. Surface Features
10.Reading

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The description in the course catalog of English 100 states that it is an

“Introduction to basic writing and reading skills required for success in college.”
Although, this is an accurate description, I would like to add that writing is a
crucial skill not only for success in college, but in any profession. Learning the
writing process – from reading critically to mapping out arguments, drafting, and
revising – will also help you to develop crucial critical thinking skills. In this
course we will write, and then write, and then write some more. You should see
all this writing as an opportunity for expression, and to hone your argumentative
skills, not as a chore or busywork. The purpose of the course is to gain these
essential communication skills.

I also hope that through the content of the course, you will learn to think critically
about yourself as a student and about yourself as part of a number of different
communities, including Yavapai College.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (correspond to list of assignments):

According to the course description, upon successful completion of this course,
you will be able to:

1. Write focus statements.

2. Apply logical development strategies.
3. Select and apply voice.
4. Develop organizational strategies.
5. Develop and select details.
6. Apply sentence structure strategies.
7. Incorporate appropriate and varied vocabulary.
8. Document sources.
9. Apply conventions of standard written English.
10. Identify main idea, organization and supporting arguments in essays.
Classroom Guidelines (also see attached Institutional Policies):

• Please be respectful to me and to the other students in the course. I will

do the same. Respect should be the foundation upon which we interact
with each other in the classroom, and lies at the base of many of the other
guidelines for the classroom.
• All electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, IPods) must be turned off
during class. Turn phones to silent, not to vibrate (barring exceptional
circumstances which you should discuss with me prior to the beginning of
the dayʼs class). Text messaging and emailing during lecture is
disrespectful to me and to the other students in the class and is not
appropriate behavior for college level students.
• Please maintain a level of formality when emailing me with questions.
Make attempts to problem solve on your own before contacting me with
your concerns. I will try to respond to any emails in a prompt manner, but
I do not guarantee a speedy response over the weekend or over holidays.
I will not comment on drafts over email, so if you need substantial help on
a paper I welcome you to come by my office hours.
• If you are experiencing difficulties in the course, I am available to help you.
Remember that I cannot know to help you unless you ask. There are also
writing tutors available free of charge, in-person and online, to help with
assignments (call 776-2085 for availability). If you are getting a D or F in
the course, please make an appointment to see me. I highly recommend
seeing a tutor in the Learning Center for all major assignments. Tutoring
is not only for “struggling” students. Oftentimes, a fresh pair of eyes can
be the best thing for improving your grade on a paper.
• If you need to leave class early, please make arrangements with me
before class. Leaving class early is disruptive to other students and will
result in an absence for the class period if prior arrangements have not
been made.

Attendance and Late Work:

• I expect students to attend and participate in all class meetings. A student

who expects to be absent due to another school-sponsored activity or for
a compelling personal reason must make prior arrangements with me. In-
class assignments and quizzes may not be made up and you must check
Blackboard or consult your classmates for any additional work to be made
up. If you are absent more than 3 times before the date to withdraw, you
will be dropped from the course. After the date to withdraw, if you are
absent more than three times total, you will lose 10 points off your final
 grade for each additional absence. Please check your new YC email for
updates on changes to the course schedule. Habitual tardiness may result
in an absence.
• The last day to drop or add a regular class is prior to the end of the day
Aug 30th. The last day to withdraw yourself from the course with a grade
of “W" is OCTOBER 18th. If you wish to withdraw due to extreme
extenuating circumstances after that date, please contact me.
• Late assignments will be deducted 1/3 (3%) of a letter grade for each
calendar day they are late. If assignments are more than one week late, I
will not accept them and portfolios MAY NOT be turned in late.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date noted on
the syllabus. Electronic submissions will not be accepted without a
previous arrangement with me. Technology does fail; so, donʼt wait until
the last minute to print out essays and donʼt expect that if you email me an
assignment, I will receive it.

Service Learning Option:

• In the course, you will be offered an opportunity to participate in service

learning. According to the Yavapai College Service Learning website:
“Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates
meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the
learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen
communities.”
• This is an opportunity that has the potential to contribute to many of your
writing assignments throughout the semester. However, please recognize
that participation in service learning is a serious commitment to other
members of the community. If you have difficulties with transportation or
other conflicts that would prevent you from keeping your commitment to
serve, please see me to discuss an alternative assignment for Essay #4.

GRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS:

*Grades will be posted in the Blackboard grade center. I recommend

checking them frequently for accuracy as well as retaining paper copies of
graded assignments.
 Assignment:" " " " " Points: " " Learning
Outcomes:" "
Grammar Exercises" " " " 50 pts." " 9, 10
Quizzes" " " " " " 50 pts." " 8-10
Journal" " " " " " 50 pts." " 1-10
Presentation (Essay #4)" " " 50 pts." " 3-5, 7, 10
Essay #1 (Narrative)" " " " 100 pts." " 2-7, 9
Essay #2 (Evaluation)" " " " 100 pts." " 1-7, 9
Essay #3 (Rhetorical Analysis)" " 150 pts." " 1-10
Essay #4 (SL/Research)" " " 200 pts." " 1-10
Midterm Portfolio" " " " 100 pts." " 1-7, 9
Final Portfolio" " " " 150 pts." " 1-10
" "

Total: 1000 pts. Available

*Grades will be assigned according to final percentages. 90-100% =A,

80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, 59% and below=F.
*To calculate your final grade, calculate total points and divide by 1000.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
*This schedule is subject to change with reasonable notice at the instructorʼs
discretion.
Due dates for assignments are indicated below. All readings, quizzes and in-
class assignments are TBA. Check Blackboard announcements and email
frequently for due dates and assignments. Keep a copy of your syllabus to fill in
daily readings and assignments.

Due dates for major Readings and assignments to be

assignments: completed before class:
August 24 LBH Ch. 1 pp. 2-12
Read syllabus, complete take
home quiz and sign syllabus
agreement
August 26
August 31 Quiz #1

September 2 Journal #1

September 7 NO CLASS – LABOR HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

DAY HOLIDAY
September 9 Journal #2

September 14 Draft of Essay #1

Due

September 16 Final Essay #1 Due

September 21 Journal #3

September 23 Journal #4

September 28 Quiz #2
September 30 Draft of Essay #2
Due

October 5 Final Essay #2 Due

October 7 Journal #5

October 12 Quiz #3

October 14 Journal #6

October 19 MIDTERM
PORTFOLIO
DUE!!!!! NO
EXCEPTIONS!!!
!!
October 21 NO CLASS –
MIDTERM
PORTFOLIO
GRADING
October 26 Journal #7
½ Grammar
Exercises Due

October 28 Essay #3 Draft Due

November 2 Library Day

November 4 Essay #3 Final Due

November 9 Journal #8

November 11 Journal #9

November 16 Quiz #4

November 18 Essay #4 Draft Due

November 23 Essay #4 Final Due

November 25 NO CLASS –
THANKSGIVING
November 30 Journal #10
2nd ½ of Grammar
Exercises Due

December 2 FINAL
PORTFOLIO
DUE!!!! NO
EXCEPTIONS!!!
!!
NO CLASS – FINAL
December 7 PORTFOLIO
GRADING
 December 9 Conference in my
office: 3-241 and
Quiz #5

Syllabus Contract:

Institutional Policies and Instructor Procedures

Attendance:Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings, laboratories, and
field trips. A student who expects to be absent due to another school-sponsored activity
or compelling personal reason must make prior arrangements with the instructor. All
course work must be made up as directed by the instructor. A student who does not
adhere to instructor and College attendance requirements may be dropped from the
course as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog.

Course Withdrawal:To officially withdraw from a course, the student must complete a Yavapai College
Change of Class Enrollment Form and submit it to the Registration Office. Withdrawing
from a course after the published deadline for withdrawal requires instructor approval and
signature. When a student withdraws from a course, a “W” will appear on the student’s
permanent college record. If a student does not follow official procedures for withdrawing
from a course, failing grades may be posted on the student’s permanent record.
Course mentoring:Contact the course instructor during office hours, through e-mail or phone, or at the
beginning/ending of a class session to arrange for additional course assistance. Many
student support services are also available to assist students in successful course
completion.
Academic Integrity:Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The
presentation of another individual’s work as one’s own or the act of seeking unfair
academic advantage through cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest means are
violations of the College’s “Code of Conduct.” Failure to abide by the terms and
conditions of the “Code of Conduct” will result in disciplinary action, up to and including
dismissal from the College. Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and violation of copyright
and penalties for violation are available in the Yavapai College General Catalog.
Student Code of Conduct:Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are fundamental
expectations for every student. The “Code of Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations,
and explains the process for responding to allegations of student misconduct.

Disability Resources:Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services to students with
documented disabilities. Accommodations for a student must be arranged by the student
through the Disability Resources Coordinator (Prescott Campus: 928.776.2079 or Verde
Valley Campus: 928.634.6563).

Cell Phone and Pager Policy: Yavapai College is committed to providing a quality learning environment. All cell phones
and pagers must be placed in a non-audible mode while in classrooms, computer labs,
the library, the learning center, and testing areas. Cell phones and pagers must be used
outside these facilities.
I, _____________________, understand that by signing this, I acknowledge that
I have read the syllabus and that I accept the policies and procedures of the
course. I also acknowledge that I understand and accept the attendance, late
work, and technology policies listed herein.

_____________________________ ___________
(Studentʼs signature)" " " " (Date)