Spring 2003 Syllabus

Susan Bloome B.S., English Ed., Illinois State University M.A., English, Sangamon State University Ph.D. Candidate, Illinois State University

Office:  STV 203K Office Hours  T/R 3:30-5:00 e-mail:  sjbloom@ilstu.edu Office Phone:  438-8077

Required Texts

Course Requirements

General Policies

Educational Resources

Welcome to English 101.10, Language and Composition I.  This is a course that enhances your critical thinking and writing skills as well as prepares you to write at the college level across the curriculum. I hope you enjoy trying different kinds of assignments that are designed to challenge you and make you think about your writing because that's what you'll be doing.

The writing we will do demands that you try out new voices, speak to new audiences, explore new subjects, and create new ways of saying things—all in order to enhance and expand your own style.  In more practical terms, this exploration will take the form of about one finished paper every other week that will be accompanied by an analysis in which you will analyze your own work.

• ATTENDANCE.  Part of your obligation to this class is to participate in the ongoing dialogue we will have about writing, whether in group activities, in individual activities, or in class discussions.  I frown upon absences because you've made a commitment to share in the class dialogue, and you can't do that if you're not here.  Lack of attendance may cause a significant drop in your final grade for the course.  Do not e-mail me or call to tell me you won't be in class.  The reason why you are absent does not matter.  What matters is that you were not there.
• PARTICIPATION includes sharing the work that you produce this semester, which is considered "public writing." Papers will be shared and discussed with classmates and in class discussions.  Remember that part of your obligation to this class is to participate by commenting on the work of others and listening to their comments on your work.
• WRITING PORTFOLIO.   See page 131 of the Course Guide for a complete description of what is to be included in your portfolio.  The only basis for your grade in the class is the completed portfolio, the quality of which is influenced by intangible factors such as attendance and participation.  Make sure you keep ALL your English 101.10 work (every draft and revision) in a folder as well as back-ups on disks and hard drives at home.  When you turn in your portfolio (it must be a hard copy as well as in the Stevenson 250 folders) at the end of the semester, you will personally hand the portfolio to me on or before May 2, 2003.  Earlier is better, and later is unacceptable.  When I have reviewed your coursework, I will determine your final grade for the course, which will be assigned for the work you have presented in your portfolio.

• In the event of an emergency absence, it is your responsibility to see for any missed assignments.  To find out what you missed, you might:
• See the office hours above and contact me
• Check with classmates
• Look in the Stevenson 250 folder
• Go to my website

Of course, the information you receive from these sources will be less complete than if you were actually in class.  Just avoid the whole mess and be here.

• I like things to be done on time, papers for instance.  I can overlook occasional lateness, but chronic lateness is another matter and is unbefitting to university students.  I say this not only for my own convenience but also for your own good.  Getting behind in this class can be fatal since the assignments keep coming whether you're caught up or not.  When a paper is "due," you should submit your paper by the end of the class period (as well as save it in other ways).  If you find yourself unable to attend class that day, please send your paper to me by way of a trusted friend or through e-mail as an attachment that I can read on university computers.  I expect this won't happen often. 
• I will make extensive comments on your papers, and they will receive individual “advisory” grades until the end of the semester.  The emphasis is on learning, not on grades.  I know you are all capable of making good grades; otherwise, you wouldn't be at ISU.  You will learn how to read my comments to understand how I feel about your work.  After I have a substantial amount of work from you and a sense of your total performance and ability, I will discuss your writing with you in terms of a grade. 
• Computers don’t always work the way we want them to.  It’s an unfortunate fact of life.  You are ultimately responsible for your work, even if the computer fails.  Don’t give me an excuse similar to, “My disk broke,” “I couldn’t get online,” “I swear I e-mailed it to you,” or any other technological failures.
• If you are having problems with the class, PLEASE see me.  That’s what learning is about, people helping people.  I would LOVE to have you visit me during my office hours.  You can be sure I will not hesitate to see you if you are having problems.   Other sources of help to consider: