English 1113: Principles of English Composition
Policy Statement
Course & Section Number: 1113.061
Location: Gittinger Hall (GIH) 338
Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
Instructor: Niigonwedom (Mr. j. sinclair)
email: niigonwedom@ou.edu, or niigonwedom@yahoo.com
Office hours: MWF 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., or by appointment
Required Texts: St. Martin’s Guide to Writing, 7th Ed.
Principles of English Composition I: 2004-2005
A dictionary/thesaurus (Oxford/American is preferable)
Required Materials:
Course Introduction
Welcome to first year freshmen composition. This course will introduce you to various kinds of academic writing and acquaint you with strategies for creating and succeeding in an academic setting beyond what you have already learned in high school. Throughout this course I will help you learn to read critically and utilize techniques which will help you in inventing, drafting, revising, and editing your own (and others) writing. It is the objective of this course to make you a more independent and proficient writer, while preparing you for the writing tasks you will face during and after your undergraduate studies.
Grading Criteria
A = 100 – 90 Grade Points 4.0
B = 89 – 80 Grade Points 3.0
C = 79 – 70 Grade Points 2.0
D = 69 – 60 Grade Points 1.0
F = 59 and below Grade Points 0.0
Outline of Assignments & Dates
Writing is the most important part of this course therefore students should be prepared to focus primarily on their own progress as a writer. Improvement and progress throughout the term is also taken into account during the tabulation of the final grade.
There are four (4) writing units, which will include cumulative tasks performed each class, and culminate in an original paper being submitted. Students can track their progress on the Blackboard program throughout the term or speak to me individually. The grading breakdown is as follows:
Essay Exam Unit: 20% Weeks 1-5
Literacy Autobiography Unit: 20% Weeks 6-9
Community Profile Unit 20% Weeks 9-12
Arguing a Position Unit: 20% Weeks 13-16
Preparedness for Class (homework), Quizzes 10% throughout term
Participation 10% throughout term
Note: The participation and preparation grades are to ensure that class business is conducted in a professional and courteous manner. All homework activities and group work will be included, and it is expected that all class members will fully participate in all class activities, inside and outside of class (group work, for example). The best work is completed when all class members are adequately prepared to participate in all stages of the writing process, and when all class members are contributing, everyone benefits.
Revision & Rewriting
Students who receive a ‘B’ or lower on any assignment (excluding the Essay Exam Unit) may substantially revise the assignment and submit it for re-grading once within seven (7) days of receiving the initial grade from me. Students should also take into account that this new grade could be higher or lower and cannot be changed after that.
Late Policy
Lateness, as in life, is not to be tolerated. Students who submit papers late will drop 10% for every day (or letter grade), with no exceptions. In extenuating situations arrangements can be made with me for later submissions, but this is done on a case-by-case basis. In this scenario, the student must write a request for an extension from me, and both the student and I must sign it with a new due date indicated.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offence and can cause you to (depending on the circumstances) fail the paper, fail the class, be placed on probation, or be expelled from the university. Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s ideas or writing (published or unpublished) as your own. There are four different kinds, all prohibited by the Academic Miscounduct Code available at: http://www.ou.edu/provost/integrity/, but I have included an excerpt here:
“Here is OU's basic assumption about writing: all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's a form of academic misconduct called plagiarism. Within the academic community and specifically at the University of Oklahoma, the following rules apply:
1. IT IS PLAGIARISM TO COPY WORDS AND PRESENT THEM AS YOUR OWN WRITING. It is the worst form of plagiarism to copy part or all of a paper from the Internet, from a book, or from another source without indicating in any way that the words are someone else's. To avoid this form of plagiarism, the paper must BOTH place the quoted material in quotation marks AND use an acceptable form of documentation to indicate where the words come from.
2. IT IS PLAGIARISM TO COPY WORDS, EVEN IF YOU GIVE THE SOURCE, UNLESS YOU ALSO INDICATE THAT THE COPIED WORDS ARE A DIRECT QUOTATION. Simply documenting the source in a footnote or bibliography isn't good enough. You must also indicate that the words themselves are quoted from someone else. To avoid this form of plagiarism, put all quoted words in quotation marks or use equivalent punctuation.
3. IT IS PLAGIARISM TO COPY WORDS AND THEN CHANGE THEM A LITTLE, EVEN IF YOU GIVE THE SOURCE. Repeating someone else's writing in different words so it's not a direct quotation is called "paraphrasing." Paraphrasing is fine when you indicate the source and the new expression is actually your own. When it's not -- when the expression remains substantially similar to the source as a whole or in one of its parts -- it's plagiarism.
Even if not specifically prohibited by the instructor, "writing" a paper by copying words and then altering them violates OU's basic assumption about writing and may easily result in a charge of academic misconduct. To count as "your own words," your paper must be so significantly different from your sources that a reasonable reader would consider it a new piece of writing. If it's not -- if "your writing" is substantially similar to somebody else's where individual variations would be expected, it's plagiarism.
4. EVEN IF YOU EXPRESS THEM IN YOUR OWN WORDS, IT IS PLAGIARISM TO PRESENT SOMEONE ELSE'S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN. It is plagiarism to present someone else's original arguments, lines of reasoning, or factual discoveries as your own, even if you put the material in your own words. To avoid this form of plagiarism, cite the source.”
The Class Rule
Students are expected to show respect for each individual in this classroom, and therefore this is the only rule that must be followed. At times, our discussions will be frank and heated, including topics you may not feel comfortable with. Therefore it is essential that everyone feel comfortable in our community, regardless of their political views, religious identification, gender, sexual identity, race, or social grouping. Discussion at all levels in our classroom will seek to empathize and promote that all of us are different, and in recognizing and embracing these differences we are a stronger society. Unfortunately, this rule is non-negotiable, and if broken, will severely impair a student’s ability to succeed in this course. If any behavior becomes a problem, students will be required to meet with me outside of class to discuss their further participation in the course.
Respect for others, however, is only one part of this rule. Respecting yourself and your education is also essential for success in this class. Therefore, students are expected to prepare adequately, having completed all assignments and readings assigned, at the required due dates. Respect for yourself also assumes that you cannot perform in class without the appropriate materials.
Sexual Harassment Policy
The University of Oklahoma adheres strictly to a sexual harassment policy and it is recommended that students familiarize themselves with this, but an excerpt is printed here from the student and faculty handbook:
“Sexual harassment shall be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the following context:
1. when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing, or
2. when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual, or
3. when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.”
Sexual harassment should not, and will not, be tolerated.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes throughout the term. English Departmental policy states that a student’s final grade will be lowered by one letter at the fourth unexcused absence, and two letters at the seventh unexcused absence. A student who has ten or more unexcused absences fails the course. If you are less than fifteen (15) minutes late for class, you will receive a ‘late’. Two (2) ‘lates’ equal one (1) unexcused absence. If you are more than fifteen (15) minutes late to class or if you leave early, you receive an unexcused absence. Our in-class work is a primary key to your success in 1113, so don’t get in the bad habit of missing class.
Excused absences are only to be given in consultation between instructor and student and must be requested (at least) one (1) week in advance and in writing. Students must also provide documentation when required.
Withdrawal Dates
English 1113 is a required course. Students are not allowed to drop or switch sections without just cause. The last day to add a class is Friday, August 27. The last day to drop a class is September 3, 2004. All academic dates can be found on the academic calendar at: www.ou.edu/admrec/fall2004.htm.
Accommodation Policy
If you are a student in this course who has a disability that may prevent you from fully demonstrating your abilities, you should contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations that will allow your full participation in the course.
Format of Assignments
All papers to be turned in for grading (excluding the Essay Exam Unit paper) must be typed, Times New Roman 12 pt. font, 8½“ x 11” paper with 1” margins and double-spaced. This INCLUDES drafts. Follow MLA format for proper formatting and documentation of sources.
Final Exam Period – Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
There is no final exam for this course, but there is a mandatory exam requirement during this time, and students must be present to pass the course. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made for this time period.
Release Statement
This course policy statement is subject to change as the needs and circumstances of the course dictate. The class will be notified, however, of changes in advance.