syllabus

English 1301:
Composition and Rhetoric
Spring 2009
Instructor: Landon Moore
Office: English building, Room 454
Office hours: Tuesday 9 a.m. to noon and by appointment
Email: landon.moore@ttu.edu

Textbooks:
Texas Tech‘s English 1301/1302 Textbook (Custom Edition 2008-2009)
The St. Martin’s Handbook (TTU Custom Edition)

Course Objectives:
*Introduction to fundamentals of basic writing across the curriculum
*Basic understanding of expressive writing and application in regards to academic and creative writing

This course is designed to introduce freshman-level students to the basic fundamentals of writing for all disciplines in preparation for college and professional careers. You will be expected to complete all assignments (including briefs, a daily journal, and a final draft) as well as participate in class activities, individual and collaborative.

Brief Assignments:
These tasks will be assigned weekly and will focus on one particular writing skill such as summary, paraphrase, evaluation of source material, etc.

Drafts:
You will complete a first draft, which will consist of an analysis based on a topic of your choice that has been approved by the instructor. A second draft, including the revisions suggested by the graded first draft, will be required.

Daily Journal:
At the beginning of each class period, I will give the class a topic. You will write to this topic for ten minutes. While the grammatical structure of these entries will not be graded, I expect you to devote thought and creativity to each journal topic.

Grade Weights:
30% Brief Assignments
20% Daily Journal
20 % First Draft
30% Second Draft

Assessment:
This course will be assessed using a scale of one hundred percent:
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 and below

Due to departmental policy, I am prohibited from rounded grades or assigning extra credit.

Due Dates:
If you turn in an assignment late, expect to encounter grade penalties of ten points for each day the assignment is late.

Attendance:
As this is a course that meets once a week, you are expected to attend all class periods. If you must miss class for a university activity, I must be notified prior to the event with written documentation. Likewise, you must provide a doctor’s note if you miss class due to illness. After two absences, each missed class period will result in a 5% deduction from your final grade.
When you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up the work you have missed by contacting another student from the class.

Technology:
Cell phones and other devices must be turned off when you enter the classroom. If you wish to record lectures, I must be informed before the class period begins. Laptops will be permitted for note-taking purposes. If the laptop becomes a distraction to you or other students, you will be asked to put it away.

Communication with Instructor:
Learning does not stop once you leave the classroom. Therefore, I encourage you to speak with me outside of class. The best way to contact me will be to visit my office during assigned office hours. If you are unable to visit me during the time allotted, look at the syllabus. Look at the assignment. Read the textbook. If you still have questions, you may set up an appointment outside of office hours, or send me an email. I check messages and respond fairly quickly during the weekdays. However, I will not necessarily reply to your concerns after 6 p.m. or Friday through Sunday.