Essay 1: Surveying the Conversation (“Listening In”) 4–5 pgs

Write a 4-5 page expository essay that demonstrates a functional literacy of your topic, understanding of the conversation, and your ability to perform broad rhetorical analysis.

Essay 2: Describing the Conversation (“Topics, Talkers, & Trends”) 6–7 pgs

Pick an issue (important, popular, or divisive) within the conversation on your topic. Write a paper that explains various perspectives on this issue, addressing at least five different sources. Rather than presenting the issue as having two sides (those for or against something), explain more than two points of view, showing the complexity of the issue. At some point in the paper, take your own stand or articulate your own perspective, but be sure the majority of the paper explains the larger conversation surrounding the issue.

Essay 3: Joining the Conversation (“Say Something!”) 8–10 pgs

Write a well-informed^[3], smart^[4], conference style paper theorizing an aspect of your topic. While you may shape your paper and determine its direction and content, you should take into account what you’ve learned during this course: begin by showing the conversation your paper is responding to (“they say”), have a clear statement of your own argument or focus (“I say”), include paraphrase (and quotes, if needed) and incorporate them smoothly, use appropriate transitions, and explain why the issue matters. You might also consider adding metacommentary and finding ways to include your own voice, even though this is academic (“smart”) writing.

In preparation to write this essay, you may be asked to write a proposal that explains your topic, describes your research approach and potential sources, and addresses questions and concerns you have about the project. You may also be asked to prepare an annotated bibliography that discusses and evaluates the sources you’ve found for Essay 3. For each source, include a brief summary explaining what “they say,” discuss what you say in response, and indicate how you might use the source in the longer essay.
your English Department file.

Journal (“Read, Respond, & Reflect”)

In preparation for your essay assignments, you are required to keep a reading journal (mostly) on a topic of your choice. Guidelines, requirements, and evaluation criteria will be discussed in class.

“Other Stuff”: Activities, Assignments, Exercises, Quizzes, Etc.

“Other Stuff” includes writing activities, exercises, prewriting, responses, peer review, quizzes, etc. (may be in-class or take-home; individual or collaborative). These “smaller” assignments will not be accepted late and cannot be made up.^[5]

Participation & Professionalism (…and Preparedness, Engagement, and Enthusiasm!)

This category includes your

• preparedness (of assigned readings, assignments, etc.);
• engagement in class classroom and online discussions;
• consistent attendance, attention, and punctuality (to class meetings, with informal writing, and in submission of assignments)
• good faith, productive involvement in formal and informal group work; and your commitment to inquiry, engagement, and intellectual development
• professional approach, attitude, and actions (to the class, toward your classmates, and to me);
• enthusiasm! (…if not, then the absence of visible apathy, annoyance, and/or aversion).

University Attendance Policy Statement

Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled University classes and to satisfy all academic objectives as outlined by the instructor. The effect of absences upon grades is determined by the instructor, and the University reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of non-attendance.

Students are responsible for arranging to make up work missed because of legitimate class absence, such as illness, family emergencies, military obligation, court-imposed legal obligations or participation in University-approved activities. Examples of University-approved reasons for absences include participating on an athletic or scholastic team, musical and theatrical performances and debate activities. It is the student’s responsibility to give the instructor notice prior to any anticipated absences and within a reasonable amount of time after an unanticipated absence, ordinarily by the next scheduled class meeting. Instructors must allow each student who is absent for a University-approved reason the opportunity to make up work missed without any reduction in the student’s final course grade as a direct result of such absence.

University Disability Policy Statement

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), students who require special accommodation due to a disability to properly execute coursework must register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and follow all SAS procedures. SAS has offices across three of FAU’s campuses – Boca Raton (SU 133; 561-297-3880), Davie (LA 131; 954-236-1222) and Jupiter (SR 111F; 561-799-8585) – however disability services are available for students on all campuses.

University Code of Academic Integrity Policy Statement

Students at Florida Atlantic University are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. Academic dishonesty is considered a serious breach of these ethical standards, because it interferes with the university mission to provide a high quality education in which no student enjoys an unfair advantage over any other. Academic dishonesty is also destructive of the university community, which is grounded in a system of mutual trust and places high value on personal integrity and individual responsibility. Harsh penalties are associated with academic dishonesty. For more information, see University Regulation 4.001: Code of Academic Integrity.

University WAC Policy Statement

This writing intensive course serves as one of two “Gordon Rule” classes at the 2000-4000 level that must be taken after completing ENC 1101 and 1102 or their equivalents. You must achieve a grade of “C” (not C-minus) or better to receive credit. Furthermore, this class meets the University-wide Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) criteria, which expect you to improve your writing over the course of the term. The University’s WAC program promotes the teaching of writing across all levels and all disciplines. WAC asserts that writing-to-learn activities have proven effective in developing critical thinking skills, learning discipline-specific content, and understanding and building competence in the modes of inquiry and writing for various disciplines and professions.

If this class is selected to participate in the university-wide WAC assessment program, you will be required to access the online assessment server, complete the consent form and survey, and submit electronically a first and final draft of a near-end-of-term paper.

Writing Program Absence Policy Statement

More than two weeks’ worth of unexcused absences may result in an F unless you successfully apply for a grade of W.

Our collective experience as teachers of writing suggests that students who miss more than two weeks’ worth of class are unable to produce passing work and ultimately fail the class. That fact reflects both the rigorous pace of this course and the fact that what students learn in this class, they learn in the classroom through group work, discussion, and writing activities (work that cannot be made up).

Writing Program Plagiarism Policy Statement

Students must abide by the University policy on plagiarism. Students who plagiarize work will fail this course and have a notation of academic irregularity placed on their transcripts.

The Undergraduate Catalog describes academic irregularities, which, on the first occurrence, can result in a grade of “F” for the course and a notation on a student’s record, and, on the second occurrence, can result in expulsion from the University. Among these is plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a form of theft. It means presenting the work of someone else as though it were your own, that is, without properly acknowledging the source. Sources include published material and the unpublished work of other students. If you do not acknowledge the source, you show an intention to deceive.

Plagiarism is an extremely serious matter. If your instructor suspects that you have plagiarized all or part of any of your work, she or he has the right to submit that work to SafeAssign or Turnitin, our plagiarism detection services.

Attendance, Absences, & Tardiness^[6]

In this class, there are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences. Instead—like in the professional world—you have personal days. Because we meet twice a week, you may take up to four personal days during the semester without penalty (two weeks’ worth of class meetings). You may use personal days for any reason—illnesses, appointments, work, interviews, etc.

One absence after your four personal days will result in a 10% deduction from your semester grade. Two absences after your four personal days will result in a 20% deduction from your semester grade. Three absences after your four personal days will result in failure of the course, as per English department policy: “absences in excess of two weeks’ worth of class risks failure.”

While you should inform the instructor of planned absences (see the second bullet below), please do not ask about planned (or unplanned) absences. “I’m going to my cousin’s wedding in Idaho, and my flight leaves Thursday night. Can I miss class?” Of course you can, but it will use up one of your personal days. “I wasn’t in class yesterday because my dad forgot about my schedule and took the car—I had no way to get here. Is that okay?” Of course it’s okay—stuff happens—but it still counts as one of your four personal days.

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Please arrive on time and stay the entire class period. If tardiness or leaving early are frequent or excessive, you may be marked absent for the class period.

Assignments, quizzes, and in-class work completed/turned in on the day of an absence cannot be made up. If you know in advance that you will miss class, please make arrangements with the instructor to turn your work in ahead of time. In the case of extended illness or other inability to attend class or fulfill your required coursework, you may apply for an Exceptional Circumstance Withdrawal (ECW) through the Associate Vice President & Dean of Student Affairs Office—the deadline for fall 2016 ECW applications is November 22. See University Regulation 4.013 for the complete university policy on Withdrawals for Exceptional Circumstances.

Assignments (Formatting & Submission)

In general, work should be formatted academically and should adhere to the conventions of its genre. When required, please include appropriate, correct MLA/APA/AP citations and documentation. Instructions for assignment submission will be discussed in class and posted on the website in advance of the due date.

Technology: Email, Website Assignment Information, and Student Responsibilities

Academic Dishonesty

Don’t do it.

If you are ever unsure about whether or not the work you are doing is plagiarism or might be considered academic dishonesty, you are strongly encouraged to discuss it with your instructor. If you come to the instructor with questions regarding these matters, you will not be penalized. However, if you are “caught” plagiarizing after you have turned an assignment or draft in, there will be no discussion and no excuses—you will be penalized.

Be advised, your instructor may submit any of your coursework to SafeAssign and/or Turnitin.com plagiarism detection services. In the case of images/illustrations (or texts composed in applications other than word processors, like desktop publishing apps), the instructor may require you to submit your source files.

Professionalism

You will have homework—readings, assignments, or both—due almost every class session. Readings must be completed before class time. You must read carefully and thoughtfully. I expect you to come to class with an understanding of the reading material. This will necessitate you looking at examples, considering questions posed in the text, and generally, engaging with the material. If there’s something you don’t understand or aren’t familiar with, you’re expected to look it up. If you still don’t understand, please bring your questions to class.

You must carry yourself professionally at all times; be prepared for class, work with others, communicate professionally, and be attentive in the classroom. This means that you must take notes, ask questions as appropriate, respond to questions, participate in group activities, etc.

Your cell phone must be turned off and placed in your pocket, purse, or bag. You may not do any of the following during class time: send or read text messages, check personal email or Facebook, work on material unrelated to class, chat, browse the web, or listen to mp3 players (no earbuds, etc.). Students who are engaged in non-class related activities, students who are unprepared for class, and students who fall asleep may be given an absence for that class period.