Mesa Community College

Joan Massey’s Internet Personal and Exploratory Writing Class

English 217 Syllabus—Winter 2008/2009

Instructors:

Dr. Mary Aldridge, Section Numbers 

Office: LO 10 in the LA building (NW corner of campus)

Office Phone: 480-461-7361

Internet Address: mary.aldridge@mcmail.maricopa.edu

Joan Massey, Section Numbers

Office: LO 9 in the LA building (NW corner of campus)

Office Phone: 480-461-7601

Internet Address: jmassey@mail.mc.maricopa.edu

Diane Svoboda, Section Number

Office: LO 11 in the LA building (NW corner of campus)

Office Phone: 480-461-77605

Internet Address: dsvoboda@mail.mc.maricopa.edu

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Students are responsible for all information in the syllabus and for the college policies included in the college catalogue and the student handbook.

 

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:  Students in this class are expected to read the section in the student handbook about academic misconduct and to follow the rules and guidelines that are listed.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Since this is an Internet-based class, all information for the class (assignments, calendar of assignment due dates, lectures, instructions, etc.) can be found at the following link:

 

http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~jmassey/eng217/eng217.html

**Attention**

Success in This Course Depends on Your Careful Reading of All Materials!!

English 217


Assignments


Lectures


Library


Resources

Dear Internet English 217 Students:

Welcome to this Internet English 217 class! We are happy to have you as students and look forward to working with you this semester. We know that for some people an Internet-based course might be a little threatening, and for others, it is an exciting and convenient approach to learning. Whatever your experience level is with computers, you can be assured that you have assistance available to help you set up your system and to succeed in this course.

***You, however, must supply the motivation to succeed. ***

NOTE: Procrastination is usually the main reason for students not being successful in this type of course. It is essential that you set time aside to work on the course. Also, it is extremely important and necessary that you keep up with the assignment due dates.

NOTE: If you have not paid the fees for your classes, please do so immediately. Otherwise you may be purged from the classes you are registered for and may not be able to re-enter them.

The following is a memo sent by the MCC Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs:  “Beginning Spring 2008, students will be charged tuition and fees when dropped from classes after the 100% refund period (whether through the purge process for non-payment or instructor removal for failure to attend).”

Please read the following information closely:

This course is designed so students may finish before the scheduled end of the course, but they must finish within the allotted time for the semester. In the fall and spring, the course is 16 weeks long. In the summer, the course is either 5 weeks or 8 weeks long. All assignments will be due before or by the last date that is listed on the grade sheet and calendar. It is extremely important that you print out and follow the schedule listed on the sheet. No work will be accepted after the last day listed. There are advantages to taking English in distance learning format, but having extra time is not one of these advantages. You will need to spend the same amount of time on this course as if you were in a classroom.

NOTE: There are specific due dates for each assignment that must be followed. You cannot do the assignments at your own pace. There is an assignment calendar on the Assignments Menu and at the beginning of Unit 1 in the course that gives you the due dates for each assignment.

NOTE:  If you have not contacted your instructor or sent her any assignments by the end of the first week, you may be withdrawn from the class.

MCC’s English distance learning courses are Internet courses. The entire curriculum of the course, assignments, lectures, instructions, and examples are web pages that you must view with a web browser. Most of the communication between instructor and student is accomplished by e-mail. You must provide your own Internet connection (provider) at home.

E-Mail:

** You MUST set up an MCC e-mail account. You will not be on your instructor's distribution list if you do not use MCC's e-mail, and you will miss any mailings your instructor may send out to the entire class. If you have not set up your account yet, you need to log in to the address below and create this account now. If you do not yet have Internet access at home, you can create this e-mail account from MCC's library or computer lab. If you prefer to use another e-mail account for communicating with your instructor, you still need to set up the MCC e-mail account. You can then set it to forward any mail from your instructor to your preferred e-mail address. Click on the following link to set up your MCC e-mail account:

  http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/apps/mymcc/CreateAccount.jsp

Registering for e-mail is simple and fast! However, you need to be aware of the items listed below before you begin:

You must be a registered student at MCC. So that the e-mail server will recognize you, please wait at least two hours after registering for your classes before activating your e-mail account.

After registering for your e-mail account, wait at least one hour before accessing it for the first time.

Registering for your e-mail will both set up your account for Internet e-mail and will register you in any class bulletin boards set up for your courses.

MCC offers a student portal page that you can access with your MCC e-mail username and password. This MyMCC portal page is a valuable tool for this course. You will find a link to MyMCC on each of your assignment pages. This portal lists all the courses that you are taking This portal page will also have a class roster of other students in your class, and their MCC e-mail addresses. If you use another e-mail program for this course, it is required that you have any mail from your MCC e-mail account forwarded to your other e-mail account. You can do this using MyMCC. Choose the MyTools link, and then the Forwarding Mail link from the menu. You can access the student portal link from the address below.

http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/apps/mymcc/Index.jsp

Software Required: This course requires specific software. At this time, the MCC help desk supports Mozilla or Netscape as web browsers and e-mail programs. If you do not have either of these browsers, you can download them from the following link:

http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/its/tss/software.html

If you prefer to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer and its mail program, Outlook Express, you may do so, but if you have technical problems with this software, you may not get as much help from the MCC help desk.

The last important piece of software is the word processor for the course: Microsoft Word. If you do not have MS Word version 6.0, 97, 2000 or later, it will be up to you to convert your files from your word processor to MS Word, or use the MCC computer lab or library to do the final copies of your paper. MS Word is listed as a software requirement for this course.

If you have any questions about setting up or using the software provided, or your mail account, please call the MCC Help Desk at (480) 461-7217. If all technicians are busy, you will be switched to voice mail. Please leave a message, including the best time to reach you and a phone number.

NOTE: By enrolling in an Internet-base course, you will have access to MCC’s Multi-use Computer Lab. You must have your MCC I.D. to access the Computer Lab. You will also have access to the new Paul A. Elsner Library & High Technology Complex.

Distance Learning Profile:

Distance learning Internet courses are designed for students who cannot attend regular classes at MCC. The student profile of a successful distance learning student is one who is self-motivated, self-directed, and an independent learner. As most lectures and instructions are written, good reading skills and the ability to follow written directions are essential.

Prerequisites for English 217: ENG 101 and ENG 102

Course Materials: You are not required to purchase a book for this course. All materials are included in the course on the Internet. The following optional materials, however, may assist you in your writing for the course.

Optional Materials:

Course Description: The objectives of Personal and Exploratory Writing as outlined by Maricopa Community College District are to use writing as a tool "to explore one's self and the world one lives in; emphasis is on expository writing as a means of learning." This course is not to be confused with Creative Writing wherein students are usually free to choose the topics as well as the genre. Whereas Creative Writing uses fiction and poetry as vehicles for writers to express themselves, Personal and exploratory writing calls on writers to draw from their own lives, to explore their own personal experience as foundation for the required types of writing: journal entries and expository essays.

 

 

MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

 

ENG217   19946-20046

    Personal and Exploratory Writing

 

1.

Use a minimum of 20 personal and/or academic journal entries as sources for public writing.

2.

Use writing effectively to explore one's thoughts and personal experience.

3.

Use writing to enhance critical thinking skills in examining ideas and issues.

4.

Develop effective invention, drafting, revising, and editing strategies as used by serious writers.

5.

Use peer critiquing skillfully as a technique for giving, receiving, and using feedback to revise writing.

6.

Read, analyze, and interpret academic discourse critically.

7.

Effectively integrate resource material into academic exposition.

8.

Write competent non-fiction prose as demonstrated in 4-6 substantial papers of 1000 words each.

How does this class differ from a traditional English 217 class?

In many respects, this class is similar to a traditional English class. You will write the same kinds of compositions and receive the same preparation for writing across the curriculum in every department.

In other respects, this class is very different. It is conducted on the Internet using a variety of technological communication tools which will be very helpful both in college and the workplace after college.

Because this is not a traditional class, you will be expected to be an active learner rather than a passive receiver of information. By reading about a specific mode of composition and then reading essays that use that mode, you will discover how to use it yourself when you write your own essays.

 

 

Grade Sheet & Calendar for Internet English 217

Winter Intercession 2008

 

               Due Dates

Assignment 1:

Intro. To Instructor: 5 ______ 12/23/08

Assignment 2:

Intro. To Class:5 _____ 12/23/08

Assignment 3:

Critical Decision: 10 ______ 12/26/08

Assignment 4:

Myself.: 10______ 12/27/08

Assignment 5:

Autobiography.: 100______ 12//29/08

Unit 1Total: _______

(130 Points Possible)

                    Due Dates

Assignment 6:

Personal Choice: 10 ______ 12/30/08

Assignment 7:

Friendship: 10 ______ 12/30/08

Assignment 8:

Fear: 10 ______ 01/01/09

Assignment 9:

Response: 10 ________ 01/02/09

Unit 2 Total: ____________ ____

(40 Points Possible)

                Due Dates

Assignment 11:

Personal Choice.: 10 _____ 01/02/09

Assignment 12:

Mem. Character: 10 ______01/03/09

Assignment 13:

Childhood: 10______ 01/04/09

Assignment 14:

Response: 10_____ 01/05/09

Assignment 15:

Descriptive Essay: 100_____ 01/06/09

Unit 3 Total: ________________

(140 Points Possible)

 

                 Due Dates

Assignment 16:

Personal Choice: 10 _____ 01/07/09

Assignment 17:

Simile/Metaphor: 10 ______ 01/08/09

Assignment 18:

Response: 10______ 01/09/09

Unit 4 Total: _______________

(30 Points Possible)

                Due Dates

Assignment 20

Personal Choice: 10 ____ 01/11/09

Assignment 21:

Customs: 10 ________ 01/12/09

Assignment 22:

Comm. Service: 10______ 01/13/09

Assignment 23:

Response: 10______ 01/14/09

Assignment 24:

Personal Narrative Essay: 200______ 01/16/09*

*This is the last day work will be accepted.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

Unit 5 Total: ________________

(240 Points Possible))

 


Total Course Points: _________

(580 Points Possible)

Percentage:_____________

Final Course Grade: _______

 

 

 

 

 

Class Policies

PLAGIARISM: Besides academic performance, students should exhibit the qualities of honesty and integrity. Any form of dishonesty and plagiarism makes you subject to disciplinary action, which may include failure in the course.

Definition of Plagiarism:  In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.

          Council of Writing Program Administrators

Some common examples of plagiarism of English assignments are the use of paraphrase or quotes from another writer without documentation, copying all or parts of another writer’s paper, having another writer do the paper, and purchasing another writer’s papers.

When your instructor for this class has carefully considered the evidence and concluded that a student has deliberately plagiarized, the instructor will assign the student a failing grade in this course. 

Additionally, an instructor may recommend to the department chair and dean any of the following:

Academic probation

Suspension from the college

Expulsion for the college

The English Instructional Council strongly urges course failure as the sanction to be imposed when major assignments are found to be deliberately plagiarized.

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding institutional policy and due process procedures.

NOTE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISIBILITIES: *If you have or think you have a disability, including a learning disability, please contact Disability Resources & Services to make an appointment for appropriate accommodations. 480-461-7447. *

DRS is located in building 37, on the east side of the courtyard next to the Kirk Student Center. We are open from 8-8 M-Th, and 8-5 on Fridays.

          ATTENDANCE:  Since this is an Internet Class that does not meet in a classroom on a regular basis, turning assignments in on scheduled due date will count as attendance.

Failure to meet two assignment deadlines may result in withdrawal from the course unless you make other arrangements with your instructor.  A student will not receive prior notification of withdrawal if he or she has not been participating in the course on a regular basis. 

WITHDRAWALS:  Failure to meet two assignment deadlines may result in withdrawal from the course.  A student will not receive prior notification of withdrawal if he or she has not been participating in the course on a regular basis. 

NOTE:  A student must inform the instructor if he or she wishes to be withdrawn from the course for any other reason than late work as the instructor may not automatically withdraw a student for reasons other than missing assignments/attendance.

Communication with your instructor is extremely important in this class.  If a student is having problems that interfere with his or her success in the class, the student must share that information with the instructor in order to try and find a possible solution if there is one.

Assignment Schedule:  Students may work to the specific assignment schedule or may work ahead and complete assignments earlier. Although students can complete the course early, a final grade for the class CANNOT be given prior to the end of the semester.  A 10% penalty will be given to late assignments. Assignments within a unit are considered late after the completion date of each unit. Assignments are sequential and must be submitted for grading in the order that they are assigned. Assignments must be turned in as they are completed. No more than two essays may be submitted in any given week.

MCC Computer Lab: This course is designed for you to work either at home, using your own computer and connected to the college and your instructor by modem, to work in the MCC Computer Lab, or to work using a combination of both. You paid a fee for the use of the MCC Computer Lab, including the E-Mail system and the modem telephone lines. To enter the lab, you will need to use your MCC identification card in order to check in at the main desk. The MCC Computer Lab is in BA1S.

Scanning Data Disks: You will use a data disk to save your work in the lab. It is important that you scan your disk for viruses before each session in the lab. This will protect your data, and if you are using a computer from home, it will protect both your computer and the lab computer. The virus checker is on the main menu.

The Writing Center: Professional English tutors are available to MCC Students through the MCC Writing Center. You may call for an appointment and sit down with a tutor one on one to receive any help you need in writing your papers. NOTE: Tutoring is available by appointment only; do not just show up for help.

NOTE: Since this is not high school, you will not be reminded to turn in work. It is assumed that if you are adult enough to attend college, you should be adult enough to be self-motivating!

Grading Policies

There will be six separate grading units in this course, each unit's grade being made of several learning assignments. The assignments will include journal writing activities and six major essays (700 to 900 words each). The average of the grades will determine the final grade.

Assignment Points:

Points will be given as follows:

Unit Totals:

Course Total: 810 points

NOTE: You will be responsible for keeping track of your assignments and the grades they receive. Assignments will be responded to in a timely manner. When you receive a grade for an assignment, you will need to record that grade on the GRADE SHEET you can print off from the Assignments Menu page of the course. If you do not hear about your work, you need to contact your instructor to see if he or she has received it. Keep careful records so that you know at all times just where you stand. This is your responsibility!

Grades:

Grading of Papers Policy:

An 'A' paper--to receive an 'A' grade, a paper must have the qualities of originality, enthusiasm, and liveliness. Your view(s) will be logical/logically presented and supported; the paper will be well organized. Mechanics/grammar will be very nearly perfect with no spelling errors or sentence structure errors (fragments, comma splices, etc.).

A 'B' paper--To receive a 'B' grade, a paper must have nearly the same qualities as an 'A' paper, but it may lack some of the originality and liveliness in content. Mechanics/grammar still need to be excellent with no spelling errors or sentence structure errors (fragments, comma splices, etc.).

A 'C' paper--A 'C' paper is average. Content must still be logical and valid, but the presentation may be less original, enthusiastic, and lively. There may be a few grammar errors (still no serious sentence structure errors) and perhaps 3 or 4 spelling errors (though this is still excessive at the college level).

NOTE: It is not possible to receive a grade higher than a 'C' on a paper that contains sentence structure errors.

A 'D' paper--A 'D' paper is less than satisfactory in terms of content and/or may contain a number of mechanics/grammar errors.

An 'F' paper--an 'F' paper demonstrates more than one of the problems indicated in the description of a 'D' paper and/or other major problems such as lack of care in typing, etc. Of course, any paper that is found to be in any way plagiarized may automatically eceive an 'F' (and may also earn the student an automatic 'F' in the class).


Grading Considerations:

The following will be considered in determining the grade for each assignment:

Essays

Organization:

Grammar:

Punctuation::

 

Journal Writing Assignments

Each journal writing assignment needs to be a minimum of 400 words long, and each one is worth 10 points. While the items listed above will be considered, you can usually expect to receive the full 10 points for each journal writing entry as long as it meets the minimum word length requirement.

Once you have read and feel that you understand the information in this syllabus, you are ready to begin the assignments. Click on the Assignments link below, click on Unit 1 and begin with  Assignment 1.

Assignments

Once again, welcome to our English 217 class. Your instructor looks forward to hearing from you soon.

English 217


Assignments


Lectures


Library


Resources