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                                                   ENC 1101 English Composition I

                                                              Syllabus 2006-2007

 

            English Composition I is a writing course.  It includes instruction in the forms of discourse, methods of development, techniques of writing, and points of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.   Bedford Handbook 7^th ed. serves as a reference for instruction in the basic skills, and the writing of essays provides student practice in the use of the skills.

            Since organized thinking is the basis for good writing—and English Composition I is a writing course—discussions of the ideas and techniques exemplified in a book of modern essays, The Longman Reader 7^th ed. will clarify the writing assignments.  This general syllabus will keep the student informed of the instructor's plans, while it leaves some choice of selections to the instructor, who will specify these far enough in advance so that the student can arrange his or her study schedule to the best advantage.  The student will also occasionally be given handout materials to be read, kept, and studied as text.

            All instructors encourage their students to confer with them, and all have set posted office hours for this purpose.

 

A.        BACKGROUND

            English 1101 courses stress (1) the analysis of the classical and modern essay and (2) the writing of compositions, with emphasis on methods, relevancy, logic, adequacy of organization and development, and coherence.

 

B.         WRITING

            1.  Each student shall be required to write compositions of varying lengths and as many elements of compositions as his instructor deems advisable, some of which may be written in class.

 

            2.  Each instructor will explain the grading system and related matters.

 

            3.  All papers prepared out of class shall conform to the instructor's requirements concerning typing and format.

 

            4.  All papers must be proofread carefully; the student ALWAYS bears responsibility for typographical accuracy, even if someone else types his/her paper.

 

 

 

C.        GRADING OF COMPOSITIONS

            Papers shall be graded by the student's individual instructor according to the nature of the composition assigned and at his or her discretion as to the weight of these key elements for evaluation:  mechanics, sentence structure, originality and content, organization, and diction.

 

D.        TEXTS, REFERENCES, AND OTHER MATERIALS

 

            1.  A college dictionary (for example, The American Heritage Dictionary);

 

            2.  The Longman Reader, 7th  ed.;

 

            3.  Bedford Handbook 7^th ed.;

 

            4.  Miscellaneous supplies:  To be determined by individual instructor

 

E.         COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

            1.  Students must complete all assignments.

 

           2.  Student essays will have a heading, title page, or cover sheet on which the following information will be placed:

 

                        a.  Student's name

                        b.  Course number and section (for example, ENC 1101 #40213)

                        c.  Instructor's name

                        d.  Type of assignment (for example, Description)

                        e.  Total number of words

                        f.   Date typed

                        g.  Essay title centered

 

            3.  All typed papers must have standard margins and must be double-spaced, unless otherwise specified.

 

            4.  All students must give an oral presentation.

 

            5.  STUDENTS MUST EARN A C OR BETTER IN THE COURSE TO SATISFY THE   GORDON RULE REQUIREMENT.

 

F.         WORDS OF ADVICE

 

            1.  Clarity

 

                        When writing, students should observe the basic rules of conventional grammar, stating their ideas and conclusions in clear and precise standard English by

                        a.   using standard verb forms;

                        b.   maintaining agreement between subject and verb, pronoun and antecedent;

                        c.   using proper case forms; and

                        d.   employing standard practices for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

                        e.   using correct sentence structure

2.  Coherence

 

                        Students are wholly responsible for reviewing, editing, and proofreading their essays to assure clarity and consistency.  The ideas stated in each paper should be developed in well-organized paragraphs leading to a conclusion which reaffirms the thesis.

 

            3.  Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

 

                        The English department at Indian River Community College is committed to honesty in academic affairs.  Violations of this policy include cheating on quizzes, tests, examinations, and assignments; unauthorized possession and/or use of study/examination materials; collusion; plagiarism.  Plagiarism is taking someone’s words or ideas as if they are your own.  Incidents of dishonesty will be reported to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.

 

                        Based on the severity of the act of dishonesty, penalties may include failure of the assignment/test, failure of the course, suspension from the college, expulsion from the college.

 

4.         Any student considering dropping this course should speak to the instructor before withdrawing.

 

 

G.        LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

            Students who enroll and successfully complete ENC1101/Composition I from Indian

River Community College faculty can expect the following learning outcomes:

 

1.      To communicate with clarity and effectiveness;

2.      To write effective essays in the traditional rhetorical modes;

3.      To read for critical insight;

4.      To write essay-length critical judgments.