Writing and Rhetoric II
ENGL-102

Instructor:  Cheri Halvorson

Term: Spring 2020

E-mail:  [email protected]

Office hours: I am available by appointment, or you may visit me during my office hours in CTE-101F on T/TH 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Campus mailbox: Front desk (located inside main doors)

The best way to contact your instructor is via Canvas inbox. I check my inbox and email often, and I will get back to you as soon as I can, but be advised that I teach other courses, and it may be 24 hours before I am able to return your email.

If you have questions about assignments, your first course of action should always be to check the syllabus and the Course at a Glance (our course calendar); you may also check with classmates regarding missed lectures and in-class activities.

Days and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Location: Parker Technical Education Cen, 220

This course provides instruction in the research and writing skills and processes. Students will learn methods for gathering, evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting a range of sources in support of expository and argumentative essays. Emphasis is on critical thinking and writing clear, concise, and effective prose. The course is required for all transfer degree programs.

You must obtain this specific translation of The Canterbury Tales.  There are many available translations, but for passage identification and class discussions, you'll be much better off with the text designated for this course. 

Posted in a separate module on Canvas.  These MUST be printed out and brought to class on the day assigned.

• Note-taking materials of your choosing (e.g., notebooks, pens, pencils, laptop, etc.)
• Access to a computer for word document creation and slide presentation creation.

Back up and save ALL the work you do for this class.

College-level dictionary of your choosing.  (The Dictionary.com app for a smart phone is ideal.)

Written Communication:  State of Idaho Competencies

• Use flexible writing process strategies to generate, develop, revise, edit, and proofread texts.
• Adopt strategies and genre appropriate to the rhetorical situation.
• Use inquiry-based strategies to conduct research that explores multiple and diverse ideas and perspectives, appropriate to the rhetorical context.
• Use rhetorically appropriate strategies to evaluate, represent, and respond to the ideas and research of others.
• Address readers' biases and assumptions with well-developed evidence-based reasoning.
• Use appropriate conventions for integrating, citing, and documenting source material as well as for surface-level language and style.

North Idaho College English 102 Course Outcomes

By the end of the semester, a student should develop

• Rhetorical knowledge – the ability to analyze and act on understandings of audiences, purposes, and contexts in creating and comprehending texts;
• Critical thinking – the ability to analyze a situation or text and make thoughtful decisions based on that analysis, through writing, reading, and integration of texts;
• Knowledge of conventions – the ability to apply formal and informal guidelines that define what is considered to be correct and appropriate in a piece of writing.
• Writing processes – the ability to use multiple strategies for writing, including invention, drafting, revision, and editing.

Projects and Assignments                       87.75%

Participation                                                 8.25%

Exams                                                            4%

Note that the following policies are in addition to NIC's general policies for this course.  By remaining in this course, you are agreeing to abide by all policies in this syllabus.

College-level reading and writing involves examining ideas and experiences from a variety of sources and points of view.  In this class, students may be required to read texts or view materials that may be considered controversial or offensive.  The ideas expressed in any given text do not necessarily reflect the views of the instructor, the Division of English and Humanities, or North Idaho College.  Course materials are selected for their social, cultural, artistic, and academic relevance.  They are meant to be examined in the context of intellectual inquiry of the sort encountered at the college level.  No alternative reading materials will be given.

I expect students to practice good classroom behavior in order to be prepared for positive workplace experiences. This is a collegiate setting. As such, you are expected and required to conduct yourselves in an appropriate manner. Remember that there is no smoking/vaping on campus. Offensive language, including curse words or derogatory remarks, is not permitted. This is an English class. It is the goal of this class to expand your perspective as well as your vocabulary. Choose language that conveys your intended meaning with professionalism.

Disrespectful and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If the instructor deems your behavior to be disruptive, you will be required to leave the classroom. If you have concerns about your coursework or about anything that transpires in this class, please discuss this with the instructor before or after class. Do not interrupt the class or take away instructional time from your fellow students to discuss personal matters.

Furthermore, because class time is valuable, I expect students to remain focused and not to distract other students with non-class related discussions. Finally, I expect students to keep an open mind, respect the opinions of others, and think critically.

Students are required to work independently on all tests and assignments. Students must refrain from all types of academic dishonesty which includes the following:

• Copying from another’s work (including anything online, in person, or sample texts)
• Presenting another’s work or ideas as your own
• Supplying one’s work to another
• Recycling a paper from another class
• Giving or receiving copies of examinations without an instructor’s permission
• Using or displaying notes or devices inappropriate to the conditions of the examination
• Allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student (someone else cannot do your assignments or take your exams)
• Failing to disclose research results completely

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating wherein one uses another’s words or ideas without identifying them as such or giving credit to the source. Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Failing to provide complete citations and references for all work that draws on the ideas, words, or work of others
• Using the style, syntax, or wording of another (this includes simply replacing words with synonyms)
• Failing to identify the contributors to work done in collaboration
• Submitting duplicate work to be evaluated in different courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors involved
• Failing to observe computer security systems and software copyrights.

Any student suspected of any of the above-mentioned incidents of academic dishonesty will receive the following penalties:
• Grade: student will receive a grade of zero for that exam/assignment.
• Suspension: student will immediately be suspended from class for two days. During this time, no work will be accepted nor may it be made up.
• Reporting: student will be reported to the NIC English and Humanities Dept. Chair, Lloyd Duman, for proper disciplinary action. This report becomes a part of student’s academic record.
• Meeting: student must attend a meeting with the instructor and the NIC English Dept. Chair before returning to class.
• Expulsion: Multiple incidents of academic dishonesty may result in expulsion from the college.

You are required to submit all writing assignments to the plagiarism checker, Turnitin.com.  Papers are required to have a similarity rating below 10%. If your paper has more than 10% similarity, you may subject to the penalties for academic dishonesty.  See the section above as well as the NIC Catalog for more information on the consequences of plagiarism.

Furthermore, outside source information—even cited information—should be less than 25% of any essay.  (This is often reflected in your similarity rating.)  The intention of this course is for you to learn to analyze and integrate source information skillfully so as to enhance and support your own assertions.  I am here to assess your writing, not the writing of published authors.

I-pods, earbuds, phones, and other electronic devices are not allowed to be used in the classroom unless express permission is granted by the instructor.  Texting is not allowed during class time.  Phones should be placed facing down on the desk in where I can see them. 

Computers may only be used for note-taking purposes or for a specific assignment with the instructor’s permission.  I reserve the right to peruse your computer screens to verify that you are not surfing the web or doing work for other classes.  If I discover that you are using your computer for anything other than note-taking, you will no longer be allowed to use the computer in my class.

Texting and ringing phones: I expect students to respect me and other students by setting their phones to ring silently and by returning phone calls outside of class.  I will enforce the “cookie rule” in this class: if a student’s phone goes off during class, or if a student texts during class, that student is responsible for bringing delicious cookies to share with the class at the next class meeting. 

Attendance is essential to ensure proper understanding of the concepts taught in this course.  I lecture every day, and at every class session you are likely to have either a quiz, exam, rough draft, or final draft due.  There will never be a class session when nothing is going on! 

Attendance and Participation in English 102 are defined accordingly:

• Student does work for English 102 and English 102 only
• Student engages in class discussions
•  Student stays awake (my classroom is not your nap zone)
• If you are doing work for another class, or if you fall asleep, you will be asked to leave the classroom, and this will be considered an absence.

Please be aware that if you miss five class sessions or two consecutive weeks (for whatever reason) prior to Feb. 4, you should consider dropping this course. In addition, if you fail to submit the first or second essay, you should consider dropping this course.  It is extremely difficult to pass this course if you fail to submit either of these essays.

It is your responsibility to drop/withdraw from this course; otherwise, the grade that you earned over the course of the semester (whether or not you attended class) will be submitted to the college at the end of the semester.

It is your responsibility to get assignments and handouts and to make sure that they are turned in if you are absent.  I suggest that you find a reliable person in class to turn in papers for you, get homework assignments, and pick up work for you should you need to be absent from a class.  If you are tardy more than 10 minutes of any class, or if you leave more than 10 minutes early, I will count that as an absence.

Participation and attendance make up 8.25% (82.5 points) of your grade.  You will receive zero points for every class session missed. 

Bonus points:  20 points (2%) will be added to a student’s final grade for perfect attendance for the entire semester.

Tardies and early departures are disruptive and will not be tolerated; two tardies or early departures of more than 5 minutes will result in one absence.  If you arrive late and have missed roll call, it is your responsibility to check in with me at the end of class, or your absence will remain on your record.  Please come in quietly and take the closest available seat by the door to minimize disruptions to the class.

Should you discover that you are unable to regularly attend class for whatever reason, it is imperative that you discuss this with the instructor as soon as possible.  Telling the instructor of work schedule changes, illness, family emergencies, etc. after missing several days/weeks is unacceptable.

I do not accept late work without documentation of serious and compelling circumstances.  If you do not have a serious and compelling circumstance (such as an illness or catastrophic event) please do not ask if you may turn in your assignment late.  Again, late assignments are only accepted with documentation of the reason you missed the deadline.

Note that hard copies of all assignments are due and collected at the beginning of class.  Your writing assignments must also be submitted to Turnitin thirty minutes prior to the beginning of the class.  If your work is not submitted to Turnitin at that time, and if I do not receive a hard copy at the beginning of class, it is considered late and will not be accepted. 

I expect every student to take full responsibility for his or her experience in this class.  This means attending class each day, reading the textbook, taking notes in class, participating in discussions, and turning in assignments on time.  It is my desire to prepare you for the workplace.  To that end, you are expected to turn in coursework on time just as your employer would expect the timely completion of job-related projects.  Remember: that it is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments.  Check your syllabus regularly to make sure that you give yourself adequate time to complete assignments.

If you are absent on a day that an assignment is due, know that the assignment is still due on that date. The assignment may be emailed or turned in at the front desk located inside the main doors to be put in my mailbox, but students hold ultimate responsibility for transmission.  You will receive a return email of “work received.”  If you do not receive such an email, the file was not received, and it is still due at the beginning of the class period.  Bring a hard copy to me when you return to class (in addition to the Turnitin and emailed submission).  I must have a hard copy of your assignment if you want to receive a grade.

Pop quizzes may not be made up.

A make-up for a scheduled examination or quiz will be granted only for legitimate and documented emergencies.  Students who find themselves in emergent situations must contact me as soon as possible with documentation. Here are some notes on taking exams: 

• If you contact me prior to a quiz or exam, we can make arrangements for you to take the quiz or exam at the testing center, and there will be no penalty assessed.
• If you do not make arrangements with me in advance, you may not make up the quiz or exam unless there was a legitimate and documented emergency.
• The final exam will be given according to the NIC final exam schedule. It is very important that you take the exam at that time.  The final exam may not be taken before the scheduled day and time unless granted permission by the department chair/dean.  If you cannot take the exam at that time, you must contact me to make other arrangements.
• You may not leave the classroom during an exam or quiz.
• There is no eating allowed during exams.

Note that any assignment designated in the syllabus as an “in-class activity” will be assigned during a class meeting and must be begun/completed in class that class meeting.  If you are absent (unless it is for a documented, serious, and compelling reason), you cannot make up this assignment.

There will be at least one class meeting in a computer lab this semester.  There is no way to make up this session, so it would behoove you to make sure to mark this day on your calendar so you do not forget to attend.

Writing is a process, and essay writing involves more than simply throwing down words at the last minute and submitting a paper on the due date.  This course will lead you through the writing process from pre-writing to submission.  Two of your essays require that you revise your peer-reviewed essays and resubmit them.  Even if your paper received high marks, you must revise it and resubmit to receive a final grade. 

You must submit your writing assignments to Turnitin.  This is a part of your grade, and I cannot grade your paper if you have not done so.  If you bring your essay to class without having submitted it to Turnitin, it will be considered late, and you will receive a zero for the assignment.  There is a threshold of 10% (non-original work) for the turnitin.com report.  Your paper cannot go over 10%; if it does, then you will be held accountable and may be subject to plagiarism consequences.  Make sure your paper is below this threshold!

Essay packet requirements: When the essays are collected, you will need to turn in the following elements in this order:

1) final draft

2) both copies of the rough draft used at the workshop

3) workshop reviews from peers

4) working thesis

5) outline

Please put your packets together before you come to class, and staple or paperclip them together.  A folder is unnecessary.

English 102 is developed around reading assignments, essay writing, and writing workshops which are usually held one week before the due date for the final drafts.  Note that this is a three-unit course.  That means that you should dedicate 6-9 hours per week (2-3 times the number of units) outside of class time toward the work for this course.  The reading for English 101 is intentionally difficult, so you should be prepared to spend some time reading and making sense of what you have read.  As with any writing assignment, always give yourself twice as long as you think you will need to complete an essay. 

For the writing workshops, you are required to bring two, typewritten copies of your rough draft to be reviewed by your peers during the workshop.  You must have these with you at the beginning of class, so make sure to do whatever printing or copying that you need to do before class begins. 

All work should follow the formatting guidelines specified for the assignment. 

Reading reflections and Essays #1 and #2 will follow MLA guidelines for formatting and citation as specified in the MLA Manual 8th edition.  Use Times New Roman font in 12 point, and double space the entire document.

Essay #3 and the accompanying annotated bibliography and oral presentation will follow APA 7th edition guidelines.  Use Times New Roman font in 12 point, and double space the entire document.

NIC has a writing center and a tutorial center that are completely FREE OF CHARGE!

Take advantage of the following tutoring services:
· English/Writing (one-on-one appointments)
· Writing handouts
· Math
· Science

Note: you will be required to attend an appointment with a writing consultant at the NIC Writing Center for your first essay.

There are no extra credit assignments in this course.  If you do your work, you will not require extra credit.

Note that your reading reflection with the lowest grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Bonus points:  20 points (2%) will be added to a student’s final grade for perfect attendance for the entire semester.

If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (i.e., Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act, please contact your instructor as soon as possible and provide the appropriate documentation to me.  Accommodations for test taking and assignments must abide by the rules laid out in the Student Services paperwork.  By law, accommodations cannot be made unless this paperwork is provided to your instructors.

Note that accommodations cannot be made retroactively.  In other words, tests and assignments given prior to my receipt of your DSS paperwork cannot be redone to facilitate accommodations, so you must get paperwork to me ASAP.

See "Disability Support Services" section below for more information.

I do not mind if you enjoy a refreshing/warm beverage or if you eat in class as long as you are not disruptive (crackling of bags, etc.) and as long as you throw away your trash when you leave class. However, eating is not allowed during exams and quizzes!

Visitors are not permitted.  Each of you expects and deserves a distraction-free learning environment.

A syllabus is a contract between the student and the instructor.  By staying in this class, you demonstrate acceptance of this contract, adherence to these policies, and knowledge of both the expectations and the means by which your work will be evaluated.

Any portion of this syllabus could change as outside influences dictate, but you will be notified in advance.

NIC English and Humanities Division

Absences
The English and Humanities Division has agreed upon a recommendation that students not miss more than the equivalent of two weeks in a single course, which means six absences in a three-day-per-week class, four absences in two-day-per-week class, two absences in a one-evening-per-week class, or two weeks of online participation.

Plagiarism Policy
NIC’s English Department believes strongly in the ability of its students to:
1. write works in which they use their own ideas and words
2. correctly borrow the words and ideas of others
The department’s definition of plagiarism comes from the Council of Writing Programs Administrators’: In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (no common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.

Behaviors considered plagiarism would include:
1. Using someone else’s exact words without using direct quotes.
2. Paraphrasing or summarizing someone’s words or ideas without giving credit to the source’s author.
3. Submitting another’s work as the student’s own. This includes a purchased paper, a borrowed paper, or portions of another person’s work. 

Turnitin: NIC subscribes to a plagiarism-prevention service, called Turnitin, which is integrated with our Canvas course software. When you turn in your assignments to this site, whether during the drafting process or on a final due date, the software compares your work to many resources on the world wide web, coming up with an "authenticity" report. You will receive more information on this process in class. To avoid plagiarism, cite sources carefully.
Behavior not considered plagiarism but of concern is sloppy documentation of words and ideas borrowed from another source and/or submitting an old paper as new work without the instructor's permission.
In addition to helping students with their current individual writing needs, the Writing Center upholds a student-centered environment that stresses the relationship between strong written and oral communication skills and success both in and beyond college. This environment not only helps students become more critical readers and more competent writers, but also promotes their success across the curriculum and encourages life-long learning.

Click on the following link for additional information - http://www.nic.edu/websites/index.asp?dpt=105 

The Writing Center: The Writing Center is located in Lee Hall Annex (behind Lee/Kildow Hall). It is open to all students across campus for help with their writing. They are open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Fridays. 

Academic Dishonesty 
Violations of academic integrity involve using or attempting to use any method that enables an individual to misrepresent the quality or integrity of his or her work at North Idaho College. These violations include the following:

• Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study in any academic exercise.
• Fabrication: falsifying or inventing any information or citation in an academic exercise.
• Plagiarism: knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in an academic exercise.
• Violation of Intellectual Property: stealing, altering, or destroying the academic work of other members of the community or the educational resources, materials, or official documents of the college.
• Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: knowingly helping another to attempt to violate any provisions of this policy.”

Violations of academic integrity may result in failure of an assignment, failure of the course, or more serious sanctions.

“For a complete explanation of the North Idaho College Statement on Academic Honesty & Academic Integrity please refer to Policy 5.06 & Procedure 5.06.01: http://www.nic.edu/policy/ 

Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct applies to any student enrolled at North Idaho College.  This includes, but is not limited to, face-to-face classes and Internet classes.

NIC shall maintain a Student Code of Conduct that specifically addresses prohibited behavior and assures due process for alleged violations. The Code of Conduct shall make clear possible sanctions for such actions. Policy Manual (See 5.06)

Disability Support Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504/508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, North Idaho College provides accommodations to eligible students who experience barriers in the educational setting due to learning, emotional / mental, physical, visual, or hearing disabilities. Instructors will provide accommodations to students only after having received a Letter of Accommodation from Disability Support Services (DSS).

If a student would like to request accommodations, he or she must contact DSS so that a Letter of Accommodation may be sent to the instructor. Students requesting accommodations should contact DSS as early in the semester as possible to avoid delay of accommodation due to student load.  Accommodations are not retroactive. DSS provides academic accommodations, access, assistance and services at NIC and at the North Idaho Consortium of Higher Education campus.

Contact:
Disability Support Services Website
(208) 769-5947

Withdrawal
Please check the NIC Calendar for the last day students can withdraw from full-length courses.

Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal: An instructor has the right to withdraw a student for academic reasons. For more information, see the Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal Procedure.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress (SAP):Federal Regulations require North Idaho College to establish Satisfactory Academic Progress standards (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The purpose of SAP standards are meant to ensure that students and academic institutions are held accountable to the taxpayer-funded federal student aid programs while students complete their academic goals in a timely manner. This process monitors student performance in all terms of enrollment, including terms in which the student did not receive financial aid. For more information, see the Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress website.

For more information on withdrawals, see the NIC Student Accounts website.

Title IX

North Idaho College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment.  If you have been the victim of sexual harassment/misconduct/assault we encourage you to report this.   If you report this to any college employee, (except for a licensed counselor or health care professional) she or he must notify our college's Title IX coordinator about the basic facts of the incident (you may choose whether you or anyone involved is identified by name).  For more information about your options at NIC, please go to: www.nic.edu/titleIX or call (208) 676-7156

INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT

Removal From Class For Non-Attendance:  Attendance is based on your participation in this class. Failure to attend will result in your being removed from this class and may result in your financial aid award being reduced. You are responsible for confirming the accuracy of your attendance record.