Class Policies
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE: English
100i (Online Version)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jon Sutherland
OFFICE:
Face-to-Face Office Hours: Monday-Thursday
4:20-5:20pm
Virtual Office Hours: Any day, any time
REQUIRED TEXT: The Holt Handbook, 4th ed., Harcourt
1995
COURSE DESCRIPTION
EXPOSITORY WRITING (3 credits): The equivalent of three hours lecture per week.
Prerequisite: A grade equivalent of 13.0 or higher on the English Placement Test or a
grade of "C" or higher in ENG 22. This version of the course is Internet
intensive. However, it is the equivalent of the standard English 100 course. The critical
difference is that the class will be conducted over the Internet. Class
"meetings" and activities will occur online via email, the WWW, and, possibly,
live chat. Because of the nature of this course, the student planning to enroll must be
aware of the special qualifications/ requirements (see Special Computer and Internet
Requirements below).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the course is to learn and practice an effective, efficient, systematic
approach to college-level writing tasks. More specifically, you will learn and practice:
- Strategies that are designed to explore and discover content and form appropriate
for college-level essays
- Some of the major modes: analysis, persuasion, argument, problem-solving as
primary structures for developing theses
- Modes (besides those listed above, such as description, narration,
comparison-contrast, cause-effect) as secondary patterns of development
- Strategies for receiving and giving feedback on topics, plans, and drafts,
generated by you and your peers, in a collaborative atmosphere of learning
- Reviewing-editing skills to produce drafts that are of college-level quality
- Skills designed to familiarize you with computer-mediated instructional
strategies, including email, the WWW, etc.
SPECIAL COMPUTER AND INTERNET REQUIREMENTS
On or before the first day of instruction, you must email the instructor, Jon, informing
him that you've registered for the course. Be sure to include the email address you will
be using during the semester in the body of your message.
HELP FOR ONLINE PROCEDURES: If you're familiar with the Internet but having problems with
a specific online procedure (e.g., logging on to the Internet or class webpage, with
downloading/uploading files from/to the Internet, or with reading/writing email), be sure
to contact Jon immediately. Send him email at Jonathans@houd.edu or call him at (808)
734-9413. If he's not in, leave a message on his voice mail. If he doesn't
have the answer, he'll get it for you, or he'll be ale to point you in the right
direction.
THE INTERNET: You are responsible for acquiring your own Internet account. From the first
day of instruction, YOU MUST HAVE AN INTERNET ACCOUNT that allows you to participate in
the online activities that comprise the course. For more information, please email me at
JONATHANS@HOUD.EDU.
WWW: The instructor's webpage for this English 100 course includes the course syllabus,
course schedules, checklists for the different assignments, tips on using the Internet,
etc. It can be accessed at
You don't need a web browser to access this webpage. For example, on the UNIX servers, you
can browse the pages via gopher or lynx. At the "unix" prompt, type:
MINIMUM ONLINE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to those qualifications (or prerequisites) that apply to the standard ENG 100
course, the participant must be willing and able to
- Access the online (Internet) course conferences (primarily email; may include live-chat
sessions) and resources (primarily WWW) from the CC campus, other college campus, home,
office, dorm, etc.
- Log into online course conferences and resources a minimum of 4 days a week: on any 3
weekdays (Monday-Friday) and 1 weekend day (Saturday or Sunday). Recommended: Log in at
least once a day.
- Actively participate in all online discussions, forums, and chats; "active
participation" means posting and responding to email in class or group conferences
- Spend a minimum of 2.5 hours a week (distributed over 4 or more days) on online,
class-related activities (i.e., the length of each logon may vary from 15 to 90 minutes;
however, the total for a week should be no less
than 2.5 hours)
- Maintain an accurate personal log of online course-related activities, which is to be
shared, via email, with the instructor for evaluative purposes at least once a week
- Maintain files (on disk, online, or on hardcopy) of all the required or evaluated course
exercises and drafts generated during the semester
- Turn in "readable" exercises and
drafts (preliminary and final) online, using a word-processing program (e.g., MS-Word,
Word Perfect) or an online editor such as Pico (the editor in Pine); "readable"
means standard ASCII text that can be clearly displayed by the Pine mail reader
- Upload and download files between his/her
Internet subdirectory and a personal computer (at home, in a lab, etc.); files should be
standard ASCII and free of proprietary formatting
- Work effectively and collaboratively with peers in small online groups to complete tasks
and exercises
- Serve as an online small-group facilitator (leader) for one of the five assignments;
each assignment will take the class through a four-stage writing process spread out over
two-to-threee weeks; facilitators will work closely with the instructor during their
tenure, communicating with him via email re the group's progress
- Optional: Learn how to develop a homepage on the server; the purpose of the homepage is
to share with classmates and the instructor a personal bio and drafts of papers written
for the course
- Privately confer with the instructor, via email, re performance in the course, at least
twice during the semester: once in the first half and once in the second half of the
semester
- Meet all deadlines for tasks and exercises set by the instructor and his/her group
- Follow all rules developed for the course
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
The participant is willing and able to
- Access the online course conferences and resources from at least _two_ of the following
sites: the CC campus, other college campus, home, office, dorm, etc.
- Log into online course conferences and resources at least _once a day, 7 days a week
- Spend a minimum of 5.0 hours (distributed over 7 days) a week on online, class-related
activities (i.e., the length of each logon may vary from 15 to 90 minutes; however, the
total for a week should be no less than 5.0 hours)
- Besides actively participating in all online discussions, forums, and chats -- initiate
and guide discussions, encouraging cooperation, collaboration, and growth for all
participants
- Serve as a tutor for peers re specific Internet skills
POLICY FOR COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments must be completed by the dates specified in the schedule of activities
designed for each class.
PENALTY: There will be a point penalty for assignments
completed after the due date.
RATIONALE: Most if not all of the writing process activities this semester will be
conducted in email exchanges between you and your classmates and the instructor. You must
be able to keep up with the pace by completing assignments in the required time.
ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS, AND GRADES
Five major papers are required:
Word
WP Paper
Total
Essay Count
Pages
Score Score
Score
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
#1 0750-1000 3-4
060 100
0160
#2 0750-1000 3-4
060 100
0160
#3 1000-1500 4-6
060 150
0210
#4 1500-2000 6-8
060 200
0260
#5 0750-1000 3-4
060 150
0210
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
Total
300 700
1000
Word Count: approximate number of words in an essay;
a standard, double-spaced typewritten page will hold
about 250 words.
WP Score: Writing Process: based on meeting deadlines, preparedness, and
quantity/quality of email feedback provided to classmates.
Email Score: quantity and quality of email messages related to online instructional
activities
The following percentages will be used to evaluate your overall performance:
70% performance and improvement in final drafts
30% performance on writing process activities (meeting
deadlines, preparedness, etc., including quantity/quality of email comments
Your final course grade will be determined by your total score:
Total
Semester
Score
Grade
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
900-1000 A
800-0899 B
700-0799 C
600-0699 D
000-0599 F
To receive a grade for this course (a) all final drafts or revised final drafts must be
turned in on or before the announced deadlines and (b) all exams must be taken as
scheduled. Course grades will be determined on the basis of performance and improvement:
- Performance will be measured primarily by the scores on final drafts (70%)
- Performance will also be determined by scores on writing process tasks, primarily on
meeting deadlines, preparedness, and quantity/quality of email comments and feedback
provided to classmates (30%)
- Improvement will be measured by an overall growth in performance from one assignment to
the next and from one final draft to the next
- Style and mechanical errors will be identified on your final drafts; a significant
reduction in the frequency of these errors in subsequent drafts will serve as an indicator
of growth in performance
- Serious writing errors must be progressively and significantly reduced by the end of the
semester; if they persist, you will not pass the course; frequent instructor requests for
revisions of final drafts is an indication that your errors may be serious; see the
instructor for clarification
- From time to time, please confer with the instructor via email to discuss your
performance and improvement
HOW TO INTERPRET YOUR SCORES
Each final draft (FD) will receive either a score or an "R&R". The
"R&R" means that you will need to Revise and Resubmit your FD. Scores will
be reported in two parts: ___ + ___. The first is your writing process (WP) score;
the second, your paper score. The WP score is made up of the points you earn daily via
attendance and preparedness; the paper score is based on the overall quality of your final
draft. The essays, scores, and grade equivalents are as follows:
To assess the quality of the Total Score:
Essays 1,2 Essays 3,5
Essay 4
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
A
144-160 189-210 234-260
B
128-143 168-188 208-233
C
112-127 147-167 182-207
D
096-111 126-146 156-181
F
000-095 000-125
000-155
To assess the quality of the Paper Score alone:
Essays 1,2 Essays 3,5
Essay 4
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
A 84-100
129-150
174-200
B 068-083
108-128
148-173
C 052-067
087-107
122-147
D 036-051
066-086
096-121
F 000-035
000-065
000-095
FINAL EXAMS
The final paper, assignment #5, will serve as the final exam. You must complete the exam
for this class by the day and time scheduled. If you cannot, please inform the instructor
within the first three days of instruction.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Failure to observe the following rules may result in a failing score for the assignment or
the course:
- Avoid plagiarism: All work must be original. Borrowed ideas and words must be
appropriately cited. Be sure to properly identify the sources for paraphrases and
summaries, as well as for direct, indirect, and partial quotes. For exceptions and for
further information on this subject, please read the rules governing student conduct at
the Community College. Also read the appropriate sections in The Holt Handbook, 4th ed.
- Do not submit papers from/for other courses: If you plan to use material from a paper
written for another course, you must inform the instructor on the day topics are selected.
- Do not submit work that has been substantially written or
rewritten by another person. All work must be your own. You are encouraged to seek help at
the Learning Assistance Center. However, do not ask tutors, friends, relatives,
instructors, etc., to help you compose the sentences and paragraphs in your essay.
Instead, ask them to help you identify and correct the types of errors that the instructor
has indicated. If you're not sure about the appropriate level of help, please see the
instructor.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Primary emphasis will be on collaborative workshopping, or the electronic exchange of peer
feedback on plans and drafts. Other methods may include:
- Online discussion, large- and small-group (e.g., an instructor-class dialogue to clarify
the assignment criteria)
- Brief written lecture (e.g., a mini-lesson on the characteristics of an effective thesis
statement)
- Email or live-chat conferencing (individual/small-group)
- Electronic discussion and exercises on readings and activities (in the handbook, on the
web, etc.)
- Exam: a final essay exam will be given
DIFFICULTY
The overall purpose of the course is for you to become familiar with the writing process
and to be able to apply it to a variety of rhetorical problems. As the course progresses,
the problems grow in difficulty and the writing process, in turn, becomes increasingly
complex. Knowledge and skills gained in earlier assignments will be not only useful, but
necessary, for the successful completion of subsequent writing tasks.
INFORMATION AND ASSIGNMENTS
You are responsible for all information disseminated in class. When necessary, exercises,
evaluation criteria, exam/quiz schedules, due dates, etc. will be changed, revised, or
updated. These will be reported in class; when possible, information will be distributed
in handouts. Remember, however, that all the information cannot and will not be printed
and distributed via hardcopy or email. You must log on and read class-related email
regularly to receive to keep up. If you misplace or miss vital information, seek help from
a classmate. The instructor will not be responsible for information you've missed.
PERSONAL RECORDS
Retain copies of all work turned in. Do not lose or destroy records (email) containing
evaluation or feedback data (grades, scores, comments, etc.). In the event of
discrepancies, your records may be required.If you discover a discrepancy, report it to
the instructor at once. If you keep your files in your server subdirectory, be sure to
make backup copies on disks or your personal hard drive.
SFILE
When your final draft is considered exemplary, the instructor will ask you for a SFile
(SF) copy. Please submit a clean revision as soon as possible. It will be included in an
online anthology for students to read. Bonus points will be awarded for works turned in.
If you wish to turn in a SFile after the official close of the semester, please inform the
instructor in writing; you will receive the bonus points.
WRITING PROCESS TASKS
Each of the essay assignments will require the completion of various tasks that are
distributed over a number of sessions. (As much as possible, these activities,
pre-planning, etc., will be conducted in large- and small-group online settings, which
will require your active
participation.) The four phases, taken together, make up the writing process. They are:
PRE-PLANNING
- Clarifying the assignment: What should the essay be about? How long? Time line?
- Exploring topics: What's a good subject? What are some possible subjects?
- Selecting/declaring topics: What could I write about? What will I write about?
PLANNING
- Developing a writing plan
- Stating goals: What is my thesis? What is the main point I want to make?
- Applying the primary mode of development: What is the general form for this essay? How
should I organize this essay?
- Brainstorming: What can I say in my essay to develop my thesis?
- Reading and writing exercises, discussions, to identify and understand primary and
secondary modes: What are some of the applicable patterns of development for this
assignment?
- Online writing exercises to practice modes and/or writing labs to discuss specific
writing problems: How do I actually use these modes? How do I get started?
- Editing exercises to practice draft review skills: How do I review a draft?
TRANSLATING
- Translating plans to words on a computer screen (or on paper); normally done out of
class. This is the stage at which you are actually writing your preliminary drafts, review
drafts, and final drafts.
REVIEWING (Formative and Summative)
- Formative Review: An integral part of the first three phases of the writing process.
Feedback from your peers and the instructor will answer questions such as: Based on
readings, class discussions, and comments from the instructor and your peers, do your
drafts meet the criteria for the assignment?
- Summative Review: As the final phase in the writing process, the focus is on major
drafts:
- Review Draft (RD): Typed or computer printed; a copy for your peer review group and a
copy for the instructor
- Final Draft (FD): Typed or computer printed;
revision based on feedback from RD session; to be evaluated by the instructor
- Revised Final Draft (RFD): Typed or computer
printed; on occasion, the instructor may request or offer the option to submit an RFD
- SFile Draft (SF): Typed or computer printed;
the instructor may request a SFile copy of your essay; SFiles are collections of
student-written models kept on reserve at the CC library and the LAC.
In the final stages of the writing process, every essay will pass through at least the
first two draft reviews; the draft review sequence is (1) RD, (2) FD, (3) RFD, (4) SF.
Typically, four-to-six sessions will be required to complete the four phases; however, the
actual time span and the specific tasks will be determined by the length of each session
(50 or 75 minutes), number of sessions in the semester, progress of the class, and other
considerations.
REVIEW DRAFT (RD) SESSION
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS: Do not ask the instructor to read your paper prior to the RD session.
PREPAREDNESS: Your paper must be complete, and it must show signs of revision. Remember
that the "R" in "RD" does not stand for "Rough."
PEER COMMENTS: Each RD must be accompanied by a Peer Comment Section(PCS), which is
appended to the end of the RD. You will be required to carefully review, comment on, and
"sign" your name in your classmates' PCS. You should read between 5 and 10 RDs.
Your PCS must be appended to the final draft. It will serve as a measure of the reviewers'
performance during the RD session.
VALUE OF RD SESSION: The RD sessions are demanding, but they will help you in several
ways:
- They give you, the writer, information that
may be useful in pre-planning, planning, translating, and revising your drafts
- They give you, the reviewer, practice in
reviewing, editing, and revising skills that will help you in your role as a writer
- They empower you, the student, by giving you
much of the responsibility for your own learning; the reward is increased confidence based
on knowing how to solve a variety of academic writing problems
SASE
Optional: Send the instructor a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your final
scores and grade mailed to you.
8-POINT MANUSCRIPT CHECKLIST FOR RD'S AND FD'S
___1. The draft is in standard ASCII text.
___2. The following information is included on the upper left corner of the first page:
(a) the writer's first and last name, (b) English 100, Section, (c) Date
(DD/MM/YY)—the date is the day the work is turned in, and (d) Assignment Description
(e.g., FD2, SF4, etc.):
John Smith
ENG 100, Sec. _____
19 Aug. 1996
FD1
___3. The writer uses standard fonts. Italics, bold, or all upper-case fonts should not
be used. To indicate underline or italics, place an underscore line at the beginning and
at the end of the phrase or title, e.g., _The Red Badge of Courage_.
___4. The paragraphs are not right justified, and long words are not split with hyphens
at the end of the line.
___5. Single-space is used throughout the paper.
___6. The paper includes a title that is provocative, original, informative, and
memorable (POIM); the title is centered and located on the line following the ID
information. The title is written in normal font, using both upper- and lower-case
characters.
___7. For FDs: A Peer Comment Section (PCS) is appended to the draft as the last page.
If this sheet is not included, the draft will be returned unread. This sheet will be
retained by the instructor as a record of the quality/quantity of the reviewer's
assessment.
___8. The thesis is marked [THESIS].
