Summer 2009-M/W

GENERAL STUDIES SYLLABUS

Course Name: ENG 191: Composition and Rhetoric I Credit Hours: 5

Course Number: CRN# 40169 Time: M/W 8:00-10:20 (Rm 109)

CRN# 40170 M/W 10:30-12:50 (Rm 223)

Required Textbook: Bullock, Richard, Maureen Daly Goggin, and Francine Weinberg. The Norton Field
Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook. New York: Norton, 2008.

*Other materials, including an e-copy of this syllabus, may be found at <http://eng191-

summer2009.blogspot.com>.

Required Materials: flash drive or place to save work—you can save in filestore!
pens, pencils, and paper (be ready to write—by hand—every day)

Instructor: Shawn McCauley Office: Room 207

Email: spmccau@emory.edu Phone: 770-975-4027 (leave a message!)

Course Description: Focuses on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on
exposition, analysis, and argumentation, including introductory use of a variety of research skills; explores the
analysis of expository essays and creative nonfiction about issues in the humanities and in society. The course
includes a review of grammar and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing, with emphasis on the rhetorical
function of these mechanics. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research.

Prerequisites: An ASSET Reading score of 41 and a Writing score of 43, or a Compass Reading score of 79 and
Writing score of 65.

Course Evaluation: Grading Policy:

Daily Writing Assignments 10% A=90-100
Grammar Exam 10% B=80-89
Final Exam 15% C=70-79
Three Major Papers 20%+20%+25%=65% D=60-69
Assignments Total 100% F=0-59

Instructional Objectives and Course Goals: Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the following
areas:
1. Read literature, essays, and articles and analyze the methods of development
2. Comprehend and apply the concepts of coherence, unity, and adequate support in the paragraph and the
essay
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of writing for purposes of illustration, narration, description, instruction
in or explanation of a process, definition, comparison and contrast, division or classification, causal
analysis, or persuasion

1
Summer 2009-M/W

4. Demonstrate the ability to formulate a topic sentence or thesis statement that is specific and appropriate to
the rhetorical situation at hand
5. Write essays based on personal experiences, observation, and/or assigned readings
6. Develop skills in editing for mechanics and spelling and in proofreading
7. Identify the major steps in conducting research
8. Locate and use appropriate reference materials for written and oral reports
9. Analyze personal writing and the writing of others, and make revisions to improve style, organization,
development, or format

In Class Activities: During every scheduled class meeting, there will be some form of in-class writing.

Out of Class Activities: Outside of class, you will be responsible for completing the required readings and drafting
the three major papers, as well as any other work that the instructor chooses to assign.

Grammar Exam: All English students at North Metro Technical College take standardized grammar exams no
matter the level of the English class. In English 191, this test is 10% of the final grade. It will cover sentence-level
errors such as comma splices, run-ons, fragments, subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement and errors,
commonly confused words, and sentence combination. It will be administered on Monday, May 4, 2009.

Attendance Policy: In this class, there is no such thing as an excused absence—you are either here or you are not.
You are, however, allowed three (3) absences over the course of the quarter without penalty. For each additional
absence, five (5) points will be deducted from your final grade.

Make-Up Policy/Late Work: Late work will be penalized two letter grades for each day that it is late. The first
deduction goes into effect at the end of the regular class meeting in which the assignment is due. The final exam
will be administered on the last day of class only. If you are absent, it will not be possible to make up the exam.

Extensions: No extensions will be given for the major papers.

Rough Draft Policy: Rough drafts of the major papers are not explicitly required, but I will be happy to take a look
at one if given sufficient notice.

Classroom Behavior/Expectations: Although I run a relatively loose, laid-back, conversational classroom, there
are a few basic rules that you will be expected to follow:
-Come to class on time and stay for the entire class. Leaving early or showing up late equals an absence.
-Raise your hand if would like to ask a question or contribute to class discussion.
-Be respectful toward your classmates and your instructor.
-All cell phones should be turned OFF and kept in your backpack/briefcase/purse/pocket/etc. during class.
-If you send text messages in my class, I will ask you to leave and mark you absent.
-If you sleep in my class, I will ask you to leave and mark you absent.
-All in-class writing assignments should be written in a clear, legible hand.
-All of the major papers must be typed, double-spaced, and follow MLA guidelines for format and
citations. You will be penalized if you fail to meet these basic formatting requirements.

Laptop Use in Class: Laptops will not be allowed in the classroom, except for students with properly documented
special learning needs.

Course Withdrawal Policy: Through the end of the eighth (8th) week of the quarter (Friday, May 22, 2009), a
student may drop part or all courses from his/her schedule. To withdraw from classes, a student must obtain a
Withdrawal Form through the Registrar’s Office, obtain the signature of the instructor, sign and date the form, and
submit it to the Registrar’s Office no later than the end of the eighth (8th) week of the quarter (May 22nd).

A student who stops attending a class but does not complete a Withdrawal Form and submit it to the Registrar’s
Office in the required manner will remain on the class roll and will be assigned the appropriate academic grade by
the instructor of the class. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit this form.

2
Summer 2009-M/W

A student cannot telephone the instructor of the Office of Student Services to request to be dropped from a course.
He or she must follow the procedure above. If a student simply stops attending a class, s/he will receive a grade of
zero (0) for all assignments missed. These zeros will be averaged with any existing grades to determine the
student’s final grade for the class.

Statement of Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the use of another’s words/ideas without citing those ideas.
Any/All work submitted in this class will be done so under the idea that it is your work only. If it has your name at
the top, in other words, YOU are solely responsible for its content. If you want to use work previously completed
for another class as part of an assignment in this class, you MUST be given explicit permission to do so. You more
than likely will not. Any assignment that is discovered to be plagiarized will be given a zero (0) as the final grade.
We will discuss this is much more detail as the quarter progresses. Before the first assignment is due, you will be
given a handout on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it, which you will then sign and return to me.

Accessibility to Classrooms and Labs: Students will have access to classrooms and labs during the class hours
indicated in the Quarter Schedule of Classes. If a student desires access to the classroom or lab outside of these
hours, prior arrangement should be made with the instructor. Each classroom or lab will be locked when classes are
not scheduled for that room.

Special Learning Needs: Students should notify the instructor if they are experiencing difficulty in learning the
material assigned in this class. The instructor will work with students individually to help overcome any obstacles
that may impede the learning process. The Office of Disability Resources at North Metro Technical College
coordinates a variety of support services for persons who are (1) blind or have impaired vision, (2) deaf or have
impaired hearing, (3) learning disabled, (4) physically disabled, or (5) medically impaired. Students may request
services or accommodations to fit their individual needs by providing appropriate documentation as to the degree of
disability. To initiate services, applicants must schedule an appointment with the Director of Disability Resources in
Room 101H in the 100 Building, or call (770) 975-4099.

Safety/Emergency Procedures: It is the policy of North Metro Technical College to maintain an aggressive safety
program throughout all college departments in order to prevent personal injury and material damages. An effective
safety program includes the dissemination of safety precautions which are known to be instrumental in preventing
accidents and maintaining a safe working and learning environment. The instructor is responsible for making each
student aware of the established guidelines outlined in the NMTC Safety and Health Program. Students and faculty
are expected to abide by these guidelines and to make suggestions and recommendations for improvement to the
college’s Health and Safety Committee. Emergency procedure drills will be carried out periodically on a campus-
wide basis.

Work Ethics Grade: The principle mission of North Metro Technical College is to provide students with the
necessary skills to become successful employees in the career fields of their choice. To be successful in this pursuit,
students must possess both strong occupational skills and good work habits. North Metro Technical College is
committed to incorporating these good work habits into every facet of its educational programs. In addition to the
academic grade received in this course, each student will also receive a Work Ethics grade that will document his or
her adherence to Work Ethics measures.

Job Placement Procedures: North Metro Technical College provides career placement assistance for graduates
through a team effort built on the involvement of the faculty and coordinated through the Office of Career
Placement. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Career Placement at the beginning of their last quarter
of enrollment. The Director of Career Placement will assist the student in preparing an appropriate strategy for
finding the type of position for which the student is trained. It is the policy of North Metro Technical College to
provide services to program-admitted students for a period of one year after successful completion of their program
of study.

Graduate Warranty Policy: Under the school’s Graduate Warranty Policy, employers may send North Metro Tech
grads “back to school” within two years of the employee’s graduation date for free retraining. This warranty is valid
when the graduate is unable to perform one or more of the competencies contained in the industry-validated
Program Standards in courses the student passes while at North Metro Technical College or any of Georgia’s

3
Summer 2009-M/W

technical colleges. After completing this class, should students desire further skill building, upgrade training, or
licensure/certification preparation, they should see their faculty advisor for direction and recommendations.

NMTC Library Information: There are resources available in the library on reserve that may help you with this
course. There are videos, CDs, and guided study sheets that cover Grammar, Speech/Presentation Skills, Writing,
and Study Skills.
Library hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm
Friday 8:00am-4:00pm
Contact Info: Kate Stirk, NMTC Librarian
Desk phone #: 770-975-4054 kstirk@northmetrotech.edu

Jeff Fisher, NMTC Librarian

Desk phone#: 770-975-4134 jfisher@northmetrotech.edu

Galileo password: “tooth” (all lower case!)

Student Success Center Information: Any student who needs help with topics covered in this course should visit
the Student Success Center in Room 120.

Important Numbers: Here is a list of numbers/resources you may need during the quarter.
Bookstore: 770-975-4033
Inclement Weather Line: 770-529-2307
Security: 770-529-2311

Important dates for Summer quarter:

Thursday, July 2: Open Registration Payment Deadline at 6:00pm
Friday, July 3: Holiday - Campus Closed
Monday, July 6: Summer Quarter Classes Begin
Wednesday, July 8: End 100% Refund Period at 6:00pm; Tuition and Fee Payment Deadline at 6:00pm
(Any unpaid balance at this time will result in ALL your classes being dropped. You may re-register only
with instructor approval and submittal of an add form to the Office of the Registrar before the Final
Registration Deadline.)
Monday, July 13: Final Registration Deadline to add available classes at 6:00pm
(Any unpaid balance at this time will result in ALL your classes being dropped. No classes can be added -
or re-registered - after this deadline.)
Monday, August 10: Midterm & Last Day to Withdraw with a W (by 6:00pm); Current Student/Early Registration
for Fall Quarter Begins. Early Registration for Fall Quarter will remain open until 6:00pm on 9/16/2009
Friday, August 28: Last Day to Withdraw from Classes
(Completed and Signed Withdrawal Form due in the Office of the Registrar by 4:00pm)
Monday, August 31: Last Day to Withdraw with a WP or WF (by 6:00pm)
Saturday, September 5: Holiday Weekend - No Classes
Monday, September 7: Holiday - Campus Closed
Tuesday, September 8: Admission Application and Document Deadline for Fall Quarter
Monday, September 8: Last Instructional Day of Classes
Tues-Wed, September 15-16: Final Exam Days
Wednesday, September 16: Summer Quarter Ends; Early Registration for Fall Quarter ends at 6:00pm
Friday, September 18: Early Registration Payment Deadline for Fall Quarter at 12noon
(Any unpaid balance at this time will result in ALL your classes being dropped. You may re-register during
Open Registration if space is still available.)
Monday, September 21: Open Registration for Fall Quarter Begins
Monday, September 28: Orientation Sessions at 8:30am, 1:00pm, and 4:00pm; Open Registration Payment Deadline
at 7:00pm

4
Summer 2009-M/W

Note: All policies and procedures set forth in this syllabus are
subject to change. Be in class to be aware of any possible changes!