ENGL 391: Workshop in English I Spring 2016 Dr.

Cheryl Duffus
M 1-1:50 pm
Professor Information
Professor

Dr. Cheryl Duffus, Associate Professor, Department of English Language

& Literature

Office

Craig 206 B

Phone

x4409

Email

cduffus@gardner-webb.edu
NOTE: All Gardner-Webb University students and faculty must use their
Gardner-Webb University email addresses for conducting academic
business.

Email
Availability Please note that you should expect at least a 24-hour window for a response
to an email or other electronic communication. During university holidays
and breaks, that window may be longer.
Office Hours: MW 10-11 am, 2-3 pm, MWF 10-11 am, and by appointment
Course description
Studies in the exploration, research, development, and presentation of a new prospectus for a
major research and analytical essay on a subject appropriate to the major.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201
Texts Recommended
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Edition- New York: Modern Language
Association, 2009.
The MLA FAQ site addresses several recent documentation or format issues
http://www.mla.org/handbook_faq
Purdue OWL is also a good resource.
Harmon, William. A Handbook to Literature. 12th Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2011.
Includes definitions of literary terms, genres, and theories.
Other materials
Students should come to each class meeting with a portfolio (digital, printed, or a combination)
of reading notes, copies of (or links to) articles with marginal notes. The portfolio will be

collected according to the class schedule for evaluation. Portfolio material (digital or printed)
should be categorized in the following way.
1. Abstract/critique/analyses of source material
2. Copies of (or links to) source material, properly labeled
3. Copies of reading notes and reflections
Reading notes may include marginal notes, underlining, etc.
Reflections are periodic self assessments of the students argument and key ideas
(in other words, a recording of what Im thinking now).
This course will also use Google Drive to share work with the professor, mentors, peers,
and the instructional librarian embedded in the course.
Methodology
This is an informal workshop class. Consequently, participation and interaction are important
elements of this class and will be factored into the final grade. In addition, each student will be
assigned a mentor from the English department to serve as a resource person at various stages of
the process. This person should be chosen on the basis of professional expertise, affinity with the
student, and faculty workload. Students will be required to meet with their mentors for at least
five conferences and to provide them with drafts of their work. Mentors are not responsible for
day-to-day research, bibliographic, and editorial details; rather they serve as outside resources,
sharing their expertise in the form of general guidance, draft review, advice concerning primary
and secondary sources, and overall response to the progress of the project.
Course Learning Outcomes
In ENGL 391 students will
1. Strengthen research and critical thinking skills identifying appropriate primary and secondary sources for the research project,
reading analytical literature with understanding and critical discernment,
evaluating critical/analytical texts,
choosing materials most suitable for inclusion in the student's final essay, and
synthesizing the material that has been read
2. Develop a broad repertoire of techniques for finding information in a library and through
other information sources including electronic databases and the Internet
3. Address scholarly concerns about issues such as plagiarism that accompany the research
process and to examine contemporary academic ethics
4. Explore individual scholarly interests
5. Interpret and apply MLA documentation guidelines
6. Compile both a working and annotated bibliography of sources for a research project
7. Compose a prospectus and a literature review for a major research and analytical essay on
a subject appropriate to the major
Assessment
Assessment in this course is not confined to the major assignments such as the bibliographies
and prospectus.. I'll assess class and individual progress in several other ways - ranging from
reports about your mentor meetings to peer review content.

You will also assess. I'll ask you to provide feedback on an assignment, course design, or
delivery. And I'll ask you to reflect on your performance or progress - individually and as a peer
reviewer. Some assessments will be graded, others will not.
Assignments

Major Assignments

A working bibliography of at least 35 entries. This must include books and

articles in scholarly journals as well as primary and secondary sources. Divide
the bibliography into primary and secondary sources and alphabetize the
entries in each section.This will be submitted in 3 installments and a final,
compiled working bib of all 35 sources, alphabetized and divided into primary
and secondary sources, will be submitted at the end of the semester.
An annotated bibliography of at least 25 entries. This list is part of the total 35
entries in the working bibliography and includes only secondary sources. This
will be submitted in installments, and a final, compiled annotated bib of all 25
annotated sources, alphabetized, will be submitted at the end of the semester.
A polished prospectus for a researched analytical essay related to the student's
track as an English major. The prospectus should include a detailed description
of the project with a working thesis and justification for the essay, a list of
research problems and strategies for handling them, a tentative description of
the essay organization.
Literature Review: a review of the major relevant literature in the field, and a
preliminary bibliography (based on the annotated bibliography). The review of
literature should survey major trends in scholarship related to the topic in some
detail, noting points of agreement and disagreement among scholars. Also, the
literature review will include a brief description of each primary source, noting
its usefulness to the project. All work must be typed and must follow MLA
style.
Five Abstract/Critique/Analyses(ACE) for five of the bibliography sources.
These should be no more than 2 pages long, (See Abstract/Critique/Analysis
Assignment.)

Minor Assignments

Participation and Attendance, including a Writing Conference

Process work or drafts of assignments
Project Proposal
Mentor meeting reports - a minimum of 5
Peer reviews - as assigned
Reflections - as assigned

Final Exam
The Final Exam for this course will be at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.
Please make plans accordingly.
Assignments
Attendance and Participation
(bringing all porfolio work
each week, participating in
class activities), 5 points per
class, 14 total

Weight in Final Grade

8.4%

Points
70 points total

3 peer reviews, 10 points

each

3.6%

30 points total

5 mentor reports, 10 points

each

6%

50 points total

5 installments of
Bibliography, 25 points each

15%

125 points total

ACEs, 5 total, 41 points each

25%

205 points

Final Compiled Working Bib

(35 sources, no annotations),
25 points

6%

50 points

Prospectus

18%

150 points

Literature Review

18%

150 points

Total

100%

830 points

Final Complied Annotated

Bib (25 sources), 25 points

English Department Grade Scale:

A+ - 100-99
C+ - 85-84
A - 98-96
C - 83-80
A- - 95-94
C- - 79-78
B+ - 93-92
D+ - 77-76
B - 91-88
D - 75-72
B- - 87-86
D- - 71-70
F - 69>
Policies
Attendance:
University policy dictates that attending fewer than 75% of the scheduled classes results in
automatic failure for the class. In a small class such as this it is essential to inform the professor
of absences in advance whenever possible. As this class only meets twice a week and as
collaboration and in-class work are necessary for the methodology of the course, unexcused
absences as well as missed mentor appointments will have a direct impact on the final
grade.
NOTE: Students MUST attend all ENGL 491 presentations. Also note- three tardies or
early departures constitute one absence.
Plagiarism:
Using another's words or ideas as your own will result in a grade of F on the work involved,
possible failure of the course, and/or consultation with the Dean of Student Development. Also,
the department is aware of the prevalence of Internet sources that provide student papers and is
constantly monitoring the proliferation of these sites.
Students should familiarize themselves with Turnitin.com. It is the English departments policy
to use this service as one tool for encouraging academic integrity. Therefore, unless otherwise
indicated, all essays and summary/abstracts submitted via Blackboard will also be submitted to
Turnitin.com.
NOTE: It is the English Departments policy that a grade of FX for the course will be
assigned any time a student submits any draft of a major assignment of which a substantial
portion has been falsely represented as the students own. Minor assignments that are
plagiarized will also be prosecuted according to University Academic Dishonesty Policy.
Also, resubmitting work done for a previous class for credit for this class without my
permission will be considered academic dishonesty.
Communications
1. I'll post information about class changes or cancellations as "Announcements".
Announcements will appear on "My Dashboard" and in your email.
2. If you cannot contact me via phone or stop by my office, use email to ask questions about your
grade or to discuss personal matters. If youre given permission to send an assignment or draft as

an email attachment, also attach a Read Receipt. Doing so will prevent problems resulting
from email failures.
Late Work
Assignments are due on the dates published on the class schedule. There will be a 5% late
penalty each day an assignment is late. However, no assignment will be accepted more than one
week past the due date, unless the student experiences a medical or personal emergency.
Mentors
The mentor's role in this course is a limited one; consultation is intended as a starting point in
moving toward the polished paper and as a near-concluding point for fine checking of content. In
other words, the mentor serves as a source of wisdom for research leads, contextual accuracy,
and inspiration. The mentor is not involved in day-to -day revision and editing tasks but should
conference with the student at least five times during the semester. Mentors and students will
submit informal written reports on the results of their mentor conferences.
Expectations
Professor Respect each individual's views and right to privacy.
Communicate and interact respectfully with all members of the class learning
community.
Give clearly defined assignments
Be punctual and well-prepared for each class.
Introduce concepts and strategies to meet the course objectives and to help develop and
improve writing skills.
Return assignments in a timely manner.
Provide helpful comments on assignments.
Adjust assignment due dates to enable reasonable, on-line submission in response to
GWU and Blackboard maintenance schedules and officially documented ISP or GWU
technology failures.
Post, as needed, schedule changes and other course information on Announcements.
Be fair in grading and in administering class policies Provide support and encouragement
throughout the course.
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the
Student Handbook.
Students Treat everyone as a respected member of the class learning community.
Attend class regularly and on time.
Participate in class discussions and activities.
Check Blackboard announcements at least 3 days a week.
Ask questions about content or the course in Students to Students discussion board.
Stop by my office, email me, or call my office to communicate personal circumstances
affecting your course progress or questions about my evaluation of your assignments.

Call me or stop by my office when you need a response in less than 48 hours
Schedule at least one individual conference with me.
Complete all assignments on schedule and in a scholarly manner.
Submit assignments early enough to avoid last-minute technology failures, or willingly
accept late penalties when not possible.
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the
Student Handbook.
Contact me to discuss all concerns or issues about the course or assignments or to arrange
special accommodations.

Disability Services
A student needing accommodations to participate fully in all class activities and to fulfill
requirements of the class should
(1) Register with The Noel Program for Students with Disabilities. The Noel Program provides
support services to deaf, blind, learning disabled, and others students with documented
disabilities. The Noel Program seeks to provide reasonable accommodations in order for students
to receive equal access to a higher education while striving to assist students to obtain the
knowledge, skills and confidence to become effective self advocates. These accommodations and
services include note-takers, extended testing time, materials in alternative format, lab assistants,
interpreters, mobility training, and adaptive technology. The Noel Program for Students with
Disabilities is located in Frank Nanney Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. To request disability accommodations, please contact: (704) 406-4270 or
disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu
(2) Notify professor as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of class.
Emergency Plans
In case of an on-campus emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please assemble as
quickly as possible at the following location to check in with your professor: parking lot between
Lutz-Yelton Hall (dorm) and Nanney Hall.
University Writing Center
The Writing Center (Tucker Student Center, Rm 237) is a resource for all students, regardless of
major or level of study. Writing Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of
the English language and writing who also enjoy assisting others. They will help you with
developing and revising your ideas as well as polishing your final draft. You can make an
appointment for a consultation in Webb Connect or walk in to see if there's an available
appointment. Visit gardner-webb.edu/writingcenter for important information like semester
hours of operation.