PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

EGL 101 – English Composition I

Spring 2006

INSTRUCTOR:         Jeffrey Snodgrass, Assistant Professor of English

OFFICE:                                 M-3059

PHONE NUMBERS:            301.386-7541

                                                (Dept.=301.322-0562 or 0563)

EMAIL ADDRESS:              SNODGRJL@PGCC.EDU

To facilitate email communication with me, please include the following code:  NM231 in either the subject or the first line of any emails to me during the spring 2006 semester.  (The code stops legitimate email messages from being evaluated wrongly as SPAM, but does not allow emails that contain a virus or illegal attachment into our network.)

OFFICE HOURS:                  M-F, 7-8 AM or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   University-parallel freshman English.  Fundamentals of effective prose writing, including required essays and a research paper.  Prerequisite: A 79 on the Reading Placement Test and a satisfactory writing score on the Writing Placement Test, a P2 grade in DVE 001, a grade of D or higher in English 100, or placement by essay at the time of placement testing.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:  (1.) Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

·                       Write informative, analytical, and argumentative essays

·                       Formulate restricted, unified and precise thesis statements for essays

·                       Organize essay content into introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs

·                       Compose restricted, unified, and precise topic sentences for paragraphs

·                       Write unified, coherent, and well-developed paragraphs

·                       Apply grammar and usage rules correctly

·                       Use appropriate diction

·                       Write clear, concise sentences

(2.) In addition, students will demonstrate their ability to conduct basic research:

·                       Use the library resources to locate and evaluate material relevant to specific topic

·                       Take notes in sufficient detail and with accurate citation

·                       Demonstrate their understanding of the concept of plagiarism by not using a source without proper acknowledgment

·                       Synthesize several different sources into an essay to support its thesis

·                       Quote, summarize, and paraphrase responsibly within that paper

·                       Document sources according to the MLA, APA, or Chicago format

TEXTBOOKS:  Peterson & Brereton, The Norton Reader, 11th Edition (0393978877)

                            Hacker, Rules For Writers, 5th Edition (0312406851)

OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:   Lined 3X5 notecards

ESSAYS:  You will write 5 formal essays in this section of English 101:

1) Description

2) Abstract

3) Cause-and-Effect

4) Classification-and-Division

5) Argumentation/Problem-Solution Research Paper

GRADING PERCENTAGES:  Many factors determine your final grade.  I will observe these percentages:     

Essays 1-4 (500-550 words/paper)                65%   

Research Paper                                  25%   

Midterm                                         5%

Final Exam                                      5%   

And while your official grade report does not reflect "shaded" grades, the grading scale does.  My grading scale is as follows:

A+     =     96.7-100      B      =     83.1-86.4     D+     =     66.1-69.4

A      =     93.3-96.6     B-      =     79.7-83.0     D      =     62.7-66.0

A-     =     89.9-93.2     C+     =     76.3-79.6     D-     =     59.3-62.6

B+     =     86.5-89.8     C       =     72.9-76.2     F      =     00.0-59.2

                           C-     =     69.5-72.8

The final grade is calculated as follows:

FINAL GRADE = ((65 * P)+(25 * RP)+(5 * M)+(5 * F)

                           100

P      =  Average of paper grades

RP     =  Research paper grade

M      =  Midterm

F      =  Final exam grade

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  I will grade your papers based on the Maryland statewide "C" standard.  Copies of the standard are available.  Please note that "D" is a passing grade but it will not transfer.  The research paper is a mandatory component of English 101 and must be written and receive a passing grade in order for you to pass the course.

HOW ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED: DUE DATES:  Written assignments are due on the assigned date, at the beginning of class.  If for any reason you cannot turn an assignment in to me on time, make other arrangements no later than the due date.  Late essays will be lowered one letter grade per class each day over the assigned due date.  You must turn in all written assignments to receive a passing final grade, including paper 5, the research paper.

PAPER FORMATS:  All formal written assignments should be typed or word-processor printed.  Use 8 ½ by 11" white paper.  Your margins should be one and one-half inches on left and right sides and one inch on top and bottom.  At the top left of the first page, list your name (last, first), assignment (paper) number, and the date;  Do not use a title page of any kind (save a tree), nor any form of binder.  Please double-space your texts on one side of the page only (in other words, do not print on the back of the page, too).  If you discover errors after printing your final copy, hand correct the errors in blue or black ink.  If you find more than five errors per page-or that extensive corrections are needed-correct and reprint the paper.  Staple all work together in the upper left-hand corner before coming to class.

COURSE OUTLINE [on a separate sheet with, at a minimum, the topics covered each week and final exam date and time.  It is highly recommended that the outline include dates for reading assignments, quizzes, exams and any major assignments or projects(s).  See separate files for templates for MW, MWF, TTh, and Sat. classes for Spring 2006.]

PLAGIARISM:  Broadly defined, plagiarism is the use of someone else's writing or ideas or work as if it were one's own.  Plagiarism occurs sometimes in researched writing when the student uses sources without adequate documentation, and sometimes when a student puts his or her name on another person's writing (this includes test answers) and submits it as original work.  Either one is dishonest scholarship and unacceptable at this college.  This is my personal statement on plagiarism.  Below is a copy of the plagiarism statement used by Prince George's Community College:

PLAGIARISM is using someone else's work (for instance, information from a book, a magazine, a newspaper, or another student's essay) without giving credit to the original source.  Credit to the source must be given in either the text of your paper or in a footnote or endnote.

There are five basic forms of plagiarism:

1. Copying a source word for word without using quotation marks and without

identifying the source.

2. Extensive borrowing of words and phrases from a source without using quotation marks and without identifying the sources.

3. Too close paraphrasing.

4. Using other's ideas or information (including graphics, statistics, observations, or research data and findings) without giving credit to the source in the text of your paper in a footnote or endnote.

5. Submitting the work of someone else as your own.

Be advised that plagiarism is dishonest and carries severe academic penalties, which can include suspension from the college and/or a permanent notation of academic dishonesty on a transcript.  In cases of plagiarism, an instructor may take such action as he or she sees fit, including giving a failing grade for the assignment and reporting the incident to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services for disciplinary action.

CLASSROOM POLICIES (DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR STATEMENT):  Disruptive behavior is any behavior that prevents learning.  Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to arriving late for class, leaving class early, leaving class and coming back, disruptive talking-either to another student or on a cell phone-cell phone ringers (all cell phones should be turned off unless your job involves saving lives), pager noise(s), music (earphones or not), and, in general, any sound or behavior that prevents someone from learning.  Physical violence will not be tolerated.  The college has a prepared, detailed statement concerning disruptive behavior.  If further clarification is required, please see me.

IMPORTANT DATES

Last day to apply for spring graduation                                Wednesday, February 15

Presidents’ Day – College closed - No classes                    Monday, February 20

Last day to change from "audit" to                           Friday, March 3

            "credit" or "credit" to "audit"                             

Spring Break – College closed - No classes                     Mon.-Sun., April 10-16

Last day to withdraw from full-semester classes                   Friday, April 21

Final exam period/last week of classes                                Tues.-Mon., May 9-15

Commencement, 7 p.m.                                                      Thursday, May 25

DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS

When the College announces a delayed opening, all classes with at least 45 minutes of class time remaining at the time of the opening will be held.  For example, in the event of a 10 a.m. opening, a 9:30-10:45 a.m. class will be held.  This procedure applies to all credit classes.

STUDENT RESOURCES:

Campus Bookstore                                                                                          301-322-0912

Largo Student Center, Room 116

www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/bookstore.html

Library

Accokeek Hall                                                                    General information: 301-322-0105

                                                                                           Circulation services: 301-322-0475

                                                                                          Reference services:   301-322-0476

www.pgcc.edu/library

The Library provides a range of library and media services.  Refer to the web site for hours and more information about the services.

Student Assessment Services Center (Testing Center)                                301-322-0090

(required if used for the class)

Bladen Hall, Room 100

www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/student_services/student_assessment_services.htm

Check the web site for hours, policies, and procedures.

Student Development Services                                                                      301-322-0886

www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/student_services/index-sds.htm

Student Development Services has various programs that provide students with mentoring, advising, and individual counseling.  Call or check the website for more information.

Tutoring and Writing Centers                                                                         301-322-0886

Bladen Hall, Room 107                                                Stop by or call to make an appointment.

www.pgcc.edu/students/tutoring_writing_grammar

The Tutoring Center can help you in many courses with free one-on-one or group tutoring.

The Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring for all students who are working on a writing assignment in any course.