WRITING 121 Syllabus & Course Information - Spring 2011
 English Composition I - 4 Credits - Instructor: Cora Agatucci
WR 121 - CRN # 21341  - 4 credits
Tues. & Thurs.  8:25 - 10:05 am, Jefferson Rm. 101
 URL of this webpage: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/syllabusSP11.htm
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How to Contact Cora Agatucci:
 Electronic mail:
Cora's Office Location: Grandview 106-B  (Bend campus)
See Cora's current Schedule (& also by appointment):
 http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/schedule.htm 

Cora's Office Phone & Voicemail: (541) 383-7522
Humanities Dept. Office (Bend campus): Modoc 226 
Fax:  (541) 330-4396 - Attention: Cora Agatucci
 Cora Agatucci's COCC Home Page: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/ 

Welcome to 4-Credit Writing 121 - English Composition I  - Spring 2011

Brief Course Description from COCC 2010-11 Catalog: 
WR 121 - English Composition
 This transfer course emphasizes text-based academic writing and develops skills in expository and persuasive writing incorporating analytical reading, critical thinking, and credible sources.  Students compose several essays using a variety of strategies to support a thesis.   Credits: 4    Lecture: 4
> COCC 2010-11 Catalog Writing Course Descriptions: https://oraweb.cocc.edu/2011/WRT.htm

WR 121 Mandatory Prerequisites:
Students are placed into WR 121 based on writing and reading placement test scores; or a grade of C or higher in WR 65 or WR 75 or WR 95, or in equivalent coursework. Prerequisites are meant to ensure that entering WR 121 students have college-preparatory writing competencies needed to succeed in this course.  For more information on college-preparatory writing knowledge and skills, see:
      WR 121 Student Entry Survey - Week #1, Spring 2011
      http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/surveyentry.htm

Writing 121 is an foundational college-level writing course required by many COCC programs, certificates and associate’s degrees. Beginning Fall 2010, changes in AAOT degree requirements and in WR 121, WR 122, & WR 227 go into effect.  Please read *IMPORTANT INFORMATION* FOR 2010-2011 WRITING STUDENTS:

REVISED AAOT Writing Requirements (effective Fall 2010) & FAQ's,
 including information on REVISED 4-Credit WR 121, REVISED 4-Credit WR 122 & REVISED 4-credit WR 227:
  http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/REVAAOT_WR121_WR122.htm

Required Textbook for Cora Agatucci's Spring 2011 WR 121:

Muller, Gilbert H.  McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines.
         11th ed.  New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
          ISBN-13: 978-0-07-338394-1
[Textbook is available for purchase from COCC Bookstore: <http://bookstore.cocc.edu/>]

Other Course Requirements include the following:

--All COCC students are expected to:
   (1) Adhere to COCC Student Rights and Responsibilities:
        http://studentlife.cocc.edu/Policies/Rights+and+Responsibilities/default.asp
        (Review Academic Honesty section & see also Plagiarism Policy below.)
  (2) Attend class regularly and our scheduled COCC Final Exam 
          See COCC's Academic Calendar & Final Exam Schedule for 2010-11
        http://current.cocc.edu/Degrees_Classes/calendar/default.aspx

--Review Course Grading, Assignments, Late/Make-Up Policies, and Plagiarism Policy below in this handout, More information on individual assignment requirements and deadlines will also be provided in class and in our current/updated online WR 121 *Tentative* Course Plan.

--Basic computer competencies and regular use of students' COCC Electronic Mail account, of a computer with robust word processing software (e.g. recent version of Microsoft Word), and of internet browsers (including Mozilla Firefox when accessing our COCC Blackboard course). These course expectations apply - even if you don’t have regular/dependable home or work access to a personal computer with these capabilities- since all currently registered COCC students who have paid tuition fees:

  • . . . have a COCC Student E-Mail / Network Account and should check it regularly: http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Student+Accounts/Student+Network+Account/default.aspx

  • . . . have access to COCC’s Bend campus computers equipped with robust word processing software and access to internet browsers, which are available for COCC student use during liberal open Computer Lab hours (e.g. BEND campus Pioneer Hall 200, COCC Library Rm. 118, Cascades Hall 102; and/or REDMOND Building 3, Rm. 324)

  • See also  COCC Computing Information & Online Resources for Students:  http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/ComputingInfoSP11.htm

--Some outside research and online reading assignments will be required, in addition to textbook readings and instructional (paper) handouts distributed in class. WR 121 Research-based instruction & assignments will require use of COCC Barber Library online databases and catalogs, as well as other reliable informational sources.  WR 121 online reading assignments will require students to access and read documents available only in our COCC course web and/or our COCC Blackboard (Bb) course. 

--Students will be expected to access "View Grades" in our Blackboard course at regular intervals throughout the term to review their grade/score records, to monitor their class standing to date, and to contact Cora ASAP if students have any questions or concerns about their Bb grade records to date.  

NOTE WELL: COCC Blackboard courses generally display & work best when accessed using Mozilla Firefox internet browser (Firefox 3.6 or later version). 

--Final Drafts of formal graded writing assignments must be word processed and correctly formatted (see Manuscript Form below, as well as relevant assignment directions). In addition, translatable electronic copies (e.g. to be sent to Cora via COCC email for submission to Turnitin to generate originality reports) will be required for selected writing assignments. 
--Two or more readable paper copies of selected assignments (e.g. preliminary drafts to be peer reviewed in class) will sometimes be required.

--Use of a reliable college-level handbook, dictionary, and/or thesaurus as needed when drafting, editing/proofreading, & revising writing assignments.  Recommended resources for review of grammar and usage, as well as guidance on other WR 121 topics, are provided by:

Purdue OWL: Online Writing Lab
[home page]: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
     > OWL Exercises [on Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Style, & more]:
       http://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/
   > The Writing Process [entry page & linked table of contents]:
      http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/1/
     > Research & Citation Resources [entry page & linked table of contents]:
      http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/
     > MLA Style [entry page & linked table of contents]:
      http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/11/
    > MLA Formatting and Style Guide [linked table of contents]:
      http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
  
Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center online Handbook
[home page]: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/index.html
     > Grammar & Punctuation: How to avoid common mistakes
      http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/GramPunct.html
     > Improving Your Writing Style: Clear, Concise Sentences; Using Transitions
         http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Style.html
     > Stages of the Writing Process: Getting started, drafting, revising & proofreading
      http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/process.html
    > Citing References in Your Paper [entry page & linked table of contents]:
      http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Documentation.html

COCC Home > Tutoring and Testing
[home page]: http://tutortest.cocc.edu/Default.aspx
     COCC Tutoring and Testing > Subjects Tutored
    http://tutortest.cocc.edu/Subjects/default.aspx

Writing 121 (4-Credit) Learning Outcomes, or what will you learn in WR 121?

   Upon successful completion of 4-Credit WR 121 (with a grade of "C" or better), students will be able to:

Outcome 1. Write for different audiences and various purposes.

Assessment:  Students' work demonstrates an understanding of situational contexts in which writing takes place:  the needs, values, and expectations of different audiences; and the writer’s purpose to primarily inform or persuade.

Outcome 2. Write clear, focused, coherent essays using the conventions of English grammar and style.

Assessment:  Students construct and use a thesis to shape well- developed essays that demonstrate proficiency, including effective tone, persona, diction, usage, idiom, and syntax.

Outcome 3. Search for and synthesize outside source material into written work*.

Assessment:  Students' work demonstrates proficiency in finding, critically reading, summarizing, analyzing, and evaluating sources in order to responsibly incorporate facts, opinions, judgments, and data from research in their writing.

*Embedded Information Literacy Proficiencies 1, 3, & 8 -  Students will be able to:
--Proficiency 1. “Identify gaps in their knowledge and recognize when they need more information.”
--Proficiency 3. “Evaluate and select information using appropriate criteria”
--Proficiency 8. “Create, produce, and communicate understanding of a subject through synthesis of relevant information”

Outcome 4. Demonstrate the ability to avoid plagiarism and use an appropriate documentation style.

Assessment:  In their essays, students effectively use summary, paraphrase, and direct quotation with the appropriate documentation to cite sources correctly and avoid plagiarism.

Outcome 5. Demonstrate an understanding of writing as a multi-stage recursive process.

Assessment:  Students are able to articulate the process-based approach they use to write essays that include steps such as invention, drafting, thesis formation, organization, revising, and editing.

Outcome 6. Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic rhetorical strategies in argumentative discourse.

Assessment:  Students are able to identify, explain and evaluate basic structural components of written arguments such as claims, support and evidence, and refutation. Students also know and can deploy such basic rhetorical strategies as appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos and can effectively distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate modes of argument and persuasion.

Outcome 7. Evaluate their own and their peers’ writing.

Assessment:  Students complete at least one (formal or informal) written review of their own writing strengths and weaknesses, including effective self-prescriptions for improvement; and complete appropriate written reviews of peers’ drafts, including suggestions for revision and editing.

WR 121 *Planned* Course Assignments,
Grading, Late/Make-Up Policies
Every WR 121 assignment & activity is designed to help students build skills and demonstrate one or more competencies needed to achieve WR 121 Learning Outcomes (stated above).
For deadlines, see current/updated online WR 121 *Tentative* Course Plan.
UNIT 1:
   80 pts. 		Unit 1: Course Introduction & Formal Academic Summary
  10 pts = WR 121 Student Entry Survey -Week #1, Spring 2011
  10 pts = Preliminary Draft of Formal Academic Summary (two readable paper copies required)
  10 pts = Writer's Workshop #1 in-class participation and completion of two written Peer Reviews of Preliminary Drafts of Formal Academic Summary
 Late/Make-Up Policy: Late point penalty will be subtracted from skill-building preparatory/process assignments/activities completed & submitted late.  NOTE: Make-up of missed in-class Workshops/Peer Reviews will be allowed only if the participation of at least two other WR 121 students enrolled in our class can be arranged: see Cora to discuss.
  50 pts = *Final* Draft of Formal Academic Summary (one word-processed correctly formatted & double-spaced paper copy required)
 Late Policy: If the Final Draft of this assignment is submitted late, a Late penalty will be subtracted and NO Revision Option will be allowed.
 Revision Option: If the *Final* Draft  of this assignment is submitted on time, it is NOT really "Final" because a Revision Option will be allowed IF the *Final* Draft is submitted on time.  NOTE WELL:
     --Allowed Revisions will accepted and considered for re-grading ONLY IF they are accompanied (1) by your original *Final* draft annotated with Cora's commentary, AND (2) by Cora's completed evaluation form on your original *Final* draft.  Cora must be able to compare the allowed submitted Revision to your previous graded/critiqued *Final* Drafts in order to determine if the Revision warrants a higher grade.
     --Taking advantage of the allowed Revision Option may improve, but can  NOT hurt, your grade. 
UNIT 2:
 135 pts. 		Unit 2: Essay #1 (using one Mueller source) & Avoiding Plagiarism
   5 pts = Prep. for Essay #1 Worksheet (one readable paper copy required)
   5 pts = Writer's Workshop #2 in-class informal peer reviews of Prep for Essay #1 Worksheets
    5 pts = Practice Plagiarism Quiz (self-corrected in class)
  10 pts = Preliminary Draft of Essay #1 (two readable paper copies required)
  10 pts = Writer's Workshop #3 in-class participation and completion of two written Peer Reviews of Preliminary Drafts of Essay #1
 Late/Make-Up Policy: Late point penalty will be subtracted from skill-building assignments/activities completed  & submitted late.  NOTE: Make-up of missed in-class Workshops/Peer Reviews will be allowed only if the participation of at least two other WR 121 students enrolled in our class can be arranged: see Cora to discuss.
 100 pts = *Final* Draft of Essay #1 (one word-processed correctly formatted & double-spaced paper copy required)
*Revision Option will be allowed IF *Final* Draft is submitted on time.
Late Policy: If Final Draft is submitted late, a Late penalty will be subtracted and NO revision option will be allowed.
UNIT 3:
   50 pts.

 

 Unit 3: Analysis, Evaluation & Research Skills
  10 pts = (Small Group In-Class) Analysis-Evaluation Exercise (of selected Mueller essays)
  20 pts = Research Skills Exercises: Library Databases Research, Free Web Research,  and Source Evaluation
  10 pts = (Small Group In-Class) Argument Analysis-Evaluation Exercise (of selected Mueller argument essay/s)
  10 pts = Analysis-Evaluation Exercise on your own Essay #1
 Late/Make-Up Policy: Late point penalty will be subtracted from skill-building assignments/activities completed  & submitted late.  NOTE: Make-up of missed small group in-class exercises can be arranged, preferably with the participation of other WR 121 students enrolled in our class: see Cora to discuss.
UNIT 4:
 175 pts. 		Unit 4: Research-Based Essay #2
  25 pts = Essay #2 Topic Proposal and 5-Source Annotated Bibliography (two readable paper copies required)
  10 pts = Writer's Workshop #4 in-class participation and completion of two written Peer Reviews of Essay #2 Topic Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
  10 pts = (Small Group In-Class) Works Cited and In-Text Citation Exercise/s (using students' Essay #2 sources)
  10 pts = Informal Outline, (partial or complete) Preliminary Draft, and Works Cited for Essay #2 (two readable paper copies of each required)
  10 pts = Writer's Workshop #5 in-class participation and completion of two written Peer Reviews of Informal Outlines, Preliminary Drafts & Works Cited of Essay #2
 Late/Make-Up Policy: Late point penalty will be subtracted from skill-building assignments/activities completed  & submitted late.  NOTE: Make-up of missed in-class Workshops/Peer Reviews will be allowed only if the participation of at least two other WR 121 students enrolled in our class can be arranged: see Cora to discuss.
Electronic and Paper Versions of *Final" Draft of Research-Based Essay #2
  10 pts = Electronic version of *Final" Draft of Research-Based Essay #2, including In-Text Citations and Works Cited, must be emailed to Cora <cagatucci@cocc.edu> on time so that Cora can submit it to Turnitin to generate an Originality Report & check for  “verbatim” plagiarism.
   NOTE WELL:  Cora will NOT grade Paper version of Essay #2 until AFTER Electronic Version of Essay #2 has been submitted so that Cora can generate a Turnitin Originality Report  and check for verbatim plagiarism.

  100 pts = Paper version (word-processed correctly formatted & double-spaced) of *Final* Draft of Research-Based Essay #2, including In-Text Citations and Works Cited.
Late Policy: If Electronic and/or Paper versions of *Final* Draft are submitted late, Late penalties will be subtracted and NO revision option will be allowed.
*Revision Option will be allowed IF both Electronic and Paper Versions of *Final* Draft of Research-Based Essay #2 are submitted on time. 
   NOTE WELL: Allowed Revisions of Research-Based Essay #2 will be due at our scheduled FINAL. 
UNIT 5:
   10 pts.		 Unit 5: Final
  10 pts = Final Exit Survey, Writer's Profile, & Course Reflections

AGAIN, NOTE WELL: Allowed Revisions of Research-Based Essay #2 will be due at our scheduled FINAL. 
450 pts. Total Points Possible based on *Planned* Assignments above.
--Cora uses COCC Blackboard (Bb) Grade Center to record students' scores/grades on individual assignments and calculate overall course grades to date.

Course Percentage-to-Grade Conversion Scale
PLEASE check your “View Grades” in Blackboard regularly!

Percentage
 (total points earned ÷  total points possible)

= Course Grade
 per COCC grading policy*

100 % – 93.0%

A

92.9% – 90.0%

 A-

89.9% – 87.0%

  B+

86.9% -  83.0%

B

82.9% -  80.0%

 B-

79.9% – 77.0%

  C+

76.9%  - 70.0%

C

69.9% – 60.0%

D

59.9% – 00.0%

F

*COCC does NOT allow instructors to award final course grades
of A+, C-, D+, D-, F+ or F-

Note Percentage cut-offs well: Because Cora allows
revisions & late/make-up work, Cora does not “round up”!

Plagiarism Policy
 See also COCC Student Rights and Responsibilities on Academic Honesty:
http://studentlife.cocc.edu/Policies/Rights+and+Responsibilities/default.aspx

Plagiarism Policy:  Plagiarism—intended or not—is a serious violation of academic honesty and legal intellectual property rights. Proper citations and documentation of any sources that you quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize in your writing are required whenever you borrow the words, facts, and/or ideas of others.  NOTE WELL that even putting others’ ideas into your own words still means you are borrowing, and you need to give credit where credit is due.

To avoid plagiarism, source(s) must be cited and documented, both:

(a) at the point in your papers where the borrowing occurs (i.e. In-Text Citation of summary, paraphrase, quotation from source/s),
AND
(b) in complete bibliographical entries for all sources cited (i.e. Works Cited for MLA style), listed at the end* of research-based essays and research papers.
    --NOTE: Placement of complete, correctly formatted bibliographical entries differs for sources summarized/evaluated in Formal Academic Summaries and Annotated Bibliographies, as will be further explained/modeled in class.

Plagiarism in any WR 121 formal writing assignment is grounds for an "F" on that assignment.
--NOTE: Selected research-based writing assignments must be submitted in both paper (hard) copy and translatable electronic form, or they will NOT be accepted for grading.  Electronic versions will be submitted to Turnitin to generate originality reports and test for verbatim plagiarism.  See also WR 121 Course Grading, Assignments, & Late/Make-Up Policies above.

BUT DO NOT PANIC!  Instruction in avoiding plagiarism and citing sources using MLA style in written assignments using sources will be provided in class and/or in individual assignment directions.  See our current/updated online WR 121 *Tentative* Course Plan.
See also COCC Home > Campus Library > Research Tools > Citation style guides
 http://campuslibrary.cocc.edu/Research+Tools/Style+Guides/default.aspx

Manuscript Form
Final Drafts (and allowed Revisions) of formal letter-graded writing assignments must:

  • be word processed using a standard, readable font & point size
    (e.g.     Times New Roman 12 point, Arial 10 point or Arial 11 point,
    Calibri 10 point     or Calibri 11 point,      Courier New 10 point);

  • be double spaced throughout;

  • be printed on only one side of standard-sized (8 1/2" X 11") white paper;

  • have one-inch margins on all four sides of each printed page;

  • avoid plagiarism & cite sources (see above);

  • be carefully edited before submission for grading

  • be completely & properly identified with MLA-style Heading and Running-Page Headers
    (see below for directions/examples).

All formal and informal assignments submitted for scoring/grading should be completely identified to ensure students are given credit for submitted coursework and to aid Cora in maintaining accurate grade records. Unless otherwise directed, students should label submitted assignments with MLA-style headings and running page headers.

MLA-style HEADING should be placed on the first page in the upper left-hand corner of assignments (please do not prepare a separate title page) - Example:

Juanita Mikulski (your name)
Writing 121, Prof. C. Agatucci (identify course & instructor)
Essay #1 - Final Draft (identify assignment)
19 April 2011  (identify date assignment is due)

MLA-style RUNNING PAGE HEADER/S should be placed on subsequent page/s
of assignments containing two or more pages in the upper right-hand corner  - Example:

Mikulski  2
(your last name and the page number)

COCC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
COCC Home>Student Services>Policies>Committees>Diversity Committee> Diversity Policies
 http://studentlife.cocc.edu/Policies/Committees/Diversity+Committee/Diversity+Procedures/default.aspx
(updated 3/28/11, CA)

COCC Students with Special Needs

"COCC strives to make available to all students the opportunity for an excellent and rewarding education," and in accordance with federal guidelines, "COCC is committed to making physical facilities and instructional programs accessible to all students.  Awareness of students' needs and goals helps to create an atmosphere in which learning and growth can occur."
--Source: Services for Students with Disabilities: http://disability.cocc.edu/

Students with special needs who  . . .

  • have documented disabilities requiring special accommodations,
  • have any emergency medical information that the instructor should know of,
    AND/OR
  • require special arrangements in the event of an evacuation,

. . . should share these special needs as early as possible with the instructor of the course AND with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities: 

Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD):
Boyle Education Center (BEC), 2600 NW College Way, Bend OR 97701 
Telephone/Voicemail: 541-383-7583
 --Anne Walker, SSD Coordinator, can be reached
 at 541-383-7743 or by email: awalker@cocc.edu
--Nichole Martinez-Daniel, SSD Office Specialist,
can be reached at 541-383-7583 or by email: nmartinezdaniel@cocc.edu
--Dave Hagenbach, Sign Language Interpreter/Coordinator,
can be reached at 541-383-7737 or by email: dhagenbach@cocc.edu
--Oregon Relay Service: 800-735-1232, or simply dial 7-1-1

SDD [Services for Students with Disabilities] Online Resources:
--COCC Home > Disability Services > Services for Students with Disabilities:
http://disability.cocc.edu/
--COCC Home > Disability Services > Guide for Students with Disabilities:
http://disability.cocc.edu/Guide/default.aspx
 --COCC Home > Disability Services > [Bend] campus maps and disabled parking areas:  
 http://web.cocc.edu/admit/new/publ/bendcampusparking.pdf

See also COCC Computing Information & Online Resources for Students
 URL: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/ComputingInfoSpr11.htm

I look forward to working with and learning from you all this term!  ~Cora

Spring 2011 WR 121 Syllabus | Course Plan  | WR 121 Course Home Page

You are here:  WR 121 Syllabus - Spring 2011
 URL of this webpage: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr121/syllabusSP11.htm
Last Updated: 31 March 2011

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Humanities Department, Central Oregon Community College
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