Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Instructor

Name: Oluwatomi M. Adesanya
Phone Number: 773.648.5984
Email (Ivy Tech Email): oadesanya@ivytech.edu
Office/Campus Location: Before and after class
Office Hours: Before and after class

Instructor’s Supervisor

Instructor Name:   Ron McCullough

Phone Number:     219-981-1111, ext 2370

Email (Ivy Tech Email):  rmccullough1@ivytech.edu

Office/Campus Location:

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
STUDENT OFFICE HOURS	10:30 AM –1:30 PM	10:30 AM –11:00 AM IUN BLDG	10:30 AM –1:30 PM

Ivy Tech Technical Support: Help Desk

Phone: 1-888-IVY-LINE (1-888-489-5463), select option 4 
Student Help Center: http://ivytech.edusupportcenter.com
Submit a Help Ticket: https://helpdesk.ivytech.edu/SelfService/Create.html

Disabilities Support Contact

Regional DSS: http://ivytech.edu/dss/

Required Text & Materials

Title: The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings
Author: Richard Bullock and Maureen Daly Goggin
Edition: 4th Edition
Publisher: Norton
Recommendations for Book Ordering (click on this link for more info)

USB Drive	Folder or Binder
Paper	Pens or Pencils
Attendance	Regular Access to a Computer

Course Outline of Record

PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in: ENGL 093 Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 083 Reading Strategies for College, Or ENGL 095 Integrated Reading and Writing, Or FOUN 071 Tech Foundations II.

 SCHOOL: Liberal Arts and Sciences                           PROGRAM: Liberal Arts

CREDIT HOURS: 3                                                   CONTACT HOURS: Lecture: 3

DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2013                         EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REVISION: Fall, 2014

 CATALOG DESCRIPTION: English Composition is designed to develop students’ abilities to think, organize, and express their ideas clearly and effectively in writing. This course incorporates reading, research, and critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the various forms of expository writing such as process, description, narration, comparison, analysis, persuasion, and argumentation. A research paper is required. Numerous in-class writing activities are required in addition to extended essays written outside of class.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

1. Understand communication theory and the roles audiences play in the writing process.
2. Apply critical reading and thinking skills to the writing process.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of language as a tool for learning and communication.
4. Develop strategies for making independent, critical evaluations of student and published texts.
5. Research and critically evaluate information to produce writing with APA or MLA formal documentation, which consists of in-text citations and final list of all sources cited.
6. Apply strategies for the composition process such as drafting, collaboration, revision, and peer evaluation to produce written documents.
7. Write well-organized essays with a firm thesis and a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
8. Engage in pre-writing activities, including narrowing a topic, generating ideas, determining the audience and the relationship between audience and content, and setting an appropriate tone.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the various rhetorical modes, including argumentation and analysis, and apply that understanding in various writing environments, including an essay test.
10. Support a thesis statement with valid reasons and evidence.
11. Follow the conventions of standard written English, in sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and usage, and spelling.
12. Recognize and develop styles appropriate to varied writing situations.
13. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, evaluating, analyzing, and using material collected from electronic sources (such as visual, electronic, library databases, Internet sources, other official databases, federal government databases, reputable blogs, wikis, etc.).
14. Demonstrate an awareness of cultural differences in writing in order to employ writing practices that communicate effectively across cultures.

COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study will include –

Reading and thinking critically           Conducting library and other research methods

Generating ideas                              Following conventions of standard written English

Identifying an audience                     Writing essay exams

Developing a thesis                          Gathering, evaluating, and using sources for research

Organizing the essay                        Paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting

Developing style                              Documenting sources (MLA and/or APA)                               

Avoiding plagiarism                         Prewriting, drafting, editing, and revising

Using rhetorical modes including exposition, argumentation and analysis 

 INSTRUCTOR COMMITMENT: 

Ivy Tech Community College instructors are committed to providing quality education. Therefore, all instructors will respond to students within two business days (48 hours), excluding non-instructional days.

ADA STATEMENT:

Ivy Tech Community College seeks to provide effective services and accommodations for qualified individuals with documented disabilities.  If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability, you are required to register Disability Support Services staff at the beginning of the semester.  If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor immediately.  Look for evacuation procedures posted in your classrooms.

Gary and East Chicago Campuses	Valparaiso and Michigan City Campuses
Robin Beasley Assistant Director of Disability Services rbeasley15@ivytech.edu 219-981-1111- ext 2337 219-362-3600 or Sandra Senatore-Roberts Director of Disability Support Services ssenatorerobert@ivytech.edu	Rhonda Craig Assistant Director Student Services rcraig21@ivytech.edu Valparaiso 219-464-8514 ext 3121 Michigan City 219-879-9137 ext 6262 or Sandra Senatore-Roberts Director of Disability Support Services ssenatorerobert@ivytech.edu

College Policies & Support Services (click on this link to review)

Students are strongly encourage to click the link above to review standard College policies and information on academic support services.

Course Policies & Procedures

Instructional Method

The goal of a college writing class, like all college classes, is to help you grow, explore, learn, develop, and ultimately be successful both in college and, hopefully, in life.  The methods used to accomplish these goals however, may be different in a writing class than in many other classes. Many subjects can be taught through lectures, readings, assignments, and tests. While our class will include all of these things, the main method of instruction will be writing. To develop as an academic writer, you have to write! Writers improve their writing by practicing, discussing, revising, and reading others’ writing. We will write in class every day.

 It is my goal to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and their writing. We are each unique individuals and we bring with us different perspectives, beliefs, life experiences, etc. Please be open and respectful to other people’s ideas and writing. You don’t have to agree with everything someone else says or writes, but I encourage you to consider what they have to say, think about why you agree or disagree, and express yourself in a calm and respectful way. If there are things that you feel so strongly about you are unwilling to listen to alternative perspectives, I ask that you not write about these issues. Also, don’t disclose any more about your personal life than you are comfortable with. Of course this does not mean that you should avoid addressing what is most important to you, or that you should act as if you have no opinion. I ask rather that you enter our classroom dialogue with an open mind, suspending judgment, at least temporarily, in the effort to share knowledge and create a space of mutual understanding.

In this sense, the classroom is very much a microcosm of a democratic society. As citizens, we strive to maintain the balance between exercising our own freedoms with impinging on the rights of others. No doubt, we will share ideas, beliefs and preferences that will conflict.  Ideally, we will disagree, challenge one another and learn from the experience. It is crucial that we strive to be considerate and respectful while being honest. If at any point during the semester you feel hurt, insulted or disrespected in any way, please bring it to my attention quickly, so that we can address the matter. Don’t let anger or frustration fester. Direct communication (via e-mail, a phone call, or office visit) is the key to resolving such issues.

Here are a few more tips for being successful in this class:

• Come prepared for class.
• Always bring your writing with you to class.
• Always bring your flash drive with you to class.
• Speak up. Share your ideas and ask questions. Most people are uncomfortable speaking up at first. This is normal. Get past it.
• Write what you believe, not what you think I want to hear.
• We all want our writing to be easier and better. The only way this will happen is through practice. When you are asked to write, write.
• You are responsible for all homework assigned while you are absent.
• If you do not have a computer at home, or if you experience computer problems, it is your responsibility to make alternate arrangements and to still complete your work on time.
• Everything you turn in should be as error free as you can make it. Get in the habit of proofreading. Your instructors will expect clean, correct writing, in informal and well as formal writing.

Grades

All grades will be maintained in IvyLearn’s online grade book. Students are responsible for tracking their progress by referring to the online grade book. Students can generally expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the assignment due date. If exceptions occur, the instructor may notify students of changes to this expectation. Check your grade regularly and bring any mistakes, omissions, or questions to my attention quickly so that we may remedy them while they are still fresh in our minds.  Grades will not be changed once a few weeks have passed.

 

Course Grading:

Assignments	Points	Grading Scale
Units 1 & 2 Quiz	25	A: 1000-930 B: 929-860 C: 859-790 D: 789-720 F: 719 or below
Discussion: Credibility Debate	100
Assignment: Choose Sources	150
Unti 3 Quiz	25
Discussion: Essay Outline	100
Assignment: Essay First Draft	150
Unit 4 Quiz	25
Discussion: Peer Review	150
Unit 5 Quiz	25
Assignment: Essay Revision	150
Reflection Essay	100
Total Points	1000

Due Dates & Deadlines

The Syllabus and Calendar are two important tools to help students understand the course, student and instructor expectations, and deadlines. Both tools can be found in IvyLearn.  The Calendar can be accessed from the main navigation area on the left-hand side of IvyLearn.

Students are required to submit work on time for a chance to receive credit. Deadlines for each week/assignment are summarized on the calendar. Students should check the calendar frequently for deadlines and to be aware of what to expect next. 

Attendance Policy – Don’t Get Dropped from Class!

Ivy Tech performs administrative drops for students who do not “attend” class early in the semester. Students need to complete an assignment (which may include, but are not limited to, such things as attending a live or synchronous session; posting in a graded discussion board, blog or wiki; or submitting a written assignment or taking a quiz) prior to NW deadline listed below in order to avoid being dropped for non-attendance. Posting any items not related to the graded assignments will be reviewed but may be disqualified for attendance purposes.

Attendance Drop Deadline: September 5th, 2017

If a student wishes to withdraw from this course, students are responsible for completing an official withdrawal form with the registrar. Your local registrar contact information can be looked up here: http://www.ivytech.edu/registrar/.

The last day to withdraw from this course is November 11th, 2017.

 REPEATING CLASSES:

Student performance and participation in this course throughout the entire semester is directly related to academic success and completion. Students may attempt to improve grades by repeating courses (allowable once per course). Financial aid recipients, however, should review their situations carefully since payment for repeated courses can be disallowed. Student transcripts will contain a complete record of all activity. The student’s grade point average will reflect the highest grade earned.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COURSE:

If a student cannot complete a course, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of dates for course withdrawal and complete the necessary paperwork. The student must give the withdrawal or "drop/add" form to the Records Office after obtaining all appropriate signatures. Be sure to keep a copy for your own records.

Failure to officially withdraw from a class that you have stopped attending will result in a final grade of "F."  If you are receiving financial aid, failing to complete a course can result in your having to pay back funding immediately. 

CLASS DECORUM:

Class discussions often involve personal stories and self-disclosure. As a matter of courtesy, do not discuss any other student’s personal information outside of this class. Likewise, do not choose topics for assignments (written or oral) that would cause you embarrassment or discomfort when shared with others in the class.

 Please arrive on time and remain until dismissed. If you must leave early, discuss it with your instructor before class begins. Technology must be used appropriately. Computers should only be used for class work and cell phones usage should not disrupt class or distract other students. No talking on cell phones during class. Do not print during lecture or class discussions. If you are using technology inappropriately during lecture, discussion or class assignment time, you will be asked to leave the classroom, and the absence will be considered unexcused.

Course Communication

Online Communication Etiquette

Students are expected to uphold their responsibilities in terms of appropriate and professional communication with faculty and peers. Please review the ‘Students Rights and Responsibilities’ section of the student handbook (located within Campus Connect) and review common netiquette (Internet etiquette) practices, like those found at: https://www.ivytech.edu/online/11570.html

Instructor Commitment 

Ivy Tech Community College instructors are committed to responding to students’ written inquiries sent via the conversations tool in IvyLearn (instructions below), within 36 hours, including weekends. Students can contact their local Online Technologies Support with questions (http://ivytech.edu/online/contacts.html).

Conversations

All students must use the conversations feature of IvyLearn for course-related communications.  Using conversations, students can send and receive messages from within IvyLearn. Conversations can only be sent and received from within IvyLearn. Please check Conversations frequently.

For information on how to access Conversations (send and receive) click this link to open the Canvas Guides (https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2666).  The Canvas Guides will provide you with the necessary information to get started with conversations within IvyLearn.

Notifications

IvyLearn has a robust notification system that students can opt to use to receive course notifications for many course activities and events such as new announcements, due dates, and grade updates.  Students can receive those notifications via many different channels including text messages and are highly encouraged to customize their notifications.  To learn more about notifications and how to setup and customize notifications, please review the guide here: https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/73162-how-do-i-set-my-notification-preferences.