SYLLABUS

English 090 – 02

Basic Reading and Writing

MWF 1:10 -- 2:10 p.m. BA 238

Instructor: Dr. Leverett Smith

Office: Lea 180

Office hours: MW 8 -- 9, TTh 9:30 -- 11:30, and by appointment

Phone: 5193

E-mail: lsmith@ncwc.edu

Web page: faculty.ncwc.edu/LSmith/

Texts: Funk, et.al. The Simon and Schuster Short Prose Reader, Third Edition (required).

Hairston, et.al. The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers, Sixth Edition (required).

A clothbound College Dictionary (recommended).

Objectives: Improved critical reading skills which lead to improved clarity, coherence, and correctness in writing.

            Practicing pre-writing, planning, writing, revising, and editing.

            Using standard written English with confidence.

Course requirements:

            4 papers to be written outside of class

            4 in-class essays

            Daily in-class writing; i.e. summaries, grammar exercises, etc.

            Assigned readings/exercises in our texts

            Quizzes on the reading assignments

Grading:

There are no assigned grades in this class. However, failure to complete assignments as scheduled will result in a loss of eligibility to write the final (exit) essay.

The Exit Essay:

When you pass the exit essay (it will be given three times, beginning at the end of March), you will have passed the course. These essays are evaluated, not by me, but by other English faculty: their assessment of your writing skills will determine your eligibility to enter English 111 in the spring semester.

Class attendance and behavior:

Attendance is required! More than three unexcused absences will result in immediate dismissal from the class. 

You must let me know if you have a legitimate reason for missing class – the day after the absence occurs, if not before.

Students who know in advance (members of sports teams take note) must take care of whatever they will miss before the day they are absent.

If class is cancelled for some reason, come to the next class prepared for both days’ assignments.

Failure to meet with me for a scheduled conference equals one absence.

I expect you to be in class and on time. I expect you to have prepared work that is due before class. I expect you to pay attention for the hour. I expect you to avoid eating, drinking, and chewing gum during class. I expect you to respect yourselves, your classmates, and me.

Conferences: 

As part of our course requirements, you will be expected to meet with the class instructor for individual conferences. We will meet together five or six times during the semester.

Plagiarism is academic dishonesty. If I believe you to be guilty of plagiarizing you will be asked to withdraw from the course.