Course Syllabus
English 201 Section
Section 1130 (I) 1:30-2:20pm daily, R210English 201: The Research Paper
Syllabus Contents
- Instructor Contact Information
- Required Textbooks
- Course Outcomes
- Breakdown of Grades
- Assignment Guidelines (General Rules)
- Evaluation Procedures
- Expectations for Assignments
- Prior Assignments
- Revision Policy
- Attendance
- Electronic Devices
- Mutual Respect
- Student Code of Conduct
- Disability Resource Center (DRC)
- Final Notes
- Important Links
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor: Jim Dicus
Email: jim.dicus@bellevuecollege.edu
Office Location: R230
Office Hours: 11:30am-12:30pm TTh and by appointment
Return to the Table of Contents
Required Textbooks
Richard Bullock and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook.
(ISBN: 9780393911510)
Stuart Green and April Lidinsky. From Inquiry to Academic Writing 2nd ed.
(ISBN: 9780312601409)
Return to the Table of Contents
Course Outcomes for English 201
At the end of this course, students will be able to write a humanities-style research paper which includes as part of its composition process:
- An objective summary of college-level material which identifies primary and supporting assertions.
- An evaluation of different types of evidence (i.e., tone/diction, logical reasoning)
- A synthesis of source material with own writing.
- An original and clearly supported thesis.
- Proper in-text citations and works-cited page (MLA format).
- A breadth of varied primary sources which demonstrates a familiarity with library research skills
Return to the Table of Contents
Breakdown of Grades
|
Final Grade Elements:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Below 60 is a failing grade on an individual assignment; however, a score of below 60 does reflect credit for the work done and certainly is more valuable than a zero (0), which is a score when no work is turned in.
You must complete ALL major essay assignments listed in this syllabus in order to obtain a passing grade. However, completion of all assignments does not necessarily guarantee a passing grade.
Return to the Table of Contents
Assignment Guidelines (General Rules)
- All papers will be written using MLA format.
- No assignment will be accepted if submitted by email (we will be using Canvas).
- You must STAPLE any assignment with more than 1 page before you turn it in.
- I only accept typed assignments.
Return to the Table of Contents
Evaluation Procedures
Grades will be based on assignments, essays, and participation in class discussions and peer group evaluations. Each assignment, especially essay assignments, carries a certain grade percentage. There will be individual grading criteria listed with each major assignment in addition to what is listed generally in the syllabus. If you have questions that lie outside the scope of what either explicates, please ask me so I can specifically address your questions.
Return to the Table of Contents
Expectations for Assignments
You must turn in all assignments complete and on time. Complete means everything specified in the assignment guidelines. Incomplete assignments may not be graded, or may receive a 0. This is especially true if you email an assignment. It won’t be considered as turned in, so expect the assignment to be graded with 0 for non-completion.
The grade for any late assignments will be reduced 10% each day it is late. Late essays and assignments will only be accepted up to one week following the due date. Essay and assignments over three days late will not be accepted. No late in-class writing assignments or quizzes will be graded.
EMAILED ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Return to the Table of Contents
Prior Assignments
I will not accept assignments written for another class as a final draft of an essay in this course. Assignments completed for another class often do not meet the requirements for this course, and I will grade your papers on how well they meet the Engl 201 competencies.
Return to the Table of Contents
Revision Policy
Revision is a major part of the course. You will be expected to revise each essay based on peer editing before you turn in the final draft. With the pace of the course, I don’t allow assignments to be revised after the final version for credit. If you are worried about the grade you may earn on an assignment, feel free to speak with me BEFORE turning it in. I will be happy to give any feedback.
Return to the Table of Contents
Attendance
You are expected to attend class regularly, and your success in this class depends on part on that attendance. Be warned: in accordance with the BC/Arts & Humanities policy, you may receive a failing grade (F) for the class if you have absences that equal more than 10 hours worth of class instruction.
Punctuality is also mandatory: 2 tardies = 1 absence, and so on. That means be on time and don’t sneak out early. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class and if you’re not there at that time, you will be considered absent.
Should you know you’ll miss a session, please let me know by email. It is important for you to know the material in order to keep up with the rest of the class.
Note on Participation (10x10 points)
You earn 10 points per week for participation throughout the quarter. The reason why it is 10 x 10 points is because I don’t count the 12th week (finals) and I drop the lowest week of the quarter because I know that life holds many challenges and I don’t want a bad week to seriously handicap your performance in this class.
Return to the Table of Contents
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices may be used in this classroom for class work only. Use of electronic devices for anything other than class work is not permitted. Ringers should be silenced. Turn your phones off. If you are playing on your phone during class, you may as well leave because you will be considered absent for the day.
Return to the Table of Contents
Mutual Respect
We're all here for the same reason, to learn. Yes, me too. Therefore, we will all respect each other in this class. If you choose not to respect your fellow learners, then you choose not to be in this class. Repeated acts of gross disrespect will result in removal from the class. It's okay not to agree with others, but you must be civil about it. If you have any questions, please ask me or refer to the college’s “Affirmation of Inclusion” posted in this classroom and online at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp
Return to the Table of Contents
Student Code of Conduct
“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.” The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp
Return to the Table of Contents
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is a program of support available to you.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. . . Please visit our website for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
Return to the Table of Contents
Final Notes
We are here together for 12 weeks, and I wish for all of you to succeed. In this class we will operate from a platform of mutual respect. That being said, I expect a difference of opinion, and welcome it for understanding the perspective of others will allow us to grow as individuals. Of course that doesn’t give any single person free reign to berate or belittle anyone, and I will not tolerate that.
I’m here for you. Ask me questions. Send me emails. Whatever you do, don’t wait to the last minute to seek help.
Return to the Table of Contents
Important Links
Arts & Humanities Policies page (Student Procedures and Expectations)
Arts and Humanities Commitment to Student Growth and Development
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|