MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Spring 2007

NEW AND IMPROVED

MICROWAVE SAFE, FAT FREE

ENGLISH 200L--CNR 1167

(Advanced Composition)

 

Professor:      Katerina Baitinger

Email:             kbaitinger@cox.net & kbaitinger@mxcc.commnet.edu

Phone:            (860) 343-5889

Office: Snow 520

Office Hours:T/Th 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., or by appointment

Class Time:   Online

 

REQUIRED TEXT

Rothenberg, Paula. Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically About Global Issues. New

York: Worth Publishers, 2006.

 

COURSE PREREQUISITES

B- or higher in English 101; one semester of Sesame Street, Mister Rogers, Barney, or the equivalent. (I do check grades. If you donÕt have a B- or higher, you will not be allowed to take the class.)

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

English 200 presents the writer with sophisticated challenges in subject matter, rhetoric, and grammar. Focus on prose style and editing. Minimum of three term papers. Readings included.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The purpose of ENG200 is to give students an opportunity to hone their writing skills through writing essays on a wide range of topics and by reading the work of other students. Papers written for this class use all of the skills gained in writing academic papers, adapted for a general audience. Students also read, analyze, and comment on a wide variety of published nonfiction.

 

In the online course, during the semester, all students are expected to join in a discussion of assigned readings and to write thoughtful responses to four of their classmates' papers.

 

Scope of Course

ENG 200 focuses on advanced non-fiction writing skills needed for upper level college courses and for the workplace: organized thinking and writing; the writing process; correct grammar and mechanics; the power of language; critical reading; evaluating and using sources, and developing and presenting arguments.

 

Emphasis

  • Focusing on stylistic and editing choices
  • Analyzing prose forms and specific writing techniques
  • Approaching reading and writing to gain a sense of self, a voice, a presence
  • Understanding, evaluating, and using sources
  • Conducting in-depth research, forming independent conclusions based on the research, presenting the findings logically and smoothly

 

Regular and timely participation in online discussions

The first element of each module is doing the required reading and responding to one of the discussion questions. When you have chosen the question you wish to discuss, click on post. Simply type in your response, follow the discussion suggestions, and post it. The aim here is to get a dialogue going, so students should respond to those comments they find most provocative.

 

ASSIGNEMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM 

Required are three major at-home essays (with drafts) 7-10 pages each, double spaced, 12 point fond, one inch margins on all sides; one midterm (format tba); and weekly writing assignments. The major essays will be expository or argumentative, using various modes and approaches discussed in class and studied in the texts. Those three essays will require proper use of MLA documentation. The shorter writings (a little more informal, sometimes more personal) will allow you to explore different styles and patterns of writing to help you find your voice.

 

Weekly writings: usually 1-2 pages; assigned type of writing will vary                150    

 

Writing responses to ProfessorÕs comments (lowest grade dropped)             150

 

Essay # 1       research term paper                                                                         150

 

Essay # 2       research term paper                                                                         200

 

Essay # 3       research term paper                                                                         250    

 

with annotated bibliography                                                                                     100

 

ONLINE CONFERENCES

At least two conferences, formal or informal, will be held with each student to review his/her progress.

 

INTEGRITY 

In all assignments, you are expected to do your own work to the best of your ability. ÃAcademic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of TrusteesÕ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of TrusteesÕ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of anotherÕs idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionallyÓ (Board of TrusteesÕ Policy 5.2.1). Using papers located on the Internet (purchased or free) indicates plagiarism. (Let me make it easier on you: keep in mind what happened to President Judd, and weÕll have no problem whatsoever with plagiarism.)

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services (D.S.S.) at 860-343-5879. Disclosure of a documented disability will enable the support staff to provide assistance with the Basic Skills Assessment, program planning, course scheduling, and classroom accommodations appropriate to the individualÕs needs. Instructors are under no obligation to provide accommodations unless the student has disclosed the nature of the disability to the designated service provider on campus.

 

ONLINE RULES

1.      No personal attacks are permitted. If there is a difference of opinion, mature discussion and conflict resolution are expected.

2.      You are expected to login once per week. If you do not login to the course for three consecutive weeks, you will be dropped from the course.

 

ESSAY SETUP

MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING FORMAT AND ALWAYS YOUÕRE YOUR ESSAYS AS RTF FILES BEFORE YOU UPLOAD THEM TO Web/CT VISTA. _____________________________________________________________________

Middlesex Community College

English 200

Dr. Baitinger

Spring 2007

Your Name

Type of Assignment

 

Title (Centered)

______________________________________________________________________

 

NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED