English 110 emphasizes clear, college-level communication in writing and speech. We’ll write a total of three essays which you’ll revise continually before they are submitted along with other materials for a grade in a final portfolio at the end of the semester. We will also prepare and present a variety of speeches. The course will focus on active engagement in the writing process, with attention to all stages from idea generation to editing, with particular time and energy spent on revision following feedback from other readers. English 110 is taught face-to-face but may have some hybrid elements. (3 credit hours)
Domain Goals:
English 110 builds skills in argumentation and speech, providing a building block toward fulfilling goals in MC’s Core Curriculum’s domain of composition and speech.
Course Objectives:
In English 110, students will
know and understand terminology and concepts of rhetorical situation
demonstrate ability to give and receive feedback in a collaborative conference situation and apply feedback to their own writing
demonstrate effective use of appropriate technology, including Tartan, Google docs, Google slides
demonstrate effective organization and idea development in a variety of genres
review and practice basics of grammar and mechanics
demonstrate strategies for clear speech organization, including appropriate introduction, body, and conclusion
We have no required texts for this course; all materials will be available free online. You will need to have access to a computer and basic computer skills; you’ll also need regular access to the internet.
Reading, class discussion, presentations, minimal lecture, collaborative work.
40% writing portfolio with cover letter 97-100 A+
submitted at end of course* 93-96 A
15% speeches 90-92 A-
40% process (homework, essay drafts, peer letters, 87-89 B+
quizzes, attendance and participation, etc.) 83-86 B
5% Writing into the Week exercises 80-82 B-
100% 77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
67-69 D+
63-66 D
60-62 D-
0-59 F
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*The writing portfolio represents the final stage of a semester-long writing process, so portfolio drafts may be turned in only if all earlier stages of the drafts have been completed and you have earned a C or better average on assignments leading up to the portfolio. This means that it is not possible to get behind on writing and revising drafts and then write missing papers at the end of the semester. The portfolio must include two essays from the course, one of which must be your research essay, as well as a reflection piece describing your writing process and a cover letter. You must earn a passing grade on the portfolio in order to pass the class.
As in all other classes at MC, you’ll get a midterm grade estimate halfway through the course, but don’t wait for that information; track your own progress and keep up with your grades throughout the semester from Day 1.
Students should plan to attend all classes which are chiefly collaborative learning sessions, including discussion and other paired and group activities. Make-up work requires individual learning, which will suffice, but is not as rich as interactive learning with the group. Absences above 10% (more than 6 for MWF, 4 for TR) may result in a failing grade. However:
Students and faculty who have tested positive for COVID should not come to class.
Students who are symptomatic but haven’t yet tested positive should also not come to class until they have tested at least twice to confirm that they don’t have COVID. (If they are ill, e.g. with a cold or something else beyond allergies, they still shouldn’t come to class.) Test kits may be purchased at area pharmacies, or ordered for free at https://www.covid.gov/tests.
If testing positive, an individual should isolate for five full days from the onset of symptoms, and then—if symptoms have resolved—they should wear a mask for five more days. If symptoms have not resolved, they should test themselves for COVID again; they may test negative even with some residual symptoms, and then can come back to class if masked. If they continue to get a positive test result they should contact a medical provider, and also let the instructor know.
When an absence is planned, submit any assignments that are due either early or on time. For unplanned absences, submit assignments no later than the next class meeting.
If a missed day includes a “Writing into the Week” in-class exercise, that assignment must be completed and submitted on the same day for partial credit.
Check with a classmate to hear a report on the class session that you miss and to review that person's notes.
Check the syllabus, schedule, and Tartan for updates about the next class.
Attend the next class period prepared for that day’s work.
If you have questions after checking in with a classmate or two, you may send me an email, visit my office hours, or set up an appointment to ask questions.
If you need to submit late work, you have until the end of the current unit to complete it. I.e. If you miss a homework assignment in Unit 1, you have until the end of Unit 1 to submit the missed assignment for partial credit.
If you do not communicate with your instructor about late or missing work, they will assume that you are accepting a zero for that assignment.
The Late Work Policy is only applicable for prewriting, charts, and other homework assignments. It is NOT applicable for full draft essays.
If you know that you will need to submit an essay later than the specified due date, you must communicate with your instructor about an extension.
Unless an extension is arranged, essay drafts will be docked one third letter grade for every day after the due date until they are submitted.
Exceptions for late essays after the due date may be arranged for emergency situations at the discretion of the instructor.
No late work will be accepted after Thanksgiving.
The final assignment in this course is a writing portfolio. Because of end-of-semester time constraints, portfolios will be docked a full letter grade for every day they are late unless an extension has been requested and granted by the instructor.
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. This means, at minimum, no cell phones, text-messaging, instant messaging, etc. during class time and minimal conversation with other students unless we are engaged in small group discussion. If you bring a cell phone or other electronic device to class, make sure that the sound is turned off and the device is stored out of sight while we are in the classroom. If you have an emergency need to use your cell phone (e.g. family emergency situation), please notify me before class begins.
Let’s strive to create a classroom where respect for all people and diversity of opinion are the standard. Professional courtesy/sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, sex, culture, first language, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and nationality. Respectful discussion and debate are the heart of the academic enterprise. Advocating civility does not symbolize a retreat from passionate argument but rather acknowledges that meaningful and constructive dialogue requires mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance for opposing points of view. Classes that establish norms for respectful dialogue and reasoned debate can empower students to argue constructively and convincingly, to grow through rigorous intellectual exchange, and to prepare them for life in a complex, pluralistic world.
Any form of harassment – including racist, sexist, homophobic, or threatening comments and behaviors – will not be tolerated and is a violation of the MC Covenant and MC’s harassment policy. It is also a violation of decent human behavior. Students who fail to adhere to the above standards may be subject to discipline. If you encounter a problem with civility/respect, please do not hesitate to come forward and talk to me about it.
Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.
The above statements regarding classroom climate are taken verbatim or adapted slightly from http://caete.colorado.edu/resources/faculty/syllabus.aspx, a chapter entitled “Planning Your Learning Centered Syllabus” from Grunert O’Brien, Millis, & Cohen (2008), and various faculty colleagues’ syllabi (with permission).
Adherence to the principles and standards of the Maryville College Covenant is expected in this class. We esteem "to act with integrity in all interactions - academic, personal, and beyond and to encourage and support fellow learners as they aspire to be honest in their academic endeavors, as well as their personal relationships."
Unauthorized multiple submission of assignments is prohibited. This includes simultaneous submission of the same piece of work in two courses without the prior approval of both instructors, as well as turning in any assignment for which one has already received credit, without the prior approval of the later instructor. The instructor receiving the later submission should have the opportunity to confer with the earlier instructor about the assignment and to determine whether the multiple submissions are inappropriate.
Purchasing, borrowing, or other submission of assignments not completed by the student is strictly prohibited.
Breaches of academic integrity include the following: cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication, unauthorized multiple submission, abuse of academic materials, electronic dishonesty, unauthorized alteration or forgery of documents and records, and facilitation of academic dishonesty. Definitions and explanations regarding how violations are handled can be found in the MC Student Handbook as well as the academic catalog, under Academic Procedures and Regulations: https://maryvillecollege.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/academic-catalog/academic-procedures-and-regulations/academic-integrity/ If you have any questions, please see me!
Possible results of academic dishonesty can include a reduced grade or zero for the assignment, a reduction in participation points, OR a failing grade for the course. I reserve the right to determine the appropriate grade reduction based on the severity of the infraction.
AI may only be used on assignments with permission and attribution. In other words, for some assignments, students may be allowed to use AI to help generate ideas, outlines, etc. However, the AI-generated material should not be the final submission for any assignment. Instead, if a student uses AI to assist with an assignment or project, they should consider the material from the AI as a rough draft or baseline that they then need to revise, edit, and proofread before submitting.
Additionally, if students are allowed to use AI for some assignments, they need to also provide the prompts that they used to generate their answers, as well as the draft that the AI provided that the student then used as the base of their final submission.
MC Academic Support will be a hybrid model of assistance this semester by utilizing safe and in-person support in the Academic Support Center, as well as ZOOM and the Google Hangout online platform for our group study, tutoring, Writing Center, Math Tank, and Cooper Success programming. Supplemental Instruction will also use a hybrid model, meeting safely in-person, as well as online. Please contact noah.bowman@maryvillecollege.edu, 865-981-8121 for any academic support-related questions or requests.
Located in the Academic Support Center COL.LAB and in Thaw Hall Library during select times this fall semester, the Writing Center is a high-quality resource for all MC students. The consultants there are trained to help with all stages of the writing and speech preparation process, including brainstorming for topics, developing ideas, evaluating organization, revising final drafts, and practicing delivery. While consultants will NOT edit your essays, they can help you to identify problems with grammar and mechanics, organization and development, and delivery. Walk-ins are welcome; you can also make an appointment ahead of time to work with a specific consultant. More information and hours can be found here: https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/campus-life/student-services/academic-services/writing-center/
Students with a disability requiring accommodations or any student who believes that they will require accommodations due to a disability should contact (via phone or email) disabilityservices@maryvillecollege.edu, 865.981.8124, located in the lower level of Thaw Hall. Students are encouraged to make contact before or during the first week of classes. Additional information can be found on our website: http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/academics/resources/support-center/disability-services/
The Title IX Coordinator is designated to oversee the College’s compliance with Title IX and to coordinate the College’s response to reports of sexual harassment. The Title IX Coordinator addresses complaints of alleged discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, as defined by the Maryville College’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy. The College’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy implementing Title IX regulations and guidance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex may be found here.
For questions about Title IX or to make a report, contact:
Kelly Fitzgerald, Title IX Coordinator
Thaw Hall 111
TitleIX@maryvillecollege.edu
(865) 981-8501
You may also use the online reporting form.