The following are requirements, policies, and course expectations:
Course Requirements:
All class readings will be available through the Course Site on Open Lab or will be distributed in class. We will discuss how each of you will sign up to the site. https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/leighgoldenglish1101/. All assignments will also be available on the course site. You will need your City Tech email account to create an account on the OpenLab.
Access to a computer or other device, the Internet, and a printer: you will be asked to PRINT out assignments that are provided as links on the course Open Lab site.
Access to the Circulating Collection, the Reserves, and the Databases at the Ursula C. Schwerin Library for supplemental and research materials.
A college-level dictionary, such as the American Heritage Dictionary—an online dictionary such as http://m-w.com can suffice
A sturdy folder to hold your work and course handouts
A notebook for class notes and reading notes
A notebook to be used as a journal
Various in-class handouts
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in this discussion-based course. Arriving late, leaving during class, or leaving early, depending on the circumstance, can count as an absence. City Tech’s policy states that four or more absences will result in a failing grade. Absence is not an excuse for missing or late work; you must get class notes from a classmate and keep up with your reading and written work. If you know that you will be unable to attend a class due to an emergency or illness, please be sure to alert me.
Participation: To meet course goals, you must participate in each class. Come prepared, bring any required books or materials, and contribute to the day’s activity. If you do not contribute to the discussion, workshop, or small group activity, I will assume you are unprepared. Please be respectful of other viewpoints or opinions in class and online. Distractions such as any non-ENG 1101 materials or cell phones are not permitted, since they will negatively affect your participation, and in turn, your success in this course.
Writing: You will be writing regularly in this class, both inside and outside of the classroom. There will be due dates for drafts and for finished copies of assignments, but you will be responsible for pacing your work and completing drafts. Formal assignments should be submitted in a reasonable 12-point font with one-inch margins on all sides—further details will be provided on the assignment description. We will be using MLA guidelines for essay assignments. If you believe you have a legitimate reason for requesting an extension for an assignment, do so at least 24 hours before the due date. Assignments submitted late but without an extension will automatically receive a lower grade. In-class writing will contribute to your essay assignments, and will affect your essay grade, your in-class writing grade, and your participation grade. These pieces of informal writing must be kept in a writing folder, since we will return to texts, themes, and ideas throughout the semester.
Revisions: Revision is an essential part of writing. Formal assignments will involve both a draft and a revised version. Please be aware that revision is not the same as correcting—true revision involves re-envisioning your essay, refashioning and rewriting it. Guidelines for revisions, as well as due dates, will be available with each assignment description. If you would like to revise an assignment after I have graded it, you must first make an appointment with me and adhere to our revision contract.
Reading: Throughout the course, we will be reading a variety of texts together. You will also be doing more reading for your research essays. It is crucial that you keep up with the reading to be able to fully participate in class activities and discussions. You will be expected to annotate (take notes) on all of the readings. We will be learning more about how to most effectively annotate throughout the class.
Homework: Assignments, whether for reading or writing, are due at the start of class. Please follow the schedule listed on the schedule of classes. Please be attentive to additional assignments that will be given at the end of each class or communicated via email or posted on the course site.
This class will share a virtual community on the OpenLab (https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu). Formal and informal assignments will be posted there in various formats. You will need your City Tech email account to create an account on the OpenLab.
Grading: Your course grade will be calculated based on the following percentages, which reflect the value of the entire project; missing any component will result in a lower grade. Passing ENG 1101 is contingent upon attendance and the successful completion of all assignments and the final exam.
Essay #1 (Self-introduction: memories that impacted your life, goals, and identity): 10%
Essay #2 Text analysis: 15%
Essay #3: Midterm in-class Essay (Comparison and Contrast): 10%
Essay #4 (Research Project): 20%
Essay #5 Final Exam: 15%
Oral Presentation on Research Project: 5%
Journal writing, written responses, quizzes, in-class assignments, and participation: 25%
Class policies: Please be respectful of everyone in our classroom, be punctual, prepared, alert, and free of distractions such as cell phones, food, or other courses’ materials. The more attentive and prepared we are, the more we can learn with our classmates.
Support: Please do not hesitate to speak with me during my office hours or by appointment—this is one of the most direct and effective ways to improve your work, seek advice, and alert me to any issues, concerns, or questions. There are many other avenues of support at City Tech, including your Learning Community peer advisor, the College Learning Center, the Academic Advisement Center, and the Counseling Service Center. Students with disabilities should consult with the Student Support Services Program for documentation and support, and should speak with me privately to coordinate appropriate accommodations.
Academic Integrity:
Policy on Academic Integrity: “Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.”
Plagiarism, the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research, or writing as your own, whether intentionally or unintentionally, is not tolerated at City Tech. Using proper documentation (we will use the MLA style for citations) and thorough textual analysis will help you avoid plagiarism. Any cases of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero and appropriate measures taken. Please familiarize yourself with City Tech’s academic honesty policies: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/aboutus/docs/policies/CUNY_ACADEMIC_INTEGRITY_6-2011.pdf. If you are confused or have any questions about what plagiarism is and how you might avoid it, please contact me before your assignment is due.
