English 1000 The Writing Process (Fall 2013) CRN: 44211 MW 8:00am - 9:40am | 3037 Brown Hall Instructor:

: Kyle Bjorem Email: kyle.b.bjorem@wmich.edu Program Coordinator: Peter Thompson Email: peter.h.thompson@wmich.edu Office: 704 Sprau Tower Office Hours: Wednesdays 10:00am 12:00pm

Required Materials Signs: A Grammar Handbook by Allison D. Smith ISBN: 9781598712506 1 $5.00 Copy Card 1 Spiral Bound Notebook 1 Pocket Folder (provided) Course Description English 1000 builds upon the writing skills you already have through an exploration of the writing process. We will work as a group on refining our abilities in each stage of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, and publishing) by investigating and practicing many genres of writing. This course is specifically designed to help you in all of the writing you may have to do as you progress in your university education and in the rest of your life. Course goals include, but are not limited to: Developing familiarity and comfort with the processes of prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Preparing you to be active in the writing community by both giving and receiving commentary on your work from others in the class (including the instructor). Developing skills to articulately present and elaborate on your original ideas. Course Requirements I am unconditionally committed to helping every one of you do your absolute best and move on eminently prepared to tackle the rest of your college career however, without effort on your part Im afraid there isnt much that Im going to be able to do for you. The requirements I have for you to pass this course are listed below. Anyone who meets these and is committed to improvement will do perfectly well in this course. Also, when I say committed to improvement I include within that being committed to helping your classmates in their improvement. Regularly Scheduled Classes: During this time we will discuss assignments, engage in class dialogue, work in small groups, do writing activities individually, work on projects, etc. Its class. You know what class is. You have to show up and you have to participate. I know that there are many different learning styles and personality types and Ill do my best to accommodate everyone and get you involved in some way. IMPORTANT: Be excellent to each other. This means having the same respect for others that you would want them to have for you and not engaging them in a derogatory or negative way. No matter our views/opinions, where we come from, or what our long-term goals are, it is important to remember that in this class we all have the same goal and the only way were going to meet it successfully is as a supportive community. Keep the phones in your pocket or in your bag, please.

Projects / Folders: The folder within which you found this fascinating syllabus is your project folder. Please put your name on it somewhere. Over the course of the semester we will be working together on a series of projects (four, to be exact). Each one will be a step-by-step process they will create themselves, in a manner of speaking. When a project is due, I will expect you to hand in your project folder. On the left side I want all of your process material (meaning all notes, brainstorms, outlines, drafts, peer-editing feedback, etc). On the right side of the folder I want your final product(s). Teacher Consultation: At least once during the semester you are required to meet one-on-one with me to discuss your progress, assignment issues, or anything else that you want to talk about. However, I reserve the right to request and require up to three consultations with you if I feel like it is necessary for your success in the course. Obviously, you are completely welcome and encouraged to meet with me as many times as you want before/after class, during my office hours, etc. Writing Center: You are required to visit the WMU Writing Center for a consultation on one of your writing projects at least once during the semester. This is an incredibly valuable resource and you are encouraged to go there as much as want to or as much as you can. An appointment for a consultation can be made at www.wmich.edu/casp/writingcenter/. Attendance: Due to the nature of this class, you have a maximum of three excused/non-excused absences. If a 4th absence occurs you will be required to have a consultation with me to create a plan of action to get back on track (this course is heavy on the in-class work, light on homework you will be behind if you miss class). If a 5th absence occurs you will be required to have a meeting with myself and the program director which is probably something you would rather avoid. Regarding tardiness: Stuff happens, people are late, I get it. It might even happen to me once or twice during the semester. However, if it ends up being a regular problem for you to show up on time, Ill start counting being late as an absence. Please let me know in person or via email if you know you will need to miss a class. E-Mail: Please try to check your WMU e-mail account every day. You should probably be doing this anyway, but Im sure there will be things that I forgot to tell you in class, or documents I want to send, reminders, etc. It takes 5 seconds, just check it. If, for whatever reason, class needs to be cancelled this is how you will be notified. Assignments As mentioned earlier, we will have 4 major projects of varying lengths over the course of the semester. While working on these, we will engage in several shorter writing assignments and group activities in class designed to help with development of your drafts and improvement of your writing process techniques. Because the writing process is the emphasis of this course, I reserve the right to refuse to accept any paper if drafts cannot be presented or if the final draft does not reflect revision from the earlier work. Regarding late work: Its not something that Im going to take without good reason. The acceptance of late work is affected by a variety of factors but, ultimately, it is left to my discretion. If absolutely necessary, assignments may be emailed to me or left for me in Sprau Tower in room 710 (the program director Peter Thompsons office). If hes not there, slide it under the door. **The main goal of this class is not to produce flawless work that will entertain and impress your instructor. Rather, it is to learn to utilize multi-stage process writing in order to improve your ability to express your ideas. Because of this, only about 40% of your project evaluations will be based on the strength of your final draft. The other 60% will be based upon your work during the writing process, your engagement with class activities, reflective writing, etc.**

Course Credit English 1000 is a Credit/No Credit course. Because of this, we do not use letter grades. Your evaluations will instead use the following system to show you how you are performing as a writer: Excelling: Demonstrates ability to thrive in a given aspect Succeeding: Demonstrates ability to achieve effective results in a given aspect Progressing: Possesses some strong traits; improvement needed Developing: Exhibits areas of concern; in need of instruction and assistance Ultimately, it is up to me and the English 1000 Program Director to decide as to whether or not you are able to advance to ENGL 1050, IME 1020, or BIS 1420. With that in mind, work hard and your chance for advancement will increase and the better prepared you will be later. I believe that you have an excellent opportunity here to hone your skills and have a good time doing it. Please do not waste it. Academic Honesty You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog (pp. 274-276) that pertains to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test. Students with Disabilities: Western Michigan University provides academic assistance for Students with Disabilities, including the technical, academic, and emotional support necessary to achieve academic and personal success. Course related assistance and academic accommodations are provided to eligible students with documented disabilities. Services may include advocacy, reader services, interpreters, alternate exam administration, and note takers. Adaptive equipment is also available. The link for web information regarding services is http://www.dsrs.wmich.edu/. Students are also encouraged to contact one of the following offices: Disabled Student Resources and Services (DSRS), 387-2116, serves students who have documented physical and psychiatric disabilities, as well as students with documented learning disabilities and related emotional issues. The Office of Services for Students with Learning Disabilities (OSSLD), 387-4411, serves students who have documented learning disabilities and related emotional issues. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), 387-8880, acts affirmatively on behalf of qualified persons who have disability related compliance issues in accordance with Federal and State guidelines and regulations. Religious Observances Policy The University is a diverse, multicultural enterprise and, as a community, we jointly embrace both individual responsibility and dignified respect for our differences. It is WMU's general policy to permit students to fulfill obligations set aside by their faith. However, it is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with his/her instructors in advance. I ask to be informed early in the semester if you must miss class for religious reasons.