Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

University of Puerto Rico-Mayagez Campus

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of English
Professor: Prof. Hernandez Michelson
Phone:
Office: Chardon 009
Mailbox: English Department
Office Hours: in office: 9:00-10:00 am
E-Mail: joanne.hernandez@upr.edu
on-line: upon request
This document may be amended over the course of the semester in order to meet course objectives and
correct unintended errors.
General Information:
Alpha-numeric codification: INGL 3103
Course Title: Intermediate English I
Course Schedule:
Section: 040, 10:30 am - 11:20 am LWV Room # CH 221
Section: 019, 7:30 am 8:45 pm MJ Room # CH 222
Number of credits: 3
Contact Period: 3 hours per week
Non-Contact Period: 2 hours of outside assignments for each contact hour (6 hours in total)
Course Description (according to the 2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalogue of the University of Puerto
Rico, Mayagez Campus):
English: Analysis of selected readings, such as essays, fiction, poetry or drama, and practice in writing
compositions with attention given as needed to grammar and idiomatic expressions.
Pre/Co-requisites and other requirements:
Intermediate English I (INGL 3103) is the first course of a sequence designed for entering students at the
Mayagez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico who have scored 570 or above on the College Board
Entrance Examination, but who have not qualified for advanced placement in the Honors Program of the
English Department by obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Test. Those students who
receive 3 on this test are enrolled in English 3103. Students who successfully pass INGL 3103 must pass INGL
3104 and six additional credit hours in the English department courses to satisfy University requirements.
Students who were enrolled in Basic English (INGL 3101 or 3102) in previous semesters, CANNOT take this
course. Please see me if you have any doubts about your placement in this course.
Course Objectives:
After completing INGL 3103, students should be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities in the
areas of reading and writing:

Focus on a purpose
Respond to different audiences and different kinds of rhetorical situations
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

Adopt an appropriate voice

Use conventions of format, structure and documentation in writing essays and other texts
Write in several genres such as reflective, analytic, evaluative, informative and argumentative
Use reading and writing for inquiry, learning, thinking, and communicating
Integrate their ideas with those of others using appropriate documentation (MLA and/or APA)
Break down writing assignments into a series of tasks
Understand that it takes multiple drafts to write a successful text
Develop flexible writing strategies for generating ideas, revising, editing and proofreading
Learn to critique their work and the work of others
Use a variety of technologies to address a range of audiences
Locate, evaluate, organize, and use research material from electronic sources correctly
Avoid plagiarism

Instructional Strategies:*
The following instructional strategies will be incorporated in the class in order to assure proper understanding
and application of the rhetorical, linguistic, and content-based knowledge/strategies needed to interpret,
evaluate, analyze, and critique texts and articles via writing:
Lectures and Conference
Independent and Guided Research
In-Class and Online Discussions
Debates and Presentations
Reading and Writing Workshops
Group Work and Analysis
Minimum or Required Resources Available:*
Course Text:
Palmquist, Mike, and Wallraff, Barbara. Joining the Conversation: A Guide for Writers. Second edition.
Bedford/St. Martins. 2014.
Students are expected to download assigned electronic texts, print them out, and bring them to the class
on the day they will be discussed. The student will be considered absent each time he/she does not bring
the assigned texts to the class.
No electronic gadgets may be used or consulted in class (including but not limited to cellphones and
personal computers). Print editions of the texts should be used (not laptops, phones, or tablets) Any
student who has to leave before the end of class should first excuse himself/herself, and this should only
be done in the event of serious crises or emergencies. Answering messages or phone calls does not fall
under the category of an emergency.*
Recommended Resources:
The student should purchase an English/Spanish dictionary since it would be of great use for the essay
component of the exams. A thesaurus and even an English dictionary would also be beneficial.
Although writing and MLA manuals are usually recommended for composition courses such as this one,
it is not required for you to purchase a physical copy of this text. This source can be used instead at no
cost: http://owl.english.purdue.edu.
The student should purchase or have easy access to a printer, due to the fact that handouts, texts, essays, and
assignments must printed out and brought to class on the assigned date. Assignments and course materials can
be printed out (free of cost) at select computer labs throughout the campus, as long as your own paper is
provided. You can also print papers and course texts for a small fee at the library.
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

Course Time Frame and Thematic Outline:
Outline
I. Introduction to the writing process: writing as a social act,
collaboration, how to peer review, writing multiple drafts, different
genres for different audiences, how to revise, how to edit, how to use
technology in writing. Developing voice in writing.
II. Working with sources:
How to use the library databases, how to locate sources, how to avoid
plagiarism, how to integrate sources into a text, how to document sources
using MLA
III. Crafting a written text: how to organize, revise, edit and present
writing using 3 or more different genres- reflective, informative,
analytical, evaluative, persuasive. (about 6 hours for each of three
genres and 6 hours for introducing smaller writings on one or more other
genres)
Total hours:

Contact Hours
9

12

24

45

Grading System: Because the grading scale at our institution does not allow for the reporting of grades of - or
+ (A- or C+ for example), I will necessarily calculate grades according to the following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
*100%-90%
89%-80%
79%-70%
69%-60%
59%-0%
Quantifiable (letters)
Not Quantifiable
Evaluation Strategies: While a final, graded exam is compulsory for all students registered in INGL 3103, this
course is based primarily on writing essays, not on exams or quizzes. The below chart lists the distinct tasks
required by your instructor, the quantity of each, and the percent or number of points of the total grade these
represent.
Task or product
Quantity
Percent
or points
Essays in different genres written and revised using 3
60%
MLA or APA
Portfolio
Homeworks and quizzes
Weekly writings responses/reflection

1
*Upon needed*
*Weekly*

10%
10%
10%

Final exam

10%

TOTAL:
100%
*Quizzes: Quizzes will be given based upon students responses towards reading the chapters assigned in class.
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

These will be unannounced and will consist of verifying if students have read the assigned chapters.
Written responses/reflections and Portfolio: Students will write a series of short (350 words) writing
assignments each week. LWV classes will be assigned to do so on Fridays to turn in on Mondays. MJ classes
will be assigned on Thursday to hand in Tuesday. Students will collect these assignments in a portfolio where
they will also include information such as course syllabus, handouts and essays, all in chronological order, to be
handed in two times in the semester to check progress, and for which they will receive a separate grade from the
writing assignments. This portfolio will help keep students organized as well as show their progress through the
semester. To obtain the full grade for the portfolio students must include all the assigned sections and a final
reflection, which will be discussed later on during the semester
Final Exam: Students will have two hours to develop a concise and precise discussion on a topic that will be
given on the day of the final exam. Attendance to the final exam is compulsory and there are no negotiations
that can be made to substitute or eliminate this exam.*
Note: Drafts of essays will be shared in class on paper. Final essays will be turned in on paper. Do not send any
document to me by e-mail if I have not specifically requested you to do so.
Disclaimer: Students should keep in mind that an A (100 90%) is a grade assigned for exceptional,
insightful, and virtually flawless work only. If your work and classroom performance do not reflect these
qualities, do not expect an A in this course.*
Incompletes: Refer to University policy in relation to incompletes. Incompletes will not be assigned in this
course unless there is a valid and documented reason (i.e., medical problems). Poor work in the course is not a
valid reason. The grade earned by the student will be the grade s/he is assigned. There will be no extra-credit
option in this course to improve grades.
COURSE POLICIES:
Absences: According to institutional policy, attendance to class is compulsory. It is expected that students come
to class daily and on time. The student is responsible for all of the material that was discussed and covered
on the day he/she was absent. Bear in mind that though you will not receive a grade for attendance in this
class, every tardiness or absence will affect your grade negatively. Excused absences will be counted as half
(1/2) an absence, so be sure to remember that even prolonged excused absences can still affect your grade
negatively. Students who leave the class before being dismissed will be marked as absent. Only medical,
university, and court written excuses will be taken into consideration as valid excuses for this course. In the case
of a prolonged illness or personal issue (death of a family member or friend, school related trip, etc.), please
meet the instructor during his office hours, or contact him beforehand via email. You are allowed 3
unexcused absences; after that your final grade will be lowered by 3% for each additional absence.
Number of Absences
Percentage Subtracted From
Highest Possible Grade for
(or equivalent)
Course Grade
Course
1-3
No Penalty
100%
4
3%
97%
5
6%
94%
6
9%
91%
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

Assignments: All assignments must be turned in personally by the established due date and in the requested
format (hard copy, electronic, etc.). In terms of late essays/papers, ten (-10) points will be deducted for every
class day of lateness that passes. The instructor will only accept hard copies of essays and papers; essays or
papers will NOT be accepted if sent via email. Keep in mind that students will only receive full credit if the
assignment is handed in/completed by the established due date.
In addition, students should check their UPR email accounts on a daily basis in order to verify whether class
announcements, tasks, or handouts were sent by the instructor. All work for the course will be word-processed
on a computer. Aside from quizzes, no hand-written work will be accepted.*
Class Participation: All students are expected to actively engage into the discussions that take place in class.
Though students will not receive a grade for participation, failure or refusal to participate in class activities such
as writing workshops, informal presentations of essays and papers, and debates will result in the application of a
half () absence penalty.* Borderline grades are determined by the extent and quality of attendance and
participation.
Disruptive Behavior: Any disorderly/unsettling attitude or activity that interferes with the daily lectures will
not be accepted in the classroom. Any student that demonstrates disruptive behavior, in any form (disrespecting
the instructor or fellow students, texting or listening to music in class, constantly leaving the classroom, passing
notes to other students, etc.) will be given an initial warning from the instructor. If any disruptive behavior
continues to take place after the initial warning, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and will be
marked as absent.*
Electronic Devices: While we live in a technologically advanced society, Cellphones, music players, and other
electronic devices are distracting and should not be used in class. If your phone goes off in class, you and your
partner can either bring chocolates, pizza, or pastries for the entire class for our next meeting, or the entire class
has to write a 5-page essay about cellphone etiquette, which will count towards the reaction papers grade.**
Respect, Tolerance, and Open-mindedness: Controversial and charged topics may be discussed during the
course of the semester. It is expected that students approach every topic discussed in class and in the online
discussions with the amplified level of maturity, sensibility, rationality, and open-mindedness that is expected
from a college-level student. Personal attitudes and judgments towards sensitive topics such as religion, sexual
orientation, and politics should be kept aside from this class; these topics will solely be discussed within the
contexts of the assigned course texts. If you are unable to approach controversial/charged topics, discussions,
and language usage in a sensible and open-minded fashion, then you are advised to enroll in a section of INGL
3103 offered by another instructor.*
REQUIRED TEXT:
Palmquist, Mike, and Wallraff, Barbara. Joining the Conversation: A Guide for Writers. Second edition.
Bedford/St. Martins. 2014.
Online Resources:
The Owl at Purdue
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue Universityhouses writing resources and instructional
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

materials.Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist them
with many writing projects, during any stage of the writing process.
Bylaw 06-33 (Institutional Policy on Partial Exams Offered Outside of Regular Class Hours):
According to article 6 of bylaw 06-33 (Institutional Policy on Partial Exams Offered Outside of Regular Class
Hours), Partial exams offered outside of the established course period should not conflict with other classes,
laboratories, or departmental exams in the program of studies of the students registered for a course. If it is not
possible to accommodate students at the same time, or if a valid excuse is submitted by one or several students
in a timely manner prior to the exam, the principle of equity demands that these students be tested at another
time, in conditions equivalent to those of other students in the section. Article 7 indicates that scheduling
conflicts that cannot be resolved between the student and the professor can be directed to the attention of the
director or the directors of the corresponding departments, programs, or offices. Contrary to what some
professors have indicated to students, there is no reason why they should miss classes when they confront
situations like this. As such, an absence from a class due to an exam in another course will not be excused.
According to Law 51:
All reasonable accommodations according to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) will be coordinated
with the Dean of Students (Prof. Teresita Cruz) and in accordance with the particular needs of the student. Any
student needing such accommodations should contact the Office of the Dean of Students in the Decanato de
Estudiantes building, Office DE-6 (in front of the Jos de Diego). For more information, please call (787) 2653862 or (787) 832-4040, exts. 3258 or 3274. You may also email tcruz@uprm.edu or m_rosado@uprm.edu.
Consult the Servicios a Estudiantes con Impedimentos website (http://www.uprm.edu/sei/index2.htm) for more
details.
NB: The Dean of Students notifies the professor of accommodations that must be made for a student via a
formal letter, however students disabilities are NOT disclosed to the professor.
Departamento de Orientacin:
On the first floor of the Decanato de Estudiantes (across from the Jos de Diego building), you can access
counselors who can advise you on managing your stress, your time, and the various pressures that you might be
confronted with in your first year (or future years) at the Colegio. Don't be timid about seeking help when you
need it. Recognizing your need for help and actively seeking resources to support you is a sign of maturity. For
further information, link to http://www.uprm.edu/orientacion/index.html or to schedule an appointment, call
(787) 832-4040, extensions 2040, 3372, or 3864. This department is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
The Writing Center:
Students should take responsibility for obtaining help as needed. In addition to the instructors office hours, the
Arts and Sciences Writing Center, located at 323 Celis. The Writing Center supports all reading and writing
needs including the reading of texts, vocabulary development, pre-writing, drafting, content development,
organization, and the preparation of final drafts. It is open to all students.
Academic Honesty:
As per Cert. 45, 2005-06, it is the institutional policy of the Mayagez Campus to observe the highest standards
of intellectual and scientific integrity and to pursue the prosecution of all violations. Violations include
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Course Syllabus INGL 3103 Intermediate English Composition I, Semester 1, 2015-2016

plagiarism (using the work, processes, ideas, and results of others without proper credit). Moreover, Article
14(A)(2) of the UPR General Regulations for Students identifies cheating as a punishable conduct.
As such, a professor may present a formal complaint to the Campus Disciplinary Board if she or he believes a
student has committed plagiarism. If the professor pursues this line of action, Article 15 of the UPR General
Regulations for Students stipulates that the repercussions may be the following:
A written warning which will be included in the students official record
Probation for a determined period of time
Suspension for a determined period of time
Administrative permanent withdrawal from the UPR system
Other sanctions provided by special regulation
*Perez Cortes , Luis (2012) . INGL 3103 Fall Syllabus 2012.
** Iriarry Ramos, Elenita (2013). INGL 3201 Fall Syllabus 2013.