EN 102-051: English Composition - Spring 2020

MWF 1:00pm - 1:50 pm Morgan 102

Instructor:   Morgan Beers

Email:         mdbeers@crimson.ua.edu
Hours:        Monday 10-12pm; Tuesday 2-3pm (and by appointment)
Location:    TBD

Description: English 102, the second course in UA’s first-year sequence, continues students’
practice in rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing
processes, sentence-level conventions, and reflection skills. The course also
emphasizes university-level research and source usage techniques. Intended for
native speakers of English. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A
grade of C- or higher is required as a prerequisite for advancing to another English
course at The University of Alabama. Offered each semester and in summer school.
EN 102 does not apply as credit to the English major or minor. This course
satisfies 3 hours of the FC (freshman composition) core requirement. This is an
ePortfolio section, which means each student will create a personal website
that showcases their work for the semester.

Learning
Outcomes: By the end of the semester, you will:
 Develop a repertoire of diverse rhetorical strategies that will enable you to
assess and appropriately respond to each assignment’s genre, audience, and
purpose.
 Demonstrate in writing a strong command of critical thinking skills such as
analysis, synthesis, interpretation, and evaluation.
 Locate assignment-appropriate sources in the library and online.
 Compose essays by working through multiple drafts; by participating in
opportunities for peer and instructor feedback; by applying that feedback in
revisions; and, in general, you will treat the composition of any written text
as a deliberate and recursive process.
 Employ grammar, punctuation, mechanics, usage, and basic citation and
paper formatting in a manner appropriate to the genre and assignment
being composed.
 Reflect, in writing, on your own development as a writer.

Classroom
Expectations: As decided collaboratively by the class the classroom expectations are as
follows:
 Be respectful and actively listen and participate
 No distractions (phones, laptops, side convos, etc)
  Actively write/ be working on something during writing time
 Maintain an overall quiet environment during in class work time
 Participate and contribute to group work and stay on task
 Provide constructive feedback and criticism aimed to help peers improve
their writing
 Come to class prepared
 Maintain a positive learning environment that is free of judgement

Required Texts: UA Custom Edition of BULLOCK / NORTON FIELD GUIDE TO WRITING –

Available through the UA Supply Store

Other Required
Course Materials:
 Laptop for use in class (you can check out laptops from Gorgas library
https://www.lib.ua.edu/using-the-library/equipment/)
 A Weebly account and website (free; instructions will be provided in class)
 Access to a printer
 Pen or pencil
 Notebook with paper
 Folder or binder to store class notes, process writing, etc.

Attendance: Regular attendance in your writing class is vital to your growth as a writer.
Regular attendance equals success. You should, therefore, strive to attend every
class meeting. It is in class, after all, that you will learn the habits of good writers,
as you will have ample opportunities for conversation, collaboration, questioning,
revising, writing, etc. Occasionally, however, you may have to miss class. The First-
year Writing Program Attendance Policy makes reasonable allowances for such
absences.
Please review the following information carefully:
 You should not miss more than six class meetings for classes meeting three
times a week, or four class meetings for classes meeting twice a week. You
are considered absent any time you are not in class—no matter what the
reason. The First-Year Writing Program does not distinguish between
excused and unexcused absences.
 If you miss more classes, you will receive a course grade of NC (“No Credit”)
for excessive absences. Your instructor is required to assign this grade,
except in rare cases warranting a policy waiver. However, you may appeal
 an attendance-related NC grade to the Director of First-year Writing after
grades have been submitted.

What you can make up:

 Making up missed work does not erase absences. Again, you should strive to
attend every class meeting.
 You may make up major-grade work (such as papers or tests) if class was
missed due to legitimate circumstances beyond your control (i.e.,
documented illness or medical emergency; a family funeral; activities at
which you officially represent the University of Alabama). If such
circumstances should arise, please promptly communicate them to and
document them for your instructor.
 You may make up major-grade work missed due to absences for other
reasons only with the consent of your instructor.
 You may arrange to turn in major-grade work in advance or online only if
allowed by your instructor.

What you can’t make up

 Class discussions, group work, in-class writing, or other daily class work in a
writing class cannot be reconstructed. Therefore, daily work missed due to
absence or tardiness cannot be made up. Missed daily class work will have a
negative impact on your grade!

Major Assignments:

% of Final
Approx. Word Count Due
Grade

Exploratory Essay 750-1000 words 20% 02/03

Approx. 1250-1500
Annotated Bibliography 20% 03/02
words

Researched Essay Approx. 1500 words 20% 04/06

Reflection essay
ePortfolio including
approx. 1250 words;
reflection essay and
other word counts as 20% 04/30
participation in
given throughout
showcase event
semester
Throughou
Daily Grades 20%
t semester
Missed Exams
And Coursework: Please see attendance policy. Late essays are penalized 5 points per day
late (including weekends and non-class days). Talk to your teacher before the
due date if you have extenuating circumstances and need to request a possible
extension. The final ePortfolio cannot be accepted late. Daily work cannot be
accepted late.

Grading Policy: Papers are graded A through F with pluses and minuses as necessary. “A”
work is generally regarded as excellent; “B” work is good; “C” work is
competent; “D” work is marginally below college standards; and “F” work is
clearly below minimum college standards. Work that does not follow the
assignment (though otherwise acceptable) will also receive an “F.” Work that
is not done or not turned in is recorded as a zero. Your teacher will provide
more specific grading criteria on assignment sheets and/or rubrics. All major
papers will be graded and returned before the next major assignment is due.
Freshman-level proficiency in writing is required for a passing grade.

Final grades for the class below a C- are given a mark of No Credit (NC), which
does not reflect on your GPA but will require you to take the course again. You
may also receive an NC for excessive absences; please see the attendance
policy.

Paper grades can be converted to percentages like this:

A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68,
D=65, D-=62, F=50.

Final numeric grades will be converted to letter grades like this:

100-98=A+; 97-93=A; 92-90=A-; 89-88=B+; 87-83=B; 82-80=B-; 79-78=C+;
77-73=C; 72-70=C-; 69 and below=NC

Phone/Laptop
Policy: We’ll make frequent use of technology in this class, but please stay focused on
class work and don’t have material on your screen that could distract you or your
classmates. There will also be times that I may ask the class to put away
laptops/tablets and work on paper. I will ask you to discontinue use of your phone
or laptop if it becomes disruptive to your classmates. If you have a specific need to
use technology more regularly, please speak to me outside of class.
Interest in English
Major/Minor: The English Department offers a major and four minors (English; Creative
Writing; Linguistics; Comparative and World Literature). If you are interested in
becoming an English major or minor, feel free to ask me for more information or
drop by the Undergraduate Studies Office in Morgan 103. You can also check out
our website: www.english.ua.edu.

If you’re already a major or a minor, you can join EMMA, the English Majors &
Minors Association. For more information, send an email to
ua.emmassociation@gmail.com or connect through Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/EMMAssociation/

Academic
Misconduct: All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be
honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of
scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct
than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all
acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or
intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The
Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic
misconduct.

Resources:  Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. I check my email
frequently during the week and you should expect a reply within 24 hours. Replies
may be delayed on weekends. The UA Writing Center is another excellent
resource. Their office is located at 322 Lloyd Hall. You can schedule an
appointment with them using writingcenter.ua.edu (they also do walk-ins when
possible). They do not proofread papers or write papers for you, but they can help
with overall structure, organization, development, and mechanics. Take a copy of
the writing assignment sheet and any work you’ve completed toward the
assignment if you go. Go to http://writingcenter.ua.edu/ for more information or to
set up an appointment.
The Resource librarian assigned to our course is Alex Boucher. You will meet him
during our library visits, but feel free to reach out to him at any time:
taboucher@ua.edu

UAct: The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community

defined by respect and civility.
 www.ua.edu/uact provides extensive information on how to report or obtain
assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence,
domestic violence, stalking , sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX
violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat
assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.

ODS: The University of Alabama is committed to ensuring the full participation of all
students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may
have a disability) and need reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in this
class, contact the Office of Disability Services (or ODS; 205-348-4285, ods@ua.edu,
Houser Hall 1000, www.ods.ua.edu) as soon as possible. If you have been approved
to receive accommodations through ODS, please meet with me privately after
class, during office hours, or by appointment to submit your accommodation letter
and discuss how accommodations can be implemented in this course.

My course is intended to be inclusive for all University of Alabama Students. If you

have any kind of disability, whether apparent or non-apparent, learning, emotional,
physical or cognitive, and you need accommodations or alternatives to lectures,
assignments or exams, please feel free to contact me to discuss reasonable
accommodations. If, at any point, you find yourself not able to fully access the
space, content and experience of the course you are welcome to contact me by
email or during office hours to discuss your specific needs.

Basic Needs: Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and
believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the
Dean of Students for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are
comfortable doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources she may
possess.
 Mental Health & Wellness Resources

Each semester, thousands of UA students and faculty experience unhealthy stress at some
point. Some of you experience it more often—and may be affected more severely—than others.
Some may experience academic stress, while others may experience hazing or harassment.
Still, some of you may struggle with mental illness and may face a number of emotional,
cognitive, and physical challenges as you navigate the semester. If you experience these issues,
it’s important that you seek help if you feel you need it.
 
Every year, suicide is among the leading causes of death among college students, so it’s critical
that you know that you are not alone, and that confidential help is always available at UA.
 
If you find yourself stressed, struggling with unhealthy thoughts or behaviors, experiencing
hazing/harassment, and/or battling mental illness—or if you just want someone to listen—please
know that there are people here to help and who will keep your information private via HIPAA
guidelines.
 
Here are a few resources that may be particularly useful:
 Counseling Center (at 205-348-3863 or https://counseling.sa.ua.edu
 Women & Gender Resource Center (https://wgrc.sa.ua.edu)
 Office of Disability Services [who may be able to help those diagnosed with mental
illness] (348-4285 or www.ods.ua.edu)
 Suicide Prevention—contact Counseling Center, call 911, or seek help in a local
Emergency Department.
You can find other resources on the UAct website (https://www.ua.edu/campuslife/uact/).
 
Please know that I am always willing to make a referral for you if you do not feel comfortable
doing so yourself.

Non-Discrimination Policy

As an academic community, our educational mission is enhanced by the robust exchange of

ideas that occurs between a diverse student body, faculty, and staff within a respectful and
inclusive learning environment. As a campus community we are dedicated to the pursuit of
personal and academic excellence, to advancing the ideals of individual worth and human
dignity, and to maintaining a nurturing and respectful learning environment.  All members of
the UA community are expected to contribute positively to the environment and to refrain from
behaviors that threaten the freedom or respect that every member of our community deserves.

The University of Alabama is committed to providing an inclusive environment that is free from
harassment or discrimination based on race, genetic information, color, religion, ethnicity,
national origin, socioeconomic status, political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender
expression, gender identity, age, ability, size, or veteran status. The University of Alabama
prohibits any verbal or physical conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any
individual or group, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, stalking, intimidation,
harassment, sexual misconduct, coercion, and/or other communication or conduct that creates
a hostile living or learning environment. Harassment or other illegal discrimination against
individuals or groups not only is a violation of University Policy and subject to disciplinary
action, but also is inconsistent with the values and ideals of the University.

Class Calendar

Any necessary changes will be announced in class and posted to BBL. Readings and
homework are due by the date listed on the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK DATE TOPIC READINGS
DUE
01/08 Introductions - -
Begin reading from
1
selected sources
Discussion of Selected
01/10
Sources
discussed in class and -
keep a reading log w/
notes
Norton, “Reading in Bring notes and
01/13 Reading with a Purpose Academic Contexts,” questions from
Ch. 2 readings
Narrow down
Norton, “Writing as
2 01/15 Writing as Inquiry selected sources
Inquiry,” Ch. 27
to 3
Have topic
01/17 Exploratory Essay - chosen

01/20 No Class - -
3 01/22 Breaking Down the Text - -
Bring 2 copies
01/24 Peer Review of your draft to
class

4 01/27 Conferences
 01/29

01/31

02/03 Final Draft of Exploratory Essay Due in Class

Norton, “Summarizing
and Responding,” Ch.
3; “Annotated
02/03 Annotated Bibliography
Bibliographies and -
Reviews of Scholarly
Literature,” Ch 15.
Complete
5 Library Visit – Gorgas Activity for
02/05
104 - Library Visit on
BBL
Norton, “Seoul Meets
Body,” pp.730-735;
Questions from
02/07 Working with Models “Annotated
Library Visit
Bibliography,” pp.736-
740
“Fake or Real? How to
Bring List of 5
Self-Check the News
02/10 Reviewing Sources potential
and Get the Facts” on
sources
BBL
6
02/12 Writing Day - -
Summary and Have 2 entries
02/14
Organization - completed

02/17
Conferences
7 02/19

02/21 No Class – Out of Town

2/22 Rough Draft of Annotated Bibliography due on BBL

Set up Weebly
02/24 ePortfolio Day - account

Library Visit – Normal

8 02/26
Classroom - -
02/28 Peer Review - 2 copies of draft
 3/2 Final Annotated Bibliography Due in Class

03/02 Reflection - -
Introducing the
9
03/04
Research Paper - -
Norton, “Reporting
Information,” Ch. 12; Submit 3-5 topic
03/06 Reporting vs. Arguing
“Arguing a Position,” ideas in class
Ch. 13
“Norton, “Quoting,
Quoting and
03/09
Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing, and
Summarizing” Ch. 51
-
10 03/11 Work Day - -
Bring in 3
03/13 Speed Peer Review - paragraphs

03/16

11 03/18 Spring Break – No Class

03/20

Norton, “U Can’t Talk

to Ur Professor Like
This,” pp. 165; “The
Structuring a Research
03/23
Essay
True Enshrinement of
American Ideals: The
-
Electoral College,”
12 pp.777

03/25 ePortfolio Day - -

2 Printed
03/27 Full Peer Review - Copies of Draft

3/28 Rough Draft of Researched Essay Due on BBL

 03/30
Conferences
13 04/01

04/03 No Class

04/06 Final Draft of Researched Essay Due in Class

04/06 Reflection - -
Post ePortfolio
14 04/08 ePortfolio Workday - link to
GoogleDoc
Comprehensive
04/10
Reflection - -
04/13 ePortfolio Workday - -
Continue
No Class – Out of Town
15 04/15
for PCA/ACA - working on
ePortfolio
Continue
No Class – Out of Town
04/17
for PCA/ACA - working on
ePortfolio

04/20 ePortfolio Workday - -

ePortfolio Showcase
16 04/22
(?) - -
04/24 Food & Final Reflections - -

4/30 ePortfolio Due @ 2:00 pm