Fall 2014
Dr. Roxanne Kent-Drury
Phone: 859-572-6636
Office: LA 527
Office Hours: TBS
Email: rkdrury@nku.edu
ENG 291-022
T/R 1:40-2:55 pm
LA 524
ENG 291-024
T/R 3:05-4:20pm
LA 524
Course Description. In ENG 291, you will learn to read and analyze complex writing in several fields and practice writing for various purposes, especially those you are likely to encounter during your college career, with emphasis on writing persuasively, based on sound research.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, you should be able to do the following:
Textbooks
Readings will be provided on Blackboard.
Grading/Assessment*
Essay 1. Reading and Writing about Ourselves and Family (4-6 pages)* (20%)
Reading: John Wideman, Our Time (on Blackboard, in "Readings" folder)
(Handout and Essay Assignment)
Essay 2. Reading and Writing about Cultures (4-6 pages)* (20%)
Reading: Clifford Geertz, Notes on a Balinese Cockfight
(Group Assignment; Essay Assignment and Dates)
Essay 3. Reading and Writing beyond Boundaries (4-6 pages)* (20%)
Reading: Mary Louise Pratt, Arts of the Contact Zone
(schedule) (assignment)
Essay 4. Going Further--Research Paper (8 pages)* (20%)
(schedule) (assignment)
Participation & In-class assignments (20%)
*Every component of every assignment must be completed before the final paper will be graded. Failure to complete all papers will result in failure of the course.
Essays and Major Assignments
Detailed written instructions for each writing assignment will be provided at the beginning of each assignment sequence.
The final assignment will include outside sources/research.
Paper Format and Due Dates
Papers must be typed in a 10 or 12 point font (handwritten drafts will not be accepted), double-spaced with 1” (one-inch) margins all around, and presented in a traditional font (such as Times New Roman). When citations are necessary, we will conform to the MLA guidelines for in-text citations and works cited.
I do not accept late papers. You must bring your work to class on the day it is due to receive full credit.
Grading Scale
NKU Email Account and Computer Access
As you can see, we are in a computer classroom, so you will need your NKU email and web account to complete this course. Consequently, you need to ensure that your NKU email account is activated during the first week of the semester. If you wish to use a different email account, forward your NKU email to that account. You will need computer access for to do research, correspond by email, complete assignments, and check Blackboard, and word processing. Computer labs are located throughout the campus.
Attendance/Class Participation
The university requires that all instructors take attendance as a legal matter. Class participation is a crucial aspect of this course. The more you participate, the more enjoyable it will be for everyone. There are many ways for you to participate. The first way is obviously coming to class prepared, and participating in discussion, but we will also do in-class writing assignments, as well as group work, all of which count towards your participation grade, and all of which you will be turning in with your portfolios.
Attendance, participation, and general engagement with the course determine borderline grades.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center offers you an excellent service! They will assist you, free of charge, with your writing assignments. They can help you create a topic, generate ideas, develop a research strategy, start a draft, revise, and edit. When you go, bring your assignment sheet and any materials you are working on. They are located in the Learning Assistance Center, Founders Hall room 209, phone 572-5475, www.nku.edu/~laplearn. Make appointments on line at Tutortrac.
Student Learning Outcomes for English 291
Students will demonstrate the following learning outcomes of the NKU General Education Program:
The Foundation of Knowledge program guides students to become independent learners, innovative thinkers, and responsible citizens. The program provides a foundation of values, knowledge, and skills that will empower them to discover their personal potential, communicate effectively, work in diverse communities, and solve problems in a global society. Courses in the program invite students to expand the life-long practice of asking questions, seek new points of view, apply principles of reason, adjust ideas in relation to new situations, and take reflective action.
Disabilities/Accessibility
If you have any disability that can affect your work in this class, please contact Disability Services. They can give you the verification you need to inform your professors and receive necessary accommodations. University Center 320, phone 859-572-5180. Here is a link to the Disability Services web page: http://disability.nku.edu/
Student Achievement Center
If you are experiencing any roadblocks to your success in college—financial, academic, or personal concerns—the dedicated people in SAC will work with you to find solutions. University Center 352, phone 859-572-6497. Web page: http://sac.nku.edu/
Credit Hour Policy Statement
In accordance with federal policy, NKU defines a credit hour as the amount of work represented in the pursuit of student learning outcomes (and verified by evidence of student achievement) that reasonably approximates one hour (50 minutes) of classroom instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work. For every course credit hour, a typical student should expect to spend at least three hours per week of concentrated attention on course-related work including, but not limited to, class meeting time, reading, reviewing, organizing notes, studying and completing assignments. At least an equivalent amount of time is expected for other academic activities such as online courses, laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
NB: A course worth three credit hours requires a minimum of 135 hours of course time.
Work required for a typical student to complete course expectations are as follows:
In-Class: 3 days x 50 min x 15 weeks
(or 2 days x 75 min x 15 weeks) = 37.5 hours (2250 minutes)
Drafting formal writing (30-35 pages of prose) = 40 hours
Reading, researching, informal writing = 50 hours
Revision/Workshop formal writing = 20 hours
TOTAL 147.5 hours
Individual students' experience may differ depending upon preparation and learning styles.