Instructor: David Fritts, Professor of English

CONTACT INFORMATION

My Office Phone: 270-831-9645 (Ext. 19645 from on-campus phones)
You can reach me during office hours, as well as by chance other times. If I am not in the office, you can leave a voice mail. Be sure to leave a clear message that includes your number and a time you can be reached so that I can return your call.

Phone for Humanities Division Secretary, Cheryl McKendree: 270-831-9640
You can leave a message with Ms. McKendree from 8:00 to 4:30. If your message is urgent and you can’t reach me, sometimes it may help to contact Ms. McKendree. She may also know when I will be available.

College Phone Numbers: 270-827-1867
800-696-9958 (toll free in Western KY)
If you call the college, you can ask to be connected to me.

E-mail: david.fritts@kctcs.edu
If you send me e-mail, I will respond as quickly as I can, almost always within 24 hours. This is my favorite means of communication.

Web Page: http://www.hencc.kctcs.edu/faculty/frittsd/
Look up class information here—especially assignments. Most days I post the next assignment by the end of the day. On some days, I will post class notes or other reminders. You will also find other useful class information here, as well as links to sources on the Web (for example, grammar exercises).

Office Hours
My schedule will be posted on the door to my office, AS 217, and on my Web Page. I will be available in my office at least 8 hours each week. During Office Hours, I am available to meet with you to discuss anything related to your academic progress, especially in this class.

Appointments
You can make an appointment with me at almost any time that we are both available. Just ask me, and we will work out a time that we can get together.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLASS?

ENC 091 gives you the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and responsibility that will be required of you to succeed in English 101.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

If you engage the activities and assignments in this class whole-heartedly, you will learn

• To set and evaluate your personal writing goals.
• To write essays acceptable to an academic audience. (See description below.)
• To make meaningful revisions of your writing.
• To adapt what you learn about writing to different writing situations.

These abilities will be evaluated by means of a writing portfolio that you will submit near the end of the term. The portfolio will be evaluated by two members of the HCC English faculty who teach ENG 101. (See the section below, “How will you be evaluated?”)

WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC ESSAY?

An academic audience (teachers, fellow-students, other professional colleagues) will expect your writing to follow a basic structure that demonstrates intelligent thought and critical analysis of your subject:

1. A thesis sentence will be stated in the introduction of an essay that identifies the point of the essay and, therefore, controls what the body of the essay will contain.
2. The body of the essay will be organized into supporting paragraphs that logically lead the reader to understand and accept your thesis.
3. Supporting paragraphs will be developed with adequate supporting details.
4. The organization of the essay and the relevance of your support to the thesis will be made clear by the effective use of topic sentences and transitional devices.
5. The essay will avoid errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and punctuation that may confuse your audience or cause them to lose confidence in your ideas.
6. Information from sources will be appropriately paraphrased or quoted, avoiding plagiarism and inaccuracy.

WHAT WILL I HAVE TO DO FOR THIS CLASS?

Simply put, you will have to work hard. More specifically, you can expect the following:

Out-of-class homework

Expect to have a reading and writing assignment due every class. On average you can expect to spend at least an hour writing (which includes revising things you have already written) for each class. You will also average about an hour reading for each class. However, there will be a period of five weeks when the reading will be heavier, while it will be lighter for the rest of the term.

In-Class Work

Each class expect to be very busy doing at least two or three of the following:

• Writing and revising essays and paragraphs—sometimes in an online forum.
• Discussing your writing with a small group of your classmates and receiving and providing feedback to each other.
• Discussing topics and readings as a class.
• Responding online to other students’ writing.

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

Required Textbooks:

Troubleshooting Guide for Writing, 4th edition, by Barbara Clouse
The Da Vinci Code, copies of which will be provided to you.

Required Materials:

• Standard-sized, white, loose-leaf paper
  A notebook in which to keep a reading journal
  5 Pocket folders
  Two 3 ½-inch diskettes or USB flash drive
  Blue or black pens

WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A STUDENT?
Or Steps to Success in ENC 091

Your goal in ENC 091 should be to show that you are prepared for English 101. The ability to act responsibly is as important to passing English 101 as the ability to write. To succeed in this (or any) class, you must take the following responsibilities seriously:

Attend class every day: Writing assignments, writing activities, group activities, quizzes, etc. take place in class. If you are not in class, these are lost opportunities that cannot be “made up.” Therefore, missing four or more classes for any reason will be considered excessive, and you will receive a failing grade for the course if you don’t handle the absences responsibly as described below.

Take appropriate action if you miss class: On occasions when you must miss a class, what you do to minimize the effect of the absence is far more important than why you missed. You must do three things to maintain your good standing in class:

1. Complete an appropriate Absence Report and submit it to me at the beginning of the next class period.
• A sample is attached to your syllabus. Copies can be printed from my Web Page. You may also submit this information via e-mail.

2. Be prepared for the next class
• Look up and complete the assigned work on the course website; it will almost always be posted by the end of the day your class meets.
• If you have any questions, contact me at least one day prior to the next class.

3. Make sure that you have done the work required for the day you missed:
• Try to find a way to get any homework or writing assignments to me on time. You may be able to e-mail me an assignment.
• If you cannot possibly get the assignment to me on time, be sure to have it with you at the next class. Please note the information below about late assignments, and be aware that if I don’t receive your work soon enough, you won’t receive feedback when other students do. This may cause you to fall behind.

To continue in the class after four absences, you should have addressed each absence as described above at the time of the absence, not after you have already reached four or more absences.

When you know in advance that you will be missing class, complete an appropriate Absence Report and give it to me at least one week prior to the absence. I will provide you with instructions for keeping up with the class as best as possible.

Be on time: Be seated and ready to start class at class time.

If you happen to be late one day, don’t disrupt the class when you come in. Don’t expect to hand in assignments when you arrive or to be filled in on what has happened so far. Treat the missed time like an absence. I will do the same.

Be prepared for class: Obviously, you should have completed all reading and writing assignments. When class begins, have your assignments out and ready to turn in or discuss; have questions ready so that you can respond when I ask for questions. Be prepared to discuss readings. Be prepared to take notes.

Turn work in on time: Even if you are not in class, you are responsible for turning in assignments that are due.

Follow directions for assignments: All assignments are designed to achieve specific goals. I try to make the directions clear. If you do not understand how to complete an assignment, communicate with me to get clarification.

Use what you have learned: When you have succeeded on an assignment, use the knowledge and skills gained on future assignments (including those for other classes).

Be courteous: Don’t disrupt the work of the class except for an emergency. Please be sure your cell phone is turned off or set on silent mode before class begins. If you are expecting an emergency call, please discuss the matter with me before class begins.

Seek out resources when you need help: Keep in mind during the term that help is available from several sources:

• Consult your syllabus and the course website when you have any doubts about policies or assignments.
• Request a meeting with me at any time. I encourage you to consult with me whenever you have questions.
• Consult with a writing tutor in the Student Success Center, ADM 202.
• Use the computers available on campus to write your papers or to find grammar or other writing information and exercises on the Internet.
• Consult with your advisor about any of your classes or about any academic difficulties you are having.
• Contact a counselor if you are having personal problems.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM ME?

To treat you with respect: I will learn your name and will treat your questions, concerns, and opinions seriously.

To treat class time with respect: I will begin and end on time. I will prepare for each class so that the activities will be relevant and useful to your learning. I will be honest with you.

To maintain a professional learning environment: I will keep activities organized and expect you to stay on task. I may be required to remind you of appropriate behavior.

To be fair: You can expect to have the same opportunities and be subject to the same rules and high standards as any other student in the class. Grades will be based on the work you do for the class and nothing else.

To give you useful and timely feedback on your writing: The comments that I make on your assignments should help you to revise that assignment and/or to complete future assignments well.

To encourage your growth as a writer: My assignments will challenge you, and I expect everyone to meet the challenge.

To make my expectations clear: General expectations for the class are made clear in this syllabus. I will provide written instructions for major writing assignments and the final exam. Daily assignments will be posted on the course website.

To be available for consultation: I will be in my office when scheduled, and I will schedule appointments at any reasonable time during the week.

To be well-informed on the matters related to this class: I will conduct scholarly research to make myself a more informed teacher. If I don’t know something relevant to class, I will find out.

To keep accurate and confidential class records: I will maintain a record of your work for the term.

WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU?

Completion of all assignments: All exercises, paragraphs, and essays must be completed to my satisfaction. In other words, if I require that you revise an assignment, you have not completed the assignment until the revision is complete. I will not make arbitrary requirements of revision. If I require a revision, I believe that you will learn something important by revising.

Written work that meets academic and professional standards: All essays and paragraph assignments must be word-processed and follow the format prescribed in class. The format will be posted on the course website.

Note: If you are unfamiliar with word-processing, you should ask for help immediately. If you are unfamiliar with a keyboard, you should enroll in OST 100.

Homework assignments and exercises that are not word-processed should be written neatly in blue or black ink and should follow the format requirements, especially double-spacing.

Thoughtful participation in online discussion: During the semester you will be participating in an online discussion of a novel with your classmates as well as students from two other writing classes. You will be introduced to the discussion forum in class and be given class time to complete most of the postings.

Final Portfolio: Your best work for the semester will be assembled into a portfolio that will be evaluated by instructors of English 101. If two instructors agree that the work in your portfolio demonstrates the skills necessary to succeed in English 101, your portfolio will pass. You must have a passing portfolio to pass the class.

Students who are not in good standing in the class because of excessive absence, failure to complete any required writing assignments or revisions, failure to participate in online discussion, or failure to maintain a folder will not be eligible to submit the portfolio.

Final folders containing all of your work: You are required to keep all class notes, drafts, outlines, final products, and any other work in a folder. This is in addition to the portfolio described above. When work is returned to you after I have marked it, you should make appropriate revisions and corrections and keep the work in your folder. You should bring this folder to class and to all meetings with me. At the end of the semester, I will collect the folder and review all of your work before assigning your final grade. The folders then become the property of the English Program.

HOW WILL YOU BE EVALUATED?

Your final grade in ENC 091 will reflect whether you have met the course goal: you must demonstrate both the responsibility and writing ability needed to succeed in ENG 101.

Evaluation of Responsibility: You will demonstrate responsibility as described above. Consistent failure to meet your responsibilities will result in your failing the class.

Evaluation of Requirements: You must complete all of the required components of the class described above.

Evaluation of Writing Skills: You will demonstrate writing ability in a portfolio of your writing

Final Grades: You will receive one of the following grades at the end of the term:

P (Pass): You have passed each of the three evaluations demonstrating that you are prepared to succeed in English 101. A P indicates work of C or better quality.

You can enroll in ENG 101 for the following term.

MP (Making Progress): You have demonstrated responsibility and met most of the requirements, but you have not passed the portfolio assessment, meaning that you have not yet improved your writing skills enough to succeed in English 101. An MP indicates your work is not yet C or better.

You must enroll again in ENC 091 for the following term.

F (Fail): You have failed to demonstrate responsibility, or you have failed to complete all of the required assignments.

You must enroll again in ENC 091 for the following term.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
(The fine print.)

Withdrawal: You may officially withdraw from this course on or before midterm with the assistance of your advisor. I highly recommend that you consult with me before withdrawing. Sometimes students believe they have no options, when, in fact, they do.

After midterm, you must have my signature on a withdrawal form. I sign withdrawals only for students in good standing in the class. If you have missed too many classes or have not been keeping up with assignments, I will not sign a withdrawal after midterm unless you have made previous arrangements with me. So, if you have a problem that may require your withdrawing from this class, you must contact me as soon as possible. Sad or angry attitudes or excuses after the fact will do no good. Believe me.

Option to Repeat: You may repeat a course, with administrative approval, should you wish to attempt to receive a higher grade. Details are described in the college catalog. You must obtain permission to repeat the course within the first few days of the semester; forms requesting the option are available in the Office of Student Services.

ADA Notice: If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability, you are required to register with Disability Services EACH SEMESTER. Contact LARRY TUTT (270) 831-9783 Disability Services Coordinator. If you require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify Disability Services immediately.

Academic Honesty Policy: The KCTCS faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students and student offenses. (Rules of the Community College Senate, Section VII and Code of Student Conduct, Article II)

Information about the academic rights of students and academic offenses and students' right to appeal can be found in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Code of Student Conduct, Article II - Academic Policies and Procedures. The Code of Student Conduct is available at the following web site:

http://www.kctcs.edu/student/studentcodeofconduct.pdf.