ENGL-1210
Instructor: 
Gary N. Christensen

Welcome to
Introduction to Composition 1

Instructor

Instructor: Gary N. Christensen

Macomb Community College
Center Campus - B-115
44575 Garfield Road 
Clinton Township, MI 48038

E-Mail: christenseng@macomb.edu

Phone:   586.286.2197 - Voice

 

Textbooks

Blakesley and Hoogeveen,  The Thomson Handbook Thomson

 

General Course Objectives

The student will explore the specific purposes of writing and practice a systematic approach to written communications by:

  • brainstorming subjects to obtain or attain a chosen objective
  • outlining or prewriting
  • meeting communication objectives in writing
  • The student will develop skills to generate research on a computer.
  • analyzing responses to our written communication(s) to determine effectiveness for a particular group or audience and rewrite/edit as needed
  • flourishing within a group environment without wasting time and duplicating effort and
  • identify, understand, and utilize a goal oriented approach to problem statement and solution

 

Specific Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  • use Microsoft Word software to
    • choose the correct format for a written communication by
      • defining the purpose for the communication
      • determining the intended audience for a piece of writing and
      • considering any restrictions that a specific audience choice might create
  • distinguish fact from opinion
  • differentiate argument from explanation
  • write communications aimed at a specific audience
  • vary a communication based on a change of audience
  • exhibit mastery of the conventions of spelling, grammatical style, and word choices in light of end user' -- employer from business, technical, medical, or educational field -- anticipations.
  • follow written directions, plan and present materials to meet deadlines
  • work in a group setting to present material to others
  • accept responsibility for choices to be ontime or late
  • accept responsibility to produce original work

 

Grading Policy

A.    Final grade computation

Journal
     List of websites visited
     People profiles
     Portfolio in progress
 20%
Group Presentation
 10%
Practicioner Presentation
 10%
Group Participation
 10%
Writing Portfolio
 60%
Cover Image
 10%
Cover Letter
  5%
Defense of your priority
 35%
     Summary of alternatives
     Refutation of other options



B.    Grading scale

95 - 100%
 A
93 - 94%
 A-
91 - 92%
 B+
85 - 90%
 B
83 - 84%
 B-
81 - 82%
 C+
77 - 80%
 C
Less than 77%
 E


C.    Late Assignments

Paper due dates are established at the beginning of the course.  You will receive written notice if there is a change in deadline. A printed copy of the assignment must be submitted; an email attachment can be used to meet the deadline, but will not be graded.
There a three choices if you need to miss a deadline:

    1. Submit the paper before the deadline 
    2. Request a "Permission to be Late."
    3. Receive a 0 (zero) for the assignment
D.    "Permission to be Late"

One assignment may be submitted late.
Notice that the paper will be late must be given before the deadline

E.    Withdrawal Policy

A student who does not attend the first day of class and never attends a class session will receive an "N" grade on the final grade roster.  
A student must officially withdraw at the registrar’s office by the twelfth week to receive a grade of “W”.  Failure to withdraw officially will result in a grade based on the work completed for this class.


E.   Classroom/ Computer Lab management

Bringing liquids to the classroom poses no problems as long as you keep the room as clean as you would like to find it.  
The lab and the computers do not tolerate liquids.
If you need to take a break for caffeine or nicotine, do so and return, but no liquids or food in the lab.
We are adults and can get along in a civil way despite our age, religious, politiacl, and social differences.  If you find it difficult to prosper in a conversation, a particular group setting, and with a particular assignment, we can discuss an alternative.
A note on electronics -- silence them. Do not attend to your electronics and disturb others. If you have to respond -- leave the room and return.

F.    Incomplete

An Incomplete must be requested by the student and is given for completing one  assignment missed at the end of the semester due to a serious emergency situation. 


 

Attendance

All students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions.  It is the student’s responsibility to make up work missed due to absences.  Attendance is taken at every session.

Help

If at any time during the semester help is needed, please contact the instructor.  The only dumb questions are the ones not asked.

Course Outline

Session
Activity
1
Introduction
2
Assignment One
3
Class 2
4
Class 3
5
Class 4
6
Class 5
7
Class 6
8
Class 7
9
Class 8
10
Class 9
11
Class 10
12
Class 11
13
Class 12
14
Class 13
15
Class 14
16
Class 15
17
Class 16
18
Class 17
19
Class 18
20
Class 19
21
Class 20
22
Class 21
23
Class 22
24
Class 23
25
Class 24
26
Class 25
27
Class 26
28
Class 27
29
Class 28
30
Class 29
31
Grade Conferences
32
Grade Conferences


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