|
Teacher
|
Teacher
|
See "Goals" on page 1, Developing College Writing Skills, Revised 4th edition
See "What College Students Need to Know...," pages 6-7 in Developing College Writing Skills, Revised 4th edition.
Developing College Writing Skills with Stylebook and Learning Strategies, Revised 4th edition
Easy Writer, 3rd ed. [Fitton]
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed.; Random House Dictionary; or American Heritage Dictionary
pens, blue or black ink only
loose-leaf paper [regular-ruled; not college-ruled paper]
notebook for Writing
notebook for handouts and class notes
notebook for 'Writing Around Us' portfolio
jump drive or other data storage device
Journal notebook, optional
Students are responsible for having materials available for each class. All work turned in for a grade must be either in blue or black ink on ruled paper or word processed [preferably in Microsoft Word].
Each student will be expected to keep a folder/notebook containing ALL work for the semester (papers, tests, quizzes, research projects, etc.). Instructions for organizing and maintaining the folder will be given in class. Information is also available in the Developing College Writing Skills, pages 136-139. The folder should be brought to any student/teacher writing conference.
In accordance with departmental policy, folders are taken up at the end of the semester with or just prior to the final exam and are placed in storage for approximately two years, after which time they are destroyed. Please make photocopies or keep copies of your papers on computer disk for your personal files.
Attendance is required by the instructor, by the Tennessee Board of Regents (the governing body of the state's community colleges and universities that are not part of the University of Tennessee system), and by TTU (see TTU catalog): "When, in the opinion of the instructor, the attendance record of a student becomes unsatisfactory, the Office of Student Affairs will be notified. Unsatisfactory class attendance may result in the student's being dropped from a course with a grade of 'F.' A student who is unable to return to classes due to an emergency or serious accident should notify the Office of Student Services [372-3411]. A student who cannot avoid absence from a class . . . is expected to assume the responsibility of explaining his/her absence to the instructor and for making arrangements to complete the work missed. Tardiness is recorded as an absence."
No absences will be "excused"; however, we do understand that some absences are unavoidable. If you have to miss class, please leave an E-Mail message for your teacher [ jwhiteaker@tntech.edu or alewald@tntech.edu ]. Be sure to find out about work due before coming to class. It is the student's responsibility, NOT the instructor's, to ask about work missed.
Students are expected to attend a minimum of 85% of scheduled classes for the course. This translates to no more than 5 absences for a MWF class and no more than 3 absences for MW or TR classes. In a MWF class, for exmple, after three absences, your term grade will be lowered one-half letter grade for absence number four and for absence number five. Six or more absences may cause you to fail the course. Your teacher reserves the option of counting consistent lack of preparation for class as absences. Any and every absence will count against the semester grade, if for no other reason than information from class discussions will be missed.
Students who must be absent due to university-scheduled events should inform the teacher about the scheduled absence prior to the date of absence and provide documentation of the requirement for attendance. The student should provide evidence of attendance at the event and make arrangements for completion of all missed assignments. A university-scheduled even is a REASON for absence but not an EXCUSE. The teacher will note the absence along with the reason for it.
Academic Development Program policy requires two (2) hours of ADP-directed work in the ADP Learning Center for each class hour missed for each absence the student wishes to have waived. Your teacher may or may not choose to use this option.
Class work not turned in on time may be refused by the instructor. If late work is accepted, it will generally receive a 10% grade reduction per class meeting late, unless arrangements have been made with the instructor ahead of time.
SCHOOL IS A JOB: you would not receive pay for days of work missed at your job unless you made up the time; do not expect credit for your classes for time missed unless you make up the time and assignments. A poor attendance record at work can result in your being fired; poor attendance at school can result in your failing the course.
Remember: Non-attendance, poor attendance, or withdrawal may seriously affect lottery scholarship/financial aid. See: www.tnscholardollars.com or www.tntech.edu/financialaid/ for more information.
For more information about absences, consult the Academic Development Program Policy on Attendance and the University Policy on Inclement Weather.
All work is due on the day and at the time for which it is assigned. Any work not turned in at the specified time MAY BE REFUSED by the instructor. If late work is accepted, it will receive a 10% grade reduction per class meeting late, unless arrangements have been made with the instructor ahead of time. Missed spelling quizzes or grammar quizzes may not be made up unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
No make-up work will be accepted after the last class meeting of Week 14.
Plagiarism is stealing another person's thoughts, ideas, or words. Evidence of plagiarism in assignments (or cheating on quizzes/tests) may result in a failing grade for the assignment; evidence of plagiarism on the final exam may result in an "F" for the semester.
Teachers may give assignments that encourage or require cooperative learning; however, specific assignments that are designated to test the individual's understanding of concepts must be completed without giving or accepting assistance.
If and when a student exhibits weaknesses in a particular area of writing skills, he/she may be directed to attend writing lab. As soon as the instructor makes a recommendation, the student is expected to attend lab; attendance and completion of lab assignments then become part of the student's course requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in failure of the course.
The ADP Writing Lab is located in Foster Hall room 409. Lab hours will be posted for each term, and tutors are supposed to be available at those hours.
Writing Videos available for viewing in the Writing Lab
Word processing instruction is available out of class. At least one paper will be done on the word processor. The "Writing Around Us" portfolio [Whiteaker's classes] must be done on the word processor. Failure failure to complete word processor assignment(s) will seriously affect the student's grade and may result in an "F" for the semester. Any assignments that are to be completed outside class may/should be done on the word processor. The student should follow standard conventions of spacing, margins, etc. [see grammar handbook and "Manuscript Form" and "Typing Tips" in the Developing College Writing Skills, pages 47 and 142].
**NOTE: The English Department requires that ALL writing assignments turned in for a grade are to be typed or word processed. It is to your advantage to develop strong word processing skills during this semester.
Directions for the "Writing Around Us" portfolio project are in Developing College Skills in Writing. The assignment will be made at the beginning of the semester and parts of it will be due at various assigned times throughout the term. The finished project will be due at the end of the semester at a set time to be announced in class.
A grade for the course will be given at the end of the term and will be counted in the combined GPA calculations. [The combined GPA is used in determining suspension and probation, financial aid eligibility, and athletic eligibility, but not in determining required GPA for graduation or for graduation or term honors. The COMBINED GPA WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE CONTINUATION OR CANCELLATION OF LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.] Note that for purposes of Lottery Scholarship only, grades for courses that are repeated will be averaged, not replaced.
This grade will remain a permanent part of the student's academic record. The Tennessee Board of Regents has decreed that ADP classes are to be completed during the first term(s) a student is enrolled at at the University.
Since this is a writing course, our primary emphasis will be on writing as a means of effective communication of ideas. Instruction methods include lectures, group/class discussions, discussions over reading selections, and written assignments. The term grade for this class will (tentatively) be based upon the following:
Writing Assignments
Class Participation
Word Processor Assignment(s)
Writing Around Us portfolio [Whiteaker's classes only]
Essay Analyses
Library Assignment
Dictionary Assignment
Quizzes
Exercises
Final Exam
Other assignments deemed pertinent by the instructor
See your Grade Worksheet for specific weights of assignments [Whiteaker].
A=95-100
B=85-94
C=75-84
D=65-74 (used on daily class work but not as a final grade)
F=below 65
A "C" or better is required to pass the course. The SISPLUS Computer System will not accept a "D" as a final grade for this course. The "D" will be used for daily grades, but not for the final average. Any final grade below 75% will be considered failing.
Students are not allowed to withdraw from DSP classes, except with special permission from the ADP Leader. "Incomplete" grades are seldom if ever assigned, and then only as strictly outlined in the ADP Incomplete Grades Policy.
The student must complete the final exam in order to be considered eligible to pass the course. Other factors considered in determining eligibility for passing include attendance, class preparation and participation, acceptable quality of work. A grade of 'F' on the Final Exam will result in a re-evaluation of the student's semester work to determine if the student should be considered eligible to move to the next level of study.
Students with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). An Accommodation Request (AR) should be completed as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first week of the course. The ODS is located in the Roaden University Center, Room 112; phone 931-372-6119.
Use of tobacco in any form is considered inappropriate in the classroom setting.
Remember that, in accordance with departmental policy, folders are taken up at the end of the semester and are placed in storage for approximately two years, after which time they are destroyed.
No student is entitled to disrupt the classroom activities that are part of the educational process. A student whose behavior is considered disruptive to the learning environment may be expelled from the classroom.
Due to University Policy, we are not allowed to act as a babysitting service. If you have children who need to be cared for during class time, make arrangements for their care off campus.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS: Remember to show everyone the same amount of respect and consideration that you would wish for yourself. ("Everyone" includes other members of the class, the instructor(s), guests, substitute lecturers, etc.) For further information, see Student Conduct ; University Drug Policy ; and the chapter entitled "Classroom Etiquette," pages 6-9 in Developing College Writings Skills.
[A copy of this Policy Statement must be placed in your Writing Folder/Notebook. You will be asked to sign the document, attesting that you have read and understand the course policies outlined in it. Your signature does not mean that you agree WITH the policies, only that you are AWARE OF them and realize that you are expected to abide by them.]
Please sign below to verify that you are aware of and understand the above-stated policies. Your signature shows that you have been advised of departmental policy regarding folders being taken up at the end of the term and destroyed after approximately two years in storage. You may wish to photocopy papers from the folder for your own personal files. You have also been advised that non-attendance, poor attendance, or withdrawal may seriously affect lottery scholarship/financial aid. See: www.tnscholardollars.com or www.tntech.edu/financialaid/ for more information.
Place this policy document as the back item in your writing folder.
NAME:_________________________________________________
DATE:__________________________________________________
See also