Academic Development Program: Developmental Writing
College of Education
Tennessee Technological University
DSPW0800 Developmental Writing Policy Statement: Whiteaker
Teacher
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Janet Whiteaker, Assistant Professor
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Office: Foster Hall 407A
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Office Hours: Posted in the classroom and on the door to Foster 407A
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Phone/V-Mail: 931-372-3456
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Secretary's Phone: 931-372-3476
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E-Mail: jwhiteaker@tntech.edu
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FAX: 931-372-6275
Goals
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See "Goals" on page 7 of Writer's Stylebook, 4th ed.
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See "What College Students Need to Know...," pages 7-9 in
Developing
College Skills in Writing, 3rd ed.
Materials
Texts
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Developing College Skills in Writing, 3rd ed.
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Hodges' Harbrace Handbook, 15th ed.
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The Pocket Holt Handbook, 2nd ed.
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Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed.;
Random House
Dictionary;
or American Heritage Dictionary
Other Materials
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pens, blue or black ink only
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loose-leaf paper [regular-ruled; not college-ruled paper]
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notebook for Writing
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notebook for handouts and class notes
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notebook for 'Writing Around Us' portfolio
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3.5" IBM formatted computer disk
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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].
Folder
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 Writer's Stylebook. 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 Policy
Attendance
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): "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
]. 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.
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 will 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.
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.
Classwork 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.
For more information about absences, consult the
Academic Development Program Policy on Attendance
and the University Policy on Inclement
Weather.
Make-up Work
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 or Cheating
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.
Writing Lab
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
Word processing instruction is available out of
class. At least
one paper will be done on the word processor. The "Writing Around Us"
portfolio 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 (PH) and "Manuscript Form" in the Writer's Stylebook].
**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.
Writing Around Us
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.
Grading
Course Grade
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.]
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:
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Writing Assignments
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Class Participation
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Word Processor Assignment(s)
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Writing Around Us portfolio
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Essay Analyses
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Library Assignment
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Dictionary Assignment
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Quizzes
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Exercises
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Final Exam
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Other assignments deemed pertinent by the instructor
See your Grade Worksheet
for specific weights of assignments.
University Scale Percentages
Important Notes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Use of tobacco in any form is considered inappropriate in the classroom
setting.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 13-17, in Writer's Stylebook.
NOTE
[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.
Place this policy document as the back item in your writing folder.
NAME:_________________________________________________
DATE:__________________________________________________
See also
This information maintained by Janet Whiteaker
Last Updated: 23-May-2001
For more information, contact
jwhiteaker@tntech.edu
Go to ADP Home Page