ENG 3203.02
Advanced Grammar and Composition
Spring 2010
Course Name, Number, and Description: Catalog Description: “ENG 3203. Advanced Grammar and Composition. Concentration on the basic terminology and procedures of English grammar and composition, with intensive practice in both. Prerequisites: Nine hours of English. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.”
Location and Time: 1-2:20 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in ASB 204.
Instructor Contact Information: Office Location, Phone, Office Hours, Email Address:
Russell Greer, Ph.D. Associate Professor. Office: CFO 803. E-mail:
rgreer@twu.edu. Fax: (940) 898-2297. Office telephone: (940) 898-2346. Web Site:
www.russellgreer.com
Required textbooks:
Grammar and Usage in the Classroom by Mark Lester (546 pages, Longman. 2nd edition. ISBN: 978-0205306558) and The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing by John Ramage, John C. Bean, and June Johnson (Longman. ISBN: 978-0205598731). You may use any edition of the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing. I will be using the fourth edition.
Please note that one copy of Grammar and Usage in the Classroom is available in the TWU library; it is not on reserve.
Course Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:
Course Goals: To understand the eight parts of speech, the basic sentence, verb forms, phrases, clauses, verb complements, and to write with a good understanding of English grammar and usage.
Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate that they have met these class goals in five tests, a presentation, and two in-class essays that will be revised out of class and regraded.
Academic Dishonesty Statement:
“Honesty in completing assignments is essential to the mission of the university and to the development of the personal integrity of the student. Cheating, plagiarism, or other kinds of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate sanctions that may include failing an assignment, failing the class, or being suspended or expelled. Suspected cases in this course may be reported to Student Life. The specific disciplinary process for academic dishonesty is found in the TWU Student Handbook. Tools to help you avoid plagiarism are available through the TWU Libraries’ “Quick Links” under “Research Help” (http://www.twu.edu/library/literacy/index.htm)”
This statement was authorized and mandated by the TWU Provost on November 10, 2005.
Plagiarism
The following definition of plagiarism appears in Joseph F. Trimmer’s A Guide to MLA Documentation (Sixth Edition), published by Houghton Mifflin Company (2004): “Plagiarism is theft. It is using someone else’s words or ideas without giving proper credit—or without giving any credit at all—to the writer of the original. Whether plagiarism is intentional or unintentional, it is a serious offense…You can avoid plagiarism by taking notes carefully, by formulating and developing your own ideas and by using quotes responsibly to support, rather than replace, your own work” (25). Note that I have used this quotation from a source and have given it full attribution. You should do the same with your sources. I strongly urge you to read the discussion of academic dishonesty that appears in Section Four of The Student Handbook 2008-2009 (pages 154-156). I intend to follow the TWU policy as outlined in this handbook exactly. It defines plagiarism in this way: “Plagiarism occurs when a student obtains portions or elements of someone else's work, including materials prepared by another person or agency, and presents those ideas or words as her or his own academic work. The intentional or unintentional use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement shall constitute plagiarism. Students are responsible for following guidelines of the appropriate course or discipline (ie; MLA, APA)" (154). In this course, we will use the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. Penalties for first-time offenses include, at the instructor’s discretion, any of the following: (1) “Written reprimand”; (2) “Assignment of a 0 on an assignment"; (3) "Assignment of a lower grade on the test/paper/project in question, with an explanation from the instructor"; (4) “Assignment of a grade of F in the course" (155). A discussion of the more severe penalties for second offenses appears on pages 155-156. If you have any questions about whether or not a practice constitutes plagiarism, please contact me before you turn in the assignment.
Disability Support Policy Statement: "If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the office of Disability Support Services (CFO 106, 940-898-3835, dss@twu.edu) in order to obtain the required official notification of your accommodation needs. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss approved accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate"
[This statement provided by the office of Disability Support Services].
Grading policy, major course assignments and examinations, and attendance policy:
Class Attendance: The Texas Woman's University Handbook 2008-2009 states the following about attendance: "Consistent and attentive attendance is vital to academic success, and is expected of all students. Grades are determined by academic performance, and instructors may give students written notice that attendance is related to specific classroom activities is required and will constitute a specific percentage of a students' grades.
Instructors are strongly encouraged to keep a record of student attendance. They should note absences due to documented student illness, serious illness or death in the students' immediate family, official school activity, state-recognized religious holiday, or other verified absences deemed appropriate by the instructor. Students must consult with instructors regarding the completion of make-up work.
Absences are verified through the Office of Student Life. Absences do not exempt students from academic requirements. Excessive absences, even if documented, may result in a student failing the course. An incomplete may be granted if the student has passing grades in 2/3 of assigned work, but only if the instructor determines that extenuating circumstances prevent the student from being able to complete all course work by the end of the semester or term" (143-144).
For each unexcused absence, I will deduct three points from your final grade (since each class meeting represents about three percent of the class time). Excused absences, as defined by TWU, must be documented through Student Life. If you miss more than fifty percent of any particular class period, you will be counted absent. When I return each test, I will indicate the number of absences I have recorded for you to date.
Grading policy, major course assignments, and examinations
Grades
You will have five tests, a presentation, and write two essays.
The presentation will be on a usage error. You can present individually or in a group. You will not receive a grade for your presentation, but failure to give effectively will result in a deduction of ten points from your final grade.
Tests
Each test will consist of 20 questions taken directly from Grammar and Usage in the Classroom. The final examination will be comprehensive and slightly longer, but it will also only include questions taken directly from the textbook (with the possible exception of extra credit opportunities). If you do the exercises in the text, you will be preparing for the examinations.
Essays
You will write one essay. It should be a revision of a previously written academic paper of 5-10 pages in length. I will read it twice. At you convenience, turn in the first version, and I will return it within one week with comments and a tentative grade. You should also turn in a short (1-2 page) self evaluation of the revision process. If you like the tentative grade, you do not need to turn anything else in. But if you want to revise it once more based upon my comments, please turn it in before the end of the semester. The essay or research paper you choose should have a clear thesis, and I will grade it based upon the rubric posted at the end of this syllabus.
Test #1 10%
Test #2 10%
Test #3 15%
Test #4 20%
Test #5 25%
Essay #1 20%
Tentative calendar of classes, assignments. The spring 2010 academic calendar can be found here:
Please note that this daily syllabus is for planning purposes only and is subject to change.
Week ONE
20 January 2010. Introduction to the course. Lester: Chapter 1 (Teaching Grammar and Usage)
Week TWO
25 January 2010. Lester: Chapter 2 (Parts of Speech).
27 January 2010. Lester: Chapter 2 (Parts of Speech).
Week THREE
1 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 2 (Parts of Speech).
3 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 2 (Parts of Speech).
Week FOUR
8 February 2010. Test #1 on Parts of Speech (Lester: Chapter 2). Lester: Chapter 3 (Basic Sentences and Their Diagrams.
10 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 3 (Basic Sentences and Their Diagrams.
Week FIVE
15 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 3 (Basic Sentences and Their Diagrams.
17 February 2010. Test #2 on Basic Sentences and Their Diagrams (Lester: Chapter 3). Lester: Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
Week SIX
22 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
24 February 2010. Lester: Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
Week SEVEN
1 March 2010. Lester. Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
3 March 2010. Lester. Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
Week EIGHT
8 March 2010. Lester. Chapter 4 (Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs).
10 March 2010. Test #3 on Verb Forms, "Tense," and Helping Verbs (Lester: Chapter 4).
15 March 2010. No class. Spring holiday.
17 March 2010 No class. Spring holiday.
Week NINE
22 March 2010. Internet class. Please complete assignments on Blackboard. We will not meet in the classroom on this one day. Lester: Chapter 5 (Phrases). Allyn and Bacon: Chapter 24 (Essay Examinations)
24 March 2010. In-class essay.
Week TEN
29 March 2010. Lester: Chapter 5 (Phrases).
31 March 2010. Lester: Chapter 5 (Phrases).
Week ELEVEN
5 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 5 (Phrases).
7 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 5 (Phrases).
Week TWELVE
12 April 2010. Test #4 on Phrases (Lester: Chapter 5). Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
14 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
Week THIRTEEN
19 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
21 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
Week FOURTEEN
26 April 2010. In-class essay.
28 April 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
Week FIFTEEN
3 May 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
5 May 2010. Lester: Chapter 6 (Clauses).
Final Examination: 1-3 p.m. Monday, May 10
Essay Rubric
I will look for the following things in your paper:
1. Good grammar, usage, and spelling;
2. unity;
3. coherence;
4. old/new contract;
5. forecasting and fulfillment;
6. a strong thesis/support structure that avoids loose structures;
7. an effective title and introduction;
8. effective placement of points before particulars;
9. expert moves for organizing and developing ideas;
10. an effective conclusion
Last updated on 29 March 2010