Fall 1999 Instructor: Susan Huss-Lederman

English 161 Office: Heide 434, White (TBA)

Prerequisites: Placement Phone: Heide: 5038

& evaluation of writing sample E-mail: hussleds@uwwvax.uww.edu

Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 3:30-5:00 and by appointment. Please stop by to see me. Often, I will ask you to do so.

Dept., Course & Section	Room	Days	Time
680-161-01	Heide 114	Tues. & Thurs.	2:15-3:30

Course Description: English 161 is the first of two first-year reading and composition courses required of all undergraduates. Students enrolled in English 161 are also enrolled in English 091, Basic Writing. International students who require academic language development in English are required to take both of these courses. More information on how the courses are coordinated will be discussed in class. Students with advanced English skills will be placed into English 101 at the beginning of the semester. Literature in this course includes: several short stories, essays, a memoir, and a novel. In addition, we will be viewing films related to the literature.

Objectives for English 161:

· to develop writing skills by writing six essays

· to improve grammar

· to develop academic vocabulary for improved reading comprehension

· to manage academic discussion in small groups

· to improve listening and note-taking skills

The theme of the course is Life Lessons. Throughout the semester, the literature and films that we encounter challenge us to learn about creating community during different stages of life. Literature will also expose us to life in the United States.

Course Materials:

From Rental Library:

The Newbury House Guide to Writing

From University Bookstore:

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

Class Participation & Attendance: The following factors constitute appropriate class participation:

· Arriving on time. Being late counts as an absence.

· Regular attendance. Do not miss class. Your participation is valuable. If you miss three or more class periods, your grade will go down by one letter.

· Participating in small group and class discussion. This means speaking up as well as listening.

· Asking for clarification when needed.

· Being prepared for discussion by completing homework assignments.

· Handing in work on time.

· Keeping office appointments.

Grading Policy: There are two types of grades in this class: 1.) credit for work done, and 2.) graded work. Both contribute to your final grade. Credit for work done will be given for homework.

Graded work includes quizzes (announced & unannounced--if necessary), certain in-class and out-of-class writing, and essays. Quizzes may be conventional or unconventional, but will always be explained first. Graded work is weighted as follows:

Assignment	Worth
Weekly Quizzes	20%
Formal Essays (grading criteria to be distributed in class)	60% (each essay worth 10%)
Participation	20%

You must meet both criteria on the following scale in order to achieve the grade in the left-hand column. If you do not meet both, your grade drops to the next level.

For a/n: __, turn in at least __ of homework and achieve at least __ on graded work:

A 90% 90%

B 80% 80%

C 65% 65%

D 50% 50%

Anything less earns an F.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism, the act of using the work of another writer without citation, intending the reader to believe that it is your own work, is a serious violation of academic conduct. Engaging in plagiarism will result in your failing the assignment and/or the course.

Religious Observances: If you are absent due to the observance of a religious holiday, please let me know so that we can reschedule your assignments.

Special Needs: If you have special needs due to physical or learning disabilities, please let me know so that I can make the appropriate accommodations for you.

Finally, if you are absent because of sickness, emergency, religious reasons, or to attend a university sponsored event, let me know immediately, so that I can get you caught up. Please stop by to see me during office hours or schedule an appointment if I can help you in any way. My door is always open.

Extra Credit. Extra credit may be earned by attending campus cultural events and writing typed summaries along with personal responses. I may ask you to report on the event to the class. Extra credit points help students who are at the boundary of grades (for example, at a 79 or 89) advance to a higher grade. Extra credit does not substitute for homework.

Schedule of Major Assignments:

This schedule is subject to change with notice made in advance.

Dates:	To be covered:
Sept. 2	Orientation to class. Writing sample.
Sept. 7-9	Language and Culture (handouts). Essay 1
Sept. 14-16	Language and Culture. Essay 1
Sept. 21-23	Starman Essay 2
Sept. 28-30	Essay 2
Oct. 5-7	"Crickets" and Avalon
Oct. 12-14	Avalon Essay 3
Oct. 19-21	Essay 3.
Oct. 26-28	Montana 1948
Nov. 2-4	Montana 1948 Essay 4
Nov. 9-11	Essay 4.
Nov. 16-18	Tuesdays with Morrie.
Nov. 23	Tuesdays with Morrie. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2	Tuesdays with Morrie. Essay 5
Dec. 7-9	Essay 5
Dec. 14	Essay 6
Exam week	Conclude Essay 6.

Final Comments: If you have any questions about the syllabus, the course, your progress, or anything else, please let me know. I check my e-mail frequently, and my Heide Hall office phone has an answering machine. My door is always open.

UWW Required Statement: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events. (For details please refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate Timetables; the "Rights and Responsibilities" section of the Undergraduate Bulletin; the "Academic Requirements and Policies" and the "Facilities and Services" sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the "Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures: [UWS Chapter 14]; and the "Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" [UWS Chapter 17]).