Spring 2018 English 201: Writing and Research (3 credits)

Avery 8 MWF 9:10 – 10:00

Instructor: Dr. Amber Strother Office: Avery 210

Email: amber.strother@wsu.edu Office Hours: MWF 10-11, and by appointment

I am also willing to meet with you in the virtual world via Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangout.
If my office hours do not work for you, please email me to schedule an alternative.

Catalog Description:
Prereq Engl 101 or 105 Designed to develop students' researching skills for writing across the
disciplines.

Course Description
Unlike English 101, the focus in this course is on you, the student, as a researcher. You will need
to ask good questions, go beyond the most obvious sources, carefully analyze and synthesize
your sources, and engage with primary and secondary sources in meaningful ways. One of the
primary goals of the course is for you to become part of the academic conversation in your field
of study and intended career.

Required Course Materials:

Academic Writing: Concepts and Connections Theresa Thonney ISBN: 978019933834

Portfolio
All English 201 courses at WSU are portfolio-based. The portfolio is the primary means for
evaluating student work in the composition program because it honors both the processes and
products of writing. Your portfolio will consist of a significantly revised cover letter, final
research project, and one of your shorter projects. It must include at least 22 pages of revised
work (any draft after the first) and demonstrate writing from sources (your assignments have
been developed to meet these criteria). Drafts of your cover letter count as revised work. Your
portfolio counts as the bulk of your final grade in English 201.

You will receive extensive feedback on your writing from both your peers and your instructor,
but you will not receive grades on the drafts of your portfolio projects. Every composition
course at WSU uses this method of postponed grading to ensure that the focus of the course is
on your writing. After I return the draft with my comments, you have the rest of the semester to
revise your projects before submitting them for the portfolio. We will work on revision strategies
throughout the semester. The portfolio will be evaluated holistically at the end of the semester
and may be reviewed by other readers. You must turn in every major project to pass the
course. Late drafts will result in an automatic loss of 10% per day of the available points for the
draft. If you struggle with an assignment or need to talk through your ideas, visit with me during
office hours or make an appointment. I am also available to discuss revisions with you. Although
I will not “grade” your revisions, I will read new drafts and discuss ideas with you. Save All
Drafts!! 201 Policy states that I can refuse to accept a project for which you have no
preliminary drafts.

Portfolio Evaluation Criteria

All students in ENGL 201 will be assessed on the following criteria:
• Critical thinking, reading, and writing (Meets Goals 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6*)
• Rhetorical knowledge and awareness (Meets Goals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6*)
• Information literacy (Meets Goal 3*)
• Processes of writing (Meets Goals 1, 4, 5, & 6*)
• Knowledge of conventions (Meets Goals 4 & 6*)
*Indicates which of the Six Learning Goals of the Baccalaureate are met by ENGL 201.

Website and Email:

Students must have access to Blackboard Learn, the course website
(english201spring2018.weebly.com), and their WSU-provided email. All official course
communication will take place through these venues. I will not respond to emails
unless they are sent from your WSU email account. For assistance accessing WSU email or more
information about Office365, please contact CougTech at (509) 335-4357 or visit
cougtech.wsu.edu. In addition, you will be required to set up a Dropbox account using your
WSU email to submit your work and receive graded/reviewed assignments. Instructions for
setting up a Dropbox account and shared folder are available on the course website.

You are expected to check your email regularly (several times per week). All announcements
regarding the course and assignments will be sent via email. I will not discuss grades via
email. If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment to
speak with me in person. I am happy to answer questions about assignments via email, however
I will not answer basic questions regarding issues such as word count, required sources, or due
dates that have already been addressed in the syllabus or on the assignment sheets provided.

Coursework
All written assignments must follow MLA or APA style. The Purdue Online Writing Lab is a
great source for the guidelines and both can be accessed here. All major assignments should be
submitted electronically through the course website on the date that they are due. In order to
receive credit, assignments must be submitted on time and formatted as a .doc or .docx
document. I will not accept PDFs or Pages documents. Due dates for each assignment can be
found on the course calendar along with detailed instructions.
Homework and In-class Activities: (15%) – We will be reading and discussing texts or
engaged in activities every day. This portion of your grade will be based on any smaller writings,
homework assignments, and in-class activities assigned for this course. This may also include
short quizzes based on the lectures, discussions, and readings. These quizzes will be multiple-
choice and will take place in the first five minutes of class. Quizzes cannot be made up if you are
absent or late, regardless of the reason.

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Citizenship and Course Participation: (10%) – Your score for this category will be based
upon not only your in-class participation and attendance but also on whether you contribute to a
productive learning environment for the class as a whole. This entails the following:
• Come to class with all relevant materials and be ready to discuss the day’s
readings and viewings.
• Eliminate all non-class-related distractions (i.e. smartphones, food, etc.) unless
expressly permitted otherwise.
• Treat your classmates and professor in a courteous, polite, and professional way.
• Arrive to class on time, ready to spend the full 50 minutes working.
Mini-Portfolios and Project Proposals: (25%) – For each of the following projects, you
will be required to submit a proposal, participate in peer review with drafts of projects, reflect on
the process of completing the project, and revise work based on peer and instructor feedback.
Proposals will be graded based on the requirements and rubrics provided. Mini-portfolios are
designed to help you prepare for the final portfolio for this course and will be graded on meeting
the requirements for the assignment and are not necessarily reflective of the grade you would
receive on the paper itself. You must submit complete proposals and mini-portfolios for each
of the projects in order to pass the course.
Project 1: Research and the American Media
In this assignment, you will choose a research topic that you will focus on for the entire
semester. Choosing something that allows for flexibility means that you can adjust and narrow
your focus as you do your research. This will ask you to research and examine the academic and
popular conversations surrounding the topic that you choose. You will consider rhetorical
situation for both types of sources, including intended audience, purpose of the message,
effectiveness of communicating that message, and credibility of the source.
Project 2: Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review
This assignment requires you to conduct a substantial amount of research. The topic for this
assignment must be used for the third project. You will identify a contention from your major
or field of study and explore the theoretical perspectives surrounding the disagreement. You will
need to find a variety of sources and handle them appropriately. The important aspect of this
paper is that you successfully place your sources in conversation with one another.
Project 3: Research Paper
For this paper you will develop a sustained argument about a debatable topic in your field of
study. You will need a significant number of sources, but your analysis and argument must be
the focus of the paper. To be successful with this project, you’ll need to begin with a truly
academic research question.
Final Portfolio: (50%) – Your portfolio accounts for the bulk of your grade. The pieces in the
portfolio must be revised (you will include earlier drafts in your portfolio) and be polished pieces
of writing. You must include a reflective letter, Project 3, one of the other two projects, and
drafts of each project included. Remember that you must complete drafts of all the major
writing assignments to pass the course even though you will not include all of the pieces in your
portfolio.

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 Grade Percentage Grade Percentage
A 94-100 C 74-76
A- 90-93 C- 70-73
B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69
B 84-86 D 64-66
B- 80-83 F 63 and below
C+ 77-79

WSU Grading Standards

The grading for ENGL 201 follows WSU standards:
A: Outstanding achievement-awarded only for the highest accomplishment
B: Praiseworthy performance-above average in most respects
C: Satisfactory performance-work meets the standards for competency
D: Minimally passing-effort and achievement less than satisfactory.

Midterm Grades
Due to the nature of the portfolio system, which emphasizes process over product, students who
are making satisfactory progress in the class (i.e., turning in assignments on time, meeting basic
assignment requirements, attending class regularly, etc.) will receive a midterm grade of “X,”
which indicates that coursework is in progress. Students who are not making satisfactory
progress will receive a grade of C- or below as a warning and are strongly encouraged to meet
with their instructor. Students who belong to an organization that requires proof of satisfactory
progress (not a grade) in writing may request that their instructor sign a Satisfactory Progress
Form.

Make-Up and Late Work

Late homework or make-up work of in-class assignments and homework will not be accepted
without prior approval. Late mini-portfolios and proposals are penalized at the rate of one letter
grade per day late; an assignment that would have received a "B" on Monday will receive a "C" if
handed in on Tuesday. If you are away because of a university-sponsored event, you should still
be able to submit work via the website without issue. If you must miss class for another reason,
it is your responsibility to turn assignments in on time.

You have one extension in this class. This extension means that your proposal or mini-portfolio
will be due 48 hours after the original due date, without penalty. You must request and be
approved for the extension ahead of time (at least one day before the due date) via email, and
you should save it for a true emergency, since no other extensions will be granted for any other
reason. I do not assign makeup work for absences. Note: This extension only applies to

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the proposals and mini-portfolios. Because of the nature of peer review, you must
have a draft in order to participate, so this extension is designed for you to
continue to revise your work before submitting it to me.

It is important to attend class regularly in case a deadline is extended/altered or a homework

assignment is changed. All homework and essays must be submitted via the course
website as .doc or .docx files, unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. For
peer review, bring a hard copy of your work to class. If you do not bring a hard copy of your
work, you will not be allowed to participate and will be counted absent.

Note: Back-up all of your work regularly (use Dropbox, flash drives, etc.). Computer viruses,
breaking a computer charger, or other technology failures are not acceptable excuses for late
work. Extensions will not be granted in these circumstances.

Attendance Policy
Attendance in this class is vital for your success. This course is collaborative in nature and
requires extensive in-class work. Therefore, consistent attendance is integral to your learning.
As your instructor, I want you to attend class. As students, you are responsible for
communicating with me when you are absent; you are also responsible for the missed material
(see course Make-Up and Late Work policies). Roll will be taken daily to encourage regular
attendance. After two total weeks of absences, the following attendance penalty will apply: For
students who miss seven (7) or more total classes, any final grade above a C will automatically
be reduced to a C. Grades of C- or below are still possible.

Regardless of the number of absences, students are responsible for meeting the English 201
Portfolio Outcomes which can be found on the course website. The daily course work and in-
class activities directly support these Outcomes. Therefore, missing key course material due to
excessive absences may further reduce a student’s final grade, even after the attendance penalty
is applied. This policy does not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused”
absences. Per the WSU Academic Regulations, absences for military service or Access Center
accommodations are considered separately. All other absences, including University Excused
Absences, count toward the total number of absences. Again, students with multiple and/or
extended absences should communicate with the instructor as soon as possible. Note: Students
are required to turn in all major assignments and the Final Portfolio in accordance with the
instructor’s Late Work policy in order to pass the class. Students who do not turn in one or more
major projects will fail the course, regardless of attendance.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Students are encouraged to refer to the academic calendar often to be aware of critical deadlines
throughout the semester. The academic calendar can be found at
http://registrar.wsu.edu/academic-calendar/.

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Severe Weather
For severe weather alerts, see: http://alert.wsu.edu/and https://oem.wsu.edu/emergency-
procedures/severe-weather/. In the event of severe weather affecting university operations,
guidance will be issued through the alert system.

Cell Phones/Laptops
Personal Communication Devices: To ensure a productive learning environment, you are
required to turn off or set your personal communication device to silent contact during class
time. Use of cell phones or similar communication devices is not allowed during classes unless
such use supports class activities. Since these same communication devices are an integral part
of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when
numerous devices activate simultaneously. If this occurs, you may consult your device to
determine if a University emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be
immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be
granted upon request. Texting in class is distracting; it often distracts students sitting near the
student who is texting. You will receive one warning for texting in class; after that warning, if I
see you texting, you will be marked absent.

Computers: Laptops, tablets, and netbooks may be used in class but only for class-related
activities (e.g., taking notes, completing in-class or group writing assignments). If it becomes
apparent you are using the computer for non-class activities (checking your email, playing
games, online shopping, reading Reddit, Facebooking, etc.) then you will be asked to turn off
your computer and refrain from using it in the classroom unless otherwise specified. If this
continues to be an issue, you will be marked absent for each occurrence.

Respectful Behavior
“As an institution, we reject all expressions of discrimination… that have been excuses for
misunderstanding, dissention, or hatred… Each of us has an obligation to the community of
which we are a part to build a true community of spirit and purpose based on mutual respect
and caring.” – WSU’s Statement of Principles of Community and Civility

English 201 operates within a respect zone. WSU’s Office for Equal Opportunity describes a
respect zone as a space in which “everyone, without exception, has a human right to live, work,
study, recreate, express themselves, and pursue their goals at WSU with equal opportunity,
respect, and dignity.” Respect zones, therefore, are “free from unlawful bias, discrimination,
harassment and obstacles.” In other words, racism, homophobia, and sexual harassment are not
permitted in any way, shape, or form. English 201 is a course dedicated to the exploration of
writing processes and opinions; however, while we will explore personal opinions and
experiences, disagreements that occur within your social life must be left outside of the
classroom. As your instructor, I will not tolerate animosity or bullying. I seek to provide a fair,
tolerant, and safe learning environment. If inappropriate behavior occurs, I will ask you to leave
class and you will be counted absent.

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Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all members of the university
community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all
activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Academic integrity will be
strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy
(identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 504-26-010(3) and -404) will fail the
course and will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be
reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration as defined in
the Standards of Conduct for Students, WAC 504-26-010(3). You are responsible for reading
and understanding all of the definitions of cheating which can be found here:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=504-26-010. If you have any questions about
what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask your course instructor before
proceeding. If you wish to appeal a faculty member's decision relating to academic integrity,
please use the form available at conduct.wsu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations
Students with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations are available for students with
documented disabilities or chronic medical conditions. If you have a disability and need
accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Access Center website to follow
published procedures to request accommodations: http://www.accesscenter.wsu.edu. Students
may also either call or visit the Access Center in person to schedule an appointment with an
Access Advisor. Location: Washington Building 217; Phone: 509-335-3417. All accommodations
MUST be approved through the Access Center. Students with approved accommodations are
strongly encouraged to visit with instructors early in the semester during office hours to discuss
logistics.

WSU Safety Statement

Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University, and
are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the
“Alert, Assess, Act,” protocol for all types of emergencies and the “Run, Hide, Fight” response
for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency
notification), ASSESS your specific situation, and ACT in the most appropriate way to assure
your own safety (and the safety of others if you are able). Please sign up for emergency alerts on
your account at MyWSU. For more information on this subject, campus safety, and related
topics, please view the FBI’s Run, Hide, Fight video and visit the WSU safety portal.

Office of Equal Opportunity Syllabus Statement

Discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual
misconduct (including stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence) is prohibited at
WSU (See WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct
(Executive Policy 15) and WSU Standards of Conduct for Students). If you feel you have

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experienced or have witnessed discriminatory conduct, you can contact the WSU Office for
Equal Opportunity (OEO) and/or the WSU Title IX Coordinator at 509-335-8288 to discuss
resources, including confidential resources, and reporting options. (Visit oeo.wsu.edu for more
information). Most WSU employees, including faculty, who have information regarding sexual
harassment or sexual misconduct are required to report the information to OEO or a designated
Title IX Coordinator or Liaison. (Visit oeo.wsu.edu/reporting-requirements for more info).

Additional Resources
Avery Microcomputer Lab (AML)
All ENGL 201 students have access to the services and facilities of the AML (Avery 101, 103, &
105), including free printing. In this lab, you have access to a wide variety of computer services
from word-processing and desktop publishing to the Internet and web publishing.

Writing Center
You are encouraged to visit the Writing Center, which provides free, walk-in peer tutoring
service. The Writing Center is located in CUE 303. Writing Center tutors are familiar with the
English 201 program and can help you discover ways to improve your writing. Online tutoring is
available through eTutoring.

UCOLL 302
As a complement to English 201, University College offers a 1-credit course of tutorial support
for student writing assignments. Some students are placed in UCOLL 302 because of the Junior
Writing Portfolio, but this course is open to all students who want regularly scheduled tutorial
assistance. UCOLL offers group and individual tutorials focusing in writing projects from
English 201 and other courses. Students taking this course will be grouped by their writing class,
if possible. If you have questions, contact Brooklyn Walter at 335-6471.

Printing
Students can print at any of the Coug Prints locations, for example the libraries or the residence
halls. There is an extensive list of the locations located here. Because you are enrolled in English
201, you may also print academic related material in the AML, which is located on the first floor
of Avery in rooms 101, 103, and 105. The course fee covers the cost of printing in the AML.

WSU Health and Wellness

On campus health care. 509-335-3575 for more info visit http://hws.wsu.edu/

Counseling and Testing Services

Promoting the intellectual, emotional & social growth of WSU students with a commitment to
respecting human diversity. Offering individual, couple and group counseling, psychological
testing, drug & alcohol services, self-help and 24/7 crisis counseling. For more info visit
http://counsel.wsu.edu/

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