PREREQUISITE: None

RATIONALE: The purpose of this course is to teach students how to read critically, how to develop and articulate opinions on what is read, how to conduct research on a topic, and how to write organized, well-developed essays and research papers.

AUDIENCE: This course is a requirement for an Associates or Bachelor’s Degree. A student will be expected to demonstrate usage of accepted standards of sentence/paragraph structure, grammar, and punctuation.

POST REQUISITE: Students who pass the exit mastery examination and earn a minimum of "C" advance to ENGL 1023.

Reading Links (available when active)

OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

• Write an organized, well-developed essay containing an introduction with a motivator and thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences and adequate support, and a conclusion that restates the thesis and ties the points together.
• Write an organized, well-supported research paper that contains a title page and Works Cited as well as the accompanying note cards.
• Critically read essays and other material and identify the key concepts therein.

These outcomes will be assessed through writing assignments, on-line discussions, journals, and the mastery examination.

Jacobus, Lee A. A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. 5^th ed.                  Boston: Bedford Books, 1998.

Ruszkiewicz, John, Maxine Hairston, and Daniel E. Seward. SF Writer. New York:              Addison Wesley Longman, 1999.

A dictionary and thesaurus of your choice

One or two 3.5 inch disks to save work

For additional assistance, you may contact or visit the Learning Assistance Center. This Center has computers and full-time assistance for writing and reading. The tutors are familiar with the essays that are read in this course and can help with comprehension and idea development as well as with specific writing questions. This service is FREE, so take advantage of it.

REQUIREMENTS:

Essays will be evaluated for focus, unity, organization, readability, support, style, and grammar. Each essay will be accompanied by an Editor’s Checklist that indicates the strengths and weaknesses of the paper.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: You will be required to attend class on the south campus of North Arkansas College the first week of class for Orientation. Additionally, you will be required to be on campus to perform your oral presentation and to take the mastery examination.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
"North Arkansas College's commitment to academic achievement is supported by a strict but fair policy to protect academic integrity. This policy regards academic fraud and dishonesty as disciplinary offenses requiring disciplinary actions. Any student who engages in such offenses (as here defined) will be subject to one or more courses of action as determined by the instructor, and in some cases by the Division Chairperson or Program Director, the Vice President of Instruction, and the Institutional Standards and Appeals Committee as well.

Academic fraud and dishonesty are defined as follows:
Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Test tampering: Intentionally gaining access to restricted test booklets, banks, questions, or answers before a test is given; or tampering with questions or answers after a test is taken.
Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words and ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise.
Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty" (Northark 1998-2000 Catalog 33).

CHANGES IN SYLLABUS:  If there is a change in the syllabus or course content, you will be notified by e-mail.

STATEMENT OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Read the college catalog and all materials you receive during registration. These materials tell you what the college expects of you.
• Read the syllabus for each class. The syllabus tells you what the instructor expects from you.
• Allow time to use all the resources available to you at the college. Visit your instructor during chat room office hours for help with material or assignments you do not understand; use the library; use the internet; use the free tutors, tapes, computers, and other resources in the Learning Assistance Center.
• Treat others with respect. Part of the college experience is being exposed to people with ideas, values, and backgrounds different from yours. Listen to others and evaluate ideas on their own merit.