Description
The key idea driving English 102 is authority: how to recognize it, use it, and establish it.  In writing, authority rests first on clarity and structure -- being able to establish a thesis and support it (skills covered in English 101).  Second, authority rests on the quality of information that supports the thesis.  Quality information requires thorough research and careful appraisal of that research.

In simplest terms, English 102 concentrates on locating, evaluating, and using evidence to support thesis statements.  In other words, the foci of English 102 are the process (gathering and evaluating) and production (synthesis and writing) of basic, college-level research.  In this course, we will use Shakespeare’s plays as a means of practicing and acquiring these writing and critical thinking skills.  Reading Shakespeare has long been seen as a necessary part of a liberal arts education.  The questions and problems that his plays and their study pose are still relevant to our lives and provide opportunities to re-examine our cultural values about the place of the individual in society, the role of religion, the importance of gender, and many others.

            The course will center on the reading and discussion of three plays and a film that represent the range of Shakespeare’s output. We will also spend time in a computer classroom practicing formal writing skills, on-line and library research, and revision and re-writing.

 English Department Objectives for English 102

1.         Through the writing of short essays and a long research paper, successful students will demonstrate an appropriate (early college-level) ability to

 a.         Find, evaluate (for credibility and relevance), use, and document library and Internet sources; this includes exhibiting an ability to paraphrase and quote sources, avoiding plagiarism, and an ability to synthesize the views of others with their own perspective

b.        Understand and evaluate information and perspectives found in published articles and books

c.         Develop a coherent perspective of their own over the course of a long paper

d.        Incorporate the published views of others into their essays to support their own viewpoint

e.         Accurately summarize opposing views, make concessions to those views, and show the weaknesses of those views

f.          Exhibit a maturing syntax and vocabulary

g.         Exhibit a growing knowledge of Standard English

Texts (available at the campus bookshop)
William Shakespeare, King John, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth,
Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual
A dictionary, bring to every class
A flash drive dedicated to schoolwork 

Grading                      Scale                                                   University Interpretation

Paper 1                        100 points       100–94%         A         Superior Achievement

Paper 2                        100 points       90–93%           A-       

Paper 3                        100 points       87–89%           B+

Editing Journal            90 points       84-86%            B          Above Average

10 Quizzes                  100 points       80-83%            B-

Portfolio                        50 points       77-79%            C+

Total                             540 points      74-76%            C          Average

All scores will be posted on                 70-73%            C-

the Blackboard gradebook.                  60-69%            D         Below Average

                                                            Below 60         F          Failure

Grade Guidelines

These descriptions apply to the final grade in the class and the score on particular assignments.

A work is outstanding.  It goes beyond the basic requirements of the assignment and the class.  The work shows evidence of critical and original thinking.  Ideas are clearly supported and explained.

B work is more than satisfactory.  It shows understanding of the given task and an understanding of the rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.  Thinking is clear, though not necessarily highly critical or highly original.  Ideas are supported and explained, although not always clearly or consistently. 

C work is satisfactory.  It shows familiarity with though not a complete understanding of the given task and rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.  Thought shows inconsistent critical engagement or originality.  Ideas are too broad and not clearly supported with evidence.  Writing tends to summarize or describe rather than analyze. 

D work is below average.  It shows an inconsistent understanding of the given task, text, and rules.  Thought and writing are often disorganized and do not communicate an understanding of audience or genre.  Paper seems to be written quickly with little attention to revision or proofreading.

F work is unsatisfactory.  It shows little if any understanding of the given task, text, or rules.  Thought and writing are disorganized and do not communicate an understanding of audience or genre. 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities reserve the right to self-identify; must register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to receive services; will provide the appropriate notice from OSD for accommodations which specifically involve faculty.

            Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to OSD.  Approved accommodations will be recorded on the ODS Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student.  Students are expected to adhere to the ODS procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.  The OSD is located in Azorsky 105 and the telephone number is 724.938.5781.

Academic Honesty
According to the University Bulletin, “[t]ruth and honesty are necessary prerequisites for all education, and students who attempt to improve their grades or class standing through any form of academic dishonesty may be penalized by disciplinary action ranging from a verbal reprimand to a failing grade in the course or dismissal from the University. If the situation appears to merit a severe penalty, the professor will refer the matter to the appropriate dean or to the Provost. The student may appeal the penalty as outlined above with the Academic Integrity Committee hearing appeals above the level of Dean.” 

I assume that all work you turn in for this course is yours, and any material that you have acquired from an outside source is documented properly.  Failure to do so is considered plagiarism and, per University policy, may result in failure of the course or dismissal from the University.

Late Papers
Late papers will not be accepted.  All assignments are due, in paper form, at the beginning of class.  Anything turned in after will not be accepted.

Attendance and Participation
According to the University Catalogue, “[r]egular class attendance is a prerequisite to successful class performance.”  Important parts of the work for this course will be done in small and large groups.  This means that your consistent presence is important to the success of the class as a whole.  If you are unable to attend class, you are still responsible for any work done or due in class that day.  Similarly, you are responsible for contacting your group members if you miss a class.  If you are more than fifteen minutes late to a class meeting or if you leave early, you will be considered absent.

            Participation includes not only contributing to class discussion, it also covers prompt attendance, listening and responding constructively to your classmates, attending class prepared to discuss the readings, and bringing your books and writing material to every class meeting.  If you attend class but are unprepared to discuss the homework, or do not have your books or writing material, you will be considered absent.  If you accumulate more than three absences, you may lose one letter grade from your final grade.  If you miss more than four classes, you will not pass the class.  Missing a scheduled conference is equivalent to missing two class meetings.  The syllabus does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.  If you are not present; you are absent.  (This also applies to those who add the class after its first meeting.)  Please do not bring doctors’ note or other such material.  The only exception is if you must miss a class because of a university-related activity.  In this case, your coach or supervisor must contact me in writing at least one week before the absence.  A sign-in sheet will be distributed at the beginning, and sometimes again at the end, of class for you to record your presence.  Absences will be recorded in the Blackboard Gradebook.

Cell Phones
If you use your cell phone in class, you will be asked to leave and be marked absent for that day. 

Paper Format
Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are to be typewritten, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, in twelve-point Times font.  Your name, the date, the class, my name and the assignment are to be at the top of the first page.  Do not forget to title your work.  Any papers longer than one page must have page numbers and be stapled.