Course Description and Structure
English 101 is designed to help you learn to write analytical papers on a variety of topics in clear, correct prose. Writing is challenging because it's more than self-expression: it's a way of learning, a disciplined way of considering what is in front of you. You learn to think by writing, and you'll get a lot of practice writing and thinking in this course. To encourage you to develop the habit of thinking critically, assignments ask you to analyze commonly available media such as advertisements and television programs. The critical-thinking skills and writing techniques you learn in these assignments will serve you throughout college and beyond. Please note that this is not a course in basic grammar and mechanics, which you are expected already to have mastered.

Previous students have described this course as "challenging, but fun," and often note: "I worked harder than in any of my other courses, but I learned a lot." Class will be interactive, most class activities will be group-based, and there will be many in-class assignments. Because your participation is essential, the attendance policy is strict and will be enforced without favoritism. Make sure you are ready to honor it if you plan to stay in the course.

Course Text
Lisa Jadwin, Writing Both Sides: A Guide to College Writing
I wrote this textbook specifically for Fisher 101 students; you pay only the cost of photocopying and binding.
For your convenience, a copy has been placed on reserve in Lavery Library. Bring your book to every class.

Course Requirements

Five analytical papers (3-5 pp. each) on topics to be distributed. Each paper will be graded twice: once (5% each, 25% of your final grade) when you initially hand them in, and again, when you have revised them for inclusion in your final portfolio (25% of your final grade). This allows you to improve your papers by revising them but also holds you accountable for doing high-quality work throughout the term.

In-class writings and homework graded on a three-point (minus/check/plus) scale (15% of final grade). Be sure to keep copies of all written work - papers, drafts, exercises, notes - that you do for this course. You may be asked to hand it in. Keep copies of everything you write. Though there are no makeups for in-class assignments, your lowest grade on in-class work will be dropped at the end of the semester. 

Weekly quizzes will test your grasp of the main points of the reading assignments (20% of your final grade total). Quizzes will be given at the start of class, so make sure you're on time because quizzes cannot be made up. To prepare for quizzes: as you read each chapter, mark important terms, memorize unfamiliar and important words, and outline chapter on a separate sheet, listing its main points. Though there are no makeups for quizzes, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Midterms/final: though currently no midterm and final are scheduled for this course, I reserve the right to institute a midterm and a final exam if necessary to motivate students to master course materials.

Participation and attendance (15% of your final grade). Participation and attendance are linked. Participation means asking questions, paying attention, participating in discussions and exercises, contributing ideas, etc. Because this is an interactive class, you must be present in order to learn and contribute. You are permitted one week of absence without penalty, but absences beyond this will lower your grade regardless of the circumstances, because if you're not in class, you can't do the work of the course. Students who miss more than 3 weeks of class will receive an F for the course. Because class begins on Day 1, absences because of registration problems count fully. If you have a serious emergency, such as a death in the family, auto accident, hospitalization, etc., please contact me in advance or as soon as possible so that we can work with the Dean of Students to make arrangements.

If you miss class, contact other students to find out what you missed. You're responsible for finding out about any assignments, due dates, and announcements and for fulfilling them on time. Extra handouts and worksheets will be available after class on the front of my office door for pickup anytime.

Out-of-Class Resources
Dr. Jadwin
As your instructor, my job is to coach you to be a more effective writer and to evaluate work you produce for this course. Drop by during office hours to discuss any issue related to writing or to our class. We can have a telephone conference if a face-to-face meeting is impractical. You and I can accomplish a great deal during a short 15-minute conference, especially if you're stuck. 

During office hours you don't need an appointment - you can just stop in. I have scheduled an office hour right before class to accommodate students who work during the day. If your schedule makes it impossible for you to come by during these times, see me, call (385-8192), or e-mail me with your available times (ljadwin@sjfc.edu) to set up an appointment.

The Writing Center
The peer consultants at the Fisher Writing Center are available to help you free of charge, with appointments during both day and evening hours, with any issue related to writing, including inventing, drafting, revising, and polishing. I encourage you to make at least two visits to the Writing Center every term and to develop relationships with consultants who can be requested when you make an appointment. 3-credit students will receive extra credit for visiting the Writing Center. Note that Writing Center consultants cannot (1) proofread your work (2) tell you what grade you should receive or (3) write your paper for you. Approach them with drafts, ideas, and a specific agenda on which you want to work.

The Writing Center notifies me when you fail to show up for an appointment. Students who fail to show up for a scheduled Writing Center appointment or repeatedly cancel appointments will be penalized. Each no-show will lower your final grade exponentially and may cause you to fail this course. If you think you're going to miss an appointment, call the Writing Center and cancel it.

The Writing Center is located on the second floor of Basil Hall in the Gateway area.

For Students with Diagnosed Disabilities
In compliance with St. John Fisher College policy and applicable laws, appropriate academic accommodations are available to you if you are a student with a disability. All requests for accommodations must be supported by appropriate documentation/diagnosis and determined reasonable by St. John Fisher College. Students with documented disabilities (physical, learning, psychological) who may need academic accommodations are advised to make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Student Development Center, Kearney 211. Late notification will delay requested accommodations.

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