College Composition I

Fall 2011

Instructor: Toni Calvello

Email: tcalvello@comcast.net
Office hours T/R 11 a.m.-12 p.m. by appointment

Course Objectives
College Composition focuses on the development of effective writing with an emphasis
on drafting and revising essays throughout the semester. CC1 will aid you in learning to
write college-level academic discourse by allowing you to practice and improve your
ability by writing both in-class and out-of-class essays.

The goals of the first-year writing sequence are to have students:

be effective thinkers, researchers, and writers
engage in writing as a complex process
write in a variety of genres for diverse audiences
increase awareness of the need for effective writing skills and communication
techniques for their college career and beyond

Texts and Supplies

1. ConvergencesRobert Atwan
2. Portfolio Packet
3. Flash drive

Blackboard
BB will be used as an accompaniment to this writing course.
Requirements and Grading:
Three essays, approximately750 words long submitted as drafts and revisions
Critical engagement requirement three (3) pieces
Reflective essay
Portfolio including 2 revised essays with previous drafts, critical engagement
assignment, and a reflective essay on your writing progress

The portfolio receives a holistic letter grade that counts as 75% of your final grade. The
remaining 25% will be based upon participation in class discussions and assignments,
completion of informal assignments, and general progress throughout the semester.

Portfolio Requirements:
1. Two (2) essays with two revisions.
2. Critical engagement requirement three (3) pieces of student writing
Summaries of instructor-provided readings
Critical engagement piece ToonDoon
The two summaries are based on paired instructor-assigned readings. The critical engagement
piece also grows out of two readings and creates a dialogue between two texts.
3. Reflective statement

Format for your work:

All papers/revisions written outside class are to be written in standard
format: double spaced, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins. Name, date, and class
time in left header.
The format for the portfolio is described in length in the ICCI Student
Portfolio Guide. Follow these directions carefully.
All essays MUST have a title.

Expectations:
1. You must take responsibility for your own learning.
All assignments will be posted on Blackboard throughout the semester.
This includes paper prompts, in class assignments and any changes in
the syllabus. You are encouraged to ask questions in class and through
email about your assignments, however, I will not answer the same
questions over and over due to poor attendance, an inability to listen
attentively while the assignment is being explained, or your
unwillingness to go to Blackboard to find and read the assignments.
Finding and carrying out the assignments in this class are your
responsibility.
 2. You must make good use of time in class for research and writing.
3. You should approach each topic with an open mind and respect differences in
experiences and ideas
4. You are expected to contribute to the learning environment in every class
5. I cannot give each student undivided attention. I will meet with you after class if
you have any questions about your work. If you are having difficulty with the
assignments, you are required to visit the Writing Center in Campbell Library
and/or get private tutoring for your individual issues.
6. I will set up study groups and you are expected to consult your peers if you have
questions about your work. By learning to work with a team, you will be able to
gain further understanding about the assignments throughout the semester.

Attendance policy
http://www.rowan.edu/provost/policies/documents/Attendance
Policy-FacultyandStudentsResponsibilities-webrevS2009.pdf

Academic integrity policy and procedures

http://www.rowan.edu/provost/policies/documents/2009_AcadInteg_
policy.pdf

The Writing Center

The Writing Center supports students with one-on-one or small group writing
consultations. Students can get help with all steps of the writing process: invention
strategies, rough drafting, revising, grammar and editing. The Writing Center, located on
the 4th floor of the library, is open M-TH, 12 -6 pm. Call 856.256.4376 or email
writingcenter@rowan.edu. Limited walk-in appointments are also available.
The Writing Center
Library, 4th floor
Monday - Thursday, 12-6 pm
856-256-4376
http://www.rowan.edu/colleges/communication/departments/writingArts/writinglab.html
http://twitter.com/ruwc
Accommodation
Your success in this class is important. If you have a disability or particular circumstance
that may have an impact upon your work in this class, please contact me early in the
semester so that we can adapt assignments to meet your needs and the requirements of
the course. The Center for Academic Success is located in 213 Savitz Hall. Students
need to provide documentation of a disability to this office in order to receive official
university services and accommodations. The Academic Success Center can be reached at
856.256.4234
 Course Outline

Please note: this course outline is only a guide. Changes and/or additions will be
made as needed-- not all assignments are listed on this syllabus. All changes will be
posted on Blackboard/WebCT In the case of an absence, students should check
WebCT before returning to class.

Week 1 Introduction to College Composition

Read Introduction p. 2-60

Week 2 Read: Depicting Identities p. 60-108

Draft Essay #1-- Identity (prompt will be posted on BB)

Week 3 Peer review

Essay #1 due

Week 4 Paper #2--Urban Legends

Research for Essay #2
Draft Essay #2 (prompt will be posted on BB)

Week 5 Essay #2 work shop and peer review.

Class discussions on readings from Convergences
BB assignment
Essay #2 due

Week 6 Draft Essay #3Prompt TBA

Assignment on BB

Week 7 Peer Review

BB assignment
Essay #3- due
Mini Conferences

Week 8 SUMMARIESp. 282

Read and write a brief summary of approximately 300 words for each:
Alison Bechdels Old Father, Old Artficer p. 254
Dorothy Allisons What Did You Expect? p. 588

Week 9 Peer Review

 Summaries due

Week 10
Work on Toondoo, Prezi, or the creation of a comic strip. For digital works, students
should provide minimally an electronic address for the material and print for Portfolio.

Week 11 SUBMIT

Week 12
Write reflective essay

Week 13 Conferences

Week 14 Portfolio due

Week 15 Portfolio returned