English 101: Introduction to Academic Writing

Fall 2020 Danielle Williams

MWF 11:15-12:05 williamsdc@lopers.unk.edu
Thomas Hall 107 (308) 865-8294

Office: Thomas Hall 205A

Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00, or by appointment

Required Materials: There is no required text for this course. All readings will be posted on
Canvas. Therefore, you will need a mobile device (laptop or tablet, not a cellphone) for each
class.

Course Description: A study of the art of composition with special emphasis on the writing
process and on essay form. Students study methods of invention and arrangement and hone their
stylistic, grammatical, and punctuation skills. The prerequisite for this course is ENG 100A or an
English ACT score of 15 or higher.

Course Objectives:
1. Develop an understanding of language and how to use it for different genres of writing.
2. Develop various methods of inquiry for generating and developing ideas, including
discussion, reflection, heuristics, and using library databases.
3. Read complex texts by describing the method of organization, identifying and evaluating
the thesis, and analyzing the main points of support.
4. Use critical and analytical thinking to review your own writing and that of others.
5. Revise writing based on feedback from instructor and peers.

General Studies Purpose: The UNK General Studies program helps students acquire
knowledge and abilities; to understand the world; to make connections across disciplines; and to
solve contemporary problems. The GS program is intentionally structured to allow students to
build necessary skills in the Foundational Core classes while making the transition to college
level coursework and forming critical thinking skills in the Portal class. Students then explore a
broad cross-section of academic topics in the Distribution Area and finally finish their GS
program in the Capstone course that is designed to help students synthesize, through
interdisciplinary instruction, their knowledge, skills, and experiences across the curriculum.
This course serves as a prerequisite for ENG 102.
 Course Policies

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for this course. Only absences for UNK events, military
obligations, and religious holidays are excused, but you must notify me in advance.
Excessive unexcused absences will lower your final grade (see grading contract). If you have
an emergency or know in advance that you will have to miss class, please speak with me.

Late Work: All assignments will be submitted on Canvas and therefore need to be completed
on time even if you are going to miss class. I will grant extensions for larger projects as long
as you have an acceptable reason and speak with me in advance. I will not grant extensions
retroactively.

Conduct: I support an inclusive learning environment where diversity and individual

differences are understood, respected, and appreciated. Expressions or actions that disparage
a person’s or group’s race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, gender, gender identity/expression,
religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability are contrary to the mission of the
class and will not be tolerated. I expect you to treat your classmates, instructor, and guests
with respect.

Electronic Devices: As you are adults, I do not feel the need to manage your use of personal
devices so long as you are not a distraction to me or your classmates. However, I will not
repeat anything that you missed because you were on your phone or laptop, so I suggest that
you only use devices for class purposes if you wish to get the most out of our class time.

Email: Feel free to email me with any questions or issues related to the course. However,
please consult Canvas, the syllabus, or your assignment sheet first to see if your question is
answered there. I will get back to you as soon as I can, but responses may not be immediate
(I will typically respond within 24 hours) so plan ahead.

Conferences: For extended conversations (such as going over an assignment or discussing a

grade), please meet with me in person. Two conferences will be required (see schedule), but I
encourage everyone to meet with me during my office hours or to make an appointment to
discuss any questions or concerns you may have or to receive help on any of the assignments.
 Assignments

Homework: Reading responses and/or reflections will be due each week (see schedule). We
will also have peer reviews which will be done in class (see schedule). All homework will be
posted on Canvas and must be completed before class starts on the assigned due date. If you
do not complete an in-class assignment or activity before the end of the class period, it is due
at the beginning of the following class period.

Projects: There will be four major projects in this class.

1. Literacy Narrative
2. Article Summary
3. Song Analysis Tournament
4. Online Portfolio Project
More information and detailed guidelines will be provided in the assignment sheets that will
be posted on Canvas. All projects must be submitted on Canvas by 11:59 on the assigned due
date.

Revision: Any or all of the first three projects may be revised and resubmitted. In order to
resubmit a project, you must meet with me first to discuss your revision plan. Each project
can only be resubmitted once and must be submitted within two weeks of the day the
assignment is returned.

Grading: We will follow a contract grading model, which I will explain in class. Basically, you
will be graded on the total amount of work you put into the course rather than receiving
individual grades for each assignment. This allows you to focus less on grade and more on
improving your writing. See the grading contract on Canvas for more information.
 University Policies and Resources

Academic Honesty: Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of scholarly
integrity. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. All work submitted under
your name signifies that you are the author – that the wording and ideas are yours, with
exceptions indicated by appropriate documentation. Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use
of others’ materials (words and ideas). Evidence of plagiarism will result in one or more of
the following: a failing grade for the assignment, an F in the course, and a report filed with
the dean.

Students with Disabilities: It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide
flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students with documented
disabilities. To receive accommodation services for a disability, students must be registered
with UNK Disabilities Services Coordinator, David Brandt, in the Disability Services for
Students office, 175 Memorial Student Affairs Building, 308-865-8214 or by email
unkdso@unk.edu

Students Who are Pregnant: It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to
provide flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students who are pregnant.
To receive accommodation services due to pregnancy, students must contact Cindy Ference
in Student Health, 308-865-8219. The following link provides information for students and
faculty regarding pregnancy rights. http://www.nwlc.org/resource/pregnant-and-parenting-
students-rights-faqs-college-and-graduate-students

Reporting Student Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, or Sexual Assault: Reporting

allegations of rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment,
and stalking enables the University to promptly provide support to the impacted student(s),
and to take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of such sexual misconduct and protect
the campus community. Confidentiality will be respected to the greatest degree possible. Any
student who believes she or he may be the victim of sexual misconduct is encouraged to
report to one or more of the following resources: (1) Local Domestic Violence, Sexual
Assault Advocacy Agency 308-237-2599, (2) Campus Police (or Security) 308-865-8911, or
(3) Title IX Coordinator 308-865-8655. Retaliation against the student making the report,
whether by students or University employees, will not be tolerated.