University of Maryland – University College Asia
Kadena Education Center, Tuesday/Thursday 1645-1930
Instructor: Elizabeth Fullon     Email: ecfullon@yahoo.com
Website:
http://www.oocities.org/efullon/ENGL101_home.html

ENGL 101-C 

Of course, you can write! You probably do it everyday. You also either passed the placement test  or honed your skills in EDCP 101 to prove it. In ENGL 101, you will learn how to do it better and faster. That means sharpening your writing skills and working more efficiently and effectively.

Course objectives
This course is designed to help you develop a critical perspective in reading and writing. It focuses on the thinking process necessary to read and write for college-level requirements. The first task is learning how to recognize good writing. Part of each class meeting is spent analyzing, interpreting and evaluating samples of different types of writing. You learn how to ask questions such as “What is the writer trying to say?” and “What technique does the writer use to achieve the purpose?” Next, you employ the patterns and techniques you’ve learned. You learn to choose the most effective tools—narration, description, definition, argumentation and others—to accomplish your purpose. In generating and reviewing your own work, you apply the same critical approach you’ve learned to use while evaluating other writers.
Grammar and mechanics are also reviewed in this class.  Discussions and exercises are conducted to brush up your basic writing skills as necessary. By the end of the term, you can   expect to be able to 1) analyze and respond to writing situations, 2) identify and formulate a thesis, 3) develop and organize ideas for topic and sentence outlines, 4) conduct research efficiently, and  5) produce clear, concise and effective written work.  

Course description
Practice in effective writing and clear thinking at all levels, including sentence and paragraph, with emphasis on the essay and research report. Specific steps reviewed within the writing process include formulating purpose, identifying an audience, and selecting and using research resources and methods of development. Students for whom English is a second language should consider taking ENGL 101X. Prerequisite: completion of EDCP 101 or satisfactory performance on a placement test.

Course requirements
9 Critiques and 1 report (20 %): nine 1-page critiques and one oral report (2% each)
3 Essays (30%): three 3-page papers on an assigned topic (10% each)
Midterm exam (15%)
Final exam (15%)
Attendance and participation (20%)

You are required to check out the class website regularly for updates and assignments. Critiques and papers are submitted at the beginning of class on the date they are due. Excuses for absences, late submissions and make-up tests will be accepted only with medical or official documentation. Do not hesitate to send an email if you have questions. Resend it if you don’t receive a response within 24 hours. Academic integrity is valued highly in this class. Plagiarism will result in severe penalty according to UMUC academic policies.

Required text
Writing with a Thesis: A Rhetoric and Reader. D. Skwire and S. E. Skwire, 8th edition, 2001. The Little, Brown Handbook. H. R. Fowler and J. Aaron, 9th edition, 2004.
Online Guide to Writing and Research. http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/writinggde/welcome
Preparing a Research Paper. http://www.ad.umuc.edu/student/resources/publications/studenthandbk/page6.html
Put It in Writing. http://www.ad.umuc.edu/student/resources/publications/putinwriting/index.html

Other references
UMUC Library Databases and E-Journals:
http://www.umuc.edu/library/database/
References:
http://www.bartleby.com/    
Online Writing Lab:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/