Required Text:
Rhetoric and Civic Life. LA101H Spring 2011 Custom Textbook. 2nd edition.
Attendance
Expect to attend class everyday prepared, with all reading and writing assignments done. Bring any supplementary materials with you.
To be as fair to everyone as possible, our course policy allows you three “free” absences. These are absences that you can take with no penalty, grade-wise. As a result, “excused” absences are not granted, so plan any absences accordingly.
Absences in excess of the allowed will lower your participation/attendance grade (see Grades). Perfect attendance will earn you extra credit.
If you find yourself in an extreme situation or emergency, please let me know in advance. I am often able to work with students if I know of these situations early.
Conferences
I encourage you to see me anytime. Have questions about an assignment? Want to try out some new ideas? Need help with your writing? Want to suggest ways to improve the course? Happen to be walking by the building? Come see me. Really.
You may also take your ideas and/or written work to the Undergraduate Writing Center (219 Boucke, 863-3240), where trained peer tutors are available. No appointment is necessary.
Grades and Assignments
Unit One: “This I Believe” Podcast 5%
Unit One: “This I Believe” Essay 5%
Unit Two: Rhetorical Situation Speech 10%
Unit Two: Rhetorical Analysis Essay 10%
Unit Three: Group Multi-Media Text 15%
Unit Four: Persuasive Speech 10%
Unit Four: Persuasive Essay 10%
Unit Five: E-portfolio 10%
Blogs 15%
Participation and Attendance 10%
grading scale
A = 95 to 100, A- = 90 to 94.9, B+ = 87.9 to 89.9,
B = 83.3 to 87.6, B- = 80 to 83.32, C+ = 75 to 79.9,
C = 70 to 74.9, D = 60 to 69.9, F = 59.9 and below.
Note: The Penn State grading scale does not allow
the option of awarding grades of C-, D+ or D- grades
Plagiarism (Cheating) and Other Policies
Penn State defines academic integrity as the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20).
Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who are found to be dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University’s Judicial Affairs office for possible further disciplinary sanction.
We will discuss proper citation practices in class, and I welcome questions on this issue at any time before assignments are due. I’d like to stress too that plagiarism is not to be confused with the sharing of ideas–all writers get advice from friends and colleagues.
Disability Policy – The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell me as soon as possible.
Cell Phones. Please silence your cell phone before entering class.