College Writing

Instructor:  Ms. Elaine Peterson

School year:  2008-2009

Room: 320  Ext. 236

Office hours:  M/Th at lunch, before or after school with appointment

E-mail: epeterson@judgememorial.com

Overview

            This course is designed to challenge you and there will be several instances when you will be asked to personally reflect on your life through nonfiction and creative writing.  The purpose of this course is to prepare your writing for college, and help you discover your surroundings, your existence, your strengths, and your weaknesses.  As a class, we will discover, analyze and critique issues concerning the formation of an identity.  In addition, you will learn to identify the various patterns of writing, develop your nonfiction writing, and dissect challenging rhetoric.

            This course is designed to help you gain confidence in your writing throughout your final year of English in high school.   Over the course of the semester, we will read the following major works:

• The Bedford Reader (this textbook will be used all year)
• The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
• What is the What, Dave Eggers

Major Course Assessments

• There will be weekly essay assignments.
• There will be reading assignments and regularly assigned homework.
• There will be daily reading and writing in-class assignments.
• Class participation is required.
• A research paper with an Annotated Bibliography will be completed.
• There will be a final exam that will cover all the discussed topics throughout the first semester.

Policies and Procedures
2008-2009

Rules

1. You must bring all materials needed for class to class with you each day.  This includes your books, journal, pen, pencil, and paper.

2. You are responsible for your work in this class.  If you are absent, ask another student or see me before or after class.  Do not expect me to take class time to get you caught up on what you missed.

3. If you are unwilling to listen to others, to be courteous in class, to pay attention, or if you are participating in disruptive behavior, you will be subject to the appropriate school discipline procedures.

4. You must be in uniform.  You may drink water, but you are not allowed any other beverage or food in class.  All gum must be disposed of.

5. You are expected to follow the school rules and customary rules of conduct in our room.  Immature and rowdy behavior will not be tolerated.  Talking while others “have the floor” will not be tolerated.  Sleeping and not being prepared for class will not be tolerated.

6. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating, the deans will be notified and you and I will have a meeting with your parents or guardians.

Homework Policy

Homework will be assigned daily and is due at the beginning of each class period.  If the student does not have his/her work when I ask for the assignment, the assignment is late.

Late Work Policy

Late work is only accepted with an excused absence.  If you miss class for a school related activity you must turn in your work before you leave. If you are going to be absent for reasons other than illness, you must get the work before you leave.  It's your responsibility to get missed notes and assignments.

Academic Honesty

Cheating in any form is unacceptable.  Cheating consists of but is not limited to:  copying homework assignments, copying test or quiz answers, using notes during a test, or plagiarizing.  Students found cheating will receive a failing grade on the test, quiz, or assignment.  Parents will be notified and the student will be referred to the Deans.         

Test Make-Up Policy

Students must contact me the day they return to schedule a make-up date for their test.  Normally, a test must be made up within a day after returning from an absence (obvious exceptions made for extended illness, family crisis, etc.).  If students are informed of a test prior to their absence it does not excuse them from taking the test the day they return.  For example, if they are aware there is a vocabulary test on Friday, and they are absent on Wednesday, they are still required to take the test if they return Friday.

Grading

            95-100%          A
            90-94%            A-
            87-89%            B+
            82-86%            B
            80-81%            B-
            77-79%            C+
            72-76%            C
            70-71%            C-
            67-69%            D+
            62-67%            D
            60-61%            D-
            Below 60          F

PowerGrade

              Grades will be updated and posted every Friday.

Website

              My website can be accessed by logging on Judge’s website (www.judgememorial.com), then clicking under faculty and staff.  When you find my name, Elaine Peterson, you will be able to access my website.

Office Hours/Contact Info

Room: 320
Phone:  801-363-8895 ext. 236
Office hours:  M/Th at lunch, before or after school with appointment
E-mail: epeterson@judgememorial.com