SYLLABUS

Anchor 1

BASICS

STEM WARD BOUND: ENG 2950 (ENG 1020) Spring 2020

Course Title: ENG 2950/1020 Composition

STEM-WaRD Bound

(WaRD=Writers and Researchers in Development)

TR 9:30-10:45 Zehmer Hall 115

Instructor: Dr. Emily Dotson

Office Address: 233 Smiddy Hall

Email: ead2y@uvawise.edu

Office hours: Tuesday 11-2 and by appointment

Email is a great way to reach me since I check it often. Please do allow me at least 48hrs to return your messages though as I do often travel on weekends. People email me often without identifying themselves and I like to know who I am talking to when I respond. Today when you go home set an email signature on your email that includes your full name, anticipated graduation date, and email address.

Also, feel free to seek me out often in office hours any time you want to chat and most certainly, when you feel confused or uncertain about the course or assignments. I am always happy to review drafts any time up until the day before they are due. If you bring me sentences, paragraphs or even papers early, I will provide a lot of feedback about the things I would notice when grading and the things that could make you a stronger writer. I am here to help! Plus, I have coffee and occasionally cookies in my office.

Prerequisite and Course Description:

ENG 2950: Science Focused Composition/ STEM-WaRD Bound (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: passing grade on the proﬁciency examination or successful completion of speciﬁed portions of Speech and Writing Laboratory; ENG 1010 is prerequisite to ENG 2950/1020.

Expository writing, ranging from single paragraph to essays of some length and complexity; study of the logical, rhetorical, and linguistic structures of expository prose; the methods and conventions of preparing research papers; and argumentation. Full-time students who have not completed ENG 1010 or the equivalent must enroll in the appropriate course in that sequence.

Please note that this course is a freshman requirement and can NOT be dropped and taken later in your academic career. If this course does not seem like one which will work well for you, please ask your advisor to help you move into another open section before the last day to add a class. After that date, moving to another section will not be permitted and you may not be able to withdraw without special permission from your advisor and/or the Registrar or Academic Dean.

This course has been developed with a STEM focus as a way to satisfy both the need for additional science writing training, but also satisfy the English 1020 requirement.

This course is part of the NSF S-STEM grant awarded to UVa-Wise so students should be aware their written, oral and digital communication including in and out of class assignments, surveys, and digital communications may be used without attribution in publications, presentations, or reports related to the NSF grant award. Continued enrollment in the course is an agreement of full participation in the NSF=S-STEM grant.

STEM-WaRD Bound (WaRD = Writers and Researchers in Development) is a writing-focused course focused on helping STEM students understand that writing -- an extension of critical thinking -- is a priority in the Liberal Arts and employers identified written communication an essential skill for college graduates (NACE, 2016).

STEM-WaRD Bound will instill the importance of writing for success in STEM and writing grants and will be introduced to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP) as a future goal and avenue to graduate studies. Scholars in STEM-WaRD Bound are quite possibly on their way to NSF GRFPs, DDIGs, and future NSF S-STEM grants.

Student Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

Learn critical reading skills for academic writing and see connections between text(s) and larger issues/real life
Develop writing time management skills and meet regular deadlines
Understand writing as a process requiring pre-writing, multiple drafts, and careful revision and editing
Write with a tone and language appropriate to the assignment and audience and both structure and format a writing assignment using a style guide appropriate to the discipline
Gain practice in short writing assignments and a long research based research project.
Find and evaluate valid, diverse, recent and relevant academic research in print and online formats and learn how to effectively use that research in furtherance of a writing goal
Coherently and completely explain the thesis, main ideas, and transition within and between ideas in academic readings and apply this organizational framework to their own writing
Know how to avoid plagiarism by accurately summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting research using a discipline specific style guide
Develop a college writing standard and personal style that is grammatically and mechanically correct and speaks in an engaging way to readers
Gain confidence and a desire to pursue further study
Develop improved scientific writing skills and higher scores on various writing assignments (scored with a rubric) throughout their courses compared to a control group of students.
Be more prepared for writing activities in their STEM careers or STEM graduate studies.

I hope that this course will be interesting, but be aware it will not always be easy. Research, critical thinking and writing are hard work. I have high standards because I believe you owe it to your good ideas to develop the strong oral, written, visual, and technical skills that will enable you to be understood and valued in a noisy and often impatient world.

REQUIREMENTS

Required Materials:

Readings will be provided.

You need word processing software. You can get free Microsoft 360 software, which includes PowerPoint and Word by going to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office/default.aspx.

You need antivirus protection and a jump drive. You can get free antivirus software by going to https://www.avg.com/en-us/homepage.

You need to know how to save your work. Make sure auto save is turned on. Email drafts to yourself regularly and buy a jump drive as a back-up archive.

You need the free program grammarly.com to prevent and check for gsp errors. Please download and install this prior to writing your first paper. YOU MUST SUBMIT A SCREENSHOT OF A GRAMMARLY REPORT WITH ALL SUBMITTED ASSIGNMENTS.

You will need a pen and notebook for every class. I expect you to take notes as you read and in class.

You need regular computer and internet access for this course.

Assignments and Grade Distribution

UNIT I: What does it mean to think and write like a scientist? 40%

Science Thinking and Writing Essay 15%,

Summaries 10%

Literature Review (Comparison/Contrast) Paper 15%

First, this assignment requires you to research and interview a Science faculty member at the College about it means to them to think and write like a Scientist. You will write a short 3-5 paper about what it means to think and write like a scientist using our readings and the faculty member’s background and views on science study and writing and their research areas of interest.

Secondly, using an article by your faculty member as a start, you will carefully read and write summaries of three published articles.

Third, you will connect these articles in a 5-10 page literature review identifying the purpose/research question, methodology/ results and discussions and future plans or proposals.

UNIT II: Scientific Ethics: 35%

Tech Talks (One with Poster) 15%

Scientific Ethics Research Paper 20%

We will talk about a variety of new technologies in science including designer babies and gender change, informed genetic consent, bioengineered food, drones in agriculture, vaccine phobias, and 3D printing.

You will choose two topics to present to the class as Tech Talks. One talk must include a poster.

You will then research and write a 4-6 page paper in which you explain how the Science works and discuss the pros and cons of this innovation.

Unit III: My Science Future 10%

You will write a paper explaining what interests you in Science and what you feel you need to do between now and graduation to reach your career goals in Science. In addition to the 2-3 page paper, you will create and present a professional CV and web page.

Daily Deliverables 15%

Daily deliverables are a variety of smaller tasks and assignments that are required to complete readings, hold discussions, or prepare for larger writing projects. For example, you will have quizzes and do regular short writings in and out of class that are graded check, check plus and check minus. In addition, this includes the expectation that you will speak up regularly (at least once a week), are prepared for class, meet minor deadlines, attend conferences, and are an active part of all class activities, writing workshops, etc, and/or do not miss more than six classes for excused, unexcused or any combination of the two reasons.

GRADING

Please allow two weeks for the return of graded assignments.

Midterm/Final Exam: There is no midterm or final exam in this course.

Course Grading Scale:

Grades for all assignments will be based on completeness and demonstration of mastery of course concepts. Grades will not be assigned based on effort or improvement. All course assignments must be submitted to receive a passing score in the class.

This course follows a ten point scale: Grading scale

90 – 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79%= C

60 - 69%=D

Please do not disappear. If things become difficult and you need to withdraw please do so through official channels. Come see me and I will be happy to help you. In order to receive an Incomplete (I) for the course you must have documented excused absences and sign a contract agreeing to required assignments and course completion deadlines before the last day of classes.

Keep track of your own attendance, grades and averages. I highly recommend you use an online grade calculator like the one at http://www.benegg.net/grade_calculator.html to average your grades. I do not release attendance records or average final grades in advance.

Mid-term Grade:

Mid-term grades will be posted by the deadline established in the

Academic Calendar http://www.uvawise.edu/uva-wise/administration-services/registrar/academic-calendar/.

Dead Week and Final Exam Information:

No assignments will be due in dead week. Your presentation is your final exam in this course.

Writing Standards

Final papers must be submitted with all drafts in a pocketed folder.

Assignments are due in class on dates posted. I do not accept emailed assignments. In the case of an excused absence, please submit the assignment and the excuse documentation when you return to class.

Students who would like an extension on an assignment must ask by email at least one working day prior to the deadline. I am usually happy to grant an extension, but I will deduct five points and I will allow only one week because you run the risk of missing later deadlines when the extension is prolonged.

Any assignments submitted late without a documented excused absence or approved extension will reduce your assignment grade one letter grade.

All assignments should be formatted using standard academic style. This means typed, stapled, double spaced, 12pt. Times Roman font, with one inch margins and appropriate headings. All writing should indicate drafting, revision, and careful independent proof reading.

Make a habit of saving drafts frequently as you write and by date on a jump drive or cloud service like google docs. You should begin assignments early enough that technology problems do not cause deadline problems.

The Writing Center is a free and fantastic resource for all your writing projects in this class or any other. The WC is located on the first floor of the library. You can drop in or make an appointment online by going to http://www.uvawise.edu/academics/academic-support/writing-center/. You should visit the tutors in the Writing Center and they can certainly help you. However, they can’t and shouldn’t rewrite your paper or try to fix everything for you. For one thing, to do so would be a violation of plagiarism rules and for another the responsibility for revision and editing is yours alone.

Plagiarism is the cardinal sin of the academic world. I warmly invite you to come ask me if something you are writing is too close to a source or needs to be cited. Drafts are the perfect time to learn without any penalty how to do things right or better. The minimum penalty for plagiarism on a paper submitted for a final grade is an E in the course and depending on the circumstances I will likely push for more severe penalties which can extend all the way to expulsion.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance

Prompt and regular attendance at every class is mandatory. Missing classes and coming in late or leaving early disrupts your instructor and classmates. It is unprofessional.

You are allowed four UNEXCUSED absences without penalty. On the date of your fifth UNEXCUSED absence your letter grade will drop one letter grade and will continue to drop a letter grade each subsequent day out.

You are tardy if you arrive after the class has started or before dismissal. Three tardies are equal to one absence.

In the event of inclement weather I will email you at your official school address. School closings and delays are posted on the main UVA Wise web page http://www.uvawise.edu/ and announced on local tv stations.

If you attend class without required materials included electronic or printed course readings, pen and paper, you are considered absent for that class.

In addition, you are expected to be respectful and attentive listeners. If you are on your phone, doing homework, or engaged in other distracting behavior like personal conversations you will be counted as absent. I will not further disrupt our class activities by calling you out, but be warned you will lose attendance credit for the day and receive a zero on any assignment due that day. This statement is your warning about this policy. If it is especially problematic, I will email you for a conference to speak to you about your disruptive behavioral issues.

Students who significantly or consistently disrupt class will be required to meet with the instructor and other university administrators to discuss behavioral issues, and/or may be requested to drop or withdraw from the course, and/or can be removed from the class at the discretion of the instructor.

Students need to notify the professor of absences prior to class when possible. The following are acceptable reasons for excused absences: (a) serious illness, (b) illness or death of family member, (c) University-related trips, (d) major religious holidays, and (e) other circumstances found to fit “reasonable cause for Non-attendance” by the professor. Lack of transportation, oversleeping, or conflicts with other appointments on campus or off are not considered excused absences.

Students anticipating an absence for a major religious holiday or university sponsored trip or activity are responsible for notifying the instructor by email of anticipated absences at least a week in advance.

Missed announcements, instructions, assignments, etc. due to the absence(s) will not constitute acceptable reasons for failing to meet subsequent deadlines.

Research shows you are more likely to come to this class and others if you have a connection with a classmate. Your class friend should be the person you turn to if you need to learn the content of any missed classes.

Class Friend: _____________________________ Email:_________________________

I expect you to get missed materials from your friend first.

It is also your responsibility to collect any work returned in a missed class period during the instructor’s office hours and to initiate arrangements with the instructor for making up the work.

If the absence is certified as excused, the student will be given an opportunity to make up the work missed. Except in very unusual circumstances, an extended deadline will not exceed one week beyond the original deadline.

OTHER

POLICIES

Classroom Civility: College prepares you for your career not just intellectually, but also socially. Thus, in college we expect you to behave as the respectful and professional mature adults your future employer will warmly welcome to their office or university.

Good students avoid distractions and are not themselves a distraction to others. During class, you should keep your phones silenced, ear buds and hats off, and not do other homework, check e-mail, chat, IM, play games, or perform other off-task activities that are both disruptive and distracting. Working off topic, private conversations, and texting in class are disrespectful to me and my attempts to foster a real conversation in class. We are a class, a community, and we can only make this class interesting and engaging if we are all paying respectful attention to one another.

Please remember this is an academic environment so avoid using language, screen images, and other content that might be distracting or offensive to other members of the class. In addition, be aware that we may discuss sensitive issues. You should feel free to disagree with me and with each other, but you must do so with respect for the feelings and ideas of others. Treat your classmates and their comments with respect. We may not always agree, but we should always be respectful. Disrespect and disruption are violations of the Honor Code and the Student Code of Conduct http://www.uvawise.edu/student-life/student-governance/code-conduct/. Students who significantly or consistently disrupt class will be asked to meet with the instructor, Department Chair, and the Assistant Dean to discuss behavioral issues, and/or may be requested to drop or withdraw from the course, and/or can be removed from the class at the discretion of the instructor.

UVa-Wise is committed to maintaining a respectful, professional and nondiscriminatory academic, living and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This includes having an environment free from sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity and retaliation (“Prohibited Conduct”). The College will take prompt and equitable action to eliminate Prohibited Conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects in order to foster a climate of respect and security on campus. For more information see www.uvawise.edu/compliance/sexualmisconduct.

Counseling Center Recommendation: Often behavioral issues and/or trouble with concentration or focus can be related to physical or emotional issues in a student’s life. Our fantastic Counseling Center in Cantrell Hall 276-376-1005 http://www.uvawise.edu/student-life/student-development/counseling-services/ is a confidential and free resource that helps students with everything from difficulty with time management and substance abuse issues, to sleep disorders, anxiety and depression.

Please seek help from me or someone at the College if you feel overwhelmed or if something in your life is interfering with your work or happiness.

Food and Housing Insecurity Statement: Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact Josh Justice, the Dean of Students, Cantrell Hall 1st floor at jvj6e@uvawise.edu, for a list of resources and support. We have campus resources to support you like Smiddy’s Pantry, the UVA-Wise Food Pantry, a free resource with pantry and personal care items (located in the Office of Student Affairs on the bottom floor of Cantrell Hall) and can connect you with additional campus and community resources. The Student Affairs Office is here to help.

Academic Integrity Policy: Students are expected to adhere to University Honor Code and Code of Conduct policy in which “all students pledge to cooperate in acting honestly and honorably” http://www.uvawise.edu/student-life/student-governance/honor-system/. See the Avoiding Plagiarism handout for detailed instructions.

I warmly invite you to email and ask me if something you are writing is too close to a source or needs to be cited. Drafts are the perfect time to learn without any penalty how to do things right or better. The minimum penalty for plagiarism on a paper submitted for a final grade is an E in the course and depending on the circumstances I will likely push for more severe penalties which can extend all the way to an honor court violation and if possible expulsion.

Disability Accommodations: If you need accommodations due to a disability or if you have emergency medical information to share with me, please email me ead@uvawise.edu and make an appointment to talk to me as soon as possible. Students with disabilities must register with Disability Services to receive accommodations. Contact Whitney Wells to set this up. She is in Zehmer Hall 152, 276-328-0265 or wew3x@uvawse.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity: “The University of Virginia does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2014), and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Virginia prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence. (https://eocr.virginia.edu/notice-non-discrimination-and-equal-opportunity).”

Sexual Misconduct/ Gender Harassment Statement: The University of Virginia's College at Wise is committed to maintaining a respectful, professional and nondiscriminatory academic, living and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This includes having an environment free from sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity and retaliation. The College will take prompt and equitable action to eliminate Prohibited Conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects in order to foster a climate of respect and security on campus.

To view the UVa-Wise’s Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence policy, please visit: www.uvawise.edu/compliance/sexualmisconduct

If you have questions or concerns, please immediately contact your Title IX Coordinator listed below. Tabitha Smith, Director of Compliance & Inclusion, Title IX Coordinator, Cantrell Hall |Office: 276-328-0131 | Email: tabitha.smith@uvawise.edu