Improvement in writing is a complex process that requires lots of practice and feedback from readers. Regular attendance is necessary to your success in this course.

I believe attendance is important enough to add 5 points to the final average of any student who has 100% attendance this semester.

It is a TCU Composition Program policy that in writing workshop courses, only official university absences are excused. Students representing TCU in a university-mandated activity that requires missing class should provide official documentation of schedules and turn in work in advance. Three weeks of unexcused absences (six in a MW/TR course, nine in a MWF course) constitute grounds for failure of the course.  Absences due to illness, sleeping, and long weekends are unexcused--they all count toward the three weeks' absences limit. Since illness is likely at some point during the semester, students are urged to save their unexcused absences for times when you are too sick to come to class. Absences under the three-week maximum can still affect your grade adversely.  After two unexcused absences, half a letter grade will be subtracted from your final grade for each additional absence (i.e.: 4 absences means the final grade will be lowered by one full letter grade).  Students whose absences are due to circumstances beyond their control may appeal this policy by scheduling a meeting with the Director of Composition. Generally, the Director of Composition does not excuse additional absences without documentation. 

Tardies:  Please be on time for class. Students who are tardy are a distraction to the whole class, and if you're more than 10 minutes late, you will be marked absent. Three tardies will equal an absence for the course.  Keep in mind that in-class work cannot be made up.

To do well in this course, you must come to class--on time.

To receive full credit, all written assignments with the exception of those done in class must be in the following format:

• Font: Times New Roman

• Spacing: double spaced

• Size: 12pt.

• File type (for electronic submission with prior permission): MS Word (“.doc” only; not “.rtf”)

• Name on each page.

• Page number on each page.

• Multiple pages stapled or clipped. 

Note: handwritten out-of-class assignments are not acceptable.

TCU Common Syllabus Course Requirements

1)         Essays

We’ll be producing four essays in the course, (the last one being a short essay to go with your presentation at the end of the semester) totaling 20-30 pages of text.  Each essay will go through subsequent drafts and revisions,.           

Essay 1:            Personal Essay

Essay 2:            Research Essay

Essay 3:            Mini-ethnographic Essay

Essay 4:            Argument Essay

Before each essay is due, you’ll receive a detailed assignment sheet. 

2)         Daily Work

Daily work includes in-class writings, informal out-of-class writings, pop quizzes, written feedback to peers, etc.  This work, while informal, will be some of the most important work we do for the course, and while each piece is ungraded, they are a part of the grade within the unit in that not doing them adequately (or not doing them at all) can hamper your grade. The goal of daily writing is to generate ideas, thinking on the page, and not solely about having a finished product.

3)         Drafts/Workshops toward Essays

For each major writing assignment, you will be asked to submit preliminary and revised drafts to be workshopped in small groups, by the whole class, and/or by me.  Each draft should include an author’s note explaining to readers 1) the state of your draft (first draft, third, etc.) and what you were trying to accomplish in this draft; 2) what you think is going well; and 3) what you are having trouble with or would like advice on.  Failure to bring full drafts when due can affect your grades for each assignment.  During workshops, you are expected to read your peers’ drafts carefully and provide a thoughtful, substantive response.  During the semester, you will be asked to evaluate the performance of your peers as responders and these evaluations will contribute to my final evaluation of your work.

4)         Conference

Early in the semester, we’ll meet one-on-one to discuss your goals and work for the course.  When we meet, please come prepared—you will plan the agenda for our time together.  Attendance is required for these conferences—if you can't make your scheduled appointment, you must notify me in advance. Conferences will not be rescheduled due to lateness or unexcused absence.

5)         Reading Responses

You’ll be asked to produce regular reading responses to readings and other short writing assignments that are due in class when they are assigned.  Since the purpose of reading responses is to prepare you for class discussion, late reading responses will not be accepted.  (I will, however, take them early or via email if you know you will be gone.)  Reading responses are a minimum of two double-spaced pages in length; they will be evaluated with a letter grade and returned to you.  Your reading responses will total 25% of your grade.

6)         Presentation/Final Evaluative Experience

At the end of the course, during our scheduled final exam time, you will give a 5-10 minute presentation, and part of your presentation grade will be based on asking questions of others’ presentations.  The presentation is meant to demonstrate the learning and thinking you’ve done in the course, and you’ll receive more details as we move into the semester. 

Late Work:  Work will be due at the beginning of class and will be considered late thereafter. Late work will be marked down one letter grade per day late. If you know you will be missing a class, you need to submit the assignment ahead of time.

“The Center for Writing offers assistance with writing projects and assignments to all TCU students. Staffed by professional writing instructors and peer consultants, the Center for Writing provides students with one-on-one tutorials free of charge. Conferences usually focus on a particular project or assignment but may also include general writing instruction.
The ten PCs in the center's computer lab are available for the use of any TCU student during normal office hours and provide email and Internet access.  Located in Suite 244 of the Rickel Academic Wing of the University Recreation Center, the Center for Writing is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students may make an appointment by accessing an online scheduling service through the center’s website (at http://www.tcu.edu) or by calling 817-257-7221. Students may also use the Center for Writing’s annex at the library Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those who wish to submit a paper online may do so via the center’s website. A consultant will read the paper and offer feedback within 48 hours. “

Policies and Procedures for Students with Disabilities:  Please refer to the TCU Undergraduate Studies Catalog, http://www.catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/page.asp?page=2_13_78#anch296, quoted here:

Policies and Procedures for Students with Disabilities:  Please refer to the TCU Undergraduate Studies Catalog, http://www.catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/page.asp?page=2_13_78#anch296, quoted here:

“Policy Statement:
Texas Christian University complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. No otherwise qualified individual shall be denied access to or participation in the services, programs, and activities of TCU solely on the basis of a disability. The University shall provide reasonable accommodations for each eligible student who (a) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, (b) has a record or history of such an impairment, or (c) is regarded as having such an impairment.
Procedures:
Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities. Information concerning a student's disability is treated in a confidential manner in accordance with University policies as well as applicable federal and state laws. Documentation presented to the Coordinator shall be reviewed by appropriate University professional(s) to verify the existence of a disability. Further documentation may be required from the student to substantiate the claim of a disability or to assist the University in determining appropriate accommodations. The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, room 11 or at (817) 257-7486.
Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term for which they are seeking accommodations. The Coordinator will prepare letters to appropriate faculty members concerning specific, reasonable academic adjustments for the student. The student is responsible for delivering accommodations letters, conferring with faculty members, and returning validation of the receipt of information to the Coordinator. The Coordinator consults with the student and with University faculty and staff to ensure delivery of appropriate support services and serves as liaison between the student and the faculty member as needed.
Students who wish to appeal a decision regarding appropriate accommodations shall do so in writing to the Affirmative Action Officer, who shall decide the appeal.”