Eastern Illinois University

Taylor, Tim

ENG 1001G-218 College Composition I Critical Reading & Source Based Writing

Spear, Rashelle

ENG 2760-001 Introduction to Professional Writing

Craig, Lydia

ENG 5009-600 Studies in Nineteenth Century American Literature

Caldwell, Melissa

Eastern Illinois University 
The Keep 
Fall 2024 2024 
Fall 2-10-2025 
ENG 2901-003 Structure of English 
Melissa Caldwell 
Eastern Illinois University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024 
Recommended Citation 
Caldwell, Melissa, "ENG 2901-003 Structure of English" (2025). Fall 2024. 39. 
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024/39 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 2024 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion 
in Fall 2024 by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact tabruns@eiu.edu. 
Structure of the English Language 
English 2901 (3 credit hours) 
Section 003/Fall 2024/10:00 – 10:50am, CH 3160 
 
Instructor: Dr. Melissa Caldwell 
Email: mcaldwell@eiu.edu 
Office: CH 3050 
Student Hours:  
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9-10am & 11am -12pm 
Fridays 11am-1pm 
Other times by request 
Schedule Meeting via Calendly 
 
Required Textbooks 
Van Gelderen, An Introduction to the Grammar of English, revised edition (VG) 
Rickerson and Hilton (eds.), The 5-Minute Linguist, 2"d edition (5ML) 
 
Course Description 
In Structure of the English Language, we will closely examine the English language at the level of 
syntax—that is, how and why sentences are put together the way they are. In doing so, we will seek to 
better understand how English is constructed as a language. We will examine the so-called “rules” of 
grammar, but we will also think about why these rules exist, where they come from, and what it means 
when we don’t follow these rules in either written or oral expression. This course should be of interest to 
anyone interested in language and should be particularly useful if you are planning for a career in 
teaching, writing, or editing.  
 
Learning Objectives 
In this course, you will learn to: 
• Employ concepts and technical terms related to grammar and linguistics 
• Learn how to recognize various parts of speech, determine their function in a sentence, and 
represent them in diagramming 
• Think about the relationship between the rules of grammar and everyday usage 
• Be better able to make language choices in your own speech and writing based on style, form, 
purpose, and audience and/or to improve your ability to teach oral or written English 
• Understand the value of linguistic diversity and how language practices and standardizations can 
be linked to systems of oppression and discrimination.  
 
Course Requirements and Grade Distribution and Scale 
 
1. Attendance and participation (10%) 
Attendance is required for the course, and you should plan to attend every class meeting unless 
you are significantly ill and/or contagious and/or some other emergency comes up. Make-up 
privileges will be granted only for excused absences as defined by the University. Please read 
carefully the relevant passage from the Undergraduate Catalog: "Instructors will grant make-up 
privileges (when make-up is possible) to students for properly verified absences due to illness, 
emergency, or participation in an official University activity; and such absences will not militate 
against students in classes in which attendance is used directly in determining final grades. It is 
the student's responsibility to initiate plans for make-up work and to complete it promptly." If 
you have a planned unexcused absence (like those for weddings, out-of-town doctor 
appointments, court dates, etc.) on the date of a test, please contact me in order to take the test in 
advance.  
  
You are allowed a total of 3 unexcused absences before your grade will be affected. After your 
third unexcused absence, your participation grade will go down by 1 point per each additional 
absence. I also reserve the right to withhold extra credit opportunities from students who have 
over 4 absences.  
 
Your participation grade will be based not just on class attendance. To receive credit for 
participating, you have to participate in the course. This means taking part in the daily activities 
and discussions of the course, asking questions when you have them, putting away all electronics 
and other distractions during class, and otherwise being actively present in the classroom during 
class time.  
 
2. Homework (10%) 
There will be regularly assigned homework each week. Homework assignments will be posted in 
D2L and will be timed and turned in via D2L Dropbox.  
 
3. Practice quizzes (10%) 
You will be given the opportunity to test your mastery of course material through weekly 
practice quizzes. These quizzes will be given via D2L.  
 
4. Exams (40%) 
There will be three exams in this class during the course of the semester in addition to a 
cumulative final exam. You will be given a practice exam via D2L and there will be an exam 
review day for each exam.  
 
5. Group Presentation (10%) 
In groups, you will research a topic related to language. You will turn in a group report on your 
findings and present what you have learned to the class.  
 
6. Final Project (20%) 
You will choose a topic related to language that is of interest to you and/or is relevant to your 
future career plans to investigate. More information on this project will become available later in 
the semester.  
 
Grading Scale 
A  90-100 
B  80-89.9 
C 70-79.9 
D 60-69.9 
F Below 60 
 
Academic Integrity 
 
Students are expected to maintain principles of academic integrity and conduct as defined in 
EIU's Code of Conduct (http://www.eiu.edu/judicial/studentconductcode.php). Violations will be 
reported to the Office of Student Standards. The use of Chat GPT on assignments (oral, 
multimodal, and/or written) is prohibited in this course.  
 
Plagiarism unequivocally will not be tolerated in this course. Plagiarism is defined as "The 
appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and/or thoughts of another author, and 
representation of them as one's own original work" (Random House Dictionary of the English 
Language). The English Department’s policy on plagiarism states that any teacher who discovers 
an act of plagiarism has the right and responsibility to impose upon the guilty student an 
appropriate penalty, up to and including immediate assignments of a grade of F for the assigned 
essay and a grade of F for the course, and to report the incident to the Office of Student 
Standards. Respect for the work of others should encompass all formats, including print, 
electronic, and oral sources.  
 
Student Resources 
 
Students with Disabilities  
If you are a student with a documented disability in need of accommodations to fully participate 
in this class, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS). All 
accommodations must be approved through OSDS. Please stop by McAfee Gym, Room 1210, or 
call 217-581-6583 to make an appointment.  
 
The Student Success Center and The Writing Center 
Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are encouraged to contact the 
Student Success Center (www.eiu.edu/~success) for assistance with time management, test 
taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support academic 
achievement. The Student Success Center provides individualized consultations. To make an 
appointment, call 217-581-6696, or go to McAfee Gym, Room 1301.  
 
The Writing Center 
This fall, the Writing Center will be offering face-to-face consulting sessions on weekdays and 
online sessions evenings and Sundays. Students will be able to book either a face-to-face or 
online appointment through the Writing Center website (www.eiu.edu/writing). 
 
Resources for Well-Being 
Transitioning to college can be a stressful time. EIU is committed to supporting and advancing 
the mental health and well-being of our students. If you are experiencing concerns, seeking help 
is a courageous thing to do for yourself and those who care about you. Below is a list of available 
campus resources to assist with student well-being: 
 
• EIU Counseling Clinic: Human Services Building, 1st floor; 217-581-3413; for after- 
hours urgent support, call 1-866-567-2400. The Counseling Clinic offers individual and 
group counseling, emergency services, and resources. 
 
• EIU Health Clinic: Human Services Building, 1st floor; 217-581-3013. The Health Clinic 
services include lab work, pharmacy, and women’s health and men’s health programs. 
 
• Health Education Resource Center (HERC): 2201 Blair Hall; 217-581-7786. The HERC 
offers health programming in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention and 
education, flu and cold prevention and education, nutritional analysis and education, and 
sexual health education, in addition to other health-related topics. 
 
• Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD): Stevenson Hall, lower level; 217-581- 
7117. The GSD Center provides services such as the Trans*formation Station, a large 
library full of books and movies, year-round programming, and a comprehensive Safe 
Zone Training program. 
 
• EIU Campus Food Pantry: 1347 McAfee. The EIU Campus Food Pantry is a means to 
support students and the campus community by alleviating barriers to consistent, 
adequate, and healthful food. Anyone with a Panther Card can visit the pantry two times 
per month. 
 
• Student Legal Service: MLK Jr University Union Room 2420; 217-581-6054. Student 
Legal Service can assist with off-campus housing issues, traffic violations, misdemeanor 
criminal offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and expungement. 
 
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Student Services Building East Wing; 217-581-6405, 
Fax: 217-581-6422, finaid@eiu.edu. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships 
provides information and guidance to secure the necessary financial resources to meet 
educational goals and financial obligations to the university. 
 
 
Other Useful Information 
 
Restrooms 
The closest all-gender restroom to our class is on the 2nd floor of Coleman Hall, directly under 
the main English Dept. office. This restroom is newly designated as gender inclusive and has a 
lockable door and two stalls. Gendered restrooms are located on every floor in Coleman Hall. 
There is a map of gender-inclusive restrooms at EIU at https://www.eiu.edu/lgbtqa/all-gender-
restrooms.php; please note that this map is not up-to-date, and the Coleman Hall restroom is not 
listed. It is, nonetheless, clearly labeled gender inclusive. 
 
Electronic Writing Portfolio 
EWP submissions for the fall 2022 semester are due by December 16. If your final class project 
is over 750 words (as is required), it may be a suitable document to submit. Please ask me if you 
plan to submit your project. It can be submitted here: https://www.eiu.edu/assess/ewpmain.php 
 
 
 
Important Semester Dates 
• Aug. 23: Last day to add a class 
• Aug. 30: Last day to drop a course with no grade 
• Aug. 30: Last day to withdraw from all classes with full tuition and fees refund 
• Sept. 16: Last day to withdraw from all classes with 50% tuition and fees refund 
• Nov. 1: Last day to withdraw from a class 
 
English Teacher Education Majors 
Students seeking Teacher Certification in English Language Arts should request each of their 
English Department professors to complete the "Application for English Department Approval to 
Student Teach" before the end of the semester. This online evaluation form is available 
here: https://www.eiu.edu/english/machform/view.php?id=19831.  
 
 
 
Tentative Course Schedule* 
This is a general overview of the progress of the course. It is more important to me that you 
understand the concepts being taught than that we adhere to a schedule. Hence, I may—and 
likely will—make changes to the pace of the course, homework assignments, etc. throughout the 
semester as needed. These changes will be conveyed in class and/or via D2L. 
 
Dates Concepts Covered on this date Reading to 
be read by 
class on 
this date 
Homework to be 
completed by the 
beginning of class on this 
date 
M 
8/19 
Course Introduction: Why study the 
structure of English?; Grammar vs. 
Linguistics; descriptive vs. prescriptive 
grammar 
VG, ch. 1 HW: Log in to D2L site and 
orient yourself.  
W 
8/21 
Lexical Categories: Nouns, verbs, 
adjectives, adverbs (VG 2.1.1-2.1.2) 
VG, ch. 2  
 
 
 
F 
8/23 
Characteristics of Words: Morphology Morphology 
reading on 
D2L 
HW 1 
M 
8/26 
Lexical Categories: Prepositions (VG 
2.1.3) 
5ML, ch. 1 HW 2 
 
W 
8/28 
Grammatical Categories: Determiners, 
auxiliaries (VG 2.2.1) 
 HW 3 
Practice quiz 1 
F 
8/30 
Grammatical Categories: Coordinators, 
complementizers (VG 2.2.3) 
 Practice quiz 2 
 
M 
9/2 
 
Labor Day—No Class  
 
  
W 
9/4 
 
Noun phrases and adjective phrases 
(VG 3.1 - 3.2.1) 
VG, ch. 3 HW 4 
F 9/6 
 
Verb phrases and adverb phrases (VG 
3.2.1 - 3.2.2) 
 Practice quiz 3 
    
M 
9/9 
 
 
Prepositional phrases (VG 3.3).   HW 5: In class self-
assessment 
W 
9/11 
 
 
In class work on trees; coordination 
and apposition (VG 3.4) 
 HW 6 
F 
9/13 
 
In class work on trees  Take practice exam on D2L  
    
M 
9/16 
 
 
Review for exam 1  Study for exam 
W 
9/18 
 
Exam 1 
 
  
F 
9/20 
 
Groups assigned in class. Begin group 
project work. 
 Submit Group Update 1 on 
D2L 
    
M 
9/23 
Group project work: Library day.  Submit Group Update 2 on 
D2L 
W 
9/25 
Group project work in class.  Meet to work on group 
project as needed. 
F 
9/27 
Group project presentations in class  One person in group 
submits Project Outline and 
Bibliography via D2L 
Dropbox. 
    
M 
9/30 
Group project presentations in class   
W 
10/2 
Introduction to Functions: Subject and 
Predicate (VG 4.1) 
VG, ch. 4  
F 
10/4 
Complements 1: Direct object and 
indirect object. (VG 4.2.1) 
  
 
    
M 
10/7 
 
 
Complements 2:  subject predicate and 
object predicate (VG 4.2.2) 
 
  
W 
10/9 
 
Complements continued with attention 
to Verbs (VG 4.2-4.4) 
 HW 7 
 
F 
10/11 
Fall Break—No Class 
 
  
    
M 
10/14 
Functions: Adverbials (VG 5.1) VG, ch. 5  
W 
10/16 
Prepositional and phrasal verbs (VG 
5.2-5.3) 
 Practice quiz 4 
 
HW 8 (Functions 
worksheet) 
F 
10/18 
The Verb Group 
 
VG, ch. 6 Practice quiz 5 
 
HW 9 (Functions 
Worksheet) 
    
M 
10/21 
 
The Verb Group 
Begin Exam 2 Review 
 Practice quiz 6 
 
HW 10 (VGP Worksheet).  
W 
10/23 
Exam Review  Take practice exam 
F 
10/25 
Exam 2   
    
M 
10/28 
Finite clauses VG, ch. 7 Submit 150-word abstract 
for final project to Dr. 
Caldwell by midnight via 
D2L Dropbox 
W 
10/30 
Finite clauses   
F 
11/1 
Finite clauses   
    
M 
11/4 
Non-finite clauses VG, ch. 8 Practice quiz 7 
 
W 
11/6 
Non-finite clauses   
F 
11/8 
Practice with finite vs. non-finite 
clauses 
 Practice Quiz 8 
    
M 
11/11 
Structure of the PP, AdjP, AdvP, and 
the NP 
VG, ch. 9  
W 
11/13 
In-Class exam review  Take practice exam 
F 
11/15 
Exam 3 
 
  
    
    
M 
11/18 
 
Clauses as Parts of NPs and AdjPs VG, ch. 10  
W 
11/20 
Special Sentences VG, ch. 11  
F 
11/22 
 
Preparation for Final Project 
Presentations 
  
 
Thanksgiving Break (11/25-11/29) 
 
M 
12/2 
Final Project Presentations  Final Project due via D2L 
Dropbox.  
W 
12/4 
Final Project Presentations   
F 
12/6 
Class Evaluations, Final Exam review   
 
 
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 10th, 10:15am - 12:15pm 
 
 
 
 
 


English

ENG 2901-003 Structure of English

Binns, Donna

Eastern Illinois University 
The Keep 
Fall 2024 2024 
Fall 2-12-2025 
ENG 3001-600 Advanced Composition 
Donna Binns 
Eastern Illinois University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024 
Recommended Citation 
Binns, Donna, "ENG 3001-600 Advanced Composition" (2025). Fall 2024. 41. 
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024/41 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 2024 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion 
in Fall 2024 by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact tabruns@eiu.edu. 
ENG 3001-600: Advanced Composition (Online, 3.0 Credit Hours) 
 
 
Professor: Dr. Donna Binns    
Online “Office” Hours: Mondays 4:00 pm—6:00 pm, Wednesdays, & Thursdays  
4:30 pm—5:30 pm. Schedule Zoom conferences well in advance. 
E-mail: djbinns@eiu.edu; E-mail Dr. Binns directly through Panthermail  
instead of D2L 
English Department Phone Number: 217-581-2428 
 
Course Description: ENG 3001: Advanced Composition centers on advanced 
applications of the principles of writing analyses and arguments. This course 
offers opportunities to explore a variety of research sources and genres of 
writing. Attention will be given to analyzing writing situations, including the 
context, assumed audiences, as well as appropriate styles and tones. Active 
participation in online class activities is required. In addition to major writing 
projects, homework assignments will consist of analytic reading responses. 
Students will also evaluate and provide feedback on one another’s writing 
assignments. 
 
Course Objectives (Connections to University Learning Objectives in 
Parentheses): 
• Understand writing as a process that includes critical reading, 
research, evaluation of sources, synthesis, drafting, feedback, revision, 
and editing (writing and critical reading; critical thinking). 
• Develop an analytic and reflective understanding of rhetorical context, 
purpose, and audience (writing and critical reading; critical thinking; 
speaking and listening). 
• Develop strategies for reading and producing texts in a variety of 
modes, media, and genre, with a particular focus on argumentation 
and its function in specific fields or disciplines (writing and critical 
reading; speaking and listening). 
• Analyze the content and features of discipline-specific genre and 
scholarship (writing and critical reading; critical thinking).  
• Understand the purposes and correct application of discipline-specific 
citation systems; integrate and document sources of ideas and 
information (writing and critical reading). 
• Explore and consider a variety of perspectives on a topic in a field of 
interest. Establish and defend an argument (writing and critical 
reading; critical thinking). 
• Share writing and give/receive feedback with classmates. Read 
carefully and critically, both your writing and the writing of others 
(writing and critical reading). 
• Apply knowledge and skills to new and changing contexts within and 
beyond the classroom (responsible citizenship). 
 
Required Texts and Materials: 
Bartholomae, David et al. Ways of Reading: An Anthology For Writers. 12th 
edition. 
Devitt, Amy, Mary Jo Reiff, and Anis Bawarshi. Scenes of Writing: Strategies for 
Composing with Genres.  
Schick, Kurt, and Linda Schubert. So What? The Writer's Argument. 3rd edition. 
Additional required articles available on D2L under Content. 
  
Course Requirements: Reading: Keep up with reading assignments. You 
should complete them by the day they are listed on the course calendar. Set 
aside enough time to read, analyze, think about, and re-read, if needed, each 
assignment. Read all sections of the assigned material, including sample articles. 
Look up unfamiliar words. Prepare yourself to contribute to online class 
discussions and/or activities. The writing assignments serve, in part, as your 
opportunity to show what you have learned from assigned chapters and 
discussions. Make certain that you read the “News” messages from Dr. 
Binns. They may include reminders for upcoming assignments, schedule 
changes, if needed, and/or other class news.  
 
Writing: Students must complete all major writing assignments (Genre Analysis, 
Proposal Argument, Field-Based Argument Essay, Visual Argument & Self-
Analysis, and the Final Project) to be eligible to pass this course. Shorter online 
discussion posts will fall under the Daily Work category. Dr. Binns will use the 
ENG 3001 Essay Rubric for all major writing assignments except for the Visual 
Argument & Self-analysis Project, which has its own rubric. Writing assignments 
and projects must be turned in to the corresponding "Dropbox" folder located 
under "Assessment" in D2L by the assigned date and time (see late work policy 
for more information). Although I rarely, if ever, give quizzes over the reading 
assignments, you should apply what you learn from assigned reading to writing 
assignments and discussions.  
 
Daily Work & Participation: There will be a substantial amount of online daily 
work through D2L (such as peer response as well as class and group online 
discussion posts) during the semester. Sometimes, discussion posts will require 
an initial post with later responses to posts by other classmates. Read the 
directions for each discussion post closely so that you don't miss any aspects of 
the assignment. Dr. Binns will assign peer responses. More details for each 
discussion topic, such as specific discussion questions, will be posted with 
instructions from Dr. Binns on the Discussion Board prior to the discussion 
thread. Dr. Binns will provide grades for discussion posts based on the ENG 
3001 Discussion Online Discussion Rubric for class and group discussions and 
the ENG 3001 Online Peer Response Rubric for required essay peer responses. 
Students must follow the EIU Netiquette guidelines that are posted under 
"Content" in D2L.  
 
Course Grade:  Penalties for excessive absences will be deducted as described 
in the “Attendance” section. Late work will be penalized as described in the “Late 
Work” section. Otherwise, your final course grade will be determined by the 
following: 
 
  Daily Work        20%  
  Genre Analysis Essay (5-7 Pages)    15% 
  Proposal Argument (3-4 Pages, single spaced)   15% 
  Field-Based Argument Essay (5-7 Pages)   15% 
  Visual Argument (varies) & Self-Analysis Essay (2-3 Pages) 15% 
  Final Revised Essay (varies) & Self-Reflection (2-3 Pages) 20% 
 
A= 90% to 100% 
  B= 80% to 89% 
  C= 70% to 79% 
  D= 60% to 69% 
  F= 0% to 59% 
 
Late Work: Late work that is not granted an extension by me before its due date 
will be penalized by 10% of the maximum possible score for each day it is late. 
Computer problems are not an excuse for turning in late work, so make certain 
you have a back-up plan if your computer experiences issues. Also, make certain 
that you save your work in more than one way (i.e., computer hard drive and a 
usb-or Cloud-compatible drive). As you draft, save your work often.  
 
Plagiarism: Students are expected to maintain principles of academic integrity 
and conduct as defined in EIU’s Code of Conduct 
(http://www.eiu.edu/judicial/studentconductcode.php). Violations will be reported 
to the Office of Student Standards. In accordance with English Department and 
University policies, “Any teacher who discovers an act of plagiarism—‘The 
appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and/or thoughts of another 
author, and representation as one’s original work’ (Random House Dictionary of 
the English Language)—has the right and responsibility to impose upon the guilty 
student an appropriate penalty up to and including immediate assignment of the 
grade of F for the assigned essay and a grade of F for the course , and to report 
the incident to the Office of Student Standards. Respect for the work of others 
should encompass all formats, including print, electronic, and oral sources.” 
 
Using AI to write course discussion responses or writing assignments also 
constitutes plagiarism. 
 
If you have any questions about citing a source, please contact your professor to 
avoid the aforementioned issues. 
 
Students Needing Accommodations: If you are a student with a documented 
disability in need of accommodations to fully participate in this class, please 
contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations. All accommodations 
must be approved through that office. Please stop by McAfee 1210, or call 217-
581-6583 . 
 
Resources for Student Well-Being: You can find that list of resources 
here: https://www.eiu.edu/fdic/Student%20_Well-Being_26-July-2022.pdf.  
 
Writing Center: I encourage you to use EIU's Writing Center located at 3110 
Coleman Hall. This free service provides one-to-one conferences with writing 
consultants who can help you with brainstorming, organizing, developing support, 
documenting, and revising your papers. The Writing Center is open to work with 
any student from any major at any stage of his or her writing process, and its 
system of one-to-one conferences demonstrates value and respect for individual 
writers, all of whom can benefit from feedback about their works in progress. 
  
To schedule an appointment, you can drop by the Writing Center (3110 Coleman 
Hall), or you can call 581-5929. Online conferences may be available. If you visit, 
bring your work in progress (including a copy of the assignment) and an idea of 
what you would like to work on–planning, prewriting, organization, support, 
documentation, editing, etc. See the Writing Center Website 
<http://castle.eiu.edu/writing/ > for more information.  
 
The Student Success Center: Students who are having difficulty achieving their 
academic goals are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center 
(www.eiu.edu/~success) for assistance with time management, text taking, note 
taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support 
academic achievement. The Student Success Center provides individualized 
consultations. To make an appointment, call 217-581-6696, or go to McAfee 
1301.  
 
D2L Assistance: If you need assistance with D2L, call, email or chat options are 
also available on the "My Home" page after logging on D2L. Other 
D2L resources including a D2L Orientation course for students are available 
on the same page. For technical questions regarding other software, hardware, 
network issues, EIU NetID/password, or Panthermail, contact the ITS Helpdesk 
at 217-581-4357 during regular business hours, or submit a help ticket 
at https://techsupport.eiu.edu/. If you have a question regarding course content, 
contact your instructor.  
 
Contacting Dr. Binns: You may contact Dr. Binns via e-mail (djbinns@eiu.edu), 
E-mail Dr. Binns directly through Panthermail instead of  D2L. Dr. Binns will 
contact students through their officially provided EIU e-mail addresses in 
Panthermail. Online conferences can be arranged through Zoom (optional).  
 
 
 
 
3001 Course Calendar: Fall 2024 
 
 
This schedule is subject to additions and changes at my discretion. 
Assignments are due on the date that they are listed on the schedule by the 
end of that class day (by 11:59 pm CST). When class responses require 
follow-up discussion, those due dates will be listed in the discussion post 
instructions (again, by 11:59 pm). As a result, students may need to post to two 
different threads in the same day to complete class or group discussion work 
from the current and previous day. Both discussions and peer responses will be 
conducted through the D2L Discussion Board. Keep up with reading 
assignments. Although I rarely, if ever, give quizzes, you should use what you 
have learned from reading assignments in our writing assignments and 
discussion posts. 
 
 
Module I Genre Analysis   
Week 1 
8-19 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 1"Understanding Scenes of Writing" 
pages 1-23 and Course Syllabus; D2L Discussion #1 due: Introduce 
Yourself  
8-21 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 1"Understanding Scenes of Writing" 
pages 24-46; D2L Discussion #1 Part 2 
8-23 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 2 "Reading Scenes, Situations, and 
Genres"; Watch YouTube video on "Genre & Rhetorical Situation"::Genre 
& Rhetorical Situation Review - YouTube; D2L Discussion #2 
  
Week 2 
8-26 Consider possible topics for your Genre Analysis 
8-28 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 3 "Using Genres to Help You Write”; D2L 
Discussion #3  
8-30 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 4 "Critiquing & Changing Genres”; E-mail 
Dr. Binns your Genre Analysis Essay Topic; D2L Discussion #3 Part 2 
 
Week 3 
9-2 Labor Day 
9-4 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 5 "Understanding Academic Scenes and 
Writing Courses"; Read “Hungry” and “On Becoming Educated” from 
Ways of Reading (207-218): Discussion #4 
9-6 Read “Introduction: Ways of Reading” (1-12) and “Arts of the Contact 
Zone” (454-466) from Ways of Reading 
  
Week 4 
9-9 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 8 "Writing in Unfamiliar Academic 
Scenes and Genres"; D2L Discussion #5 Part 1  
9-11 So What? Chapters 1-2; D2L Discussion #5 Part 2  
9-13 So What? Chapter 6 and “Recognizing and Fixing Weak Thesis 
Statements” (available in D2L under Content) 
 
Week 5 
9-16 So What? Chapter 10 and Appendix A (about Peer Review);  Genre 
Analysis Essay draft due for peer responses to D2L Discussion Board 
9-18  Genre Analysis Essay two assigned peer responses due to D2L 
Discussion Board 
9-20 Genre Analysis Essay due to D2L Dropbox by 11:59 pm  
 
 
Module II Understanding Argument & Proposal Writing 
Week 6 
9-23  So What? Chapter 4 
9-25 So What? Chapter 5 
9-27 Read Everything's an Argument Chapter 12 "Proposals" and "A Call to 
Improve Campus Accessibility for the Mobility Impaired" (296-303) on D2L 
under Content; D2L Discussion #6; E-mail Dr. Binns possible topic for 
your Proposal Argument Essay 
 
Week 7 
9-30 Read Chapter 16 of Technical Communication (available under Content) 
D2L Discussion #6 Part 2 
10-2 Read “How to Be Friends with Another Woman” (343-348) & “The 
Vulnerable Observer”  (109-128); D2L Discussion #7 
10-4 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 9 "Reading and Writing Within Workplace 
Scenes 
 
Week 8  
10-7 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 10 "Reading and Writing within Public 
Scenes"; D2L Discussion #8 
10-9 D2L Discussion #8 Part 2; Work on Proposal Argument 
10-11 Fall Break 
 
Week 9 
10-14 Proposal Argument Draft due for peer  responses 
10-16 Proposal Argument Draft Peer Responses due to D2L Discussion  
 Board 
10-18 Proposal Argument due to D2L Dropbox by 11:59 pm 
 
 
Module III Argument, Research, and Field-Specific Writing 
Week 10  
10-21 Read Scenes of Writing Chapter 7 
10-23 E-mail Dr. Binns a possible topic for your Field-Based Argument Essay 
about an issue in your selected field or discipline.  
10-25 So What? Chapter 3 and Watch "Why We Cite" YouTube Video from 
UNC's Writing Center (Why We Cite - UNC Writing Center - YouTube); D2L 
Discussion #9 
 
Week 11 
10-28 So What? Chapters 7-8; Discussion #9 Part 2 
10-30 Read So What? Chapter 9 
11-1 Work on Field-Based Argument Essay 
 
Week 12  
11-4  Field-Based Argument Essay draft due for peer responses 
11-6 Field-Based Argument Essay Peer Responses due to D2L Discussion  
 Board 
11-8 Field-Based Argument Essay due to D2L Dropbox by 11:59 pm 
  
 
Module IV Visual Argument & Analysis 
Week 13 
11-11 Read Everything's an Argument Chapter 14 "Visual and Multimedia 
Arguments" (Available under Content in D2L) 
11-13 Work on Visual Argument 
11-15 Work on Visual Argument 
 
Week 14 
11-18 Visual Argument & Self-Analysis Essay drafts due for peer  
 responses 
11-20 Visual Argument & Self-Analysis Essay two assigned peer responses  
 due 
11-22 Visual Argument & Self-Analysis Essay due to D2L Dropbox by 11:59  
 pm 
 
11-25 – 11-29 Break  
 
 
Module V Final Project 
Week 15 
12-2 Watch "The Writing Process: Revise" from East Tennessee State 
University on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXT2qVILYrY&t=28s ; 
Work on Final Revised Essay Project of Genre Analysis, Proposal Argument, or 
Field-Based Argument Essay’ & Self-Reflection Essay  
12-4 Continue Work on Final Revised Essay & Self-Reflection Essay 
12-6 Continue Work on Final Revised Essay & Self-Reflection Essay 
 
Finals Week 
12-9 Final Revised Essay & Self-Reflection Essay due to D2L Dropbox by  
 11:59 pm 
 
 
 
 
Students seeking Teacher Certification in English Language Arts should 
request each of their English Department professors to complete the "Application 
for English Department Approval to Student Teach" before the end of the 
semester. This online evaluation form is available 
here: https://www.eiu.edu/english/machform/view.php?id=19831.  
 
 


ENG 3001-600 Advanced Composition

Fredrick, Terri

Overview
Career Development (Fall 2024)
ENG 4060-001: Professional Writing Career Development
Fall 2024  |   (1 credit)
Course Description
This course is designed to help you prepare for your post-undergraduate
professional and/or academic experiences. In this course, you will research
job openings and professional organizations, meet with professionals in one
or more related fields, analyze your own professional skills and abilities, and
read course materials related to career development. As part of the class,
you will create some or all of the following: a final resume, a cover letter
template, a print portfolio, a professional website or online portfolio, and a
personal statement for graduate school. 
Course Requirements
1. Major narrative: You will write a reflective essay in which you consider
how your major(s), minor(s), etc. have prepared you for life beyond
graduation.
2. Job Search project: In this multi-part project, you will visit Career
Services to discuss your career options and then later research jobs
databases to find five jobs you might be qualified to apply for. Alternate
assignments will be available for students who have firm post-graduation
plans.
3A. Resume/Cover Letter. You will create (and revise and revise and revise!)
your resume and a sample cover letter.
--or--
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3B. Graduate school application letter and personal statement. You will
create (and revise and revise and revise!) your written application materials
for a graduate program of your choice.
4. LinkedIn profile or professional website. You will set up a robust
LinkedIn profile or professional website that helps you reach potential
employers and networking contacts.
5. Individually chosen assignment. You will choose an activity from a menu
of options (attend a workshop, complete an externship, interview a
professional, etc.), based on your particular post-graduate interests.
6. Post-graduation plan. You will put together a guided post-graduate plan,
including a timeline.
7. Homework/reflection/participation. This class will include some
reflective assignments designed to help you identify your strengths and
interests. You will also prepare for and participate in mock job interviews.
Assessment
Each assignment will include specific criteria. The grade breakdown for
assignments is below. Note: I reserve the right to make additions and
alterations to this assessment breakdown should the need arise. Students
will be informed in class and in writing prior to any changes being made
Assignment
%
grade 
Major narrative 10
Job search project 10
Resumé/cover letter --
OR--
Grad school application
20
LinkedIn or website 10
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Individually chosen
assignment
10
Job search plan 10
Homework /
participation
30
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
90–100 A
80–89.9 B
70–79.9 C
60–69.9 D
59.9 and below F
Attendance
This class meets twice per week for eight weeks, and its success depends
on our ability to create a community of support for one another as you
develop post-graduate plans and professional application materials. Your
presence and active participation is essential.
If you must miss class, you are still responsible for completing
assignments. Submit assignments via D2L email or dropbox, as
appropriate.
 
Should you be forced to miss class for health or transportation
reasons, contact me as soon as you can, so we can create alternative
plans, such as adding you to the class via Zoom, scheduling alternate
work from home activities, etc.
 
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 or the
flu, please stay home and arrange to get a COVID or flu test.
Contact me, and I'll help you join class via Zoom until your test
results have returned. IIf you are exposed to COVID but have no
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symptoms, please wear a mask and continue attending class unless
you test positive or begin exhibiting symptoms.
Deadlines
All assignments must be submitted by class time on the date listed. Late
projects will be docked 5% each day until they are turned in.
Expected Conduct
This class focuses on communicating in professional settings. Just as in a
workplace setting, certain types of conduct are expected. In addition to the
policies pertaining to attendance and deadlines, pay attention to the
following course policies:
Class correspondence (i.e., emails you send to someone in the class,
including me) should be written professionally and according to the
expectations of the business world. Expect to receive feedback from
me on the style, content, and organization of your emails.
 
In this course, you may need to use advanced features of common
software such as Microsoft Word, web editing technologies, and
other programs that may be new to you. I am always happy to give
you advice and out-of-class assistance at your request, but I expect
you to be willing to develop the software skills you need to
complete projects effectively.
 
Keep copies of all work you produce for this class, including
handwritten work, as they may be useful preparation for later
graded assignments. Do not store your work only on a single flash
drive. If I have given you a hand-written evaluation on an
assignment or activity, save that evaluation until you have received
your final grade in the course.
 
Class time is for doing work related to the course. Limit your use of
email, the internet, cell phones, etc. to course-related work during
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class time.
 
All major assignments listed on this course policy sheet must be
completed in order to pass the course.
 
All of the assignments in this course are related to your specific
experiences. Many of those assignments are the type of public-
facing texts you would use to seek a job or apply to graduate school.
Given that context, the use of ChatGPT or any other AI or human
ghostwriters is not appropriate for this class. As with any course,
scholarly integrity and ethics are crucial: students are expected to
maintain principles of academic integrity and conduct as defined
in EIU's Code of Conduct. Violations would be reported to the Dean
of Students (www.eiu.edu/deanofstudents). Please check with me
before turning in an assignment if you are in doubt of the
appropriate way to identify a source or if you have any questions
regarding appropriate handling of sources, collaboration, or past
work.
 
If circumstances arise that may impact your ability to maintain our
course policies, address the situation as you would in the workplace
—professionally, courteously, and in advance. 
Contact Information
Available on D2L under Content.
Information for Students with Disabilities
Most accommodations may be easily met in this class. If you are a student
with a documented disability in need of accommodations to fully
participate in this class, please contact the Office of Accessibility and
Accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through this
office. Please stop by McAfee Gym, Room 1272, or call (217) 581–6583 to
make an appointment.
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The Student Success Center / Writing Center
Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are
encouraged to contact the Student Success Center for assistance with time
management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting
goals, and other skills to support academic achievement. The Student
Success Center provides individualized consultations. To make an
appointment, call (217) 581–6696, or go to McAfee Gym, Room 1336.
Students who would like assistance with writing assignments from this or
any other course may go to the Writing Center. The Writing Center works
with students from all disciplines, majors, and academic backgrounds at any
stage of the writing process. To make an appointment, call (217) 581–5929,
or go to Coleman Hall, Room 3110.
Information for Students who May Be Struggling
If I see you struggling in the course (especially if you miss two or more
classes or assignments in a row without communicating with me), I will try
to contact you in person or by email to see if I can help. If I don't hear back
from you, I will use the department and university academic alert systems,
which means your advisor, your RA (if you live on campus) or someone from
the Academic Success Center will try to contact you to offer help. This isn't
meant to "get you in trouble," but to help you avoid trouble.
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ENG 4060-001 English Studies Career Development

Ames, Melissa

ENG 4801-600 Integrating the English Language Arts

Nance-Carroll, Niall

Eastern Illinois University 
The Keep 
Fall 2024 2024 
Fall 3-5-2025 
ENG 4903-001 Young Adult Literature 
Niall Nance-Carroll 
Eastern Illinois University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024 
Recommended Citation 
Nance-Carroll, Niall, "ENG 4903-001 Young Adult Literature" (2025). Fall 2024. 62. 
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024/62 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 2024 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion 
in Fall 2024 by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact tabruns@eiu.edu. 
ENG 4903 
Young Adult Literature 
 
Instructor: Dr. Niall Coleman Nance-Carroll 
Email: ncnancecarroll@eiu.edu 
Office: Coleman Hall 3060 
Office Hours:  
12:30-2:00 on Tuesday and Thursday (in person) 
12:00-2:00 on Friday (online) 
 
Course Objectives: 
1. Experience a wide range of literature produced for, or handed down to, 
young adults. 
2. Understand some of the social, cultural and technological forces that shape 
the production of young adult literature.  
3. Develop evaluative skills for assessing the quality of young adult literature. 
4. By the end of this course, you should have a working knowledge of the 
resources available to the scholars and professionals who work with young 
adult literature.   
Catalog Course Description:  
(3-0-3) S. Study of literature written for and about adolescents with emphasis on 
various genres, movements, themes, and major writers. (Group 5 for English; 
Group 1 for English Lang Arts) WI 
  
Required Textbooks  
• Boulley The Firekeeper’s Daughter 
• Dimaline The Marrow Thieves 
• Hinton The Outsiders 
• Johnson You Should See Me in a Crown 
• Lee Not Your Sidekick 
• Nix Lirael 
• Reynolds Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel 
• Sáenz Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 
• Sánchez I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 
• Takei They Called Us Enemy 
• Thomas Cemetery Boys 
 
Assignments 
Quizzes        100 
Discussions and In-Class Writing    400 
Short Papers (best 2 of 3)     200 
Proposal & Bibliography     50 
Research Project      150 
Final Essay Exam      100 
 
1000            Total 
  
In-Class Work  
We will complete a variety of in-class assignments, such as writing, graded 
discussions, and debates. Some of these will involve group work and some will be 
completed individually. 
   
Proposal 
You will draft a formal proposal for your research project, this will explain what 
young adult texts you will be looking at and define the aims of your research. This 
will also explain what kinds of sources you anticipate using. Proposals for 
undergraduate papers will typically involve a clear application of theoretical 
models. Proposals for graduate papers will typically involve a critique or an 
expansion of theoretical models.  
  
Bibliography 
You will provide a bibliography in advance of your final paper. While you are free 
to continue your research and find additional sources, this should contain most of 
the sources that you will be using on your final paper. Typically, bibliographies 
should contain at least 8 scholarly sources for undergraduate students and 12 
scholarly sources for graduate students. Unusual projects may require differing 
numbers or types of sources. 
  
Short Papers 
You will receive specific prompts for each paper. These will ask you to draw on 
what you learned in class and to consult secondary sources to support your 
evaluation or your argument about a text. 
  
Research Project 
You will develop a sustained argument about a young adult literature. This should 
be a theoretically grounded argument that draws on multiple scholarly sources and 
displays an understanding of the norms of academic argument. While you may 
draw on your short papers or class discussions, it must also include substantial 
additional research. Each student will present their research project to the class. 
  
Academic Integrity 
Students are expected to maintain principles of academic integrity and conduct as 
defined in EIU’s Code of Conduct 
https://www.eiu.edu/deanofstudents/conductcode.php. Violations will be reported 
to the Dean of Students. https://www.eiu.edu/deanofstudents/ 
 
Students with disabilities  
If you are a student with a documented disability in need of accommodations to 
fully participate in this class, please contact the Office of Accessibility and 
Accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through Office of 
Accessibility and Accommodations. Please stop by McAfee Gym, Room 1272, or 
call 217- 581-6583 to make an appointment.  
  
The Student Success Center 
Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are encouraged 
to contact the Student Success Center https://www.eiu.edu/success/ for assistance 
with time management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting 
goals, and other skills to support academic achievement. The Student Success 
Center provides individualized consultations. To make an appointment, call 217-
581-6696, or go to McAfee Gym, Room 1336.  
  
Statement for Teacher Certification 
Students seeking Teacher Certification in English Language Arts should request 
each of their English Department professors to complete the "Application for 
English Department Approval to Student Teach" before the end of the semester. 
These forms are available in a rack outside the office of Dr. Melissa Ames (CH 
3821) and online 
here:  https://www.eiu.edu/english/machform/view.php?id=19831.  
Student Well-Being 
EIU is committed to supporting and advancing the mental health and well-being of 
our students. Students may experience stressors that can impact both their 
academic experience and their personal mental health and well-being. These may 
include academic pressure and challenges associated with relationships, anxiety, 
depression, alcohol or other drugs, identities, and finances. 
If you are experiencing concerns, seeking help is a courageous thing to do for 
yourself and those who care about you. Below is a list of available campus 
resources to assist with student well-being: 
• EIU Counseling Clinic: Human Services Building, 1st floor; 217-581-3413; 
for after-hours urgent support, call 1-866-567-2400. The Counseling Clinic 
offers individual and group counseling, emergency services, and resources. 
• Online Mental Health Screening: online, private screening tool for 
depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol and substance misuse. 
• EIU Heath Clinic: Human Services Building, 1st floor; 217-581-3013. The 
Health Clinic services include lab work, pharmacy, and women’s health and 
men’s health programs. 
• Health Education Resource Center (HERC): 2201 Blair Hall; 217-581-7786. 
The HERC offers health programming in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and 
other drug prevention and education, flu and cold prevention and education, 
nutritional analysis and education, and sexual health education, in addition 
to other health-related topics. 
• Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD): Stevenson Hall, lower level; 
217-581-7117. The GSD Center provides services such as the 
Trans*formation Station, a large library full of books and movies, year-
round programming, and a comprehensive Safe Zone Training program. 
• EIU Campus Food Pantry: 1347 McAfee. The EIU Campus Food Pantry is a 
means to support students and the campus community by alleviating barriers 
to consistent, adequate, and healthful food. Anyone with a Panther Card can 
visit the pantry two times per month. 
• Student Legal Service: MLK Jr University Union Room 2420; 217-581-
6054. Student Legal Service can assist with off-campus housing issues, 
traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal offenses, municipal ordinance 
violations, and expungement. 
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Student Services Building East Wing; 217-
581-6405, Fax: 217-581-6422, finaid@eiu.edu. The Office of Financial Aid 
and Scholarships provides information and guidance to secure the necessary 
financial resources to meet educational goals and financial obligations to the 
university. 
 
Week 1 
Tuesday August 20 
Thursday August 22 
 Online Critical Readings 
Week 2 
Tuesday August 27 
Online Critical Readings 
Thursday August 29 
Library Visit #1 
Week 3 
Tuesday September 3 
 Read The Outsiders 
Thursday September 5 
The Outsiders Critical Reading 
Week 4 
Tuesday September 10 
Read The Marrow Thieves 
Thursday September 12 
The Marrow Thieves Critical Reading 
Week 5 
Tuesday September 17 
Read Not Your Sidekick 
 
Thursday September 19 
Short Paper #1 Due 
Week 6 
Tuesday September 24 
Read Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel 
 
Thursday September 26 
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel Critical Reading 
Week 7 
Tuesday October 1 
Read I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 
Thursday October 3 
 I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Critical Reading 
Week 8 
Tuesday October 8 
Read They Called Us Enemy 
 
Thursday October 10 
They Called Us Enemy Critical Reading 
Research Project Proposal Due 
Week 9 
Tuesday October 15 
Read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 
Thursday October 17 
Short paper #2 Due 
Week 10 
Tuesday October 22 
 Critical Reading 
Thursday October 24 
 Library Visit #2 
Week 11 
Tuesday October 29 
Read Cemetery Boys 
 
Thursday October 31 
Cemetery Boys Critical Reading 
Week 12 
Tuesday November 5 
Read Lirael 
 
Thursday November 7 
Lirael Critical Reading 
Week 13 
Tuesday November 12 
Read You Should See Me in a Crown 
Thursday November 14 
Short Paper #3 Due  
Week 14 
Tuesday November 19 
Read Firekeeper’s Daughter 
 
Thursday November 21 
Firekeeper’s Daughter Critical Reading 
 
Week 15: No Classes Thanksgiving Break 
Week 16 
Tuesday December 3 
Research Project Presentations 
  
Thursday December 5 
Research Project Presentations 
Week 17 Final Exams (Note Different Meeting Day/Time) 
Monday December 9  2:45-4:45: Final Exam 


ENG 4903-001 Young Adult Literature

Ryerson, Rachael

ENG 5007-600 Composition Theory and Pedagogy

Vietto, Angela

Eastern Illinois University 
The Keep 
Fall 2024 2024 
Fall 1-5-2025 
ENG 1000-003 College Composition Studio 
Angela Vietto 
Eastern Illinois University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024 
Recommended Citation 
Vietto, Angela, "ENG 1000-003 College Composition Studio" (2025). Fall 2024. 3. 
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/english_syllabi_fall2024/3 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 2024 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion 
in Fall 2024 by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact tabruns@eiu.edu. 
English 1000 
College Composition Studio 
Fall 2024 
 
Prof. Angela Vietto 
Office hours: By appointment, online or in the office: https://calendly.com/vietto/30min 
Office landline 217-581-2428  
Cell 217-549-3203 (feel free to text between 9 am and 9 pm Central Time) 
 
 
Welcome 
I’m glad you’re here. This class is designed to help you reach your goals, whatever they may 
be. How can I know that before I know you? Because this class is about thinking well, reading 
analytically and critically, and writing clearly and well. Those skills are valuable in college 
and after for professionals and citizens in just about all walks of life. 
 
Official Course Description  
A course in college-level writing and critical reading skills. Practice and instruction in the 
development of an individualized process of reading, prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, 
and proofreading. Required of students who do not meet the prerequisites for ENG 1001G 
or do not pass the placement essay after initially placing in ENG 1000. WC 
 
Learning Objectives 
Students will demonstrate the ability to:  
• Demonstrate entry-level college writing produced through an individualized and 
independent process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading  
• Demonstrate effective expository and persuasive writing throughout the semester in 
thesis-based and non-thesis-based prose  
• Demonstrate analytical reading skills to understand and critically evaluate diverse 
reading materials  
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and help fellow students in the writing process 
through workshops/peer review sessions and conferences that focus on developing the 
ideas, support, and details  
• Demonstrate the ability to employ strong evidence, examples, and supporting details 
• Compose well developed paragraphs and sentences that are direct, economical, free of 
ambiguity, and structurally appropriate for the ideas expressed and the audience 
addressed  
• Compose paragraphs that exemplify paragraph unity, demonstrate sentence variety, 
and effectively use transitions 
 
Texts  
 
From Textbook Rental: Let’s Talk… edited by Andrea Lunsford and Michal Brody 
Other readings will be distributed in class and/or via D2L 
 
 
 
 2 
Support 
 
Dr. Vietto: Please think of me as the first person to ask for help with this course. In addition, 
if you need help not related to this class and don’t know where to go, I’m a pretty good 
person to ask, so please feel free. Of course you’ll see me three days a week, but also: 
 
o If you want to set up a time to meet with me in the office or by Zoom, visit 
https://calendly.com/vietto/30min.  
o If you have a quick question outside of class time, between 9 AM and 9 PM, you can 
text me at 217-549-3203.  
o If you need to get a message to me after 9 PM, you can leave a voicemail at 217-581-
2428 or email me at arvietto@eiu.edu. 
  
The Writing Center: If you would like assistance with writing assignments in this or any other 
course, go to https://www.eiu.edu/writing to make an appointment. The Writing Center 
works with students from all majors and academic backgrounds, and can help you with 
assignments at any stage of the writing process from brainstorming to final revisions. 
 
The Academic Support Center: Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic 
goals are encouraged to contact the Academic Support Center 
(www.eiu.edu/academicsupportcenter/) for assistance with time management, test taking, 
note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support academic 
achievement. The Student Success Center provides individualized consultations. To make an 
appointment, call 217-581-6696, or go to McAfee Gym, Room 2230. 
 
Computers: If you are attempting to use a mobile phone as your main way of completing 
coursework, that will make this course more difficult. There are computers available to use on 
the 4000 level of Booth Library. In addition, laptops are available for checkout at the Library 
Technology Services desk on the 4000 level of the library. 
 
Accommodations: If you are a student with a documented disability in need of 
accommodations to fully participate in this class, please contact the Office of Accessibility 
and Accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through that office. Please 
stop by McAfee Gym, room 1336 or call 217-581-6583 to make an appointment. 
 
 
  
 3 
Expectations 
 
Attendance (Come to Class): If you want to succeed in this class and in college generally, come 
to class when there isn’t a really good reason that you can’t. The University requires instructors to 
let students make up work for missed classes only for properly documented illness and 
emergencies. When you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to find out what you 
missed. 
 
Engagement (Focus on Class): Being engaged means paying attention to whatever is going on 
at the moment, really listening to whoever is talking, and contributing your thoughts and ideas. In 
short, please give all of your attention to class when you’re here, and treat your classmates and 
instructor with respect and consideration. 
 
Assignments Are Not Optional: There are no exams in this class. The writing assignments are 
the main basis of your grade—and homework is often the basis of the longer writing assignments. 
Do all the work, and you will most certainly pass the class. Skip more than a few assignments, and 
you probably won’t. 
 
Late Work: Most of the time, assignments build on each other, so turning in assignments late will 
reduce their value. If you think you need extra time, let me know IN ADVANCE and we can 
discuss the possibilities. I reserve the right to refer to take late work if you haven’t spoken with 
me about it in advance. 
 
Honesty in This Class: Do your own work. Do not ask or allow any other human being OR any 
computer application (including ChatGPT or Grammarly) to write or edit any part of any 
assignment for this class.  
 
But what if a student needs help? Start with your instructor—I’m here to help! You are also 
welcome to visit the Writing Center, and I encourage you to use their services (see page 2 under 
Support!). Finally, we will discuss and practice in class how to work with others while retaining 
ownership, authorship, and responsibility for the words you write.  
 
 
Official Statements about Honesty and Integrity 
 
Academic integrity: Students are expected to maintain principles of academic integrity and conduct 
as defined in EIU’s Code of Conduct (http://www.eiu.edu/judicial/studentconductcode.php). 
Violations will be reported to the Office of Student Standards.  
 
The English Department Statement on Plagiarism: Any teacher who discovers an act of plagiarism—
“The appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and/or thoughts of another author, and 
representation of them as one’s own original work” (Random House Dictionary of the English 
Language)—has the right and responsibility to impose upon the guilty student an appropriate penalty, 
up to and including immediate assignments of a grade of F for the assigned essay and a grade of F for 
the course, and to report the incident to the Dean of Students. Respect for the work of others should 
encompass all formats, including print, electronic, and oral sources. 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Major Writing Projects 
 
Very important: The major writing projects will be the results of a series of activities 
completed in class or as homework. Please don’t (a) assume you can just wait until the end 
and quickly write a few pages or (b) skip the process and write the paper without completing 
those activities. The process is designed to make writing the essays easier and to produce 
the best possible final project.  
 
#1 Evaluate a Policy Proposal: For this project, we will collaborate on conducting research 
about three policy proposals. Although you will share your research findings, you will each 
write your own essay in which you evaluate a policy proposal that I assigned you. Please 
don’t stress about the length, but for the purposes of the syllabus, I need to indicate that this 
essay will be 750-1250 words long. 
 
#2 Career Exploration: For this essay, you will complete the Focus2 module that is available 
through EIU’s Career Services office, then identify some career-related questions you would 
like to know more about, use the best resources available to us to find answers, and write an 
essay in which you discuss what you’ve learned through the process. 750-1250 words. 
 
#3 Nature/climate I-Search: Together, we will read some essays about nature and the 
climate. You will identify a research question related to nature or the climate that you truly 
want to know more about, use the best resources available to us to learn about that 
question, and write a four-part essay. I’ll guide you through these steps. 1000-1500 words. 
 
#4 Cultural Analysis inspired by “Do Sports Matter?”: After we read some essays about 
sports and why they matter, you’ll write an essay about any form of entertainment and why it 
matters. This essay will be thesis-driven and will draw on a variety of kinds of evidence. 
1000-1500 words. 
 
#5 How to Succeed in College: Here, you will build on the mini-essay we wrote in Week 1 
and on journal entries I will ask you to write over the course of the semester to write a longer 
essay about how to be a successful college student. You may want to cite sources, but you 
can write this based entirely on your own experience and observations if you like. 1000-1500 
words. 
 
 
 
Grading Distribution    Final Grading Scale 
 
Homework & quizzes 20%  A 90–100% 
Attendance and engagement 20%  B 80–89.99% 
In-class work (includes 2-way journal) 10%  C 70–79.99% 
Major Writing Projects 50%  NC 69.9% and below 
 5 
Schedule 
 
Note that homework assignments will be made for just about every class and specific 
instructions will be given in class; entries in journals will also be made depending on 
available time and need. 
 
Week 1 
 
M Aug 19  Introductions, review of policies and overview of course 
W Aug 21  Introduction to critical reading (paraphrase, response, analysis) 
F Aug 23  Class: Guest speaker from Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteerism; 
review of paraphrase, response, analysis; pre-writing for Short Essay #1 
Studio: First draft of Short Essay #1 
 
Week 2 
 
M Aug 26  Critical reading continued: previewing documents, evaluating authors and 
publishers 
W Aug 28  Analyzing a proposal, and moving from analysis to research questions 
F Aug 30  Analyzing a proposal continued 
 Studio: Research for analyzing a proposal (Major Essay #1) 
 
Week 3 
 
M Sept 2  Labor Day, no class 
W Sept 4 The ethics of evaluation: enthymemes and assumptions 
F Sept 6 Enthymemes and assumptions continued 
 Studio: Using facts and ethical arguments to work on a draft of Essay #1 
 
Week 4 
 
M Sept 9 Formulating your thesis 
W Sept 11 Paragraphs 
F Sept 13 Intros, conclusions, titles, and documenting sources – BRING TEXTBOOK TO 
CLASS 
 Studio: Finish draft of Essay #1 
 
Week 5 
 
M Sept 16 Discussion: research sources for career exploration; Peer review Part I for 
Essay #1 
W Sept 18 Career exploration research continued; Peer review Part II for Essay #1 
F Sept 20 Pre-writing for Essay #2 
 Studio: Revise Essay #1 – final version due Monday, Sept. 23 
 
  
 6 
 
Week 6 
 
M Sept 23 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 34 in Let’s Talk 
(BRING TEXTBOOK EVERY DAY WE ARE DISCUSSING ASSIGNED READINGS) 
W Sept 25 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 34 in Let’s Talk 
F Sept 27 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 34 in Let’s Talk 
 Studio: Complete draft of Essay #2 
 
Week 7 
 
M Sept 30 Identifying research topics for Essay #3; peer review of Essay #2 
W Oct 2 Research for Essay #3 [possible library trip or possible conference day] 
F Oct 4 Editing topics 
 Studio: Complete final version of Essay #2 
 
Week 8 
 
M Oct 7 On-going work on Essay #3 (parts 1 and 2, research) 
W Oct 9 On-going work on Essay #3 (parts 1 and 2, research) 
F Oct 11  Fall Break, No class 
 
Week 9 
 
M Oct 14 Part 1 of Essay #3 is due; finalizing research 
W Oct 16 Working on Part 2 of Essay #3 
F Oct 18 Prewriting for Part 3 of Essay #3 
 Studio: Drafting Essay #3, parts 1-3 
 
Week 10 
 
M Oct 21 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 35 in Let’s Talk 
(BRING TEXTBOOK EVERY DAY WE ARE DISCUSSING ASSIGNED READINGS) 
W Oct 23 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 35 in Let’s Talk 
F Oct 25 Critical reading: Discussion of assigned readings from ch. 35 in Let’s Talk 
 Studio: Complete draft of Essay #3 
 
Week 11 
 
M Oct 28 Peer review of Essay #3 
W Oct 30 Selecting topics for Essay #4; pre-writing 
F Nov 1 Editing topics 
 Studio: Complete final version of Essay #3 
  
 7 
 
Week 12 
 
M Nov 4 Activities in support of Essay #4 
W Nov 6 Activities in support of Essay #4  
F Nov 8 Pre-writing for Essay #4 
 Studio: Start drafting Essay #4 
 
Week 13 
 
M Nov 11 Style: Editing Essay #4 
W Nov 13 Activities in support of Essay #4 
F Nov 15 Activities in support of Essay #4 
 Studio: Complete draft of Essay #4 
 
Week 14 
 
M Nov 18 Peer review of Essay #4 
W Nov 20 Activities in support of Essay #5 
F Nov 22 Activities in support of Essay #5 
 Studio: Complete final version of Essay #4 
 
Nov 25-29  Thanksgiving Holiday, no class 
 
Week 15 
 
M Dec 2 Activities in support of Essay #5 
W Dec 4 Activities in support of Essay #5 
F Dec 6 Activities in support of Essay #5 
 Studio: Complete draft of Essay #5 
 
Finals Week 
 
Tues. Dec. 6  Final version of Essay #5 due 
 
 


ENG 1000-003 College Composition Studio