ENG 2 Syllabus online

1. WELCOME TO ENGLISH 2
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What is English 2 all about?
The course assumes that, in English 1, students have gained competency in summarizing texts, writing thesis
statements, applying the skills of information literacy, and using MLA documentation style.
After completing English 1 with a C or better, this course asks you to engage in these four learning activities:
 Students will use advanced research skills to write papers from across the curriculum. Research papers
will be informative and persuasive in nature and will be based on topics from academic disciplines (social
sciences, literature and the humanities, or science and mathematics).
 Students will conduct research using primary and secondary library resources…
 [Students] will use the MLA as well as either the APA or Chicago style formats to document sources.
 Students will be asked to prepare 25-35 pages of writing and at least one oral presentation of their work.
Who is my teacher?
Hi! My name is Tara Ptasnik, and I am looking forward to reading and
writing with you this semester. As your instructor, I intend to treat you,
this class, and myself with the respect necessary for us all to learn
together. I will try to respect your time by communicating with you
clearly about the course and answering your questions promptly in
person, via email, or over the phone. I will also respect your learning style
by being available for meetings at a variety of flexible times.
Office:
Truax C3446
Email: tptasnik@madisoncollege.edu
Phone:
608-246-6507
Office Hours:
Wednesday 9-10 and many other times -- just ask.
What are my responsibilities as a student?
As a student in this class,
you have the
opportunity to learn
a great deal about
reading, researching,
and writing. To get the
most out of this class, I
urge you to
Respect yourself
by taking
responsibility for
your own learning
and setting high
standards for your
work.
Respect the
educational
environment by
being prepared and
participating
enthusiastically.
Respect your
classmates and me
by treating others
politely and acting
responsibly and
reliably in group
situations
Tara Ptasnik

2. WELCOME TO ENGLISH 2
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What will we read, research, and write about?
A few years ago, several national organizations of writing teachers collaborated to ask the question: What do
students need to be successful college writers? They came up with these answers, which I have organized and
labeled as three categories:
After responding to some contemporary sources about these issues,
we will use these skills and many, many more through our research
projects. Guided by our shared text, The Curious Researcher, each student
will propose a project based on an idea inspired by curiosity, openness,
and creativity. We will first research it by interviewing people touched
by that topic. Next, we will learn about documenting sources in APA style and use those principles to create
annotated bibliographies of more research sources. Using the sources gathered in these two previous projects,
each student will write a final essay of exploring that topic, telling its story, and making an argument. Last,
each student will take their argument public by presenting to their peers. Engaging in a sustained research
project requires persistence and responsibility, but it pays off in learning and growth.
How will my grade be determined?
In order to receive a passing grade for the course, all major assignments must be completed.
Assignments Description Percentage
Proposal Propose a topic and inquiry questions 10%
Short Report Interview subjects and report your findings 10%
Annotated
Bibliography
Find, read, summarize, and respond to a variety of sources about a
research topic
20%
Essay Write a 10-12 page researched essay 40%
Presentation Present the findings of your research to your classmates 5%
Participation
Activities such as diagnostic essay, discussion board posts, reading
responses, and peer responses
15%
Grade Points Grade Points Grade Points
A 92-100 B 82-87 C 70-77
AB 88-91 BC 78-81 D 62-69
F 62 and below
The Spirit of Inquiry The Spirit of Learning The Spirit of Work
Curiosity:
the desire to know more about
the world.
Engagement:
a sense of investment and
involvement in learning.
Flexibility:
the ability to adapt to situations,
expectations, or demands.
Openness:
the willingness to consider new
ways of being and thinking in the
world.
Persistence:
the ability to sustain interest in
and attention to short- and long-
term projects.
Responsibility:
the ability to take ownership of
one’s actions and understand the
consequences of those actions
for oneself and others.
Creativity:
the ability to use novel
approaches for generating,
investigating, and representing
ideas.
Metacognition: the ability to
reflect on one’s own thinking as
well as on the individual and
cultural processes used to
structure knowledge.

3. WELCOME TO ENGLISH 2
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Six things you
can do to be
successful
Advocate for yourself during
difficult times:
I care about the success of
every student. However,
students must take initative to
help themselves, as well.
Any time you know you are
unable to complete work,
contact your instructor and
discuss your options before the
due date. It is always your
responsibility to make up work
missed. Communication is key:
talk to your instructor when
you are having trouble, need an
extension, or get behind.
Access Blackboard
regularly:
Plan to be "in" our virtual
classroom several times a
week, preferably every day. I
make a serious effort to post
all necessary and useful
information on Blackboard.
Between due dates, I will
post announcements,
assignments, reading
materials, and helpful advice.
You will find it greatly to
your benefit to read all
posted information and view
all videos. When you are
confused or lost, there will
likely be an answer on
Blackboard.
Access your student email
regularly:
You are responsible for
monitoring your student e-mail
account. When sending an email
to your instructor, please make
sure that your name, class, and
section are labeled clearly. Please
do not email an assignment or
attachment unless we've discussed
it first. I do my best to check and
answer student email regularly,
and I can do this most helpfully
for you when your messages are
clear and professional.
Complete your work with
integrity:
Academic integrity is an
expectation in all Madison College
classes. Plagiarism and cheating are
prohibited. Plagiarism is defined
as passing of another person’s
work as your own. In this class, I
have a zero-tolerance policy about
plagiarism. Plagiarized work will
earn a zero, and a zero on a major
assignment will affect the semester
grade significantly.
Work with technology effectively:
I strongly suggest you have multiple
means of composing, saving, and
printing your work. Save all work in
several locations, and also consider
printing a backup copy. Computer
difficulties are not a long-term
excuse for non-participation. See the
Helpful Resources section of the
syllabus or Blackboard for
information about free resources
and the Student Help Desk, where
experts can help you with
technology difficulties.
Submit work regularly and
on time:
All assignments are due at
the end of a day on either
Monday or Thursday.
Assignments may be turned
in up to one week late and
will lose one letter grade. A
grade of a zero will be
assigned for any assignments
that are not turned in.
Seeing your submitted
assignments is the only way I
know you participating in
class. If you do not submit
anything for an entire week, I
will assume you are not
pursuing the class, and I will
recommend that you drop
the course. Try to do even a
small assignment to keep
yourself in the game.

4. WELCOME TO ENGLISH 2
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Where can I get help when I need it?
Your instructor: I care a great deal about the success of every student,
and I want to help you. Helping you is never a burden or a bother.
Please contact me as often as you wish with questions and feedback.
Your classmates: No one in this class has to do this alone—help each
other. Research shows that you can increase your chances of success
in a class simply by exchanging contact information with another
student on day one. It’s that easy! Trade cell numbers and email
addresses with a few people and chat about assignments. Form a
Facebook group or group text. Be each other’s support system.
According to its Web site, “The Writing Center’s primary mission is to
help members of the Madison College community become more
effective, confident, and successful writers.” I strongly suggest
everyone plan to use the Writing Center’s services regularly. Online
options, in-person hours, location, and instructions for appointments
can be found by visiting its Web site or calling (608) 243-4289.
The Student Computer Help Desk is located in the Truax Campus
Library Room A3000. Student lab assistants are available often until
late in the evening in person, and by phone, (608) 243-4444; toll-free
at (866) 277-4445; by email at http://madisoncollege.edu/help-desks
to provide computer support. In addition, students can call an after-
hours help desk until 10pm most days at (608) 246-6666.
According to their Web site, “Our libraries are staffed
with librarians and talented student help to provide the services and
reference assistance you need for academic success. Madison
College Libraries offers traditional on-site services, but also provides
24/7 access to many resources and services online through our
comprehensive library web page.”
If you feel you may qualify for accommodations due to a disability,
please contact Disability Resources Services at 246-6716 (Students
who are deaf via Relay 711), room 159 at Truax or email
drs@madisoncollege.edu It is best to request accommodations at the
beginning if not before class so there is ample time to make the
accommodations.