ENGL 491: Workshop in English II Spring 2016 Dr.

Cheryl Duffus
WF 1-2 pm
Professor Information
Professor

Dr. Cheryl Duffus, Associate Professor, Department of English Language

& Literature

Office

Craig 206 B

Phone

x4409

Email

cduffus@gardner-webb.edu
NOTE: All Gardner-Webb University students and faculty must use their
Gardner-Webb University email addresses for conducting academic
business.

Email
Availability Please note that you should expect at least a 24-hour window for a response
to an email or other electronic communication. During university holidays
and breaks, that window may be longer.
Office Hours: MW 10-11 am, 2-3 pm, MW 10-11, and by appointment
Course Description: Development of a research and analytical essay and presentation on a
subject appropriate to the major.
Prerequisite: English 391
Recommended for your professional library
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Edition. New York: Modern Language
Association, 2009.
Many commonly used guidelines appear in the Kennedy/Muth text. The MLA FAQ site
addresses several recent documentation or format issues http://www.mla.org/handbook_faq
Harmon, William. A Handbook to Literature. 12th Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall 2011.
Includes definitions of literary terms, genres, and theories.
Other materials
Google Drive folder
Project Portfolio/Notebook
Students should come to each class meeting with a portfolio (digital, printed, or a combination)
of reading notes, copies of (or links to) articles with marginal notes. Portfolio material (digital or

printed) should be categorized in the following way. The portfolio may be collected for the
professors evaluation.
1. Analyses of primary and secondary sources
2. Copies of (or links to) source material, properly labeled
3. Copies of reading notes and reflections
a. Reading notes may include marginal notes, underlining, etc.
b. Reflections are periodic self-assessments of the students argument and key ideas (in
other words, a recording of what Im thinking now).
4. Drafts of the written project in chronological order labeled first draft, second draft, etc.
Learning Outcomes
In ENGL 491 students will:
1. Compose a well-focused, lucid essay suitable for publication on a topic appropriate to the
student's interests and career goals.
2. Strengthen research and critical thinking skills in the following identifying appropriate primary and secondary sources for the research project,
reading analytical literature with understanding and critical discernment,
evaluating critical/analytical texts,
choosing materials most suitable for inclusion in the student's final essay, and
synthesizing the material that has been read.
3. Strengthen written rhetorical skills with particular emphasis on style, usage, and clarity of
presentation.
4. Strengthen oral rhetorical skills with particular emphasis on organization, clarity, and
delivery.
5. Acquire skills and methodologies that encourage and enable them to be life-long learners.
6. Begin to establish a firm foundation for continued professional development.
Assessment
Assessment in this course is not confined to the presentation or the essay. I'll assess class and
individual progress in several other ways - ranging from reports about your mentor meetings to
peer review content.
You will also assess. I'll ask you to provide feedback on an assignment, course design, or
delivery. And I'll ask you to reflect on your performance or progress - individually and as a peer
reviewer. Some assessments will be graded, others will not.
Assignments:
Major Assignments
The student must prepare a detailed outline that demonstrates the organization of the thesis and
indicates which sources will be used in which parts of the thesis and why.
Outline of Thesis and Sources: a detailed outline of the thesis and its organization, including a
working thesis statement. For each section, the secondary sources being used are listed and an
explanation is given how they relate to the section and to one another.

Oral Presentation Students are required to prepare and deliver a polished, 20-minute oral
presentation of the project to the English department faculty, English majors, and other members
of the university community.
Essay Students must prepare a well-developed twenty to twenty-five page essay suitable for
publication in an appropriate professional journal and incorporating usage of the MLA
documentation style. The Works Cited page for the essay must include at least fifteen sources.
(Remember that the words works cited'' mean that the author of the essay is listing works
actually quoted or paraphrased in the text. Students may include a separate list of works
consulted.)
Final Exam The final exam for this class is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 3. Students
are expected take the exam at this time. Please make plans accordingly. Also note, the final
polished copy of the paper will be due no later than 2:00 the day of the exam. Grades for
graduating seniors are due by noon on Wednesday, May 4.
Minor Assignments
Project Portfolio Submissions as scheduled
Mentor Meeting Reports 5, due as scheduled
Peer Reviews as assigned
In-class progress reports or short reflection essays as assigned
Individual conference(s) (at least 1)
Submission of essay drafts as scheduled
Submission of presentation drafts and presentation practice sessions as scheduled
Methodology:
The class is an informal writing workshop incorporating individual conferences concerning the
students reading, preliminary concepts, synthesizing, and drafting. Other class meetings will
involve peer feedback and critique. The professor will use some class periods to deal collectively
with the logistics of writing scholarly essays. Students should be prepared to promote and
respond to discussion with the professor and with other students. Students will be required to
meet with their mentors for at least five conferences and to provide them with drafts of their
work.
Early drafts will be peer reviewed in class. As the length of the drafts increases, the peer review
process will change to focus on key sections of the drafts (for example, introductions or
conclusions) and will incorporate a digital collaboration tool to expedite that process.
Rehearsals are an important aspect of a poised presentation and may be scheduled at a time
beyond the normal class meeting. Portions of rehearsals will be recorded for individual review.
Be prepared to accept advice on presentation skills and to help your colleagues with thoughtful
suggestions which will strengthen their presentations.

Policies
Attendance:
University policy dictates that attending fewer than 75% of the scheduled classes results in
automatic failure for the class. In a small class such as this it is essential to inform the professor
of absences in advance whenever possible. As this class only meets twice a week and as
collaboration and in-class work are necessary for the methodology of the course, unexcused
absences as well as missed mentor appointments will have a direct impact on the final
grade.
Dates for presentation will be determined early in the semester. All 491 students are expected to
attend all 491 presentations.
Grades
Essay 35%

Grade Scale:
A+ - 100-99

C+ - 85-84

Presentation 25%

A - 98-96

C - 83-80

Outline 20%

A- - 95-94

C- - 79-78

Class work, mentor reports,

peer reviews, reading/discussion
responses, and attendance 20%

B+ - 93-92
B - 91-88
B- - 87-86

D+ - 77-76
D - 75-72
D- - 71-70
F - 69>

Plagiarism:
Using another's words or ideas as your own will result in a grade of F on the work involved,
possible failure of the course, and/or consultation with the Dean of Student Development. Also,
the department is aware of the prevalence of Internet sources that provide student papers and is
constantly monitoring the proliferation of these sites.
Students should familiarize themselves with Turnitin.com. It is the English departments policy
to use this service as one tool for encouraging academic integrity. Therefore, unless otherwise
indicated, all essays and summary/abstracts submitted via Blackboard will also be submitted to
Turnitin.com.
NOTE: It is the English Departments policy that a grade of FX for the course will be
assigned any time a student submits any draft of a major assignment of which a substantial
portion has been falsely represented as the students own. Minor assignments that are
plagiarized will also be prosecuted according to University Academic Dishonesty Policy.
Also, resubmitting work done for a previous class for credit for this class without my
permission will be considered academic dishonesty.
Communications
1. I'll post information about class changes or cancellations as "Announcements".
Announcements will appear on "My Dashboard" and in your email.

2. If you cannot contact me via phone or stop by my office, use email to ask questions about your
grade or to discuss personal matters. If youre given permission to send an assignment or draft as
an email attachment, also attach a Read Receipt. Doing so will prevent problems resulting
from email failures.
Late Work
Assignments are due on the dates published on the class schedule. There will be a 5% late
penalty each day an assignment is late. However, no assignment will be accepted more than one
week past the due date, unless the student experiences a medical or personal emergency.

Mentors
As in 391, you will periodically meet with your mentor (5x this semester). You should expect to
meet with your mentor about your outline, your presentation, and the drafts of your thesis. It
would be very beneficial to practice your presentation with your mentor. The mentor is not
involved in day-to -day revision and editing tasks. Both the mentors and students will submit
informal written reports on the results of their mentor conferences.
Expectations
Professor Respect each individual's views and right to privacy.
Communicate and interact respectfully with all members of the class learning
community.
Give clearly defined assignments
Be punctual and well-prepared for each class.
Introduce concepts and strategies to meet the course objectives and to help develop and
improve writing skills.
Return assignments in a timely manner.
Provide helpful comments on assignments.
Adjust assignment due dates to enable reasonable, on-line submission in response to
GWU and Blackboard maintenance schedules and officially documented ISP or GWU
technology failures.
Post, as needed, schedule changes and other course information on Announcements.
Be fair in grading and in administering class policies Provide support and encouragement
throughout the course.
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the
Student Handbook.
Students Treat everyone as a respected member of the class learning community.
Attend class regularly and on time.
Participate in class discussions and activities.
Check Blackboard announcements at least 3 days a week.

Stop by my office, email me, or call my office to communicate personal circumstances

affecting your course progress or questions about my evaluation of your assignments.
Call me or stop by my office when you need a response in less than 48 hours
Schedule at least one individual conference with me.
Complete all assignments on schedule and in a scholarly manner.
Submit assignments early enough to avoid last-minute technology failures, or willingly
accept late penalties when not possible.
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the
Student Handbook.
Contact me to discuss all concerns or issues about the course or assignments or to arrange
special accommodations.

Disability Services
A student needing accommodations to participate fully in all class activities and to fulfill
requirements of the class should
(1) Register with The Noel Program for Students with Disabilities. The Noel Program provides
support services to deaf, blind, learning disabled, and others students with documented
disabilities. The Noel Program seeks to provide reasonable accommodations in order for students
to receive equal access to a higher education while striving to assist students to obtain the
knowledge, skills and confidence to become effective self advocates. These accommodations and
services include note-takers, extended testing time, materials in alternative format, lab assistants,
interpreters, mobility training, and adaptive technology. The Noel Program for Students with
Disabilities is located in Frank Nanney Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. To request disability accommodations, please contact: (704) 406-4270 or
disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu
(2) Notify professor as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of class.
Emergency Plans
In case of an on-campus emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please assemble as
quickly as possible at the following location to check in with your professor: parking lot between
Lutz-Yelton Hall (dorm) and Nanney Hall.
University Writing Center
The Writing Center (Tucker Student Center, Rm 237) is a resource for all students, regardless of
major or level of study. Writing Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of
the English language and writing who also enjoy assisting others. They will help you with
developing and revising your ideas as well as polishing your final draft. You can make an
appointment for a consultation in Webb Connect or walk in to see if there's an available
appointment. Visit gardner-webb.edu/writingcenter for important information like semester
hours of operation.