English 1550: Writing I
Course Description (from the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Student Bulletin)
“Strategies for writing as a means of critical inquiry, with focus on writing
processes and on the roles of writer, audience, and purpose as they affect
writing. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer
classrooms, where they have the opportunity to acquire and develop basic word-
processing and electronic communication skills. Open to students on the basis
of Composition and Reading Test results or successful completion of ENGL 1539
or ENGL 1540. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.” Writing 1 is a General Education
requirement.
Course focus
Writing 1 aims to help students cultivate college-level reading, writing, and
thinking abilities, in a way that will serve them well as educated citizens
and as students at YSU.
Placement
Placement into Writing 1 is based on successful completion of English 1539 or
1540, or Composition Placement Test results along with ACT English sub-
scores, SAT Verbal sub-scores, and/or COMPASS™ Reading Test Score.
Fee
YSU requires student to pay a technology and materials fee in Writing 1. This
fee is used to maintain and replace equipment, software, and supplies.
Students in Writing 1 will:
• Read, discuss, and critically analyze primarily nonfiction prose;
other readings may be given as supplements.
• Write primarily nonfiction, expository essays; other writing
assignments may be given as supplements.
• Develop their essays through the use of multiple drafts, peer
reviews, and instructor comments.
• Use computer labs and other online resources as tools for cultivating
their writing.
Texts
Unless otherwise noted, the most recent editions of textbooks will be used.
Required texts in English 1550 include The Little, Brown Compact Handbook
(6th ed.) and one of the following textbooks (according to the instructor’s
syllabus):
Language Awareness (Eschholtz) Thomson Reader (Yagelski)
Norton Reader (SHORTER) (Peterson) Writing in the Works (Burak/Blau)
Presence of Others (Ruszkiewicz)
Students are also encouraged to purchase a good dictionary, such as Webster’s
New World College Dictionary (4th edition).
NOTE: With prior approval of the Composition Program Committee, instructors
may use an alternative textbook.
Course Goals
Upon successful completion of Writing 1, students should be able to:
1. Comprehend, discuss, and critically analyze assigned readings.
2. Communicate effectively in writing by
• responding successfully to a variety of assignments
• using appropriate rhetorical strategies for developing and organizing
ideas
• incorporating both instructor and peer feedback in the revision
processes
• completing written work that responds appropriately to the assignment
and displays a minimum of errors
3. Accessing and use a variety of learning tools and technologies, such as:
• articles, books and other materials at Maag library
• email, the Internet, and word processors (e.g., Microsoft Word)
• academic support services such as the Writing Center
Writing 1 should prepare students for Writing 2 (English 1551). In addition
to Goals 1-3 above, students should be introduced to processes of research
and source documentation styles (e.g., MLA, APA).
All assignments should aim to help students respond to texts critically and
to write college-level prose, but instructors may use other kinds of readings
and writing activities to help students meet this goal.
Engagement in the Learning Process
Engagement in the learning process is a key goal of a college education for
all students. Instructors are expected to create conditions in Writing 1 that
invite active student engage-ment. Students in Writing 1 are expected to:
• Read all text selections assigned by the instructor.
• Do at least three in-depth writing assignments, each comprising at
least one rough draft as well as a final draft that shows evidence of
significant revision. The final drafts of these assignments should be
approximately 1000-1200 words long (4-6 double-spaced pages).
Typically, these writing assignments should involve the completion of
a formal work in writing that both expresses the student’s perspective and
shows engagement with some set of readings. However, instructors may use
their discretion to customize these assignments, within the parameter’s of
Writing 1’s general goals.
Complete all other assignments required by the in-structor (e.g., in-
class or out-of-class writing, graded or ungraded writing, prewriting, and
revision or rewriting.)
• Follow the schedule and policies in the instructor’s syllabus
regarding preparation, attendance, classroom par-ticipation, and assignment
deadlines.
Information Literacy
Information literacy is essential for all YSU students. To en-hance students’
information literacy, instructors are expected to introduce students in
Writing 1 to resources at Maag Li-brary during at least one class session.
Instructors may con-duct these introductions themselves or with the
assistance of library staff, who can offer directed, customized instruction.
Computer Lab Classrooms
When class is held in a computer lab, instructors are expected to take
advantage of technologies useful in engaging students in the activities of
the course. Instructors are also expected to introduce students briefly to
the hardware and software necessary for completing the course successfully;
students requiring additional assistance may be referred to the Center for
Student Progress (CSP) / Disability Services office (330-941-1372). At
minimum, students are expected to learn to use email, the Internet, and
Microsoft Word.
Grades
Final grades for Writing 1 are A, B, C, and NC (No Credit): Students who earn
a grade of A or B have fulfilled course assignments at an outstanding or
higher than average level; a C indicates satisfactory performance in the
course.
A final average of less than C will earn a grade of NC for the course. An NC
does not affect the overall GPA, but it does appear on the student’s
transcript, and the student must repeat Writing 1. It may be retaken only
once without the approval of the dean. Successful completion of Writing 1 is
required before a student will be permitted to register for Writing 2
(English 1551).
Students are responsible for being aware of their grade in Writing 1 when
they register for their next semester’s classes.
YSU Policy on Incomplete grades: The instructor may assign a grade of
Incomplete (I) only if the following con-ditions are met:
• the student has requested the Incomplete ahead of time;
• all course work prior to this request has been satisfactorily
completed;
• the Instructor agrees that an I is warranted.
YSU policy states that students have at maximum one year to complete an
Incomplete; instructors are permitted to require that the work be completed
in a shorter amount of time. If no formal grade change occurs within one
year, the I automatic-ally reverts to an NC.
Audit Policy: Students who register to audit a composition course should
consult the instructor about minimum require-ments.
Transfer credit: Students wishing to receive transfer credit for a college
composition course taken elsewhere must have that course evaluated by the
Composition Program Direc-tor(s) before taking any of YSU’s composition
courses.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
All assignments completed in English 1550 must be the pro-duct of the
student’s own thought and inquiry.
Plagiarism means presenting words, ideas, or information found in works
written by others as if they were your own.
Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, all forms of cheating, as well as
receiving inappropriate assistance from others in completing an assignment.
Instructors are responsible for teaching students about plagiarism and for
distinguishing between intentional plagiar-ism and unintentional errors of
citation. However, students are responsible for any actions that might
constitute plagiarism. The penalty for plagiarism ranges from failing the
assignment to getting and NC in the course. For more information, please see
the YSU Student code, particularly Articles I and IX, at
http://www.ysu.edu/thecode.pdf.
Academic Support Resources
The Writing Center
Students may seek additional one-on-one assistance at the Writing Center by
calling (330) 941-3055 to make an appointment with a Writing Center
Consultant. The Writing Center has hours between Monday and Friday whenever
classes are in session. The Writing Center’s website is at:
http://www.as.ysu.edu/~english/wc.html
Center for Student Progress (CSP) /
Disability Services
The Center for Student Progress, located in Kilcawley West (330-941-3538), is
available for tutoring and assistance with social and academic success. If
you have a documented disability, please contact your instructor privately to
discuss your needs. To receive accommodations, you must be registered with
CSP Disability Services, located in Wick House (330-941-1372), and provide a
letter of accommodation to verify your eligibility.
