Course Description

English 711, equivalent to English 701, is a critical reading and writing course that introduces students to academic discourse, the language of university. This course is designed to help students whose native language is not English to develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills that are essential to academic work. To achieve these goals, we will explore several topics related to your experience of multilingual and multicultural identities in the United States. You will learn how to read critically by analyzing and evaluating journalistic and scholarly articles in terms of their main ideas, evidence, and the presentation of ideas and evidence. You will also complete a variety of short- and long-form writing assignments, including reflections on your own experiences, analyses of the articles we are reading, and the development of your own argument. You will have the chance to revise your major papers as many times as necessary so that you become familiar with and confident in using strategies of academic discourse.    

Course Materials

No textbooks are required for this course. All course readings will be posted on Canvas.  

Instructional Methods

This course meets three times a week on Zoom for in-class activities, discussion of readings, and to review and plan to write the major papers of the course. We will occasionally have Canvas assignments in addition to the work we do in class.

  

Course Communications

To facilitate communication, the university requires you to have and use an e-mail account ending in @temple.edu. I will generally respond to emails within 24 hours of receiving them during the week and within 48 hours on weekends.

Course Technology Requirements

You will need the following to participate fully in the course:

• A computer and/or tablet with high-speed Internet access. A smartphone alone will not be sufficient.

  Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions.

• A web-enabled video camera and microphone.

• Access to Temple University’s Canvas site and email server.

• Microsoft Office. A free copy is available to you at https://its.temple.edu/office-365

 

This course requires the use of Canvas, including access to materials and assignment submission. Some videos posted via Canvas will require the use of speakers. In order to participate in synchronous class sessions over Zoom, you should have a computer, a webcam, headphones, and a microphone.

This course requires the use of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). To access these materials, please log in to TUportal and look for the Microsoft Download link under TUapplications within the My Portal tab.

Students should check their Temple email daily for course updates. 

All students are required to comply with  Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policies.

 

Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wi-Fi access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Wifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to purchase discounted internet services and devices for qualified individuals. 

 

On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of all of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs.

Note that technology resources are available for students, including laptop and battery share. Some software is available for free download on the ITS Academic Support page. Other specialty software may be available for remote access through ITS.

 

Statement on Recording and Distribution of Class Sessions 

The official policy from the university is that recordings of class meetings will not be allowed unless you received my permission (such as when a student in the class has an accommodation requiring such recordings). Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for the student’s personal educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law, known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University. 

   

Statement on the Use of Generative AI in This Course

To protect yourself from engaging in academic misconduct, please read Temple University’s Statement on Academic Honesty for Students in Undergraduate Courses: http://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/about-temple-university/student-responsibilities/#academichonesty   

 

In general, all sources of information that you use in your papers must be identified as clearly, accurately, and thoroughly as possible. Plagiarism occurs when sources are used but not acknowledged and appear to be presented as your own original ideas. Of course, we do not want to discourage you from using other people’s ideas or data. Our aim is exactly the opposite – academic writing often involves a conversation with other writers. But you must always clearly identify your sources and you must always be sure that the work you submit is your own.  

 

Academic cheating, is, in general terms, the breaking of the general rules of academic work and/or the specific rules of individual courses. It includes falsifying data or sources; submitting work in one course that was done for another course without the instructor's approval; having someone (or something) else complete your papers or any of your course work for you; or actually doing another person’s work. Please know that whatever you submit to me is your responsibility, even if you received assistance from anyone or any program. If another person or an AI makes a mistake when helping you, it affects your grade! We all need assistance with writing, and the best places to go are your instructor or the Writing Center as we will help you learn approaches to writing, and not do the writing for you. 

 

If you plagiarize or have AI do the writing on a draft of a paper submitted before the final portfolio, I will give you one very serious warning and you will have a chance to revise the paper right away so that I can re-read it and see that you’ve corrected the errors. But if you plagiarize a second time or if cheating or plagiarism is found in your final portfolio, you will fail the course. This policy is not negotiable. If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, ask BEFORE you hand in the work. It will be too late afterwards. 

 

Most AI output comes with generic writing and inherent biases that are not desirable nor passable in this class. Please know that whatever you submit to me is your responsibility, even if you received assistance from anyone or any program. If another person or AI makes a mistake when helping you, it affects your grade. We all need assistance with writing, and the best places to go are your instructor or the Writing Center as we will help you learn approaches to writing, and not do the writing for you. 

 

Grading Scale

 

Weekly Activities: 40% of final grade 

During class, you will be responsible for completing a variety of activities independently and in small groups, such as free writing responses, small and large group writing exercises, peer review, and drafting parts of your major papers. You will also be required to complete homework, such as reading articles, doing an activity on Canvas, or working on your papers. All assignments done inside and outside of class should be completed to the best of your ability. While these assignments are an opportunity to sharpen your reading, writing and critical thinking skills, and I will be making notes about where you’ve done well and what you can keep working on, I will be grading based on your effort rather than quality. So, as long as your work demonstrates you’ve devoted time and attention to it, you will get full credit.  If you miss a class, talk to me about how you can make up any work that you missed. 

 

Major Paper Assignments: 60% of final grade 

In this class, you will write four academic essays: a rhetorical analysis, a comparison of two arguments, a persuasive essay, and a reflection on your experience in this class. Throughout the semester, you will receive feedback on these papers from me and your peers, and at the end of the semester you will submit them in your final portfolio. The final portfolio will receive a single letter grade, which indicates my evaluation of your four papers and how they demonstrate the progress you’ve made toward the goals of this class. When you turn your drafts in to me throughout the semester, I will tell you the approximate grade on each; you will also be asked to self-assess your papers, given your understanding of the paper guidelines. This way you will know where you need to improve. You must receive a C- or above to pass this course. The majority of your final grade will be determined by the grade on your portfolio. If your final portfolio is not of passing quality, you will not pass the course, although a passing portfolio alone does not guarantee that you will pass the course.   

 

Drafts of each paper will be due throughout this course (see dates below in the schedule). The drafts will count toward part of your weekly activities grade. You will meet with me at least twice this semester to discuss the drafts of your papers in a conference. I will share written comments which are designed to guide you in revision and improve your writing process. Outside of these conferences, you are welcome to meet with me during office hours to discuss your progress. Please note that the conferences are required. If you miss a meeting with me, it will count as an absence. I must see every draft of your papers. If I see a paper in the portfolio that is completely different than your drafts, it will not pass because it does not reflect the revision process that is so important in this course. Refer to the “Portfolio Grading Standards” on Canvas which will be used to evaluate your work; we will also discuss these standards in class. All papers should also follow MLA format and include proper in-text citations and Works Cited pages. We’ll go over these requirements throughout the semester, and please ask if you have questions about formatting.   

  

Course Minimum Grade

Although D- is a passing grade, a minimum grade of C- is required in General Education courses and, in many programs, courses required by the major.

For more information, please see Temple University's Academic Policies on Grades and Grading.

 

General Policies

All Temple University Academic Policies will be upheld.

The General Education Policies and Requirements details program expectations.

   

Attendance and Your Health

It is very important that you attend and are prepared for every class meeting and conference. You may miss up to four (4) classes for emergencies, but please do not miss class unless it is absolutely necessary! If you miss more than four sessions, it would be very difficult for you to keep up with assignments and activities and so you will no longer be eligible to pass the class. If you know you have to miss class, please email me so I can let you know what you will need to make up and submit online to receive credit for weekly activities. If you are significantly late, or if you leave class early, you will be marked as late. Two “late” times count as one absence.  

 

Incomplete

A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if the student: 1) has completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) is unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the time frame in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester.  

Please refer to the following for further details: Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13). 

  

Withdrawal from the Course

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw from the current semester.

See Temple University's Academic Calendar for withdrawing deadlines and consult the University policy on Withdrawals (Policy # 02.10.14). 

  

Statement on Academic Rights & Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

   

Academic Honesty

According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.

 

 

Netiquette and Class Conduct Expectations

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others' privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.

For more information, please visit https://diversity.temple.edu/.

  

 

Disability Disclosure Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS), Ritter Annex 100, (215) 204-1280 or 215-204-1786 (TTY) or drs@temple.edu, to make arrangements.  If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are not retroactive. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

 
Information regarding accessibility for additional technologies is provided below:  

 

• Canvas
• Zoom
• VoiceThread
• ProctorU
• Proctorio
• GoogleDrive
• Outlook
• Sharepoint

    

Technical Support 

For a listing of technical support services available to Temple University students, see the Tech Support page.

 

Live Chat or Request Help:  tuhelp.temple.edu.

Phone: 215-204-8000

Email:  help@temple.edu

Website: its.temple.edu

Location: The TECH Center, Room 106

 

 

Academic and Support Services

Temple University provides a variety of services to support you throughout your studies. Please take a moment to view these by visiting the Academic Support Services page.

The following academic support services are available to students:

• Student Success Center
• University Libraries
• Undergraduate Research Support
• Career Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• Disability Resources and Services

  
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, theTemple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs. 

      

Continuity of Instruction in the Event of Emergency

Students are to register for the TUAlert System to be made aware of University closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instructions. Students can register for this system on the Campus Safety Services website. Students registered for the class will be alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

Please note that online classes are generally not affected by campus closures.  

  

Privacy Policy

Please see the links below to become familiar with the privacy policies for each of the following: 

• Temple University
• Canvas Instructure
• Zoom