Attendance
Attendance is encouraged, and will allow for time to discuss the materials and concepts important to your success in this course. If you must miss class for any reason, you can find the materials for f2f classes (PowerPoints and in-class assignment instructions) on the Modules page in Webcourses. In-class assignments will be due online at the end of the day, so that you can choose to either stay in class to complete the assignment or move to a location that is better for you.
Missed/Late Assignments
If you are concerned about not submitting an assignment on time, I encourage you to contact me. Late work may be considered in some instances if you have been in contact with me in advance to discuss an alternative due date. As a whole, I reserve the right to accept or not accept late work based on each specific set of circumstances and the work in question.
I give a grace period of 12 hours on low-stakes assignments before they count as late.
Make-up Work Policy
Students who represent the university in an authorized event or activity (for example, student-athletes) and who are unable to meet a course deadline due to a conflict with that event must provide the instructor with documentation in advance to arrange a make-up. No penalty will be applied if the student gives advance notice and communicates with the instructor following UCF policyLinks to an external site.. In the case of an authorized university activity, it is your responsibility to show me a signed copy of the Program Verification Form for which you will be absent, prior to the class in which the absence occurs or due date you need extended.
Students must also notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss an assignment or class for a religious observance. For more information, see the related UCF policy.Links to an external site.
If you are unable to complete work or attend a class meeting, you are encouraged to contact me to find out what you missed, or to get in touch with your fellow peers. However, I can only help, and we can only work together if I am notified. Depending on the circumstances, I may or may not be able to offer a reasonable opportunity for you to complete missed assignments.
For major assignments (Major Projects 1-3, but not including Major Project 4), I will accept late submissions for credit, without a grade penalty, up to 1 week past the due date. Once this timeframe has passed, the highest possible maximum score will be 50%. For example, if you submit Major Project 2 (which is worth up to 100 points) 5 days late, the maximum grade you could then receive on Major Project 2 is 50 points.
My late assignment submission policy for major assignments DOES NOT apply to Major Project 4 because Major Project 4 is due during the final week and I need to submit final course grades in a timely manner.
Revise and Resubmit Requirements & Instructions
Throughout the semester, you will have an opportunity to revise each of your first three Major Projects for an updated grade after your original final draft submission has been graded. To qualify, you must submit a complete final draft by the original deadline, and your revised document must be turned in by the appropriate Revise and Resubmit due date.
You must use Track Changes (on Word) or an equivalent, so I can very easily see exactly what you changed in your revised paper. Any late penalties that applied to your original submission will also apply to your revision, so it is in your best interest to submit on time.
Revise and Resubmit opportunities are indicated on the course calendar. If Life Happens and I cannot release your grades on the date specified on the course calendar, I will send out an announcement with the new Revise and Resubmit deadline.
Early Alert Progress Reports
This class will participate in myKnight STAR (MKS) progress reports. Progress reports are designed to promote student success by connecting students to advising and academic resources in a timely manner when students are struggling in a course. If I notice that you are experiencing difficulties in the course (e.g., low assignment scores, absences, missing assignments, lack of comprehension, etc.), I may submit a progress report and you will receive an email indicating that I have entered feedback. I encourage you to meet with me and your academic advisor to ensure that you are receiving all available resources to aid in your success.
Gordon Rule
ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 are subject to the state-mandated “Gordon Rule.” You must earn at least a C- or higher in order to fulfill the university and state GEP requirements. Over the course of the semester, you will write at least four major writing assignments. Each assignment that fulfills the Gordon Rule is described in the "Major Assignments" section of this syllabus. You must turn in all of these major writing assignments to pass.
The details of the Gordon Rule requirements are as follows:
Four College-Level Writing Assignments, One Assignment that Students Revise Based on Substantive Teacher/Grader Feedback, One Assignment that Involves Multiple Pages of Substantial Writing, Four Writing Assignments Total At Least 60% of Course Grade.
The Gordon Rule Assignments for this course will be:
Major Project 1 (10% of grade): Literacy Narrative
Major Project 2 (15% of grade): Rhetorical Analysis
Major Project 3 (15% of grade): Communities of Practice and their Genres
Major Project 4 (20% of grade): ePortfolio
Revision Expectations
In the first-year writing program, writing is seen as a recursive and social process that emphasizes revision. Revision is a major component of the ENC 1101 course portfolio. Because of this, all major assignments will go through a process of drafting, review, and revision.
When revising after my review, please observe the following:
- Revise the draft in a new Microsoft Word document (or PDF).
- Use the comment feature in Microsoft Word (or similar—Google Docs, for instance, allows you to do this for free) to highlight and explain your revisions. These comments don't need to be lengthy. This will just make sure I can see what you've changed and why. You might also mark areas of concern. You can read about using the comment feature in Microsoft Word at this page.
- Name the file for this draft something like "Gonzales_MA1_Revision 1" so it's obvious what it is.
Academic Integrity
Students should familiarize themselves with UCF’s Rules of Conduct at https://scai.sdes.ucf.edu/student-rules-of-conduct.
According to Section 1, “Academic Misconduct,” students are prohibited from engaging in
- Unauthorized assistance: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record. The unauthorized possession of examination or course-related material also constitutes cheating.
- Communication to another through written, visual, electronic, or oral means: The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment, or project.
- Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling of course material to another person, student, and/or uploading course material to a third-party vendor without authorization or without the express written permission of the university and the instructor. Course materials include but are not limited to class notes, Instructor’s PowerPoints, course syllabi, tests, quizzes, labs, instruction sheets, homework, study guides, handouts, etc.
- Falsifying or misrepresenting the student’s own academic work.
- Plagiarism: Using or appropriating another’s work without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.
- Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once without the express written permission of the instructor.
- Helping another violate academic behavior standards.
- Soliciting assistance with academic coursework and/or degree requirements.
Responses to Academic Dishonesty, Plagiarism, or Cheating
Students should also familiarize themselves with the procedures for academic misconduct in UCF’s student handbook, The Golden Rule: https://goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu. UCF faculty members have a responsibility for students’ education and the value of a UCF degree, and so seek to prevent unethical behavior and respond to academic misconduct when necessary. Penalties for violating rules, policies, and instructions within this course can range from a zero on the exercise to an “F” letter grade in the course. In addition, an Academic Misconduct report could be filed with the Office of Student Conduct, which could lead to disciplinary warning, disciplinary probation, or deferred suspension or separation from the University through suspension, dismissal, or expulsion with the addition of a “Z” designation on one’s transcript.
Being found in violation of academic conduct standards could result in a student having to disclose such behavior on a graduate school application, being removed from a leadership position within a student organization, the recipient of scholarships, participation in University activities such as study abroad, internships, etc.
Let’s avoid all of this by demonstrating values of honesty, trust, and integrity. No grade is worth compromising your integrity and moving your moral compass. Stay true to doing the right thing: take the zero, not a shortcut.
Plagiarism
The Department of Writing and Rhetoric has adopted the definition of plagiarism from the Council of Writing Program Administrators (WPA):
In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source. This definition applies to texts published in print or online, to manuscripts, and to the work of other student writers.
Misuse of sources: The WPA and the DWR distinguish plagiarism from the misuse of sources. “A student who attempts (even if clumsily) to identify and credit his or her source, but who misuses a specific citation format or incorrectly uses quotation marks or other forms of identifying material taken from other sources has not plagiarized. Instead, such a student should be considered to have failed to cite and document sources appropriately.”
Consequences of academic dishonesty: DWR takes plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty seriously and responds in accordance with UCF policy. Plagiarizing or cheating—or assisting another student who plagiarizes or cheats—may result in a failing grade on an assignment or for the entire course; a report to the Office of Student Conduct; and/or a “Z” grade, which denotes academic dishonesty on your transcript.
University Policies
Diversity, Inclusion, and Title IX
One way to promote a safe and caring classroom community is to encourage each student’s unique voice, perspective, and presence. The following diversity statement gives professors language for explaining how students’ contributions will be valued:
The University of Central Florida considers the diversity of its students, faculty, and staff to be a strength and critical to its educational mission. UCF expects every member of the university community to contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture for all in its classrooms, work environments, and at campus events. Dimensions of diversity can include sex, race, age, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, intellectual and physical ability, sexual orientation, income, faith and non-faith perspectives, socio-economic class, political ideology, education, primary language, family status, military experience, cognitive style, and communication style. The individual intersection of these experiences and characteristics must be valued in our community.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment, and retaliation. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find resources available to support the victim, including confidential resources and information concerning reporting options at www.shield.ucf.edu and http://cares.sdes.ucf.edu.
If there are aspects of the design, instruction, and/or experiences within this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or accurate assessment of achievement, please notify the instructor as soon as possible and/or contact Student Accessibility Services.
For more information on diversity and inclusion, Title IX, accessibility, or UCF’s complaint processes contact:
Financial Aid Accountability Statement
All instructors/faculty are required to document students’ academic activity at the beginning of each course. In order to document that you began this course, please complete this activity by the end of the first week of classes or as soon as possible after adding the course. Failure to do so may result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.
In order to ensure your financial aid, all students will need to complete an Academic Engagement Activity. This will be a preliminary assignment that must be completed the first Friday of the school year. It will be titled "Academic Engagement Activity."
Deployed Active Duty Military Students Statement
Students who are deployed active duty military and/or National Guard personnel and require accommodation should contact their instructors as soon as possible after the semester begins and/or after they receive notification of deployment to make related arrangements.
Campus Safety Statement
Emergencies on campus are rare, but if one should arise during class, everyone needs to work together. Students should be aware of their surroundings and familiar with some basic safety and security concepts.
- In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.
- Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Students should make a note of the guide’s physical location and review the online version at http://emergency.ucf.edu/emergency_guide.htmlLinks to an external site..
- Students should know the evacuation routes from each of their classrooms and have a plan for finding safety in case of an emergency.
- If there is a medical emergency during class, students may need to access a first-aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn where those are located, see https://ehs.ucf.edu/automated-external-defibrillator-aed-locationsLinks to an external site..
- To stay informed about emergency situations, students can sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to https://my.ucf.eduLinks to an external site. and logging in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the toolbar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on the Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”
- Students with special needs related to emergency situations should speak with their instructors outside of class.
- To learn about how to manage an active-shooter situation on campus or elsewhere, consider viewing this videoYou CAN Survive an Active Shooter (Links to an external site.)
Writing Resources
Technology requirements and expectations
All communication for this course should take place through your university email address (@knights.ucf.edu) or through Webcourses
Assignment Submission Guidelines
You will be submitting everything for this course through Webcourses. I will take URL submissions through GoogleDocs, file submissions such as .PDF, and .DOCX, as well as media submissions/recordings for some assignments.
University Writing Center Information
