FYC Writing Course; Module Zero

Module Zero

Overview

Welcome to Module Zero: Getting Started! This module lasts for week one (other modules will be longer). This week is perhaps the most important of the course for a few reasons, but mainly because you are making decisions now that will turn into habits you will likely keep throughout the semester. Be sure you take a few minutes, if you haven’t already done so, and familiarize yourself with the buttons on the left.

Where does each button take you?

Do you know where you should ask questions?

Do you know where to find what you have to do this week?

What about next week?

What about the 11^th week?

Do you know where to find your grades?

Do you know where and how to submit assignments?

If the answer to these questions is yes, good work! If the answer is not really, but I’ll figure it out, then this is the week to figure out how the course works—by the end of Module Zero, you should be able to answer all of these questions, and more.

During this module, we will learn about one another and you will submit your first assignments. Whenever possible the modules will be consistent, so by the time you get to module three, you will feel right at home.

During this module you will complete the following assignments:

0.1 Module Zero DB

Click here or go to the discussion button on the left to participate in the discussion forum.

Prompt: Online show and tell: take a picture of an item that means a lot to you or represents you in some way and explain why and how you chose it. Here are some questions to help you get started:

·      Were there other items you considered using (what were they?)

·      Was it a no-brainer, or did you have to think about it?

·      Did you use a filter?

·      What item would you have chosen three years ago? What about three years from now?

You do not have to answer all (or any of these) bulleted questions, but instead think of them as a springboard to help get your brain started. This and all discussion forums are graded using the discussion forum rubric, which you can view in the Course Documents Area. If you have not already done so, or you need a reminder, check out the participation guidelines in Course Documents.

Remember: for a C or higher on this assignment, you must post an original post and at least two replies to your classmates.

0.2 Course Contract

After you review the Syllabus, please read the following statement. This statement will be considered the course contract between you and me:

With this statement, I acknowledge that I, _________________ (insert your name here) have access to the syllabus for ENG101: English Composition with Instructor Leslie A. Salley. I have reviewed the syllabus and understand the course objectives. Furthermore, I understand how my performance will be evaluated and how my final grade will be determined. I am aware of the attendance and deadline policies and discussion standards for this course. I am also aware of my instructor's office hours, and I know how to contact her for help with or clarification of course contents or procedures.

To submit your course contract,

Click the Assignment link (it is a paper with a pencil icon).

Cut and paste the contract text above into the Comments box.

Click Submit to send it to the Grade book.

And you're done for now!

0.3 Introductory email

In an email, please send me the following information:

·      Your high school

·      Your counselor’s or principal’s name and contact information (email address and phone number)

·      Your reasons for taking dual credit English Composition and what you hope to gain from it.

·      Anything else about you that you want me to know.

0.4 Diagnostic writing

One way I can get an idea of what you know about writing is to read some of your work, and one way you can get an idea of how I grade is to look at some comments. So, please set a timer for 50 minutes and write an essay about one of the topics below. Please do your best on this, and format it the way you think an essay should be formatted. Submit your finished essay as an attached assignment.

A.)  What advice would you give a student beginning middle school or high school this year?

B.)  “A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies." –Oscar Wilde.
Heman and Skeletor. Dorothy and the Wicked Witch. Autobots and Decepticons. History and art are full of heroes and their enemies. Tell us about the relationship between you and your arch-nemesis (either real or imagined).
—Inspired by Martin Krzywy, admitted student University of Chicago, Class of 2016.