ENG 101: Intro to College Writing

Syllabus Fall 2022

Instructor: Kalen Krantz
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: M-W-F 1-3pm
Room Number: Thomas Hall 103

"One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple."
--Jack Kerouac

Catalog Description: A study of the art of composition with special emphasis on the writing
process and on essay form. Students study methods of invention and arrangement and hone their
stylistic, grammatical, and punctuation skills. Prerequisite: ENG 100A or English ACT score of
17 or greater or department permission.

Class Texts: All articles will be posted on Canvas, you will not need to purchase any textbooks
for this course. You will still need to select three texts to write on over the course of this
semester. The three texts can be any of your choosing, but they must merit academic discussion.
Materials may be purchased (Amazon) or borrowed (use UNK’s library, Interlibrary loan,
Kearney Public library, professors and friends) at your discretion.

Required Materials:

● There are no textbook requirements for this course.

○ INSTEAD you will:
■ Select three texts of your own choosing
● Think: To Kill a Mockingbird, Hatchet, The Shining, Poetry, etc.
■ These texts will serve as the basis of three of your essays in our Inquiry
Proposal.
○ If you are having trouble selecting texts, make sure to email Professor Krantz for
further ideas.
○ Access to Microsoft Word (download Office 365 with UNK email account) or
Google docs. (required)
○ •Access to a computer or a laptop
■ Reach UNK Tech. for assistance in renting one if needed

Course Essays (Projects):

1. Inquiry Project Proposal

i. Submit a written proposal that includes:
ii. The subject of your inquiry (Grief, Mental Health, Dictatorship, Suffering,
Global Warming, etc.)
1. ANY problem in our society that you can think of
 a. Making sure your three texts match your subject of inquiry
can benefit your topic.
iii. Develop this subject into a question:
1. How does grief impact those who have lost so much?
2. In what ways does a dictatorship ruin the common person?
iv. Sources (6 in total)
1. 3 books
2. 3 academic sources
a. JSTOR
b. UNK Library
2. Annotated Bibliography
a. Investigate at least 5 scholarly sources
i. MUST be peer reviewed
ii. These will serve as the evidence for your essays, take time to ensure your
sources are valid and coincide with your objective.
b. Two paragraphs per source (1. Brief summary 100 words, 2. Analysis 200 words)

Essays and Reflections

i. The prompts of the essays will be of your choosing, but should revolve
around your Inquiry Proposal and your selected text.

3. Essay 1: Narrative Essay: Due Sept. 28th 11:59pm

a. A narrative essay depicting a story you have lived through, or of your own
creation.
b. Reflection #1 Due two weeks after grade is posted
4. Essay 2: Audience 2 ways: Due October 16th 11:59pm
a. An audience-driven essay featuring multimedia to persuade your audience.
b. Reflection #2 Due two weeks after grade is posted
5. Essay 3: Argument 2 ways: Due November 9th, 11:59pm
a. An argumentative-driven essay featuring multimedia to articulate your argument.
b. Reflection #3 due two weeks after grade is posted
6. Final Essay:
a. A delve into your final text featuring:
i. A section at the end recapping the progress of your Proposal

In-Class Work: Throughout the course of the semester, we will also have in-class exercises and
assignments in order to further establish our understanding. Daily assignments are used in large
part to gauge student understanding, and turning in these assignments on time is essential.

• This course will be using contract grading (see file on Canvas/Website).

• Participation: Participation in class is essential to understanding the material. Class discussion
and participation is a must in order to receive the full-contract grade.
• Class work:. All classwork, essays, and videos are to be submitted on Canvas before the final
deadlines. Check deadlines carefully. Late work for projects and the impact they will have will
be negotiated with our contract grading. In order to avoid this, make sure to turn everything in on
time!
• Rubrics: For each project/ paper you will be given a rubric with the criteria of what meets
expectations. Before you submit the final copy, use the rubric to guide in meeting the assignment
expectations. If you are having trouble navigating the rubric, reach out.

● Rhetorical Situations:
○ From a chosen topic, you and your group members will be tasked with:
■ Devising an audience
■ Devising a problem
■ Reaching a solution
■ Developing original multimedia
■ A brief presentation into your problem and solution

Discussion Board Protocol: Discussion boards will be posted on Monday, and will be due the
following Monday. These discussion boards will serve to synthesize and highlight the changes
you notice in your writing throughout this semester. You must at least make one post of 250
words and leave a comment to another classmate consisting of at least 100 words. Other small
assignments and activities will also be done on Canvas, but will be marked separately.
Discussion boards should be treated as regular class assignments, make sure to complete them.

Revisions:
You are recommended to revise and resubmit for a new grade after you receive your feedback on
each essay you hand in. Here is what you can do:
1. Read my feedback and think about what you would revise.
2. Meet with me to discuss your revision plan. (optional, can be through email or zoom as well)
3. Substantially revise your paper and resubmit via Canvas within 2 weeks of the date you
received feedback.
*Required for highest possible contract grade

Expectations:
As a college course, we are expected to hold ourselves to a certain standard, and through these
tips/expectations, we can keep an engaged and positive learning environment.
1. Phones - Phones are an acceptable tool to be used once you have completed the daily
activity. I understand that sometimes you need to answer a text or call, but I ask you to do
it quickly and quietly.
2. Earbuds - Earbuds are acceptable when writing time has started, if we are not writing I
should not see earbuds.
3. Talking - Please do not talk while I am talking, that is my only request in terms of
talking.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Read texts critically by describing the method of organization, identifying and evaluating the
thesis, and analyzing the main points of support through assigned reading questions and
independent research for written assignments.
2. Develop various methods of inquiry for generating and developing ideas, mastering quality
research skills using library databases.
3. Write, revise, and edit to demonstrate accurate incorporation of quotation, summary, and
paraphrase according to academic guidelines.
4. Write, revise, and edit to demonstrate understanding of rhetoric, attending to topic, purpose,
angle, and audience of diverse writing situations
5. Write informatively and persuasively, utilizing rhetorical strategies to support key ideas or
positions on an issue.
6. Write with command of academic and nonacademic writing conventions (ie: appropriate
grammar, mechanics, punctuation, spelling, code switching).
Course Policies
• Writing is a process: Each essay will require extensive peer revision and some will include
trips to the Writing Center. Our grading contract expects a minimum of 1 visit to the Writing
Center (virtually or in-person) so plan accordingly. Students can schedule Writing Center
appointments in person or online.
• Respect!: During this semester we will peer review each other’s hard work, and that will
require us to be sensitive with how we give our feedback. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to
be respectful and give courteous feedback that improves our writing abilities, and doesn’t tear
others down.
• Reach out! During the week I’m committed to responding to your emails within 24 hours. I
don’t typically check email on the weekend but my job is to be here for you! Email me at any
point if any questions or concerns arise! I am always available after class as well, so make sure
to ask if you are having trouble with anything. When in doubt—reach out! I’m here for you: I’m
your biggest fan.

Attendance Policy:
Students have three absences that they can use without penalty in the semester. Any absences
after three must have proper documentation or reasoning. If a student knows they are going to be
gone, they should email the professor prior to class. COVID absences will be discussed with the
professor, and days missed as a result of a Positive COVID test will not affect the student
negatively. Religious holidays, Military service, and University events are also excusable, but
just let me know in advance!

This course will take place in person predominantly, with the option for Zoom if you are sick and
still wish to join. We’ll determine what works best for everyone during our contract grading
during the first week of class.

My teaching approach: A course designed to be the deep breath in your busy lives. I try to
approach the classroom in the most stress-free way possible. Despite this, some stress is still
needed to ensure our academic work remains sufficient. If you are sick, email me. If you are
having car troubles, email me. If you are having difficulties in any way, I prioritize
communication. As long as we stay in communication, many problems can be solved easily.

General Studies: ENG 101 is a General Studies course that fulfills LOPER 2 (Writing
Skills). Purpose of General Studies: The UNK General Studies program helps students acquire
knowledge and abilities; to understand the world; to make connections across disciplines; and to
solve contemporary problems. The GS program is intentionally structured to allow students to
build necessary skills in the Foundational Core classes while making the transition to college
level coursework and forming critical thinking skills in the Portal class. Students then explore a
broad cross-section of academic topics in the Distribution Area and finally finish their GS
program in the Capstone course that is designed to help students synthesize, through
interdisciplinary instruction, their knowledge, skills, and experiences across the curriculum.

General Studies Outcomes:

This course meets the Program Level objectives: “Courses are designed for students to “develop
core academic skills in collecting and using information, communications in speech and writing,
and quantitative reasoning.” Students will be able to meet the following outcomes: 1) Evaluate
information appropriate to the task. 2) Apply principles of critical thinking to demonstrate
integrative learning

Students can, from LOPER 2: 1) Discern a writer’s argument or purpose. 2) Use appropriate
sources appropriately and responsibly. 3) Use context-appropriate conventions in writing. 4)
Communicate in a manner appropriate to audience and context.

University Policies
• UNK Attendance Policy: Your instructor may have indicated on their syllabus an attendance
policy specific to their class. If so, that is the policy with which you must comply. If no other
policy is stated, the University-wide attendance policy will apply. You can find the Student
Attendance Policy Statement online. (The attendance policy for this class is listed under:
Attendance Policy).
Academic Honesty Policy: Academic honesty is essential to the existence and integrity of an
institution of higher education. The responsibility for maintaining that integrity is shared by all
members of the academic community. To further serve this end, the University of Nebraska at
Kearney has a policy relating to academic integrity. To ensure all students understand the
expectations, UNK has adopted Academic Integrity Policy.
• Tutoring / Support: If you are struggling academically and need tutoring resources, visit
linked page. Subject tutoring, writing support, and success coaching is available to you--but do
reach out.
• Students with Disabilities: It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide
flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students with documented disabilities.
To receive accommodation services for a disability, students must be registered with the UNK
Disabilities Services for Students (DSS) office, 175 Memorial Student Affairs Building, 308-
865-8214 or by email [email protected]
• UNK Statement of Diversity & Inclusion: UNK stands in solidarity and unity with our
students of color, our Latinx and international students, our LGBTQIA+ students and students
from other marginalized groups in opposition to racism and prejudice in any form, wherever it
may exist. It is the job of institutions of higher education, indeed their duty, to provide a haven
for the safe and meaningful exchange of ideas and to support peaceful disagreement and
discussion. In our classes, we strive to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open
communication and mutual respect. UNK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or political affiliation.
Respect for the diversity of our backgrounds and varied life experiences is essential to learning
from our similarities as well as our differences. The following link provides resources and other
information regarding D&I: https://www.unk.edu/about/equity-access-diversity.php
• Students Who are Pregnant: It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to
provide flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students who are pregnant. To
receive accommodation services due to pregnancy, students must contact the Student Health
office at 308.865.8218. The following links provide information for students and faculty
regarding pregnancy rights. https://thepregnantscholar.org/title-ix-basics/
https://nwlc.org/resource/faq-pregnant-and-parenting-college-graduate-students-rights/

• University Policies Related to COVID-19: The university community is deeply concerned for
the wellbeing of its students, faculty, and staff. Keeping each other as safe as possible will
require commitment from each of us; failure to do so will literally place lives in danger. The full
policy relating to mitigation of the spread of infectious diseases can be found at
https://www.unk.edu/coronavirus/ Policies that apply to all courses (online, remote, blended, or
face-to-face) include:
● Students shall monitor their health daily. No student shall attend classes in person while
sick. Those who have had contact with positive-tested individuals or show COVID-19
related symptoms must have clearance from the Public Health Center prior to returning to
face-to-face classes. There will be no penalties for missing classes for COVID-19 related
absences provided the student has documentation from the Public Health Center. Students
will still be responsible for course content through alternative attendance or other options
arranged with the instructor.
● Additional policies specific to face-to-face instruction include the following:
○ During Phases I and II, all students are required to wear masks that cover the nose
and mouth at all times during class and at any time, inside or outside, where
physical distancing of at least 6’ is not possible. Instructors have the authority to
direct students who refuse to wear masks to leave the classroom. Students who
have medical issues that make masks inadvisable should contact Disability
Services for Students at 308.865.8214 to request an exemption.
○ Students shall not arrive for class more than 5 minutes before the scheduled start
time for the course. Instructors shall dismiss students promptly at the end time and
all shall leave the classroom promptly. Students who have questions should use
office hours rather than before/after class times.
○ Instructors and students should clean their desks prior to class. Cleaning materials
will be provided.
● Questions regarding COVID-19 should be directed to the Public Health Center
[email protected] or 308-865-8254. Questions regarding the COVID-19 academic
policy should be directed to Sr. Vice Chancellor Bicak at [email protected]. Questions
regarding department specific requirements should be directed to the chair of the relevant
department—Dr. Megan Hartman.
● If a student is diagnosed with COVID-19, how that will impact the rest of the class
section is: generally, students who are sitting six feet or more from the sick student and
wearing masks should be able to continue in-person attendance. The contact tracers will
reach out to them to ask some questions and talk about monitoring protocols. Please
understand that any information shared with the instructor about a student’s health will be
held in strict confidence.
 ● The above directions must be followed by everyone for the health and safety of our
University. Students who do not comply may face disciplinary action from the
university. Violations of any University or Campus Policy is a violation of the Student
Code of Conduct.
● Reporting Student Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence or Sexual Assault : Reporting
allegations of rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment,
and stalking enables the University to promptly provide support to the impacted
student(s), and to take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of such sexual
misconduct and protect the campus community. Confidentiality will be respected to the
greatest degree possible. Any student who believes she or he may be the victim of sexual
misconduct is encouraged to report to one or more of the following resources:
● Local Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Advocacy Agency 308-237-2599
● Campus Police (or Security) 308-865-8911
● Title IX Coordinator 308-865-8655

Retaliation against the student making the report, whether by students or University employees,
will not be tolerated.

Last Words I teach because I love helping students improve their writing. I am here to help you
with the associated challenges—next steps, problems, transitions, learning—in any way I can.
Where I cannot, I will do all I can to redirect you to who can help. This class will be like
everything else in life—the more you invest in it, the more you will get out of it. Thanks for
making this a great semester!