One Required Texts: The Mind at Work by Mike Rose
Spring 2026 Schedule---A detailed, weekly schedule including reading assignments, class activities, and due dates will be posted each Wednesday on our Canvas class site in the syllabus area as well as the Modules area on Canvas. Each week it is easy to see all the assignments for the week, in this area. This schedule may change to accommodate class needs. We will have some flexible Fridays and Mondays (dates will be listed on announcements) for time to work on class assignments and to attend tutoring sessions at the writing center. On those days you will not have to attend live class. This dates will be posted in announcements. Be sure to check the announcements area of our class several times a week. Use this flexibility wisely.
Descriptions of each assignment: Look for these in the weekly modules when the assignment is assigned. Also, longer descriptions of essays/major assignments will be found under the Pages area of the Canvas class site.
COURSE POLICIES
Deadlines and late work: Late work for assignments will only be accepted up to one week after the due date and will receive reduced points. Make sure you are checking your grades every week.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI
The use of generative AI tools (e.g.ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.)is permitted in this course for the following activities:
- Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
- Checking grammar and style.
The use of generative AI tools is NOT permitted in this course for the following activities:
- Impersonating you in classroom contexts, such as by using the tool to compose discussion board postings.
- Completing individual or group work that your group has assigned to you;
- Writing a draft of a writing assignment or presentation
- Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments;
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). If using AI tools, it must be properly documented and cited in order to stay within university policies on academic honesty. Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will receive a zero in the assignment. When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.
Course Grades
I will keep track of your scores online in the Canvas grade book located on our course site. If you see a score that you do not believe is accurate, please contact me. I will enter grades weekly, so be sure and check your grades each week. Note that the total percentage column only reflects grades that have been entered. Please take the time to look for and read the individual comments I often make on your assignments in the comment area. Contact me right away if you have questions.
Course grades will be assigned based on the total of these assignment percentages in the following areas: Individual Assignments (includes quizzes and individual responses to assigned readings) 20%, Research Application Essay and Refection 20%, Canvas Discussions 20%, Major Writing Assignments 40% (includes process work and peer review). There will be some extra credit assignments.
Point ranges: Individual Assignments 5-20, group assignments 5-20, Midterm 50, Canvas Discussions 10-20, Second Major Writing Assignment (reading response) 50, and 200 total (includes writing process) for each essay, 50 points for the Application Research Essay, 50 points for the Application Research Essay Reflection.
Major Writing Assignments:
You must complete the following major writing assignments (essays) to pass this class:
First Major Writing Assignment Argument Research Essay about a work-related theme. Includes a minimum of eight pages of text, a minimum of five sources, an annotated bibliography, and a works cited page. Rough draft due Friday, March 6. Final, revised draft is due Wednesday, April 1, before midnight.
Second Major Writing Assignment Short persuasive reading response with a work-related theme (two to three pages and supported with pages numbers, quotes, and paraphrases from assigned reading in The Mind at Work. Your assignment should be submitted online in your small group area by midnight on Wednesday, April 1, and the group comments in your small group discussion are due on Wednesday, April 8, before midnight.
Third Major Writing Assignment Application Research Argument Essay concerning a topic of your choice. Final draft due Wednesday, April 15, before midnight. Three pages and three sources.
We do not have a midterm or final for this class. Our last day of class is Friday, April 17. Monday, April 20, is the last day I will accept any late work for our class.
The Argument/Research Essay will be worth 200 total points including first drafts, peer review and a final, revised draft. You will be required to use APA 7 or MLA 9 format.
Brief schedule of Major Writing Assignments:
Weeks 2-12 Argument Research Paper concerning a work-related topic. Rough draft due Friday, March 6. Final draft due Wednesday, April 1.
Weeks 2-13 Persuasive Reading Response Small-Group Assignment concerning assigned reading in our two textbooks. Small Group Posting Wednesday , April 1, and Final Comments Due Wednesday, April 8.
Weeks 10-14 Application Argument Essay( 3 pages) and Final Reflection (2 pages). Final, revised draft due Wednesday, April 15.
Grading Policy:
Assignments will be carefully assessed and given a letter grade. Work that exceeds expectations will receive an A grade; work that is competent and correct, a B; work that meets the minimum requirements, a C; and work that is poorly executed or incomplete, a D. Students’ final grades will be calculated based on the following weights for individual assignments and final grades using the scale below.
Your final grade will be determined by the weighted percentage of total points earned:93-100 % A, 90-92 A-, 87-89% B+, 83-86% B, 80-82% B-, 77-79% C+, 73-76% C, 70-72% C-, 67-69% D+, 63-66% D, 60-62% D-, and 59% and below, F. If you have a question about my comments or a grade at any point in the semester, be sure to make an appointment with me to discuss it. Borderline grades may be bumped up if a student attends class regularly and participates in class. Participation assignments can’t be made up. Late work will be reduced 10% from the earned grade (if accepted and some smaller assignments can’t be made up at all) and will not be accepted two weeks after the due date. Extra credit will be applied on the Extra Credit Day at the end of the semester. If you don’t attend, your extra credit won’t be applied.
Writing Center
The SUU Undergraduate Writing Center invites all students to the Writing Center in
Braithwaite Center 101 where qualified peer tutors are ready to help with any stage of
the writing process. All appointments are free, and in-person, online, and written
feedback appointments are available. To schedule, visit their website at https://
www.suu.edu/writingcenter/