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English 1010: Literacy for Life  

Semester: Fall 2021 | Instructor: Biven Alexander 
Peck Hall TBD | Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 10:20 – 11:15 a.m.  
Email: [email protected] | Office: TBD | Office Phone: TBD 
Office Hours: TBD and by appointment 
 
Course Description: 
Welcome to ENGL1010! In this course, we will explore writing as a process, a means of 
communication, and a tool for refining our thinking about and discussion of various topics for 
various audiences. Together we will investigate how effective writers write in and beyond 
college, what successful writing looks like, and how specific practices, strategies, and 
concepts will aid you in becoming a more flexible, adaptive, and skillful communicator at 
MTSU and beyond.  
 
Communication: 
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email me at my MTmail account: 
[email protected]. With rare exceptions, I will respond to emails within 48 hours. You 
are also welcome to come see me during office hours. I am happy to answer questions, 
review drafts, or address any concerns you have. 
 
Course Texts: 
● Middle Tennessee State University edition of E ​ veryone’s an Author  
● Selected readings available through D2L  
 
Coursework​: 
Each class period will involve a mix of reading, writing, short lectures, and small/large group 
discussion. In addition to analyzing various texts (from narratives to film reviews), you will 
provide feedback on each other’s work during peer review sessions. I understand that 
sharing your work might be up there with a fear of spiders or shark attack, but fret not—you’ll 
be given the tools you need to talk about each other’s work respectfully and effectively. 
 
You will also complete four major projects over the course of the semester. There is a 
synopsis of these projects on the next page, but I will provide more specific instructions 
separately on D2L. We will also discuss assignment requirements in class leading up to each 
project. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Labor-Based/Contract Grading: 
This course uses a labor-based approach to grading. While you are most often graded on the 
“quality” of your writing (and quality is entirely context-based, and can be performed with 
little effort at times), I will grade you on the quality of your “labor.” That is, I will grade your 
performance this semester on the amount of work you complete, on your ability to meet 
deadlines and fulfill expectations, and on the demonstrated time and effort you put toward 
achieving course goals.  
Yes, I will address the quality of your writing, and I expect that after careful construction and 
revision, your writing will be of the highest quality. I also expect you to put forward the 
substantial time and effort it takes to improve upon the quality of your writing.  
 
I’m grading your labor this semester because an emphasis on the time and effort you 
dedicate to this class, rather than an emphasis on quality, helps you to focus on your learning 
and development as a writer. It also invites you to take greater risks as a writer, and this 
risk-taking is the most important thing you can do to develop as a researcher and writer.  
 
Grading Contracts*: 
Although your grade is dependent on labor, to receive credit for a project it must be 
complete. Thus, if your project does not meet the requirements of the assignment (if it does 
not include required research, use appropriate citation, meet length requirements, or adhere 
to academic integrity standards, for instance), then it will not receive credit.  
 
● A = satisfactory completion of all four major projects, thorough and significant revision 
of two Projects, and completion of 90% or more invention work (including responses 
to your colleagues’ work)  
● B = satisfactory completion of all four major projects, thorough and significant revision 
of two Projects, and completion of 80% or more invention work (including responses 
to your colleagues’ work)  
● C = satisfactory completion of all 4 major projects, and completion of 70% or more  
invention work (including responses to your colleagues’ work)  
 
* To pass, students must earn a C- or higher.  
* Failure to complete work will result in a failing grade in the course. But there is no need to 
fail! Just do the work, and talk to me if you get in a jam.  
* If you complete all of the work but it does not meet the requirements necessary to pass, you 
will earn an N grade. This grade requires the student to repeat the course but does not affect 
the student’s GPA. However, any student repeating a composition course cannot receive an 
N.  
 
Revision: 
For those wanting to earn an A or B in the course, revision will be required for two Projects. 
Please keep in mind that revision must entail a thorough rethinking and rewriting process. 
To receive a new grade on a revised project, students must do the following: 1) make 
significant, thorough revision that potentially includes global changes (i.e. adding/deleting 
paragraphs, reorganizing, adding/deleting evidence, etc.), 2) use track changes to 
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demonstrate revision choices; and 3) write a paragraph reflection describing the revision 
choices and their impact.  
 
Turning in Work: 
Turn in all work via D2L dropboxes. Keep everything you write for class, because hopefully it 
will help you with the longer projects. All work must be submitted before the start of class on 
the due date to be considered on time and therefore eligible for full credit. If you miss class, 
you are still responsible for meeting all related deadlines, including the submission of work. If 
you know you’re not going to make a writing deadline, talk to me in advance about getting 
an extension – I’ll give it to you! Just communicate so that we can collaborate on you being 
successful in the course.  
 
What I Need From You:  
1. Come to class online and complete your asynchronous work;  
2. Have an open mind;  
3. Be respectful of yourself, your colleagues, and me;  
4. Read everything thoughtfully;  
5. Play the “believing game”;  
6. Take chances;  
7. Experiment with ideas, your writing, modes of composition;  
8. Make this classroom and our digital spaces a safe space;  
9. (Respectfully) Challenge me. 
 
Plagiarism: 
Plagiarism is complicated, and we’ll have a few conversations about it over 
the course of the semester. Here are a couple tips: (1) If you think that you might be 
using another person’s words or ideas without giving enough credit to that person, talk 
to me about it before the assignment is due. There is no penalty for asking in advance 
whether or not you’re plagiarizing. (2) If it’s the night before a deadline and you have no 
idea what to write, don’t panic and just copy and paste someone else’s words. It’s better 
to turn in nothing than to turn in something plagiarized – though neither is a good 
option. Better to talk with me before the deadline so that the moment of panic 
never arrives. 
 
Plagiarized papers will get a failing grade. I reserve the right to offer partial credit if I 
determine the plagiarism wasn’t done on purpose. I’ll try to do my part by creating 
course-specific assignments that are hard to plagiarize. Also, I’ll only assign papers that 
I believe will contribute to your development as a thinker and writer, which is to say I  
genuinely think you’ll be missing out on important skills and experiences if you do 
decide to plagiarize instead of writing any of them yourself. 
 
Resources:  
MT Engage Designated Course  
This is an MT Engage course. MT Engage promotes active engagement in learning and 
integrative thinking and reflection across educational experiences. In this MT Engage course 
you will participate in a beyond-the classroom activity and submit at least one assignment to 
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the D2L ePortfolio. You will also answer questions about your MT Engage experience in an 
end-of-course survey. You will receive important informational emails from the MT Engage 
program about ePortfolio training and how you can qualify for the 2018 MT Engage 
scholarship competition. For more information, go to www.mtsu.edu/MTEngage.  
 
Honors College Information  
To graduate from the University Honors College, students must complete 18 hours of 
lower-division Honors coursework, and 11 hours of upper-division Honors coursework, 
including a capstone thesis research or creative project. Students must maintain a 3.25 to 
participate in the Honors Program. For all of the special benefits of the Honors program, 
specific course graduation requirements, and/or questions about the thesis or creative 
project, please contact one of our Honors College advisors: Ms. Laura Clippard (FOR SPECIAL 
SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS) in HONR 227; [email protected]; or 615-898-5464; OR Ms. 
April Goers (FOR FRESHMEN) in HONR 228; [email protected]; or 615-494-7767; OR Ms. 
Judy Albakry (FOR SOPHOMORES THROUGH SENIORS) in HONR 229; 
[email protected]; or 615-494-8819.  
 
Title IX  
MTSU faculty are concerned about the well-being and development of our students and are 
legally obligated to share reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and 
stalking with the University’s Title IX coordinator to help ensure student’s safety and welfare. 
Please refer to MTSU’s Title IX site for contact information and details. 
http://www.mtsu.edu/titleix/. I am a mandatory reporter; this means that if you share with me 
that you’ve been hurt or are in danger, I must share this information with the Title IX 
Coordinator, Marion Wilson.  
 
Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 
Middle Tennessee State University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 
1973. Any student interested in reasonable accommodations can consult the Disability & 
Access Center (DAC) website www.mtsu.edu/dac and/or contact the DAC for assistance at 
615-898-2783 or [email protected].  
 
Writing Center  
The Margaret H. Ordoubadian University Writing Center is located in LIB 362 and online at 
www.mtsu.edu/writing-center. Here, students can receive valuable (and FREE!) one-to-one 
assistance on writing projects for any course. Conferences are available by appointment 
(904-8237). Visit early and often!  
 
Lottery Statement 
Do you have a lottery scholarship? To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship 
eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and 
a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively 
impact TELS eligibility. If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you 
may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you will not be able to regain eligibility at 
a later time. For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of 
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Understanding form (http://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/forms/LOTFEV.pdf) or contact your 

MT One Stop Enrollment Coordinator (http://www.mtsu.edu/one-stop/counselor.php).