WELCOME!
August 2005
Dear ENG 121 Student:
Welcome to the class, and if you are a first-time student here at the college, then welcome also to MCC!
I wanted to share a few thoughts with you as we begin this fall semester. First, do NOT fall behind on the readings, written assignments, papers etc. For the most part, when students do poorly or fail these classes, it is because they do not do the assignments for a week or two and then find they are so behind that the quality of their work suffers, they give up, or the work begins to come in consistently late with the accompanying penalties. Second, I do expect that you devote the time, energy and thought required to read, understand and apply the material (this includes reading the syllabus carefully!). I will answer your questions and help you in any way that I can, of course, but much of the burden in a class like this is on you. Third, I expect quality work, especially with the essays. This is a college-level writing class, and the class that prepares students to take the more demanding ENG 122, so give me your best! Fourth, keep a copy of ALL the work that you turn in until those assignments are graded and returned to you (in case the material is lost). Fifth, you’ll notice that peer critiques are part of this class (where you read and comment on the essay of others), so you’ll need to—before the beginning of the semester—contact me with your mailing and email addresses so that I can make a master list to facilitate this process. However, I will expect you to send your rough drafts to the rest of the class in a timely fashion for feedback. Sixth, I do want you to check in with me—a phone call, email, or visit—every 3 weeks so we can discuss how you are progressing. Seventh, read the syllabus carefully! Finally, you also MUST email, call me, or stop by in person within the first two weeks so I know that you are enrolled and active in the class; if you do not, I will attempt to contact you to verify your status, but if I have no success I will withdraw you from the class.
I guess that’s all for now…check in with me that first so I know that you are with us, and good luck!
Sincerely,
David Heikes, Instructor, MCC
PS—Ask me about the journal…
Click on the link(s) below to download your course materials: