Instructor: Rebecca L. Busker
Office: C247
Phone: 403-1906
Email: rbusker@parkland.edu
AIM ID: lucycereta
Office Hours: TTH 11-1, W 11-12, or by appointment

All About the Course, or what have I gotten myself into?
The catalogue describes ENG102 as "Research paper writing with emphasis on thesis development, research techniques, logical analysis, and effective organization and presentation."  In general, you will be learning to write an academic research paper, or at least learning how to analyze and discern the requirements of a given discipline.  The class will focus on argument, in which a claim or thesis is supported by external sources. 

To accomplish this, we will be writing two short papers, and then spending the second half of the semester on a longer research paper.

This particular section of ENG102 is a "hybrid" course, a hybrid of standard classroom instruction and on-line instruction.  Rather than meeting in the classroom twice a week or meeting entirely on-line, we'll be doing some of both: once a week, we will meet in the classroom, and for the second class day, students will have an internet assignment. 

For this class, you will not need a book.  I am happy to recommend some handbooks if you feel one will be useful to you, but we will largely be relying on the internet for readings and other information.  What you will need is the following:

• Access to an internet connected computer at least twice a week, and access to a computer with a word processor for writing papers.
• An email account that is accessible both on and off campus.  Your Parkland email is fine.
• Computer disks or some other method of getting files from one computer to another.
• Colored file folder (supplied by the teacher).

You may want to have a binder or folder in which to keep handouts.

All About this Site, or what does all this stuff mean?
This web site is your "home base" for the semester.  It contains:

• Contact information for the instructor.
• The materials required for the course.
• The policies for the course.
• An outline of the course work and grade distribution.
• A schedule of readings and weekly assignments, and links to some readeings.
• Groups for the weekly discussion (that is, your discussion partners).
• Paper assignments.
• A link to our class WebBoard (where the discussions will take place).

All About Me, or what does that stuff in bold mean?
My name is Rebecca Busker, and I'll be your guide for the semester.  I'm an English instructor here at Parkland College.  I'm also something of an internet geek (actually, I'm an all-around geek, as you will no doubt discover).

To get the important stuff out of the way first, I'm just as happy for you to call/address me as "Rebecca."  If you're not comfortable with that, "Dr. Busker" will do.  Please just be aware that "Mrs. Busker" is my mother, and I will forward all emails addressed thusly to her.  

If you want to see me outside of class, my office is at Parkland College, C247.  It's a good idea to arrange a meeting in advance, although if you happen to be on campus, you're certainly free to drop by.  The phone number above is my office number.  The only time I absolutely guarantee to be available by phone is during my office hours, although again, it never hurts to try at other times.

The single best way to get in touch with me is through email.  Although I again only promise to answer email during my office hours, I am on-line quite a bit.  I will endeavor to answer all emails within 24 hours Monday through Friday, and within 48 hours on weekends.  If at any point I am going to be out of touch for longer than 24 hours M-F, I will let you know.

I've also included my AOL Instant Messenger ID.  If you're not familiar with AIM, this chat software can be used whether you're an AOL member or not.  It comes with most newer forms of Netscape, or can be found here.  I will be logged in to AIM during my office hours.  I'm frequently logged in at other times as well, although I reserve the right during non-office hours to ask you to contact me later.  I do strongly urge you to take advantage of this: things that take 2 or 3 emails (and thus 2-3days) to deal with can be more easily answered in a 5 minute chat.

Now, about those office hours.  These are the hours every week that I guarantee I will be (a) in my office and (b) on-line and paying attention to my email and AIM.  These are not the only hours I will be available, but they are the hours that, barring emergency or illness, I will definitely be available.  On rare occasions, I may make adjustments to those hours, or announce that I will be available only on-line, so keep an eye on your email.  Please note that if you call or message me and I do not answer, I'm probably just getting a drink or something, so you should try again in a few minutes.