PLAGIARISM POLICY

THE FRESHMAN ENGLISH REQUIREMENT

Students fulfill the Freshman English requirement by passing (with a D- or higher) ENGL 110 or ENGL 111.  ENGL 110, Seminar in Academic Writing, offers instruction in academic writing through interdisciplinary reading.  ENGL 111, Seminar in Writing through Literature, offers instruction in academic writing through literary reading.  Both courses emphasize interpretation, argumentation and reflection and include revision of formal assignments and instruction on grammar, mechanics, and style.  Students who must first register for ENGL 104 Basic Writing (see “Placement”) still need to take ENGL 110 or ENGL 111 to fulfill their Freshman English requirement.

PLACEMENT

Initial placement is based on students’ verbal SAT scores.

·        Students with a verbal SAT score of 430 or below are placed into ENGL 104.

·        Students with a verbal SAT score between 440 and 540 have the option of self-placement and may choose to enroll in either ENGL 104 or ENGL 110 or ENGL 111.

·        Students with a verbal SAT score above 540 should enroll in either ENGL 110 or ENGL 111.

The final check on placement occurs in the classroom during the first week of classes.  Each instructor is asked to get a first week writing sample from their students.  If upon reviewing the samples an instructor finds evidence that a student is underprepared for their course that student’s placement may be reviewed by the Director of Freshman English in consultation with the instructor. 

WAIVERS

Freshman English waivers are available only to students who have received credit elsewhere for equivalent ENGL 110 or ENGL 111 course work. 

·        Students who have received credit elsewhere for equivalent course work that did not automatically transfer as Freshman English credit must apply for a Freshman English waiver by submitting to the Director of Freshman English evidence (including name and social security number) of the previous course(s) and credit along with an appropriate academic writing sample. Waiver applications will be denied or approved by the Director.  

THE ENGLISH ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TEST

• Beginning in the fall 2006 semester students may not apply for Freshman English credit based on AP test scores. The Freshman English program no longer recognizes the AP test as a substitute for the successfull completion of the Freshman English requirement. Students may, however, receive 100-level non-Freshman English credit for an AP test score of 4 or 5. 
• Students receiving an English AP score of 3 or below are not eligible for any University credit.

ANNUAL FRESHMAN WRITING PRIZE COMPETITION

This competition for excellent nonfiction is open to students enrolled during either the fall or spring semester of an academic year in English 104, 110, 111, and/or 250 at UConn’s main or branch campuses or through the High School Coop Program.  Each instructor may submit for consideration one student essay from each section she teaches each semester. The following prizes are offered:

·        Aetna Foundation: $100 1^st prize, $50 2^nd prize, $25 3^rd prize

·        Ratcliffe Hicks (when funds available): $100 1^st prize, $50 2^nd prize

·        Honorable mentions may also be awarded.

In addition, each campus or school of the first prize winners receives $100 in the names of the winning students’ instructors to assist student publications.

Entry forms and instructions for submitting essays are available in the Freshman English Office in CLAS 162.