Freshman Composition II Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

ENGL-1302-020 Freshman Composition II

Prerequisites

ENGL 1301

Course Description

Extends and refines the writing skills developed in ENGL 1301. Readings in fiction, poetry and drama. Focus on rhetorical patterns, literary analysis, research methods and documentation.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Required textbook:

\ Carter, Judith, et al., ed. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302.

\ Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell.  Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing.  Compact 5th edition.  Boston: Heinle and Heinle, 2004.

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Supplies

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Student Performance

\ Student Performance / Learning Outcomes (minimum competencies):

\ After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

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1. \ Demonstrate an understanding of literary genres through reading a variety of literature representing different authors and time periods.
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2. \ Reinforce and enhance writing skills learned in English 131 by writing rhetorical and interpretive essays over works written in verse and prose.
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3. \ Know the basic vocabulary of literary and rhetorical analysis.
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4. \ Use the library, the computer resources in the English Writing Laboratory, or other resources in researching a topic.
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5. \ Evaluate sources, selecting appropriate evidence for a literary analysis research paper or several shorter researched essays on works of literature.
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6. \ Document primary and secondary sources in standard MLA form for citations and works cited; know the penalties for plagiarism
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

\ English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised January, 2009):

\ According to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct, "plagiarism is the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own written work."

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1. \ The use of someone else's exact words that are quoted but not cited or cited but not quoted.
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2. \ Using a citation at the end of a block of prose without clarifying which material is borrowed.
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3. \ Incomplete or missing works cited entries.
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\ Misdocumented plagiarism will receive a maximum 50 percent deduction for the first offense, and the student will be required to meet with the instructor.

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1. \ The use of someone else's exact words that are neither quoted nor cited.
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2. \ Paraphrasing someone else's words without citing them.
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3. \ The use of someone else's research without citing it.
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\ Undocumented plagiarism will receive a minimum penalty of 50 percent for the first time and 100 percent off for all subsequent infractions. The student will be required to meet with the instructor and the English Department Chair.

Grading Criteria

\ Grading criteria / Grading scale:

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\ 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; Below 60  = F

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\ If you know you will have to miss a class, please check with me in advance. I cannot give assignments or reteach the material to everyone who misses, so jot down the phone number of a classmate who can share notes and assignments with you when you have to be absent. If you cannot attend on a day when an assignment is due, send your work with someone else. All late work is penalized one letter grade per day it is late. In addition, all essays must be completed. Failure to complete an essay will result in a failing grade in the class. (If you have a special emergency, please talk with me as soon as possible. Don't wait until it is too late to get help.)

Attendance

\ Attendance Policy:

\ Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. You are responsible for providing evidence to substantiate any absence I consider excusing. If you know in advance that you will be absent, you would be wise to inform me. More than two unexcused absences will result in your final grade being lowered two points per incident. If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is November 16,  2011.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ Overview of assignments:

\ Research proposal
\ Your research paper proposal is a persuasive document (1-2 pages, typed and double-spaced) designed to convince your reader (me) that your topic, thesis, research methodology and schedule will result in an interesting, well-developed, persuasive and timely research paper.  Your research proposal will account for 10% of your grade.  

\ Annotated bibliography:
\ You will collect and compose an annotated bibliography (book or article citations with a brief summary and critical analysis of the content of each) of 10 sources, which will serve as the source material for your research paper.  The annotated bibliography will account for 15% of your grade. 

\ Research paper:
\ Your major project in this class will be a research paper on a topic of your choice (which must be approved in your research proposal).  This paper will be at least 1200 words in length and will account for 20% of your grade. 

\ Short story analysis:
\ You will write a critical analysis of a short story found in the textbook.  Successful papers will choose a particular literary element or theme (accompanied by an arguable thesis) and develop it in a 2-3 page, typed and double-spaced document.  The short story analysis will account for 15% of your grade. 

\ Poetry analysis:
\ You will write a critical analysis of one or more poems found in the textbook.  Successful papers will choose a particular literary element or theme (accompanied by an arguable thesis) and develop it in a 2-3 page, typed and double-spaced document.  The poetry analysis will account for 15% of your grade. 

\ Paper drafts:
\ Your research paper and annotated bibliography require typed drafts to be turned in before the actual papers are due.  Failure to produce these on time will result in a reduction of one letter grade on your final papers. 

\ Daily quizzes:
\ I will give periodic, unannounced quizzes over your reading assignments.  These will be averaged and will account for 15% of your grade.