Freshman Composition I Syllabus for 2011-2012
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ENGL-1301-028 Freshman Composition I

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331 and ENGL 0302-minimum grade of C or scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading and writing skills

Course Description

Principles of effective writing, emphasizing organization of materials to produce a unified essay which supports convincingly a thesis statement. Review of conventional elements of writing and introduction to rhetorical analysis.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ No textbook is required for the online version of this course.
\  

Supplies

• Access to computer with Internet
• Access to word processing program
• Notebooks, pens, and pencils
• USB flash drive

Student Performance

\ 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:

\
1. \ Understand basic rhetorical concepts: subject, audience, purpose, and appeals.
\
2. \ Apply rhetorical concepts in analyzing and evaluating text.
\
3. \ Use standard American English to write essays that are rhetorically effective: clear, organized, detailed,grammatically correct, and audience specific.
\
4. \ Use the library’s online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing.
\
5. \ Write a third person, argumentative research paper following the MLA format for citing sources.
\

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

CLASSROOM POLICY:

Cell phones must either be turned off or silenced during class. Consequently, students who use their phone in ANY capacity may be asked to leave.

E-MAIL ETIQUETTE:

E-mails sent to your instructors must be addressed and signed. E-mails, like all academic work, should be carefully scrutinized by their senders, as the senders’ professionalism is reflected in the grammar, spelling and structure of the e-mail. E-mails should never look like text messages that contain slang words or heavily abbreviated terms. E-mails that do not meet the aforementioned criteria will not be answered.

Grading Criteria

10%   Journals

60%   Paragraphs and essays (in-class and out) and revisions, totaling at least 45 words

20%   Final in-class essay

10%   Attendance and Participation (Discussion Boards and In-Class)

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

No late work will be accepted without prior approval. Absent students must still submit work on time.

Attendance

Regular attendance is required and is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. Two or more absences in a class will be considered excessive and could contribute to a failing grade. It is imperative that you communicate with me when an emergency arises.   If you must stop attending, withdraw officially by the deadline; otherwise, I must record an F for the semester. Students with no absences will receive additional points at the end of the semester.

If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan, one that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is April 19, 2012.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ Essays: Essays must be at least 500 words and typed, double-spaced. (You have the option of writing your timed, supervised final exam essay by hand if you are not a fast typist.) Essays will be graded on content, organization, style, and grammatical accuracy.

\ We will write four essays, and the final exam will be an essay.

\ Final Exam: The final exam will be an essay exam with a choice of topics.  You will choose one topic and then write or type a 500-800 word essay.  This essay must be written under supervision on an Amarillo College campus, or proctoring arrangements must be made with me.