Composition I Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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Course

ENGL-1301-003 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

Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating and critical analysis.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\ Amarillo College English Department Plagiarism Policy, revised Spring 2013

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\ The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.

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\ Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.

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\ Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked.  To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized.  At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty. 

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\ Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero.  A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

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\ Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.

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\ In addition to the learning outcomes listed, students will be expected to use the library’s online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing. Also, all students will write a third person, argumentative research paper following the MLA format for citing sources.

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 2012.

Supplies

\ None.

Student Performance

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

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

\ All rules and regulations set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” section in the current edition of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities publicationwill be followed in this course. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the handbook from the Dean of Student Services Office and to become familiar with the contents and provisions of the college’s policies, rules, and regulations concerning student conduct.

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\ The environment for this class is based upon a simple principle: the instructor commits to treat you with respect, and you commit to treat each other and the instructor with respect. Everyone is equally responsible for maintaining a respectful dialogue and attitude. Disrespectful behavior towards anyone will not be tolerated in this online class.

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\ ENGLISH DEPARTMENT PLAGIARISM POLICY (Revised Jan. 2009):

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\ Plagiarism:

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\ 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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\ Misdocumented Plagiarism:

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\ 1.         Using 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.                  Missing or incomplete 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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\ Undocumented Plagiarism:

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\ 1.         Using 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.         Using 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

Feedback is a response to an inquiry.  An example of feedback is when a student sends a question to an instructor, and the instructor answers the question back.  You can reach me in three ways: in person, by phone, or by email.  You can visit with me after or before class, during my office hours, or by appointment. You can leave a message for me on my voice mail.  It will be at least 24 hours for me to respond to you back when I receive your voice mail.  I usually answer voice mail Monday through Thursday and sometimes on Friday. I look at my email several times a day.  I often also look at email on the weekends.  It might take as long as 24 hours to answer you during the week and 48 hours to answer you on the weekend.  Email is the fastest way to receive a response back from me.  You may use my regular work email or email me through AC Online. I do not use Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace for my classes.

Remember that when you have questions that you need to contact me well before an assignment is due.  For example, 11 p.m. may be too late to hear from me when a project is due at midnight or the next morning.  You might not get an answer to your communication until the next day.

The grading response time is usually three to seven days for me to return a graded paper or exam to you.  Home work and class work is usually graded by the next class meeting.

Grading and assignments: Your essays will be graded according to the criteria based on the MLA Manuscript Guidelines, Standard American English, and the assignment instructions. The point totals will be doubled for the researched argumentation-persuasion paper.

All assignments must be submitted according to the deadline schedule posted in the calendar section of the course. No work is accepted late.  

The quizzes, discussions, and the final must be finished before the end of the due date to earn credit.

The maximum possible points for each assignment are as follows:

Email, 1^st week                                                            25 points

Diagnostic Writing, 1^st week                                      25 points

Introduction essay                                                      100 points

Evaluative Essay                                                          150 points

Reflection/Response Essay                                      100 points

Researched Argument Essay                                    200 points

Final Timed Essay Exam                                            100 points

Research Topic Proposal                                             50 points

5 grammar assignments (20 points each)              100 points

2 rhetorical précis papers (75 points each)              150 points

Total points for the course:.....................................1000 points

GRADING SCALE:

(90-100%)                     900-1000 = A

(80-89.99%)                    800-899 = B

(70-79.99%)                    700-799 = C

(60-69.99%)                    600-699 = D

                (0-59.99%)            599 and below = F

Attendance

This is an online course.  You are expected to log in and follow the calendar for reading, home work, writing, discussion, quiz and exam  assignments. You are expected to turn in work by the deadline posted in the course calendar.  No late work is accepted in this class.

Last day to withdraw from a class is June 26, 2013.

It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before the withdrawal deadline. (Please refer to your WebAdvisor account for “My Important Course Section Dates” to obtain withdrawal deadlines.) Students may withdraw via WebAdvisor, by meeting with their academic advisor, by meeting with Advising Department staff or at any of the Assistance Center counters. Withdrawal requests will not be accepted by telephone.

The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time in fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. There are certain exceptions to this policy and petitions for exceptions should be directed to the Registrar.

Calendar

Additional Information

Technical Assistance is available at the AC Help Center.  Call then at 806-371-5000 or email them at http://www.actx.edu/contact/. 

The Distant Education Start page will give valuable information about starting the class http://www.actx.edu/de/index.php?module=menu&site_map=10.

 

Tutoring

Free tutoring is available through two sources: The Writers’ Corner and Smarthinking. The Writers’ Corner is on the first floor of Ordway Hall in room 102. It is suggested that you make an appointment at the Writers’ Corner, but you can also drop by for tutoring.  The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580

In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an on-line tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. This service is available nights and weekends. Access is in MyAC under the Academics tab and then the tutoring tab.  Follow the on-screen instructions.

Summer Tutoring is also available in the basement of Lynn Library this summer. The schedule (beginning May 28) is 1:30 pm – 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Room 016.