Composition I Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List
Instructor Information
Instructor
Monte Wells (Curriculum Vitae)Office Hours
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-1301-013 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
\\
\\ The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.
\\
\\ 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.
\\
\\ 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.
\\
\\ 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.
\\
\\ 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.
\\
\\ 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.
\\
Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
\ Required textbooks are Good Reasons by Lester Faigley and Jack Selzer and A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. These should be available in the AC Bookstore.
Supplies
\ Students will need a lined notebook, pen, highlighter, and thumb drive to save documents.
Student Performance
\ Students will be able to:
\- \
- \ Analyze and write essays (500-750 words) utilizing different rhetorical modes. \
- \
Evaluate written ex
pression by reviewing the rhetorical elements of situation, audience, purpose, and point of view. \
- \ Understand that writing is a process that includes planning, orgainizing, composing, revising, and editing. \
- \ Compose complete and grammatically correct sentences. \
- \ Generate an appropriate thesis statement and develop major supporting points in a reasonable and logical manner. \
- \ Apply standard American English syntax, usage, and mechanics in editing and writing essays. \
- \ Utilize basic computer technology including such things as composing a document in MLA style with word processor, communicating using email, and learning about the college's learning management system. \
- \ Research a topic of interest, take a stance, and produce a project indicating and communicating a full understanding of the topic. \
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog 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 publication will be follwed in this course. It is the student's responsibility to obtain a copy of the handbook from the Dean of Student Services Office.
\\ English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised January, 2009):
\\ Plagiarism:
\\ 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."
\\ Misdocumented Plagiarism:
\\ 1. Using someone else's exact words that are quoted but not cited or cited but not quoted.
\\ 2. Using a citation at the end of a block of prose without clarifying which material is borrowed.
\\ 3. Incomplete or missing works cited entries.
\\ Misdocumented plagiarism will receive a maximum 50 percent deduction for the first offense, and the student will be required to meet with the instructor.
\\ Undocumented Plagiarism:
\\ 1. Using someone else's exact words that are neither quoted nor cited.
\\ 2. Paraphasing someone else's words without citing them.
\\ 3. Using someone else's research without citing it.
\\ Undocumented plagiarism will receive a maximum 50 percent deduction for the first offense and 100 percent off all subsequent infractions. The student will be required to meet with the instructor and the English department chair.
\\ Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies. Check with a counselor or advisor before withdrawing from any class.
\Grading Criteria
\ Final grades will be determined by quizzes, exercises, and successful completion of all assigned writing and reading projects. In order to pass this class, students must turn in all of their work and score an average of 70 or better for the course. Grades will be based on the following system:
\\ A 90-100=high achievement
\\ B 80-89=above average achievement
\\ C 70-79=satisfactory achievement
\\ D 69-69=unsatisfactory achievement
\\ F 0-59=unacceptable
\\
\\ Students who do not make a C (70) or better for English 0302 must re-enroll in the course and receive credit for it before enrolling in English 1301.
\\ To receive credit for English 0302, students must have a 70 average or above, according to the following scale:
\\
\ All work is due on the date assigned. The class calendar is usually followed, but it is always subject to change. Regular attendance is necessary so that a student will be aware of any class changes. It is recommended that he or she exchange phone numbers with another student in the event that he or she must be absent. If a student is absent, the student should check with a classmate to see what he or she missed. Absence is not an excuse for failure to be prepared for every class. Being absent does not excuse students from assignments due on the day they return or that were due in their absence. No in-class daily work or homework may be made up.
\\
\Attendance
\ Students are expected to attend all classes. Because of the collaborative nature of this course and the fact that success in this course depends on continuous practice and constant direction from the instructor, missing even one class can interfere with a student's grade. Absences start on the first scheduled day on which the class meets.
\\ Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.
Calendar
Week One: July 8-11
Intorduce class and go over syllabus.
Interview a fellow class member.
Diagnostic Essay
"The Border Patrol State" Silko, from Ch. 11 of Good Reasons
Essay One - Narrative
Week Two: July 15-18
Essay Two - Descriptive
In class analysis and drafting.
S-V Agreement
Editing and Revising of rough drafts
Week 3: July 22-25
Major Assignment - Evaluative Argument
Ch. 10 "Gangsta Rap and the American Culture"
Compound and Complex Sentences
Week 4: July 29- August 1
Major Assignment - Visual Argument
Ch. 6 Student Essay "Got Riddick"
Begin Research Plan
Week 5: August 5-8
Continue Research
Audience, Purpose, Rhetorical Focus, tone
Week 6: August 12-15
Exam Practice and in class Final.
Grammar concepts may be quizzed after instruction and practice.
Additional Information
I value promptness and punctuality. Please be on time.
Please keep cell phones off and away during the entirety of class.
Please arrange your calendar in such a way as to be present for every class meeting, but especially the mideterm and final.
Emails and other communications must be precise and professional. I will not read text-talk.
Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM