Composition I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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Student Withdrawal Procedures

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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-1301-011 Composition I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

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.

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 Services Center Room 119, Phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302:  A Custom Publication for Amarillo College. First Edition.  Amarillo College English

\      Department. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, 2013.
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\ Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  The Concise Wadsworth Pocket Handbook with InSite Card (2 semester card).

\      4th  Edition.  MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,  2014.

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Supplies

\ A word process program and a computer with reliable Internet access would be useful.  Students may use the English writing Lab in Ordway Hall, Room 101, on the Washington Street Campus during regular hours of operation.

\ Flash disk

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. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.

\ 2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.

\ 3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.

\ 4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.

\ 5. Use edited American English in academic essays.

\ 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 that follows the MLA format for citing sources and utilizes peer review.

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

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.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Please turn off your iPods, iPads, MP3 players, and cell phones before class starts and leave them off.  Because these devices are disruptive, do not answer the phone or text during class.  Should there be a family situation, which requires your attention, please inform me before class, set your phone on vibration, and sit near the exit. Laptops and audio recorders are not to be used in the classroom unless you have made arrangements with disAbilities Services Office and me.  Audio recorders tend to prevent some students from asking questions or making comments in class.  Your listening and note-taking skills will come in handy in recording class lectures and discussions. On the brighter side: You may use your iPads and land/or laptop computers during the research paper process.

 E-MAIL ETIQUETTE: Should you choose to communicate with me through e-mails, please use standard American English. Like all academic work, you should examine your e-mails since your credibility as a writer, who is enrolled in a composition course, is reflected in the grammar, spelling, and sentence structure of the e-mail.

Grading Criteria

20% Quizzes and homework

60% Paragraphs and essays (in-class and out) and revisions, totaling at least 4500 words

20% Final in-class essay

89.5-100= A,   79.5-89.5 = B,    69.5-78.5 = C,    59.5-68.5 = D,    Below 58.5 = F

LATE WORK:  "Late work" means "work is turned in after the due date."  Work turned in late will receive point deduction: one  day late - 15%, three days late - 30%, one week late - 50%, and anything turned in after one week will not be graded and will receive a zero.

Attendance

Regular Scheduled Classes:

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. Three 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. 

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 dropping this course is  November 18, 2014.

Calendar

Additional Information

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