Composition I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

Blackboard 

Office Hours

Please contact me via email with any questions or concerns. 

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-1301-031 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):

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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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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.

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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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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Carter, Judith L., et al. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 5th ed. Mason: Cengage, 2012. Print.*

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. The Concise Wadsworth Handbook. 3rd ed. Boston: Cengage, 2011. Print. Enhanced InSite package. **

McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York: Vintage International, 2007. Print.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Seventh Edition. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Print.

Orwell, George, and Erich Fromm. 1984. New York, N.Y: Signet Classic, 1961. Print.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Clayton, Delaware: Prestwick House, 2005. Print.

*These books are available for purchase only at the AC Bookstore.

** Students need to purchase their textbooks new in the AC Bookstore to receive the Enhanced InSite Brochure. This brochure contains a PIN that is essential for the course. (If you have questions regarding your textbooks call the AC Bookstore at [806] 371-5307.)

Supplies

A jump/flash/USB drive for saving work would be extremely helpful. While I encourage you to keep a notebook, the only absolute requirements for each class meeting are:

Lined notebook or composition book

Pen

Previously taken note

Student Performance

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.

  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

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

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.

As the instructor, I am committed to treating students with respect and dignity. I expect the same in return, and I expect you as students to treat each other with respect and dignity. Disrespect will not be tolerated.

Grading Criteria

15% Essay One- Summary-Response

15% Essay Two- Personal/Letter of Application

15% Essay Three- Research Proposal or Rhetorical Analysis

30% Researched Argument

10% Daily work, quizzes, class participation, rough drafts, and peer review

15% Final Exam/Semester Test (in-class essay)

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

Late work Policy: Late work will NOT be accepted. If you cannot attend class on the day an essay is due, plan to turn the essay in early or make arrangements for someone to submit your paper. I always accept work turned in early.

Work must be made up within one day of absence. Students should make up work missed due to a school trip before the trip occurs. If this is not possible, they should make up the assignment the day they return. Pre-announced assignments (outside of class essays, etc.) are due on the day announced. There is no late work accepted.

All scheduled essays/exams are required.  No "extra credit" or "dropped grades" are available.  In the rare instance that I offer an extra exam, that offer is granted to all students, regardless of their current average.

Reading:

Reading assignments will include The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and 1984 by George Orwell as well as many of the readings from your book(s).  These will occur throughout the semester with most reading completed outside of class.

Writing:

Personal Essay, Summary-Response, Rhetorical Analysis, Researched Argument, various journaling assignments. Specific dates will follow based on difficulties with the school schedule.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.

When you must miss for a school trip or some other reason, you should come to the very next tutorial session if an assignment took place during the class period that you missed.  Any outside of class work is due the very next day.

Calendar

Calendar

 Tentative Course Schedule

Note: Announcements will take place at the beginning of class; it is imperative that you get to class on time. Read all assigned selections before class, and be prepared for class discussions. Mechanical failures such as printers breaking, ink becoming depleted, computers crashing are not acceptable excuses to miss a deadline since assignments are given weeks in advance. As a rule of thumb, do not wait to print something the night before it is due.

English 1301-Crosswhite           RH = A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302

Fall 2014                                 CWH = The Concise Wadsworth Handbook 4th Edition

Tentative Course Schedule

 Note:  All announcements will take place at the beginning of class.  It is imperative that you get to class on time.  Please read all assigned selections before class, and be prepared for class discussions.

Week 1:                      

  • Syllabus
  • “English Department Plagiarism Policy”
  • Writing #1

Week 2   Labor Day – No School

  • Notes: Grammar outline
  • CWH: Review, practice, recognize, and check  Sound Sentences
  • RH: “ Basic Structure of an essay, MLA style, “What I Can I Put in My Three-Part Essay,” “How Purpose Determines the Structure of an Essay”
  • CWH: Read Ch. 1 & 2
  • Notes/Handouts
  • Reading: The Road by McCarthy

Week 3:

  • Revised Writing #2
  • CWH: Read Ch. 3
  • RH: “Words and Phrases to Avoid in College –Level Academic Writing”
  • What is Rhetorical Analysis?
  • RH: “Identifying Rhetorical Appeals in Written and Visual Arguments”
  • Quiz: Sound Sentences
  • Reading/Discussion: The Road by McCarthy

Week 4:

  • CWH: Types of Sentences
  • Recognize/Practice varied sentences
  • Writing #2
  • Notes/Handouts
  • Reading/Discussion: The Road by McCarthy

Week 5:          

  • CWH:  Read Ch. 4 & 5
  • Practice varied sentences
  • Writing #2 due
  • Continue Rhetorical Analysis
  • Novel Assessment over The Road

Week 6:

  • Quiz: Varied Sentences
  • CWH: Read Ch. 6
  • Writing #3
  • Notes/Handouts
  • Reading: 1984 by Orwell

Week 7:

  • Handouts: Notes and Practice: “Using Clauses to Build Sentences”
  • Writing #3
  • CWH: Read Ch. 7 & 9
  • Topics/Research Paper
  • Reading: 1984 by Orwell  

 Week 8       Field and Research -- Library

  • CWH: Read Ch. 41 & 42
  • Practice Analyzing Written Arguments
  • Writing: Rhetorical Analysis
  • CWH: Practice Clauses?
  • Research Paper discussion
  • Reading: 1984 by Orwell  

 Week 9          

  • Quiz: Clauses
  • Review: Rhetorical Appeals (written)
  • Research Process
  • CWH: Read Ch. 43 & 44
  • Reading: 1984 by Orwell  

Week 10:

  • CWH: Read Ch. 45 & 46
  • RH: “How to Find and Document Sources Using MLA Style,” “Incorporating Quotations,” “MLA Parenthetical Citations
  • Reading: 1984 by Orwell

 Week 11:

  • CWH: Read Ch. 47
  • RH:  Works Cited Page
  • Practice MLA format
  • Handouts: Notes and Practice: Using Phrases to Improve Sentences
  • 1984 Novel Assessment

Week 12:

  • Opportunities for Guided Research
  • Check Phrase Practice
  • Drafts and Peer Review
  • Reading: Macbeth by Shakespeare

Week 13:

  • Drafts and Peer Review
  • Opportunities for Guided Research
  • Quiz: Using Phrases to Improve Sentences
  • CWH: Read Ch 18
  • Reading: Macbeth by Shakespeare

 Last day to drop class: November 18, 2014

Week 14:     Research Paper  is due (including all other items—See assignment  handout)                              

 Week 15:        

  • Practice: Sentences
  • Final Exam preparation
  • Reading: Macbeth by Shakespeare

 Week 16:         Final Exam: In-Class writing – Dec. 11-20, 2014

*Please note: schedule is tentative and subject to change due to students’ instructional need and high school scheduling; objectives, however, will remain consistent.

 

Additional Information

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Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM