Composition I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Frank Sobey (Curriculum Vitae)Phone
8063715472Office Location
WARE 210E
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-1301-041 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.
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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.
\ \Disability Statement:
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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.
Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)
Class Type
Hybrid
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
You will need each of the textbooks listed below:
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- The Concise Wadsworth Handbook, latest edition, with packaged Insite card \
- A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302, Amarillo College Department, 1st Edition \
Each textbook is available through the Washington St. Campus Bookstore. You will need them immediately.
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Supplies
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Student Performance
\ ENGL 1301 Composition I
\\
\\ 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.
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\\ 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 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
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.
\ \Late Work: All late work will suffer a 10% point reduction for every day late.
\ \Obviously, I make exceptions for serious family and medical emergencies. But you must contact me ASAP should a situation come up. Moreover, in the event of mass technical difficulties with Insite or Blackboard, I will extend deadlines. The main thing is communication. If you know you are going to be gone or if something comes up, contact me about a possible extension.
\ \Discussion Protocol: In your communication with other students and me, you must maintain a civil, nonthreatening tone of voice; refrain from insults, slurs, insensitive comments, and slang; and always conduct yourself in a manner appropriate to the academic environment and consistent with the general guidelines outlined in the AC Student Code of Conduct. We will have occasion to discuss contemporary moral, ethical, and/or political issues that may be divisive. Please be fair and restrained in how you engage others in the class. If a problem does occur, allow me to handle it first.
\ \Also, all of your communication should be edited and correctly formatted to the best of your ability. Do not use the sort of abbreviated vernacular that is useful for text messaging. Use a spellchecker. Address your audience, and sign off. In other words, I want you to adhere to the normal rules of polite but serious-minded conversation.
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Grading Criteria
Summary Response Assignments: There are 100 points available for this component of your total grade. This grade counts as your 4th essay, as it will involve a considerable amount of writing and compositional skill.
Minor Assignments: You have two minor assignments--an annotated bibliography and a thesis and outline, both of which are part of the researched argument you will turn in at the end of the semester. Each assignment is worth 30 points
3 Major Essays:
- Personal Narrative -- 75 points
- Rhetorical Analysis -- 150 points
- Proposal Argument -- 200 points
Tutoring: For each essay, you will need to utilize one of the tutoring services available to you: Writers' Corner, SmarThinking, Insite personal tutor, and/or the professional tutors in the library. Each session is worth 20 points.
Rough Draft: You will submit a rough draft for the 2nd and 3rd essays. Each draft is worth 10 points.
I might add assignments throughout the semester.
Final Exam -- 100 points
All grades will be kept in Blackboard.
Grading Schema:
89.5% - 100% = A
79.5% - less than 89.5% = B
69.5% - less than 79.5% = C
59.5% - less than 69.5% = D
0% - less than 59.5% = F
Attendance
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\\ 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.
\\ For online classes: Simply put, I do not take attendance formally. In a fast-paced class such as this one, however, you will need to be online every day or working ahead to do well.
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Calendar
The calendar is available in Blackboard.
Additional Information
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Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM