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.

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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-1301-020 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. The Concise Wadsworth Handbook packeged with the two semester InSite card 4th edition.  Boston: Cengage, 2014.

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\ A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. Haden McNeil 1st ED: 2013

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\ * Students need to purchase their textbooks new in the AC Bookstore to receive the InSite Brochure. (If you have questions regarding your textbooks call the AC Bookstore at (806) 371-5307.)

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Supplies

One wide ruled 70 page spiral notebook- one subject for assignments and notes.  Pen: black or blue ink.

1 Jump/Flash/USB drive.

Student Performance

\ ENGL 1301 Composition I

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\ 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.

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\ 2.     Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.

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

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

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\ 5.     Use Edited American English in academic essays.

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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 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

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.

\ \

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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Etiquette of the Classroom

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1.  No talking while the instructor or other students are talking.  It is rude and annoying, and it results in class members (including yourself) not hearing the instructions for our assignments.

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2.  Avoid coming in to class late.  Students who come in late make noise and disturb others. It is disrespectful and annoying and rude.  Besides, it makes you unprepared for what we are doing in class, resulting in frustration for you and the instructor. Two tardies will be counted as an absence for toward your grade.

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3.  No leaving the classroom unless it is absolutely necessary.  It is distracting.  Go to the bathroom and get a drink of water before you come to class. Do not leave to answer a cell phone. If you do get up to answer, or answer in class, you will be counted absent for the day, and will be asked to leave.

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4.  Turn off cell phones, pagers, beepers (including those on your watch).  Also, cell phones will not be allowed on desks.  Keep you cell phone in your pocket, backpack, or purse, and put it on silent or vibrate.  If you answer your cell phone in class, you will be asked to leave and not return for the day. Exceptions to this rule are emergencies. No music devices of any kind will be allowed during class time.

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5.  No sleeping in class.  Your snoring may bother others.

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6.  Bring all supplies to class.  (This includes pencils, pens, highlighters, books, etc.)  Borrowing supplies takes up time and is distracting.

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7.  Do not take vacations during the semester.  You will be far behind in work, and most of it is not available for make-up.

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8.  Class is not dismissed until the I dismisses it.  Do not pack up belongings, do not stand up, and do not leave until the instructor dismisses the class.

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9.  Create an atmosphere of respect in the classroom.  People should feel comfortable in their classrooms.  There will be no arguing, snickering, belittling, harassment, or making fun of any other people in this classroom.  (By the way, the instructor can see you laughing or rolling your eyes, etc.)  Encourage each other.

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10.  Smile.

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11.  Participate in the class discussions.   You're getting a grade.

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12.  Don’t cheat.

Grading Criteria

Tentative and Subject to Change

45% Essay Works (in-class and out-of-class writings)

10% Journal

20% Homework Assignments, Rough Drafts and Critiques, and Exams (anything not essay)

10% Attendance and Participation

15% Final in-class Essay

The final grade is affected positively by class participation as well as the grades made on assignments.  These may be based on class rules given to students at the same time as the syllabus and thus become part of the syllabus. Each absence is treated as a percentage of your attendance grade.

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

No late work will be accepted after one week unless there is a valid reason.  After the due date, there will be a penalty of  10 points per day subtracted from the grade given for the paper when graded. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, email your work to me through AC Online on or before its due date or upload it to the appropriate location.

Attendance

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

Attendance is reflected in your grade. Each absence is treated as a percentage of your attendance and participation grade.

No late work will be accepted after one week. After the due date, there will be a penalty of 10 points per day subtracted from the grade that would have been given if the paper were not late. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, upload the paper to InSite if that is required for the assignment, or email your work to me through AC Online on or before its due date if it is not due on InSite.

If you are absent with cause, talk to me immediately.

Two tardies will count as an additional absence and be reflected in your grade.

 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 drops this semester is November 18, 2014.

 

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

\ All students will be required to seek tutoring either in the Writers’ Corner, with InSite’s Personal Tutor, or with SmartThinking for one essay. All homework assignments will be submitted via InSite.