Composition I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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 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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Course

ENGL-1301-045 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

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. The Concise Wadsworth  Handbook packaged with the two semester InSite card.  3^rd edition.  Boston:  Cengage, 2011.

Carter, Judith, et al.  A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302.  Mason:  2010.

Supplies

Students need a place to take notes exclusively for English 1301.  A folder is also recommended.  Students need to keep all drafts and assignments returned to them for the duration of the semester.

Student Performance

\ STUDENT PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OUTCOMES (minimum competencies):

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\ 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.

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

Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program.  Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be asked to leave the classroom.  The classroom should be an environment of mutual respect, free from disturbances that interfere with students' ability to learn.

Grading Criteria

Major Essay Assignments 60 %

Assignments 30%

Final Exam 10%

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. Attending class on a regular basis greatly increases students' chance for success in the course.  Excessive absence will result in either the lowering of the student's final grade or an outright failure of the class.  If a student misses class, it is his / her responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the missed class period.  The student is responsible for obtaining all notes from the missed class.  If a student misses class on the day an assignment is due, they are still responsible for meeting the assignment's deadline.  Missing class does not excuse the student from meeting assignment due dates.

 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.

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Additional Information

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