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-1301-049 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

You will need each of the textbooks listed below:

• 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. 

Supplies

You will need a Jump/Flash/USB to save your computer work in writing or computer labs.  You will need access to a computer outside of class for both reading assignments and writing, so if you do not have a personal computer  be sure to includ

Student Performance

ENGL 1301 Composition 1

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, communication, 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 following the MLA format for citing sources.

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.

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.  Peer reviews are in-class opportunities and cannot be made up. 

Should you need an exception for a serious family or medical emergency, contact me before you are absent about an extension.  The main thing is communication. 

Grading Criteria

Peer reviews of rough drafts, pop quizzes, and tutoring - 20%

Annotated Bibliography - 5%

Thesis and Outline - 5%

Directed Journal - 15%

Personal Narrative Essay - 10%

Visual Analysis Essay - 15%

Proposal Argument - 20%

Final Essay Exam - 10%

 

Peer Reviews:

You will be involved in class in peer assessments where you will have an opportunity to read each other's rough drafts and make recommendations.  These grades cannot be made up outside of class.  Attendance is required. 

Pop quizzes:

Pop quizzes will cover material from lectures and reading assignments.

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.  Every tutoring session you attend and verify will count as a grade (100).

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. 

Directed Journal Assignments:  You have 10 graded short writing assignments that will test your knowledge and understanding of the assigned lecture and reading materials.  They will be graded individually and count for 10% of your grade.  This grade counts as your 4th essay, as it will involve a considerable amount of writing and compositional skill. 

Essays:  Essays, including the research paper, will count for 65% of your grade.  Printed copies of rough drafts will be due in class so that you may participate in peer assessments.  Rough drafts and final copies of all essays will be turned in on InSite. 

All grades will be kept in Blackboard.  You can check your grades by clicking the My Grades link in your ACConnect Course Menu.  Standard grading applies: 

90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 0-59 = F

Attendance

Regular attendance is required. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Log is 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 the Human Resources, use "Exchange."  All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".