Integrated Reading & Writing 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.

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-0303-002 Integrated Reading & Writing

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENGL 0301 and RDNG 0321-minimum grade of C or acceptable TSI or Accuplacer reading and writing scores

Course Description

Integration of critical reading and academic writing skills. The course fulfills TSI requirements for reading and/or writing.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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.

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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.

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbook

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Your textbook for this class is an e-book. All readings, quizzes, and grammar assignments are accessed through your e-book. To log in to your course and e-book, you will need to purchase a Connect access code from the bookstore.

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If you have questions regarding your textbooks call the AC Bookstore at (806) 371-5307.

Supplies

Other Supplies

• notebook paper
• pen, pencil
• jump/flash/USB drive for saving work

Student Performance

Course Objectives

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By the end of this course, students will . . .

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1. Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying lengths.
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2. Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing.
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3. Identify and analyze audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
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4. Describe and apply insights gained from reading and writing a variety of texts.
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5. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate reading comprehension, clear focus, logical development of ideas, and use of appropriate language that advance the writer's purpose.
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6. Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and writing situations.
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7. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating the ideas and words of other wriers instduent writing using established strategies.
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8. Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information in recognizing, formulating, and developing a claim.
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9. Develop and use effective reading and revision strategies to strengthen teh writer's ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
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10. Recognize and apply the conventions of standard English in reading and writing.
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Additional Learning Objectives

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1. Analyze and write a variety of texts (500-750 words each) in different rhetorical modes focusing on the development of multi-paragraph texts and academic essays.
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2. Utilize basic computer technology including such things as composing a document in MLA style with a word processing program, communicating using email, and accessing course information on the college's learning management system.
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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

Behavior

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All rules and regulations set forth in the "Student Code of Conduct" section in the current edition of the Student's Rights and Responsibilities publication will be followed in this course. It is the student's responsibility to obtain a copy of the handbook from the Dean of Student Services Office and to become familiar with the contents and provisions of the college’s policies, rules, and regulations concerning student conduct.

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

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Be courteous to students and instructor: Please turn off all electronic devices (like cell phones) before class.

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• Please do not text during class. If you are expecting an important call, please let me know ahead of time, set your phone to vibrate, and sit next to the door so you can take the call without disrupting class.
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• Please do not talk to classmates when the instructor is speaking.
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Be prompt and attentive: Arrive before class begins, and stay until you are dismissed.

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Plagiarism

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Amarillo College English Department Plagiarism Policy, revised Spring 2013

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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. 

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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.

Grading Criteria

Grade Criteria

Final grades will be determined by successful completion of all assigned writing and reading projects. In order to pass this class, your final grade must at or above a 70 percent.  Grades will be based on the following system:

• A   90-100= high achievement
• B   80-89= above average achievement
• C   70-79= satisfactory achievement
• D   60-69= unsatisfactory achievement
• F    0-59= unacceptable

Your final grade for this course will be calculated according the following weights:

• 20%  Final Exam: Reading and Writing
• 15%  Minor Assignments
• 50%  Essays and Tests
• 15%  Connect

Students are responsible to keep copies of all their work. When you turn in an assignment, be sure you have saved a copy and/or a hard copy.  Save your work diligently and carefully.

If you are unsatisfied with the score you received on an essay or any assignment, please meet with me to discuss your grade.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected to attend all classes. Because of the collaborative nature of this course and the fact that success in this course depends on continuous practice and constant direction from the instructor, missing even one class can interfere with your grade. Absences start on the first scheduled day on which the class meets.

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

Students are expected to sign in the attendance sheet in class every day, keep up with the class calendar, and do all assignments on time.  You need to email the instructor when an email is sent to you and requests information. Read your email at least twice a week.  Regular class involvement is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to sign the attendance sheet every class day and to complete all assignments.

A grade will be given for attendance. You are allowed two absences.  After these two absences, points will be taken away from you attendance/class participation grade.  Your grade will begin as 100 and be reduced with each absence after two.        

2 absences       no penalty, grade is 100
3 absences       grade reduced to 90
4 absences       grade reduced to 80
5 absences       grade reduced to 70
6 absences       grade reduced to 60
7 or more         grade reduced to 50

Withdrawal

If you consider withdrawing, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in this course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.   Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.  Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.

Students are responsible for official withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course.  A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before the withdrawal deadline: November 18, 2014.  Students may withdraw via WebAdvisor, by meeting with their academic advisor, by meeting with Advising Department staff or at any of the Assistance Center counters. Withdrawal requests will not be accepted by telephone.

Calendar

Additional Information

Late Work

Late assignments will receive a 10% penalty per day they are late (including weekends). I will not accept late work more than three days after the due date. I understand that technical problems occur and life issues sometimes interfere with assignments, but I am counting on your commitment to this class despite life's setbacks. Work on assignments ahead of their due dates. Save work diligently and carefully. If a situation arises that interferes with your turning in work in a timely manner, please email or call me before the assignment due date.

Tutoring

You are always welcome to make an appointment with me, your instructor, to get help with your writing. However, if an appointment with me does not work for you, I encourage you to seek tutoring through one of Amarillo College's helpful and free services. Remember that you are required to seek tutoring through Writers' Corner on each of the main writing assignments.

• Writers' Corner:  The Writers' Corner is in Ordway Hall, Room 102. You can make an appointment with a tutor or walk in. The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580
• Smarthinking: In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an online tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. This service is available nights and weekends. Access instructions are located in Blackboard.