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.

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

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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-1301-017 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 the textbook listed below:

• A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302, Amarillo College Department, 1st Edition

The textbook is available through the Washington St. Campus Bookstore.  

Supplies

A Jump/Flash/USB to save your computer work in writing or computer labs 

Access to a computer outside of class for writing essays and taking reading quizzes.  If you do not have a personal computer  be sure to in

Student Performance

ENGL 1301 Composition 1

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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, communication, 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 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:  Late work will suffer a 15% point reduction if it is turned in after the due date.  Late work turned in one week after the due date will receive a zero.    

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

Grading Criteria

Reading Quizzes - 160 points

Essay 1 – 150 points

Essay 2 – 200 points

Annotated Bibliography – 100 points

Research Project – 200 points

Writer’s Workbook – 200 points

Tutoring, 10 points each (2 sessions required) – 20 points

Library, 10 points for participating in the presentation, 5 points each for 2 completed worksheets on a source relating to your research paper – 20 points 

Final Essay Exam – 150 points

Essay 1, Essay 2, the Research Project, the Writer’s Workbook and the Final Essay Exam are required for passing this class.  If you fail to turn in any one of these assignments, you will automatically fail this class.  

Tutoring:  For Essay 2 and the Research Project, you will need to utilize the tutoring services available to you at the Writers' Corner.  Each required session will be worth 10 points.   

Extra Credit:  If you are interested in extra credit please schedule a conference with me so we can look at your work and determine together what additional assignments would be beneficial.  Extra credit assignments will be short assignments worth 5 points each and may include tutoring in the Writers’ Corner.  Conferences with me over your work will also count as extra credit and will be worth 5 points.  

All grades will be kept in Blackboard.  You can check your grades by clicking the My Grades link in your ACConnect Course Menu.  Grades are based on a total of 1,200 possible points.  

1,080 to 1,200 points = A

960 to 1,079 points = B 

840 to 959 points = C

720 to 839 points = D

0 to 707 points = F

Attendance

Attendance is required. 

10 points will be deducted from your total points for each absence.  5 points will be deducted from your total points for each class for arriving late or departing before dismissal.  

Being prepared is also a requirement.  You will need your textbook, binder, completed assignments, and flash drive.  5 points will be deducted for not having necessary items.

Calendar

Additional Information

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