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

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-1301-005 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.

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Rhetoric Handbook for 1301 & 1302

Concise Wadsworth Handbook with Insite Access Card

You must purchase access to the InSite program and submit work with this program or you will not pass this course.

Supplies

None.

Student Performance

Students are expected to complete all work in order to pass the class.

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

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. 

The classroom and online environment is based upon a simple principle: the instructor commits to treat you with respect, and you commit to treat each other and the instructor with respect. Everyone is equally responsible for maintaining a respectful dialogue, attitude, and classroom. Disrespectful behavior towards the instructor or another student will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior can range from major to minor infractions.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:

The maximum possible percentages for each assignment are as follows:

Weekly Discussion Assignments (10 assignments)        10 %

Email Diagnostic Assignment                                         2 %

Diagnostic Assignment                                                    2 %

Introduction Essay                                                           10 %

Research Topic Proposal                                                7 %

Summary Response Paper 1                                           10 %

Summary Response Paper 2                                           10 %

Rhetorical Appeals Assignment                                      7 %

Peer Edit Research Paper                                              7 %

Researched Argument Essay                                          15 %

Final Timed Essay Exam                                                 10 %

Grammar assignments (10 assignments)                       10 %

Total for the course                                                   100 %

 GRADING SCALE:

(90-100%)                     90-100 = A

(80-89%)                    80-89 = B

(70-79%)                    70-79 = C

(60-69%)                    60-69 = D

(0-59%)            59 and below = F

Attendance

Students are expected to sign into Blackboard and InSite and do the work according to the calendar due dates published in Blaxckboard/AC Online. This is an online class, so students need to check their email and the course in Blackboard several times a week to make sure they keep up with announcements and any possible changes for the semester.

 If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in this course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.  Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is April 23, 2015.

 Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.  Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.

Calendar

Additional Information

This course uses Blackboard and Insite programs for course content and for submitting work. Students must submit work through these programs in order to pass this course.