Composition II 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.

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

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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-1302-027 Composition II

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENGL 1301

Course Description

Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based expository and persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions.

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.

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In addition to the course description, the skills taught in this course will be primarily achieved through the study of literature. Also, in addition to the learning outcomes, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of literary genres and the basic vocabulary of literary analysis, as well as write a researched literary analysis paper that utilizes peer review.

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302: A Custom Publication for Amarillo College.  First Edition.   

     Amarillo College English Department. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, 2013. Print.

 

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  LIT. MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.

 

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  The Concise Wadsworth Handbook with InSite Card  

     (2 semester card).  4th  Edition.  MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2014.  

Students must purchase access to the InSite program and submit work with this program, or they will not pass this course.

 

Supplies

A word processing program and a computer with reliable Internet access would be benificial to all students taking an online class.  Students must buy access to and submit some assignments through the InSite program. Students may use the Engli

Student Performance

\ After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

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\ 1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.

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\ 2. Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.

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\ 3. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.

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\ 4. Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.

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\ 5. Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA. CMS, MLA, etc.)

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\ In addition to the course description, the skills taught in this course will be primarily achieved through the study of literature.  Also, in addition to the learning outcomes, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of literary genres and the basic vocabulary of literary analysis, as well as write a researched literary analysis that utilizes peer review.

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

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT:

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.

 The classroom environment for this class 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 anyone will not be tolerated in this class.

 

 Amarillo College 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.

Grading Criteria

Grade Percentages:

15% Reading Quizzes

10% Discussions

60% Writings (3 papers)

15% Final Exam

 

Grade Schema

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

 

LATE WORK:    No late work is accepted

Attendance

Students are expected to sign into Blackboard and InSite and do the work according to the calendar due dates published in Blackboard/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.

WITHDRAWING FROM A CLASS:

It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or 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: 4/23/15. 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.

 

The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time in fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. There are certain exceptions to this policy and petitions for exceptions should be directed to the Registrar.

 

If during the semester you consider dropping this class, 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 4/23/15.  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

TUTORING:

Free tutoring is available through two sources: The Writers’ Corner and Smarthinking. The Writers’ Corner is on the first floor of Ordway Hall in room 102. It is suggested that you make an appointment at the Writers’ Corner, but you can also drop by for tutoring.  The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Friday.  You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580

In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an on-line tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. 

InSite also has a tutoring service.  See the program for details.

FEED BACK AND GRADING TIMELINE

Feedback is a response to an inquiry.  An example of feedback is when a student sends a question to an instructor, and the instructor answers the question back.  You can reach me in three ways: in person, by phone, or by email.  You can visit with me after or before class, during my office hours, or by appointment. You can leave a message for me on my voice mail.  It will be at least 24 hours for me to respond to you back when I receive your voice mail.  I usually answer voice mail Monday through Thursday and sometimes on Friday. I look at my email several times a day.  I often also look at email on the weekends.  It might take as long as 24 hours to answer you during the week and 48 hours to answer you on the weekend.  Email is the fastest way to receive a response back from me.  You may use my regular work email or email me through AC Online (Blackboard). I do not use any other media or network for my classes.

Remember that when you have questions that you need to contact me well before an assignment is due.  For example, 11 p.m. may be too late to hear from me when a project is due at midnight or the next morning.  You might not get an answer to your communication until the next day.

The grading response time is usually three to ten days for me to return a graded essay or exam to you.  Other work is usually graded in 3-5 days.