Composition II Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course Information

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Course

ENGL-1302-DC004 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Amarillo College English Department.  A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 1st ed. Plymouth: Hayden McNeil, 2013. Print*

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LIT. Ed. Kirszner & Mandell: Wadsworth

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Web pages linked to syllabus.

Supplies

A computer with reliable access to the internet and a word processing program, such as Word or Works.  Open Office, Notepad, and Wordpad are not acceptable word processing programs for this course because their formatting features do not work with

Student Performance

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 reserach-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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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.

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**In addition to the course description, the skils 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.

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

Students will be in class on time, ready to learn, and will come to class prepared.

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Students will expeceted to use the library's online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing.  Also, all students will follow the MLA format for citing sources and utilizes peer review. 

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Students will also follow the 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.

\ \

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

Work Cited Drafts/Minor Assignments/Quizzes: 15%

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Discussions/Peer Reviews/Reflection Paper: 15%

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Final Exam Essay Timed: 10%

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Essays (Other than the final exam): 60%

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90 - 100% = A

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80 - 89%  = B

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70 - 79%  = C

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60 - 69%  = D

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59% and lower = F

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Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsiblity of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.  Students have read and signed a dual-credit policy on attendance and late grades.

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

**When you must miss for a school trip or some other reason, turn in assignments before you leave.  Then you should come to the very next tutorial session if an assignment took place during the class period that you missed.  Any outside of class work is due the very next day.

Calendar

Additional Information

Please note: calendar is tentative and subject to change due to students' instructional need and high school scheduling: objectives, however, will remain consistent.

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**Note: Announcements will take place at the beginning of class; it is imperative that you get to class on time.  Read all assigned selections before class, and be prepared for class discussions.  Mechanical failures such as printers breaking, ink becoming depleted, computers crashing are not acceptable excuses to miss a deadline since assignments are given weeks in advance.  As a rule of thumb, do not wait to print something the night before it is due.