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.

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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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Course

ENGL-1301-001 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

\ Required textbook:

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\ Carter, Judith, et al., ed. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302.

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Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Outcomes (minimum competencies):

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:

1. Understand basic rhetorical concepts: subject, audience, purpose and appeals.
2. Apply rhetorical concepts in analyzing and evaluating text.
3. Use standard American English to write essays that are rhetorically effective: clear, organized, detailed, grammatically correct and audience specific.
4. Use the library's online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing.
5. Write a third person, argumentative research paper following the MLA format for citing sources.

Amarillo College English Department Expectations:
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 that follows the MLA format for citing sources and 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

\ 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.

Grading Criteria

\ Essays 85 percent
\ Journals 15 percent
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\ 90-100="A," 80-89="B," 70-79="C," 60-69="D," Below 60="F

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\ Essays:

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\ You will write four out-of-class essays and two in-class essays (one is the final exam), which together will account for 85% of your grade.  Later, I will give detailed explanations for each of these, but, for now, following are brief descriptions and the relative point values of the essays:

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\ \ Essay #1 \	\ \ Narrative about a person \	\ \ 12.5% \
\ \ Essay #2 \	\ \ Descriptive about a place \	\ \ 12.5% \
\ \ Essay #3* \	\ \ Evaluative about an event \	\ \ 15.0% \
\ \ Essay #4 \	\ \ Instructions about a job or procedure \	\ \ 12.5% \
\ \ Essay #5 \	\ \ Persuasive, research paper about an issue \	\ \ 17.5% \
\ \ Essay #6* \	\ \ Subject to be announced (final exam) \	\ \ 15.0% \

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\ *Indicates in-class essays.  If grades on in-class papers vary greatly from out-of-class papers, the in-class ones will receive greater point values.

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\ If you know you will have to miss a class, please check with me in advance. I cannot give assignments or reteach the material to everyone who misses, so jot down the phone number of a classmate who can share notes and assignments with you when you have to be absent. If you cannot attend on a day when an assignment is due, send your work with someone else. All late work is penalized one letter grade per day it is late. In addition, all essays must be completed. Failure to complete an essay will result in a failing grade in the class. (If you have a special emergency, please talk with me as soon as possible. Don't wait until it is too late to get help.)

Attendance

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.  You are responsible for providing evidence to substantiate any absence I consider excusing.  If you know in advance that you will be absent, you would be wise to inform me.  More than two unexcused absences will result in your final grade being lowered two points per incident. If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.  Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is Wednesday, June 24.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Journals:

You will write five one-half-page entries (college ruled paper) each week. Topics can include issues, events, and ideas of your choice.  I will give some examples in class to get you started.  Journal entries will be collected periodically, usually on the last day of each week.  These pieces are not graded for correctness or grammar.  Here is your chance to try out new ideas and styles of writing. Your journals will account for 15% of your grade.

 

Essay drafts:
All out-of-class essays will require a first draft, which you will bring to class (typed) to review with your peers.  Failure to produce this on time will result in a reduction of one letter grade on your final paper.