Composition I Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Office Location

Ordway Hall Room 203A

Office Hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

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-1301-011 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

On Campus 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.

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  The Concise Cengage Handbook.
  5th  Edition.  MA: Cengage Learning,  2017.  Make sure you purchase the bundle.

 

 

 

Supplies

\ A word process program and a computer with reliable Internet access would be useful.  Students may use the English writing Lab in Ordway Hall, Room 101, on the Washington Street Campus during regular hours of operation.

\

\ Flash disk

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:

\

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

\

\ 2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.

\

\ 3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.

\

\ 4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.

\

\ 5. Use edited American English in academic essays.

\

\ 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

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Because your using of electronic devices may cause disruption, please be respectful of others in the classroom.

 E-MAIL ETIQUETTE: Should you choose to communicate with me through e-mails, please use standard American English. Like all academic work, you should examine your e-mails since your credibility as a writer, who is enrolled in a composition course, is reflected in the grammar, spelling, and sentence structure of the e-mail.

Grading Criteria

20% Quizzes and homework

60% Paragraphs and essays (in-class and out) and revisions, totaling at least 4500 words

20% Final in-class essay

89.5-100= A,   79.5-89.5 = B,    69.5-78.5 = C,    59.5-68.5 = D,    Below 58.5 = F

LATE WORK:  "Late work" means "work is turned in after the due date."  Work turned in late will receive point deduction: one  day late - 15%, three days late - 30%, one week late - 50%, and anything turned in after one week will not be graded and will receive a zero.

Attendance

Regular Scheduled Classes:

 

Regular attendance is required and is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. Three or more absences in a class will be considered excessive and could contribute to a failing grade. It is imperative that you communicate with me when an emergency arises.   If you must stop attending, withdraw officially by the deadline; otherwise, I must record an F for the semester. 

 

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 it.  Remember that the deadline for dropping this course is  March 1, 2016.

 

Calendar

English 1301-Da Costa           RH = A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302

Spring 2016                             CCH = The Concise Cengage Handbook

Tentative Course Schedule

Note:  All announcements will take place at the beginning of class.  It is imperative that you get to class on time.  Please read all assigned selections before class, and be prepared for class discussions.

Week 1:                      

  • Syllabus
  • “English Department Plagiarism Policy”
  • Writing 1:
  • Writers’ Corner
  • Notes: Grammar outline
  • CCH: Review, practice, recognize, and check  Sound Sentences
  • RH: “ Basic Structure of an essay, MLA style, “What I Can I Put in My Three-Part Essay,” “How Purpose Determines the Structure of an Essay”
  • CCH: Read Ch. 1, 2, and 19
  • Notes/Handouts

Week 2:

  • Revised Writing #1 due
  • CCH: Read Ch. 3, 4, and 5
  • RH: “Words and Phrases to Avoid in College –Level Academic Writing”
  • What is Rhetorical Analysis?
  • RH: “Identifying Rhetorical Appeals in Written and Visual Arguments”
  • Quiz: Sound Sentences
  • CCH: Types of Sentences
  • Recognize/Practice varied sentences
  • Writing #2
  • Notes/Handouts
  • Census – Jan. 27, 2016

Week 3:          

  • CCH:  Read Ch. 6 and 13
  • Practice varied sentences
  • Writing #2 due
  • Continue Rhetorical Analysis?”
  • Quiz: Varied Sentences
  • Writing Summary/Response
  • Notes/Handouts

Week 4:

  • Handouts: Notes and Practice: “Using Clauses to Build Sentences”
  • Writing: Summary/Response – due
  • CCH: Read Ch.  7 and 44
  • Topics/Research Paper
  • CCH: Read Ch. 41and 42
  • Practice Analyzing Written Arguments
  • Writing: Rhetorical Analysis of Written Argument
  • CCH: Practice Clauses
  • Research Paper discussion

Field and Research – Library

English 1301-011

                                    English 1301-012

Week 5          

  • Quiz: Clauses
  • Review: Rhetorical Appeals (written?)
  • Research Process
  • CCH: Read Ch. 43  and review Ch. 44
  • CCH: Read Ch.  45 and 46
  • RH: “How to Find and Document Sources Using MLA Style,” “Incorporating Quotations,” “MLA Parenthetical Citations

Week 6:

  • CCH: Read Ch. 47
  • RH:  Works Cited Page
  • Practice MLA format
  • Handouts: Notes and Practice: Using Phrases to Improve Sentences
  • Opportunities for Guided Research
  • Check Phrase Practice
  • Drafts and Peer Review

Week 7:

  • Drafts and Peer Review
  • Opportunities for Guided Research
  • Quiz: Using Phrases to Improve Sentences
  • CCH: Read Ch 18
  • Research Paper is due (including all other items—See project assignment handout)
  • Withdrawal – March 1, 2016

Week 8:          

  • Practice: Sentences
  • CCH: Read Ch. 9: Final Exam preparation
  • Final Exam: In-Class writing –

Week 9:                       SPRING BREAK

 

 

 

 

           

 

Additional Information

No additional information available

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM