Composition I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time 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. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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-1301-053 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.

 

 

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Bullock, Richard, and Goggin, Maureen Daly. The Norton Field Guide to  Writing with Readings. Fourth Edition. W.W. Norton and Company, New York and London, 2016.

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302: A custom publication for Amarillo College. First Edition, 2013.

Ford, Jamie. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Ballantine Books Trade Paperback Edition, New York, 2009. Note:  This is Amarillo College’s Common Reader for the year. You should be able to obtain one for free.  Please see the note regarding the Common Reader at the bottom of the syllabus.

Supplies

1. A USB flash drive is required for this course on the FIRST day
2. A college ruled notebook sized journal 

Student Performance

1. 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.

    

   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.

    

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

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. 

You can find a digital edition of the Student Rights and Responsibilities at: http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=491 

The class 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 and attitude. Disrespectful behavior towards anyone will not be tolerated in this class.

Cell Phone Policy: Students are not allowed to use cell phones in class. If you must carry a cell phone for emergency reasons, it must be turned off or set to an inaudible signal that will not disturb the class. Texting, Facebook, and other activities are not permitted during class time.

Grading Criteria

Grades will be based on the following system:

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

• Essay # 1 – 20%
• Essay # 2 – 20%
• Essay # 3 – 20%
• Journals and Tests – 20%
• Final – 20%

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. More than two absences are considered excessive. Students with excessive absences will find it difficult to pass the class.

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. Please also keep in mind that the last date to withdraw from the course is November 22, 2016.  

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional Information

Please note that all information on the Syllabus is subject to change at the  Instructor’s discretion.

Composition 1, English 1301–053 LCB is linked to Basic Grammar and Writing II, English 0302–053 LCB. The weekly assignment calendar, course materials, and grades will be displayed under 1301-053 LCB on Blackboard.  The classes meet on TT from 5:30-6:45 and TT from 7:00-8:15.  Attendance in both classes is compulsory to obtain credit.

Calendar Dates of Note:

Classes Begin – August 22, 2016

Labor Day Holiday September 5, 2016

Thanksgiving Holiday – November 24-27, 2016

Last Date to Withdraw – November 22, 2016

Finals – December 12-16, 2016

Computers:

Computers are available in the English Writing Labs (Ordway 101 and 104) for individual student use for word processing and Internet work. Students who use the lab are required to sign in for each visit. Students will do some writing on computers as a part of this class.  Students will need a USB drive. This class also uses MS Word, AC Connect/Blackboard.

 

Blackboard:

Gradebook and Email are available through Blackboard. You must know how to sign in to AC Connect and Blackboard on the first day of class.  Please memorize your id and password or bring it with you. We will log in every day.

 

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.  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. This service is available nights and weekends.

Note on the Common Reader

In this class, you will be required to read the Common Reader, The Common Reader for 2016-2017 is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. The book may be obtained FOR FREE  by incoming students who are attending Badger Boot Camp or New Student Orientation General Sessions. Additionally, copies of the book are available at the AC Library. 

General information on the book is available at the AC Common Reader website at: https://www.actx.edu/commonreader/pagesmith/15. More specific information about the story can be found at: https://www.actx.edu/pagesmith/349. You might also find it helpful to visit the Author Visit page at: https://www.actx.edu/commonreader/pagesmith/17.