Composition I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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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

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withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education.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.

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Course

ENGL-1301-DC002 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.

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Carter, Judith, et al., ed. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 2nd ed. N.p: n.p., 2012. Print.*

Supplies

A.      Use a three ring binder, arranged as you choose, to keep ALL PAPERS in as the year goes on. We will return to these papers throughout the year to monitor progress and to use to demonstrate composition techniques.  Do not throw away any writing. Include a composition notebook within your binder.

B.      Use regular lined—not college ruled—theme paper for handwritten assignments.

C.      Use blue or black ink for any writing that will be for an audience other than yourself.

D.      Again, major papers are to be typed using ten or twelve point font and double spaced using MLA format. 

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes:

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

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

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.

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

Grades are based primarily on tests, projects, oral presentations, and compositions. This course has few grades—perhaps five—in a six weeks period. Therefore, do not rely on several high daily grades to salvage missing or inferior work. Each assignment is important and must be done to the best of your ability.    

15% Quizzes and Class/Homework

25% Tests

35% Essays

25% Final In-Class Essay

90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, Below 60 = F

ASSIGNMENTS:

We must meet many curricular demands and rigid deadlines. Time is scarce, and the pace of the class has to be rapid.

A.     All homework, prewriting, major assignments, written or oral, must be finished on the day when they are due. Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class. Late work is heavily penalized and will not be accepted after three days.

B.     Oral work and group projects require responsible actions. Other people are depending on you to do your part for a high quality performance. Do not let them down.

C.     Final drafts of all compositions will be typed in the MLA Handbook style in ten or twelve point font and double spaced. The compositions may be typed at home; they do not have to be typed in the school’s word processing labs.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.

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A.     Remember that this is a college class. Your presence in-class every day is vital.

B.     Should you be absent, check with me on the day you return as early as is feasible.

C.     Absences will not excuse a student from taking a test that was assigned before the absences.

D.     If you know in advance that you will be absent, see me about your assignment before you leave.

F.     AISD requires 90% attendance to receive credit and to successfully complete the course.  

 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 drops this semester is November 22. 

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