Composition I Syllabus for 2016-2017
Return to Syllabus List

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-AH02 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

We will be using the books listed below:

• A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302, Amarillo College Department, 1st Edition
• MLA Handbook, 8^th Edition
• The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore

Supplies

A Jump/Flash/USB is vital for saving your essays so that you can work on them both at home and in the computer labs.  Paper (paper with jagged edges from being torn from a spiral will not be accepted), pens or sharpened pencils (there is not a pencil sharpener in the classroom), note cards, and multi-colored highlighters.

Bring a paper copy of your current essay or research paper to class on the assigned dates, and to every tutoring session or teacher conference.  

Student Performance

ENGL 1301 Composition 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, communication, 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.

 

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.

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

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.

Late Work:  Any assignment turned in after the beginning of class on the due date will be considered late. There will be a 10% penalty for each day the assignment is late (10% first day, 20% second day, 30% third day). After the third day the assignment will receive a grade of 0.

Submitting Papers: All Rough Drafts, Essays, and the Research Paper will be turned in through Blackboard. You will need access to a computer outside of class for writing drafts and essays. Computers are available on campus in the Writing Lab in Ordway 101 and in the Library.

If you have trouble turning in the assignment from your home computer, get assistance from AC’s Information Technology Services 806-371-5409. Alternatively, you can get assistance submitting the paper to Blackboard from a flash drive or computer in the Writer’s Corner, the Writing Lab, or the Library before class on the due date.

Rough Drafts will count for 20% of the final essay grade, and must be turned in online before class on the appropriate due dates.  In addition, you will need a paper copy of the rough draft in class every day before the essay is due.

Grading Criteria

Essay 1--15%

Essay 2—15%

Essay 3--15%

Researched Argument Essay—25%

Attendance, Participation, and In-class work--15%

Final Exam—in-class, timed essay (1 hour, 15 minutes)--15%

All grades will be kept in Blackboard.  You can check your grades by clicking the My Grades link in your AC Connect Course Menu. All grades will be rounded up according to the guidelines below.

89.5-100 A

79.5-89 B

69.5-79 C

59.5-69 D

0-59 F

Attendance

Students are required to bring ID badges or smart phones to class to scan the barcode to record attendance. In order for the system to count daily attendance properly, students may scan barcodes no earlier than 15 minutes before the scheduled class time.

Download the “Ellucian Go” app to be able to scan barcodes from a smart phone.

This is an on-campus course, and attendance is required.

Attendance, Participation and In-Class Assignments

Every student will start with a 100 for attendance, participation, and in-class assignments. The grade will be reduced over the semester for unexcused absences, tardies, excessive phone use, inadequate participation in class activities, and in-class work that is either not turned in or unsatisfactory according to the following scale: 1=95, 2=90, 3=80, 4=70, 5=60, 6=50, 7=40, 8=30, 9=20, 10=10, 11=0. Excused absences or tardies must have a note from a doctor or the instructor supervising the college-sponsored activity. You can check the comment area for the grade to see what the deductions are for. Work related absences are not excused.

Student Withdrawal Procedures: Students who wish to withdraw from a class must initiate the request with their instructor before the withdrawal deadline.

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

Calendar

Additional Information

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 the Human Resources, use "Exchange."  All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".