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.

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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-1301-020 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

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
• Funny, edited by Catherine Cucinella
• Optional: The Little Seagull Handbook

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 may not be a pencil sharpener in the classroom), and multi-colored highlighters.

Bring a paper copy of your current essay or research paper to class on the assigned dates for peer reviews, and to every tutoring session or teacher conference.  Since you will be working with another person, accessing the paper on a laptop or on your phone is not appropriate for these situations.

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.

Class Conduct: Please remember that class time is brief and needs to be used for the benefit of everyone enrolled in the course. Be on time, be courteous, and be respectful. Please do not disrupt class by leaving the room unless it is an absolute emergency. Take care of personal busingess before class (going to the restroom, making phone calls, etc.) If you need to discuss personal business with me (your grade, your paper, your absences, etc.), please make an appointment before or after class so I can devote my full attention to answering your questions without inconveniencing other students.

Cell Phones, Pagers, and Other Electronic Devices: The use of cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices distracts you and everyone around you and is therefore prohibited in the classroom. Please do not turn on cell phones or other electronic devices in class, unless we are working on an online assignment together.

Grading Criteria

Essay 1 with peer review—20%

Essay 2 with peer review—20%

Essay 3 with peer review—20%

Journal—20% The journal will consist of 8 minor writing assignments due throughout the semester.

Final Exam (in-class, timed essay)—20%

Peer Review: A paper copy of the completed draft brought to class on the assigned due date for peer review will be worth 5% of the essay grade. Participation in the peer review process and providing substantial feedback to other writers will count for 5% of the essay grade, but will only be counted toward the grade for students who have their draft in class. Over time, participation in the peer review process helps writers learn to evaluate their own work more effectively.

Late work: All late essays and journal assignments will be subject to a 15% penalty if they are turned in within 3 days. The grade will remain a 0 for all essays turned in more than 3 days late.

89.5-100 A

79.5-89 B

69.5-79 C

59.5-69 D

0-59 F

Submitting Essays and Journal Paragraphs: Many alternative writing programs are not compatible with Blackboard, Word (.docx) is recommended. If the instructor is not able to read the paper in Blackboard, you will receive a 0 for the assignment. You will need access to a computer outside of class for writing drafts and essays. Computers with Word are available on campus n the Writing Lab in Ordway 101 and in the Ware Student Center.

If you have trouble turning in the assignment from your home computer, get assistance from AC’s Information Technology (IT) 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.

Writer’s Corner: Tutoring is available in the Writer’s Corner, and is highly recommended for all students who want to do well in this class.

All grades will be kept in Blackboard. You can access your grades by going to the class and using the My Grades link in the AC Connect Course Menu.

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.

Attendance: 2 absences will be excused. Every absence over 2 may result in a 3 point reduction in the final grade for the course. This is an on-campus course, and attendance is required. If you need an online course that does not require attendance in the classroom, please talk to your advisor about switching to an online course. 

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".