Composition II Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Ascension Academy Rm. 219</p>

Office Hours

Classes 1st and 4th periods.

Available 2nd and 3rd periods.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-1302-017 Composition II

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: ENGL 1301</p>

Course Description

Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based expository and persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

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 research processes.
  2. Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.
  3. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.
  4. Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.
  5. Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA. CMS, MLA, etc.)

In addition to the course description, the skills taught in this course will be primarily achieved through the study of literature.  Also, in addition to the learning outcomes, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of literary genres and the basic vocabulary of literary analysis, as well as write a researched literary analysis that utilizes peer review.

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

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

We will be using the books listed below:

Gardner, Janet E., Beverly Lawn, Jack Ridl, and Peter Schakel. Literature: a Portable Anthology. 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's: 2017.

Amarillo College English Department. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302. 2nd ed. Hayden/Mcneil: 2017.

Recommended: The Little Seagull Handbook with Exercises, 3rd ed. Bullock, Brody and Weinberg. You will need the book published in 2017. It has a sky blue cover. The older editions do not include the information that you will need.

Supplies

Computer with regular Internet service and full word processing program.

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.

Student Performance

ONLINE/HYBRID REQUIREMENTS

This is a hybrid 8-week class.  “Hybrid” means a blend of meeting in a traditional classroom setting and doing assignments online. 8-week classes are condensed classes that meet for half the semester instead of the entire semester.  A traditional (non-hybrid) 8-week class has to meet every day in order to cover a semester’s worth of material.  Therefore, since this is a hybrid 8-week class, instead of meeting every day for this class, we meet twice a week in class and do the remaining coursework outside of class in Blackboard.  The online assignments are located in our course in Blackboard, available through “AC Connect” on the AC Website at www.actx.edu.

PAPERS:

Students will be required to write two major papers.  The first will be a literary analysis of a short story. The second paper will be a researched analysis of a poem.  Papers should be at least two typed pages long, typed double-spaced, and follow MLA guidelines (8th edition).  At least two outside sources are required for the research paper. 

IN-CLASS

A grade will be taken for each class period. The grade will either reflect in-class participation in a group or in the lecture, or will be taken from an in-class assignment that is turned in. Every absence will earn a 0 for the class period. There is no way to make up the missed material.

LATE WORK is not accepted.

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 or 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 will receive a penalty of a zero. A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion of 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.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

Be on time. Be courteous and respectful to your instructor and fellow students. Take care of personal business (going to the restroom, making phone calls, etc.) before class.

Cell Phones, Pagers, and Other Electronic Devices: Cell phones are distracting, and the concept of multi-tasking is a myth. Please do not turn on a cell phone or other electronic device in class unless it is related to class activities.

Grading Criteria

Essays--70%

Online Assignments, Discussions and Tests--15%

In-Class Assignments and Quizzes--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.

Late work: Late work will not be accepted.

89.5-100 A

79.5-less than 89.5 B

69.5-less than 79.5 C

59.5-less than 69.5 D

0-less than 59.5 F

Submitting Papers: Since many alternative writing programs are not compatible with Blackboard, Word is required (.docx). As a safeguard to you, all assignments will be written in or saved to Word (.docx) and turned in through Blackboard. You will need access to a computer outside of class for writing essays and completing online work. Computers with Word are available on campus in the Writing Lab in Ordway 101 and in the Ware student building.

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.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Students are expected to attend every class on time, participate in class discussions, and complete all assignments.  NOTE: Attendance is especially important for a condensed 8-week class.

The deadline for drops this term is Tuesday, December 5, 2017.

WITHDRAWAL. Before you consider dropping this class or any class, talk with your instructor to try to protect your investment in the course.  If a student wants to withdraw from a class, then the student must contact the instructor and follow the Student Withdrawal Procedures steps above.

Absences:

Participation in class lectures and group activities cannot be made up outside of class. Absences earn a grade of 0 for that day. If you miss a class for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain any homework assignments or notes. Lecture material will show up on tests and quizzes. Missed online and in-class assignments may NOT be made up.   You may submit any open assignment before it is due, so if you anticipate being absent, you can work ahead. When you are absent, the protocol in college is to contact the instructor as soon as possible by email or phone, and to continue working on assignments to keep up with the class.  This demonstrates respect and a willingness to do well in the class.

Calendar

October 20, Fall II Term begins.

Monday, October 23, 5:30-6:45 First Class. Review syllabus. "Theme for English B." 

Wednesday, October 25, Blog It! Introduction due in Blackboard by 5:00. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class, read "Introduction to Reading and Writing about Literature," "Everyday Use," and "In the Land of the Free."

Monday, October 30, Blog It! Halloween due in Blackboard by by 5:00.  5:30-6:45 Class. Before class, read "The Role of Good Reading," "Young Goodman Brown," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Lottery."

Wednesday, November 1, Online Assignments due in Blackboard by 5:00. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read "A. & P." and "The Things They Carried." Paper 1 assigned and explained in class. 

ROUGH DRAFT CONFERENCES November 6-9 in my office, Ordway 100 E. See sign-up sheet for available times. Bring a paper copy of Literary Analysis of a Short Story to your conference.

Monday, November 6, Rough drafts of the Literary Analysis of a Short Story are due in the Peer Group Discussion Board in Blackboard by 5:00. We were unable to post the drafts on the Discussion Board. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read "Writing about Stories," and "The Writing Process." Bring a paper copy of your rough draft of Essay 1 to class.

Wednesday, November 8, PEER REVIEWS. Bring a copy of your paper to class.

Monday, November 13,  Final Copy of the Literary Analysis of a Short Story due in Blackboard by 5:00. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read selected poems. Poems: "A Poem for 'Magic'" (580), "Theme for English B" (524), "at the cemetery, walnut grove plantation, south carolina, 1989" (572), "In Colorado My Father Scoured and Stacked Dishes" (668). Also, read "Writing about Poems" (1289-1303).

Wednesday, November 15, 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read selected poems. Before class read selected poems. Poems: "The Red Wheelbarrow" (511), "This is Just to Say" (511), "In a Station" (513), "like attracts like" (549), "in Just--" (523), "Easter Wings" (435), "The Fish" (534), "A Display of Mackeral" (634).

Monday, November 20,  5:30-6:45 Class. Midterm available online in Blackboard after class. Before class read selected poems and the essay, "Writing a Literary Research Paper." Poems: "Nani" (626), "She Had Some Horses" (621), "Stopping By Woods" (505), "Those Winter Sundays" (537).

Wednesday, November 22, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

MIDTERM DUE IN BLACKBOARD BEFORE 5:00.Online Assignments due in Blackboard by 6;30. 5:30-6:45 Class. Poems: "The Colonel" ((617), "Reading Scheme" (600), "Arms and the Man" (674), "My Papa's Waltz" (532).

Monday, November 27, 5:30-6:45 Class. " Poems to discuss in class: "The Colonel" ((617), "Reading Scheme" (600), "Arms and the Man" (674), "My Papa's Waltz" (532). Bring a paper copy of your Research Paper and your 2 database sources with you to class.

Wednesday, November 29, Paper copy of Research Paper due in class. Bring a paper copy of your Research Paper and your 2 database sources with you to class.

Monday, December 4, Online Assignments due in Blackboard by 5:00. Research Paper due in Blackboard under Common Assessment. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read "Writing about Plays,"  "Trifles," and "Disgraced."

Tuesday, December 5 Last Day to Withdraw.

Wednesday, December 6, Online Assignments due in Blackboard by 5:00. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read "The Importance of Being Earnest, First Act" Watch and discuss First Act of movie version.

Monday, December 11,  Online Assignments due in Blackboard by 5:00. 5:30-6:45 Class. Before class read "The Importance of Being Earnest, Second and Third Acts." Watch and discuss Second and Third Acts of movie version.

**THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE TAKEN ONLINE AND COMPLETED IN BLACKBOARD BEFORE 8:00 p.m. ON WEDNESDAY, December 12. 

Additional Information:

DEPARTMENT EXPECTATIONS:

In addition to the course description, the skills taught in this course will be primarily achieved through the study of literature. Also, in addition to the learning outcomes, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of literary genres and the basic vocabulary of literary analysis, as well as write a researched literary analysis paper that utilizes peer review.

FINAL EXAM:

You will have a broad essay question that relates to why we study literature, how literature can benefit us personally and professionally.  You will be asked to discuss one one poem OR play in your reply (options will be selected by the instructor from the class readings).  Minimum of 300 words.

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."

Syllabus Created on:

08/17/17 6:13 AM

Last Edited on:

11/15/17 5:25 PM