Composition I Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Course

ENGL-1301-DC002 Composition I

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: RDNG 0331 and ENGL 0302-minimum grade of C or scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading and writing skills</p>

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Student Performance:

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 that follows the MLA format for citing sources and utilizes peer review. 

Students are expected to complete all work in order to pass the class.

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

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 if it is accepted at all.

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.     One day’s absence will not excuse a student from taking a test which was assigned before the absence.

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

E.     Check the make-up folder on the filing cabinet when you return from an absence.

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 20. 

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