Composition I Syllabus for 2018-2019
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 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-1301-LC6 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

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 clas

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Amarillo College English Dept., eds. A Rhetorical Handbook for English 1301 and 1302, 2nd ed. Plymouth, MI. Hayden-McNeil, 2016.

Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York, NY. Hill and Wang, 2006.  An e-copy of this book will be provided by the instructor.

Supplies

Access to the Internet and Google Classroom (I will help you)

***You must know your ACConnect ID Name and Password. We will be using campus computers, and you will need this information to sign on. Also, you will need to know this information to access BlackBoard from any computer.

Basic knowledge of Word and email is crucial. 

 

Student Performance

 

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 All sophomore literature classes will include at least one writing assignment designed to connect the literature being studied to an ethical dilemma, demanding that students communicate their critical thinking as they consider both personal and social responsibility issues.

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

Decorum is an important aspect of any college course. Please use language that appeals to your audience--professor and college-level peers.  Email correspondence should evidence clear understanding of the English language.

Classroom Expectations 

The use of technology (unless expressly permitted) is unacceptable. Texting, checking social media, playing games, etc. are not allowed in class. Please silence your phone. 

If you are absent, please check with another student to find out what you missed. You will be permitted 3 absences (excused or unexcused). I do not need to know why you missed. I will not accept late work, period. Any work due when you return is still due. There are no makeups. 

English Composition 1301 is designed to ready students for upper level college writing, and requires maturity and concentration. Daily timed writing exercises (Quick Writes) are implemented to both test your writing ability and to gain confidence in your academic writing. Quick Writes are always due during class, and students are usually given 15 minutes total for the assignment. Turning in the assignment after the due date/time will result in a zero. Assignments are clearly posted on Google Classroom, with the time and date noted. Your work will be timed stamped, and if it is submitted after the assigned time and date, it will not be accepted. No excuses. Please see me if you have questions or concerned. If there is a severe hardship, you must email me before an assignment is due, and proof of your circumstance may be requested. The final exam indicates completion of the course. No work will be a accepted after the final exam is submitted per due date. Failure to complete the final exam will result in failure of the class. 

Grading Criteria

60% major essays Literacy Narrative, Rhetorical Analysis, Career Research Essay, Literature Analysis 

15% Quick Writes/Other Assignments 5% Participation

Final Exam 20% (in-class written essay)

A 90-100 High Achievement

B 80-89 Above Average Achievement

C 79-79 Satisfactory Achievement

D 60-69 Unsatisfactory Achievement 

F 0-59 Unacceptable Achievement 

Attendance

Any college course requires discipline. Getting behind will limit your chance of success. Because this is an eight week course that only meets twice a week, attendance and punctuality are crucial to your success as a student. We will be moving rather quickly, and the class builds upon earlier concepts. Simply put, you cannot miss class and expect an A. 

Quick Write assignments are given at the beginning of class and are timed.  These assignments cannot be made up, and will only be accepted during class.  If at any time, you want a conference, please email me. 

You are expected to behave in the classroom in a way that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors not supportive include, but are not limited to:

• Tardiness/leaving early
• Electronic device noises
• Talking during lecture
• Abusive, offensive, or disrespectful language
• Abusive, offensive, or disrespectfully demeanor toward AC faculty, staff, students and/or property

In order to receive credit for a course, all material listed on the syllabus must be covered. The instructor sets the pace to ensure that these requirements are met. Complaining about the pace will not result in less material being covered. If you fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or "Student Rights & Responsibilities" you will be subject to disciplinarily action which may include but is not limited to: removal from classroom, consultation with the Chair of the Department, and/or other AC authority, withdrawal from the course/college. 

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available