Composition II Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Course

ENGL-1302-013 Composition II

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENGL 1301

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 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

Required Textbooks:

Amarillo College English Dept. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 2nd ed., Hayden McNeil, 2017.*

Bullock, Richard, Michal Brody, and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook with Exercises. 3rd ed., W. W. Norton, 2017.

*This book is available for purchase only at the AC Bookstore.

Supplies

A word processing program and a computer with reliable internet access. This word processing program must have the ability to save files in Word (.doc or .docx) or in portable document format (.pdf). Word Online, Word Pad, and Note Pad are not acceptable word processing programs for this class.

Students may use the English Writing Lab in Ordway 101 or the Academic Computing Center on the fourth floor of the Ware Student Commons during regular hours of operation.

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Students will need a print card to print out drafts of their papers and the literature required for this class. This class does not require the purchase of a literature textbook, but it does require reading literature that is available for free online. Printing out the literature is required so that the students can annotate these literary works. Expect to use about ten dollars' worth of printing over the course of the semester.

Students who wish to avoid using print cards may print out their papers and literary works at home rather than on campus as long as they bring the required printouts to class on the appropriate days.

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

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 paper that utilizes peer review.

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

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

Category		Percent of the semester grade
In-class activities, writings, and quizzes		5%
Out-of-class quizzes over readings		5%
Reviews		10%
Midterm (in-class paragraph)		5%
Annotated bibliographies		10%
Researched literary analysis essays		50%
Conferences		5%
Peer reviews		5%
Final exam (timed essay)		5%

Extra credit will be available in this class for those who write each out-of-class essay. Extra credit will not be available for students who do not write the essays.

The final percentage earned can be raised by 0.5% for documented attendance at each of the following out-of-class events:

1. Mikel Patrick Avery, interdisciplinary artist, "Expressions of Migration: Exploring Creative Methods of Examining History," 7:00 p.m., Nov. 1, Concert Hall Theater, Washington Street Campus, free

2. Dr. Sandra G. Shannon, professor emerita of African American Literature at Howard University, "A Transplant That Did Not Take: The Great Debate on the Great Migration in August Wilson's American Century Cycle," 7:00 p.m., Nov. 7, Bud Joyner Auditorium, AC Downtown Campus, free

3. Marlin McKay, jazz recording artist, artist in residence at Kentucky State University, "Something to Live For: Musings from the Illustrated Life of Billy Strayhorn," 7:00 p.m., Nov. 8, Concert Hall Theater, Washington Street Campus, free

4. Marlin McKay, jazz recording artist, artist in residence at Kentucky State University, "Performance: Strayhorn--A Collection of Compositions by Billy Strayhorn," 7:00 p.m.., Nov. 9, Concert Hall Theater, Washington Street Campus, free

5. Amarillo College Theatre Department, Abigail/1702, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 8, 3:00 p.m. Dec. 9, Experimental Theatre, Washington Street Campus, $4 if we can get a group of at least ten together; otherwise, $6 for AC students and $8 for the general public

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class meeting.

In-class activities, writings, and quizzes may not be made up, but the instructor will drop the two lowest in-class activity grades to account for unavoidable emergency absences.

Calendar

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