Composition II Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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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.

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Course

ENGL-1302-019 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

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 Rhetorical Handbook for English 1301 & 1302. (2017 Edition with the White Cover).

 

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

POLICY CONCERNING SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER:

In the college experience, students encounter diverse views and new subject matter which expand their knowledge and perspective. In all Literature courses, we might observe, read, and discuss some works with subject matter that could include (but not be limited to) death, violence, sexuality, race, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own. If any sensitive subject matter is a concern for you, please arrange a meeting with the instructor. 

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 researched literary analysis of a short story. The second paper will be a literary analysis of a poem.  Papers should be at least two typed pages long, typed double-spaced, and follow MLA guidelines (8^th 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

Literary Analysis of a Short Story--15%

Researched Literary Analysis of a Short Story--25%

Mini-Assignments--20% (the two lowest mini-assignment grades will be dropped automatically) 

Explication of a Poem--15%

Final Essay Exam--15%

Attendance and Participation--10% (the two lowest attendance grades will be dropped automatically)

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 Tutoring Center in the Ware building, 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.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class for a grade. Tardies will be recorded as absences. NOTE: Attendance is especially important for a condensed 8-week class. Two excused absences are built in to the course for illness and other unexpected events adn will be tabulated automatically. 

The deadline to Withdraw is Wednesday, April 30, 2019.

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. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Tardies will be recorded as absences. Two excused absences are built into the class and will be  automatically. If you miss a class for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain any homework assignments or notes from fellow classmates. 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

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."