Composition I Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Ordway 103</p>

Office Hours

M-T 11:00-12:00

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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-DC004 Composition I

Prerequisites

Corequisite: INRW 0303 Prerequisite: 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

STUDENT PRINTING PROCEDURES

For students to put money on their account, they must go to this website https://acprinthub.actx.edu/myprintcenter/ and either use PayPal account or their credit/debit card to add money, or they can go to the Student Services building to add money with credit/debit or with cash. Neither Writers’ Corner or the Writing Lab can add money to the account.

However, if the students need help adding money to their account, we can help them do that here in the lab. All students are responsible for adding money to their own account. But students need to have money on their own account in order to print anywhere on campus.

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:

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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Amarillo College English Department.  A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 1st ed. Plymouth:  Hayden McNeil, 2013. Print.  

Faigley, Lester, and Jack Selzer.  Good Reasons. Custom ed. New York; Pearson Longman, 2011.
 

 

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 spiral 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

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. 6. 6   6.  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 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

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT PLAGIARISM POLICY (Revised Spring 2013):

Plagiarism:
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.
           
10% Quizzes and Homework
30% Tests and Projects
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.

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.     Ascension requires 90% attendance to receive credit and to successfully complete the course.

 

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.

 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 16.

Calendar

English 1301 will include the following elements with specific topics and dates listed below:

Rhetorical strategies

Text content

In-Class Essay

writing under pressure

Writing process including rhetorical profile

Plagiarism policy

Resume writing

Character and vocabulary of nonfiction

Rhetorical precis

Rhetorical analyses of authors' works

Research essay

Final exam

 

Week one- 8/21-8/24-Introduction to class, expectations, brief review of summer reading, annotation and close reading

Summer Reading Week: What role does choice play in the life of a literary character?--what about the choices real people make?  Are we victims or fortunate recipients of chance?  Fiction required:  Beowulf (circa 750), All the Light We Cannot See (2014) by Anthony Doerr

Non-fiction--Choose one:  The Other Wes Moore (2010) by Wes Moore or Outliers (2008) by Malcolm Gladwell

Aug. 23--Beowulf quiz

Review of efficient writing strategies

Discuss Summer Reading

Week two—8/27-31 Writing Process review including a focus on eliminating clutter and refining style

Monday, Aug. 27—Summer reading essay timed writing

"The ill and unfitting choice of words wonderfully obstructs the understanding."  Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Tone definition and function

Clear pronoun usage

Avoiding clutter, redundancies, and cliches

Personal Essay:  Drafting and Revising College Application essay

  Sampling of College Application Essays

Week three—9/3-9/7 

Sept. 3—Labor Day Holiday

Revising and editing of college app. 

Nonfiction readings

Focus on ethos, pathos, logos

Week 4 9/10-9/14

Sept. 11 Tuesday College App due

Research Assignment—third person researched argument with PowerPoint component

Assign Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

Rhetorical analysis and precis writing assignment

Thursday 13  Allusions quiz

Friday 14 Efficient writing quiz

Week five-9/17-9/21.

History of England and English

Essential Question:  What price are we willing to pay for our desires?

This week focuses on Dr. Faustus, and archetypes

Week six--9/24-9/28

Essential Question:  What price are we willing to pay to obtain our desires?

 Doctor Faustus

Elements of the narrative

Rhetorical analysis of style--The mood of the Romantics                                                                                                    

Week seven-10/1-10/5

Research assignment--third person researched argument

Annotated Bibliography information

Rhetorical Analysis of ethos, pathos, logos of three articles from Research

Week eight—10/8-10/12

Monday October 8—Columbus Day Holiday

Research due  Part One TBA

Continue with research assignment drafting, revising, editing and peer review

Critique Draft/peer review

Week nine—10/15-10/19

archetypes continued

Secret Sharer

Week 10--10/22-10/26

Rhetorical Analysis--Argumentative essay--opposing viewpoints/Rhetorical analysis

               Assign  Heart of Darkness

Oct. 24--Examining motivation through a Freudian perspective

Week 11--10/29-11-2

November 2  test Heart of Darkness

Archetypal journey of the mind in Heart of Darkness

Group assignments and discussion

Personal--topic response

Week 12—11/5-11/9

Essential Question:  Who are you?

Archetypes and journeys continued

 Heart of Darkness continued

Week 13-11/12-11/16

Nov. 15 Essay due

Carl Jung and the Jungian perspective

Week 14—11/19-11/23

Thanksgiving Break

Week 15-11/26-11-30

Rhetorical analysis this week

Week 16-12/3-12/7

Writing under pressure

Wrap up of essential questions/findings/etc

Week 17-12/10-12/14--Wrap up and begin exam prep

Exams  Dec. 17, 18, 19, 20

Rhetorical analysis of nonfiction writing

in-class essay

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

10/15/19 7:48 AM

Last Edited on:

10/15/19 7:48 AM