Composition II Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Ordway Hall Room 203A

Office Hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

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-1302-042 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 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301, 1302, and 2311: A Custom Publication for Amarillo College.  4th ed., Hayden-McNeil Publishing, 2019.

 

Gardner, Janet E., et al., editors. Literature: A Portable Anthology, 4th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2017.

 

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  The Concise Cengage Handbook. 5th ed., Cengage Learning, 2017.  Do make sure that you purchase the bundle.

 

 

 

Supplies

A word processing program and a computer with reliable Internet access would be great.  Students may use the English Writing Lab in Ordway Hall, Room 101, at the Washington Street campus during regular hours of operation.

Additional items needed for class: notebook binder and paper, jump drive, writing utensils, and $5.00 to purchase a printing card.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

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 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

 ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Because your using of electronic devices may cause disruption, please be respectful of others in the classroom.

 E-MAIL ETIQUETTE: Should you choose to communicate with me through e-mails, please use standard American English. Like all academic work, you should examine your e-mails since your credibility as a writer, who is enrolled in a composition course, is reflected in the grammar, spelling, and sentence structure of the e-mail.

COLLEGE CONTENT: During  your college experience, you will encounter diverse views and new subject matter, which will expand your knowledge and perspective.  In this college English class, we might read and discuss some literary works with subject matter that could include (but not be limited to) race, death, violence, sexuality, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own.  If this is a concern for you, please meet with me.

 

DEPARTMENT TUTORING SERVICES: If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

Grading Criteria

20%  Quizzes  
60%  Paragraphs and essays (in-class and out) and research exercise 
20%  Mid-term Exam and Final Exam: In-class writing

89.5-100 = A,   79.5-88.5= B,   69.5-78.5 = C,    59.5-68.5 = D,    Below 58.5 = F

LATE WORK:    Late work means "work is turned in after the due date."  Work turned in late will receive point deduction: 1 day late - 15%, 3 days late - 30%; one week late - 50%, and anything turned in after one week will not be graded and will receive a zero.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is required and is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments. Three or more absences in a class will be considered excessive and could contribute to a failing grade. Excessive tardiness or leaving class early could become absences; for example, three tardies or leaving early could be considered one absence.  The withdrawal deadline is  December 11, 2019.

 

Calendar

English 1302: Dr. Da Costa

                                                                RH - A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301, 1302 and 2311      

                                                                LIT – Literature: A Portable Anthology-4th Edition

                                                                CCH- The Concise Cengage Handbook-5th Edition

Tentative Course Schedule – Fall B 2019

 

Note:  All announcements will take place at the beginning of class.  It is imperative that you get to class on time.  Please read all assigned selections before class.  Be prepared for reading checks and class discussions. 

 

Week 1:          

  • Syllabus
  • Writing 1: Personal Essay – Writing Lab Room
  • LIT: Read: Chapter 1: “Introduction to Reading and Writing about Literature,” p. 1213
  • Tutorial Services – Josh O’Brien
  • Blackboard Training - Alex
  • Read: “Questions for Active Reading: Fiction”
  • Definitions: Literary Terms
  • RH: Read: Structure of an Essay, Transitions & Ch. 8 (CCH)
  • LIT: Discuss: Chapter 1: “Introduction to Reading and Writing about Literature”
  • Discuss and work on short story analysis form: “A Child by Tiger”
  • What Does Literature Do?

Week 2:

  • Discuss literary elements – “A Child by Tiger”
  • LIT: Read: Chapter 2: “The Role of Good Reading,” p. 1218
  • Revised essay –Writing 1 – due
  • RH:  Read: “Writing Formal Essays in Third Person”
  • Complete short story analysis: “A Child by Tiger”
  • LIT: Discuss: Chapter 2: “The Role of Good Reading”
  • Writing: Response Paper: “A Child by Tiger

Week 3:

  • LIT: Read: Chapter 3: “The Writing Process,” p. 1233
  • LIT: Read: “The Cask of Amontillado,” p. 14
  • Complete short story analysis
  • Response Paper due: “A Child by Tiger
  • Reading quiz
  • Writing assignment: documented essay: short story
  • Field and Research: secondary sources –

 

 

Week 4:

  • LIT:  Read – “The Lottery,” p. 216
  • Complete short story analysis
  • Mid-Term Exam
  • Discuss literature writing
  • Reading quiz
  • LIT: Read: “A Rose for Emily,” p. 168
  • Complete short story analysis
  • Reading quiz

Week 5:

  • LIT: Read – “Questions for Active Reading: Drama”
  • LIT: Read – Oedipus the King, p. 685
  • Short story drafts and peer reviews—due
  • Writing: short story – documented essay due to Cengage—November 26, 2019
  • LIT: Continue reading: Oedipus the King
  • Notes: Elements of a Tragic Hero

     

Week 6:

  • LIT: Notes and Review: Oedipus the King
  • Writing:  Drama – documented essay
  • Reading Test: Oedipus the King
  • Review RH and CCH on poetry documentation Ch. 47
  • Drama – drafts and peer review
  • Opportunities for Guided Research
  • LIT: Read – “Questions for Active Reading: Poetry”

Week 7:           Last day to withdraw from class – December 11, 2019

             

  • LIT: Read – selected poems
  • Peer editing – documented essay
  • Drama: documented essay due to Cengage: December 12, 2019

Week 8:

  • Final Exam preparation
  • Final Exam: In-class writing –December 17, 2019 – Ordway Hall Room 101
  •                                  --December 18, 2019 Computer Lab – Hereford Campus

                 

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

10/27/19 6:42 PM

Last Edited on:

10/27/19 6:42 PM