Composition I Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Ordway Hall 100-C

Office Hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 7:00 - 7:30 am and 10:30 - 11:30 am (and by appointment)

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-1301-002 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Dr. Netherton's "English 1301 Handbook" packet (available in the AC Bookstore).

Supplies

You will need to have money on your account to print on any of the AC printers.  To add money to your account, go to https://acprinthub.actx.edu/myprintcenter/.

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OUTCOMES (minimum competencies):

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 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.

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

CLASS CONDUCT:

Please do not be disruptive or rude in class.  Be on time.  Be courteous and respectful to your professor and fellow students.  Do not get up or leave the class unless it is an absolute emergency.  Take care of business (going to the restroom, making phone calls, etc.) before class.   Watch your language:  the “f-word” and other such language may be okay in a Scorsese or Tarantino film, but not in Ordway Hall.  During class discussion, it’s fine to disagree, but do so with respect to others.


CELL PHONES, PAGERS, and OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

The use of cell phones, pagers, laptops (except for working on an essay), and other electronic devices is prohibited in the class room. Please do not turn on cell phones or other electronic devices in class.  If you must have them on, use the vibrate feature. 

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA/GRADE SCALE:

The letter grade given on paragraphs and essays reflects the extent to which your writing meets the objectives explained in the Handbook.  You will write four essays and the final.  Your final grade will be the average of the grades made on your essays, plus the final exam grade.  One late assignment will be accepted free of penalty.  Any other work turned in late will be penalized ten points.  All assignments must be completed within one week of the original due date, and no late work will be accepted during finals week.

            90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, Below 60=F

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is required and is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  If you must stop attending class, you must withdraw officially by the deadline; otherwise, you will receive an F for the semester.

If you feel you need to drop, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.  Students should also participate in the class to avoid being administratively dropped, possibly losing financial aid etc. Before the official college census date, students can be dropped by the college if they don't participate in the class by completing assignments.   The last day to drop this semester is March 3, 2020.

College-wide policy for dropping a class:  Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

  • --consult with their instructor, either in person or by phone, to obtain a signed Academic Withdrawal Request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
  • --consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
  • --consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
  • --consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  •  
  • --NOTE: The Texas Education Code stipulates that students 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, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Calendar

ENGLISH 1301—SPRING I, 2020: DAILY SCHEDULE

(subject to change on short notice)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jan. 21       Introduction to class: “Syllabus and Assignments Schedule.”

 Jan. 22       Introduction to essay format and objectives.

                   Introduction to “Essay #1: Analysis.”

Jan. 23       Writing the Introduction to Your Essay. Developing Paragraphs with Specific Examples.

                   Wrapping It Up (The Conclusion).

_______________________________________________________________________

Jan. 27       “Essay #1: Analysis” outline due.  Work on “Essay #1: Analysis” in class.

Jan. 28       “How to Say Nothing in Five-Hundred Words.”

Jan. 29       Grammar and Punctuation Review.

Jan. 30       Grammar and Punctuation Review.

________________________________________________________________________

Feb. 3          Work on “Essay #1: Analysis” in class: Dr. Netherton’s final draft review.

Feb. 4          Introduction to “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative.”

Feb. 5          “Essay #1: Analysis” due at beginning of class.  Research and MLA Documentation Style.

Feb. 6          Logic and Logical Fallacies.  The Rhetorical Triangle.

_______________________________________________________________________

Feb. 10-13  Work on “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative” in class.

________________________________________________________________________

Feb. 17        Work on “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative” in class.

Feb. 18        Work on “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative” in class: Dr. Netherton’s final draft review.

Feb. 19        Work on “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative” in class.

Feb. 20        “Essay #2: Research-Argumentative” due at beginning of class.
                    Introduction to “Essay #3: Response to a Movie.” 
                    Watch film in preparation for “Essay #3: Response to a Movie.”

_________________________________________________________________________

Feb. 24        Watch film in preparation for “Essay #3: Response to a Movie.”

Feb. 25        Watch film in preparation for “Essay #3: Response to a Movie.”

                    Work on “Essay #3: Response to a Movie in class.”

Feb. 26        Work on “Essay #3: Response to a Movie” in class.

Feb. 27        Work on “Essay #3: Response to a Movie” in class.

__________________________________________________________________________

Mar. 2         Essay #3: Response to a Movie” due at the beginning of class.

                   Introduction to “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast.”

                   Work on “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast” in class.

Mar. 3         Work on “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast” in class. (Last day to drop.)

Mar. 4         Work on “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast” in class.

Mar. 5         Work on “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast” in class.

                   “Essay #4: Comparison/Contrast” due by the end of class.

__________________________________________________________________________

Mar. 9         Review for Final: impromptu writing exercise. 

Mar. 10       Final: Essay #5: In-Class Writing.

Mar. 11-12  Conferences (if needed).

 

Additional Information

DISABILITY STATEMENT

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services, (SSC 125, 371-5436) as soon as possible.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES and the ADVOCACY & RESOURCE CENTER:

 Amarillo College offers free services to assist students with personal issues, such as anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down or depression, 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. If you or someone you know is 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc.

Syllabus Created on:

01/09/20 3:39 PM

Last Edited on:

01/09/20 3:50 PM