Composition I Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Ordway Hall 103B

Office Hours

Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30 - 12:30

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-1301-024 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbooks                                                                                                        

 

 

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

If you have questions regarding your textbooks call the AC Bookstore at (806) 371-5307.

Supplies

Computer

Computers: You need frequent and regular access to a computer and the Internet. If your computer or Internet are not working, there are computer labs in Ordway Hall on the Washington Street Campus that you can use to complete your work.

If you have technology problems or questions, please call 371-5992, or visit the Student and Faculty Help Center on the second floor of the Ware Student Commons.

Student Performance

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.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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.

Departmental expectations:

6. Write a third person, argumentative research paper following the MLA format for citing sources.

7. Use the library's online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing.

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

Behavior

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: All rules and regulations set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” section in the current edition of the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities publication will be followed in this course. (See “Rights and Responsibilities” link above.)

Disrespect will not be tolerated. While students are expected to express their own ideas and opinions in the discussion section of this course, students are also expected to use words that are appropriate for a classroom situation. No cursing, personal insults, or disrespectful language will be tolerated. Violation of this rule will result in the loss of points for discussion contributions

The discussion forums in this class provide a great opportunity for you to practice your writing style. Proofread and spell-check your discussion posts, and check your posts and replies for clarity and accuracy. As with emails, avoid using text-message style abbreviations. In addition, proofread your posts for tone. A successful writer is ever-mindful of his/her audience, and your posts should be courteous and professional—even if you are disagreeing with a classmate. Discussion posts with numerous spelling and grammar errors an inappropriate tone will not receive credit.

Other Responsibilities

  • Check your grades regularly in Blackboard. If you have any questions or concerns about your grades, please talk to me as soon as possible.
  • Read the plagiarism policy on the top of this syllabus. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in a zero on the assignment. If you are concerned about plagiarism or are not sure whether you’ve cited sources correctly, please schedule a visit with me or with the Writers’ Corner.

Grading Criteria

Grade Criteria

Final grades will be determined by successful completion of all assigned writing and reading projects. In order to pass this class, your final grade must at or above a 70 percent.  Grades will be based on the following system:

  • A   90-100= high achievement
  • B   80-89= above average achievement
  • C   70-79= satisfactory achievement
  • D   60-69= unsatisfactory achievement
  • F    0-59= unacceptable

Your final grade for this course will be calculated according the following weights:

  • 60%  Writing Assignments: essays, thesis statements
  • 30%  Discussions and Journals
  • 10%  Final Exam

If you are unsatisfied with the score you received on an essay or any assignment, please meet with me to discuss your grade.

Attendance

Attendance Policy

  • Log in to class every day.
  • Check your email every day, as I often send information or updates through email.
  • Work on coursework ahead of schedule.
  • Check the Course Calendar in Blackboard for assignment due dates.

Calendar

Course Outline

Below is an outline of the course. Please check the Course Calendar in your Blackboard course for specific due dates and assignments. This outline is subject to change.

Week 1

  • Introductions—Discussion
  • Diagnostic writing assignment
  • One video and two reading tasks: Becoming a better learner
  • Journal assignment

Week 5

  • Submit final draft of essay 2
  • Begin argumentative writing
  • Begin research for essay 3
  • Research assignment

Week 2

  • Video and Discussion: Essay structure
  • Developing a Thesis statement
  • Assign Essay #1
  • Submit thesis statement and outline for essay 1
  • Two reading assignments
  • Two discussions

Week 6

  • Internet research assignment
  • Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
  • MLA documentation
  • Submit outline for Essay #3

Week 3

  • Rough draft essay 1
  • Edit and revise
  • Submit Final Draft Essay #1
  • One reading and discussion

Week 7

  • Submit rough draft of Essay #3 for Peer Review
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Submit final draft of Essay #3

Week 4

  • Summary vs. analysis writing
  • Complete outline for essay 2: analysis
  • Submit rough draft for essay 2
  • Peer review discussion

Week 8

  • Review and Final Exam
  • End-of-course survey

Additional Information

Late Work

Please submit work on time. You are allowed one late assignment. The late assignment must be submitted no later than 3 days after the due date. I understand that technical problems occur and life issues sometimes interfere with assignments, but I am counting on your commitment to this class despite life's setbacks. Work on assignments ahead of their due dates. Save work diligently and carefully. If a situation arises that interferes with your turning in work in a timely manner, please email or call me before the assignment due date.

Tutoring

Tutoring is optional, but highly recommended.

You are always welcome to make an appointment with me, your instructor, to get help with your writing. However, if an appointment with me does not work for you, I encourage you to seek tutoring through one of Amarillo College's helpful and free services:

  • Writers' Corner:  The Writers' Corner is in Ordway Hall, Room 102. You can make an appointment with a tutor or walk in. The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580. OR You can emaill them at writerscorner@actx.edu. Be sure to include the assignment description in your email.
  • Smarthinking: In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an online tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. This service is available nights and weekends. Access instructions are located in Blackboard.

Syllabus Created on:

01/13/20 1:26 PM

Last Edited on:

01/17/20 4:15 PM