Composition II Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

 

As I am a part-time instructor, I do not have an office.  You can reach me at any point using either AC email:  carogers@actx.edu OR carogers@amarillocollege.com.  If you go through our Blackboard class, the email will go straight to my AC account and will contain our class section number.  Unless I notify you otherwise, I will check the AC email several times a day.

I will be at AC every morning at least 30 minutes before class begins to offer help as needed.  Please feel free to come early.  If I'm not in the room, check in the office or around in the tutoring center, as sometimes I need to go either place.  

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-1302-040 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Rhetoric Handbook  Available from AC Bookstore only.  You should have one from 1301.

Supplies

You will need your computers, logged on, ready to watch, listen, and participate.  Please follow your calendar for specifics of the class.  It might be helpful to have your phone ready as well.  If I can show demonstrations on line, I will.  However, we're all going to be learning this process together.  Please be patient.

Student Performance

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 multimedial texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking aobut evidence and conclusions.  These skills will primarily be achieved through the study of literature.

Prerequisite:  ENGL 1301 or its equivalent

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

1.  Demonstrate knoweldge 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 and style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc)

6.  Demonstrate an understanding of literary genres and the basic vocabulary of literary analysis.

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 paper 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".

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

 

No late work is acceptable.  Major assignments are due when assigned.  If there is an emergency, I will accept a major assignment late, but that will occur on an individual basis only.  This includes trying to finish papers at the beginning of class periods.  Please note that I can tell when you post your essays for me on Google Docs.

English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised 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 instruct

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

 

15%--class participation/peer editing/mechanics grades on the poetry essay and the mini-research

20%--poetry essay

25%--mini-research essay

35 % researched essay/final (all merged together)

5%--Attendance

90-100=A

80-89=B

70-79=C

60-69=D

Below 60=F

Attendance

This is technically an on-campus course--the "on-campus," however, becomes your home.  I will check attendance based on your questions/comments during class.  Since you'll be typing these, I'm not going to make any allowances for people who like to hide rather than talk.  (I was one of those students, so please don't think I'm making fun of you--rather, I usually go out of my way to make things fair for you.  It just that you can type in comments or questions, not anonymously, but without fear of being put on the spot.  You don't want to be anonymous--it is a grade, after all).  If you do not "show up" in some way, you can't be "present."  Therefore, I will count you absent.  The best way to avoid the issue is to be open with me, whether through discussion, by email, or in the "open box" time when I can speak to each of you individually.  Attendance is a grade and will count 5% of your final grade--please make yours a 100 so that you can have that bit of "padding" against only 3 major grades.

Student Withdrawal Procedures: Students who wish to withdraw from a class must fill out the form for withdrawal (see "student forms" in the "forms" section of the ACconnect opening screen--Academic Withdrawal Request), have me sign it, and return it to the office before the final date.  The previously scheduled drop date was May 5.  Whether that changes, we have no way of knowing right now.

 

Administrative Drop Policy: Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

 

If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is May 5.

Calendar

Tuesday

March 31

Introduce much changed course.  Begin poetry.  The sonnet, Donne, Keats

Point out Analysis assignment.  Review briefly.

Assignment:  Read “Introduction to Poetry” in the Poetry folder of Content.

Choose a partner from the class—exchange emails (cell #s are not sufficient). 

Thursday

April 2

Complete poems from Tuesday.  Then, do Browning, Dickinson, Frost, Collins.

Go over Poetry essay assignment more carefully.

Assignment:  Prepare rough draft of analysis for Thursday.

April 7

Finish Poetry.

Assignment:  Complete rough draft of poetry analysis for Thursday.

[Do paper on Google docs--share and allow edit with BOTH me AND your partner BY 9:00 a.m. Thursday.]

April 9

Peer edit essay—daily grade.  You will complete this portion by editing the shared Google Docs file.  I hope that I can direct this by giving instructions while you work.  If not, I will have a form for you to refer to.  I will “grade” your work by looking at the editing that you accomplish after 11:30 that morning. [shared Google Docs file due by 9 a.m. that day]

Assignment:  Prepare Final Copy of poetry analysis for Thursday, April 9.  Read “Cask of Amontillado” AND the sample essay for Tuesday.

April 14

Discuss Short Story terms.  Discuss “Cask,” and along with that, connect the various parts of the short story (terms) with the elements of “Cask.”

Discuss the sample essay as an example of prose analysis (without additional research).

Assignment:  Final copy of poetry analysis due Thursday.  Read “Masque of the Red Death.” (see link below)

April 16

Submit Poetry Analysis for grading.* [Share/edit with ME alone by 9 a.m. this morning]

Discuss “Masque,” especially connecting the description of the rooms and the color symbolism of each.

Introduce “The Vase of Clay” and the mini-research. [Note:  Please download the file in the Assignments folder so that you can refer to it during class].  Assignment:  Read story AND documents for Tuesday.

April 21

Discuss story.

THEN, use the researched essay sample on Alan Seeger’s poem as an example. [Please download this as well for reference prior to class beginning.]

April 23

Further discuss the mini research and begin writing.

Assignment:  Write rough draft of mini research for TUESDAY.

[Remember you’ll share/edit with both me AND your partner by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.]

April 28

Peer edit mini-research as well as give specific instructions for the Works Cited. [Reminder—we’ll do the peer edit on Google Docs, but we’ll still have class—guided peer edit—or the plan B version of that—whatever is possible.]

30

Submit mini-research for grading [Share/edit with me by 11:30 a.m. that day].

Introduce final research assignment.

Focus of class will be the locations for assistance, exactly what the assignment requires, and how the remainder of the sessions will be created.

May 5

Open box for questions/comments from 9-11:30 a.m.  No full class instruction today.

Last day to drop a class. (May 5) This may be changed to May 12, but we don’t know that for sure—PLEASE don’t depend on it.

May 7

Open box for questions/comments from 9-11:30 a.m.  No full class instruction today.

May 12

Back to full class instruction:

Citation form review, thesis formulation/location, acceptable sources, etc.

Assignment:  submit paper (share/edit with me and your partner) by 9 a.m. Thurs May 14

May 14

Peer edit research

Final instructions on research

Open box for questions/comments for rest of time.

Assignment:  Submit paper (share with me, or hopefully, be able to turn in a hard copy final copy) by 11:30 a.m. May 19.

May 19 

Open box for questions/comments for the entire morning as you complete your final copy for submission.

Final research assignment due by 11:30.

May 21

Take your finals for your other classes and relax.  I’ll have your grades posted by this evening (before 9 p.m., I hope).

Short story link:  “Masque of the Red Death”  https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1064/1064-h/1064-h.htm    OR  https://www.poemuseum.org/the-masque-of-the-red-death

 Should either of these links not work, put in “text of” and the name of the story [text of the black cat].  You do not need to use quotation marks or capital letters—Google will understand it.  Then, choose one of the top 2 or 3 options.  It will probably be a link to a college-supported site or Project Gutenberg or something that has [pdf] at the beginning of the result.  If you cannot read one (like if it’s on a black background as Poe’s sometimes are), go to another. 

Just to make things clear regarding your essays—Every essay you write for this class must be in 3rd person.  That means that you may NOT use 1st or 2nd person pronouns unless those words are a part of a quote. 

1st person pronouns (pronouns that the speaker uses to refer to him/herself):

I, me, my, mine, myself

We, us, our, ours, ourselves

2nd person pronouns (pronouns that the speaker uses to refer to the person/persons the speaker is addressing):

You, your, yours, yourself, yourselves_______________________________________________

Contractions that contain one of these pronouns are also included:

I’m, I’ve, I’ll, I’d

We’re, we’ve, we’d, we’ll

You’re, you’ve, you’d, you’ll

(That’s all I can think of—there may be others)___________________________________________

The way to fix that?  Use the following computer commands (whatever version you have, this works on Google Docs, too):

For Macs—command f    OR click the magnifying glass icon at the top right of the screen.

For PCs—control f

Put in each of the pronouns and check (hint—you, I, we, and our are the most common ones)

The penalty for using one?  -10 points for EACH infraction

 

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

03/07/20 4:17 PM

Last Edited on:

03/19/20 10:32 AM