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.
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>
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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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 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.
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
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
ENGL-1301-0140 Composition I
Corequisite: INRW 0303 Prerequisite: Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading and writing skills
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
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)
On Campus Course
Amarillo College's Rhetoric Handbook and The Little Seagull. If you are not in the Monday/Wednesday INRW course, contact me for further information.
Working computer with access to Google Docs and, in addition, a standard word-processing program (preferably Word).
Access to the Internet is imperative.
Lost documents are not the responsibility of the instructor. (The “Dog (or computer) ate my homework” is not an excuse. If it’s on Google Docs, it’s there.)
You additionally should have pen/paper ready to write brief notes as we work. As the majority of this class is face-to-face, it is imperative that you come to class, stay up with me (no sleeping, please), and ask questions when you don't understand something. Taking good notes is the first step in success.
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.
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.
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".
Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating will not be tolerated in this class.
Cheating includes but is not limited to: copying or leaving the test with a test or questions from a test, helping or attempting to help other students cheat on a test or plagiarizing on a paper. It additionally includes working on a test/essay AFTER the announced conclusion time. Because all our work is done in Google Docs, I can see when things have been edited.
(Please note the following:) I CONSIDER USE OF A. I. TO WRITE YOUR ESSAYS TO BE CHEATING.
The following is the official department policy on plagiarism:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as “using exact words from any outside source without using quotation marks or properly citing them; paraphrasing words from any outside source without citing them; or using research from any outside source without citing it.”
Self-Plagiarism
Self-plagiarism is defined as turning in your own previous work to meet a current assignment. This policy will be amended at the discretion of each individual instructor.
Collusion
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Bard) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.
Cheating
“Cheating on a test” shall include:
Copying from another student’s test paper.
Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of a pending test.
The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the pending test.
Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
Bribing another person to obtain a pending test or information about a pending test.
Statement of Consequences
If you plagiarize, cheat, or collude, you will face consequences. Ignorance of the policy is not an excuse. Any work produced in part or in whole through plagiarism, collusion, or cheating may receive a penalty up to and including a zero for the assignment. After assigning a zero, a subsequent infraction will result in a meeting the head of the Department and possible expulsion from the class. Another incident will result in a referral to the Vice President of Enrollment Management.
In the college experience, students will encounter diverse views and new subject matter, which expand their 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) death, violence, sexuality, examples of racism / discrimination, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own. If this is a concern for you, please meet with me.
45% Essays and Major Tests
10% Daily (peer editing, mechanics on the three major essays, ATTENDANCE, class participation)
25% Researched Essay
20% Final Exam/Semester Test (in-class essay)
90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, Below 60 = F
Late work is simply not acceptable. Any time an assignment is due, I expect it to be submitted at the beginning of the class period. Should an emergency arise that precludes your attending class that day, you must either stop writing on time or email me the instant a problem occurs.
There is additionally no opportunity for extra credit. Should I, in a very rare instance, offer the opportunity for an extra credit assignment, it will go to the entire class, not to one person. You have many "little" grades which are the "extra credit." They won't bring up a 30, but they will help take the bite out of it. Come to class, prepare your assignments carefully, and complete them on time: That's the "secret" of doing well in my class.
I do NOT accept late work, so please understand that failure to submit an assignment on time will almost certainly create a huge hole in your average. Even if you're absent on the day a paper is due, it is still due. You don't get extra time because you're absent. If there is an extenuating circumstance which prevents your attendance, you must contact me by email immediately. I am not interested in all the details of your absence, but I need more than "I can't come to class," especially if you miss more than one or two class periods in the semester.
We may talk about a variety of issues in this class that contain adult subject matter. Please remember to remain polite and respectful at all times to everyone in the classroom.
Student Withdrawal Procedures: Students who wish to withdraw from a class must initiate the request with their instructor before the withdrawal deadline.
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, one that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the instructor must initiate all drops and that the drop date for this semester is Feb. 25.
Tuesday. Thursday
Tuesday Thursday
Jan. 14—Introduce class, syllabus, calendar Introduce Personal Essay Style exercises Assignment: Write rough draft for Thursday (daily grade) Complete email test and Google Docs share by 9 p.m. TODAY (Tues, Jan. 14) | 16 Discuss format /grading of all essays Peer edit personal essays (Note: daily grade) Discuss logos, ethos, pathos, kairos Assignment: Complete personal essay for Jan. 23. |
Jan. 21 (Census Day 20th) Begin instruction on analysis (VERY IMPORTANT) Assignment: Complete final copy of personal essay. STOP WRITING by 9 a.m. Thursday 23rd. Read sample analyses in Content
| 23 Submit personal essay for grading (share by 9 a.m). Continue analysis—Complete the sample essay Introduce Analysis Assignment—Assignment: Write rough draft for Jan. 30 (reminder: daily grade)
|
Jan. 28 More work with analysis techniques Work on discussion board together in class. Assignment: Complete rough draft of Analysis for Jan. 30. Share with me AND your partner by 9 a.m. Between now and Feb. 4, READ the Common Assessment passage: “Will Generative AI Make Us Dumber?” | 30 Peer edit Analysis (daily grade). Final discussion on analysis. Remind about tutorials. Assignment: Write final copy of Analysis for Feb. 6.
|
Feb. 4 Introduce Common Assessment and assignment(s). Assignment: Complete Analysis. Stop writing at 9 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 6).
| 6 Submit Analysis for grading. Share by 9 a.m. Discuss persuasive essays. Practice writing thesis sentences in class. Introduce research paper and topics to choose. Choose potential topic for research paper, put it at the top of a Google Doc, and share it WITH ME ONLY by 9 p.m. Monday (Feb. 10). This must be in thesis sentence form. |
Feb. 11 Look at library databases for support for your topics.
Assignment: Complete and post your Common Assessment paper by Fri, Feb. 14, at noon. | 13 Discuss citations and Works Cited forms. Look at sample essays for examples. Continue to research your topic. Discuss introductions further. Begin writing introductions.
|
Personal essay assignment:
A “portmanteau” is a word created out of two words: a “labradoodle” is a combination of a Labrador and a poodle; Louis Carroll created “galumphing” (gallop12ing in triumph)—We have all kinds. Now, it’s your turn to create a new creature with a portmanteau as its name. Then, from his point of view, tell his story—how he came to exist, why he was created, and what kinds of adventures might he (or she or it or whatever pronoun you choose to attach to him/her/it, etc) have. You can describe an adventure or whatever you’d like your new creature to say. BTW, I WILL put your portmanteau into a search to make sure it doesn’t already exist. You’ll need a page and a half for full credit for your peer edit on Thursday, and you’ll need at the very least a page and a half for your final copy, which is due Jan. 23rd. (The idea here is preferably write more than the 1 ½ pages). I do not expect these to be longer than 2 pages, however. Don’t get too carried away! Also, please avoid ALL dialogue (conversation between two characters) UNLESS you know exactly how to punctuate it correctly. It’s tricky, even in its simplest form! It’s easier to just not try to use it.
May you include a picture? Of course (I did); however, it will NOT count as part of the length. Please make the pic as small as possible with it still being clear. If you’re an artist, draw your own pic, scan it, and upload it to the file.
Feb. 18 Continue to research topics. Further discuss citations and Works Cited. Assignment: After 3 p.m. on Friday (21st), I will pull your research files to grade your Works Cited forms. At that time, you need AT LEAST FOUR forms (sources). In addition, you will need the citation form you plan to use in your paper at the beginning of each Works Cited form (Like I’ve shown you in class). Remember you do not need to re-share. I will NOT look at your writing, and you can continue writing your paper, just not add to your Works Cited after 3 or until I’ve finished grading them. | 20 Continue to research with personal computers.. Assignment: After 3 p.m. on MONDAY (24th), I will grade your introduction. Again, don’t re-share, just don’t do anything to your intro until after I’ve graded it. (I will grade the intros any time before Monday if you’ll tell me it’s ready.)
Last day to drop 8-week classes—Feb. 25. |
Feb. 25 Continue to work on papers. This is the last day to drop a 1st 8-week class! | 27 Review Works Cited and final copies. Assignment: Final copy of paper is due by Tuesday, Mar. 4, 11:30 a.m. No exceptions.
|
Mar. 4 At 9:00 a.m., I will discuss the final exam process. Come to the front and show me your file when you have completed your paper. I’ll pull it up on my computer so you’ll see that I have the correct file. Once you have done that, you may leave. At 11:30 (a.m.), your time is up and you must stop writing. The final exam will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Thursday Mar. 6. No exceptions. (You may start as early as 8:30 if you wish.) | 6 Write final exam—In the classroom from 9-11:00. You may start as early as 8:30 if you think you need more time. This will be done on notebook paper with a pen. No electronic assistance is acceptable. |
Spring Break Mar. 8-16. Second 8 weeks classes begin Mar. 17 |
|
The Common Assessment:
This is an activity that a committee from the English Dept. has created for every student in 1301 to complete. Its purpose? To make sure that everyone is learning the same techniques. You will read a piece which is posted in the Common Assessment folder. Then, you’ll write a reaction to it and submit it to the appropriate location.
The “no-no” words for every essay except the personal:
I, me, my, mine, myself;
we, us, our, ours, ourselves;
you, your, yours yourself, yourselves;
AND the contractions that have those words in it:
I’m, I’ve, I’d, I’ll;
we’re, we’ve, we’d, we’ll,
let’s (let us);
you’re, you’ve, you’d, you’ll
(I hope that’s all, but it may not be).
To fix, hit “command (or control or maybe alt) F.” That opens the “find” box. Put in “you” and watch the highlighted words show up!
Tuesday Thursday
Jan. 14—Introduce class, syllabus, calendar Introduce Personal Essay Style exercises Assignment: Write rough draft for Thursday (daily grade) Complete email test and Google Docs share by 9 p.m. TODAY (Tues, Jan. 14) | 16 Discuss format /grading of all essays Peer edit personal essays (Note: daily grade) Discuss logos, ethos, pathos, kairos Assignment: Complete personal essay for Jan. 23. |
Jan. 21 (Census Day 20th) Begin instruction on analysis (VERY IMPORTANT) Assignment: Complete final copy of personal essay. STOP WRITING by 9 a.m. Thursday 23rd. Read sample analyses in Content
| 23 Submit personal essay for grading (share by 9 a.m). Continue analysis—Complete the sample essay Introduce Analysis Assignment—Assignment: Write rough draft for Jan. 30 (reminder: daily grade)
|
Jan. 28 More work with analysis techniques Work on discussion board together in class. Assignment: Complete rough draft of Analysis for Jan. 30. Share with me AND your partner by 9 a.m. Between now and Feb. 4, READ the Common Assessment passage: “Will Generative AI Make Us Dumber?” | 30 Peer edit Analysis (daily grade). Final discussion on analysis. Remind about tutorials. Assignment: Write final copy of Analysis for Feb. 6.
|
Feb. 4 Introduce Common Assessment and assignment(s). Assignment: Complete Analysis. Stop writing at 9 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 6).
| 6 Submit Analysis for grading. Share by 9 a.m. Discuss persuasive essays. Practice writing thesis sentences in class. Introduce research paper and topics to choose. Choose potential topic for research paper, put it at the top of a Google Doc, and share it WITH ME ONLY by 9 p.m. Monday (Feb. 10). This must be in thesis sentence form. |
Feb. 11 Look at library databases for support for your topics.
Assignment: Complete and post your Common Assessment paper by Fri, Feb. 14, at noon. | 13 Discuss citations and Works Cited forms. Look at sample essays for examples. Continue to research your topic. Discuss introductions further. Begin writing introductions.
|
Personal essay assignment:
A “portmanteau” is a word created out of two words: a “labradoodle” is a combination of a Labrador and a poodle; Louis Carroll created “galumphing” (gallop12ing in triumph)—We have all kinds. Now, it’s your turn to create a new creature with a portmanteau as its name. Then, from his point of view, tell his story—how he came to exist, why he was created, and what kinds of adventures might he (or she or it or whatever pronoun you choose to attach to him/her/it, etc) have. You can describe an adventure or whatever you’d like your new creature to say. BTW, I WILL put your portmanteau into a search to make sure it doesn’t already exist. You’ll need a page and a half for full credit for your peer edit on Thursday, and you’ll need at the very least a page and a half for your final copy, which is due Jan. 23rd. (The idea here is preferably write more than the 1 ½ pages). I do not expect these to be longer than 2 pages, however. Don’t get too carried away! Also, please avoid ALL dialogue (conversation between two characters) UNLESS you know exactly how to punctuate it correctly. It’s tricky, even in its simplest form! It’s easier to just not try to use it.
May you include a picture? Of course (I did); however, it will NOT count as part of the length. Please make the pic as small as possible with it still being clear. If you’re an artist, draw your own pic, scan it, and upload it to the file.
Feb. 18
Continue to research topics. Further discuss citations and Works Cited. Assignment: After 3 p.m. on Friday (21st), I will pull your research files to grade your Works Cited forms. At that time, you need AT LEAST FOUR forms (sources). In addition, you will need the citation form you plan to use in your paper at the beginning of each Works Cited form (Like I’ve shown you in class). Remember you do not need to re-share. I will NOT look at your writing, and you can continue writing your paper, just not add to your Works Cited after 3 or until I’ve finished grading them. | 20 Continue to research with personal computers.. Assignment: After 3 p.m. on MONDAY (24th), I will grade your introduction. Again, don’t re-share, just don’t do anything to your intro until after I’ve graded it. (I will grade the intros any time before Monday if you’ll tell me it’s ready.)
Last day to drop 8-week classes—Feb. 25. |
Feb. 25 Continue to work on papers. This is the last day to drop a 1st 8-week class! | 27 Review Works Cited and final copies. Assignment: Final copy of paper is due by Tuesday, Mar. 4, 11:30 a.m. No exceptions.
|
Mar. 4 At 9:00 a.m., I will discuss the final exam process. Come to the front and show me your file when you have completed your paper. I’ll pull it up on my computer so you’ll see that I have the correct file. Once you have done that, you may leave. At 11:30 (a.m.), your time is up and you must stop writing. The final exam will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Thursday Mar. 6. No exceptions. (You may start as early as 8:30 if you wish.) | 6 Write final exam—In the classroom from 9-11:00. You may start as early as 8:30 if you think you need more time. This will be done on notebook paper with a pen. No electronic assistance is acceptable. |
Spring Break Mar. 8-16. Second 8 weeks classes begin Mar. 17 |
|
The Common Assessment:
This is an activity that a committee from the English Dept. has created for every student in 1301 to complete. Its purpose? To make sure that everyone is learning the same techniques. You will read a piece which is posted in the Common Assessment folder. Then, you’ll write a reaction to it and submit it to the appropriate location.
The “no-no” words for every essay except the personal:
I, me, my, mine, myself;
we, us, our, ours, ourselves;
you, your, yours yourself, yourselves;
AND the contractions that have those words in it:
I’m, I’ve, I’d, I’ll;
we’re, we’ve, we’d, we’ll,
let’s (let us);
you’re, you’ve, you’d, you’ll
(I hope that’s all, but it may not be).
To fix, hit “command (or control or maybe alt) F.” That opens the “find” box. Put in “you” and watch the highlighted words show up!
01/07/25 7:33 PM
01/07/25 7:48 PM