Composition I Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

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. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 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 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:

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.

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-1301-020 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 Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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

A Rhetoric Handbook: A Custom Publication for Amarillo College, 5th Edition, MacMillan Learning

A Pocket Style Manual, by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers, 10th Edition, MacMillan Learning

Supplies

A computer with reliable access to the internet and a word processing program. 

Student Performance

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. 

Students are expected to complete all work in order to pass the class.

Students 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

All rules and regulations set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” section in the current edition of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities publication will be followed in this course. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the handbook from the Dean of Student Services Office and to become familiar with the contents and provisions of the college’s policies, rules, and regulations concerning student conduct.

English and Cultural Studies Department Tutoring Policy

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.

Amarillo College English Department Plagiarism Policy

The English and Cultural Studies Department takes academic integrity seriously.
Scholastic dishonesty, punishable as prescribed by Board policies, shall include, but not be
limited to plagiarism, collusion, and cheating on a test or written assignment.

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:
a. Copying from another student’s test paper.
b. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
c. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without
permission from the test administrator.
d. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the
contents of a pending test.
e. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the
pending test.
f. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s
self, to take a test.
g. 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.

LATE WORK IS GENERALLY NOT ACCEPTED. 

Grading Criteria

Tenative

Minor Assignments: 25%

Essay 1 - 20%

Annotated Bibliography - 10%

Essay 2: Researched Argument-25%

Essay 3: Final Exam Timed Essay- 20%

Grades will be based on the following system:

         A         89.5-100 = high achievement
         B          79.5-89.4 = above average achievement
         C          69.5-79.4 = satisfactory achievement
         D         59.5-69.4 = unsatisfactory achievement
         F          0-59.4 = unacceptable

Attendance

This is an online course, so regular checking of Blackboard is crucial to success in this course. It is your responsibility as a student to plan and work responsibly so that you submit assignments on time. 

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. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Day-to-day work listed in syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the professor.

College Content:

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, race, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own.