Composition I Syllabus for 2026-2027
Return to Syllabus List

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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

ENGL-1301-021 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Rhetoric Handbook for ENGL 1301, 1302, and 2311. 4th. .2019. (primary)

A Pocket Style Manual, Tenth Edition. Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers. Bedford/St. Martin's Macmillan Learning.  Boston/New York. 2025. (useful if you will be taking additional composition courses or if your major field requires academic writing for a specific style -- MLA, APA, Chicago)

Supplies

Students should bring a laptop (preferable) or a tablet to class if they have one. 

In  a hybrid class, class time is spent in intensive teaching, which  includes starting essay assignments and at times doing exercises and daily assignments in class. With some exercises, we will start them to make sure  that you understand what to do, and the remainder of the work will be homework.  With essay work, most of the writing will be done as homework. If you do not have a computer or strong internet connection at home, plan on using a computer in the library or in the Ware Center Underground. The English office (first floor of Ordway Hall) maintains a bank of laptop computers, which can be checked out on a daily basis for use on campus.  We are a writing class, so connecting online through your phone does not work in your best interest, other than checking grades. 

This course requires students to use a word processing program and Blackboard for course content and for submitting work, and Blackboard email for communication purposes. Students must submit work and communicate through these programs in order to pass this course. Work must be saved and submitted to Blackboard as Microsoft Word (first drafts) or PDF documents for revised drafts of essays. Google docs can be used but when uploading to Blackboard, save the document as a Word document. 

Student Performance

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. 

The classroom and online environment is based upon a simple principle: the instructor commits to treat you with respect, and you commit to treat each other and the instructor with respect. Everyone is equally responsible for maintaining a respectful dialogue, attitude, and classroom. Disrespectful behavior towards the instructor or another student will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior can range from major to minor infractions.

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

ENGL 1301:

 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 and requirements:

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures:

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor 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 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.

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

Daily work, homework, quizzes, in-class writing  20%

Personal essay                                            20%

Rhetorical analysis                                        20%

Research paper                                              25%

Final Exam                                                      15%

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

Late work is generally not accepted for this course. If you have a problem in turning in work on time, contact me as soon as possible to discuss why an assignment was not turned in or why it might not be turned in on time.  Accepting late assignments is up my discretion on a case-by-case basis.

To pass, all major work for this class must be turned in.

Attendance

ENGL 1301 is an 8-week on-campus, hybrid course.

Students are expected to log into the class the first day classes open.  Students need to complete the class work on time and, during the semester, pay special attention to all due dates that are listed in the Blackboard course folders. Our work-week runs from Monday through the following Sunday for due dates. The course is organized by weekly folders, so, generally, daily work is due during each folder's week.

This is a fast-paced course, and  students should be aware that each week’s work load may be approximately twice that of a regular 16 week course.  The 16-week course has been compressed into an 8-week time frame. The course is designed to meet state, college, and department student outcomes and objectives. This course will use MLA, Modern Language Association, documentation format.

Students are expected to sign into Blackboard, to come to class, and to do the work assigned according to the  due dates published in Blackboard. In addition to attending class, students still need to check their email and the course in Blackboard several times a week to make sure they keep up with announcements and any possible changes for the semester.

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

Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.  Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.

Calendar

Additional Information

All students registered for this class will meet in Ordway 204 Monday and Wednesday from 7-8:15 p.m.

Course Content and Work in summary 

This course requires students to use a word processing program and Blackboard for course content and for submitting work, and Blackboard email for communication purposes. Students must submit work and communicate through these programs in order to pass this course. Work must be saved and submitted to Blackboard as Microsoft Word or PDF documents. 

Students are required to use the AC Library Subscription databases for assignments in this class.  

Major writing assignments must be in MLA format.  This is described in the assignment instructions; therefore, MLA format is a part of the grade for such assignments. 

All work will be graded promptly as my teaching schedule allows. Grades will be posted on a regular basis and will be available in Blackboard through  the "My  Grades" tab.

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, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own.  If this is a concern for you, please meet with me.

Assignment Submission:

• Please submit each assignment in its designated place in Blackboard. The submission boxes are linked to the grade book, so if you enter an assignment in the wrong submission box, I will send you instructions to turn it in to the correct box. 

• Assignments submitted through email will not be accept unless you  have specifically been told to email an assignment by the instructor.

• Assignments must be submitted in .doc, .docx, or pdf format. Work submitted in a format other than .doc, .docx, or .pdf will not be accepted.

• Save your work carefully and diligently. If you do not have a thumb drive, you may want to create your documents in Google Docs so you don’t have to worry about saving. If you work in Google Docs, save your work in .pdf or .doc, .docx, before you submit it in Blackboard.

• If all assignments are not turned in, you are in jeopardy of failing this class.