Composition I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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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

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:

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 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 for the first time fall 2007 and later 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.

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-1301-022 Composition I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0331 and ENGL 0302-minimum grade of C or 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

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

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

Carter, Judith L., et al. A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 and 1302. 4th ed. Mason: Cengage, 2010.

Supplies

While I encourage you to keep a notebook, the only real requirements for each class meeting are:

paper

pen

previously taken notes

textbook(s) when requested

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

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.

 

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 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

Cell phones are simply not a part of this class.  If you have an emergency, please let me know so that I will understand if you run out of class for a bit to take a call.  Otherwise, spending the class that you have paid for texting or playing games is counter-productive and affects not only your learning, but also that of the students around you.

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 instructor’s discretion.

Grading Criteria

50% Essays and Major Tests

10% Daily (minor grades like peer editing)

20% 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 get the paper to campus OR email it to me the day it is due.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and to complete all assignments.   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.

Because this is a course that meets only one time a week, this means that every class meeting is essential.  Missing a class is simply not acceptable.  Should you have an emergency, please either email me immediately or call the college and leave a message.  If there is an assignment due, I expect you to email it to me the day it is due OR to bring it to campus and have someone in the office put it in my box.

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 November 22nd.

Calendar

Week 1—Aug. 22—Introduce class and review syllabus.

                                    Discuss argument—pathos, logos, ethos.

                                    Discuss personal essay.

Assignment:  Write rough draft of personal essay

Read sample passage for work next week

Week 2—Aug. 29—Discuss style and creativity—how to make personal essays more interesting.

                                    Discuss rhetorical precis—use sample reading to create a precis

                                    Peer edit personal essays (Reminder:  daily grade)

                                                Assignment:  Write final copy of personal essay

                                                            Write precis for sample piece

                                                            Read Leonard Pitts’ piece on 9/11. (From Content)

 Week 3—Sept. 5—NO CLASS—LABOR DAY—Work on personal essay

 Week 4—Sept. 12—Submit personal essay for grading (grades posted by Wednesday)

                                    Submit Rhetorical precis (Daily grade)

                                    Begin process of analysis using the piece on 9/11.

                                                Assignment:  Read “The Rattler” and “The Perfect Picture” and the sample analyses (From Content)

 Week 5—Sept. 19—Complete process of analysis.

                                    Discuss “The Rattler” analysis

                                                Assignment:  Prepare Analysis 1 for peer editing next week.

                                        (Reminder—peer editing is a daily grade)—specific assignment will be given in class.

 Week 6—Sept. 26—Discuss difficulties encountered with analysis.

                                    Work through a different essay/speech for analysis help.

                                    Peer-edit analysis one—reminder—daily grade

                                     Assignment:  Prepare Analysis 1 final copy for submission next week.

 Week 7—Oct. 3--Submit Analysis 1 for grading (Grades posted by Wednesday)

                                    American Rhetoric games

                                    Write paragraphs in different points of view

                                    Discuss process of completing the essay.

                                 Assignment:  Prepare rough draft of Analysis 2 for peer editing

  Week 8—Oct. 10—Look at other political speeches such as Obama’s “A More Perfect Union.”

                                    Continue to discuss the analysis process.

                                    Discuss difficulties in Analysis one papers.  

                                    Peer-edit Analysis 2 (daily grade)

                                                Assignment:  Prepare Analysis 2 final copy for grading.

OCTOBER 17—FALL BREAK—NO CLASS—Work on Analysis 2

Week 9—Oct. 24—Submit Analysis 2 for grading (Grades posted by Wednesday).

                                    Discuss persuasive papers.

                                    Write a sample persuasive paper in class (daily grade)

                                    Assignment:  Read sample documents (in Content) for mini-research

                                                Print sample essays if you wish

Week 10—Oct. 31—Return Analysis 2 and discuss.

                                    Return arguments and discuss difficulties.

                                    Learn about the mini-research papers.

                                                Assignment:  Write a rough draft of the mini-research paper 1.

                                                            (Reminder:  daily grade)

                                                Find a potential topic for a research topic.

 Week 11—Nov. 7—Peer edit Mini research 1 (daily grade) I will meet with each person individually about research topics while you are peer-editing.

                                    Discuss library data base. 

                                    Discuss works cited forms for mini-research 1.

                                                Assignment:  Prepare Mini-research 1 for grading.

 Week 12—Nov. 14—Submit mini-research 1 for grading (grades posted by Wednesday)

                                    Go to computer lab.

                                      Assignment:  Continue work on research

 Week 13—Nov. 21—Review Works Cited process

                         Go to lab.  Complete a Works Cited form for each of three articles on your topic.

                                                Assignment:  Work on research paper.

                          Email me a copy of your introduction by Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (daily grade) [OR bring me a hard copy between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening]

                                    Bring your corrected introduction AND at least one body paragraph to class for peer-editing.

NOVEMBER 22 IS LAST DAY TO DROP ANY CLASS!!!

Week 14—Nov. 28—Final discussion about final copies, etc.

                                    Go to lab

                                    Assignment:  Complete research papers

Week 15—Dec. 5  Research papers are due at 9:00.  There are absolutely no late papers accepted.  I will NOT accept emailed papers.  After you have submitted your papers, you will write the essay portion of the semester test.  It will be a persuasive essay.  This is worth 70 % of your semester test grade.  You will need notebook paper and a PEN.  You may also bring a hard-copy of a dictionary (not electronic).

 Week 16—Dec. 12—Final Exam.  9:00-11:00.   This week, you will take the objective portion of the test.  It will be a sample researched essay with many errors.  The questions will direct you to correct these errors.  This is worth 30% of your semester test grade.  You will need no paper—only something to write with.  Pencil is fine for this portion.

 Final Grades will be posted by 9:00 a.m.  Dec. 13.

 

Additional Information

No additional information available

Syllabus Created on:

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Last Edited on:

08/22/16 3:44 PM