Composition I Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

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.

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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-1301-032 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 ResourcesStudent 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

The Little Seagull Handbook with exercises by Richard Bullock, Michal Brody and Francine Weinburg (4rd Edition, 2021)

and

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301 & 1302, and 2311 Fourth edition Hayden McNeil, 2019. 

Supplies

Student Performance

Student Performance:

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

GRADES:

Final grades will be determined by exams, quizzes, exercises, and successful completion of all assigned writing, research, and reading projects. In order to pass this class, students must turn in all of their assignments. 

GRADE BREAKDOWN:

All work is due on the date assigned. The class calendar is usually followed, but it is always subject to change.  Regular viewing of the class calendar on AC Online/Blackboard is necessary so that a student will be aware of any class changes.  No assignment, daily work, or homework will be accepted late without penalty.  You cannot pass the class without turning in all essay assignments. Keep up with the class calendar, which is located on AC Online.  You can always turn in work early.

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.

The class 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 and attitude. Disrespectful behavior toward anyone will not be tolerated in this class.

Grading Criteria

Rough drafts/peer reviews/discussions/homework-10%

Journals - 7%

Grammar-10%

Essay 1 Narrative -14%

Essay 2 Rhetorical Analysis Essay -17%

Essay 3 Researched Argument-22%

Final Exam- 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

English 1301 is an 8-week online course.

Students are expected to log into the class the first-day classes open.  Students need to complete the first week’s work on time and, during the semester, pay special attention to all due dates that are listed in the Blackboard course calendar.

This is a fast-paced course, and students should be aware that each weeks' workload 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 and to do the work assigned according to the calendar due dates published in Blackboard/AC Online. Since this is an online 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.  Remember that the deadline for drops for this course this semester is December 8, 2021.

Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.  Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class. It is your responsibility to withdraw from the class by filling out the required paperwork and e-mailing to me or take a picture of it and text it to me. Make sure all is filled in. Once I have it, I will send it to the registrar for withdrawal.

Calendar

Journal 2 Due

Additional Information

• Class starts on 10/25/2021 and ends on 12/17/2021.  The last day to drop a class is 12/8/2021
• 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.
• No late work is accepted in this class.  The class papers must be submitted to Blackboard when instructed and be in MLA format.  The papers must also be saved as a Microsoft Word Document.
• All major assignments must be turned in to pass this class.

Note: The calendar is subject to change. You will be notified in the Blackboard Weekly folders of the changes. Follow what is in the folders. 

Computers are available in the library for individual student use for word processing and Internet work. Students who use the lab are required to sign in for each visit. Students will do writing on computers as a part of this class.   This class also uses MS Word and AC Connect/Blackboard.

Blackboard:

Blackboard is one program that we use in this class.  The class calendar is posted in Blackboard.  Assignments are posted under the content area.  The grade book and Email are available for you through Blackboard, too. Assignments will be completed in Blackboard also.

TUTORING:

        Tutoring is required when a student makes below a 70 on a test or writing assignment. Free tutoring is available through The Writers’ Corner. The Writers’ Corner is in Ordway Hall. There is also general tutoring offered in Ware. It is suggested that you make an appointment at the Writers’ Corner, but you can also drop by for tutoring.  

        In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an online tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. This service is available nights and weekends. Access instructions are located in AC Online.