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.

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:

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-DC009 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbook

The Writer\'s World, 2nd ed.  By Lynne Gaetz and Suneeti Phadke, Prentice Hall, 2012

 

 

Supplies

Other Supplies

• lined notebook or composition book (divided into two sections: journal and notes)
• writing utensil
• pocket dictionary and thesaurus (optional but recommended)

Student Performance

Course Objectives

Course Description:

Development of college-level writing focusing on idea generation, drafting, organization, revision, and utilization of standard English.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate clear focus, the logical development of ideas, and the use of appropriate language that advances the writer’s purpose.
2. Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given writing situations.
3. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating the ideas and words of other writers in student writing using established strategies.
4. Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information to formulate and develop a claim.
5. Develop and use effective revision strategies to strengthen the writer’s ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
6. Edit writing to conform to the conventions of standard English.

Additional Course Information:

English 0302 is an introduction to composition for students needing basic writing instruction and a comprehensive review of mechanics and grammar as these apply to their own writing. This course stresses clarity, organization, development, and correctness in writing.

Additional Learning Objectives:

Students will:

• Analyze and write a variety of texts (500-750 words each) in different rhetorical modes focusing on the development of multi-paragraph texts and academic essays.
• Utilize basic computer technology including such things as composing a document in MLA style with a word processing program, communicating using email, and accessing course information on the college’s learning management system.

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

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.

Respect others: As the instructor, I am committed to treating students with respect and dignity.  I expect the same treatment in return, and I expect you as students to treat each other with respect and dignity.  Disrespect will not be tolerated.

Be courteous to students and instructor: Please turn off all electronic devices (like cell phones) before class.

• Please do not text during class. If you are expecting an important call, please let me know ahead of time, set your phone to vibrate, and sit next to the door so you can take the call without disrupting class.
• Please do not talk to classmates when the instructor is speaking.

Be prompt and attentive: Arrive before class begins, and stay until your instructor dismisses you.

Plagiarism

Amarillo College 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.

Grading Criteria

Grade Policy

 In order to pass this class, students must turn in all of their work and score an average of 70 or better for the course. Grades will be based on the following system:

Instructor Feedback

I understand that my feedback on your assignments is important, so I strive to return graded assignments no later than a week after they were turned in.  If you are unsatisfied with the score you received on an essay or any assignment, please meet with me to discuss your grade.

 

 

 

Attendance

Attendance Policy

Student responsiblities:

1. Attend all classes.   Since we meet only twice a week, your attendance is important to your success in this class.  We will do a number of in-class writing assignments, and longer essay assignments will be explained and clarified in class. Absences adversely affect grades. 
2. Sign the attendance roll each day.
3. Inform your instructor of an anticipated absence before the date.
4. If you do miss class, get make-up work from a trusted classmate. It is your responsibility to get make-up work and notes if you miss class. Please do not ask me after your absence what you missed. Instead, ask a trusted classmate, and I will provide further clarification if needed. If you're not in class, you may miss due date information, and I do not accept late work. Do not refer to the syllabus course outline for due dates; instead, refer to the calendar available through AC Online.

Withdrawal

If you consider withdrawing, 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 this semester is Nov. 20, 2013.  Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies. Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.

Students are responsible for official withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course.  A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before the withdrawal deadline: Nov. 20, 2013.  Students may withdraw via WebAdvisor, by meeting with their academic advisor, by meeting with Advising Department staff or at any of the Assistance Center counters. Withdrawal requests will not be accepted by telephone.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Tutoring

 

Tutoring:  Free tutoring is available through two sources: The Writers’ Corner and Smarthinking.  You may make an appointment at the Writers’ Corner, but you can also drop by for tutoring.  The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580

In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an on-line 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. 

Revisions: You may receive a grade of NG (No Grade) on a paper along with a note from me to take your paper to a tutor. In order to redeem credit, take the paper to the Writers' Corner and meet with a tutor. After you meet with a tutor, the tutor will send me a form explaining what they talked to you about. You will have one week after the paper was originally returned to you to rewrite the paper with the advice you received from the tutor.  You will turn back in the original paper and the revised paper to me.  The revised paper will then be graded (You must see a tutor in the Writers’ Corner, rewrite the paper, and turn in both the original and rewritten paper in one week from when it was given to you to have the original grade removed.)