Composition I Syllabus for 2022-2023
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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-1301-024 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

A Rhetoric Handbook for English 1301, 1302, and 2311 to be purchased in the AC Bookstore

The Little Seagull Handbook with exercises 4th edition to be purchased in the AC Bookstore

Supplies

Laptop or PC

Reliable internet access

Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Word or Google Document 

Student Performance

Grade Categories and Weights

• Journals - 5%
• Quizzes - 5%
• Minor Assignments - 10% (outlines/rough drafts/peer reviews/discussions/common assessment assignment)
• Essay 1 - "Descriptive Personal Narrative - Essay 1" - 15%
• Essay 2 - "Summary/Analysis/Response - Essay 2" - 20%
• Essay 3 - "Research Argumentative - Essay 3" - 25%
• Final Exam  - "Timed Essay" - 20%

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

• If a student is struggling with any aspect of the course, immediate contact with the instructor is a must.
• Each student is expected to log in at least once daily to complete assignments, activities, and/or receive updates through course email. 
• Students must complete assignments on or before due date. No late work is accepted. Please pay attention to course due dates.
• Plagiarism may result in a zero on an assignment, which may fail the student for the course. See your instructor for help in avoiding plagiarism
• 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.

Online Classroom Conduct

• Per the Amarillo College Rights and Responsibilities (linked above), you are expected to behave in the classroom in a way that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to:

1. Abusive, offensive, or disrespectful demeanor toward AC faculty, staff, students, and/or property. Please be respectful to your fellow classmates and conduct yourself in a manner appropriate for a classroom setting. 
2. Unauthorized access, reconfiguration, modification, copying or misuse of college or other students’ computer files, including inappropriate use of e-mail, data or software. 

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.

Grading Criteria

89.5-100 = A

79.5-89.4 = B

69.5-79.4 = C

59.5-69.4 = D

0-59.4 = F

Attendance

• Online students attend class by logging in to AC Connect and participating in the learning activities. 
• They are not expected to come to campus. Daily attendance in any online course is actively logging in, reading content, and completing assignments on-time. It is recommended that you check your email (AC) several times daily.
• Since 8-week courses move quickly, it is important to keep up with all learning activities (reading and writing assignments, discussions, peer reviews, and quizzes).
• Each assignment has a due date which is located on the syllabus, and on the course calendar. Also, check the course email for important information, and due date reminders.

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 initiate the request on or before the withdrawal deadline.
• Before you consider dropping this class or any class, check with a counselor or advisor, and the instructor to try to protect your investment in the course.  

Calendar

Additional Information

Be advised that this is a college class with subject matter that some may find intellectually and psychologically challenging. 

Since this is a college course, some of the material will include adult subject matter.

All assignments must be submitted through the course, and will not be accepted via email.   

My goal is to grade minor work within three-seven business days, and major work within seven-fourteen business days.  If there is an issue, I will email the details within that time frame.

I will respond to all emails/remind messages within 24 hours between the hours of 9:00 am-8:00 pm. I do not respond to or check messages on Sunday.