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-DC003 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

Amarillo College English Dept., eds. A Rhetorical Handbook for English 1301, 1302 and 2311, 4th ed., Hayden-McNeil, 2019.

Richard Bullock, Michal Brody, and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook with Exercises, 34th ed., W.W. Norton and Company, 2021.

Supplies

THE INTERNET

GOOGLE.DOCS

You will need a trustworthy computer with access to both the internet and Google Docs (Word works as well if you have it) for accessing the online class and uploading assignments. There are computers to rent for the AC Bookstore, computer labs on campus in several places (including in the Writer's Corner), and free Wi-Fi here on campus if need be. If something happens and you lose Wi-Fi, please let me know as quickly as possible, even if that means dropping by during office hours. 

Student Performance

 

Learning Outcomes 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. 

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

Student Rights and Responsibilities

http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=769

The Amarillo College English Department defines plagiarism as “using exact words from any outside source without using quotation marks or properly citing them; paraphrasing words from any outside source without citing them; or using research from any outside source without citing it.” 

The Amarillo College English Department defines collusion as  “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence and computer translators, in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.”

Any work produced in part or in whole through plagiarism or collusion may receive a penalty on the paper's grade, up to and including a zero for the assignment.  A subsequent infraction will result in expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Enrollment Management. 

We are all adults and should know how to act. My primary concern is making sure EVERYONE in class has a safe environment conducive to learning and expanding viewpoints. As long as you act in a mature manner that does not hinder other students’ efforts to learn, we have no problems.

 A few ground rules:

 

1. Please access Blackboard and check grades and email often, daily preferably.
2. You MUST turn in at least one of the week 1 assignments (though you should turn them all in anyway) by the Census date. Failure to do so will result in administrative withdrawal as mentioned below. 
3. Let’s be respectful of everybody in class, faculty, staff, student, or property. It's easy to fall into bad habits on the internet, but this class does not afford you the same anonymity. Be respectful of each other, even if you disagree. 
4. Proofread and revise everything you write, be it a journal, a discussion post, or an essay. That's how your writing and grammar will improve. I do not want to see a final draft that is unchanged from the rough draft, especially if others have given suggestions for improvement. 
5. If you're going to miss a deadline for an assignment, email me and let me know what's going on so that I can help. 

Teacher Expected Behavior:

1. At any time you may email me or speak to me during office hours about your grades, for specific assignments or for the class overall. The best way is to first email me. I'll either email you a response or email you to set a time to meet and talk in person.                                                                                                                                   

2. If you email me, I will do everything I can to email you back within 24 hours. 

3. I will do everything I can to get all assignments graded within a week of submission. It usually takes me much less time than that, but that's my personal deadline. 

4. Grades are an invitation to a conversation. If you have questions about an assignment's grade, you're more than welcome to speak with me about it. 

Grading Criteria

 

Grading Criteria

 

This I Believe Essay (10%): DUE 5/28

Rhetorical Analysis Essay (15%): DUE 6/11

Research Argument Essay  (20%): DUE 6/25

Final Essay (20%): DUE 6/27

Journals (15%) DUE Weekly on Sunday 

Discussions (15%) DUE Weekly on Sunday

Quizzes (5%)  DUE Weekly on Sunday

 

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-79

F 0-59

 

Attendance

A large part of success in college is attendance, which takes three forms. Firstly, showing up to class on time for every class session is critical in in-person classes, as that structure helps everyone involved with keeping up and getting done what needs to be done. Secondly, turning in assignments on time, and communicating with the instructor if something prevents that, is the responsibility of the student. Finally, it is critical that students keep track of their grade, what assignments are due, and keep in touch with the instructor.                                                                                                                                                                 

In an online class, we trade the structure of the in-person class for more flexibility with the schedule. However, that also means the onus or burden of making sure everything is done on time rests more on the student's shoulders. I strongly advise you to set aside time each day for working on classwork, whether that's readings, videos, or working on assignments. I speak from experience when I say that setting a daily schedule makes online classes much more manageable, and increases the odds of success. Make sure you're checking your school email daily, and check your grades often as well. Email me if you have any questions or concerns, and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can. 

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

Calendar

Additional Information

The other people in this class are students just like you. You might consider getting the contact information (name, phone number, email address) of 2-3 (one at the least) classmates. Call or email them if you need help with something to do with this class (copy of notes from a day you missed, advice on a homework assignment, reminder of page numbers, etc.). There is strength in numbers, and a college class is no exception.

 

Useful Phone Numbers:

 

AC Advocacy & Resource Center

806-371-543

 

AC Counseling Center

806-371-5191

Amarillo College offers help in the form of counseling and other assistance for students facing personal issues that might affect their ability to complete the course. While I encourage you to think of this course as a chance to take a break from other concerns and focus on something else, I'd rather offer help to address issues that might prevent you from succeeding in my class. I highly encourage you to reach out to me if you're experiencing difficulties. I'm happy to use the Student Retention Tool to recommend you to either of the services above. If you or another student you know  needs help of this nature, then call the numbers above or visit the websites provided below.   The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/.  The A.R.C. offers social services such as housing, utilities, legal assistance, childcare, and medical or dental help. Additionally, the Timely Care feature on AC Connect can provide medical assistance and mental health aid. 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES and the ADVOCACY & RESOURCE CENTER:

Amarillo College offers free services to assist students with personal issues, such as anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down or depression, 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. If you or someone you know is 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc.