Composition I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-LC41 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Amarillo College's Rhetoric Handbook and The Little Seagull.  If you are not in the Monday/Wednesday INRW course, contact me for further information.

Supplies

Working computer with access to Google Docs and, in addition, a standard word-processing program (preferably Word).

Access to the Internet is imperative. 

Lost documents are not the responsibility of the instructor.  (The “Dog (or computer) ate my homework” is not an excuse.  If it’s on Google Docs, it’s there.)

You additionally should have pen/paper ready to write brief notes as we work.  As the majority of this class is face-to-face, it is imperative that you come to class, stay up with me (no sleeping, please), and ask questions when you don't understand something.  Taking good notes is the first step in success.

Student Performance

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.

 

Departmental expectations:

6. Write a third person, argumentative research paper following the MLA format for citing sources.

7. Use the library's online databases and other computer resources for research and word processing.

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

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating will not be tolerated in this class.

Cheating includes but is not limited to: copying or leaving the test with a test or questions from a test, helping or attempting to help other students cheat on a test or plagiarizing on a paper.   It additionally includes working on a test/essay AFTER the announced conclusion time.  Because all our work is done in Google Docs, I can see when things have been edited.

(Please note the following:) I CONSIDER USE OF A. I. TO WRITE YOUR ESSAYS TO BE CHEATING.

The following is the official department policy on plagiarism:

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.

In the college experience, students will encounter diverse views and new subject matter, which expand their knowledge and perspective.  In this college English class, we might read and discuss some literary works with subject matter that could include (but not be limited to) death, violence, sexuality, examples of racism / discrimination, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own.  If this is a concern for you, please meet with me. 

Grading Criteria

50% Essays and Major Tests

10% Daily (peer editing, mechanics on the three major essays, ATTENDANCE, class participation)

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

 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.  Even if you're absent on the day a paper is due, it is still due.  You don't get extra time because you're absent.  If there is an extenuating circumstance which prevents your attendance, you must contact me by email immediately.  I am not interested in all the details of your absence, but I need more than "I can't come to class," especially if you miss more than one or two class periods in the semester.  

We may talk about a variety of issues in this class that contain adult subject matter.  Please remember to remain polite and respectful at all times to everyone in the classroom. 

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 Oct. 3.

Calendar

     Tuesday                        Thursday

 

Aug. 22—Introduce class, syllabus, calendar

Introduce Personal Essay

Style exercises

Assignment:  Write rough draft for Thursday (daily grade)

Complete email test and Google Docs share by 9 p.m. TODAY (Tues, Aug. 22)

24

Discuss format /grading of all essays

Peer edit personal essays (Note:  daily grade)

Discuss logos, ethos, pathos, kairos

Begin rhetorical précis

Assignment:   Complete personal essay for Aug. 31. 

Aug 29 (Census Day 28th)

Begin instruction on analysis (VERY IMPORTANT)

Assignment:  Complete final copy of personal essay.  Share with me ONLY by 9 a.m. Thursday.  Read sample analyses in Content

31

Submit personal essay for grading (share by 9 a.m).

Continue analysis—Complete the sample essay

Introduce Analysis Assignment—Assignment:  Write rough draft for Sept. 7 (reminder:  daily grade)

Sept 5

More work with analysis techniques

Work on discussion board together in class.

Assignment: Complete rough draft of Analysis for Sept. 7.  Share with me AND your partner by 9 a.m.

Complete discussion board by 8 p.m. Friday.

7

Peer edit Analysis (daily grade).

Final discussion on analysis.

Remind about tutorials.

Assignment: Write final copy of Analysis for Sept. 14.

Sept 12

Read Common Assessment piece together.  Begin to write Rhetorical Précis for it together.  [Assuming the Common Assessment piece is the same, look at the class analysis from last year.]

Assignment: Complete Analysis. Share with me by 9 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 14).

14

Submit Analysis for grading. Share by 9 a.m. Discuss persuasive essays.  Practice writing thesis sentences in class.  Introduce research paper and topics to choose.  Assignment: Complete Rhetorical Précis on your own.  Prepare to post them on Tuesday.  

Choose potential topic for research paper, put it at the top of a Google Doc, and share it WITH ME ONLY by 9 p.m. Monday.  This must be in thesis sentence form.

Sept 19

Post Rhetorical Précis together.

Introduce discussion board.  

Look at library databases for support for your topics.

Assignment: Begin answering discussion board question and responding to others’ answers.

21

Discuss citations and Works Cited forms.  Look at sample essays for examples.  Continue to research your question.  Discuss introductions further.  Begin writing introductions.

Complete discussion board questions by Monday evening at 9 p.m.

Personal essay assignment:

In 2019, the citizens of Ukraine took a risk by electing Volodymyr Zelenskyy President.  Although a beginner in the world of politics, this actor and comedian won with his stance against corruption.  Since 24 Feb. 2023, when Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy has taken many risks and won the admiration of the world. 

Now, your question has nothing to do with Pres. Zelenskyy; instead, this is only one example when someone took a risk.  Your task is to think about a time you took a risk.  What did you do?  What has been the result?  This is a personal essay (1 1/2 pages min.).  The more personal and creative you can make it, the better off you will be.   [If by some chance there’s just no risk you’ve taken (yet), you may write about a very close relative.]  Yes, you must dig deeply to find what you wish to write about.  In other words, TAKE A RISK by discovering what you’ve done in your life.  I should get from you as many different stories as there are people in this class.  Even if the “risk” is the same, the story is going to be different—no two people arrive at the “crossroads” of life in the same way, and certainly no one sees the same result in his or her life.  You will put this on Google Docs and share it with your partner AND ME before class on Thursday.  Yes, I’ll show you how to do this.

Sept 26

Continue to research topics.  Further discuss citations and Works Cited. 

Assignment:  After 3 p.m. on Friday, I will pull your research files to grade your Works Cited forms.  At that time, you need AT LEAST FOUR forms (sources).  In addition, you will need the citation form you plan to use in your paper at the beginning of each Works Cited form (Like I’ve shown you in class).  Remember you do not need to re-share.  I will NOT look at your writing, and you can continue writing your paper, just not add to your Works Cited after 3 or until I’ve finished grading them.

28

Continue to research with personal computers..  

Assignment:  After 3 p.m. on MONDAY, I will grade your introduction.  Again, don’t re-share, just don’t do anything to your intro until after I’ve graded it.  (I will grade the intros any time before Monday if you’ll tell me it’s ready.)

Last day to drop 8-week classes—Oct. 3.

Oct 3

Continue to work on papers.

This is the last day to drop a 1st 8-week class‼‼!

5

Review Works Cited and final copies.

Assignment: Final copy of paper is due by Tuesday, Oct. 10, at noon. No exceptions.

Oct 10

At 9:00 a.m., I will discuss the final exam process.

Come to the front and show me your file when you have completed your paper.  I’ll pull it up on my computer so you’ll see that I have the correct file.  Once you have done that, you may leave.

The final exam will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Thursday Oct. 12. No exceptions.  (You may start as early as 8:30 if you wish.)

12

Write final exam—In the classroom from 9-11:00.  You may start as early as 8:30 if you think you need more time.  This will be done on notebook paper with a pen.  No electronic assistance is acceptable.

Fall Break Oct 16-22

The Common Assessment:

  1.  Read the article (printed or online) in class Sept. 12.
  2. Complete the “written” portion of the assignment—the rhetorical précis—by 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19.
  3. Work on the discussion group in class on Sept. 19.  It is due to be complete by 9 p.m. Mon., Sept. 25.
  1. Complete the reflection form in class on Sept. 26 or whenever we get around to it.

The “no-no” words for every essay except the personal

I, me, my, mine, myself;

we, us, our, ours, ourselves;

you, your, yours yourself, yourselves;

AND the contractions that have those words in it: 

I’m, I’ve, I’d, I’ll;

we’re, we’ve, we’d, we’ll,

let’s (let us);

you’re, you’ve, you’d, you’ll

(I hope that’s all, but it may not be). 

To fix, hit “command (or control or maybe alt) F.”  That opens the “find” box.  Put in “you” and watch the highlighted words show up!

 

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

07/28/23 10:08 AM

Last Edited on:

07/28/23 10:18 AM