Composition I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Tascosa High School</p>

Office Hours

7:45-8:00 am; Upper Lunch 12:36-1:24 pm; and after school 4:03-4:30 pm

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-1301-023 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

Amarillo College English Dept., eds. A Rhetoric Handbook, 5th edition, Macmillan Learning

The Little Seagull, 4th Edition, W.W. Norton

Supplies

Computer and internet access

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

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

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. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

50% Essays and Annotated Bibliography

30% Minor Assignments (Peer Reviews, Discussions, Journals, Quizzes)

20% Midterm and Final Exam

 

 

A 89.5-100

B 79.5-89.4

C 69.5-79.4

D 59.5-69.4

F 0-59.4

 

Attendance

 

No late work will be accepted.  Please anticipate problems and work responsibly so that your work will be submitted on time.

 

Calendar

 

Assignments

Readings and Lectures

Week 1: August 28-Sept 3

College Application/Scholarship Essay

 

Quizzes Week 1

Discussion Week 1

Journal Week 1

 

  • Review syllabus
  • Read English Department Plagiarism Statement
  • Read Lecture 1 “Academic Writing”
  • Read the following articles in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “The Basic Structure of an Essay”
    • “What Can I put in My Three Part Essay”
  • Read the following pages in The Little Seagull
    • W-1: “Writing Contexts”
    • W-2: “Academic Contexts”
  • Read Handout “Strong Paragraphs”
  • Read "The Sisterhood of Roller Derby" by Erin Blakemore
  • Read the instructions for Essay #1—College Application/Scholarship Essay and begin writing Essay 1

 

Week 2:  Sept 4-10

College Application/Scholarship Essay

Quizzes Week 2

Journal Week 2

Discussion (Peer Review due Friday)

Essay 1 Due SUNDAY

  • Read Lecture 2
  • Review the MLA format instructions
  • Read the following in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “MLA Manuscript Example”
    • “Narrative Writing”
  • Read the following in The Little Seagull”
    • W-2: “Academic Contexts”
    • W-3:  “Writing Processes”

Week 3:  Sept 11-17

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Write Rhetorical Analysis Thesis and Outline

Quizzes Week 3

Discussion Week 3

Journal Week 3

 

  • Read Lecture 3 - "The Rhetorical Situation” - Blackboard
  • Watch how to annotate video
  • Read and annotate “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther KIng - Blackboard
  • Read Little Seagull: 
    • W 8 “Rhetorical Analyses”
  • Read and annotate the following in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “Point of View and Writing Formal Essays in Third Person”
    • “The Rhetorical Situation”
    • “Rhetorical/Visual Analysis Essay”
  • Read and Annotate Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

WEEK 4:  Sept 18-24

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

 Quizzes Week 4

Journal Week 4

DIscussion Week 4

  • Read Lecture 4: Ethos, Pathos, Logos Kairos
  • Watch “How to use rhetoric to get what you want” - Camille A. Langston
  • Read and annotate the following in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “Rhetorical Appeals”
    • “Academic Verb List”
    • “Transition List”

WEEK 5: Sept 25-Oct 1

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Quizzes Week 5

DIscussion Week 5 (Peer Review)

Journal Week 5

  • Read Lecture 5 “The Purpose of Rhetorical Analysis”
  • Read and annotate the following in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “Proofreading and Editing Checklist”

 

WEEK 6:  Oct 2-8

Rhetorical Analysis Essay DUE

Quizzes Week 6

Journal Week 6

Discussion Week 6

Rhetorical Analysis DUE SUNDAY.

  • Read Handout: “Advice for In-Class Writing Exams”
  • Read and annotate Little Seagull: 
    • W-16:  Reading Strategies
  • Read and annotate the following in the Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “Common Mistakes that Can Damage a Writer’s Ethos”
    • “Words and Phrases to Avoid in College-Level Academic Writing”
  • Read and annotate “Why Do We Crave Horror Movies"

WEEK 7: Oct 9-15

Midterm

Midterm Exam

Quizzes Week 7

Journal Week 7

  • Read “Cellphones Should Not Be Allowed on School Grounds”

 

 

 

WEEK 8 :Oct 16-22

Researched Argument Essay

Quizzes Week 8

Journal Week 8

DIscussion Week 8 (Thesis)

  • Read Lecture: “Writing a Good Research Argument Thesis”
  • Read and annotate Little Seagull: 
    • W-7:  “Arguments”
  • Read Research Essay Assignment
  • PIck a topic and do preliminary research (use link to library resources)

WEEK 9 : Oct 23-29

Researched Argument Essay

Quizzes Week 9

Journal Week 9

Discussion Week 9

  • Read Lecture: “Strong Evidence”
  • Read: Chart MLA In-text Citations
  • Read and Annotate Little Seagull: "Evaluating Sources"
  • Read and annotate Rhetoric Handbook:
    • “Research and Reliable Sources”
    • “Finding Reliable Sources on the Internet”

 

  • Watch "The Danger of A Single Story"

WEEK 10: Oct 30-Nov 5

Researched Argument Essay

Annotated Bibliography DUE

Quizzes Week 10

Journal Week 10

DIscussion Week 10

  • Read Lecture: "Reliable Sources"
  • Read and Annotate Little Seagull: "R-3 "Synthesizing Sources"
  • Read and annotate Rhetoric Handbook: “How to Use MLA to Document Outside Sources in Your Essay”
  • Read and Annotate "Is Google Making Us Stupid" by Nicholas Carr

WEEK 11:  Nov 6-12

Researched Argument Essay

Quizzes Week 11

Journal Week 11(Outline)

 

  • Read Lecture: “Argument”
  • Read and Annotate Little Seagull: W- 16 "Annotated Bibliographies"
  • Create an outline for researched argument (post in Journal 11)

WEEK 12: Nov 13-19

Researched Argument Essay

Quizzes Week 12

DIscussion Week 12(Peer Review)

  • Read Lecture: “Documentation”
  • Read and Annotate Little Seagull: "R-4 Integrating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism"

 

WEEK 13:  Nov 20-26 (Thanksgiving break)

Researched Argument Essay

Researched Argument DUE

Quizzes Week 13

Journal Week 13

 

  • Read Lecture: “The Importance of Revising"
  • Read and Annotate Little Seagull: "R-4 Integrating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism"

 

WEEK 14:  Nov 27- Dec 3

FINAL EXAM

Final Due THURSDAY

  • Read Lecture: Lecture: Writing Exams
  • Read and Annotate: "5 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset Using Grit and Resilience" FOR THE FINAL

WEEK 15:  Dec 4-6

Course Reflection

Journal 15

Complete Course Survey

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

 

Please be advised that this is a college level course and may include adult subject matter.

Syllabus Created on:

08/28/23 12:42 PM

Last Edited on:

08/28/23 12:42 PM