Syllabus Engl 1301 Composition I – NCTC Spring 2017
- Coolen
Office: Room 502 E
Telephone: (940) 668-7731 ext. 4306 E-Mail Address: lcoolen@nctc.edu
See Canvas (Announcements) for office hours.
Composition I Syllabus
Prerequisite: Satisfactory placement test score or passing grade in Engl 0305 (Current NCTC
Catalog)
Required texts:
Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and
Guide. 13th ed, Bedford/St. Martin’s. Print.
Lunsford, Andrea A. The Everyday Writer with Exercises. 6th ed. (2016 MLA Update). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016. Print.
Supplementary Texts:
A recent standard college dictionary
A recent thesaurus
All of the assignments address the NCTC English Department’s learning outcomes outlined on the Engl 1301 Department Syllabus. The reading assignments meet the second and fourth learning outcomes. The grammar, essay, and research assignments are designed to meet learning outcomes 1-5. (See Learning Outcomes listed on this Syllabus following Grade Distribution.)
January 17-31 Unit 1 Introduction to the Course:
Syllabus, texts, department standards, prerequisite completion verification form, course contract, class folder, and student card: Discuss the syllabus in detail.
Diagnostic Grammar Exam
Read for class discussion:
Segal “The Dog Ate My Flash Drive, and other Tales of Woe” pp. 457-60 Patterns
To prepare for the diagnostic narrative essay, read Diaz “The Money” pp. 114-16 Patterns. Following a class discussion of the essay and of narration as a rhetorical pattern, write your diagnostic essay in class. (Your essay will be evaluated but will not be graded. You will receive 5 points for submitting the paper.)
Unit 2 Laying a Foundation for the Writing Process
Read for class activity: Lunsford (TEW) “Focus on the Top Twenty’ 5-13. Compare: Handout on English Department Standards.
Grammar Essentials: Prior to coming to class, print and write answers to the assigned Grammar Exercises posted on Canvas. We will discuss specific concepts and I will provide answers to the exercises during the next several classes, so work ahead in order to be ready.
February 1-7 UNIT 3: Emphasizing Process in the Essay
PCW Introduction Ch. 9 265-82
Lunsford “Developing Paragraphs” 54-67
Malcolm X “My First Conk” 283-86
Comprehension, P&A, S&S, Vocabulary, JE 286-87: Note: Specific responses will be assigned for each of these targeted areas. Do not write responses to all of the questions! The same instructions apply for all Patterns writing assignments for the semester.
February 8-24
Writing Essay I (Process): (Complete instructions will be provided on a handout.)First Rough Draft Develop a first rough draft and informal outline TEW 35-40, 50-54. Second Rough Draft Next, create a second draft of your paper. See TEW “Developing Paragraphs” 54-58, “Process” 62, and further paragraph development 64-9 while writing the second draft. Tutorial Help Once you have written the second draft, you should consider getting tutorial help (Library Lyceum or online). (TEW 71). Peer Review TEW 71-77: You will further want to improve the second draft which you may use for the peer review session (in class); you may not participate in peer review sessions if you have not completed two separate drafts and an informal outline. Formal Outline and Final Draft Following the peer review session, you will create a formal outline and a third improved draft (TEW 50-51, 80-92). If you are able, you may want to have a tutor review your third draft before you submit it. If you will use the tutorial help that is available to you, you will see your writing improve greatly during the semester.
Tutorial Help date ________________________________
Peer Review date_________________________________
Essay 1 due (Process)_____________________________
At the beginning of the class, turn in your completed essay in a two-pocket class colored folder as follows: Formal outline, Formal essay; rough draft outline, second draft essay, first draft essay. Hand in the peer reviews as instructed.
Also, submit the final draft to turnitin.com in Canvas before you turn in the essay assignment. You will not receive credit for the essay until you complete the entire essay requirement.
Grammar Exam in class—You will have two; the one with the lowest grade will be dropped.
February 27-March 10
Unit 4 Emphasizing Exemplification in the Essay
PCW Introduction Ch. 8 207-21
Lundsford “Critical Thinking and Argument” 93-154, “Quotations, Paraphrases, Summarizing” 189-92, “Integrating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism” 194-205, MLA Style for Works Cited 535 +
Staples “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space” 238-41
Comprehension, P&A, S&S, Vocabulary, JE 241-42 Assignment TBA
Manjoo “No, I Do Not Want to Pet Your Dog” 224-27 Comprehension, P&A, S&S,
Journal Entry 227-28
Essay 2 (Exemplification) Follow the instructions on the handout. This assignment requires limited integrating of sources and a works cited page but does not require a peer review.
Tutuorial Help date__________________________________________
Essay 2 due (Exemplification) _________________________________
Submit the final draft to turnitin before submitting the paper.
Spring Break March 13-17
March 20-April 4
Unit 5 Emphasizing Comparison/Contrast in the Essay
PCW Introduction Ch. 11 369-89
Chua “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior” 408-12 Comprehension, P&A, S&S, Journal Entry 412-13
Laird “I’m Your Teacher, Not your Internet Service Provider” 415-18 Comprehension, P&A, S&S, Journal Entry 418-19
Develop a response essay: TEW “Analyzing Arguments” 112-22. Be careful to integrate information from the model appropriately TEW 194-205. Include a work cited entry.
Tutorial Help date____________________________________________
Peer Review date_____________________________________________
Essay 3 due__________________________________________________
April 5-May 5 (April 6 Last day to withdraw from class with a grade of “W”)
UNIT 6: Using Argumentation—Effecting Change; Dealing with Opposition and Recognizing Logical Fallacies
CW Introduction Ch. 14 523-47
Logical Fallacies: Patterns 535-37, 771 (definition); TEW “Critical Thinking and Argument”
PCW Jefferson “The Declaration of Independence” 550-53 Comprehension, P&A, S&S, Vocabulary, JE 553-55 Assignment TBA
Essay 4: Argument topic: Requires limited research.
Grammar Exam 2 (Highest grade of two grammar exams counts)
Film featuring biases, logical fallacies, and the value of rational judgment arrived at through critical thinking (If time permits.)
Put files in order: all quizzes, essays, and exams should be in your file folder.
Final Exam Week: May 8-11/Commencement May 12
Files: NOTE that you must return quizzes, essays, bibliography, and exams to the instructor, who will retain them in your personal folder. You are encouraged to drop by the instructor’s office, Room 502 E, to review your folder’s contents any time during the semester. You may have your essays and bibliography after the grades are submitted at the end of the semester.
Makeup Work: Makeup work is rarely accepted. In case of an emergency, immediately contact the instructor to ask about making up the work. I must be notified no later than the due date. No daily assignments or quizzes will be accepted late.
Attendance: Class attendance is required. Realizing that circumstances may prevent attendance, I allow MWF students to miss up to 6 classes (two weeks) and TR students 4 classes (two weeks). However, students who miss classes risk making lower grades than those students who do not. Since NCTC has an attendance policy, students who miss more than the allotted classes will risk being dropped from the class.
Classroom Etiquette: You should always be considerate of your professor and classmates. Do not do anything to disrupt the class including using discourteous language, coming late to class or leaving early, talking out of turn, using crude or abusive language. Do not wear earbuds or have immediate access to electronic devices during class.
Grading System: Graded assignments include 4 compositions, quizzes, and a grammar exam. The diagnostic composition and diagnostic grammar exam will be marked but not graded. (A few quiz grades will be dropped.) You may earn up to 100 points on assignments, peer reviews, and attendance. You may not earn points for work turned in late.
Grade Distribution:
4 Essays 70% (Essays 1-2 15% each, Essays 3-4 20% each)
Grammar Exam (1 of 2) 10%
Earned Points (100) 10%
Quizzes 10%
A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, F grades below 60
Learning Outcomes
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Students who successfully complete English 1301 will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
- Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
- Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
- Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
- Use Edited American English in academic essays.
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Help on assignments: You may make an appointment to see me, see me during office hours, call me, or send me a message through Canvas. My office hours are posted on Canvas. You should also take advantage of tutors on campus (Library Lyceum) or online (Grade Results).
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is cheating. It is academic theft. Students who plagiarize may receive a grade of F on essays or research projects, or they may receive an F for the semester grade. (See the NCTC English Department Syllabus.) Note that plagiarism may result in suspension from the college.
Cheating: Cheating in any form, including collusion, is unacceptable and may result in an F in the course. Students who photograph quizzes or exams will receive an F.
Syllabus Revisions: The professor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus. All dates are approximate and are subject to change. Assignments are clarified during class sessions. Do not contact me about assignments. Make sure that you have at least two student contacts who can inform you what is due if you have to miss class.
See the Department Syllabus posted on Canvas for further information or clarification about the course.
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