English 1301, Section 418

Composition I

COURSE SYLLABUS

Spring 2017

 

Bring this syllabus with you to class each day.

 

 

Instructor:  Dr. Ann Jagoe.  Office:  Corinth room 201.  Email:  my preference is for you to use the email feature in Canvas.  My NCTC email address is ajagoe@nctc.edu.  You may use this in the unlikely event Canvas is disabled.  However, again, my preference is for you to contact me via the email feature in Canvas.

 

 

Office Hours:  In Corinth room 201; Mondays 2:30-6:30 pm; Tuesdays 5:00-6:30 pm; Wednesdays 2:30-6:30; Thursdays 5:00-6:30; and by arrangement.

 

 

Required Textbooks [Bring both textbooks to class each day.]:

 

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell.  Patterns for College Writing.  13^th ed. Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015.  ISBN:  978-1-4576-6652-0.  [I generally refer to this book as Patterns.]

 

Lunsford, Andrea A.  The Everyday Writer with Exercises. 6^th ed.  Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.  ISBN:  978-1-319-08344-1. [I generally refer to this book as Everyday.]    This book is also adopted so you may look up in it any grammar issues you may have.  I expect you to solve many of your own grammar issues through its use.  Do not wait for me to assign portions of this book in order to use it.  Use your own initiative.

 

A college-level dictionary published with the past ten years and containing at least 60,000 definitions, or a dictionary you will actually use.  My best advice for you is to use the Merriam-Webster app for your smart phone.  This will be adequate.  There is no need to purchase the up sell they will ask you to buy.  Note:  The cell phone policy for this class prohibits the presence of visible phones in the classroom; however, I will grant permission for to use this dictionary.  Remember—ask permission of me first, please.  The cell phone policy appears in full later in the syllabus.

 

 

Other Required Materials:

A “blue examination book.”  These are available in the campus bookstore or in the vending machine near the bookstore that also sells Scantron sheets and pencils.  Ask for it at the cash register in the bookstore.  Students will keep a reading journal in the blue book.  Discussion of the Reading Journal appears later in the syllabus.

 

A two-pocket folder in the color assigned in this course is required for you to turn in your essays.  The color assigned to this course is BLUE.  Unless essays are submitted in a folder of this color, ten points will be deducted from the final grade of the essay.

 

 

 

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Catalog 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.

[Rev. Fall 2012 THECB]

 

Prerequisite:  Satisfactory placement test score or passing grade in ENGL 0305.

 

Semester Assignments:

All Daily Assignments [homework, in-class work, etc.]       16.6%

All Quizzes and Reading Journal                                           16.6%

Essay I                                                                                    16.6%

Essay II                                                                            16.6%

Essay III                                                                                 16.6%

Annotated Bibliography                                                         16.6%         

[Each of the Learning Objectives 1-5 and each Core Objective are met with each essay assignment.]

At the appropriate time, detailed handouts will be given for each of the major assignments.

 

Use of Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices:  No cell phones or other electronic devices (as discussed in class) may be visible to either you or me while you are inside the classroom.  In the event a cell phone rings, or any other electronic device interrupts class in any way, we will immediately have a pop quiz.  You are forewarned.  You are permitted to use laptops and tablets.  However, if you ask permission to do so, I will allow you to use your dictionary app on your smart phone while in class.

 

General Classroom Courtesies:  Please be courteous to your instructor and to other students.  Keep any comments in our class discussions focused on the discussion at hand.  Because I cannot raise my voice, I hope everyone will listen carefully to me when I am talking.  If you see me stand up and raise my arm, I am trying to get your attention.  I suffered a stroke a few years ago and one of the disabilities it left me with is the inability to raise my voice.  I know you will help me by listening carefully.  Ask me to repeat anything you did not hear clearly—I do not mind.

 

Required Stages of Writing to Receive Full Credit on Essays:

[In order to receive full credit for each essay, students must turn in each of these required stages of writing with the final draft of essay.]         

 

I will discuss each stage of writing fully in class.  For this class, the required stages of writing are as follows:

1. Invention—In the field of composition, invention means coming up with ideas about which to write on a given assignment. This may be achieved by a variety of methods, such as, brainstorming, freewriting, listing, clustering, and other means as discussed in class.
2. Rough Draft—Just as its name states, it is a very rough draft. It is the first attempt to write in sentence and paragraph form.
3. Polished Draft—The polished draft is an improved draft beyond the rough draft. This draft is what will be peer edited.

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4. Final Draft—This is an even better draft than the polished draft. It takes into consideration all the suggestions from peer editing.  The final draft is what will be graded by me.
5. Self Evaluation—The self evaluation is an assignment given in class the day the essay is due. If you are absent, you cannot make up this assignment.

Each of these drafts must be clearly labeled and in the correct order in your two-pocket folder in order to receive full credit for the essay.  If you forget to turn in a stage of writing when the essay is due, then you cannot turn it in later.  Every part of the essay is due at the same time.

 

Essay assignments must be submitted both in paper copy along with all required stages of writing in the colored, two-pocket folder and submitted electronically through Canvas as instructed in class.  Unless both the hard copy and the electronic submission are both made, the assignment has not been fulfilled and the grade of zero will be recorded in the grade book.  I do not grade papers electronically, so be certain to  make both submissions.

 

Late Policy for Essays:  If essay are turned in to me before I check roll in the next meeting of our class, the essay will not be counted late.  After that, ten points for each class day late may be deducted.

 

Late Policy for All Other Assignments Besides Essays and Annotated Bibliography:   No other late assignments will be accepted.  That means no late homework or other daily work, no late quizzes, no late reading journals.  The only late assignments I accept are essays and the annotated bibliography.

 

Reading Journals:

Keep reading journals in the blue examination book.  Only keep the reading journal in that booklet.  Do not do homework or any other assignment in that book.  Blue examination books are available in the campus bookstore and in the vending machine adjacent to the bookstore selling Scantron sheets and pencils.

 

Reading journals will contain notes over the reading assignments given.  The entries must contain enough information from the student that the instructor can determine that the student has actually read the assignment.  The student may write as much as he or she likes.  You may use as many blue books as you like.  Number them.  If you do not know what to write in your entry, write a summary of what you read.

You must write in either dark blue or black in the reading journal.  You may write on both sides of the paper in the reading journal.

 

Reading journals will be graded three times during the semester, during the fifth, tenth, and sixteenth weeks of the semester. 

 

Other Information for Written Assignments:

1. You may type any assignment.  The only assignments that are required to be typed are final drafts of essays, rough draft and final draft of annotated bibliography.
2. No pencil is allowed for handwritten assignments or for the reading journals. If you write in pencil, you will get a zero on the assignment, and it cannot be done over.
3. No contractions are permitted (I’m, you’re, didn’t, can’t, etc.).
4. Do not use colloquialisms (slang).
5. Do not use second person (you, your).
6. All conventions of Standard American Edited English must be adhered to.
7. Write only on one side of the paper.

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8. Please use 8-1/2 x 11 inch sized paper.
9. No assignments will be accepted on paper torn out of a spiral notebook with the spiral edge still attached. You will get a zero on the assignment.  It cannot be rewritten.
10. If an assignment does not contain the correct MLA heading, name of textbook, and page number of the assignment correctly identifying the assignment, between 10 and 25 points will be deducted from the assignment grade. [See next page for correct information about MLA heading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MLA Heading to use on all assignments.]

 

Your First and Last Name                                                         Last name and page number

 

Course number and section

 

Instructor name

 

Due Date

 

Title Centered

 

            Unless the correct heading appears on the paper, including the page number of the textbook on

 

 which the assignment appears, the exercise number, or other identifying information, the assignment

 

 cannot receive the grade of A.  MLA four-line heading only appears on the first page of the assignment,

 

 including the first.  Margins on all four sides of the page must be one inch.  The left margin is justified,

 

 but the right margin is not justified.

 

            Each paragraph is to be indented ½ inch from the left margin.  Everything in the paper is to be

 

Double spaced just like this section of the syllabus is.  If you require a further example, see The

 

Everyday Writer for a sample paper in correct MLA style and format.

 

 

 

 

 

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Letter Grade Equivalents:  A = 90-100   B = 80-89   C = 70-79   D = 60-69  F = 59 and below

 

 

STANDARDS FOR WRITTEN PAPERS

 

Grades on written work will range from A to F.  They are based on content as well as form.  The following criteria indicate qualitative standards by which the instructor will grade papers and evaluate student writing.  Essays must be composed in Standard Written American English dialect.

 

A         The “A” paper states and develops its central idea with originality.  Its ideas are clear, logical, and   thought-provoking; it contains all the positive qualities of good writing listed below:

1. Substance, something to say, original ideas;
2. Concentration on a main purpose, with appropriate development and firm support, clear overall organization;
3. Thorough paragraph development;
4. Concise, varied, and effective sentence construction;
5. Careful choice of effective words and phrases;
6. Freedom from flagrant errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar (i.e., fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences, tense/person/number shifts.

 

B          The “B” paper clearly, logically, and adequately states its central purpose.  Its ideas are clear because it contains most of the positive qualities of good writing listed above.  It is comparatively free of errors in the use of English.  Although the “B” paper indicates competence, it lacks the originality of thought and style which characterizes the “A” paper.

 

C         The average paper will receive a grade of “C.”  It has a central idea organized clearly enough to convey its purpose to the reader.  It avoids serious errors in the use of English.  It may, in fact, have few correction m arks on it, but it lacks the vigor of thought and expression which would entitle it to an above average grade.

 

D         The grade of “D” indicates below-average achievement in expressing ideas correctly and effectively.  Most “D” papers contain serious errors in the use of English and fail to present a central idea or to develop it adequately.  With more carefully proofreading and fuller development, many “D” papers might be worth at least a “C” rating.

 

F          The grade of “F” usually indicates failure to state and develop a main idea.  It may also indicate failure to avoid serious errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.  The following are weaknesses which characterize “F” caliber writing:  inadequate ideas and details; inadequate paragraph organization; poorly constructed sentences; ineffective word choice; serious errors in sage, grammar, punctuation usage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete English 1301 will meet the following learning outcomes:

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.

[Rev. 8-2012 THECB]

 

CORE OBJECTIVES

Foundational Component Area:  Communication

Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively.  Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

 

*Critical Thinking Skills (CT)- to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

*Communication Skills (COM)- to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication

*Teamwork (TW)- to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal

*Personal Responsibility (PR)- to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making      [Rev. 5-2014  THECB]

 

 

 

ADA STATEMENT

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services. 

 

Disability Accommodations

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration Building (100) or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.                                                                               

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-

 

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112).tp://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices/DisabilitiesFacultyResources.aspx

 

[Rev. 7/25/2012 per Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson]

 

 

EEOC STATEMENT: 

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

 

 

TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS: 

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property.  NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke.  Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products.  We would like to “thank you” for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free.  For questions or concerns please contact the Office of the Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240.

 

 

SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

 

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:

 

1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;

                                                                                                                                   

 

 

 

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6. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

 

[Rev. 3-20-2012–Plagiarism text added cb]

 

Dr. Jagoe’s Plagiarism Policy:

If plagiarism is detected in this course, it will result in the semester grade of ”F.”  This is not a joke.  I am serious about this policy.]