COURSE SYLLABUS and CALENDAR
Course Name & Number: Composition I Semester & Year: Fall 2017
ENGL 1301. 360 and 361
Graham Campus/Bowie
Catalog Description: Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revision, 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, communication, and critical analysis.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory placement test score or passing grade in ENGL 0305.
Textbooks & Materials:
Required : Lunsford, Andrea, et al. Everyone's an Author with Readings. 2nd ed., New York: Norton, 2017.
Suggested: Lundsford, Andera. The Everyday Writer with Exercises. 6th ed., Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2016.
Learning Outcomes: 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 style appropriate to audience and purpose
- Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
- Use Edited American English in academic essays.
Instructor’s Name: Sarah Stearns Office Phone #: Use Canvas email
Instructor’s Office #: Canvas Email E-mail: USE CANVAS COURSE EMAIL!! I DON'T KNOW IF I MENTIONED THAT YET. :-)
Start Date: August 28th, 2017
Important Dates: Thanksgiving Break November 22nd-25th
Last Day to Withdrawal November 9th
Office Hours: By appointment
Grading Policy & Procedures:
Here is how to calculate your grade:
Narrative WP #1 10% A = 90-100
Stating a Position WP #2 10% B = 89-80
Analysis WP #3 10% C = 79-70
Final Exam 10% D = 69-60
Writer's Notebook 20% F= below 60
Rough Drafts 15%
Descriptive Power Point 10 %
Class Participation 15%
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
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:
- Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
- 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;
- Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
- Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
- Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
- 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.
*Note* Students who plagiarize in ENGL 1301 will fail the plagiarized assignment and possibly the course.
Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs!!
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. 93-112).
http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices/DisabilitiesFacultyResources.aspx
Student Success Center: The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free 24/7 online tutoring and helps new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center on the Corinth Campus go to rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus go to rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus go to room 111, on the Bowie Campus go to room 124.
TRIO Program: TRIO Programs are federally funded programs which offer services designed to assist students in achieving their academic goals. Services include educational workshops, academic advising, tutoring, personal counseling, career counseling, cultural enrichment, and financial aid information. Students may be eligible for TRIO if they are currently enrolled at North Central Texas College, have academic need, and meet at least ONE of THREE criteria which include: 1) first generation status—neither parent has graduated from college, 2) income level is within federal low income guidelines, and/or 3) has a documented disability. TRIO is located in Room 170 on the Corinth Campus, Room 112 on the Gainesville Campus, and Room 124 on the Bowie Campus. Contact Mr. Dwight Siebman for more information.
Students can also access the Department of Student Success’ website by going to www.nctc.edu and clicking on the red button in the middle of the page labeled “Tutoring and Other ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES” or by going directly to http://www.nctc.edu/Student_Services/Access/AcademicandStudentSupportServices.htm.
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.
Attendance Policy:
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9th!!
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Students are REQUIRED to have access to a working computer with Internet access and word processor throughout the semester.
You should also make a backup plan for when problems with the computer occur, as they surely will. NCTC has computer labs. Area libraries offer free access to computers. Perhaps you have friends or family members who will be able to help out. **Computer and/or technical issues WILL NOT excuse any late work in this course.**
MS Word or another word processing program (Windows open documents or Google docs are both free programs)
Basic Computer skills (how to format, type, and save documents, how to copy and paste text, how to convert file extensions, how to open documents). You will save files throughout the semester as .rtf (rich text format) only!
Basic Internet navigational skills (Do not use Safari or Google Chrome. They have known conflicts with CANVAS. Mozilla Firefox or IE 7, 8, or 9 should work.)
Basic facility at using email (originating email with an appropriate RE [subject] line, opening, reading, writing, attaching documents, and sending emails)
Basic CANVAS Navigational Skills (Using CANVAS's internal email, writing and editing discussion board posts, taking tests, attaching documents to drop boxes and email, checking grades, locating materials, using links)
Ability to READ and FOLLOW written instructions.
- TIME REQUIREMENT—FALL AND SPRING TERMS
The rule of thumb in college is 2 hours of outside study time per week for every hour a course is worth. This is a three-hour course, so 6 hours per week would be your "outside" time, and 3 hours per week would be your "in class" time in a long semester. Even though we do not meet as a class, you still have to read assigned works and my lectures, complete discussion boards and journals, write papers, and take quizzes and exams. Doing all of this independently is going to require a significant time investment. Realistically, you should expect to devote 6-9 hours per week to this course. If you do not have time to take this course, you should withdraw from it.
Students are accountable for their behavior. Students are expected to CHECK ANNOUNCEMENTS frequently and stay abreast of any changes made to class assignments or requirements. Students should also CHECK EMAIL frequently—important course information will be given through email as well.
To be successful in this online course, students must be regular and active participants. You must complete assignments to be marked as “attended” this course and simply logging on will not count you as having “attended”.
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Late is late regardless of the amount of time which it is late—one minute, one hour, one day—late work will earn a zero. **I am willing to work with those who come to me BEFORE a deadline.
Some assignments are time sensitive and require class participation—these assignments cannot be extended due to the time constraints. Discussion board, rough drafts, and peer reviews must be submitted on time and are NOT eligible for a time extension regardless of the excuse.
Please note: I suggest you complete and save your work in your word processor and then copy and paste or attach (whichever the assignment directions say) your completed work to CANVAS. This way, you have a copy of your work when (not if) bad things happen.
Please note: All assignments should be submitted to their dedicated discussion boards or drop boxes. This instructor DOES NOT accept assignments by email. DO NOT use the text box to copy and paste a paper that is to be ATTACHED.
Please note: Rough Drafts and Peer Review: A draft is required on the due date. A draft must have three fully developed body paragraphs and a thesis statement (unless otherwise indicated on the assignment description). If you do not have a draft on the day of peer review, you cannot participate in the peer review. Rough Drafts (along with peer review) make up 5% of your semester grade.
Important Note: Drafts are graded on completion (did you have a draft on the day required, did your draft include three body paragraphs and a thesis statement, and did you complete the required number of peer reviews). The draft should respond to the essay prompt—simply turning in some writing that does not attempt the assignment will not be accepted. Drafts, however, are NOT evaluated for content by the instructor—so it is possible to get full credit for a draft but quite a different grade for the final polished essay. The draft grade in no way reflects the grade you should anticipate for the final draft of the essay. Draft grades are for completion only.
- EXTRA-CREDIT, MAKE-UP, AND LATE WORK
College students are expected to work independently and complete assignments within the time allotted. It is important to look ahead in order to understand when assignments are due. Most successful students mark due dates on a planner or calendar.
Please note: This instructor DOES NOT make available extra-credit assignments and NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. Students must stay abreast of deadlines and submit their work as scheduled in order to receive credit.
Have a backup plan for when your technology fails and avoid working close to a deadline in case your technology fails and you do not have time to access your backup. Technology and computer issues WILL NOT be an excuse for not having work submitted on time.
COURSE CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS
Students who have concerns/complaints about this course or the instructor should make an appointment with the instructor to discuss those concerns. Very often, "issues" that arise are simple misunderstandings that with additional dialogue and clarification can be easily resolved. If we cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue, the student should then contact the department chair. Students who try to circumvent this process will be redirected to the instructor as NCTC has a clearly stated protocol for dealing with student dissatisfaction.
Submission of Assignments
Assignments must be submitted by the due date.
Assignments may be submitted before deadlines.
Assignments will not be accepted that do not follow assignment guidelines.
Assignments are due by midnight on the due date unless otherwise indicated (11:59 PM).
Assignments not submitted in the proper format or do not follow directions will not be accepted.
It is your responsibility to submit your work properly and on time. It is your responsibility to check (and double check) to make sure that work was submitted correctly.
Not understanding the technology will not be an excuse for falling behind or not having things turned in.
MLA Formatting
All assignments submitted as attachments MUST be formatted according to MLA guidelines. This requires you to change most of the defaults if you use a current version of MS Word.
Use your Little Seagull Handbook for full list of MLA guidelines. General requirements are as follows:
Heading should be in MLA format (Your name, instructor name (spelled correctly!), course and section, and date (day month year). The heading should appear on the FIRST page only and in the TOP LEFT corner of the page. TIP: Type this in as part of the document and do not insert in as a header into the margin space.
Title—the title should reflect what the essay is about and NEVER “Essay 1” or anything of that nature. Titles should NOT be in larger, bold or in any way different from the rest of the text. The title should be centered.
Spacing—the entire document should be double spaced. No extra spaces between heading and title, title and text, or between paragraphs. If you use a new version of MS Word you must manually remove those spaces from the paragraph options tab.
Paragraphs the first line of each should be indented one tab space.
Page number and your last name should appear on the top right of each page including the first. TIP: use the “Insert” feature of your word processor and NEVER type these directly into the document. They should appear inserted into the header/margin space. TIP: remember to format this the same way as the rest of the document (font size and font style).
Font size and type—the font you use should be Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font. This is different from the default on most MS word processing programs so you have to change it. No other font style or size should be used.
Text color should always be standard black (typically the default on most word processing software).
COURSE COMMUNICATION POLICIES AND EMAIL ETIQUETTE
One of the disadvantages of an online class is students and instructors rarely get to meet each other. Because we get to know each other dominantly through email, our impressions of each other are formed purely by writing. We should all take care in writing emails to avoid creating misunderstandings and hostilities. Following are a few guidelines to keep in mind as we exchange emails over the course of this semester.
- Communication is key to your success in this course. Students should make important issues known to me ASAP. If you miss assignments, then check with me as to your overall progress in the course and how best to proceed.
- Questions about an assignment or course policy. Make sure you have read carefully and thoroughly the course syllabus, the assignment specs/prompt, and the resources I have made available to help you complete an assignment. Usually, the answers you seek are in these materials. If, however, you still cannot find them, you should send me an email asking for what you need. I am happy to speak with you over the phone when necessary—sometimes lengthy responses/questions are more quickly addressed this way. Non dual credit students may email inquiring about phone conversations.
Dual Credit Students: Your high school counselor can reach me by phone and transfer that call to you if you need to speak with me. I will be happy to take your calls M-F during the hours of 8-2.
- Send CANVAS emails to a specific person. When you send an email, be sure you choose the specific person before you send. If you send a global email to all classmates to get help on an assignment or to "rag" on your instructor, be aware that those emails arrive in my in box too.
- Email communication/composition is a rhetorical act. Be aware of your audience, purpose, context, and goal when you send me an email. Provide specific information. Ask specific questions. It is unnecessarily time-consuming to send clarifying emails back and forth.
- Email structure, content, font. Be sure to organize your thoughts. Use paragraphs. Use complete sentences. Use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Use size 10/12 font, preferably sans serif (Arial, Verdana, etc.). DO NOT write in all caps. You might notice here that when I use all caps and bold, you may feel yelled at, though I intend just to be emphatic. An email composed in all caps (and bold) is offensive to look at and very difficult to read. Spell check and edit before you send. What I am saying here is that an email to the instructor is a formal writing occasion. It is more like writing an essay than texting a friend.
- Emailed assignments. I DO NOT accept assignments by email. When you are ready to ATTACH an assignment to a drop box, you can add a message with any concerns you may have in the message box. DO NOT use the message box to copy and paste your finished papers. DO NOT use email to submit your work.
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
Sometime during the semester, you will undoubtedly encounter some kind of problem—a broken link, a DB you cannot access, a grade that does not appear in your gradebook, etc. If the issue is on my end, I will fix it as soon as it is discovered. Students will never be penalized for my mistakes.
While one requirement for this course is that students have access to a working computer throughout the semester, we all know that computers can develop problems at the most inopportune times. If you have an issue with accessing course content or with your own computer, contact me immediately. If something in the CANVAS course is malfunctioning, be sure to notify me of the folder you were in, the materials you were accessing, the action you took, and the result you got. I cannot troubleshoot without this detailed information. I will acknowledge receipt of your email, and I will notify you when repairs have been completed.
- Broken links. The dynamic nature of the Internet means that a course link that worked one day may not be working later the same day or same week. If you have tried a link in two different browsers and cannot get it to display, email me with a description of the problem.
- Videos removed. I have embedded videos from different sources in this course. Sometimes, however, online videos are removed without warning. If you try to watch an assigned video and cannot successfully access it, notify me at once. I will make a decision to replace the video, if possible, substitute a different element, or simply remove the requirement.
- Assignment specs, quiz, or other items not available. If a course item you are assigned is not available, take the following steps: (1) Check the due dates to make sure you have not missed the time period for availability. (2) Check the course schedule to make sure you are working in the current week and not working too far ahead in the course. If both of these check out correctly, notify me immediately so I can remedy the problem.
- Computer crashes, page closes, electricity goes out, etc. If a problem occurs that is an NCTC/CANVAS system issue, you will not be penalized. Course content will be made available as soon as the issue is resolved. If, however, the technical issue you experience is not global, affecting the CANVAS system or the electrical grid where you live and work, then it is not an excuse for missing assignments.
You should have a backup plan for WHEN (not if) your PC stops working. Computers are available at NCTC campuses. They are available in public libraries. Most area colleges have "public" computers available for limited use. Consider friends, parents, or other relatives who may have a computer you can use temporarily. You are responsible throughout the semester for having access to a working computer. Also, remember that quizzes are timed. They often shut down if there is no activity. They automatically submit when the time expires. They may malfunction if you try to use the back button or open other windows while you are actively testing.
Try to work ahead—when you work close to the deadline and things go wrong you do not have time to troubleshoot, make other arrangements, or use campus computers when necessary (the computer labs won’t be open at 11:30 pm for instance).
- CANVAS email. During the course of the semester, you are to use CANVAS email to contact me. I will use CANVAS email to contact you. If you experience ANY problems with CANVAS email, these are likely conflicts created by the browser you are using or some security setting you have applied. You MUST immediately put in a ticket to NCTC help so that this issue can be resolved ASAP. You should notify me of problems you are experiencing, the actions you have taken to remedy them, and the timeframe NCTC has given you in which to resolve the problem.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- Direct access to CANVAS. To access CANVAS directly, type the following into your browser’s IP bar: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Please note: If the NCTC website becomes unavailable, you are still required to complete course work in CANVAS as scheduled. You should put this address in your browser's "favorites" so you can find it when (not if) you need it.
- Course-related questions. For questions about course-related materials, course organization, the Course Syllabus, assignments or course protocol, contact the instructor directly using CANVAS’s internal email, NOT the instructor's NCTC email, which is highly unreliable and infrequently checked.
- Technical Problems. From Debbie Huffman January 2012:
Faculty and students should use the eCampus help ticket system for all CANVAS and eLearning support issues. It may be accessed at: http://CANVAShelp.nctc.edu/portal. It may also be accessed by clicking on the Technical Support link on the CANVAS login page and is available both on and off campus. Use your network login and password to access it from off-campus. Instructions for submitting a ticket are displayed on the ticket form.
Once submitted, tickets are assigned to the appropriate eCampus staff member. Use of the ticket system lessens the number of duplicate requests which are often received through email. It also results in better management and tracking of help requests, and usually produces faster response times. If a staff member is out of the office, other staff are able to pick up the tickets. If you send an email to an individual and that individual is not available, there is a delay in receiving assistance.
We have also implemented auto attendant and phone tree tools for the CANVAS support phone number, 940.668.3335. The phone call initially goes to Lemuel Sapian, User Support & Training Specialist; however, if Lemuel does not answer, the call is automatically transferred to the next staff member on the list.
All CANVAS and eLearning support issues that require a phone call should be directed to 940.668.3335, rather than individual staff in the eLearning Department.
Tobacco Free Campus:
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, 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 Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240.
COURSE DISCLAIMER
This SYLLABUS and the work outlined in the TENTATIVE SCHEDULE serve as a guide. At any time at the discretion of the instructor, readings, assignments, materials, due dates, and/or grading criteria may be modified. Further, COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS take precedence over all written materials. Students are REQUIRED to check ANNOUNCEMENTS daily for updates, corrections, clarifications and/or changes. Students are also REQUIRED to check EMAIL daily.
COURSE CALENDAR
Events subject to change; check email and announcements regularly for modifications and updates.
ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT ON THE DUE DATE
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
This is a general schedule of topics/assignments for quick reference.
Read all instructions for specific assignments in the weekly modules on CANVAS.
SPECIFIC DUE DATES FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT ARE IN THE CANVAS CALENDAR.
Section 1: Getting Started
You must read chapter 1, 2, and 27 before you start this section.
After you have read the chapters assigned, you will complete the modules found on Canvas.
Section 2: Narrative Essay
You must read chapter 12 before you start this section.
After you have read the chapters assigned, you will complete the modules found on Canvas.
Section 3: Position Essay
You must read chapter 11,19, 20, and 21 before you start this section.
After you have read the chapters assigned, you will complete the modules found on Canvas.
Section 4: Descriptive Image
Complete the module found on Canvas.
Section 5: Analysis Essay
You must read chapter 13 before you start this section.
After you have read the chapters assigned, you will complete the modules found on Canvas.
Section 6: Final
Complete the work found under the Final section.