Course Name & Number

Composition I

ENGL 1301

Semester & Year

 Fall 2017

Catalog 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.

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

Instructor's Name

 Robert Burton

Office Phone

 940.498.6217

Instructor's Office

 COR 324

Office Fax

E-mail Address

 rburton@nctc.edu

Office Hours

 MW 10-11am and F 10-12

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

• Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 3rd edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
• Any collection of Shakespeare’s plays, print or online.

 Program/Core Outcomes

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      

Course 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.

 Grading Policy & Procedures

90-100% = A

80- 89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

Weekly Writings are generally two to three page essays due each week which attempt to apply the writing skills to the readings.

Questions/answers are questions and answers created by the students in a discussion forum to assess basic knowledge and issues in the texts under discussion.

ABs are annotated bibliographies, which are research documents created by the students for literature review purposes.

Conference notes are notes created by the student during conferences with the instructor for the purposes of reflecting on his or her own writing.

Long essays are essays generally ranging from 5-8 pages that attempt to assess the student’s ability to work at a higher level with the use of primary and secondary sources in an argumentative essay employing the writing skills learned in the class.

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;

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.

Please refer to the NCTC Student Handbook for Discipline and Penalties.

Attendance Policy

The NCTC attendance policy is published in each course syllabi. NCTC faculty are expected to keep up to date attendance records. However, general regulations regarding class attendance are as follows:

1. Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.
2. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to sickness or emergencies which are approved by the instructor, or due to participation in an approved college-sponsored activity (which requires written approval from the appropriate Instructional Dean).
3. The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reasons given for absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.
4. 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.
5. Students may be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been unjustifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course's objectives.
6. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories may be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.
7. Students may be dropped from a developmental course required for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) purposes for non-attendance. Official NCTC TSI rules state that students not passing all sections of the THEA, Compass, or new statewide TSI Assessment test must be enrolled in at least one area of remediation each semester they are enrolled or until all sections are passed or all remedial requirements have been met. Students who are dropped twice for non-attendance in a required developmental course will receive a registration hold limiting enrollment in the subsequent semester.
8. Simply logging into an online course does not constitute attendance. The Department of Education calculates "last date of attendance" by the last time a student participated in an online discussion or made contact (interacted) with a faculty member.

Attendance will be construed from class activity and turned in assignments. After four missed assignments or absences students are expected to withdraw from the class or they may be withdrawn from the course with a WF.

*Tardiness and leaving early are unwelcome distractions in the classroom and will be considered as an absence unless previous permission has been acquired.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9 2017.

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

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.

Calendar or Course Outline (REQUIRED)

§     The instructor must indicate general blocks (or units) of study or supply a detailed calendar of activity.

§     Numbers of the specific Learning Outcomes and individual Core Objectives associated with each unit of study must accompany each unit of study or appropriate calendar activity.

Units of Study

§     Block I: Readings

Students will read and analyze a variety of selections from the adopted textbook.

§     Block II: Quizzes, Examinations, and the Final Exam

Students may be required to take quizzes or tests over assigned readings and/or related materials. The class MUST meet during the final exam week. A final exam, if given, may count no more than 25% of the semester grade.

§     Block III: Compositions

Students will write a minimum of 5,000 words (20 pages) in a variety of compositions--formal and informal. As part of this required writing, students will produce a minimum off our graded assignments. At least two of these must use the complete writing process, which may consist of the following:

Ø     Invention

Ø     Drafting

Ø     Peer Review

Ø     Revision

Ø     Final Draft

§     Block IV: Grammar and Mechanics

Students will study grammar and mechanics in the adopted handbook in order to meet departmental standards. This study may be done by examination of units in the handbook or through writing as a process, according to the discretion of the instructor.

§     Block V: Research

Students will utilize library and electronic resources. They will submit a written assignment, such as an annotated bibliography, a documented essay, or several short compositions, using MLA style documentation. Pages generated as part of this research block are included in the required writing stipulated in Block III.

Other Pertinent Information

• Please upload a current photo in your Canvas>Account>Profile. If you are uncomfortable with a photo then please use some other image. Please use good taste and decorum in your photo or image selection.
• Online office hours: Sunday evening 6 pm - 8pm in Google Hangouts.
• Please write in a tone that is suitable for higher education.
• Inappropriate language will not be tolerated and may be cause for being dropped from the course.
• Please include your name and class time in emails.
• Late work is not accepted.
• Assignments not turned into the correct location will not be accepted.
• Emailed assignments will not be accepted.
• Please only submit in .doc or .rtf.
• Technical issues are the responsibility of the student.
• All assignments will be in MLA unless otherwise specified.
• While the MLA format is indeterminate about the font, we will use Times New Roman 12 point font for all assignments.
• Our week will run Monday through Sunday.
• Electronic devices are welcome in the classroom, but only for the purposes of class.
• Five or more consecutive words constitutes plagiarism, so documentation is required.

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.

Week

They say I say (TSIS)

Shakespeare

Assignments

1

Preface: Demystifying Academic Conversation

Introduction: Entering the Conversation

The Merchant of Venice

Questions and weekly writing

2

12. “I Take Your Point”: Entering Class Discussions

14. “What’s Motivating This Writer?”: Reading for the Conversation

15: “On Closer Examination”: Entering Conversations about Literature

AB and short essay

3

1. “They Say”: Starting with What Others Are Saying

Othello

Questions and weekly writing

4

2. “Her Point Is”: The Art of Summarizing

AB and short essay

5

3. “As He Himself Puts It”: The Art of Quoting

Richard III

Questions and short essay

6

4. “Yes / No / Okay, But”: Three Ways to Respond

AB and short essay

7

Long essay draft

8

Writing conference, conference notes and 1st long essay

9

King Lear

Grading conference, conference notes, questions and short essay

10

5. “And Yet”: Distinguishing What You Say from What They Say

AB and short essay

11

6. “Skeptics May Object”: Planting a Naysayer in Your Text

Macbeth

Questions and weekly writing

12

7. “So What? Who Cares?”: Saying Why It Matters

AB and short essay

13

8. “As a Result”: Connecting the Parts

Hamlet

Questions and short essay

14

AB and long essay draft

15

Writing conference, conference notes and 2nd longer essay

16

Grading conference