COURSE SYLLABUS and CALENDAR
Course Name & Number: Composition I Semester & Year: Fall 2017
ENGL 1301.390
Wednesday/8:00/Hybrid
Bowie Campus/Room 117
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.
Textbooks & Materials:
The Everyday Writer with Exercises (and 2016 MLA update), Andrea Lunsford, 6th Edition,
ISBN: 9781319083441
Instructor’s Name: Alisha Dietz, M.A. Office Phone#: (940) 872-4002 X5213
Remind App: @comp39 to 81010
Instructor’s Office: BOW 116 E-mail Address: adietz@nctc.edu
Use only when Canvas is unavailable.
Office Hours: Mon 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tues/Thurs - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wed 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Friday – 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (online only)
Sunday – 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (online only)
Grading Policy & Procedures:
Here is how to calculate your grade…
Writing Assignment I 20% A = 90-100
Writing Assignment II 20% B = 80-89
Writing Assignment III 20% C = 70-79
Discussion/HW/PR/Q 20% D = 60-69
Annotated Bibliography 15% F = Below 60
Grammar 5%
*Note* Daily writing exercises and quizzes may not be made up if you are absent from class; one or two daily writing grades or quizzes will be dropped at the end of the term. [See attendance policy]
*Note* Students who visit the Writing Center or UpSwing for help with writing assignments will earn ten points on their lowest quiz grade for each visit. Documentation of visit must be provided to instructor. The Writing Center is located in Room 124.
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 a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
- Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
- Use Edited American English in academic essays.
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
Units of Study
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 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.
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 of four graded assignments. At least two of these must use the complete writing process, which may consist of the following:
- Invention
- Drafting
- Peer Review
- Revision
- 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.
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.
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, p. 164, #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 may fail the course. If you are a dual credit student, plagiarism could prevent you from graduating.
Student Handbook:
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
Attendance Policy: To be successful in this hybrid course, students must be regular and active participants online and should regularly attend face-to-face classes. Students who do not complete online assignments for two or more weeks or miss more than four face-to-face classes may be dropped from or fail the course.
*Note* There are no excused/unexcused absences in college. An absence is an absence. If you are a dual credit student and are involved in numerous activities which might cause you to miss more than four classes in a semester, you should reevaluate whether dual credit is your best option.
If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to learn from the course calendar, or from other students, what you missed. Do not contact your instructor asking to be “caught up” because you were unable to attend class. Furthermore, I do NOT accept late work. Make up work will be honored only for students who miss class due to an extraordinary circumstance. Extraordinary circumstances may include a death in your immediate family, hospitalization, car accident, etc. and will require documentation. If you know in advance that you will be missing class, it is your responsibility to submit any assignments due that day prior to missing class. Be prepared to honor this rule if you are an athlete or participate in extra-curricular activities.
In addition, if you should miss class on Peer Review day, you will receive a zero for peer reviews in addition to being without the benefit of feedback and constructive criticism from peers regarding your major writing assignments.
Please arrive to class on time. Students who arrive to class more than 7 minutes late three times throughout the term will be counted absent on their 3rd tardy. If tardy behavior becomes a problem, the door will be locked to avoid distractions by students entering the room late after class has begun.
Disability Services (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
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.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.
Important Policies:
Do not text, accept incoming calls, or use your cell phone, iPad, laptop, or any electronic device during class. Please place all electronics under your desk, in your backpack, or in your purse Students who use their phones in class for any reason will be asked to leave and will be counted absent for the day. Exceptions: If you are using an ebook for the course, your electronic device will be permitted for book use only. If you finish an assignment or quiz and are waiting for others to finish, you may use your phone or electronic device.
NCTC Bowie prohibits food in the classrooms. Drinks must have a lid/cap.
Sleeping students will be awoken, asked to leave class, and counted absent for the day.
Our classroom is a safe environment for all learners. Be kind to each other at all times.
*Note* If you are asked to leave class because of the above-mentioned behavioral issues, you will automatically be counted absent for the day. Consider your classroom audience, purpose, and occasion before making poor choices in our classroom.
ONLINE POLICIES & PROCEDURES
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
- Students are REQUIREDto have access to a working computer with Internet access and word processor throughout the semester. Students 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 students have friends or family members who will be able to help out.
- Students are REQUIREDto have access to a word processing program that allows files to be saved as doc or docx files only. MS Word is the obvious choice, but Windows open documents and Google docs are both free programs that allow saving with a doc/docx extension. Whatever program you use, you MUST be able to save documents with a doc or docx file extension. These are the only extensions accepted in this class.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- 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 with doc or docx file extensions ONLY!
- Basic Internet navigational skills. Make sure you choose a browser compatible with Canvas: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are both good.
- Basic facility 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 posts, taking online tests, attaching documents to drop assignments and/or email, checking grades, locating materials, using links, etc.)
- Ability to READ and FOLLOWwritten instructions.
REQUIRED PARTICIPATION
Students are accountable for their behavior. Students are expected to check announcements daily and stay abreast of any changes made to class assignments or requirements. Students should also check email daily—especially within a day of submitting assignments. If problems occur with student files, I will notify students as soon as I discover said problems. Students then have 24 hours from the time I send an email to contact me and make arrangements to fix the problem. If students fail to contact me within that 24 hour window, I will not accept the assignment, and the grade will record as a zero.
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION
Unless otherwise specified on the specs for a particular assignment, all work must be saved with a doc or docx file extension if it is to be submitted online.
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 will have a copy of your work when (not if) bad things happen.
Please note: Each assignment should be submitted to its dedicated discussion or assignment/activity as required in the assignment instructions. This instructor DOES NOT accept assignments by email. This instructor DOES NOT accept text copied and pasted to the message box when instructions for that assignment state that it is to be ATTACHED.
Help ensure your success in this class by reading instructions closely and following them.
GRADE POSTING/FEEDBACK
- Online objective assignments will be graded automatically when you submit them. You must notify me immediately if you encounter difficulties completing these assignments; you must notify me immediately if you think Canvas has made an error in grading them. Please check your grade and review your work before you leave it.If you do not discover issues and immediately contact me, the grade will stand.
- Written assignments (discussions, papers, exams, quizzes, etc.) will be assessed as quickly as I am able to. I will use Announcements to keep you apprised of my grading progress. Please follow Announcements closely and refrain from sending emails about grades, since all that does is slow me down. When I have completed grading an assignment, I will post an announcement that will tell you I have finished and ask you to review my comments on your work and check your grade in the gradebook. Once this Announcement has posted, you will have 24 hours to check your grade and notify me via Canvas email of any problems. Thereafter, the grade stands.
GRADE OF ZERO
- Assignments not submitted or submitted late will receive a grade of zero.
- Assignments that fail to respond to the prompt and/or fail to follow instructions will receive a grade of zero because the assignment has not been done.
- Assignments that fail to do the assignment as prescribed (e.g., formatting, length, content) will receive a grade of zero because the assignment has not been completed.
- A research assignment that presents no research findings or insufficient/inadequate research findings will receive a grade of zero because the basic assignment has not been completed.
- A research assignment that contains a Works Cited page but no internal documentation will receive a grade of zero because the paper is plagiarized (information was not internally cited) AND the assignment (to write a research paper) has not been successfully completed.
- A research assignment that is internally documented but contains no Works Cited page or a page that fails to conform to MLA protocol will receive a grade of zero because the paper is plagiarized (information is not completely/correctly documented) AND the assignment (to write a research paper) has not been successfully completed.
Please note: When I assess your papers, I gage them holistically in terms of how successfully you have managed the content, plan/pattern, style, mechanics, and the research component (if any). I also assess any assignment-specific criteria.
Please note: I do not award credit for "trying hard" or investing "a lot of time" in an assignment. This is a college course. I expect you to be challenged and to invest the effort and time necessary to complete assignments successfully. (If you are "trying hard" and spending "a lot of time" on assignments and not producing a successful outcome, you should seek help. Schedule a conference with me.)
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- Direct access to Canvas. To access Canvas directly, type the following into your browser’s IP bar https://nctc.instructure.com/. 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.
- Canvas Technical Problems.
- For technical support, contact the eCampus Help Desk at the following URL: http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/Support.aspx. The eCampus Help Desk Ticket System is the primary contact for eCampus support requests. Only support requests initiated through the eCampus Help Desk Ticket System will be processed.
- Use your NetID and password to access the ticket system from off-campus. This is the same login combination used to access MyNCTC.