The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

1. a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination;
2. the learning objectives for the course;
3. a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and
4. any required or recommended readings. 

Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students. 

REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS

Lundsford, Andrea, et al.  Everyone’s an Author w/Readings, (EA)  W.W. Norton, 2013.  ISBN: 978-0-393-91201-2

Bullock, Richard, Michael Brody and Francine Weinberg.  The Little Seagull Handbook w/Exercises, 2^nd ed. W.W. Norton, 2014.  ISBN: 978-0-393-93581-3

In addition, I will provide reading selections in Canvas.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

• Attendance / Participation / Daily Work:  Includes Quizzes, Discussion Boards, Informal Writing:  15%
• Narrative Descriptive Essay: 10%
• The "Falling Man" Essay: 10%
• Literary / Rhetorical Analysis:  5%
• Argumentative Paper proposal:  10%
• Annotated Bibliography:  10%
• Argumentative Research Paper:  20%
• Lab Modules:  15%
• Final Exam Reflective Letter

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING GOALS 

• A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.
• Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
• Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.
• Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.

PROGRAM PURPOSE STATEMENT

NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare student for transfer to a university.

DEPARTMENTAL PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Language provides quality instruction to students pursuing their academic and career goals.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1 Demonstrate kbnowledge 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

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Services: The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education.  The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA.  For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office.

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 non-distracting environment, 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 (100) Building or call 940-668-7731 ext. 4321.  North Central Texas College is 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).

Student Success: 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.

Last day to Withdraw: Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is November 9, 2017.

Student Rights & Responsibilities: NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog.  All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.

Scholastic Integrity – Plagiarism:  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:

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; and/or
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 be aware that I take plagiarism very seriously.  You may not have another person write, type, edit, or revise any parts of your Writing Assignments.  You may not use someone else’s Writing Assignment or buy one from a “professional” source.  You may not use material on the internet or in print sources without documenting it.  Failure to follow the proper guidelines for documentation constitutes plagiarism. 

Considering the severity of the issue, if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism, please consider this an open invitation to visit with me about the issue. If I discover that a student has committed intentional plagiarism, the Writing Assignment that has plagiarized materials will receive a zero, and I will recommend to the English Department Head that the student fail the course.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION: EVALUATION OF MAJOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

• “A” Work:  This writing is excellent and demonstrates excellence in development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics. There is clear evidence of the writing process (invention, drafting, revision, editing, and proofreading).  
  • A = 95  
  • A- = 92  
  • A-/B+ = 90

• “B” Work: This is good work and delivers substantial information—that is, substantial in both quantity and interest-value. It is well-developed and unified around a clear organizing principle that is apparent early in the piece. There is evidence of the writing process.  
  • B+ = 87  
  • B = 85
  • B- = 82
  • B-/C+ = 80
• “C” Work: This is an average piece that is generally competent in its development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics.  It meets the needs for the assignment, has few mechanical errors, and is reasonably organized and developed. This piece also shows some evidence of the writing process. 
  • C+ = 77
  • C = 75
  • C- = 72
  • C-/D+ = 70

• “D” Work:  This is below-average work that lacks develop and/or is not effectively organized to facilitate reader’s understanding.  The paper also shows little or no evidence of the writing process. 
  • D+ = 67
  • D = 65
  • D- = 62

• “F” Work:  This work fails in all aspects of the evaluation criteria.  There is no evidence of the writing process and the paper fails in all aspects of development, organization, style, and mechanics.
  • F (work submitted and attempted) = 55
  • F (no work submitted or attempted) = 0

OTHER AREAS OF CONSIDERATION

Attendance Requirements: 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. 

Email Correspondence: I reserve 24 hours to respond to students’ emails.  Emails sent to me become my personal property and I may disclose them to third parties if I determine it is necessary.  Emails constitute correspondence between instructor and student; therefore, remember your audience when sending me emails. 

Late-Work Policy: A major writing task is due on the day listed on Canvas. I will determine an extension on a case by case basis.

Professionalism: Your college courses are also opportunities for you to learn what it means to be a “professional” in your field.  Therefore, I expect you to act like a “professional” student in this course.  Consider these suggestions:

• Prepare and participate meaningfully in online discussion boards.
• Be assertive. (An assertive student exhausts all available resources of information before contacting me. In other words, read the assignment sheet closely before e-mailing me to ask how many sources are required in your paper, and if you are unsure how to cite a source, look it up in your handbook or a credible, online source—such as The Purdue Owl or a handbook.)
• Consider the quality (and effort) of required drafts, notes, and daily assignments.
• Turn in writing assignments on-time and as assigned.
• Mind the quality and tone of email correspondence.