COURSE SYLLABUS
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. ENGL 1301 is an NCTC Core Curriculum Course.
[Rev. Fall 2012 THECB]
Prerequisite: Satisfactory placement test score or passing grade in ENGL 0305.
Instructor’s Name: Kristen Weinzapfel Office Phone # 940-668-3342
Instructor’s Office # 502D- Gainesville
E-mail Address kweinzapfel@nctc.edu Office Hours M-W 10-2pm or by appt.
Textbooks & Materials
Required / Recommended Lundsford, Andrea, The Everyday Writer w/ Exercises, 6th ed. (2016 MLA update). ISBN: 978-1-319-11780-1
Goldthwaite, Melissa, et al. The Norton Reader, Shorter 14th ed, MLA update. ISBN: 978-0-393-61741-2
[Rev. Fall 2017]
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. Fall 2017 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]
Grading Policy & Procedures
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Major Assignments (5) - 60%
Daily/In-Class Assignments - 20%
Discussion Boards - 20% =100%
The two lowest daily grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. No late work is accepted without prior approval. Individual assignments and due dates can be found in Canvas. A= 90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F= 59% or below
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.
[Rev. 3-20-2012–Plagiarism text added cb]
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required, both face to face and online. If you know that you will be absent for a school related activity, please let me know in advance. If an assignment is due on a day when you will be absent, please make arrangements before that date. No in-class work can be made up unless prior arrangements have been made. However, at the end of the semester, the two lowest in-class/daily grades will be dropped. Instructor reserves the right to drop any student who has missed five (5) or more class sessions.
NCTC 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)
The last day to drop with a grade of "W" is November 9th.
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.
Course Outline
ENGL 1301 will be divided into five modules:
Literacy Narrative - due Sept. 20
Literacy Narrative w/Synthesis - due Oct. 12
Rhetorical Analysis Project- due Oct. 26
Annotated Bibliography- due Nov. 27
Argumentative Research Project - due Dec. 6
Each module will contain multiple assignments and will culminate with either a major essay/assignment or presentation. For a detailed course calendar, see Canvas.
Other Pertinent Information Etiquette: We will read materials from a diverse group of thinkers and writers. We will share a variety of ideas and values, many of which you may not agree. While polite debate is encouraged, remember to respect the opinions of your classmates. Class discussion is a time to listen and to participate- not a time to have your own conversations. Please be respectful when others are speaking.
Also- please limit restroom breaks and “in/out” activity during class. This has become a real problem, and it is disruptive to the class. Emergencies do happen, but you should not need a restroom break each and every class meeting.
Cell Phone/Electronics: You may use your phone only when it is necessary for research or for a specific classroom purpose. Texting and internet surfing will not be tolerated. Do not wear ear buds during class. Make sure that your phone ringer is turned off. Consider this class to be a distraction-free zone. Do yourself a favor, and put your phones away!
Questions: If you have questions or issues or will not be able to attend class, you may contact me via email at kweinzapfel@nctc.edu. I try to answer questions as quickly as possible, but please know that I am not a 24 hour help desk. Please use this email address to submit drafts or pre- arranged work.
Food/Drink: Please limit food and drink in the classroom to covered containers only. There is no food permitted in classrooms.
You have chosen to take this class and are college students; therefore, you are in charge of your own learning and success. Take notes. Pay attention. Keep up with due dates. Make the most of this opportunity!
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” –William Butler Yeats
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321. Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Dr. Rochelle Gregory
Office Location: Corinth 238
Telephone Number: 940-498-6297
E-mail Address: rgregory@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: TBA
Please refer to the NCTC Student Handbook for a complete list of policies and procedures.