Course Name & Number

Composition I

ENGL 1301.200

Semester & Year

May mini-mester 2018

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. 

[Rev. Fall 2012 THECB]

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

Instructor’s Name

Jocelynn Peña, M.A.

Office Hours

Through e-mail

E-mail Address

jpena@nctc.edu

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. 8-2012 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

When I read your Writing Assignments in this class, I will evaluate them in light of a clearly constructed set of “evaluation criteria,” which I will put on every assignment sheet. The evaluation of students and the awarding of credit will be based on academic performance, rather than on personality, gender, race, religion, degree of political activism, or personal beliefs.

“A” Writing Assignment:  This is an excellent writing assignment that demonstrates excellence in development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics. The “A” Writing Assignment is also marked by stylistic finesse: the title and opening paragraph are engaging; the transitions are artful; the phrasing is tight, fresh, and highly specific. There is clear evidence of the writing process (invention, drafting, revision, editing, and proofreading). 

“B” Writing Assignment: This is a good writing assignment.  The “B” Writing Assignment 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 Writing Assignment. The opening paragraph draws the reader in; the closing paragraph is both conclusive and thematically related to the opening. Transitions between paragraphs are for the most part smooth; sentence structure is pleasingly varied. There is evidence of the writing process. 

“C” Writing Assignment: This is an average writing assignment 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. The actual information it delivers, however, seems thin and commonplace. The transitions between the paragraphs are often choppy; the sentences tend to follow a predictable subject-verb-object pattern; diction is occasionally marred by unconscious repetitions, redundancy, and imprecision. This Writing Assignment also shows some evidence of the writing process. 

“D” Writing Assignment:  This is a below-average writing assignment that lacks develop and/or is not effectively organized to facilitate reader’s understanding.  The introduction may not have a clearly defined thesis statement and the discussion sections may not clearly identify and develop its point.  The discussion sections might also fail to provide adequate specificity.  The style may be choppy and too informal for the genre of the academic Writing Assignment.  The sentence structure may have numerous and distracting usage problems that impair the Writing Assignment’s purpose and coherency.  The writing assignment also shows little or no evidence of the writing process. 

“F” Writing Assignment:  This writing assignment fails in all aspects of the evaluation criteria.  It may not answer the assigned topic, may not develop its introduction, discussion sections, or may not be effectively organized.  The style is inappropriate for the genre of the academic writing assignment, and the grammatical usage is overwhelmingly distracting and prevents the Writing Assignment’s comprehension.  There is no evidence of the writing process and the writing assignment fails in all aspects of development, organization, style, and mechanics. 

Grading Scale

WA 1: 5%

WA 2: 35%

WA 3: 35%

WA 4 (Final Exam): 10%

Writing Process Evidence: 10%

Structured Support: 5%

Late Work Policy

A major writing task is due on the day listed in Canvas. I deduct a full letter grade (10 points) for every day an assignment is late. Additionally, I reserve the right to administratively drop any student who has not submitted a major assignment after the due date. It is my policy to administratively drop a student when I have not received a major writing assignment within 1 week of the due date. However, because I understand that "life happens," I have a "Life Happens" policy in which students are allowed a 1-day extension on one of the 3 major writing assignments if they e-mail me beforehand letting me know about their exigent circumstances. This means that students will not be penalized for submitting one major writing assignment late. However, keep in mind that if you do not notify me beforehand, this will not apply to you. You can't proceed in the course until you complete the major assignments. I want you to be successful in this course, so keep me informed if you need to take advantage of the "Life Happens" extension.

Writing Assignments

I will provide you with details of the assignments.  We will discuss them early in the cycle of each writing task.  If there are changes to the assignment, I will announce them in class and via Canvas in the Announcements tab. Since each writing assignment builds on the previous one, you may not skip any writing tasks and still complete the course. All writing tasks, in other words, are required, and I will administratively drop any student who does not submit a writing assignment 1 week after the due date.

Writing Assignment Submissions

The final copies of all major writing assignments must be typed and submitted online via Canvas. I will evaluate and return them electronically, as well. However, because formatting issues occur in Canvas sometimes, I also require students to bring a hard copy of their final drafts to class the day following a due date.

Rough Drafts

For all writing tasks, you will be required to show evidence of the writing process by submitting several rough drafts to Canvas. If you do not show evidence of the writing process, I will not evaluate your work.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  SeeStudent 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

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in this class, and attendance will be taken at every meeting. Instructors reserve the right to administratively drop a student from the course after 3 absences. 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’s 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 assignment missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. 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 May 25, 2018.

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

[Rev. 7/25/2012 per Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson] 

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.

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.

[Rev. 5-2014]

Course Outline

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 of four 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.