Course Syllabus
The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):
- a brief description of the course, including each major course requirement, assignment, and examination
- the learning objectives for the course
- a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion
- 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.
Course Name & Number: ENGL 1301 (Composition I)
Semester & Year: Fall 2018
Catalog Description. Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based expository and persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions. [Rev. Fall 2012 THECB]
Instructor's Name: Ms. Jennifer Boling
Office Phone #: 972-899-8334
Instructor's Office #: Flower Mound 107
Email Address: jboling@nctc.edu
Office Hours: MW 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
TR 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
TR 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
MTWR 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Textbooks & Materials: CP CONV 3E NCT&LPSACS6M&DEL&ENV
- Package Components
- Custom Textbook—Joining the Conversation
- Custom LaunchPad Solo for Readers and Writers (with eBook) Access Code
- Unnaturally Delicious, Jayson Lusk
- Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, Paul Kingsnorth
- ISBN-13: 978-1-319-22941-2
COURSE AND COLLEGE INFORMATION
Learning Outcomes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.
- Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.
- Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.
- Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.
- Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc.) [Rev. 8-2012 THECB]
Foundational Component Area: Communication
Core Objectives. 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]
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 means of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.
Course Type: Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core). Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course. WECM Course
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 a 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 SUPPORT SERVICES
College Attendance 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’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgment 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. A 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)
Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. Regular and punctual attendance is expected. There are no excused absences. After a student has been absent from class 2 weeks (not necessarily consecutive days), the student may be dropped.
Disability Accommodations: 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 Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are responsible for notifying the OSD of their need for assistance. Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and psychological disorders, are eligible for services.
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/student-services/disability-services/index.html
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.
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: http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html.
Last day to Withdraw: The last day to drop a class with a grade of “W” is Nov. 8, 2018.
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, #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 the planned action to his or her Department Chair. The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to the 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.
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 the 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.
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.
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, rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus, rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus, room 111; and on the Bowie Campus, room 124.
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, and 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.
Grading Policy & Procedures.
Grading Criteria:
5 Grammar Quizzes (50 points each) = 250
5 Reading Quizzes (30 points each) = 150
5 Book Responses (40 points each) = 200
1 Collaborative Project (100 points) = 100
1 Argument Overview (100 points) = 100
1 Argument Evaluation (100 points) = 100
1 Final Exam (100 points) = 100
Total = 1000
Grading Scale:
900 – 1000 points = A; 800 – 899 points = B; 700 – 799 points = C; 600 – 699 = D; Below 600 points = F
Late Work Policy and Class Rules:
Students who successfully develop critical reading and writing skills do each assignment conscientiously and turn their work in on time. If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what assignment(s) you missed. All assignments and handouts will be posted on Canvas.
No late work of any kind will be accepted.
Email: I will reply to emails within 24 hours but usually much faster. Before emailing me, make sure you have exhausted all other resources. For example, you probably should not email me to ask about a due date when all due dates are listed on the course calendar. In addition, it is not necessary to email me to tell me that you are going to be absent. If you miss a class, you should ask a fellow classmate for his/her notes. It is not my responsibility to “fill you in” on everything you missed. In fact, never email me (or any instructor) the following questions: “What did I miss? “Did I miss anything important? Finally, remember to be professional in your emails. Be polite and respectful, and use complete sentences.
If you’re having a crisis and think that you might have to be out of class for an extended period of time, please do email me before dropping the class. I make no guarantees or promises, but there might be a way for you to stay on top of everything without losing all the hard work you’ve already put in. Let’s at least discuss the matter and work together to see if there is a solution.
Silence all electronic devices prior to entering class. Be respectful of the instructor and your fellow classmates, and do not allow your electronic devices to be a distraction. Failure to abide by this policy may result in your being dismissed from class temporarily or permanently.
Above all, I ask that you be professional and positive and come to class prepared. Disruptions, distractions, and hostile attitudes will not be tolerated.
Course Calendar
Week 1 Course Introduction, MLA Formatting, Key Terms (LO 5)
Week 2 UD – Chapter 1 Discussion, Run-ons and Comma Splices, Writing (Invention), Reading Quiz #1 (LOs 1 & 5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 3 UD – Chapter 2 Discussion, Fragments, Writing (Arrangement), Grammar Quiz #1, Book Response #1 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 4 UD – Chapter 3 Discussion, Writing (Drafting and Revising / Editing and Proofreading), Collaborative Project Discussion, Reading Quiz #2 (LOs 1 & 5; CT, COM, TW, PR)
Week 5 UD – Chapter 4 Discussion, Subject-Verb Agreement, Grammar Quiz #2, Book Response #2 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 6 UD – Chapter 5 Discussion, Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement, Argument Overview Discussion, Grammar Quiz #3, Reading Quiz #3 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 7 UD – Chapter 6 Discussion, Argument Overview In-class Work, Book Response #3 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 8 UD – Chapter 7 Discussion, Pronoun Case, Argument Overview Peer Evaluations, Grammar Quiz #4, Reading Quiz #4, Argument Overview due (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, TW, PR)
Week 9 UD – Chapter 8 Discussion, Writing (They Say, I Say), Book Response #4 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 10 UD – Chapter 9 Discussion, Argument Evaluation Discussion, Writing (Finding and Evaluating Sources), Reading Quiz #5 (LOs 1-4; CT, COM, PR)
Week 11 UD – Chapter 10 Discussion, Parallelism, Writing (Integrating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism), Grammar Quiz #5, Book Response #5 (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 12 Writing (Documenting Sources: MLA), Collaborative Project Final Check-ins, Collaborative Project due (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, TW, PR)
Week 13 Argument Evaluation Peer Evaluations / Instructor Conferencing, Argument Evaluation due (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, TW, PR)
Week 14 Letter of Reflection Discussion (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, PR)
Week 15 Letter of Reflection Peer Evaluations, Letter of Reflection due (LOs 1-5; CT, COM, TW, PR)