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; and
- 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: Spring 2019
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: Erica C. Thompson
Instructor's Office #: Flower Mound 107
Email Address: ecthompson@nctc.edu
Office Hours: Mon & Wed: 9:30 am-12 pm
Tue & Thur: 12:30 pm-3 pm And by appointment
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
Student 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.
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 mean 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 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)
Course Attendance Policy
**Students who miss more than two weeks of class (i.e., four class days) must meet with me during office hours before continuing in the course and may be asked to drop the course, at my discretion. Attendance will make up part of the Class Assignments category.**
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 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 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: Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is April 4.
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 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 fails 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, 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.
How your course grade is calculated:
- 20%: Discovery Writing, Workshops, Writing Processes, & Final Reflection
- 20%: Argument Overview
- 25%: Argument Evaluation
- 25%: Photo Essay, Symposium, & Collaborative Interview
- 10%: Class Activities, Attendance, Quizzes, & Discussion Boards
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How assignment grades are determined:
- All writing assignments will include detailed writing prompts that include all requirements, expectations, and due dates.
- Major writing assignments and projects will also include holistic assessment rubrics that will be used to guide all grades.
- Note: Two major assignments may be revised, based on critique commentary, and resubmitted for re-assessment.
- Discovery writing assignments will include a point-based assessment rubric based on completion of skill practice.
- Individual and collaborative projects will include assessment rubrics with detailed expectations and point ranges to guide assessment.
- Classwork grades will be determined by completion or accuracy, depending on the assignment.
Calendar or Course Outline
Readings Abbreviations:
JtC: Joining the Conversation (the red book)
UD: Unnaturally Delicious (rainbow lemon)
LaunchPad: The LaunchPad website (Your bundle from the bookstore came with an activation code)
UNIT 1: VIEWS ON CRISIS
Week 1(Jan 21 & 23)
Day 1: MLK, Jr. Holiday; Class does not meet
Day 2: Diagnostic and Introductions
READING HW:
- JtC Ch 1, pp. 5-20
- UD Ch. 1
WRITING HW:
- Discovery Writing 1: Due on Canvas by Sun, 1/27 @ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon. 1/28.
Week 2 (Jan 28 & 30)
Day 1: Joining the Conversation; critique DW 1
READING HW:
- JtC Ch 1, pp. 21-35
- Judith Schwartz: “Missing the Water for the Trees” (LaunchPadàNCTC Selected e-Readings) (we’ll go over how to find this in class).
WRITING HW:
- Write two open-ended questions about the Judith Schwartz piece and bring to class. You may handwrite or type, but bring a hard copy.
Day 2: You, as a writer; Schwartz
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Discovery Writing 2: Due on Canvas by Sun, 2/3 @ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon. 2/4
Week 3 (Feb 4 & 6)
Day 1: Workshop DW 2; discuss poetry and how it may be argument
READING HW:
- JtC Ch. 3, pp. 69-79
- Short story (provided)
Day 2: Apply critical reading and discussion. Documentation and why we do it.
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Discovery Writing 3: Due on Canvas by Sun, 2/10 @ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon. 2/11
Week 4 (Feb 11 & 13)
Day 1: Workshop DW3; practice inquiring and topic-finding—working thesis. Argument Overview Assignment—due Tues, Feb. 19 (CCs: COM, CT; LOs: 2, 3, 5)
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Outline argument overview, with references and citations
Day 2: Draft argument overview
WRITING HW:
- Complete argument overview rough draft. Upload to Canvas by Sun, 2/17 @ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon. 2/18
Week 5 (Feb 18 & 20)
Day 1: Guided peer review of argument overview
WRITING HW:
- Revise Argument Overview. Upload on Canvas by 11:59 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 19. Print two copies to bring to class on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
Day 2: Read & Critique Argument Overview
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Find an informative article about egg farming. Stay away from clearly biased texts, such as from PETA. Print out the article. Read it. Annotate it, following the guidelines from JtC Ch. 3. Summarize it. Note: Write your summary in an MLA-formatted document and complete the Canvas discussion board.
Week 6 (Feb 25 & 27)
Day 1&2: Read & Critique Argument Overview
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Complete Canvas discussion board
UNIT 2: THE LAND WE HAVE
Week 7 (March 4 & 6)
Day 1: Revision; Getting into the conversation; Discuss reading
READING HW:
Day 2: Discuss and inquire
READING HW:
- UD Ch 8
- Dickson Despommier, “Tomorrow’s Agriculture” (LaunchPadàNCTC Selected e-Readings)
WRITING HW:
- 1 page summary/reflection on Despommier, including any questions. Type and bring to class on Mon March 18.
Week 8 (March 11 & 13)
SPRING BREAK
Week 9 (March 18 & 20)
Day 1: Despommier discussion; Wendell Berry poems; assign Collaborative Interview, due March 27 (CCs: CT, TW)
READING HW:
Day 2: Collaborative Interview workday
WRITING HW:
- Complete Collaborative Interview
Week 10 (March 25 & 27)
Day 1: Collaborative Interview peer review
READING HW:
Day 2: Present and critique Collaborative Interview (CCs: CT, TW)
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Discovery Writing 4 Due on Canvas by Sun, 3/31@ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon, 4/1.
UNIT 3: THE WORLD WE HAVE; THE WORLD WE WANT
Week 11 (April 1 & 3)
NOTE: LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH A “W” IS 4/4
Day 1: Workshop DW 4; Assign Photo Essay (DUE APRIL 16) (CCs: PR, COMM; LOs:1-5); brainstorm topics
READING & WRITING HW:
- Research using Opposing ViewPoints and other databases
- Find and summarize two-three articles
Day 2: Discuss articles and approaches. Find a question. Select a group/solo status
READING HW:
- Wilson, Wilson: “Is Humanity Suicidal?” (LaunchPad)
- Research “conservation”
WRITING HW:
- Goals/outline for Photo Essay
- Begin the work
Week 12 (April 8 & 10)
Day 1: Work day on photo essay
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
Day 2: Document design; Work day
READING HW:
- Crenshaw: “Storm Country” (LaunchPad)
WRITING HW: Work on photo essay
Week 13 (April 15 & 17)
Day 1: Document design, continued; Final workday, Photo Essay—get feedback, etc.
WRITING HW:
- Complete photo essay. Submit complete assignment Tuesday, April 16, by 11:59 pm. Print written document to bring to class on Wed., April 17.
Day 2: Present & Critique Photo Essays
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Discovery Writing 5 Due on Canvas by Sun, 4/21 @ 11:59 pm; Bring a printed copy to class on Mon, 4/22.
UNIT 4: THE PATH FORWARD
Week 14: (April 22 & 24)
Day 1: DW 5 Workshop; Read Kingsnorth excerpt; Assign Argument Evaluation (DUE MAY 5) (CCs: COMM, CT; LOs: 1-5)
READING HW:
WRITING HW:
- Analytical outline of UD Ch. 11—what argument will YOU focus on?
Day 2: Practice evaluation; compose research question for evaluation
WRITING HW:
- Draft Argument Evaluation. Complete rough draft due May 1.
Week 15 (April 29 & May 1)
Day 1: Undergraduate Research Symposium
WRITING HW:
- Draft Argument Evaluation. Complete rough draft due May 1.
Day 2: Peer review/workshop for Argument Evaluation. Bring complete rough draft
WRITING HW:
- Revise Argument Evaluation. Upload on Canvas by 11:59 pm, Sunday, May 5. Print two copies to bring to class on assigned reading day.
Week 16 (May 6 & 8)
Day 1 & 2: Read & Critique Argument Evaluation
Final Exams (May 13 & 15)
- Letter of Reflection Due by Final Exam Day/Time (CC: COMM, PR; LO: 1).
- 500: May 13, 8 am
- 508: May 15, 12:30 pm
Abbreviations: LO = Learning Outcomes; CC: Core Competencies
Other readings and videos will be assigned at instructor’s discretion. The instructor reserves the right to adjust and amend this calendar as necessary.