Course Syllabus

 

 

Course Name & Number: ENGL 1301 (Composition I)

 

Semester & Year: FALL 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: Gabrielle Fletcher

Office Phone #: (940) 668-7731,  Ext. 4392

Instructor's Office #:502G

Email Address: gfletcher@nctc.edu

Office Hours:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
7:30-8:00AM	7:30-8:00AM	7:30-8:00AM	7:30-8:00AM	8:00 AM -12 PM
10:50-12:30 PM	9:20 -11:00 AM	10:50-12:30 PM	9:20 -11 AM	*Committee meetings; ESFL Dept meetings; PD; MOH/Seacadet work
2:20-3:00 PM @ Callisburg HS		2:20-3:00 PM @ Callisburg HS		*Not in office

 

Last day to Withdraw:  Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is Nov. 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

Textbooks & Materials: CP CONV 3E NCT&LPSACS6M&DEL&ENV

• Package Components
• Custom Textbook--Joining the Conversation, third ed. 2019
• Custom LaunchPad Solo for Readers and Writers (with eBook) Access Code
• Unnaturally Delicious, Jayson Lusk
• Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, Paul Kingsnorth
• ISBN: 9781319319182

 

COURSE AND COLLEGE INFORMATION

Student 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.

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)

 

Specifics for Fletcher’s Class: Regular attendance and active, prepared participation of all students is essential. Students who miss more than 20% of the course (equivalent to three weeks/6 days in a standard semester) will receive an F and/or may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion. However, it is truly your responsibility to drop yourself.  There are no "excused" absences in college. In-class/quiz grades and activities may not be made up. If for any reason you are not able to attend class when a major paper is due, plan to turn in the assignment on, or before the due date (make arrangements as necessary).  Be prepared to honor this rule if you must miss class due to extra-curricular activities or other school-related events.  If emergency circumstances warrant consideration, you will need to speak to me on an individual basis outside of class. Documentation for accidents, court appearances, and other emergency type situations must be presented to the instructor for consideration. Appointments and making up tests in another class are not viable excuses. 

Students are also expected to arrive on time and not to leave before the end of class. Late arrivals and early departures (which are distracting to both professor and students) will be recorded and every two instances will count as one absence.  I expect students to be punctual.

 

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 Nov. 1, 2019.

 

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:

 

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.

 

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.

Projects & Class work – You will be engaging in different writing responses, exercises, class assignments, quizzes, and discussions.

Library Website: http://www.nctc.edu/NCTC_Library/library_mainpage.html

This course will have an embedded librarian to assist you with research.

Cell Phones/Pagers/Beepers are not allowed in class. Please turn them off and make sure they are not audible or visible when you come in each day (this includes ear buds).  If your phone goes off in class or you text in class =  a zero for the day.   *You may use your cell phone only when necessary for research or for some classroom purpose as directed by me.

 Food or Drink -  Please limit drinks in the classroom to covered container only.  No food is permitted in classrooms.

Papers - We will be developing your writing skills throughout the semester. Each paper will have similar skills that I will expect to see improvement on, as well as specific skills that you will need to show you have mastered. Grading will get harder as we progress. Papers will have a specific minimum length requirement. No paper will be accepted without revised and edited drafts =  automatic  F (50%), and papers not submitted to Veracite  = automatic F (50%).  Follow directions!  Please do not email me the next day asking for an extension.  Turn in your work to Veracite before you come to class, or use the computer labs on campus, but do not make excuses about wifi or computer glitches.

All papers are to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, New Times Roman, with one-inch margins, and correct headings.   I will take points off if you do not follow these directions. Be sure to have a folder with your final paper, drafts, peer reviews, and brainstorming/invention in the right hand side of your folder to turn in to class. 

Your Name                                                                                                                             
Professor Fletcher
ENGL 1301.your section
The date 

Title (centered)

The upper right hand of your paper will have your last name & the page number. All papers are to be handed in on time. Due dates are identified in the syllabus- no late papers.

Many community college students live complex lives, however, and students may take one 24-hour extension on a normal deadline (with no penalties incurred) provided that they contact the professor in advance of the deadline (not at the time it is due or after) to inform her of the situation, provided the reason is legitimate and documented.  If you are ill, there is no reason why you cannot have someone turn your paper in for you.  Your paper should already be completed.

Extra Credit - You will have several opportunities to improve class work grades.  Please see the selection in Canvas.  These are due by see syllabus- no exceptions.  Occasionally, I may throw in a few other opportunities that will have specific due dates.  It is your choice whether to do them or not.  Do not come up at the end of the semester asking for more extra credit.

Rewrites- You may rewrite Essay 1 if you are dissatisfied with your initial grade (this does not mean EDIT, but REVISE).  If you choose to rewrite them, you must obtain a critique from the NCTC Writing Center (on campus).  If you have a legitimate reason why you cannot go to the writing center or cannot use the online tutoring, than another sources of assistance you use must be pre-approved by me ( for example- your roommate is not a legitimate source). http://www.nctc.edu/Student_Services/Access/AcademicSupportCenter.htm 

 

All rewrites must be turned in with the original graded essay, all draft work, all revision work w/critique.  You have two weeks from the date initial essays are handed back in order to accomplish your rewrite.  I will average the two grades for a final essay grade (however, if you receive an F as an initial grade, the highest rewrite grade you can earn is B (plagiarized papers will not have this rewrite opportunity).  Note projects for this class can not be rewritten (so... make it good the first time!).  If you do not follow all of these directions, you will not get credit.

 

Workshops - Drafts will be worked on during class time for some papers. We will discuss how to analyze and give appropriate feedback. Your failure to participate (bring a draft) or attend these conferences will reduce your class work grade dramatically each time you miss: 0 for not attending; D for attending but no paper, C for attending with a paper that is weakly presented and an average job on review; B for attending with a completed, well-worked draft & doing a good job on reviews; A or higher for attending with a completed, well-worked draft & doing an excellent job on reviews. These workshops are a means by which you can learn how to improve your writing skills.

Web site –www.nctc.edu- Canvas

How do I access my course online? Students can access Canvas from the college homepage, or directly by typing https://nctc.instructure.com into their browser. Every student is provided a Canvas account with a username and password. Use your NetID username (ex. DoeJ123456) and password (student ID number) to access Canvas. If you register early, your NetID is available the week before classes begin. If you register during regular or late registration, it is available approximately 24 hours after you register. Go to MyNCTC to retrieve your username.      

http://www.nctc.edu/elearning/faq.html 

If you forget your user name or password, please call the ITS Help Desk at 940-668-4284

Classroom Decorum - A college classroom is a place of learning. Behavior that is disruptive or hostile will not be tolerated. The professor reserves the right to dismiss any student from the classroom, either temporarily or permanently. Students should consult the "Student Handbook" section of the College Catalog in order to acquaint themselves with the student code of conduct.

 

Grading Policy & Procedures.  

1. Class Work – 30% -  ex: Honor Pledge, OER, collaborative project,  article quizzes and reflection papers, workshops, tic tac toe, Ch 3 group , MOH CDP etc

2. Written Work (papers/projects) - 65%

Essay personal Belief 1- 10%

Argument Overview  - 15%

Argument Evaluation/Proposal -20%

Research Riddle -10%

Collaborative Project/photo essay – 5%

Tutorial Outline – 5%

 

3. Final - 5%

 

While to some degree the evaluation of writing entails subjective judgments, there are clearly definable standards of competent academic and professional documents. These standards examine conventions, composition, and content in the document or project. "Convention" means that the writer has conformed to the standard formats and document design of the assigned task (a memo should look like a memo, an academic paper should follow all MLA format and documentation conventions). "Composition" means that that the writer has used standard spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence construction, and paragraph coherence devices. "Content" means that the ideas are clear and coherent, logically developed, and supported by details.  

90-100 (A) Excellent writing sets the gold standard. It does not simply meet the specifications of the assigned task; it exceeds them and does so with conspicuous excellence. It is not simply free of serious composition errors or relatively free of minor errors generally; it is exemplary (i.e. could be a textbook example). Therefore, it is rare.
80-89 (B) Good writing meets the specifications of an assigned task very well. It is free of major errors, though it may have some minor composition errors. It may fall short of the sophistication and thoroughness of excellent writing, but it is not embarrassing and demonstrates the writer's intelligence and thought.
70-79 (C) Minimally competent writing only meets the minimal specifications of an assigned task. It has minor composition errors and it falls short in several areas.
60-69 (D) Less-than-competent writing seriously falls short in from one to a few areas of an assigned task. It has serious composition errors.
0-59 (F) Failed writing either completely does not succeed in meeting the specifications for a task, is plagued with serious errors, or has violated academic honesty (plagiarism).

 

Calendar or Course Outline

Find and print all articles to bring to class

 

                                        WEEK 1 (LO1,2,4) (CT, COM, TW)

M 8/26 Read Syllabus & Navigate Canvas; Vanderbilt Honor Code (passed out to examine)

 

W 8/28 Read JC:  prewriting: 13-20 & 27-31; Read “X Factor in College Success” by Bryan Goodwin & Heather Hein (Professional Development Collection database) Education Leadership volume 73 issue 6  published  March 6, 2016.

Do not ask me how to find this article: use your resources! Read all of Unnaturally Delicious by Week 6. Read OER Directions (Part I). Read PPT 1 (Canvas)

 

                                   WEEK 2 (LO 1,2,4) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 9/2 – HOLIDAY/ No Class       Read JC prewriting: 37-49 & 55-58 & work on OER

 

W 9/4 - Print off & bring Essay #1 directions Personal Belief – start work in class; read directions for Grammar Tutorials (Canvas);

 

                                    WEEK 3 (LO1,2,3) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 9/9 Read “Competency vs Character?  It Must Be Both!” written in Military Review (Nov-Dec 2009) by Lt. Col. Joe Doty & Maj. Walter Snowden (Academic Search Complete database).  Have your response to OER 7 sections completed (Part I) due; Group work in class on the OER (Part II & III).  Finish Part IV on your own.

 

W 9/11 MLA/Databases; read JC:  81-945- turn in the YOUR TURN: Evaluate a source (p. 95).;;  Working with Sources; Read: OER Research Process: Finding Sources; Watch NCTC Research Database Video; MLA boot camp

 

                                                  WEEK 4 (LO 1-5) (CT, COM, PR)

M 9/16 OER Assignment (I-IV) due; Have Essay 1 Personal Belief Draft – peer workshop (using stations)

 

W 9/18 Read directions for Research Riddle; read JC working together/revising & editing: 103-106 & 270-282; JC Avoiding Plagiarism 173-184- see listing on p. 344.

 

                                                   WEEK 5 (LO 1, 4) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 9/23 SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS Essay 1 Personal Belief  (watch SCRAAP Test video & complete worksheet due 10/2 - see announcements for websites to choose from to complete the worksheet)

 

W 9/25 SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS essay 1 Personal Belief; Read:  OER -Reading: Thesis; Read JC 202-206 outlines & Outlining Tips Video in Canvas under Misc/Links.

             

WEEK 6 LO 1-5) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 9/30  Essay #1 Personal Belief due; Be prepared to discuss Chapter 1 & 3 Unnaturally Delicious (all of book should be read by now).

 

W 10/2 SCRAAP worksheet due; Ch 3 Unnaturally Delicious: summary & outline (in class)

 

 

WEEK 7 (LO1-5) (CT PR)

M 10/7   Have Chapter 3 in Unnaturally Delicious outline + Summary & Analysis due; Read Argument Overview Group Project Directions

 

W 10/9 Read Directions of Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge for Unnaturally Delicious (choose three responses by Friday 5 pm 10/11 on the discussion board);

 Read JC integrating sources 252-269; Read OER Reading: Supporting Claims; sign up for groups and chapter(s) on Canvas discussion board for Argument Overview Group Project due;

                                                WEEK 8 (LO 1,4,5) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 10/14 Read compare/contrast pdf Canvas.  Email sent to you with 2 Plagiarism tutorials to view (take notes).  Read McCabe, Donald L., and Gary Pavela. “Ten [Updated] Principles of Academic Integrity.” Change, volume. 36, issue 3 on  May 2004 in (Professional Development Collection database)

 

 

W 10/16 Tic Tac Toe Challenge due; Argument Overview Group Project work: computer lab; Read “Promoting a Culture of Academic Integrity” in American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, vol. 74, no. 6, Nov. 2010, pp. by Peggy Piascik and Gayle A. Brazeau in the Academic Search Complete database.

 

 

WEEK 9 (LO2,4,5) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 10/21   Research Riddle due;  Argument Overview Group Project  in class work: computer lab

 

W 10/23 Argument Overview Presentation by groups/jigsaw due; work on Plagiarism Tutorial compare/contrast outline.

 

 

                                          WEEK 10 (LO 1-5) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 10/28   Read directions for Argument Evaluation/Proposal; compare/contrast plagiarism outline due; Read JC Argumentative Essay pp 307-331. 

 

W 10/30   Cont. work on Argument Evaluation/Proposal;  Read https://gradlime.com/plagiarism/ “Everything College Students Need to Know About Plagiarism” November 15, 2017 by Ryan Nelson;

 

 

WEEK 11 (LO 1-5) (CT, COM, TW, PR)

M 11/4 PDF of Coordination & Subordination exercises (EW 329-335 ex 30.1 & 30.2) due; Research work in Library!

 

W 11/6 Workshop sections 4-5 Argument Evaluation proposal 

 

 

WEEK 12 (LO1-5) (CT, PR)

M 11/11 Outline work & correct/revise sections 4 & 5

 

W 11/13 workshop proposal section 1 of Argument Evaluation proposal; Collaborative Project (start in class- finish on your group’s time outside of class)

 

WEEK 13 (LO 1-5) (TW, PR)

M 11/18    Argument Evaluation Proposal section 3 workshop (ALL EC DUE)

 

W 11/20 – Last workshop 1-5 (focus on section 2); Grammar Tutorials due

 

WEEK 14 ((LO 1-5) (CT, COM)

M 11/25  Research riddle expiration; begin MOHCDP in class work; Argument Evaluation Proposal due

 

W 11/27 NO CLASS/ HOLIDAY

 

                         

WEEK 15 ((LO 1-5) (CT, COM, PR)

 

M 12/2 MOHCDP in class work;

 

W 12/4 MOHCDP continued/ & review for final; Collaborative Project/photo essay due (share in class)

 

FINAL EXAM - TBA