North Central Texas College

Course Syllabus Fall 2019

 

Course:   Composition I   ENGL 1301.501     MW 8-9:20am

                                             ENGL 1301.502     MW 9:30-10:50am

                                             ENGL 1301.506     TR   8-9:20am                           

Instructor: Danielle Wagner                     

Office: 107

Email: dsearles@nctc.edu or through Canvas

Office Hours:

Please feel free to stop by any time during my office hours with questions/concerns whether or not you have an appointment. If your schedule makes it difficult for you to stop by during office hours, we can set up a time to meet that works with your schedule, or we can set up a conference in Canvas.

 

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

 

Required Textbooks/Materials: Custom NCTC Textbook Bundle, including

o   Joining the Conversation 3rd edition 

o   Redshelf Access Code to First-Year Composition Custom E-Book

o   Unnaturally Delicious, Jayson Lusk

o   Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, Paul Kingsnorth

o   ISBN: 9781319319182

 

Grading Criteria:

Major Essays                          45%             A= 89.5-100

Writing Activities/Reading Checks 20%             B=79.5-89.4

Evidence of Writing Process           15%             C=69.5-79.4

Bibliography                                   10%             D=59.5-69.4

Collaborative Project                   10%         F=59.4 or below 

CLASS POLICIES

Grading:

•  Major Essays (45%) must be submitted to an online drop in Canvas by the beginning of class in one of the accepted file formats (pdf, doc, docx, rtf). No other submission type will be accepted. Each drop box will be connected to Vericite to check for plagiarism. There are three major essay assignments in this course: Argument Overview, Argument Evaluation, Persuasive Issue w/ Research.

• Writing Activities/Reading Checks (20%): These are mostly low stakes writing assignments and activities designed to practice skills in preparation for major writing assignments. Some writing activities will be assessed as completion grades, and others will be assessed for quality of content. Some tasks will be completed in class, and others will be completed outside of class. This category will also include points for attendance and reading quizzes. These assignments cannot be made up unless prior arrangements have been made. I will drop 1-2 at the end of the semester (excluding the letter of reflection). Any writing/activity that you miss will be averaged as a 0.

• Evidence of Writing Process (15%): Students will be required to submit drafts of writing assignments for feedback and peer review.

•  Bibliography (10%): This assignment is ongoing. You will submit three bibliographies over the course of the semester with revision built into subsequent rubrics. Submissions will be averaged.

•  Collaborative Project (10%): Students will collaborate in small groups to create a photo essay inspired by an issue presented in Jayson Lusk’s Unnaturally Delicious. Groups will present photo essays during the final exam period.

 

Online Drop Box: All writing assignments will be connected to a drop box in Canvas where students must submit their work for grading. When you submit an assignment to a Canvas drop box:

•  For the majority of your writing assignments, the file you upload must be in one of the following formats: doc, docx, pdf. No other file type will be accepted. There are a few exceptions (Collaborative Project), and they will be noted in the assignment details.

• You should verify that your uploaded assignment appears in the drop box

 

Late Work: 

• All assignments are due by the beginning of class on a particular due date. If you upload an assignment to the drop box and it reads LATE, the assignment will not be accepted for credit and will receive a 0.

• All students get ONE extension on an assignment. No penalties, no questions asked. If you need an extension on an assignment, you must email to let me know which assignment, AND you MUST schedule your own due date so that I can open up the assignment for you. You tell me when you will complete and submit the assignment. If you miss your own deadline, the assignment will be given a 0. 

• If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance and are struggling to stay on top of your assignments, please let me know so we can find a way to keep you on track with your course work. The sooner we can establish a plan, the better, so keep the lines of communication open. 

Revision and Extra Credit Opportunities:

• Students will be given opportunities to revise some writing assignments for a higher grade over the course of the semester. Details will be provided at that time.

• Students may earn extra credit on the Argument Overview, Argument Evaluation, Persuasive Issue w/ Research essays by working with one of the NCTC writing tutors (you must supply documentation of this work) or by working on a draft with me. Points will be awarded based on the student’s effort in the meeting and subsequent revision of the assignment.

ANY MISSING/LATE WORK WILL BE AVERAGED AS A ZERO

 

 Attendance Policies

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)

 

Attending class is mandatory. The college requires attendance be taken daily, and your attendance accounts for a portion of Writing Activities/Reading Checks Category.

• Instructor reserves the right to drop a student who has missed more than two weeks of class (4 class meetings). After the drop date (11/1), students who miss more than two weeks of class may receive an F in the course.

Please keep the lines of communication open regarding your attendance so that if you must miss class, we can work together to keep you on track regarding your course work.

 

If you must be absent, you should:

• Make arrangements to submit any work that is due on the date of your absence.

• Check Canvas to see what discussions/assignments/handouts you missed and what will be due the day you return. Get notes from another student to cover what you have missed.

• Email me with any questions about the assignments/handouts posted to Canvas. Please note, I will not answer questions about this material until you have done your part to check the calendar and handouts that have been posted to Canvas.

 

Last Day to Withdraw: November 1st is the last day to withdrawal with a “W”

 

Class Cancelations: Over the course of the semester, it may be necessary to cancel a class meeting due to bad weather or instructor illness. Any time class is canceled, I will send a class message through Canvas explaining how we will adjust our weekly schedule, due dates, and assignments. It is your responsibility to check Canvas for these instructions so that you will not be penalized for late work or missing work. Don’t assume an assignment is not due because class has been canceled.

 

Classroom Etiquette: Please conduct yourself as a professional in the classroom. Any disruptive or offensive behavior will result in immediate dismissal. Please also be aware that tardiness and/or leaving in the middle of class is disruptive. When it comes to cell phone use, let’s adopt a “don’t be a jerk policy.” If you have a special situation where you are expecting a call (for example, you are “on call” for a sick child) just let me know ahead of time and you can take the call out in the hallway. Otherwise, cell phones should not be heard going off during class. Paying more attention to your phone than to what is happening in class is probably not the best choice if you are interested in getting something out of the course; it can also be perceived as disrespectful. 

 

Email Etiquette: Email is an excellent way for us to communicate outside the classroom, and it provides you the opportunity to ask additional questions. Given our academic environment, this form of communication should also be professional, so please observe the following rules:

• Include a greeting (such as Mrs. Wagner, or Instructor,) and a signature—make sure you sign your email with your full name.

• Write complete, coherent sentences so that I know who you are, what class you are in, and what you need

• Please allow up to 24 hours for me to respond to your questions during the week, 48 hours on weekends.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND CORE OBJECTIVES

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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

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.

Core Objectives:

*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

 

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:

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 quotation 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.

 

IMPORTANT STUDENT INFORMATION

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

SEMESTER OVERVIEW

 Weeks 1-5 Unit 1: Understanding Argument

Readings and Discussion Topics

Discuss Syllabus, Introduction to Course

Introduction to Course Theme

Joining the Conversation Chapter 1: Understanding Yourself as a Writer

Joining the Conversation Chapter 2: Finding and Listening in on Conversations

Joining the Conversation Chapter 3: Reading to Write

Joining the Conversation Chapter 4: Working with Sources (81-88)

Joining the Conversation Chapter 10: Developing and Supporting Your Thesis Statement

Joining the Conversation Chapter 12: Drafting and Designing (217-223)

Unnaturally Delicious Chapter 1 Overcoming Nature

Unnaturally Delicious Chapter 2 The Price of Happy Hens

Unnaturally Delicious Chapter 10 Food Bug Zappers

Unnaturally Delicious Chapter 7 Bovine in a Beaker

MLA Documentation and formatting review

Mapping and Summarizing Argument

Drafting the Argument Overview Essay

Assignments

*Reading Quizzes

*Writing and Class Activities                                                     [LOs 1,2,5; CT/COM]

* Bibliography 1                                                                         [LOs 4-5]

*Argument Overview Essay—Rough Drafts, Final Draft, Revision  [LOs 1-5; CT/COM]

Weeks 6-10 (9/30-10/30) Evaluating Argument

Readings and Discussion Topics

Joining the Conversation Chapter 14: Revising and Editing

Joining the Conversation Chapter 16: Using MLA Style

Unnaturally Delicious Chapter 11: “The Case for Food and Agricultural Innovation”

Additional Readings TBA

Evaluating and Responding to Argument

MLA Citation Practices

Drafting the Argument Evaluation Essay

Assignments

*Reading Quizzes 

*Writing and Class Activities                                                           [LOs 1,2,5; CT/COM]

*Bibliography 2                                                       [LOs 4-5]

*Argument Evaluation Essay—Rough Draft, Final Draft, Revision  [LOs 1-5; CT/COM/PR]

 

Weeks 11-15 (11/4-12/5)  Making an Argument/Collaboration

Readings and Discussion Topics

Joining the Conversation Chapter 13: Using Sources Effectively

Joining the Conversation Chapter 15: Writing To Convince or Persuade 

Joining the Conversation Chapter 5: Working Together

Drafting the Persuasive Issue Essay

Assignments

*Reading Quizzes

*Writing and Class Activities [LOs 1,2,5; CT/COM]

*Persuasive Issue w/ Research--Rough Drafts, Final Draft, Revision [LOs 1-5; CT/COM/]

*Bibliography 3 [LOs 4-5]

*Collaborative Project Project [TW]

 

FINAL EXAMS: December 8-13