ENGL1302 OVERVIEW

Course 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. 8-2012 THECB]

Prerequisite: ENGL1301 or its equivalent

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. 

1. Critical Thinking Skills (CT)--to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information 
2. Communication Skills (COM)--to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication 
3. 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 
4. Personal Responsibility (PR)--to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making      

[Rev. 1/19/2015 KW]

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes (LO1);
2. Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays (LO2);
3. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence (LO3 );
4. Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action (LO4); and
5. Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc.) (LO5).

[Rev. 1/19/2015 KW]

Course Purpose  

The purpose of this course, as I teach it, is to sharpen students' ability to recognize and analyze argument whether it is written or visual. The main emphasis will be on improving students' ability to read critically, to think critically, and to express their opinions in writing about subjects that are at issue. The emphasis is on argument as it appears both in academic environments and in society. Since argument can be found everywhere, the material students learn in this course will be useful in all of their college classes, as well as on the job, at home, at school, and in a variety of other private and public spheres. --CB  

Course Structure

This course is divided into three major units of study:

Unit I: Understanding Argument and  Conducting Research (LOs 1-5; COs CT, COM, TW, PR)

Unit II: Using Argument Theory for Reading and Writing (LOs 1-5; COs CT, COM, TW, PR)

Unit III: Writing and Presenting Arguments (LOs 1-5; COs CT, COM, TW, PR)  

REQUIRED BOOKS
	Reader Wood, Nancy V. Essentials of Argument. 3rd ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-205-82702-2
	Handbook Lunsford, Andrea A. The Everyday Writer with Exercises. 6th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-319-11780-1.
	Dictionary A college dictionary of recent publication An acceptable online dictionary is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Student alert: If you cannot immediately afford to purchase the textbook or if the bookstore is out of books, you have options: The textbooks are on reserve in the Corinth and Gainesville libraries. You can go to the library to read assignments or you can Xerox copies of assigned pages to take with you. Check any area library (public or academic) and you may be able to locate a copy of the textbook and check it out.   Check online for used or rentable books.

GRADING POLICIES

Semester Grade Criteria

Student alert: You will write a great deal in this class, but not all of your writing will be "marked." For those assignments that are read, but not marked, you will be assigned points simply for doing them in an adequate manner. You can significantly lower your grade if you elect not to do these assignments. 

• Reading Grades (21%)
• Course Introduction (1%)
  • the completed PVF
  • the Quiz: Syllabus
  • and the Discussion: Getting Acquainted. 
• Participation (5%)
• Argument Style Paper (2%)
• Issue Proposal (3%)
• Ten-item Annotated Bibliography (10%)
• Quizzes (14%)
• Use the chapter review questions at the end of each chapter to prepare for chapter quizzes.
• I have provided objective quizzes.
• You will need Respondus Lockdown.
• Graded papers and reports (65%)
• Exploratory paper (10%)
• Toulmin analysis (3%) and report (2%) (5%)
• Argument analysis Paper (5%)
• Visual argument (2%) and report (1%) (3%)
• Rogerian argument paper (8%) and report (2%) (10%)
• Researched position paper (30%)
  • Pre-writes:
    • rhetorical situation worksheet 
    • audience analysis worksheet
    • research plan worksheet
    • research evaluation worksheet
    • prewriting using the Toulmin model
    • claim development worksheet
    • invention activity
    • two peer critiques -- all work must be completed and submitted as scheduled in order to participate in peer critiques. 
• Final presentation (2%)

Letter/Numerical Grade Values

• A = 90-100
• B = 80-89
• C = 70-79
• D = 60-69
• F < 59

NCTC POLICIES

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.

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. 

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.

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/Disabilityservices.aspx 

[Rev. 25 Aug. 2012, Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson; Updated: 23 Aug. 2014, Mary Martinson] 

Support Services 

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx 

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring (including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results) and assists new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO, which offers specialized support services. http://www.nctc.edu/Academics/SupportServices.aspx > 

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students who qualify; visit the financial aid offices for more information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx  

Early Alert and NCTC CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert, you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing adviser or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior that may be disruptive, harmful, or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community--such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior that could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/CARES.aspx. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

Tobacco-free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, accumulates unsightly tobacco litter, and interferes with ensuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to secondhand 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.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT

Instructor: Ms. Chris Bishop Office phone: 940-498-6241 Office address: Online – Skype, Google+hangouts; phone Phone/Office hours: Online, M-R, noon–8:00 p.m. and/or by appointment; this includes weekends as needed. Also, you can check the Chat button to see if I'm online in the class. NCTC e-mail: cbishop@nctc.edu (Students please note: Use Canvas email for course matters. Use NCTC email ONLY if Canvas email fails.) Google email: professorchris.bishop@gmail.com (This address is to be used for scheduled conferences using Google docs or Google hangouts.)