Course Name & Number

Composition II

ENGL 1302.418/420  Cor 212/214 TR 8:00-9:20/TR 9:30-10:50

Gordon Smith

Semester & Year

 SPRING 2017

  COR 212/214

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]

Prerequisite:  English 1301 or its equivalent.

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

Schilb, John and John Clifford.  Arguing about Literature. Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin,  Second Edition, 2017. ISBN #978-1-13100-3532-7. (This is a REQUIREMENT and will be used in class.)

Lunsford, Andrea A. The Everyday Writer. 6th Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2016.  ISBN #978-1-319-11780-1.

A recent standard college dictionary

[Rev. Fall 2012]

Instructor’s Name

Gordon Smith

Office Phone #

Leave messages with secretary Cheryl McDonald at (940)498-6204 in COR 201, with Janet Mathis in 119 at (940)498-6262, or with Engish Dept. in Gainesville (940) 668-7731

Instructor’s Office #

201 10:50-11:50

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

gsmith@nctc.edu

Office Hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1.  Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.

2.  Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.

3.  Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.

4.  Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.

5.  Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc.)

[Rev. 8-2012 THECB]

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.

*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]

Grading Policy & Procedures

*Unit Tests count 35%; essays count 35%; the daily average counts 20%; the final copy of the research essay counts 10%. Letter grades have the following numerical equivalents: A+ = 98, A = 95, A- = 92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D=60-69, F =59 or lower.

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, 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.

*In addition to the disciplinary referral and actions listed above, I shall assign a grade of zero for the first offense of  plagiarism or cheating on any test or assignment. If the student persists and commits a second offense, he/she will receive an F in the course.  I will have the final say on what is or is not plagiarism.

   Most essays and all tests will be done in class.  This should prevent plagiarism, and most out-of-class assignments will be turned in through a Turnitin drop box set up in Canvas.

[Rev. 3-20-2012–Plagiarism text added cb]

Attendance Policy

*Attendance and punctuality are very important.  Students should make every effort to be in class every time and on time.  (1)Students should not accumulate more than five absences, and by then they almost inevitably have an F in the course.  On the sixth, to avoid an F,  they should withdraw before April 6. ( After the fifth absence, I may insititute the withdrawal on or before April 6.) Students need to attend class in a timely fashion. Those arriving ten minutes late will be counted TARDY, and two tardies will equal an ABSENCE.(2) Late work will be accepted during the class following the due date, with a ten-point deduction. After that, it will not be accepted. (3)In case of an absence, the test or essay will be made up during the following class. After that, it will not be accepted.(4 )Electronic devices (cell phones in particular) should be turned off and put out of sight before class begins.  (5) Once class starts, students should not just get up and walk out of the room at will.  They should raise hands and receive instructor permission first. (6)Please control noise level upon entering the room, and remain awake and attentive during class. (7)Students who disrupt the class will be dropped from the roll. COLLEGE BEHAVIOR—Students are expected to behave like adults in the classroom. Courteous, respectful treatment of others is a must. Private conversations, texting, sleeping in class, tardiness, etc., will be considered uncivil, disruptive behavior, punishable by loss of daily-grade participation points up to removal from the class.    Per NCTC policy, ALL INSTRUCTORS are required to take attendance every class meeting for reporting purposes.  [Rev. 5-2014]  

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

[Rev. 7/25/2012 per Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson] 

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.

Calendar or Course Outline (REQUIRED)

• The instructor must indicate general blocks (or units) of study or supply a detailed calendar of activity.
• Numbers of the specific Learning Outcomes and individual Core Objectives associated with each unit of study must accompany each unit of study or appropriate calendar activity.

Units of Study

• Block I: Readings

     Students will read and analyze a variety of selections from the adopted textbook.

• Block II: Quizzes, Examinations, and the Final Exam

     Students may be required to take quizzes or tests over assigned readings and/or related materials. The class MUST meet during the final exam week. A final exam, if given, may count no more than 25% of the semester grade.

• Block III: Compositions

          Students will write a minimum of 5,000 words (20 pages) in a variety of compositions—formal and informal. As part of this required writing, students will produce a minimum of four graded assignments. At least two of these must use the complete writing process, which may consist of the following:

Ø  Invention

Ø  Drafting

Ø  Peer Review

Ø  Revision

Ø  Final Draft

• Block IV: Grammar and Mechanics

     Students will study grammar and mechanics in the adopted handbook in order to meet departmental standards. This study may be done by examination of units in the handbook or through writing as a process, according to the discretion of the instructor.

• Block V: Research

     Students will utilize library and electronic resources. They will submit a written assignment, such as an annotated bibliography, a documented essay, or several short compositions, using MLA style documentation. Pages generated as part of this research block are included in the required writing stipulated in Block III.

Other Pertinent Information

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.

[Rev. 3/20/2012_Brent Wallace]