ENGLISH 1302 SPRING 2017 COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Name & Number

Composition II ENGL 1302 501, 502, 503

Semester & Year

Spring 2017

 

Catalog 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.
Instructor’s Name	Erica C. Thompson	Office Phone #	972-899-8337
Instructor’s Office #	FM 107	Office Fax #	--
E-mail Address	ecthompson@nctc.edu	Office Hours	MWF 8-9 am MW 12-2 pm TR 8-9:30 am

 

Required Texts & Supplies	REQUIRED TEXTS: Flight. Author: Sherman Alexie. Black Cat/Grove Publishing, 2007. 978080217037.   Just Mercy. Author: Bryan Stevenson. Spiegel & Grau, 2014. 9780812984965   They Say / I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed. Authors: Gerald Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. WW Norton. 2014. ISBN: 978-0393935844   OTHER SUPPLIES: ·         Pen/Pencil and Paper ·         Stapler ·         Access to a reliable internet-enabled computer and printer. We will be using Canvas, NCTC’s online learning management system (LMS), so you’ll need access to the Internet. All essays and drafts must be typed. This campus provides internet-enabled computers and printers for student use in the library, and public libraries also have computers.
Learning Outcomes	Students who successfully complete English 1302 will meet the following learning outcomes: Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes. Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence. Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action. Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc.)
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.
Grading Policy & Procedures	How Your Grade is Calculated: Two Major Essays:                                     Final Essay Discovery Drafts: Annotated Bibliographies Inquiry questions, In-class work, quizzes   50% 10% 15% 15% 10% Grading Scale: 89.5-100  =  A 79.5-89.4 =  B 69.5-79.4 =  C 59.5-69.4 =  D Below 59.5 = F
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:   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.   Also, please be aware that you are the student, and it is your writing I expect to see. ·         DO NOT have another person write, type, edit any part of your writing assignments. ·         DO NOT have another person revise any part of your writing assignments outside of in-class workshop sessions or writing center tutorials. ·         DO NOT use someone else’s writing assignment or buy one from a “professional” source. ·         DO NOT use material on the internet or from print sources without documenting it in the essay.   Consequences: An assignment in ENGL 1302 that the instructor considers to be in whole or in part intentionally plagiarized will receive a zero, and the incident will be reported to the college.
ADA Statement	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 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/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
Gender Identity	This course affirms people of all gender expressions and identities. If you prefer to be called a different name than is what on the class roster, please let me know. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records, and so I may call you by your preferred name and pronouns.
Student Success Center	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, go to rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus, go to rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus, go to room 111; on the Bowie Campus, go to room 124.
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 advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.   The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to 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 which 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 CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  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, 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. 5-2014]
Course Outline	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.

 

 

 

Thompson’s Course-Specific Policies

 

Discovery Drafts and Major Essays: Reading and Critique

Discovery Drafts (DD)

In this class, we will be critically responding in writing and verbally, to one another’s work in workshop teams. We will have ten discovery draft assignments of 2-3 pages in length, in MLA format.

• CANVAS: All discovery drafts will be uploaded to a drop box on Canvas (see individual assignments for due date).
• IN CLASS: Bring ONE typed copies of your discovery draft on the assigned class day.
  • NOTE: The library opens at 7:30 am each day. Your student account comes with copies/prints available. Make use of them.
• Then, you will gather in your workshop team to read, discuss, and critique one another’s discovery drafts in writing and verbally.
• Discovery Drafts and Critiques will be assessed separately:
  • Each discovery draft assignment will be accompanied a basic rubric of essential elements (e.g., Assigned length, MLA formatting, on topic, uses TS/IS Move, and so on). I will use this rubric to assign a grade to the draft. This is a completion grade, not a skills assessment. If the draft is complete and fulfills the basic rubric, the assignment receives an A grade; if it is partially completed, it will receive a lower grade (C or lower). If no assignment is submitted by the due date and time, a 0 (Zero) will be assigned. I will not comment directly on every discovery assignment. That’s what the critiques are for.
  • Each critique will be guided—that is, I will provide a worksheet for that week’s critique session. The critiques of YOUR draft within each essay cycle must be collected and kept safe in your pocketed folder by YOU. If you lose any critiques, YOU will lose points on your final essay grade and YOUR WORKSHOP MEMBERS will lose points for the critique.
  • Critiques MAY NOT be made up. If you are absent on a critique day, then you will earn a zero for that critique day.
  • Major Essay Rough Drafts are also included in this process. Rough drafts will receive a discovery draft grade and will be subject to a critique.  

 

The purpose of the discovery draft assignments is primarily two-fold:

1. To practice critical thinking and writing. The only way to become a better, more competent writer is to write (and to read, which you’ll also be doing). The only way that the documentation and synthesis required in academic writing become easier is through practice.
2. To try out ideas for your major essays. Your discovery writing assignments may serve as seeds for your major essays or lead you to sources or even form the basis of arguments of your major essays. You may use any of your discovery writing in your major essays.

 

Major Essay Reading and Critique

Like Discovery Drafts, major essays must be submitted both online and in hard copy.

• CANVAS: Major essay 1 & 2 will be due on Canvas by 30 minutes prior to class on the Monday of reading & critique week (see individual assignments for due date). Final essay 3 will be due on Canvas by 8:30 am on your final exam day.
• IN CLASS: Bring TWO typed copies of your major essay on your assigned reading day. One of these copies should be stapled together and given to me. The other is your reading copy.
  • During reading week, student essays will be read aloud in class before your workshop group and one other. Peers will respond with clear praise and suggestions.
  • Instructor will respond with suggestions for revision.
  • Instructor will assign a grade to the major essay (written; not announced before the class).
  • Student will have two weeks to revise essay, if desired, and resubmit for re-assessment. See individual essay assignments for revision guidelines and dates.
    • NOTE: Students are not assessed on their public speaking skills. This is not a presentation but a reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email Policy

Ours is a face to face class, and I keep 12 office hours each week (see first page of syllabus). As such, you should ask questions in person, rather than via email.

 

If, you must email, please use the Canvas email application, or, if necessary, direct emails to ecthompson@nctc.edu. NOTE: I will endeavor to respond to emails within 24 hours during the school week. I will not check work email after 5 pm during the week. I will not respond over the weekend or on holidays.

 

Email Etiquette

When you email me or any other instructor, you are expected to write professionally. This begins with the subject, which should explain why you’re writing to me.  For example:

• Subject: Discovery 2 Canvas Issue or Upcoming Absence, etc.

 

NOTE: If you use Canvas, your course and section number will be evident. If you email me directly, you need also to include your course and section number, followed by why you’re writing. For example:

• Subject: English 1302.5XX—Discovery 2 Question

 

The body of your email should begin with a greeting. This could be formal or less formal. For example:

• Dear Prof. Thompson or Hi Prof. Thompson

 

Then, using complete sentences and proper grammar, briefly state your message. Use audience-appropriate language and tone. If you are attaching a file, please explain what the file is and why you are attaching it.

 

When your brief message is complete, end with a closing phrase, followed by your name. For example:

• Regards/Thanks/Sincerely,

Name

 

If 24 hours have passed and you have not heard from me forward your message back to me with a polite message nudging me to respond. For example:

Hi Prof. Thompson,

I wanted to see if you had received my email.

Thanks,

Name

 

I will follow the same guidelines when emailing you.

 

Evaluation of Major Writing Assignments: General Considerations

• “A” Work:  This writing is excellentand demonstrates excellence in development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics. There is clear evidence of the writing process (invention, drafting, revision, editing, and proofreading).  

• A = 95-100  
• A- = 92  
• A-/B+ = 90

• “B” Work: This is goodwork and delivers substantial information—that is, substantial in both quantity and interest-value. It is well-developed and unified around a clear organizing principle that is apparent early in the piece. There is evidence of the writing process.  

• B+ = 87  
• B = 85
• B- = 82
• B-/C+ = 80

• “C” Work: This is an averagepiece that is generally competent in its development, organization, style and tone, and mechanics.  It meets the needs for the assignment, has few mechanical errors, and is reasonably organized and developed. This piece also shows some evidence of the writing process. 

• C+ = 77
• C = 75
• C- = 72
• C-/D+ = 70

• “D” Work:  This is below-averagework that lacks develop and/or is not effectively organized to facilitate reader’s understanding.  The paper also shows little or no evidence of the writing process. 

• D+ = 67
• D = 65
• D- = 62

• “F” Work:  This work failsin all aspects of the evaluation criteria.  There is no evidence of the writing process and the paper fails in all aspects of development, organization, style, and mechanics.

• F (work submitted and attempted) = 50
• F (no work submitted or attempted) = 0

 

Personal Responsibility and Professionalism

Attendance and Make-up Work

**Students who miss more than two weeks of class (i.e., six class days in a MWF section or four class days in a TR section) may earn an “F” for the course or be asked to drop the course, at my discretion. **

 

Note: There are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences in college; an absence is an absence.

• If you must be absent, you are expected to be prepared for class in the same manner as those students who were present.

• DO NOT email or phone me to get homework or missed assignments. Get contact information for a classmate and request information from that classmate.  I will not respond to “what did I miss?” emails.

 

Punctuality and Professionalism

• Class begins on time. Please pay your classmates and me the respect of coming to class on time.
• Use the restroom before class starts. Once class starts, do not leave class except in a real emergency.
• You may bring drinks (WITH LIDS) to class, but leave the food outside.
• If cell phone/tablet/laptop use becomes distracting to me or your classmates, I’ll ask you to put your device away and may ask you to leave the class, at which point you will be counted absent.
• If you leave class early without approval, you will be counted absent.

Make-Up Work Policy

• There will be NO make-ups or late acceptance of any work.

 

Technology/Computers

You must take responsibility for your own technology. Plan ahead for every contingency by not waiting until the last minute to start an assignment. Follow the file format guidelines provided on assignments (note: all files must be in doc or docx; figure out how to make that happen) and use the HELP tool on your app or do a Google search to troubleshoot your file or formatting issues. If you have a Canvas issue, submit a ticket. If you have a printer issue, come to the library and use a college printer.  The best defense is a good offense. In other words, START EARLY AND PLAN FOR PROBLEMS.  If disaster strikes with Canvas, email me with your essay file attached in the proper format (doc or docx).

 

 

 

English 1302 Spring 2017 Reading Calendar

General Notes:

• Come to class prepared. If any student is consistently unprepared for discussion and inquiry, s/he will be asked to leave and be marked absent.
• Read in preparation for discussion, group and individual activities, and quizzes.
• Any assigned homework is due at the beginning of class and must be typed.
• There WILL be addition readings and other texts assigned. Due dates for essays will not be changed without class discussion.

 

Week of Jan 16 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M:  Introduction to course

W: Icebreaker

HW for Monday

Read: TSIS: Introduction, “Entering the Conversation,” 1-15;

Discovery Draft (DD): Defining Race, due in class and online 1/23

 

Week of Jan 23 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 1 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Discuss Fuentes, “From the Myth of Race” (on Canvas); assign DD2

F: TSIS Ch.1; Fuentes

 

Week of Jan 30 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 2 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Discuss Tatum, “Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” (on Canvas); assign DD3

F: TSIS Ch. 2; TSIS Ch. 12; Tatum

 

Week of Feb 6 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 3 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Read and discuss Alexie, “Capital Punishment; Begin Alexie’s Flight

F: TSIS Ch. 3; Flight

 

Week of Feb 13 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 4 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W-F: Flight; Begin essay planning; TSIS Ch. 4

 

Week of Feb 20 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M-W: Drafting

F: Rough Draft Peer Review

 

Week of Feb 27 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

Major Essay 1 due by Monday, 2/27, 30 minutes before class

M-F: Essay 1 reading

 

Week of March 6 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: Essay 1 reading

W: Debrief Essay 1; Begin Stevenson’s Just Mercy

F: TSIS Ch. 7; Just Mercy

 

Week of March 13: SPRING BREAK

 

Week of March 20  (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: Just Mercy

W: DD 5 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

F: TSIS Ch. 5; Just Mercy

 

 

 

 

Week of March 27 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 6 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Just Mercy

F: TSIS Ch. 8; Just Mercy

 

Week of April 3 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M-F: Research, drafting, discussion; TSIS Ch. 6

NOTE: The last day to withdraw from classes is April 6

 

Week of April 10 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

Major Essay 2 due by Monday, 4/10, 30 minutes before class

M-F: Essay 2 reading

 

Week of April 17 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: Essay 2 reading

W: Debrief Major Essay 2; Baldwin, “My Dungeon Shook” (Canvas)

F: Continue Baldwin

 

Week of April 24 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 7 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Anderson, “White Rage” (Canvas)

F: Rankine, selected poetry (Canvas)

 

Week of May 1 (LO: 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 CO: CT, CM, PR, TW)

M: DD 8 due in class and on Canvas; Small/large group discussion

W: Rankine, “The Condition of Black Life is One of Mourning” (Canvas)

F: Drafting, Discussion

 

Week of May 8:

Final essay due on Canvas by 30 minutes before your final exam period. We’ll meet and discuss the final essay and the semester.

 

 

Abbreviations: LO = Learning Outcomes; CO: Core Objectives

 

 

Other readings and videos will be assigned at instructor’s discretion. The instructor reserves the right to adjust and amend this calendar as necessary.