Course Name & Number

Composition II

ENGL 1302

Semester & Year

 Spring, 2017

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.

Prerequisite:  English 1301 or its equivalent.

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

Schilb, John, and John Clifford, eds. Arguing about Literature. 2nd edition  Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2017.

ISBN  978-1-319-03530-3                     

A recent standard college dictionary

Folder with pockets          Assorted highlighters

Instructor’s Name

Karen Grogan

Office Phone #

972-899-8400

Instructor’s Office #

Faculty Workroom

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

Kcgrogan12

@msn.com

Office Hours

Upon request

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.)

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

Final grades will be based on the following:

6 Quizzes (One of which is attendance)                        30%

The lowest quiz grade that is NOT attendance will be dropped.

Quiz grades cannot be made up except in unusual circumstances and at the instructor’s discretion.

3 Major Essays about Literature                                  60%

1 Final                                                                         10%

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.

On first offense, the student found to be guilty of plagiarism shall be given the following options: redo the assignment with a maximum grade of 70 or elect to take a zero on the assignment.

Attendance Policy

Most class days will include at least some reading, discussion of readings, or writing.  Therefore, students are expected to be in attendance, or they will miss something that is not easily made up.  Attendance will be taken at every class meeting.  The percentage of classes attended will constitute a quiz grade that cannot be dropped. Excessive absences will make it almost impossible to pass the class. Students who come to class understand the discussion and assignments and, consequently, are successful.  It is helpful for students to notify the instructor in the event of an absence, particularly an absence that extends to more than one class day.  In most cases, information will be available in Canvas. Check there first.  Please make every effort to attend class on time to avoid interrupting others. Be in class and on time.

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.

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)

Units of Study

·         Block I: Readings LO 1-5

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

·         Block II: Quizzes, Examinations, and the Final Exam LO 1-5

     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 will count 10% of the semester grade.

·         Block III: Compositions LO 1-5

          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:

·         Invention

·         Drafting

·         Peer Review

·         Revision

·         Editing

·         Final Draft

·         Block IV: Grammar and Mechanics LO 4

     Students will study grammar and mechanics through writing as a process. The format for this is at the discretion of the instructor.

·         Block V: Research LO 1-5

     Students will utilize library and electronic resources. They will submit a written assignments, including documented essays and 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

·         Class begins on time. Don’t consistently come in late.

·         Bring your laptop or tablet. (Ideally this class would be taught in the computer lab.)  However, if the use of your device becomes inappropriate or distracting, I’ll ask you to put it away. If this continues, I’ll ask you to leave the class with an absence. This means phones also. No Facebook!

·         Do NOT have on headphones during class unless you are doing individual work.  This is your job.  Look and behave professionally. 

·         If you leave class early without prior approval, you will be counted absent.

·         Use your time in class wisely. Remember that I am your resource and want you to succeed.

·         Take notes.  If I talk about it or write it on the board, you need to know it. I don’t waste time with busy work.

·         Bring your books to class and use them. Reading assignments are requirements, not suggestions.

·         Ask as many questions as you need to in order to understand the material and what you are supposed to do. There are no stupid questions.

·         Do NOT get behind. Our work is predictable and paced. Use the schedule to plan ahead. Then when the unexpected happens, you will not have to end up dropping the class.

·         Do not begin folding up your belongings when you decide that we are done.  I will dismiss class.

·         If you are absent on the day that a paper is due, email me the paper so that it will not be counted late.  Bring a hard copy to the next class and remind me why.

·         Do your job with minimal excuses.  This is college. Grades are earned through work and meeting expectations.

·         Use the requested email to communicate with me.