COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Name & Number

Composition II

ENGL 1302

Semester & Year

Spring 2018

 

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

Writing Analytically, 7th edition

Rosenwasser and Stephen
ISBN-13: 978-1285436500

The Classic Fairy Tales, 2nd edition

Tatar
ISBN-13: 978-0393602975

Instructor’s Name

Robert Burton

Office Phone #

940-498-6217

Instructor’s Office #

FM 107

Office Fax #

 

E-mail Address

rburton@nctc.edu

Office Hours

MW- 11am-12:30pm,

TR- 9:30-11am

Online- Su- 6-8pm

 

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


Graded Course Elements

# of Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

Weekly writings

13

100 points each (20%)

Questions/answers and ABs

12

100 points each (20%)

Conference notes

3

100 points each (5%)

Long essays

2

100 points each (55%)


90-100% = A

80- 89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F


Weekly Writings are generally two to three page essays due each week which attempt to apply the writing skills to the readings.


Questions/answers are questions and answers created by the students in a discussion forum to assess basic knowledge and issues in the texts under discussion.


ABs are annotated bibliographies, which are research documents created by the students for literature review purposes.


Conference notes are notes created by the student during conferences with the instructor for the purposes of reflecting on his or her own writing.


Long essays are essays generally ranging from 5-8 pages that attempt to assess the student’s ability to work at a higher level with the use of primary and secondary sources in an argumentative essay employing the writing skills learned in the class.

 

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.

 

Attendance Policy

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)


Attendance will be construed from class activity and turned in assignments. After four missed assignments or absences students are expected to withdraw from the class or they may be withdrawn from the course with a WF.


*Tardiness and leaving early are unwelcome distractions in the classroom and will be considered as an absence unless previous permission has been acquired.


Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5 2018.

 

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

 

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:

    • Invention
    • Drafting
    • Peer Review
    • Revision
    • 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

  • Please upload a current photo in your Canvas>Account>Profile. If you are uncomfortable with a photo then please use some other image. Please use good taste and decorum in your photo or image selection.
  • Online office hours: Sunday evening 6 pm - 8pm in Google Hangouts.
  • Please write in a tone that is suitable for higher education.
  • Inappropriate language will not be tolerated and may be cause for being dropped from the course.
  • Please include your name and class time in emails.
  • Late work is not accepted.
  • Assignments not turned into the correct location will not be accepted.
  • Emailed assignments will not be accepted.
  • Please only submit in .doc or .rtf.
  • Technical issues are the responsibility of the student.
  • All assignments will be in MLA 8 unless otherwise specified.
  • While the MLA format is indeterminate about the font, we will use Times New Roman 12 point font for all assignments.
  • Our week will run Monday through Sunday.
  • Electronic devices are welcome in the classroom, but only for the purposes of class.
  • Five or more consecutive words constitutes plagiarism, so documentation is required.
   

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.



Week

Writing Analytically

Fairy Tales Readings

Assignments

LO and CO

1

1. The Analytical Frame of Mind.

Intro- ix-xviii

#1 and 2

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM

2

2. Reading Analytically.

Little Red Riding Hood

q/a

#1, 3 and 4

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

3

3. Responding To Traditional Writing Assignments More Analytically.

Shavit and Tatar

AB

#2

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

4

4. Reasoning from Evidence to Claims.

Beauty and the Beast

q/a

Using the Toolkit

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

5

5. Interpretation.

Zipes and Aarne/Thompson

AB

#2

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

6

6. Finding and Evolving a Thesis.

Snow White

q/a

#3

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

7

7. Using Sources Analytically: The Conversation Model.

Gilbert and Gubar; and Darnton

AB

#1

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR, TW

8

   

Pre-essay conference and long essay

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

9

2. Reading Analytically.

Cinderella

q/a

#1, 3 and 4; and Post-essay conference

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

10

3. Responding To Traditional Writing Assignments More Analytically.

Rowe and Warner

AB

#2

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

11

4. Reasoning from Evidence to Claims.

Bluebeard

q/a

Using the Toolkit

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

12

5. Interpretation.

Haase and Propp

AB

#2

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

13

6. Finding and Evolving a Thesis.

Tricksters

q/a

#3

2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

14

7. Using Sources Analytically: The Conversation Model.

Bettelheim and Bettelheim

AB

#1

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR, TW

15

   

Pre-essay conference and long essay

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CT, COM, PR

16

       

Note- The calendar is subject to change as the situation may warrant.

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