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.

[Rev. Fall 2012 THECB]

Prerequisite:  English 1301 or its equivalent.

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

Schib, Arguing about Literature. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2nd Ed. ISBN #978-1-1319070571-62096

Lunsford. Everyday Writer with Exercises, 2016 MLA Update, Bedford St. Martin’s, 6^th Ed.  ISBN: 978-1-319-083441. (Optional)

A recent standard college dictionary

[Rev. Fall 2012]

Instructor’s Name

Marcia Little

Office Phone #

940-521-0720

Instructor’s Office #

Faculty Offices

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

Through Canvas or

mlittle@nctc.edu

Office Hours

M,W: 9:20-10

    11:20-noon

T, Th: 9-10

  11:20 - noon

  1:20 -1:45

W: Online: 8-9:30 pm

S: Online

8-9 PM

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

Grading Policies and Procedures:

Essays (3)                              (LO1,2,3,4,5)  (CT,COM,PR)                           100 pts. each
 
Rough Drafts (3)                      (LO1,2,3,4,5)  (CT,COM,TM. PR)                     10 pts each

Reading Journals/In class work (up to 10)  (LO1,2,3,5)   (CT,COM)                  10 pts. each

Quizzes (as needed)                  (L03)              (CT)                                        10 pts. each

Grades will be figured by dividing your total points by the points possible.  The total points possible varies depending on how many in-class writings and quizzes are administered. The essays and rough drafts are non-variables. At the end of the semester all of the assignments will be in Canvas and Canvas will give you your total percentage:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59

*Assignments are due on the date listed. For every class period beyond that the essay is late, you will lose a letter grade. In addition to presenting essays in class, each essay must be submitted to the  drop box in Canvas in order to receive a grade. *Essays with a “C” grade or below may be revised within one week of receiving the grade and revisions may only be done following a conference with me over the paper.

*Quizzes will take place as needed and cannot be made up. *Please hang on to all assignments until the end of semester.

Evaluation of Writing Assignments: For you to get anything out of this course, you will have to apply the writing and strategies we work on in class to your own writing. Therefore, when I evaluate your writings in class, I will evaluate them by a clearly laid out set of “evaluation criteria,” which will be attached to each assignment. Please take note of these because they are what I am looking for when I am grading your writing. Writing assignments will be presented in small groups, and you will receive your grade the same day you hand in the assignment. Failure to present to the group will result in a lower score, as not showing up to your group is a failure to complete the assignment. On presentation day, come to class at your appointed time, with 3 copies of the essay, and be prepared to share your essay with the group. Groups will be assigned the first week of class.

Rough Drafts: For all writing tasks, you will be required to show evidence of the writing process by presenting several rough drafts, which is considered to be part of the writing assignment. I may require you to submit them to CANVAS. If you do not show evidence of the writing process, I will not evaluate your Writing Assignment.

Submitting Writing Assignments: The final copies of all writing assignments must be submitted to Canvas 

Group Presentations: Students will be placed in groups at the beginning of the semester. These will be the groups you peer edit with and present with. Presenting your essay is considered to be part of your grade. If you fail to show up for your groups, it is considered not completing the assignment. If you miss your group, you cannot present with another group.

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. 1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. 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. 3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
4. 4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. 5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
6. 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.

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

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken during every class session. Failure to attend class results in missed material and a lack of understanding of course requirements. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to learn from the course calendar, or from other students, what you missed. Make up work will be honored only for students who turn in work prior to a planned absence. Be prepared to honor this rule if you are an athlete or participate in extra-curricular activities. Remember, even if you are blue-slipped, you are still responsible for any material covered and any assignment due. Please arrive to class on time

Last day to drop with a “W” — April 5, 2018  [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.

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.

Other Pertinent Information

Early Alert/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. 3/20/2012_Brent Wallace