Course Syllabus
The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):
- a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination;
- the learning objectives for the course;
- a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and
- any required or recommended readings.
Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students.
Course Name & Number: ENGL 1302 (Composition II)
Semester & Year: Fall 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]
Instructor's Name: Erica Thompson
Office Phone #: 972-899-8337
Instructor's Office #: Flower Mound 107
Email Address: ecthompson@nctc.edu
Office Hours: MW 9:30 am – 1 pm
TR 9:30 am – 10:30 am;
TR 1 pm – 2 pm
And by appointment
Textbooks & Materials: CP CONV 3E NCT&LPSACS6M&DEL&ENV
- Package Components
- Custom Textbook--Joining the Conversation
- Custom LaunchPad Solo for Readers and Writers (with eBook) Access Code
- Unnaturally Delicious, Jayson Lusk
- Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, Paul Kingsnorth
- ISBN-13: 978-1-319-22941-2
COURSE AND COLLEGE INFORMATION
Learning Outcomes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- 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.) [Rev. 8-2012 THECB]
Foundational Component Area: Communication
Core Objectives. 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]
Institutional Learning Goals. A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.
- Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
- Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.
- Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.
Course Type: Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core). Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course. WECM Course
Program Purpose Statement. NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare a student for transfer to a university.
Departmental Purpose Statement. The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Language provides quality instruction to students pursuing their academic and career goals.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
College 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)
Course Attendance Policy
**Students who miss more than two weeks of class (i.e., four class days) must meet with me during office hours before continuing in the course and may be asked to drop the course, at my discretion. **
Disability Accommodations: 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 psychological disorders are eligible for services.
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/student-services/disability-services/index.html
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.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Services: The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education. The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA. For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office: http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html.
Last day to Withdraw: Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is November 8.
Scholastic Integrity – Plagiarism: 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 the planned action to his Department Chair. The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to the 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.
Please be aware that I take plagiarism very seriously. You may not have another person write, type, edit, or revise any parts of your Writing Assignments. You may not use someone else’s Writing Assignment or buy one from a “professional” source. You may not use the material on the internet or in print sources without documenting it. Failure to follow the proper guidelines for documentation constitutes plagiarism. Considering the severity of the issue, if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism, please consider this an open invitation to visit with me about the issue. If I discover that a student has committed intentional plagiarism, the Writing Assignment that has plagiarized materials will receive a zero, the student must meet with me to discuss the incident, and the incident will be reported to the college.
Student Rights & Responsibilities: NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct. These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.
Student Success: 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, rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus, rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus, room 111; and on the Bowie Campus, room 124.
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.
Grading Policy & Procedures.
How your course grade is calculated:
- Weekly Writing and Workshops
- Class Activities
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Essay
- Poster & Symposium
- Critical Conversation Essay
- Collaborative Inquiry & Final Letter
|
20%
10%
10%
25%
10%
15%
10%
|
How assignment grades are determined:
- All writing assignments will include detailed writing prompts that include all requirements, expectations, and due dates.
- Major writing assignments and projects will also include holistic assessment rubrics that will be used to guide all grades.
- Note: Research and Critical Conversation essays may be revised based on critique commentary and resubmitted for re-assessment.
- Weekly writing assignments will include a point-based assessment rubric based on completion of skill practice.
- Annotated bibliographies will include a point-based assessment rubric based on accuracy and completion.
- Poster and collaborative projects will include assessment rubrics with detailed expectations and point ranges to guide assessment.
- Classwork grades will be determined by completion or accuracy, depending on the assignment.
Course Outline
Weeks 1-8
Unit 1: Inquiry & Argument
Texts:
- Joining the Conversation (JtC)
- Unnaturally Delicious (UD)
- Selected readings (to be announced)
Writing Assignments:
- Weekly discovery/inquiry drafts
- Progressive annotated bibliography (LOs 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Researched argument essay (CCs: COM, CT; LOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Essay due: Oct. 11
- Critique: Oct. 11, 16, & 18
- Revision due: Oct. 25
- Poster due: Nov. 20
Weeks 9-15
Unit 2: Critical Conversations
Texts:
- Joining the Conversation (JtC)
- Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist (CRE)
- Selected readings (to be announced)
Writing Assignments:
- Weekly discovery/inquiry drafts
- Progressive annotated bibliography (LOs 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Collaborative inquiry assignment (CCs: CT, TW, PR; LOs: 1, 3)
- Crafted critical conversation essay (CCs: COM, CT, PR)
- Essay due: Nov. 29
- Critique: Dec. 2, 4
- Revision due: Dec. 9
Week 16
Final Exam
Course Policies
Attendance
**Students who miss more than two weeks of class (i.e., four class days) must meet with me during office hours before continuing in the course and may be asked to drop the course, at my discretion. **
- 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.
- If something major occurs that will require more than one absence EMAIL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE A PLAN.
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 begins. Once class starts, do your best not to 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 (beyond a bathroom break) without approval, you will be counted absent.
Make-Up Work Policy
- There will be NO make-ups or late acceptance in-class work (including workshops), reading quizzes, inquiry questions, or annotated bibliographies.
- I will accept ONE discovery writing late (no more than 24 hours), but you will not be able to make up the workshop/revision grade, if missed.
- I will accept ONE major writing assignment late (no more than 24 hours), but you MUST contact me beforehand.
Discovery Drafts and Major Essays: Reading and Critique
Discovery Writing/Weekly Writing
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 copy 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/weekly writing 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, you will earn a zero for that critique day.
- 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 writing assignments is primarily two-fold:
- 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.
- 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.
Essay Reading and Critique
Like discovery writing, major essays must be submitted both online and in hard copy.
- CANVAS: See individual assignments for due dates.
- 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 days, student essays will be read aloud in class before a portion of the class.
- Your peers will respond to your with clear praise and USEFUL suggestions.
- I will respond with suggestions for revision.
- I will assign a grade to the major essay (written; not announced before the class).
- You will have an opportunity to revise your essays, 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 10 office hours each week (see first page of syllabus and below). 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.
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) PRIOR TO THE DUE TIME.
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) PRIOR TO THE DUE TIME.
Basic Needs: Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. Furthermore, please notify me if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable me to direct you to additional resources for support.
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 pronoun.
Connecting with me (Prof. Thompson)
MW 9:30 am – 1 pm
TR 9:30 am – 10:30 am;
TR 1 pm – 2 pm
And by appointment