Course Name & Number

Composition II

ENGL 1302

Semester & Year

 Spring 2019

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

Palmquist, Mike. Joining the Conversation: A Guide for Writers at North Central Texas College. Bedford St. Martin’s 3^rd Edition.           ISBN #978-1-379-22261-1

Kingsnorth, Paul. Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist  ISBN: 1-1-319-22939-5.

A recent standard college dictionary

[Rev. Sp. 2019]

Instructor’s Name

Isabel Ramírez

Office Phone #

(469) 948-3232

Instructor’s Office #

F-203

Office Fax #

N/A

E-mail Address

ramirezi@lisd.net; iramirez@nctc.edu

Office Hours

M-Th 2:30-4:30

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

An A requires 90-100 percent, a B, 80-89, a C, 70-79.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

•    Major grades and tests 60%

•    Quizzes 25%

•    Daily work 15%

*The Final Exam will count for 15% of the final average. *

Essays may be revised and resubmitted for an improvement of one letter grade from the original grade, provided the student conferences with the instructor, includes any suggested revisions, and submits an improved essay.

Due-Date Policies

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.

•    Daily grades will not be accepted late.

•    Essays submitted late will lose one letter grade for each day that the essays are late.

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;

4.     Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;

5.     Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;

6.     Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;

7.     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

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)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 4, 2019 .

I will take attendance every class meeting for reporting purposes.  [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.

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.

Other Pertinent Information

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]