English 1301 Course Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Becky Villarreal Click here for Welcome Message!
CYP Learning Lab, room 2108
bvillarr@austincc.edu
Fax: 512-223-2046
Attn. Becky Villarreal
Materials | Index | Office Hours | Grade System | Course Policies | Scholastic Dishonesty | Students with Disabilities
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the start of a new semester and the beginning of our exploration together into rhetoric and composition!
ENGLISH 1301 is a study of the principles of composition with emphasis on language, the mechanics of writing, types of discourse, and research and documentation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of Composition I are to promote
- critical thinking, reading, and writing;
- clear, coherent, confident, and effective communication;
- collaborative writing and learning.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of English 1301, students should be able to
- identify rhetorical purposes and methods of organization appropriate to topic thesis, and audience;
- collect, read, analyze, and use information from a wide range of sources;
- write a coherent essay observing grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic conventions, both formal and informal;
- evaluate, edit, and revise at all stages of the writing process.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
All students in all sections will write between five and nine essays over the course of the semester, including an essay written under supervision in the Testing Center, known as the Departmental Exam, which must be passed to pass the course with a minimum grade of "C." Of these essays, one will be a research paper of at least 1000 words, and one will be a textual analysis. The research paper will use MLA style and will require a minimum of three sources, including at least two different types of sources. The remaining essays will achieve at least two of the following rhetorical aims: expressive, literary, referential, and persuasive. Together, all papers will comprise a minimum of 3500 words. In writing each essay, students will use one or more of the following methods of development: cause and effect, comparison/contrast, classification, definition, description, illustration, narration, process analysis, and evaluation. They will also complete The Info Game, http://library.austincc.edu/infogame.htm, an on-line information literacy program. Instructors may also assign readings, quizzes, multiple drafts, and other activities that affect final grades. Instructors will provide specific written guidelines for each assignment and may require part or all of at least one paper to be written under supervision.
During this course, you will write seven papers, make a presentation, complete online activities and quizzes, and participate in class discussions. You will be reading material from required texts and online. The best way to tackle the textbook and online lectures is to skim the material for the most important information, then go back and read. You may skip or skim the exercises and sample essays.
The Departmental Exam
The Departmental Exam will be taken under supervision in the Testing Center. Given a selection to read, you will write an interpretive essay of at least 750 words analyzing the selection. This essay will be evaluated "ACCEPTED" or "RETEST" only. If you do not pass on the first try, you may retest twice. Your essay must include a summary, analysis, and evaluation and must demonstrate the following:
- coherence, critical thinking, and an understanding of the selection's thesis, purpose(s), and method(s) of organization;
- adherence to stylistic, grammatical, and mechanical conventions
Scholastic Dishonesty
Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty (e.g., cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work). Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as (but not limited to) tests and quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.
If you write a paper or work on an assignment with a clear intent to cheat, disciplinary action WILL BE taken. In general, cheating includes plagiarism from another source such as the Internet; copying from another student is a form of plagiarism. When it comes to cheating, I have a no-tolerance approach. If cheating is your thing, please withdraw from this course immediately.
Student Freedom of Expression
Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
Withdrawal Policy
The Texas State Legislature passed a bill stating that students who first enroll in public colleges and universities beginning in fall 2007 and thereafter may not withdraw from more than six classed during their undergraduate college career. See ACC Student Handbook for further information.
Course Policies
Enrollment in ENGL 1302 requires credit for 1301, or its equivalent, with a least a grade of "C." Instructor will verify.
Your instructor may establish deadlines by which you must complete a specific number of assignments or be subject to WITHDRAWAL from the course. It is your responsibility to know whether your instructor will withdraw you if you do not meet such deadlines.
NOTE: You must provide your instructor with a Composition I File Folder (available in the bookstores) for your papers. Your instructor will keep your folder for one semester following your enrollment. You are responsible for making copies of any papers you want to keep for your files.
Each assignment has a one week grace period with the exception of the final paper.. If a daily assignment is 1-2 weeks late, a student may only receive half the number of points for that assignment. If you do not complete the quizzes within two weeks of the deadline, you will receive a zero.
If your paper is more than one week late, you may lose 20 pts. If your paper is more than two weeks late, you may earn a zero on that paper. Points will be deducted if you do not attach an outline or prewriting (5 pts.), peer editing information (5 pts.), and a rough draft (5 pts.). These points will be doubled for the research paper, as it is worth 200 rather than 100 pts. (In addition, 10 pts. will be deducted from the research paper if photocopied articles are not attached.)
If you do not pass both the info game and departmental exam, you cannot pass the course, regardless of the number of points earned.
Attendance is mandatory. Any student who misses three classes in a row, or a total of four or more classes, will be asked to withdraw or receive an F in the course. If you come to class late or leave early more than once, you will be counted absent.
No work will be accepted after the last day of class. Except in very rare situations, I do not give incompletes. You must be currently passing the class at the time of your request. I will review each case to determine whether I feel an incomplete is warranted or not. In general, however, barring extraordinary circumstances, and unless you have completed 75% of the coursework on time, I will not grant you an incomplete.
If you are failing the course or if you are asked to "drop," withdrawing is your responsibility. You can withdraw in the Admissions Office or online. The final withdrawal date is clearly listed in the course schedule. Before you make the decision to withdraw from any course, please consult with your counselor, financial aid office, and instructor.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
- VanderMey, R. et al. The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking, Writing, and Researching; ISBN: 0618642056
- (the copy pictured above is an earlier version and it will also suffice)
- Standard college dictionary and thesaurus
- Journal and sticky notes -- format is your choice
- Novel, short story, or article -- please choose the first week of class!
- Composition I File Folder (find in ACC bookstore)
- One large envelope or portfolio (for research paper)
- Word processing program like Microsoft Word
- 3.5 computer floppy disks, C-D roms, or flashdrives (for back-up), journal
