COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN

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1 RANGER COLLEGE ERATH COUNTY CAMPUS STEPHENVILLE, TX COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN COMPOSITION I English credit hours INSTRUCTOR: CRYSTAL TARPLEY COMPOSITION I ENGL

2 Instructor Information Instructor: Crystal Tarpley Office Phone: Conference Hours: By appointment after 4:00 p.m. Course Description This is a course in essay composition. A knowledge of spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, and paragraph generation is needed for entrance into this course. The study focuses on various patterns of exposition and includes instruction and practice in writing brief, semi-formal research papers, preceded by an overview of grammar basics. Texas Core Curriculum Statement of Purpose Students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. Required Text and Materials Title: Prentice Hall Reader Title: The DK Handbook Editor: George Miller Authors: Anne Frances Wysocki and Dennis A. Lynch Edition: Eleventh Edition: Third Publisher: Longman Publisher: Longman ISBN: ISBN: Core Objectives This course directly meets the following of the six Core Objectives: Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication Empirical and Quantitative Skills: To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions Teamwork: 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: To include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities 2

3 COMPOSITION I ENGL 1301 Methods of Instruction This is a multimedia class, and as such may include lectures, assigned readings, discussions, group projects, videos, electronic documents, PowerPoints, and more. Methods of Assessment Each of these assessments addresses one or more of the Core Objectives: Critical Thinking Skills (CT), Communication Skills (COM), Teamwork (TW), and Personal Responsibility (PR) Essays (CT, COM): Students will write three essays and one research paper and will participate in writing-related activities throughout the semester as prescribed by the instructor. These writings are evaluated by the ability to develop a thesis statement in the introduction, support the thesis statement in the body, and demonstrate unity and focus. They will demonstrate students proper use of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. The research paper will require proper documentation of sources using MLA format. The assignments will be composed during allocated time periods and will be graded according to clearly specified criteria (see Essay Grading Criteria on page 4 of this syllabus). Quizzes (CT): Quizzes will assess the adequate completion of assigned readings and students understanding of grammatical concepts. Reading and Homework (PR): Students are expected to complete assigned readings outside of class. These readings may come from the official course textbooks or from other sources chosen by the instructor. Collaborative Revising/Editing (COM, CT, TW, PR): Students will participate in small groups face-to-face and via google docs for response, revising and editing assignments. Final Exam (CT, COM): All students will take the final exam. No exemptions are allowed. Grading To pass the class, students must achieve at least a 70% overall grade. A % B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F Below 60% Student grades will be made up of the following components: Major Writing (3 Essays & Research Paper) 60% Rough Drafts 10% Quizzes and Homework 15% Final Exam 15% 3

4 COMPOSITION I ENGL 1301 ESSAY GRADING CRITERIA An A paper (90-100%) is excellent in nearly all respects. It shows originality of thought that goes well beyond material presented in class. It is well argued and well organized with a clear, specific, and ambitious thesis. It is well-developed with content that is specific, interesting, appropriate, and convincing. It has logical and artful transitions and is marked by stylistic finesse and varied sentence structures. It demonstrates command of mature diction and has few, if any, mechanical, grammatical, spelling, or diction errors. A B paper (80-89%) is excellent in several respects but may have a less sophisticated thesis, a less distinguished style, some minor lapses in organization and development, some ineffective sentence structures, and some minor mechanical, grammatical, spelling, or diction problems. A C paper (70-79%) is generally competent, but compared to a B paper, it may have a weaker thesis and less effective style and development. It may contain some lapses in organization, poor or awkward transitions, less varied sentence structures that tend toward choppiness or monotony, and significant problems with mechanics, grammar, spelling, and diction. A D paper (60-69%) is below average and may present a thesis that is too vague or too obvious to be developed effectively. It generally exhibits problems with organization, support, transitions, sentence structure, mechanics, grammar, spelling, and diction that impede understanding. An F paper (59% and below) is far below average and may have no clear thesis or central topic. It may display a lack of organization, support, and development. It may contain major and repeated problems with mechanics, grammar, spelling, diction, and may fail to fulfill the assignment or may be unacceptably brief. Blackboard: Please familiarize yourself with the Blackboard online course management system (available through Ranger College s Website) since this class will use it for delivering some coursework and maintaining grades. All students are required to be familiar with Google apps and to upload them on their phone/mobile device: gmail (this will be your Ranger student ), Google Drive, and Google Docs. 4

5 COMPOSITION I ENGL 1301 CLASSROOM POLICIES 1. Absences: If a student has the equivalence of three weeks of unofficial absences in a course in which he/she is currently enrolled, the instructor may drop the student with a grade of F. Unofficial absences are counted from the first day of class as listed in the College Calendar, regardless of the date of the student s registration. The only official absence is an authorized school activity or extracurricular event. All work and/or assignments missed because of an official absence must be completed in the time allowed according to district policy. 2. Late Work: Late papers will receive a grade of zero. 3. Participation: Students are expected to participate in class discussions and come to class having completed the assigned readings. 4. Cheating/Plagiarism: Any assignment reflecting cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty will receive a grade of zero. A second instance of plagiarism results in automatic failure of the class. 5. Personal Conduct: Adult behavior is expected of all students at all times. Misconduct, including sleeping in class, will be punishable by immediate dismissal from class. Students are expected to maintain classroom decorum that includes respect for other students and the instructor, as well as an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the education opportunity represented by enrollment in this class and Ranger College. 6. Tutorials: Tutoring is available upon request. 7. ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with the Ranger College Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately after the semester begins. 8. Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Students should not text or use phones/electronic devices in class unless instructed to do so for class purposes only. 5

6 COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Course Introduction and Diagnostic Writing Sample Grammar Basics (Fragments, independent and dependent clauses, simple, compound, complex, compound/complex sentence structures) Grammar Basics (Commas with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions) Introduction to Descriptive/Narrative Essay A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Activity Grammar Basics (Comma Splice and Run-on Sentences) Discussion of Chapters 2 and 3 of Prentice Hall Reader 1st Rough Draft of Descriptive Narrative Essay Due Imagery and other figurative language in writing Making your writing active 2nd Rough Draft of Descriptive Narrative Essay Due (Peer Collaboration) Discussion of pages 1-30 of Prentice Hall Reader Sample Summary of Teach Diversity With a Smile by Barbara Ehrenreich Descriptive Narrative Portfolio Due at beginning of class Introduction to Summary/Response Essay Sample Response of Teach Diversity With a Smile by Barbara Ehrenreich Double-Entry Log of Deborah Tannen s essay How Male and Female Students Use Language Differently Discussion of Tannen s essay Combining summary and response Discussion of MLA In-text quotations and Work Cited Rough Draft of Summary/Response Due (Peer Collaboration) Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay Summary/Response Portfolio Due at the beginning of class Grammar Basics (semi-colons, colons, dashes, and parenthesis) Review of Compare/Contrast essay development Rough Draft of Compare/Contrast Essay Due (Peer Collaboration) Introduction to Persuasive Argument Research Paper Compare/Contrast Essay Portfolio Due Discussion of Gathering information, credibility of sources MLA Documentation Continued work on research 6

7 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Rough Draft of Persuasive Research Essay Due (Peer Collaboration) No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday Revise/Edit Rough Draft Persuasive Research Essay Portfolio Due at beginning of class Review for the Final Exam Final Exam ADMISSIONS, EMPLOYMENT, AND PROGRAM POLICIES OF RANGER COLLEGE ARE NONDISCRIMINATORY IN REGARD TO RACE, CREED, COLOR, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN. 7

8 RECEIPT AND UNDERSTANDING OF SYLLABUS After our review of the syllabus, you understand the following: 1. You must use your school issued address. Because of the nature of this course, communication is essential. If you cannot access your school address, please see the registrar as soon as possible to rectify the problem. 2. If you are going to be absent for any reason, it is up to you to get any notes from that week s lecture. Do not say, I was gone. Did I miss anything? The answer is always yes, you missed something. Please ask your classmates for their notes. 3. All assignments are due on the due date given on your syllabus. Late papers will not be accepted except in extreme circumstances. If you are going to be absent, they must be ed to me at ctarpley@rangercollege.edu by 4:30 on the day due. On days when rough drafts are due, we will have a peer collaboration activity for a grade which cannot be made up if you are absent. 4. School-related events are not reasons to turn in papers late. You know about your events ahead of time; if you know you re going to be gone on essay day, you are still responsible the paper. I HAVE RECEIVED AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THE SYLLABUS FOR ENGL 1301 COMPOSITION I, AND I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE STATED POLICIES. Signed: Legibly print the following information: Name Date address: 8

English Policy Statement and Syllabus Fall 2017 MW 10:00 12:00 TT 12:15 1:00 F 9:00 11:00

English Policy Statement and Syllabus Fall 2017 MW 10:00 12:00 TT 12:15 1:00 F 9:00 11:00 English 0302.203 Policy Statement and Syllabus Fall 2017 Instructor: Patti Thompson Phone: (806) 716-2438 Email addresses: pthompson@southplainscollege.edu or pattit22@att.net (home) Office Hours: RC307B