Course Syllabus – Face to Face (classroom class)

ENGL 1301 – English Composition I

Austin Community College

 

Instructor:  Luanne Preston, Ph.D.

 

Required Course Materials

 

Polnac, Grant, and Cameron, Common Sense (3rd edition)

Polnac, Purpose, Pattern, and Process (7th edition)

Composition I folder (available at the ACC Bookstore)

Suggested:  Current edition of a dictionary

 

 

Bringing Books to Class

When readings are assigned, bring the book in which the reading is assigned to class on the day the reading is indicated on this syllabus.

 

Overview:  Essential Course Policies

 

1.       I withdraw students for not maintaining satisfactory progress per the course calendar dates in this syllabus.  I take attendance when class begins.  I do not withdraw students from class for non-attendance.

 

2.       I expect regular attendance (excluding class sessions which are scheduled as workdays), careful class preparation, and regular progress on written assignments.  Roll will be taken at every class meeting.

 

3.       Handouts describing assignments will be distributed in class.  If you do not attend, you must obtain copies of handouts from a classmate or access on Blackboard.

 

4.       Only hard copy papers are accepted for this class.  You may not e-mail papers for grading.  You may submit papers in class, during my office hours, or in my faculty mailbox in the mailroom at the RRHEC.  I will return graded papers in the class period following the day on which I receive them.  If you turn in papers outside of class, I require 48 hours—not to include weekends—to grade a paper.

 

5.       To be reviewed, papers must conform to class format guidelines, and pages must be stapled together.  Identify each assignment with your name, the time and day of your class meeting, and the assignment number.

 

6.       You must submit any revised, edited, or rewritten paper stapled to the original paper assignment.  Edits or revisions without the originals will not be read.

 

7.       You may submit no more than one paper (original, edit, rewrite, or revision) per submission and per day.  Papers must be submitted in sequence, #1 before #2, for example.  The previous paper in sequence must be accepted before you submit the next one.  I encourage students to turn in assignments before due dates.

 

Classroom Civility Statement

Each student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in the learning environment.  Students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers (or other noise-making devices like watches with alarms), listen to headphones/CDs, play with computers or hand held games, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be asked to leave the class and subject to disciplinary action under ACC’s policies.

 

The ACC English Department Composition I Syllabus and more specific details about class policies appear at the end of the course calendar for this class.  Please familiarize yourself with these materials.  The policies they describe apply to all students in this class.

 

 

Reading assignments fall due on the date on which they are listed on this syllabus.  You are required to keep up with reading assignments as part of “satisfactory progress” in this course.  Readings appear in Purpose, Pattern, and Process or Common Sense; some readings may be distributed in class.  The first page of the reading is indicated.  You are expected to read the entire essay.

 

Course Objective

The purpose of this course is to give students experience in writing expressive, informative, and persuasive essays.  An equally important purpose is to allow students to practice writing in general and to polish skills in organization, grammar, style, and mechanics.  Students also learn the principles of defining research problems and of developing research strategies.

 

General Policy

Your instructor will enforce all policies and deadlines stated in this syllabus, the English Department’s COMPOSITION I COURSE SYLLABUS included below and the ACC College Catalog.

 

Student Responsibilities in this Class

As a student in this class, you are responsible for:

·         Familiarizing yourself with the policies of this class as they appear on the syllabus and policy statement and adhering to the policies.

·         Purchasing required course materials at the beginning of the semester.

·         Attending class regularly, on time, and prepared.

·         Preparing for classes by studying assigned readings.

·         Submitting assignments and revisions by the stated deadlines and according to assignment guidelines.

·         Not using cell phones or pagers in class.

 

 

Responsibilities of the Instructor

·         Grade all assignments promptly and consistently.

·         Respect and encourage student writing and class discussion.

·         Enforce policies consistently for all class members.

·         Hold office hours as scheduled.

·         Prepare thoroughly for each class meeting.

·         Maintain the schedule and deadlines listed on the syllabus.

·         Provide written notifications of any changes in policy, deadlines, or procedure.

·         Work cooperatively with students who request assistance.

 

Your Course Grade

The grade you receive in this course will depend on the grade track you elect and on your ability to pursue it.  To be eligible for a C, you must submit and have accepted all six essays and complete the C-Test under supervision in the Testing Center.  If you are unable to pass the C-Test in two attempts, you will receive a D in this class.  To receive a B, you must have the C-Test accepted and then submit and have accepted the B Paper.  To receive an A, you must complete all B requirements successfully and also have the A Paper accepted.  You’ll receive written guidelines and in-class instruction well in advance of each assignment due date.  Grades are not placed on individual papers.

 

Grades for Your Essay Assignments

When you submit an essay for review, it will be returned to you in your composition folder with one of four grades:

 

·         ACCEPTED:  The assignment meets all of the written requirements, is complete, well organized, clearly and concisely written, and is free from errors of all kinds.

·         REVISE/EDIT:  The assignment meets all of the written requirements and is complete and well organized, but it needs small corrections that can be made on the page.

·         REVISE:  The assignments meets most of the written requirements, but needs substantial reworking for style, content, organization, or corrections.

·         REWRITE:  The assignment fails to meet the written assignment guidelines and must be completely reworked.

 

Only when an assignment is marked “ACCEPTED” may you submit the next assignment in sequence.

 

C-Test

The C-Test must be taken in one sitting in an ACC Testing Center.  There is an ACC Testing Center at RRHEC.  The C-Test is an essay exam consisting of a complete analysis of an essay that you’ll be given to read in the Testing Center.  You’ll also receive a prompt sheet describing the test requirements.  No revisions are allowed on the completed C-Test.  If your first C-Test is not accepted, you’ll have a second opportunity to test.  However, if your second C-Test is not accepted, English Department policy requires that you receive a grade of “D” for this class.

 

 

Submitting Assignments

 

Only hard copy papers are accepted for this class.  E-mails are not acceptable for paper submissions.  You may submit papers in person to me in class or during my office hours.  You may also submit essays for Dr. Preston in the faculty mailroom at RRHEC, located in Room 461.  If the mailroom is closed, please see an ACC staff member in the One Stop Center on the second floor.  If you leave your papers in any other location, they may not reach your instructor.  You are responsible and will receive no credit if papers are lost.

 

When you submit an assignment to me, I will grade it and return it to you at the next class meeting.  I will accept no papers written during lecture, discussion, or class presentation.  If you write your papers during class presentations, you will be asked to leave class.

 

Scholastic Dishonesty

 

I expect the papers you submit in this course to be your own original effort and to be written specifically for this course.  If you get unauthorized help on ideas and sources for written assignments from another person or source, I will enforce the maximum ACC penalty for scholastic dishonesty.  Copying or rephrasing essays written by others (including Web sources) without documenting your source constitutes plagiarism.  Collusion (including proofreading) from friends, family members, or anyone else is also considered scholastic dishonesty.

 

Word Processing

Word processing is not required for assignments in this class.  However, word processing is a valuable tool for writers as well as a useful workplace skill.  As an ACC student you may use the free computer lab facilities at ACC campuses to learn to use word processing.  It’s free, easy, and a great way to make your writing fast for you to draft and revise and easier for your instructor to read.  All assignments you submit in this class, word-processed or hand written, must be within guidelines of the format guide you will receive at the first class meeting.

 

Classroom Civility Statement

Each student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in the learning environment.  Students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers (or other noise-making devices like watches with alarms), listen to headphones/CDs, play with computers or hand held games, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be asked to leave the class and subject to disciplinary action under ACC’s policies.