Eastfield College (Dallas County Community College District) Language and Literature Division (Fall 2011) Course: English 1301.4027 Title: Composition I (3 Credit Hours) Class Period: TR Time: 9:30am-10:50am Professor: Mary Ann Turner Room: L303 Phone: (972) 860-7124 (Office) E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Conferences-- E-mail Text: Patterns for College Writing—Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell, Bedford/St. Martin‘s (11th edition); Life Is So Good—George Dawson & Richard Glaubman (Penguin Books) Course Description: ―Prerequisite: One of the following must be met: 1. Developmental Reading 0093 and Developmental Writing 0093: 2. English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0044 and 0054; or 3. have met Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) Reading/Writing standards. ―This course focuses on student writing. It emphasizes reading and analytical thinking and introduces research skills. Students practice writing for a variety of audiences and purposes.‖ (from the Eastfield College Catalog.—Dallas Community Colleges) Course Outcomes: Students in English 1301 will: *Be exposed to different styles of writing; *Study essay organization, with an emphasis on strong thesis statements; *Practice developing a variety of topics, using prewriting as a starting point; *Be introduced to writing techniques that will strengthen their existing skills; *Learn to adapt style and content to a specific audience; *Sometime work in groups to share critiques or to generate ideas; *Be encouraged to revise essays so they are in polished form; Core Educational Objectives: 1. To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation. 2. To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate communication choices. 3. To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, such as, descriptive, expository, narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication. 4. To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.5. To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development of exposition and argument. 6. To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or to give an oral presentation. Core Intellectual Competencies: 1. Reading--ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials--books, documents,--above the 12th grade level; 2. Writing--ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience--above the 12th grade level; 3. Critical Thinking--think and analyze at a critical level; 4. Computer Literacy--understand our technological society, use computer-based technology in communication, solving problems, acquiring information. Course Policies: Students are expected to attend classes, be punctual, and be prepared to discuss the assignment. This class will include short lectures, discussions, writing, and group work. Therefore, the success of the class will depend upon the students‘ cooperation in being prepared to exchange ideas with others. Class work: Attendance--Points will be given for each class attended (3.3 pts.); students will earn these points by being present for discussions, questions, group work, and in-class writings. Quizzes: Quizzes may be given at the beginning or at the end of class; students arriving late or leaving early may miss the quizzes, with no opportunity for make-ups. However, I will drop the lowest quiz grade. Essays: Papers are to be turned in on time; late papers will be lowered a letter grade for each class overdue. Students are to attend class for in-class papers; no make-ups, unless I receive documentation for an absence. Writing Expectations: Students are to follow The MLA style guide; additional guidelines will be discussed during the semester as students learn more about writing effectively. Papers are to be typed (12 pt. font), double-spaced; in-class papers are to be written with blue or black pens or on the computer. Class Expectations: Good manners are always encouraged; therefore, turn off cell phones, pagers, etc. Laptop computers are not to be used without permission. Course Assignments/Dates: See separate course schedule (attached). Course Evaluation: Essay topics will be based on reading selections (This might include current events.) Essays, (7-- in-class and out-of-class) Essays—3/4 Quizzes & in-class work—1/4Reminder: The Final Exam (an essay) will have the value of two essays. Grading Scale: (See detailed attachment on criteria.) A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-70 D 69-60 F 59 and lower Final Grades: Grade reports are no longer mailed. Convenient access is available online or by telephone. Just use your student identification number when you log in to e-Connect or call DCCCD Touch Tone Services. Web site address: http://econnect.dcccd.,edu/.Telephone at 972-613-1818 with student ID#. Incompletes: Students are expected to finish the course as scheduled; they are to take the Final Exam as scheduled. An exception would be made only for a serious reason, such as hospitalization, an accident, etc. Final Exams: Dec. 12-15 Drop Procedure: If you are unable to continue with this class, you must formally withdraw by Nov. 17 (R) with a grade of ―W.‖ Failure to officially drop or withdraw from a course may result in your receiving a performance grade of ―F.‖ Religious Holiday/Observances: Students who will be absent from class for the observance of a religious holiday must notify the instructor in advance. Please refer to the college catalog section on Student Responsibilities. Holidays: Thanksgiving Holiday begins November 24 (R); classes resume Nov. 28 (M). Plagiarism: Plagiarized papers will receive a grade of zero--no credit; students must document when borrowing ideas or passages from a work. (Refer to MLA Guidelines.) Student Code of Conduct: Refer to the Responsibility section, EFC Catalog. Learning Assistance: The Learning Assistance Center in G101, 102 provides free tutorial service to Eastfield students.Grading Rubric A—This is an organized essay with a clear thesis, concrete support, and insightful analysis. Sentence variety is evident as well as some sophistication in style. When the essay is