Summer II, 2011 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE TITLE: Composition I ENGL 1301 -200 INSTRUCTOR: Joseph Fly E-MAIL: [email protected] OFFICE: # 313 - B PHONE: (806) 716-4634 OFFICE HOURS: MTWTh: 9:30 - 10:00 and by appointment… South Plains College Improves Each Student’s Life I. GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION: A. COURSE DESCRIPTION: ENGL 1301 (3:3:0) Composition I. This course includes a grammar review and a study of the principles of good writing, methods of paragraph and theme development, frequent essays, and collateral readings in literature and the other humanities. B. GOAL OF THE COURSE: The goal of this course is to help students understand and apply the standards of correctness in formal thought and the written English language. English 1301 will help students to think well by teaching them to read and write well through its focus on the writing process, on the use of appropriate grammar and diction, on the use of logic, and on the different methods of essay development. Students will also learn to read more critically, another important component of this course, with essays from all areas of the humanities being included. II. SPECIFIC COURSE/INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: A. TEXTS: College Writing Skills with Readings, 7th edition by John Langan, McGraw-Hill, publisher  A three-ring hard-back binder  Two flash drives or other compatible data storage devices B. COURSE ATTENDANCE: Punctual and regular class attendance is required of all students attending South Plains College. There are no excused absences. Students are responsible for all class work covered during absences. Any student who misses two consecutive weeks will be dropped from the class. Anytime absences become excessive, and, in the instructor‟s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met, students may be dropped. (SPC General Catalog) However, students whose absenteeism becomes excessive should not count on the instructor to initiate the drop process. Three (3) tardies equal one absence. Tardies may be counted as absences if they are prolonged or excessive. Since extensive class time is devoted to in-class assignments, students not working on class assignments may be counted absent.  Attendance Incentive: Any student who has one (1) absence or less (including tardies) and an „A‟ or „B‟ average, will have the option of skipping the final exam. C. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The guidelines for academic integrity set forth in the current South Plains College catalog will be followed, but perhaps one specific category should be addressed here: plagiarism and cheating. According to the SPC catalog, “Complete honesty is required of the student in the presentation of any and all phases of course work. This applies to quizzes of whatever length as well as to final examinations, to daily reports and to term papers.” Failure to comply with this policy will result in a zero (0) for the assignment and can result in an “F” for the course. Students should remember that in college, cheating and plagiarism are taken very seriously.D. GRADING POLICY: Final course grades will be calculated using the following percentages: ● 5 Essays @ 10% each 50% ● The work book 20% ● The Mid-term Exam 10% ● Final Exam 20% E. GRADING SCALE: 100-90=A Superior 89-80=B Above average 79-70=C Average 69-60=D Poor below 60=F Unacceptable progress/repeat = PR (The PR grade will reflect satisfactory attendance, class participation, attitude, and effort throughout the semester. Effort in the class is considered to be completion of each assignment and documented use of on-going assistance from the instructor and the Student Assistance Center. Absences cannot exceed the equivalent of one week of class.) F. POLICY ON LATE WORK: Late work is not accepted. All assignments must be completed and turned in no later than the end of class on the assigned due date. G. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Attend class and be aware of announcements made in class. 2. Inform instructor of late arrival immediately after class. 3. Complete homework early enough to seek help if needed. 4. Be familiar with information in the syllabus, especially attendance, grading, and test policies. 5. Take care of personal needs before and after class. 6. Keep all electronic devices (cell phones, iPod‟s, etc.) in silent or off mode, and out of sight. --- TEXTING DURING CLASS IS ESPECIALLY PROHIBITED.--- 7. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment which is conducive to learning. Inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to any form of distracting or offensive behavior in the classroom shall result in, minimally, a request to leave class. H. ADA STATEMENT: “Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, visit the Special Services Office in Bldg 8, room 821, or call 885-3048, ext. 4654.”III. COURSE OBJECTIVES An English class typically consists of two areas of focus: (1) writing, which also consists of grammatical and stylistic study, and (2) reading. These sections are listed below, along with their corresponding objectives. In the study of the written word, rarely is writing isolated from reading since these are mirror processes. At the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to perform these skills: A. Writing and Grammatical/Stylistic Study: a. Develop and practice writing skills that are academically and professionally essential, utilizing clear, logical and concise information. b. Write essays of at least 500 words with an introduction, topical paragraphs, and a conclusion. c. Follow and use elementary deductive and inductive processes. d. Apply logical thinking in analyzing and developing persuasive discourse. e. Proofread