Syllabus

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE

Division of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

English Department Section Outline

Fall 2013

English 1301

Instructor Information:

1.      Name: Katherine Hoerth (The “o” is silent! So like earth, with an h)

2.      Office Location:  J 1-410       

3.      Telephone #:    887-0202

4.      FAX #:  (956) 872-2596 (J 3.1104)

5.      E-mail Address: kghoerth@utpa.edu

6.      Office Hours:  MW 8:20-9:20

Course Information:

1.      Course Name:                         Composition I

2.      Course/Section:           1301.71 and 72

3.      Classroom: South Academic-Bldg. J 414 and J 1-410

4.      Class Days/Times: TR 5:30-6:50 pm and 7:00 – 8:20pm

Catalog Course Description:

This course focuses on the development of effective communication through written discourse.  Emphasis is placed on the process of writing, including pre-writing, writing, stages of revision, and editing.  Students will learn to employ various organizational strategies to expository essays and will analyze style, tone, and point of view in different literary genres.

Prerequisites:

A score of 60+/E-6, E-7, E-8 or 80+/E-5 on the ACCUPLACER Exam for Writing, equivalent placement score, or completion of ENGL 0091 with a grade of “C” or better; and a score of 61 on the ACCUPLACER Exam for Reading, the completion of READ 0080, or equivalent.

Program Learning Outcomes:

1.      To understand and demonstrate writing 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.

Course Learning Outcomes:

1.      Students will demonstrate the steps in the writing process including invention, organization, drafting, revising, and editing.

2.      Students will demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose in their communication choices.

3.      Students will write in multiple modes of expression.

4.      Students will understand the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process.

5.      Students will use appropriate research and documentation strategies.

Exemplary Educational Objectives for Core Component Area:

·         EEO 1:  To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.

·         EEO 2:  To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate communication choices.

·         EEO 3:  To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, exposition narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication.

·         EEO 4:  To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking and responding.

·         EEO 6:  To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or to give an oral presentation.

Intellectual Competencies:

READING: The ability to read various sources and relate valuable material to assignments.

WRITING: The use of literary arguments to relate ideas through text. Develop an understanding and skills for each level of the writing process.

COMPUTER LITERACY: Use of various forms of technology to communicate with students as well as increase the depth of written works. Technology can be used throughout various forms of the writing process.

SPEAKING: The use of speech to converse on and relate concepts beneficial to writing. Gain practice through presentation and small group interaction.

LISTENING: Development of listening skills to gain information and an understanding of audience. Listening in small group sessions to reflect on work.

CRITICAL THINKING: In depth analysis of information placed into writing to create logical and persuasive conclusions.

Perspectives:

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·         Perspective 1:  Establish broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which he or she lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.

·         Perspective 2:  Stimulate a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.

·         Perspective 4:  Develop a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives.

·         Perspective 5:  Develop personal values for ethical behavior.

·         Perspective 6:  Develop the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

·         Perspective 7:  Use logical reasoning in problem solving.

·         Perspective 8:  Integrate knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.

Course Requirements, Evaluation Methods, and Grading Criteria:

A minimum of four (4) essays with multiple drafts and one (1) documented paper. The fundamentals of MLA documentation will be covered; instruction provided in APA format as well.

Introduction Essay 5pts

In class assignments 20pts

Essay 1: Description 10pts

Essay 2: Process Analysis 10pts

Essay 3: Definition 10pts

Essay 4: Cause and Effect 10pts

Final Essay: Argumentative w/ Sources 20pts (includes annotated bibliography assignment)

Final Portfolio: 15pts

For Essays 2, 3,4, and the final essay, rough drafts are required. See the course schedule for due dates on rough drafts as well as final copies. Rough drafts count 25% of the grade, so make sure to bring them to class when they are due!

A: 90-100pts

B: 80-89pts

C: 80-79pts

D: 60-69pts

Extra Credit

Throughout the semester, you will have various opportunities for extra credit. If you attend a literary event in the community, (i.e. a play, poetry reading, or book signing) write a 1 page review of the event for 5 additional points to your final grade!

Course Policies

1. Essay Format

a. Times New Roman 12pt

b. 1 inch Margins

c. Double Spaced

d. Minimum 2 pages

2. Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of the class. Assignments can also be emailed. Late work will be accepted, with a 10% deduction per day the assignment is late (including weekends). Please turn in only typed assignments for all essays (no handwritten, please)

PLEASE NOTE: ASSIGNMENTS 9 AND 10 CANNOT BE TURNED IN LATE, DUE TO TIME RESTRICTIONS. IF THESE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ON TIME, YOU WILL RECEIVE A 0.

3. Some general rules – We are all adults, but please follow these rules to ensure a productive class:

a. Come to class on time, but if you are late, please come into the class without creating a disruption.

b. Please do not talk disruptively in class. If you need to talk, you may do so outside the classroom.

c. If you need to use your cell phone, please step outside. Please keep cell phones on silent or vibrate. I understand that many of us have family and work obligations (myself included).

d. If you have to leave class early, please do so without creating a distraction.

e. Snacks are ok, full meals are not J

4.  Attendance

a. Although I do keep attendance, I will not drop you from the course for missing more than three class days. Dropping the course is your responsibility.

b. Also, if you miss a class day, contact me immediately to inform me and receive information on missed material.

c. If you are absent and miss an “in class assignment,” you will receive a zero (0).

d. You are responsible for keeping abreast on assignment due dates, regardless of your attendance.

e. If you are considering dropping the course, talk to me about it first.

Required Textbook & Resources:

Kathleen T. McWhorter, Successful College Writing, Fourth Edition

Each Major Assignment and Examination:

Week 1: Writing History – 9/4

Week 2: Description Essay – Draft due 9/12, Revised due 9/16

Week 4: Process Analysis Essay Draft 9/23, Revised 9/25

Week 5: Definition Essay – Draft 10/2, Revised 10/7

Week 7: Cause and Effect Essay Draft 10/14, Revised 10/21

Week 13: Argumentative Paper Draft I due 11/13, draft ii due 11/15. Draft 3 due 11/25

Week 16: Portfolio – 12/9

General Description of Each Lecture or Lesson:

General Description of Each Lecture or Lesson:

Week 1:

8/26 Introduction of course and syllabus

Assignment #1: Writing History Assigned Reading: Ch. 2: Writing in College

8/28 – Discuss Chapter 2 in class. Read Ch. 4 (PREWRITING) for next class

Week 2:

9/2  Labor Day. No Class. Work on your WRITING HISTORY assignment and reading assignment

9/4 Discuss/Quiz over Chapter 4 (PREWRITING) and the writing process. Assign DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT. WRITING HISTORY DUE TODAY.

Homework – begin prewriting/drafting your descriptive essay. Also, read chapter 11: DESCRIPTION

Week 3:

9/9 Quiz/discussion of chapter 11 DESCRIPTION, Review peer review expectations

Homework – work on your descriptive essay assignment!

9/12 DRAFT of DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DUE TODAY. Please bring 3 copies for in class peer review session.  

Review Essay Organization

Week 4:

9/16  Revised Descriptive Essay due today. Discuss PROCESS ANALYSIS Essay assignment

Homework – Read chapter 13 (Process Analysis) for next time

9/19 Finish discussion of chapter 13 and take a quiz

Week 5

9/23 Process Analysis draft due today. Peer review session in class

Assigned Reading: Look over pages 618-652

9/25  Revised Process Analysis Essay due today!

Definition Essay assigned

Assigned reading for next time: Chapter 16: Defining What You mean

Week 6

9/30 Review of Smartthinking/CLE and services today in computer lab

MLA Assignment due before you leave class today

10/2 Submit Rough Draft of Definition Essay to Smarthinking / CLE

Plagiarism Overview and Exercise

Week 7

10/7 Intro to Cause/Effect essay organization today in class

Definition Essay Final Copy Due

Assigned Reading for next time: Chapter 17 Cause and Effect

10/10 Review Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

Cause and Effect Essay Assigned

Week 8: 10/14 & 10/16 Student/Teacher Conference

Turn in Rough Draft of Cause and Effect Essay during your scheduled meeting time

Week 9

10/21 Final Copy of Cause and Effect Essay Due

Begin discussing Arguments

Assigned Reading: Chapter 18 (Reading Arguments)

10/23 – Review Analyzing and Evaluating an Argument

assign Argumentative Essay

Read chapter 19 over the weekend (Writing Arguments) and begin thinking about your own argumentative paper

Week 10

Monday, 10/28 – Review citations and annotated bibliographies

Wednesday, 10/30 – Library Orientation

Week 11

11/4  - Library Assignment

11/6 –  Annotated Bibliography due in class today.

Week 12:

11/13 – Argumentative Drafts due to Smartthinking/CLE today. No class.

11/15  - Revised Drafts due in class today for peer review session! Bring 3 copies.

Week 13: Thanksgiving Break! Enjoy your time off J

Week 14

11/ 25 - Final Copy of Argumentative Essay Due by midnight, no late work accepted!

11/27 - Review portfolio Requirements

                                                  

Week 15:

12/2 – Return Argumentative Essays, Work on portfolios

12/4 – Work on portfolios. No class tonight.

Week 16:

12/9: Final Portfolio due, no late work accepted

English Department Plagiarism Statement:

            As a student in the English Department at STC, you may receive an “F” for the semester if you commit or assist someone else in committing plagiarism.

Plagiarism is the theft of words, phrases, sentence structures, ideas, or opinions.  Plagiarism occurs when any such information is taken from any source or person and—intentionally or unintentionally—presented or “borrowed” without mention of the source.  Plagiarism also occurs when materials from cited sources are reproduced exactly or nearly exactly but are not put in quotation marks.

            The penalties for plagiarism at STC can be found in the Student Code of Conduct.  Students who commit plagiarism are subject to the following penalties:  failure in the course; disciplinary probation; removal or disqualification from extracurricular activities, athletics, and organizational office; loss of eligibility for financial support; suspension; expulsion; and withholding of degrees and transcripts.

            Copied work of any kind or cheating in any other fashion will not be tolerated.

English Department Chain of Command Statement:

Whenever concerns arise between an STC student and an instructor, the student should first discuss the matter with the instructor during the instructor's office hours.  If the matter is not resolved, the student may then discuss the matter with the Department Chair. (Chair’s information: Joseph Haske, Office # - Pecan J 3.1104B, (956) 872-8352).

Developmental Studies Policy Statement:  The College’s Developmental Education Plan requires students who have not met the college-level placement standard on an approved assessment instrument in reading, writing, and/or mathematics to enroll in Developmental Studies courses including College Success.  Failure to attend these required classes may result in the student's withdrawal from ALL college courses.

Statement of Equal Opportunity: No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by South Texas College on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability.

Alternative Format Statement: This document is available in an alternative format upon request by calling (956) 872-6412.

ADA Statement: Individuals with disabilities requiring assistance or access to receive services should contact disABILITY Support Services at (956) 872-2173.