Policies
POLICIES AND GOALS
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 1301 HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
INSTRU CTOR: JOAN HUMPHREY
e-mail: [email protected] Office hours: by arrangement
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT: The purpose of the English Department is to:
- provide courses that transfer to four-year colleges
- introduce students to literature from diverse traditions
- prepare students to write clear, communicative, well-organized, and detailed prose
- develop students’ reading, writing, and analytical skills
CORE CURRICULUM COURSES:
- READING COLLEGE LEVEL MATERIAL: the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed material--fiction and non-fiction.
- WRITING AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL: the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audiences. These abilities are acquired through practice and reflection.
- DISCUSSION: the ability to speak clearly, listen perceptively, and be willing to share ideas. Discussion is an important step in the writing process.
- CRITICAL THINKING: the ability to incorporate objectivity, analytical techniques, and logical principles to the reading and discussion stages, as well as the writing process.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Demonstrate knowledge of writing as a process.
- Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading assignments.
- Apply basic principles of critical thinking in developing expository/argumentative essays.
- Analyze elements such as theme, purpose, audience, tone, genre, style, and strategy employed by professional writers.
- Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical strategies.
- Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in the student’s own academic writing.
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class regularly. Classes will begin promptly at the appointed time, and attendance will be taken every class period. HCCS attendance policy states that a student who is absent more than 12.5% of total class time (6 hours; please keep in mind that this is 6 hours, not 6 classes) may be administratively dropped from the course. The minutes lost by arriving late and/or leaving early will be counted toward the allotted absences. This policy will be scrupulously enforced; there is no sense in wasting your time, your classmates’ time, and my time with sporadic attendance. [Note: check the Student Handbook for verification of this policy.]
CLASS PROCEDURE: Class will run for one hour and forty-five minutes without interruption--no early departures or personal “breaks.” We are all adults who can anticipate human necessities in advance; therefore bathroom, nutrition, and hydration needs should be met before coming to class.
PHONES AND BEEPERS: Ringing cell phones, sounding beepers, and temporary departure disrupt learning and instruction. Cell phones must be turned OFF (not set on vibration) before class begins. This means you do not text, tweet, or twitter when class is in session either.
ABSENCES: Each student is responsible for any class materials missed during an absence. This includes instructional information, assignments, discussions, collaborative work, etc. Since there will be no opportunity to make up graded work such as in-class quizzes and writing assignments, regular class attendance will be very important. Therefore, review your calendars and learn to manage your time in order to complete your assignments to the best or your ability.
READING ASSIGNMENTS: All reading assignments must be completed before coming to class. Since for the most part, these assignments will be reasonably challenging (Dick and Jane readings are no longer part of your world), set aside enough time to understand what the author is communicating; analysis is a participatory sport, not an observational one (see “Bloom’s Taxonomy”). Having done this, the fun begins: you get to
- ponder the point(s) the author is making,
(2) analyze the author’s style,
- add new words to your vocabulary,
- learn new cultural references,
- pinpoint the notable ideas,
(6) formulate questions, and
- discuss the pros and cons of the work as a whole with your classmates.
Where is the fun in this, you ask? Well, this is not only fun--it is an awesome privilege not only to be allowed, but to be encouraged, to explore the minds of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and writers. So come to class ready to be open-minded, to re-examine old ideas, and to question new ones.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
- All outside written assignments must be handed in on time at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be recorded as 0.
- However, since I understand that catastrophes do occur, each student will have the opportunity to hand in one (1) late assignment without penalty. To take advantage of this LATE OPTION, the student must inform me of this intention as soon as possible and indicate the date he or she intends to hand it in.
FORMAT:
- All outside writing assignments are to be double spaced and typed or computer printed using a #12 font.
- In-class writing assignments may be hand written on one side of the paper, double spaced, in ink.
- No papers may be submitted by e-mail.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodation must contact the Disability Services Office at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability support Services Office. If you have questions, please contact the Disability Counselor.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: “Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty,” which includes cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and anything else designed to deceive the instructor (see Student Handbook). In this class students discovered to have plagiarized or to have otherwise misrepresented their work can expect a zero for the assignment.
SUPPORT SERVICES: Free tutoring is available at the Central Campus in the Learning Emporium, third floor SJAC. askonline is the online tutoring service.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: According to the Student Handbook: “A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holiday may take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable amount of time after the absence. The student must notify the instructor in writing at least two weeks prior to the anticipated absence. A ‘religious holiday’ means a holiday observed by a religion whose place of worship is exempt from property taxation under Section 11.2, Tax Code.”
GRADE PERCENTAGES:
Out of class papers (essays) 30%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Final Paper 20%
Instructor’s Options 10%
Total 100%
Note: all assignments will be written; there will be no objective quizzes or tests.
GRADING: Students’ grades will be determined by performance on assignments according to the following scale:
A = 90 - 100% Exceptional, superior work
B = 80 - 89% Good; above average work
C = 70 - 79% Average work
D = 60 - 69% Below average work, but passing
F = 0 - 59% Deficient, failing work
W (Withdrawn) May be given if a student misses more than
12.5% of instruction (6 class hours).
I = Incomplete
EGLS₃ (EVALUATION FOR GREATER LEARNING STUDENT SURVEY SYSTEM): At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community college Student System online near the end of the term.
