English Composition I (ENGL 1301)

Instructor: Michelle Lewis

HCC 

Composition I

ENGL 1301(SS)

Syllabus

PROFESSOR

Ms. Mi’Chelle Lewis M.L.A., J.D.

([email protected])

Office Hours:  Wednesdays (by appointment)

 

TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS

  • The Writer’s Presence 8th
  • The Little Seagull Handbook 2nd (recommended)
  • Microsoft Word and access to computer with internet
  • Note taking materials

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively.  Emphasis is on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style.  Focus is on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
  2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
  4. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
  5. Use Edited American English in academic essays.

 

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES                                                                                                                                                     

  1. CRITICAL THINKING: Students will develop habits of mind, allowing them to appreciate the processes by which scholars in various disciplines organize and evaluate data and use the methodologies of each discipline to understand the human experience.
  2. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will communicate ideas, express feelings and support conclusions effectively in written, oral and visual formats.
  3. TEAMWORK: Students will consider different points of view and work interdependently to achieve a shared purpose or goal.
  4. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: Students will develop habits of intellectual exploration, personal responsibility, and physical well-being.

 

GRADE RANGE

90% – 100%= A; 80% – 89% = B; 70% – 79% = C; 60% – 69% = D; <59% = F



GRADING FORMULA

  • Quizzes 20%
  • Literary Analysis 25%
  • Persuasive Paper/Position Paper 20%
  • Expository Group Paper 10%
  • Group Presentation 15%
  • Participation 10%

*Due to the nature of this course ALL listed assignments above are MANDATORY.  Failure to submit any assignment may result in failure of the class regardless of your average.

 

* (There is NO CELL PHONE USE in class unless specifically requested as part of the class discussion.  Cell phone use will result in final grade point deductions.  DO NOT use your cell phone to take pictures of notes or video during class.

 

 

LATE WORK POLICY

  1. Late work is Not Acceptable for ANY reason. If assignments are not submitted by the time class begins it is considered late and may not be accepted.

 

  1. Personal computers/printers malfunctioning are not an excuse for late work. If your own computer doesn’t work, you should make arrangements to finish your work on campus at any of the hundreds of computer.  Please do not tell me, for example, the day an assignment is due that your computer had a virus or your sister took your laptop.  These are not valid excuses.  Back up your work.  Take responsibility.

 

  1. Absences and Late Work. Typically absences are not excuses for late work.  Everyone has issues going on in their lives, and successful people are the ones who do not let their issues get in the way of their work.  Illness or family emergencies happen, but these occurrences do not excuse late work.  Even if you’re absent, you still can submit your work online on time. 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

  1. Attendance is vital. Class attendance plays a big part in your success in this course, and I take attendance every day at the very beginning of class.  When a student misses class, they miss project instructions, activities, discussions, handouts, quizzes, and important course information.  If you miss any part of class, for whatever reason, you are still responsible for obtaining class information. 
  2. Excessive Absences. When you miss 4 or more classes, I will begin deducting points from your grade.  While I understand that emergencies come up and crises unexpectedly happen, you have 3 absences without penalty.  Typically, if you can’t be in class regularly, you should take the class at a time when you can devote your full attention to attending and completing the class, or perhaps enroll in an online course.
  3. Tardiness is a problem. Important information is announced at the beginning of class, attendance is taken, and class activities quickly commence thereafter, so you must arrive on time to class. If you arrive late, please quietly find a seat and do not disrupt what is going on in class.  You’ll need to figure out what’s going on by yourself; don’t interrupt rest of the class or your neighbor because you were late.  If you are late, you may likely miss any group activities that have already begun, so please don’t expect me or other students to stop and accommodate you.  Excessive tardiness is treated just as excessive absence and will result in a 1-point deduction from your grade for each absence I consider excessive.

 

CLASS CITIZENSHIP

Good class citizenship means a student reads the assigned readings, submits work on time, brings the textbook and other class materials to class every time, participates in class discussions, is not rude to classmates or the professor, does not disrupt class or classmates’ learning, and follows all of the course polices.  There are two specific student conduct policies regarding computers and cell phones you need to be aware of:

  1. Smart phones, iPhones, cell phones, and any other handheld electronic devices are not allowed during class. We will be busy each day, so there really is no time for you to be distracted by your phone. You are required to place them at the front of your desk, face down each time there is a quiz.  If you have to make a call or text someone during a quiz, leave the classroom quietly, but you will not be allowed to come back in.  DO NOT take photos of notes on the board with your smartphone.  This prevents you from committing the information to memory and inhibits your learning process.  If you violate this rule, I will deduct points from your grade.  SEE ABOVE GRADING FORMULA. If you repeatedly violate it, I will refer the matter to Student Services for disciplinary measure and request you be dropped from the class. 
  2. Computers or Tablets are for class work only. Please refrain from using computers for personal use during class.  Any student who uses a personal computer for non-class activities will be warned once then lose their internet privilege for the duration of the semester. 

 

HONESTY CODE

As a student at Houston Community College, you are expected to exhibit honesty, integrity and high standards in your academic work.  Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, patch-writing, purchasing essays from online “essay factories” and submitting them as your own, re-submitting a friend or family member’s academic work as your own, or submitting the work of any other as your own.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Most students are caught because professors—especially writing professors—know when a student’s style, voice, tone, or ability level has drastically changed.  Any plagiarized assignment or instances of academic fraud will earn a grade of zero at minimum.  Plagiarized assignments may likely cause you to fail the class or even be suspended from the college.   Professors may request that a student’s transcript note the reason for failure of the class was academic fraud.   Athletes who plagiarize or commit academic fraud may lose their scholarships.  It is your responsibility as a student to know what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.  Students should refer to the Student Handbook for policies and procedures on cheating and plagiarism.  

DISABILITY STATEMENT

If you have a disability that may affect your ability to learn the material in this course, please contact the Disabilities Services and Counseling Offices: contact can be found via the website.

 

COURSE CALENDAR: See below.  The course calendar presents a snapshot of assignments and important due dates.  The calendar is, however, subject to change based on how the class is progressing. I will notify the class if any changes are made.

 

 

 

 

F Sep 23 Introduction, Rhetoric & Socrates

 

F Sep 30 Learning to Read and Write, A Question of Class, Salvation, Henry Louis Gates Jr.

 

F Oct 07 Quiz Eight, Simple, Short Words, Shooting An Elephant, Just Walk On By,

 

F Oct 14 Expository Writing Intro, What Meets the Eye, The Ugly Truth About Beauty, Our Wall

 

F Oct 21 The Insufficiency of Honesty, Politics and the English Language, The Gettysburg Address, Grant Park Victory Speech (Groups & Topics Assigned) // Our Place in the Universe, Ray Bradbury Poem, *Handout-Philosophy        

 

F Oct 28 Expository Paper Due Group Presentations

 

F Nov 04 Argumentative Writing Introduction, The Tyranny of Choice, The Trouble with Diversity, Will Women Still Need Men?

 

F Nov 11   Against School, Letter from Birmingham Jail, *Handout-St. Augustine

      

F Nov 18 Quiz 3 Persuasive Position Paper Due The Short Story & Poetry Introduction, Girl, What You Pawn I Will Redeem,

 

F Nov 25 THANKSGIVING WEEK

 

F Dec 02 Editing Workshop, A Good Man is Hard to Find, Good Country People

 

M Dec 05 Quiz 4 Literary Analysis Due