A Lone Star Montgomery College

A Lone Star Montgomery College

COURSE SYLLABUS

ENGL 1301: Composition and Rhetoric I

Semester: Fall 2008

Instructor: Alice Thomas, M.A.

Email Address(es): alice.m.thomas@lonestar.edu

Phone Number(s): 936-273-7000

Course Days/Times: Distance Learning

Classroom: Distance Learning

Catalogue Description

A multi-paragraph composition course, including language study and the mechanics of writing, with examples from selected readings. Students may be required to achieve a departmentally approved score on a proficiency test before credit for the course may be awarded.

These acts protect us against discrimination. Therefore, if you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the 7^th hour of class.

Additionally, students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at 936-273-7239 located in Building E, Office 101D, as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

3. Focus a topic and formulate a critical/analytical thesis, focus, main point, or claim appropriate for an academic audience that analyzes literature—nonfiction and/or fiction.

4. Use a variety of organizational strategies within a single paper to support a thesis, focus, main point, or claim.

6. Demonstrate an ability to use effective research techniques to find appropriate oral and/or written media such as books, articles, interviews, visuals, and government documents.

10. Synthesize and evaluate various interpretations of texts to complete an extended research project.

The District upholds the core values of learning: honesty, respect, fairness, and accountability. We promote the importance of personal and academic honesty. We embrace the belief that all learners—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—will produce their own work and must give appropriate credit to the work of others. No fabrication of sources, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration is permitted on any work submitted within the District.

Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to preclude a professor or academic unit from issuing guidelines giving examples of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty and academic misconduct which are pertinent to the subject matter of the class.

Possible consequences for academic dishonesty to be determined by the professor, or the professor and Academic Dean, or the professor and Chief Student Services Officer can include but are not limited to

1. Having additional course requirement imposed
2. Receiving a grade of zero or "F" for an exam or assignment
3. Receiving a grade of "F" for the course
4. Being withdrawn from the course or program
5. Being expelled from the college district

Professors retain the primary responsibility for matters relating to Academic Integrity within their classes. Professors should clearly explain how the student’s actions violated the academic integrity policy, how a grade was calculated, and the actions taken.

Students who wish to appeal inappropriate penalties imposed for an academic integrity violation related to classroom instruction should use the academic appeal process.

Students who wish to appeal sanctions imposed for an academic integrity violation that is related to general student conduct should use the student discipline committee.

Montgomery College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, or ethnicity in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other college administered programs and activities.

Nadell, Judith, John Langan, and Eliza A. Comodromos. The Longman Writer. 7th Edition. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009.

Attendance to all classes is expected. Should you anticipate an absence, please notify the instructor in advance. An excessive number of absences will prohibit the successful completion of this course. If you should miss a class, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain lecture notes and assignments from a classmate. It is highly recommended that you miss be in class,, since missing class and not turning in work are the two main reasons for students doing poorly in this class, and because you have a responsibility to your classroom community to participate in it.

You are responsible for all work done in class and for keeping up with assignments announced in your absence. I do not accept any late or make-up work from students.

The North Harris Montgomery Community College District subscribes to Turnitin.com which supports faculty in their quest to uphold academic integrity. Student coursework may be submitted to the scrutiny of the Turnitin software. Please note that these submissions of assignments to Turnitin do not necessarily constitute an accusation or suspicion of plagiarism on the student’s part.

The evaluation of a student’s course progress and final grade is based upon the degree of mastery and of course outcomes. The grade breakdown for this class is as follows:

In case of inclement weather or other emergencies, students should call (936) 273-7000 for information regarding College class information regarding College class closings. Information will also be available from radio station KTRH 740AM.

As college students you are expected to behave in a courteous and respectful manner toward your instructor and fellow students at all times. You should avoid sleeping during class, reading non-1301 relevant material in class, talking or interrupting while others have the floor, acting belligerently or in a belittling manner, openly challenging the instructor’s authority, or otherwise displaying disruptive behavior. Verbal harassment of instructors or fellow students orally or through email will not be tolerated. Should any of these occur, I will have a conference with the student(s) in question and referral may be made to the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action.

Since this class is held in a computer classroom, it will be tempting from time to time to check/send email, surf the Web, or any other computer activity not related to our class. Unless you are completing a computer assignment that is given by the instructor to be completed during the course of the class period, any extraneous computer activity will NOT be tolerated and you may be asked to leave the class and/or receive a zero for that assignment. It is fine to check email before or after class, but once I begin class, you should refrain from any email or Internet activity that does not directly involve what we are working on for the course.

NOTE: All beepers, cellular phones, or any other electronic device which may prove disruptive to the classroom learning environment MUST be turned off prior to your entrance in the classroom. Once class has begun, students are not to send or receive text messages, phone calls, or engage in any other disruption. Should this occur, the student may be asked to leave class and may be counted absent for that day.

Free academic tutoring is available to all students at Montgomery College. If you feel you may need tutoring for this course, please visit the Extended Learning Center (ELC) in order to sign up for a tutor.

The instructor reserves the right to update the course policies, assignments, and schedule at any time. Changes may be made throughout the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with changes as they are announced.

No papers or quizzes will be accepted after due date in Assignment Tool and Assessment Tool.

Module #1: Take Vista online tutorial; submit a Letter of Introduction about yourself through Assignment Tool. Begin Writing Process Module #1. Read chapters 1-8; emphasis on thesis statement, introductory and concluding paragraphs. Take quizzes for chapter content.

Module #2: Descriptive/Narrative Writing: Read chapters 10-11. Take quizzes. See quiz tool in e-classroom for due dates. Write narrative/descriptive essay. Include five senses as shown in chapter 11 for descriptive essay. See Assignment tool in e-classroom for due date.

Module #3: Comparison/Contrast Writing. Read chapter 15 and "Reality TV: Surprising Throwback to the Past?" Take quizzes. Write comparison/contrast essay. See Assignment tool in e-classroom for due date.

Module #4: Cause & Effect Writing: Read chapter 16 Cause and Effect. Take quizzes See quiz tool in e-classroom for due dates. Write cause and effect essay. See assignment tool in e-classroom for due date.

Module #5: Argumentation/Research Paper: Read chapters 12, 18, 19, and 20. (Argumentation-Persuasion). Illustration. Read “Bombs Bursting In Air” and “In Praise of the F Word.” Take quizzes. See quiz tool in e-classroom for due dates. Work on Argumentation/Research Essay. See Module #5 for directions. No papers will be accepted after due date in Assignment Tool.

December 8: Module #6: -- Final Exam—not available until December 8th and MUST be completed on December 8^th.