COURSE SYLLABUS 

PROFESSOR CARRIE MICHELLE COOKE  

COURSE NUMBER:  ENGL 1301   

CREDIT HOURS:  3  WITH A LAB REQUIRED

PRE-REQUISITE:  ASSESSMENT REQUIRED

COLLEGE REPEAT POLICY: A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including W. [Note to student:  If you drop the course before the census date--(Sept. 12)--you will not be penalized in regard to the repeat policy.   If you withdraw from the course after the census date, a grade of W will be posted to your transcript and count as one attempt toward the repeat policy.]

TEXTBOOKS:  Reinking/Hart, Strategies for Successful Writing (with handbook), 7th edition. 

Hult, Christine & Thomas Huckin, The New Century Handbook, 3^rd edition with MyCompLab Access.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  A beginning freshman course in writing with emphasis on expository writing, development of paragraphs and the whole composition, study of model essays, extensive essay writing, and individual conferences.  Departmental final essay exam to be given during final exams week.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:

1.   Understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, revision, editing, and presentation.

2.   Understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and selecting appropriate communication choices.

3.   Understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expositive, narrative, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication.

4.   Participate individually and in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.

5.   Understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and proficiency in the development of exposition and argument.

6.  Strengthen written expression by doing the following:

      Identifying and formulating a thesis,

     Generating support for a thesis, including some research and documentation,

     Writing appropriate introductions and conclusions,

     Avoiding errors in grammar, syntax, and style, and

     Using appropriate diction.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1.    Instructors should assign in-class writing the first week(s) of class in order to benchmark a student’s writing skills and to confirm proper placement. Instructors should report students of concern to the chair who will review the student’s placement process.   [Please note that lateral changes of students from English 1301 to a Developmental Writing, Grammar (ENGL 0310), or ESL class may occur only within the first six (6) weeks of classes.

Instructors should retain these first-week writing samples and submit them in the final exam packets (or in student writing portfolios) as a part of providing evidence that students are attaining general education competencies.

2.    Students must write a minimum of FIVE closely graded essays (i.e., with oral and/or written instructor comments) of approximately 550 words each.  At least TWO essays or equivalent writing assignments must be in-class writings.

3.    Instructors will provide an introduction to research and MLA documentation, preferably in the preparation and writing of an argumentative or position essay.

4.    The lab component, designed to support writing as a process and writing improvement, is an integral part of the course.  Instructors must require regular “lab assignments” such as outlines, multiple drafts, research activities, journals, reading responses, grammar and pre-writing exercises, revisions, etc., throughout the semester.  Students should see a clear connection between assignments that count as labs and finished writing assignments.  Instructors may use the English 1301 Lab Sheet as a guide to assigning labs for students.  To earn a passing grade, a student must complete the lab component as assigned by the instructor.

5.    The English Department will furnish a set of departmental final exam topics for an in-class final exam essay which should count a significant portion of a student’s grade.  Instructors may direct students to the English Web Site for sample essay topics and suggested strategies for writing an acceptable final in-class essay.   

Or the instructor may require that students complete a semester-long writing portfolio (as directed, monitored, and evaluated by the instructor) which will include final exam day writing.

These departmental final exams (or portfolios) will be submitted to the English Department so that a significant but anonymous sampling of these final exam essays (or portfolios) can be reviewed by English Department faculty peers in an effort to measure student mastery of course learning objectives.

6.    Every instructor must provide a section syllabus (with a course calendar of assignments) to each student the first class meeting and follow that syllabus during the semester.  If the instructor makes any adjustments later, he/she is responsible for informing the students of those changes immediately. Instructors should submit a copy of any syllabus revisions to the chair.

Instructors should be specific about attendance, grading, course requirements, plagiarism policy, and lab work, remembering that a well-written, comprehensive syllabus reduces a student's questions and concerns.  

COURSE FORMAT:   This class will consist of lectures, class discussion, small group discussions, computer-assisted instruction (CAI), audio/visual materials, personal conferences, lab assignments, in-class writings/responses.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:   Attendance is crucial for success in this class.  Methods, class exercises, tests, and quizzes cannot be repeated. Attendance will be checked at each class period. Students will sign a “sign-in sheet” at the beginning of class.  If you are late to class you will sign in after class is over and you will be listed as tardy.  Three tardies equal one unexcused absence. Unexcused absences are defined as those without appropriate documentation from a physician or school authority for school activities. You may have a total of four unexcused absences from my class before your grade is affected.  Your final grade will be lowered five points for every additional unexcused absence. 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW:   November 18, 2005 is the last day to withdraw from this class.

RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS:   Refer students to Section 2 Policies and Procedures, Sub- section 2.23 Religious Holidays in the current CCCCD Student Handbook.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE  

It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities.  This College will adhere to all applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity.  It is the student's responsibility to contact the faculty member and/or the Services for Students with Disabilities at 881-5950 in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Essays

All essays must be typed, double-spaced pages in MLA format with a works cited page (if necessary).  The student will write five separate essays:  Narration, Description, Process Analysis, Comparison, and Argument  

Journals are required for this class. Each student must complete online assignments in a journal for lab credit.  The journal entries are emailed to me and ultimately go into your portfolio.  You are responsible for keeping up with your journals for the porfolio, so please make a hard copy of them. 

 1.      Cover page/Title page 

 2.      Table of Contents 

 3.      All the essays from the semester as well as their drafts, revisions, and corrections. 

 4.      Copies of the peer reviews you received on all three essays. 

 5.      Self-assessment of papers and participation. How has your writing improved?  What grade do you think you deserve to make? 

 6.      Anything else that you feel might enhance your portfolio—Remember that the portfolio represents you as a writer so BE CREATIVE!