Course Information & Syllabus

Course Description:

Lecture and discussion for a study of the principles of expository and argumentative writing with special attention to sentence and paragraph structure, diction, punctuation, outlining, and note taking; analysis and discussion model essays; preparation of a bibliography, essay writing.

Textbooks & Materials:

Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell, Patterns for College Writing, 11th edition, Brafdford St. Martin’s, 2009 (ISBN 9780312535513)

Aaron, Jane E. , The Little Brown Handbook, 11th edition, Longman, 2009 (ISBN 9780205692736)

Selected internet readings, notebook, pen, pencils, stapler, access to DVD and computer.

Learning Outcomes:

1.       Recognize the author’s purpose, audience, and rhetorical strategies in assigned readings.

2.       Recognize and evaluate types of reasoning in assigned readings.

3.       Use Standard English and identify and avoid major grammatical and mechanical errors in sentences.

4.       Write unifed, developed, clear, and coherent essays.

5.       Conduct scholarly research using print, electronic media, and Internet sources and integrate research findings into writings, scrupuously avoiding plagiarism and using MLA styles of documentation.
CHAT FEATURE: There is a chat feature on this website. If I am online, feel free to live chat with me about the readings or assignments. Students are also welcomed to schedule study or discussion sessions related to the readings or assignments using the chat feature. I am happy to come into a scheduled chat session and help students when asked.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18. Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, p. 164, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”


ADA Statement North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services. 

 

ACCESS Program:       

ADA Statement:  North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services.  

 ACCESS and NETWORKS Program:  The ACCESS Program provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge or physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a non-distracting environment, note taker in class, etc. On the Corinth Campus, contact: Wayne Smith, ACCESS Coordinator, at (
[email protected]), 940-498-6207 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6207      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6207      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6207      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Penny Cogbill, Departmental Assistant, at  [email protected], 940-498-6212 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6212      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6212      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6212      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or William Leija, Departmental Assistant, at [email protected], 940-498-6224 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6224      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6224      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              940-498-6224      end_of_the_skype_highlighting in Suite 170.  For the Gainesville, Bowie, or Graham Campuses, contact Yvonne Sandmann, ACCESS Specialist, at ([email protected], (940) 668-7731 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (940) 668-7731      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (940) 668-7731      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (940) 668-7731      end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 4321) in Room 110 on the Gainesville Campus. 

NETWORKS is a childcare reimbursement program that may assist technical students with partial childcare reimbursement for those that apply and qualify.  Contact Yvonne Sandmann, ACCESS Specialist, for more information. 
Students can also access the Department of Student Success’ website by going to www.nctc.edu and clicking on the Student Services link and Student Success or “Tutoring and Other ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES”, or by going directly to http://www.nctc.edu/Student_Services/Access/AcademicandStudentSupportServices.htm

TRIO Program:

TRIO Programs are federally funded programs which offer services designed to assist students in achieving their academic goals. Services include educational workshops, academic advising, tutoring, personal counseling, career counseling, cultural enrichment, and financial aid information.  Students may be eligible for TRIO if they are currently enrolled at North Central Texas College, have academic need, and meet at least ONE of THREE criteria which include:  1) first generation status—neither parent has a degree from a 4 year college, 2) income level is within federal low income guidelines, and/or 3) has a documented disability.  TRIO is located in Room 170 on the Corinth Campus and Room 114 on the Gainesville Campus.  

 Students can access our website by going to www.nctc.edu and clicking on the red button in the middle of the page labeled “Tutoring and Other ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES” or by going directly to http://www.nctc.edu/Student_Services/Access/AcademicandStudentSupportServices.htm .
EEOC Statement North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.



Instructor Bio & Welcome Note:

Welcome to English 1301. I am Hollie Domingue, and I have been teaching college English for 10 years. I attended college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette – the only college campus that boasts an alligator filled swamp! If there is one thing to know about me, it is that I love college! I truly enjoyed my college experiences and hope that my students will appreciate their time here. I am passionate about argument, literature, social issues, and above all, my family. My two daughters Claire & Reece are my world.  I am also passionate about my job; above all, I am a “teacher”, and a I refer to my students as both “my babies” and “scholars”. You are my “babies” because I feel protective of you; I am your guide through particular part of your college experience, and it is my hope to “write on your souls”. You are “scholars” because I expect more of you than if you were merely  “students”. I expect you not only to complete your assignments, but to pour your hearts and souls into them; I expect you to share your ideas and provoke insight and analysis into the subjects we approach; and I expect you to succeed. Achievements don’t always come easy. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses, embrace your abilities, work on your deficits, and celebrate your accomplishments—big or small! Very few students end their college career with a 4.0 GPA—there is more to learning than the “A”—a lot more! This class requires dedication, passion, and hard work, but my hope is that you find the “fun” in it as well.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

On Campus 11am MWF COR 310

Disruptive Behavior: There has been an increase in “disruptive behavior” in the college classroom. Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as, but is not limited to, behavior that obstructs or disrupts the learning environment (e.g. offensive language, harassment of students and professors, repeated outbursts from a student which disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject taught, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc.), the continued use of any electronic or other noise or light emitting device which disrupts others (e.g. disturbing noises from beepers, cell phones, palm pilots, lap-top computers, games, etc.).Any student that violates the following code of conduct shall be dropped, or asked to drop, from the class:

Students may not use cell phone, internet, IPOD, or other gadgets in class.Students may not carry on conversations with classmates unless told to do so by the instructor.Students may not make rude or irrelevant comments regarding the class, instructor, or classmates. Students must work to create & maintain a positive learning environment.Students may not eat or drink during class.Students may not tape my lectures without special permission from the ACCESS department.Students may not do work for another class while class is in session. Students must have their textbooks, notebooks, and pencil on their desks, open at all times while class is in session unless told otherwise by the instructor.

 

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend all classes. In the event of an emergency, students are responsible for all assignments due that day, as well as all future assignments. Do NOT show up to class without an assignment with the excuse that “I was absent, so I didn’t know what was due”; all assignments are available on this website. In addition, failure to complete an assignment is not cause for missing class; however, you can’t expect to get much out of the class if you come to it unprepared. Make sure to print all assignments well in advance of class; the NCTC printers are often broken, and broken equipment is not a valid excuse for not having your work or for being late to class.

 Assignments will be listed on our class website in addition to being discussed in class. It is always a good idea to exchange contact information with a classmate. If you are confused about an assignment, please email me. Students’ grades always suffer when absences are frequent. You cannot expect to pass this class if attendance is poor. More than 3 absences in a class that meets 3 days a week is considered excessive.

 Here’s a motto that I find helpful: “For every problem, there is a solution. Figure out a solution.”

 

Class Rules: Maintain a positive attitude; speak respectfully. Remember that this is an institution of higher learning and strive to become a “scholar”. Before your complain, take the time to realize how truly lucky you are to have access to higher education. Finally, never underestimate the power of words.

 “I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” –Winston Churchill

 “I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” –Dudley Field Malone

 “Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every conceived notion, follow humbly wherever and whatever abyss nature leads, or you will learn nothing.” –Thomas Huxley

 “Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire.” -Yeats



Requirements & Grading:

The general requirement for 1301 is stated as follows: “Students will write a minimum of 5,000 words (20 pages) in a variety of compositions- formal and informal.” We will arrive at the 20+ pages as follows: Four 2-pages essays (+Drafts), one 2-page debate report, one 3-4page research paper (+Drafts). Students must present their rough drafts on "draft editing" days in order to meet the minimum writing requirements for this course.

Grading System for Essays:

 

GRADING SYSTEM FOR ESSAYS

Essays are graded according to the following scale:

A+ Writing suitable for publication or upper-division courses; Original and in-depth treatment of topic; considerable sophistication in style and vocabulary. [RARELY given]

A Excellence at a level to be expected of first-semester college freshmen but lacking the polish of an “A+” paper; Original and interesting treatment of topic (development of your own idea not just a summary of the problem or text to be discussed); specifics (dialogue, description, detailed examples, reasons) supporting all general statements; balanced introduction and conclusion; transitions between sections and paragraphs; varied sentence patterns; appropriate word choice; no problems with grammar, mechanics, or usage.

B Some originality of thought; some voice; adequate control of organization; support of generalizations by details, but by fewer or less appropriate details than in an “A” paper; perhaps a few cliches; perhaps some problems in grammar, mechanics, or usage, but not problems which distract from meaning.

C Some structure, but superficial content; unsupported generalizations common; or some good content, but disorganized arrangement of ideas; connection between thesis and specific examples not fully elaborated; some distracting problems with grammar, mechanics or usage; wordy or choppy sentences. Many students find that they need to work hard to achieve a “C” paper. “C” is an honorable grade if it is your best work.

D Some sense of opening and closure, but lacking in real organization; ideas disconnected; many distracting problems with word order, grammar, mechanics, or usage. Research papers with incorrect MLA citation formatting will likely fall under this category.

F Assignment not done or short and undeveloped; ideas disorganized; serious errors in word order, grammar, mechanics, and usage. Uncited research papers and papers that fall short of the length requirement will fall under this category.




 
 

SYLLABUS FALL 2010

Picture
The apple is the symbol for knowledge. I can only present you with the apple; I cannot force you to bite it. BITE THE APPLE. GAIN KNOWLEDGE.

Fall 2010 Course CalendarThis calendar is tentative & subject to change.    Students are expected to attend EVERY class session. Students are expected to devote approximately 6-8 hours a week to this class; this is average for a freshman or sophomore level English course.                                                                                      
Instructor:
Hollie Domingue         Contact: [email protected]                                                  
*Class Website:  www.composition1301.weebly.com 


M 20 September Introductions      W 22 September:  Expectations
F 24 September
:  “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”          M 27 September: Narration Notes       W 29 September:  Narration Storyboard  F 01 October Narration Rough Draft- Revisions/Editing    M  04  October:  Narration Final Typed Copy Due; Comparison
W 06 October
:  Comparison Draft    F  08 October:  No Class   M 11 October: Comparison Revisions                                                            W 13 October:  Typed Copy of Comparison Due; Description Notes  F  15 October:  Description Draft M  18 October:  Typed Copy of Description Due; Grammar [Take Home Test]    W 20 October: Analysis Notes  F 22 October: Grammar Test Due; Analysis Outline           M  25 October:  Analysis Draft & Revisions   W 27 October: Typed Copy of Analysis Due; Research & Bibliography         F 29 October:  Casebook Assignments [some online]; Fallacies 547-574  M 01 NovemberFallacies/Bibliography Test Due; CB Work  W 03 November Casebook Drafts Due for Editing F 05 November:  Research Paper Assignments/Research  M 08 November:  Typed Casebook Reports Due; Presentations 1 &2      W 10 November:  CB Presentations 3 & 4  F 12 November:  CB Presentations Wrap-Up    M 15 November:  Outlines/Prelim Research Due   W 17 November:  Annotated Bibliographies    F 19 November:   Drafts Due for Editing (Paper & Bibliography)            
M 22 November
:  Rough Drafts Peer Editing
W 24 November -28 November:
[No Class/Thanksgiving Holiday]
M 29 November
:  Final Typed Research Papers Due  (Paper & Annotated Bibliography); Presentations  W 01 December: Presentations     
F 03 December:  Presentations
       December 6-9: Final Exams

GRADING:   Narrative Essay (100); Description Essay (100); Analysis Essay (100); Comparison Essay (100); Rough Drafts/Outlines (100); Take Home Tests x2 (100); Casebooks (100); Research Paper (100); Annotated Bibliography/Turnitin (100); Presentation of Research (50) ; Final Exam (50)

Grading Scale: 900-1000+ points: A; 800-899: B; 700-799: C; 600-699: D; Below 600=F

Extra Credit: Students can earn extra credit by bringing their essays to the on-campus tutors in the writing center, or by submitting their papers to Smart Thinking on ANGEL. Attach proof of your tutoring session to your paper to receive the credit. Credit may also be given for extra work associated with particular assignments.

·         *The complete syllabus can be found on this website.  I will not print your assignments; you can access them from the website and print them.  

* Please STAPLE all essays that will be submitted to me for a grade.


 





Late Pass
Day Late Pass: Use this pass IF for any reason you need to turn in an assignment late. The pass is only good once this semester, and it cannot be used for the research paper assignment.