Welcome to English Composition I
My Contact Information:
Course Information:
Email: irene.keliher@hccs.edu
Engl 1301 - Fall 2010 – section 65229
MW, 2-4 pm, Room 308
12 Weeks: 9/27/2010 – 12/15/2010
Lecture / Core Curriculum
Office Hours: By appointment
Please contact me concerning any problems you experience in this course, and remember that
you do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance.
Feel free to approach me after class or email me and I’ll be glad to discuss things with you. Also,
be sure to take advantage of the tutors (see additional support).
Additional Support: Writing Center at Spring Branch Campus, South Hall, Room
703. Look for posted hours or call 713-718-5889.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory assessment score, completion of English 0310 or (for nonnative speakers) English 0349.
Instructional Materials:


The Bedford Reader, 10th edition, eds. X.J. Kennedy et al
Blue Books for all in-class essays
Course Description:
English 1301 is devoted to improving your writing and critical reading. It involves writing
essays for a variety of purposes from personal to academic, including an introduction to
argumentation, critical analysis, and the use of sources.
Course Goals:
In English 1301, we provide writing instruction and practice that help you master writing the
short essay while developing critical reading skills. In mastering this particular kind of writing,
you also gain skills that permit you to be successful at writing tasks in other college courses,
your careers, and in your personal lives.
How to do well in this class: Come to class regularly, do the work, strive to read and
understand the assigned material, and participate fully in the writing process. Equally as
0
important as getting a “finished” draft down on paper will be producing a draft that explores an
idea, then changing and refining that draft to meet your writing goals and audience expectations.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.
2. Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections, developing
expository essays, and writing argumentative essays.
3. Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays and/or literature
by professional writers.
4. Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical strategies.
5. Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their academic writing.
Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate writing as a connected and interactive process which includes planning, shaping,
drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading;
2. Demonstrate critical abilities when discussing texts in class and in writing assignments by
delving into the meanings and implications behind the issues, theses, or themes;
3. Analyze texts by professional writers and write critical essays breaking down rhetorical
elements into parts, examining the parts, and showing their effect;
4 Apply various methods of development and organization, and / or rhetorical appeals in
written assignments;
5. Demonstrate effective use and documentation of sources in support of student ideas in
informative and/or persuasive essays.
CORE Curriculum Competencies: This course stresses the HCC CORE
Competencies of reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy.
Minimum Writing Requirement: To be good on a computer, one must spend
many hours on it. To be a good short stop, one has to field endless amounts of grounders. To be a
good writer, one must… As in any other skill, practice advances mastery: 5000 words minimum.
Student Assignments & Instructor Grading Criteria: These
represent the major assignments. Shorter in-class writing and homework will also be
assigned throughout the course.
Essay #1 (In Class Exam): 500+ word essay demonstrating critical
understanding of a text (summary, analysis, personal response)
100 points
10%
Essay #2: Midterm. 900+ word out-of-class essay that analyzes and
reflects critically on visual rhetoric, using narrative techniques.
150 points
15%
1
Essay #3: Midterm part II. 500+ word in-class essay critically analyzing
an image handed out the day of the exam.
100 points
10%
Essay #4: Analysis of a Debate: 1200+ word out-of-class analyzing and
responding to a contemporary issue of personal resonance, using outside
sources including at least one interview.
200 points
20%
Essay #5: Final Exam: 600+ word in-class personal essay.
200 points
20%
Homework/Brief Writing Assignments/Exercises/Quizzes
150 points
15%
Participation/Professionalism
100 points
10%
Important: In accordance with the English Department guidelines, all students must average a C
or higher (70-100) on the Midterm and Final Exams in order to receive at least a C in the course.
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 – 60
F = 59 and below
HCC Policy Statements:
Discipline: Our shared responsibility is to develop and maintain a positive learning
environment. I take this responsibility seriously and will inform members of the class if their
behavior makes it difficult for me to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to
respect the learning needs of your classmates and to assist me in achieving this critical goal.
Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing
that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available
to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student’s individual
achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus,
in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcing roles. You are expected to
be familiar with the HCC’s policy on Academic Honesty. What that means is that if you are
charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you.
Just so there is no misunderstanding, plagiarism (using another's ideas or words without
giving credit), collusion (unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written
work offered for credit), and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. To be accepted, all
papers require proof of their development. I will not accept final drafts without
accompanying shorter assignments, rough drafts, and evidence of revision. Students who
2
plagiarize, collude, or cheat may face disciplinary action including the grade of 0 for the
assignment, an F for the course, and/or dismissal from the college.
Special Needs: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning,
psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must
contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office. To visit the ADA Web site, please visit www.hccs.edu
then click Future students, scroll down the page and click on “Disability Information.” The
Northwest ADA Counselor – Mahnaz Kolaini – can be reached at 713.718.5422.
Missing Class: If absent or late to a class, you are responsible for any information missed.
Students should exchange emails or phone numbers with at least two classmates. After an
absence, find out what you missed before returning. Do not ask me if you missed anything
important.
Attendance/Withdrawals: Your grade will suffer as a result of absences, and of course,
your ability to do the work required in the course will be impaired. If tardiness occurs, I will
deduct points from your final professionalism grade. Leaving early is the same as a tardy.
Three tardies are equivalent to an absence. If you stop attending class, it is your
responsibility to formally withdraw. To accommodate accidents, illnesses, and emergencies, I
allow a certain number of absences without penalty. In accordance with HCC Policy,
students who have missed more than six hours of class (excused or unexcused) may be
dropped or given an F at the instructor’s discretion. I allow you to remain in the class for one
additional absence, but the final grade is penalized.
Up to 3 absences
No automatic grade reduction
4 absences
A final grade reduction of 10%
5 absences
Failure of the course
Note: Please reserve absences for illnesses and emergencies.

Last day for Administrative /Student Withdrawals: Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m.
HCC Student Services Information: Student Services provides master’s
and doctoral-level counseling for the Northwest College student body. Counselors are available
at each campus to assist students in creating class schedules, evaluating college transcripts, and
completing degree/certificate plans.
Student Services regular business hours are the same at both campuses. Phone numbers:
* 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. M – Th
* 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. F – Sat
* Spring Branch Campus, 713-718-5669
HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor will “alert” you through
counselors of concerns that you might fail a class because of absences and/or poor performance.
3
Instructor Requirements:
Submission of materials:
 In-class essays must be written in blue books. Unless told otherwise, students will skip
every other line to allow room for instructor comments.
 Out of class papers are to be turned in at the beginning of the class period on which they
are due: first 20 minutes.
 Out-of-class essays must be typed, double spaced, and printed on 8 1/2 x 11" white paper
with 1" margins and use a 12 pt. plain font. Please do not submit title sheets, cover
booklets, or bindings. Secure the required materials with a staple or paper clip. Points
will be deducted from papers that do not meet requirements.
 Late Work Policy: Late homework is accepted only one class period after the original
due date, and then for half credit. For late papers, one letter grade will be deducted for
each weekday (not class period) that you’re late. Any paper that is not turned in four
days after the due date will be given a zero. Make-up of in-class exams follows the
same criteria; they must be made up in the Testing Center by student appointment.
Email: I don’t accept work via email as a rule. Print work out and bring it to class. When
emailing me, be polite and sign your name. It could be up to 24 hours before I respond. In
cases of emergency, a student may email a final draft to me, but if the email is received after the
class period for which it was due, it will incur late penalties. If a student emails a draft on time,
he/she must still submit the final folder (all drafts and required material) by the next class period.
If he/she does not, then 10% will be deducted each day until I receive a completed folder.
Professionalism: For strong professionalism grades, you will regularly attend class, willingly
participate in all facets of the classroom, and demonstrate sincere effort to improve your own
writing and that of your peers through peer review and revision. Talking to your classmates
outside the context of discussion is rude and will not be tolerated. Likewise, reading outside
materials (newspapers, magazines, texts for other classes), playing games on your cell phone,
texting, or other non-class related activities are not allowed, and you will be penalized
percentage points for doing so. If you have other things to do that you feel take priority over
paying attention in class, you should do them elsewhere. One percentage point may be deducted
from your final grade for each cell phone/pager interruption.
Calendar for Composition I: Fall 2010
Schedule subject to change at my discretion.
Week 1
Syllabus, class expectations, introductions, read “The Case Against College” (Bird)
Critical reading introduction. Summary and analysis practice. Read “School vs. Education.”
Week 2
4
Syllabus quiz, thesis statements, analysis practice. How to respond to a text.
Brainstorm for first essay. Writing process introduction. Sentence style.
Week 3
Practice with in-text citation. Organize ideas for essay.
In-class essay exam: Responding to a Text.
Week 4
Begin Image Analysis. Read “Orange Crush” (Li). Watch “Killing Us Softly.”
Week 5
Continue Image Analysis. Begin essay #2 drafting.
Week 6
First draft essay #2, part I of midterm. Introduction to revision; sample drafts.
Essay #2 due; In-Class Essay (part II of midterm)
Week 7
Begin Analysis of a Debate.
Week 8
Analysis of a Debate, finding sources, interviews.
Week 9
Drafting Essay #3. / Thanksgiving Break
Week 10
Revise Essay #3.
Week 11
Submit Essay #3. Begin personal narrative.
Draft essay 4.
Week 12
Final Exam: In-Class Personal Narrative.
5