Houston Community College
Department of English, Central College
ENGL 1302 - Composition II
Spring 2011 / CRN 63776 (8:30 class) or CRN 61066 (10:00 class)
Fine Arts Center (FAC) - Room 311, 8:30 - 10:00 or 10:00 - 11:30 am, Tue/Thu
3 hour lecture course / 48 hours per semester / 16 weeks
Professor: Roger Wood, Ph.D.
Professor contact information: 713-718-6247 / roger.wood@hccs.edu
Prof.’s office location, hours: FAC 318 (and 319), Mon/Wed 1 - 2 pm, Tue/Thu 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Course description: A more extensive study of skills introduced in ENGL 1301 with an emphasis
on critical thinking, research and documentation techniques, and literary and rhetorical analysis.
Course prerequisites: Completion of ENGL 1301 or a satisfactory score on the CLEP exam
Student learning outcomes: The student will be able to (1) apply basic principles of rhetorical
analysis; (2) write essays that classify, explain, and evaluate rhetorical and literary strategies
employed in argument, persuasion, and various forms of literature; (3) identify, differentiate,
integrate, and synthesize research materials into argumentative and/or analytical essays; (4)
employ appropriate documentation style and format across the spectrum of in-class and
out-of-class written discourse, and (5) demonstrate library literacy.
ENLG 1302 is a Core Curriculum course.
Course Calendar / 16 weeks
(NOTE: The title of the assigned textbook Read, Reason, Write is abbreviated below as RRW.)
WEEK 1:
1/18: Introductions. Overview of the course and requirements. Brief writing sample composed in
class.
1/20: Introduction to inference, argument, and analytical thinking. Read RRW 2-12.
WEEK 2:
1/25: Discussion of writing summaries and personal responses. Short writing #1 assigned.
Read RRW 14-30.
1/27: Beyond summaries and personal responses: critical analysis. Read RRW 32-44.
WEEK 3:
2/1: Shorter writing #1 due. Critical analytical writing overview (in relation to selected essays from
RRW). Persuasion and logic. Essay #1 topics assigned. Read RRW 47-54.
2/3: Analysis of arguments. Read RRW 72-91. Also, see Handbook 183-212.
WEEK 4:
2/8: Discussion of editing. Introduction to research process, assignment options, and overview
of the major paper. See Handbook 250-280. Research Paper: Preliminary Topic choice due at
the end of class.
2/10: NOTE: Class meets today only in the library. Research strategies and library orientation.
WEEK 5:
2/15: Critical Analysis (Essay #1) due. Review of research paper assignment options and
preliminary topic choices. Logic and argument. Read RRW 119-131, 134-141.
2/17: Early introduction to the later Argument Essay assignment (Essay #3). Read RRW 99-111.
WEEK 6:
2/22: Research Paper: Confirmed and Narrowed Topic due. Evaluating sources and avoiding
plagiarism. Read RRW 268-290. See Handbook 289-332.
2/24: Discussion of MLA documentation and Argument Essay strategies. Read RRW 293-329.
See Handbook 342-390.
WEEK 7:
3/1: Preparation for Critical Analysis, Essay #2 (to be composed in class during the next
session), including discussion of selected essays and topic options.
3/3: Critical Analysis (Essay #2) written in class.
WEEK 8:
3/8: Research Paper: Working Bibliography due. Introduction to types of arguments. Read
RRW 185-192, 199-207. Review of research process assignments to date.
3/10: Types of arguments, cont. Read RRW 216-223. Argument Essay (Essay #3) outline due
for in-class analysis.
NOTE: HCC Spring Break, March 14-18: no class sessions.
WEEK 9:
3/22: Research Paper: Sample Note Cards due. Types of argument, cont. Read RRW 231-238,
247-255.
3/24: Workshop for revision and editing of Essay #3 and for the ongoing Research Paper
process.
WEEK 10:
3/29: Argument Essay (Essay #3) final draft due. Research Paper issues reviewed. Introduction
to literary analysis. Read RRW 589-595.
3/31: Research Paper: Working Thesis and Preliminary Outline due. Literary analysis, cont.
Read RRW 593-600.
WEEK 11:
4/5: Research Paper issues reviewed. Shorter writing #2 composed in class.
4/7: Literary analysis, cont. Read RRW 600-604.
WEEK 12:
4/12: Research Paper: Rough Draft due for in-class analysis. Discussion of solving common
sentence problems and editing for proper format. See Handbook 512-574.
4/14: Final discussion of Research Paper issues. Discussion of literary analysis, cont. Read
RRW 604-607. See Handbook 157-174.
WEEK 13:
4/19: Research Paper: Final Draft due. Literary analysis, cont. Read RRW 607-629.
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4/21: Individual in-class presentations (approx. three to four minutes each) RE: “The three most
important things I learned in doing the Research Paper process for this course.”
WEEK 14:
4/26: Literary analysis, cont. Read RRW as directed.
4/28: Concluding discussion of literary analysis. Preparation for the upcoming in-class essay.
WEEK 15:
5/3: Literary Analysis (Essay #4) written in class.
5/5: Review for the upcoming final exam.
WEEK 16:
5/12: Final Exam
Student Assignments:
Out-of-class Essays: Final drafts should be approximately 650 or more words in length,
preferably typed, double-spaced paper format according to guidelines in the Handbook or Purdue
Online Writing Lab (see Instructional Methods, below); should include a title page, with all pages
of main text numbered (MLA-style) and stapled or clipped together (in proper sequence) in the
upper left-hand corner; must be submitted in hard copy and directly to the professor (i.e., not left
in mailboxes, with a secretary, under an office door, etc.); may not be submitted by email.
*If you must miss a deadline, communicate with the professor to request an extension (which may
or may not be granted, at his discretion).
In-class Essays: Each submission will be composed in the professor’s presence within a 75minute time limit; should be approximately 500 or more words in length, handwritten, doublespaced, with numbered pages following the guidelines in the Handbook or Purdue Online Writing
Lab; must be based on topic options and guidelines previously assigned and discussed in class.
Shorter writings: Each submission, whether composed in class or out, should be approximately
250 words or more in length, typed or handwritten, and double-spaced, with numbered pages.
Research paper and process: Final draft must be typed and approximately 1500 or more words
in length; must utilize at least five sources and make at least fifteen in-text citations; must follow
MLA format and guidelines in all matters; must be based on a topic option approved by the
professor; and will earn a process grade based on timely completion of each process step (see
the Course Calendar)--one factor in determining the final grade for the Research Paper project.
In-class presentation: Late in the course, each student will make a brief (3 - 4 minute), relatively
informal oral presentation in class (for more details, see Week 14 of the Course Calendar), to be
evaluated in terms of appropriateness, unity and focus, development, organization, and clarity.
Final exam: In Week 16 the course concludes with a written examination testing students’
knowledge of key terms and concepts relevant to this course, as well as their editing skills
regarding sentence grammar, diction, and mechanics.
Attendance: Your regular attendance and on-time arrival in class are necessary for success.
You will earn an attendance grade (see “Participation” below) based on the following scale:
0 absences = 100 (A+); 1 absence = 90 (A -); 2 absences = 85 (B); 3 absences = 75 (C); 4
absences = 70 (C-); 5 absences = 65 (D); 6 absences = 55 (F); 7 + absences = 50 or less (F).
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Assessments (grade values of assignments):
Essay #1 (written out of class)
Essay #2 (written in class)
Essay #3 (written out of class)
Research Paper and Process (written out of class)
Essay #4 (written in class)
Shorter writings (combined grade average)
Participation (in-class presentation and attendance)
Final Exam (written in class)
10%
10%
10%
30%
10%
10%
10%
10%
Instructional materials: Textbook: Read, Reason, Write, 9th edition, by Seyler (required)
Recommended supplements: (1) Purdue Online Writing Lab: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ or
(2) McGraw-Hill Handbook, 2nd edition, by Maimon, Peritz, and Yancey (optional)
Tutoring: For free assistance on any of the writing requirements for this course, visit the English
Department Writing Lab in FAC 321-B. Check the sign posted on the door there to determine
specific hours of operation during the current term. (It’s generally open mornings through early
evenings, Monday through Thursday, plus half a day on Friday. NOTE: In addition to his
scheduled office hours, your professor will normally be available for consultation in the Writing
Lab on Mondays and Wednesdays 8 - 11 AM.
Open Computer Labs: Computers are available for word processing in FAC 302, SJAC 204A,
JDB 203-204, the library, and elsewhere on campus. Check those sites for open hours.
Services to students with disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange for reasonable accommodations
must contact the Disability Services Office at the beginning of each semester. For more
information, please contact the disability counselor on campus (or call 713-718-5165).
Academic honesty: Students are expected to be familiar with the HCC policy on academic
honesty (as detailed in various HCC publications) and are responsible for conducting themselves
with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. HCC officials may initiate penalties
and/or disciplinary proceedings against any student accused of scholastic dishonesty (which
includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion). Should you have any
questions about proper handling of source material for your writing, consult the MLA guidelines,
your professor and/or a tutor (FAC 321-B). Evidence of plagiarism results in a grade of F.
Attendance: Students must attend class regularly and submit assignments on time to pass this
course. HCC policy establishes that a student may be administratively withdrawn from a course
upon missing more than 12.5% of the scheduled sessions (i.e. more than four class sessions).
Course withdrawal: If you elect to withdraw formally from any HCC class and thereby receive a
“W” on your grade transcript, you must contact a HCC counselor or your professor prior to the
withdrawal deadline for the current semester to initiate the process. If you do not do so and
simply cease to attend, you will receive a final grade by default (quite likely “F”) based on your
course average in relation to the full slate of required assignments.
Classroom decorum: No cell phones or electronic communication devices may be used without
permission. No disruption (behavioral, electronic, or otherwise) of class is acceptable. Please be
courteous and respectful of others.
Grading scale: 90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D, 0 - 59 = F.
At his discretion, the professor may announce necessary changes in this syllabus and
assignment calendar at any time during the term.
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