English 1301: Composition I
Spring 2016
Instructor: Adam Castaneda
Phone Number: (281) 979-4982
e-mail: adamluis.castaneda@gmail.com
CourseDescription:
The course represents a study of argumentation and the research process, in which
students will become familiar with terms of rhetorical analysis, the writing of
argumentative essays, and the writing of research papers with appropriate
documentation. Students will also be introduced to literary criticism. Prerequisite
ENGL 1301. Credit: 3 semester hours.
Materials Needed:
A good dictionary which you bring to every class;
A two pocket folder for your research materials;
A supply of white ruled paper for in class writing.
Textbooks:
The Arlignton Reader, Fourth Edition
The McGraw-Hill Handbook
Objectives and Requirements
In this course, you will be expected to do the following:
1. Continue refinement of grammar and punctuation skills begun in 1301.
2. Continue to enhance your abilities in essay writing as far as organization and
thesis development.
3. Become familiar with writing the persuasive essay and the argumentative essay.
4. Write rhetorical analyses of argumentative essays.
5. Become exceedingly familiar with the paper-writing format of the Modern
Language Association.
6. Be able to complete a detailed library assignment.
7. Write a research paper with appropriate documentation.
Teaching Methodology
This course will be taught using a writing workshop approach with some lecture time. Most of
the class time will be devoted primarily to the discussion of reading assignments, working in
writing groups, writing essays, and working on the research paper. The second half of the
semester will be devoted exclusively to working on the research process and the writing of the
research paper.
Scholastic Dishonesty: According to the Student Handbook for the Houston Community
College System, scholastic dishonesty includes cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion:
cheating on a test-- copying from someone else’s paper or using unauthorized
materials during a test;
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plagiarism—using another person’s words, information, or ideas in your own written
work without appropriate acknowledgement (and quotation marks when exact words
are used);
collusion—“unauthorized collaboration” (35).
Please note the possible consequences of such dishonesty, as stated in the Student Handbook:
“Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F for the
particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal
from the college System” (35).
NOTICE: Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant
tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texaspublic colleges and universities. Please ask
your instructor/
counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course
withdrawal, or if
you are not receiving passing grades.
Class Practices and Procedures
1. Attendance: College policy stipulates that any student who misses more than 12.5 % of
instruction (6 class hours = 4 sessions) is subject to administrative withdrawal. Your
regular attendance and on-time arrival in class are absolutely essential to you success in
thia class. The maximum number of absences permitted is four. You will earn an
attendance grade based upon the following scale: 0 absences=100; 1 absence= 90; 2
absences= 80; 3 absences=70; 4 absences=60; and more than 4 absences is a failing grade
for this portion of the grade distribution.
2. Assignments: Failure to attend one class does not excuse a student from preparing for the
following class. Also, I may make changes to the assignmnets listed on the Syllabus, so
you must call a member of your writing group if you miss class.
3. Late Work/ Make –up work: All out of class papers are due at the start of class on the
date designated. I reserve the right not to accept late work. You know now the due date for
every assignment in this class. ALL PAPERS MUST BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY
TO THE INSTRUCTOR. DO NOT LEAVE PAPERS WITH SECRETARIES, IN
MAIL BOXES, AT THE FRONT DESK, ETC.. If a paper is not submitted on time,
you must request an extension, which may or may not be granted due to my discretion.
There will be no make up of in-class quizzes and short writing assignments.
4. Tutoring: Free tutoring is available at the Northline Campus in Room 171 (near the
bookstore/library). Tutors are availbale during day and night and on the weekends. Check
for full hours of operation.
5. Withdrawal: The final date for withdrawing from a course this semester is April 5, 2007.
If you drop the course, you must complete the necessary forms with the Registration
personnel prior to this date.
6. Tardiness: Please arrive on time. I will call roll every day at the beginning of class.
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7. Participation: Your level of participation in class discussions and your constructive
participation in the writing workshops are important aspects of your grade. If you fail to
attend any writing workshop days, I will deduct points from your essay grade.
8. Telephones and other electronic devices: Please turn off your telephones and other
electronic devices upon entering the class.
Grading Standards
Your final course grade will be determined in accordance with the following
recommendations as set forth by the Sophomore Discipline Commitee:
A (90-100) = Exceptionally fine work:superior in mechanics, style, and content.
B (80-89) = Above average work: superior in one or two areas—style, mechanics,
content.
C (70-790 = Average quality work: good, but unexceptional.
D (60-69) = Below average work: noticeably weak in mechanics, style or content.
F (0-59) = Failing work: clearly deficient in mechanics, style, and content
Evidence of plagiarism will be graded “F.”
Distribution of Final Grade
Essay #1
Essay #2
Essay #3
Final Exam
Reading Exams/Homework
Attendance and Participation
10%
20%
20%
20%
20%
10%
Total 100%
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Spring 2016 Calendar
February 22 – Watch Film The Band Plays On
February 24 – No Class
February 29 – Essay #1 Due/Finish The Band Plays On
March 2 – Finish The Band Plays On
March 7 – Nicholas Carr, Is Google Making Us Stupid?
March 14 – Spring Break
March 16 – Spring Break
March 21 – Sherry Turkle, How Computer Change the Way We Think
March 23 – James Gleik, How Google Dominates Us
March 28 – William Deresiewisz, From Faux Friendship
March 30 – Ted Talks Series (In Class Viewing)
April 4 – Writing Workshop #2
April 6 – Blackfish Documentary
April 11 – Essay #2 Due/Blackfish Documentary
April 13 – No Class
April 18 – Eric Liu, Notes of a Native Speaker
April 20 – Tamara Winfrey Harris, No Disrespect: Black Women and the Burden of
Respectability
April 25 – Richard Rodriguez, Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood
April 27 – Jhumpa Lahiri, My Two Lives
May 4 – Final Paper Due/Final Exam/Last Day of Class
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