English Composition 1302 Spring Semester 2016 Tue / Thurs
CRN: 87661 and 87644
Ms. Cathy Clay
My office and mailbox are located in faculty room 320.
Phone 713-718-2447
Office Hours: Monday / Wednesday 4:00-5:00 PM and Tuesday / Thursday
1:00-4:00 PM and by appointment.
Email: cathy.clay@hccs.edu
Please turn off all cell phones, computers, pagers, and other electronic
devices and place them out of view before class begins. Your attention is
required in this course, and progressive disciplinary actions will be taken if
you fail to adhere to this requirement. Ex: Your participation grade will be
lowered by two letter grades per offense. From there further
disciplinary action will be taken.
Course Description:
The focus of this course is the study of argumentation, rhetorical analysis,
and the research process. Students will write argumentative and persuasive
essays, and a research paper with the appropriate documentation.
English 1302 Student Learning Outcomes:
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.
5. Demonstrate library literacy.
Textbooks:
Read, Reason, Write, 11th edition.
The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, 9th edition.
Materials Needed:
A pocket dictionary
A folder for research materials
White ruled paper for in-class writing assignments and blue or black ink
pens.
Course Objectives:
1. Advance grammar, punctuation, and organizational skills begun in
English 1301.
2. Advance students’ ability to develop a thesis.
3. Develop strong composition skills; specifically in relation to writing
the persuasive and argumentative essays.
4. Be able to write coherent rhetorical analyses of argumentative essays.
5. Be able to adhere to the documentation and writing guidelines of the
Modern Language Association (MLA).
6. Write a research paper with MLA documentation.
Teaching Methodology
The course will include lectures and peer feedback on in-class writing
assignments. Class time will also include in depth discussions about the
reading assignments and essay preparation.
Academic Dishonesty
Please see the Student Handbook for the Houston Community College
System, regarding scholastic dishonesty. Please note that cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion (unauthorized collaboration) will not be tolerated.
Academic dishonesty will result in failing the assignment in question (with a
grade of zero), and may result in failing the course, or recommendation for
academic probation, or recommendation for dismissal from HCCS.
Class Practices and Procedures
1. Telephones and other electronic devices should be turned off
prior to entering class. Failure to adhere to this policy will result
in disciplinary action.
2. Attendance: College policy stipulates that any student who misses
more 12.5% of instruction is subject to administrative withdrawal
(four class meetings). Six absences of any kind will result in a
performance grade of F. Your regular attendance and on-time arrival
for class are absolutely essential to your success in this class.
Additionally, attendance is a component of participation and your
final grade, and it will suffer accordingly if you do not attend class.
Excessive tardiness, running in and out of class and early departures
from class may count as unexcused absences. You are required to
arrive on time. If you arrive late and an assignment is due, turn
your work in at the end of class.
3. Late and make-up assignments are not permitted. All out of class
assignments are due at the start of class on the due date. I reserve the
right not to accept late work. You know the due dates for every
assignment in this class. Workshop assignments will not be
accepted late and they are due at the beginning of class on the
assigned due date as are all assignments. You must participate in
Workshop in order to receive credit for the assignment in addition to
turning in the written assignment. All assignments must be submitted
to me. All components of the research paper must be typed and
formatted according to MLA. Essays completed outside of class
must be typed, double-spaced, and in 12 pt. font (Times New
Roman).
4. Tutoring: Free tutoring is available at the Northline Campus in the
Learning Center. Tutors are available during the day and night and on
the weekends. Check for hours of operations. Also, on-line tutoring is
available at www.hccs.askonline.net; students can self-register.
Helpful online resources:
www.owl.english.purdue.edu
www.chompchomp.com-grammar
www.m-w.com/netdict.htm-online dictionary
5. Withdrawal: The last day for withdrawals is April 5, 2016. You must
complete the necessary forms with registration prior to this date.
6. Tardiness: Arrive on time. I will call roll at the beginning of every
class.
7. Participation is required in this course. You will receive a
participation grade.
8. Classroom decorum consists of only one person speaking at a
time. There will be no conversations during the instructor’s
lectures. Profanity is unacceptable in this classroom.
9. Do not disrupt lectures and classroom activities in any class
taught by me. If you have an issue, schedule a conference via
phone or email or in person before or after class time. Leave
documents in my mailbox. Assignments: Failure to attend one class
does not excuse a student from preparing for the following class.
Also, I may modify assignments on the syllabus. Therefore I
encourage you to exchange contact information with at least two
classmates, so that you can stay abreast of all assignments.
Students with disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning,
psychiatric, developmental, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services
(DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. You may contact DSS at
713-718-8420.
EGLS3 — Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System at
Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student
feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a
designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of
research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of
the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs
for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of
the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of
the term.
Grading Standards
Your final course grade will be determined in accordance with the following
recommendations as set forth by the Sophomore Discipline Committee:
A (90-100) = exceptionally fine work: superior in mechanics, style, and
content.
B (80-89) = above average work: superior in one or two areas of mechanics,
style, and content.
C (70-79) = average quality work: good but not exceptional.
D (60-69) = below average work: noticeable weak in mechanics, style, and
content.
F (0-59) = failing work: clearly deficient in mechanics, style, and content.
Evidence of plagiarism is an automatic F.
Distribution of final grade:
One in-class essay
15%
One out of class essay 15%
Research Paper
25%
Participation
10%
Final Essay
15%
Reflections
10%
Presentation
10%
Total
100%
I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as needed.
Course Calendar and Assignments
1/19
rhetoric.
Introduction to the course. Introduction to argument and
Writing sample.
1/21
Thesis statements: LB pp: 14-18. The Writing Process. Critical
Analysis and Reading RRW pgs: 2-7. Read RRW: Chapter
Three: Understanding the Basics of Argument, pgs: 70-78.
“Who Does the Talking Here?” Aristotle’s Players. Reflection.
1/26
Run-on sentences and sentence fragments. LB: pgs: 264-73. The
Toulmin Model. RRW: Ch. 3 pgs: 81-87. RRW: “In Praise of a
Snail’s Pace” and “The ‘F Word.” Academic Writing: LB pgs:
99-104. Reflection.
1/28
Rhetoric and Audience RRW: Chapter Ch.4 pgs: 98-111 and
“Your Brain Lies to You.” The Comma. LB: pgs: 269-96. LB:
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers, pgs: 258-64. The Rogerian
Argument. Reflection.
2/2
Class activity.
2/4
LB: pp: 18-24. Planning and shaping the entire essay. RRW:
“Help Those Who Help, Not Hurt, Themselves.” Transitional
phrases. LB: pp: 45-47. Reflection.
2/9
Logical Fallacies RRW: pgs 162-69. LB: pgs: 105-08.
Assign Research Paper Topics. Research paper will consist
of five MLA formatted pages.
2/11
Library orientation.
2/16
Class activity.
2/18
LB: Drafting Paragraphs, pgs: 43-47. Cause and Effect essay
style. RRW: “The Threat to Free Speech at Universities” and
“Cheering Free Speech.” Complex sentence structure. LB: pgs:
172-73. Homework: bring a hard copy image to the next class
meeting. Reflection.
2/23
LB: Revising and Editing pgs: 27-31. The Visual Argument
RRW: Chapter 5 pgs: 120-28. The Outline. LB: pp: 480-81.
Reflection.
2/25
Essay 1 in class.
3/1
Evaluation Arguments RRW: pgs 194-202 and “Mind Over
Mass Media.” Typed thesis statement and sentence outline of
research paper are due for workshop. Reflection.
3/3
Documentation and Avoiding Plagiarism. LB: Ch. 58. RRW:
Ch 13. “We Can’t Afford the True Cost of Gun Crime” and
“Gun Control? Dream On.” Reflection.
3/8
Film.
3/10
Film Cont’d. Assign essay 2.
3/14-3/18
Spring Break
3/22
RRW: “Paragon or Parasite” and “Glamour, That Certain
Something”. The Definition Argument. Typed intro (1st two
pages) and sources for the research paper are due for
workshop. Reflection.
3/24
RRW: “A Modest Proposal.”
“The Lesson of Penn State.” Balanced sentences. The Moral
Argument.
Reflection.
3/29
RRW: “Abolish Marriage”
“Supremacy Crimes”
Active versus passive voice. LB: pgs: 224-27. Essay 2 is due.
Preparation for Presentations. LB: pgs: 121-25.
Reflection.
3/31
RRW: “Your Most Powerful Currency: Your Vote”
‘We Made Ourselves Anew’
Typed rough draft of the research paper is due for
workshop (1st three pages and works cited page).
Reflection.
4/5
Presentations. Reflections are due.
4/7
Introduction to Literary Analysis. Selections assigned.
4/12
Literary analysis. Selections assigned or provided.
4/14
Literary analysis. Selections provided.
4/19
Literary analysis/film. Final draft of the research paper is
due. No late papers will be accepted.
4/21
Literary analysis/film.
4/26
Literary analysis.
4/28
Literary analysis.
5/3
Literary analysis. Writing About Literature.
5/5
In-class essay.