English 1301 and 1302 general information
Instructor
Name: Paula Jay
Office hours: Before school and after school --Room 101
Class Hours: 1st and 2nd periods: 7:30 -8:20; 8:30-9:20
Phone: 281-634-2626
Email: paula.jay@fortbend.k12.tx.us; haljay@hal-pc.org
Text: The Writer’s Presence , 6th ed. and The Little, Brown Handbook, 10th ed
COURSE INFORMATION
1. ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT:
The purpose of the English Department is to provide courses that transfer to four-year colleges; introduce
students to literature from diverse traditions; prepare students to write clear, communicative, wellorganized, and detailed prose; and develop students reading, writing, and analytical skills.
2. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
English 1301 is a course devoted to improving the student's writing and critical reading. The course
involves writing essays for a variety of purposes from personal to academic, including the introduction to
argumentation, critical analysis, and the use of sources. English 1301 is a core curriculum course.
3. COURSE PURPOSE (from HCCS Freshman Composition Core Curriculum):
English 1301 is designed to help students write multi-paragraph expository, analytical, and argumentative
essays that have the following qualities:

clarity in purpose and expression,

appropriate and sensible organization,

sound content, including applications of concepts from and references to assigned readings,

completeness in development,

unity and coherence,

appropriate strategies of development,

sensitivity to audience

effective choice of words and sentence patterns,

grammatical and mechanical correctness, and

appropriate MLA citation format.
4. EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES (COURSE OBJECTIVES) FOR ENGLISH 1301: By the time
students have completed English 1301, they will

understand writing as a connected and interactive process which includes planning, shaping, drafting,
revising, editing, and proofreading;

apply writing process to out-of-class writing;

apply writing process as appropriate to in-class, impromptu writing situations, thus showing an ability
to communicate effectively in a variety of writing situations (such as essay exams and standardized
writing tests like the TEKS);

apply suggestions from evaluated compositions to other writing projects;

understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections, in
developing expository essays, and writing argumentative essays;

apply concepts from and use references to assigned readings in developing essays;

analyze elements of purpose, audience, tone, style, and writing strategy in essays by professional
writers

complete short writing assignments, journal entries, reading quizzes, and other activities to strengthen
basic thinking and writing skills

understand and appropriately apply various methods of development in writing assignments;

avoid faulty reasoning in all writing assignments;

fulfill the writing requirements of the course, writing at least 5,000 words during the semester.
5. EDUCATIONAL COMPETENCIES IN HCCS CORE CURRICULUM
Reading: Reading material at the college level means having the ability to analyze and interpret a variety
of printed materials--books, articles, and documents.
Writing: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent
prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct grammar, spelling and
punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a
topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities
are acquired through practice and reflection.
Speaking: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive
language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of
spoken communication.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative
skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to construct alternative strategies. Problem
solving is one of the applications of critical thinking used to address an identified task.
Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computerbased technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Core-educated
students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of
technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become
available.
6. EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (in HCCS Catalog):
 To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization,
drafting, revising, editing, and presenting.

To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate
communication choices.

To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression (descriptive, expositive, narrative,
scientific, and self-expressive)

To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and
responding.

To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical
proficiency in the development of exposition and argument.

To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or to give an oral presentation.
7. ATTENDANCE POLICY, RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, CLASS ROLLS
The College has an attendance policy that states a student may be dropped after he or she misses more
than 12.5 percent (or six hours) of instruction. The college course attendance can be totally separate from
the high school attendance since there are fewer class days in the college semester.
8. WITHDRAWAL POLICY
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. For example,
if you repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay extra tuition. Beginning in the fall of
2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering students to no more than six total
course withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a certificate or baccalaureate degree.
There may be future penalties imposed.
If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are earning as a final grade
rather than a “W.” This grade (due to missing classes and missing work) will probably be an “F. Please
note the withdrawal deadlines on your student calendars on the HCC website.
You should visit with your instructor, an HCC counselor, or Online Student Services to learn what, if any,
HCC interventions might be offered to assist you to stay in class and improve your performance. Such
interventions could include tutoring, childcare, financial aid, and job placement.
HOW TO DROP
 If a student decides to withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options,
the student can withdraw online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student
Center.
 HCC and/or professors may withdraw students for excessive absences without
notification (see Class Attendance below).
 Students should check HCC’s Academic Calendar by Term for withdrawal dates
and deadlines. Classes of other duration (flex-entry, 8-weeks, etc.) may have different
final withdrawal deadlines. Please contact the HCC Registrar’s Office at 713.718.8500 to
determine mini-term class withdrawal deadlines.
9. INCLEMENT WEATHER
We will follow the Fort Bend openings and closings.
10. STATEMENT ON SPECIAL CONDITIONS
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
It is a violation of HCC policy for an employee, agent, or student of the College to engage in sexual harassment as
defined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines. Any student who has a complaint
concerning this policy has the opportunity to seek resolution of such a complaint in accordance with procedures set
forth in the Student Handbook. Report any complaints immediately to College Administration or call the Institutional
Equity & Compliance Office 713.718.8271.
DISABILITY SERVICES
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support
Services Office at the beginning of each semester. Professors are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office
11. ENGLISH TUTORING
The Southwest College offers free individual tutoring each semester at the Greenbriar Learning Center,
the Scarcella Center, West Loop Campus, and the Alief Campus. We also offer on-line tutoring at the
MyCompLab site and through Ask Online.
A tutor is available at the Scarcella Center Writing Lab (E113) from 2:30-5:30 on Tuesday and Thursday.
The online tutoring program can be accessed at askonline.com.
Free online tutoring for ALL HCC students:
Registration is simple:
Go to www.hccs.askonline.net
Use your own email address
Choose a user name and password YOU will remember
Put your HCC student ID number in the COMMENT BOX
Submit questions and papers anytime and get an answer within 24 hours.
Get help with math, science and papers in all subjects
12. OPEN COMPUTER LABS
The Southwest College offers an open computer lab for students. Students are welcome to use the
facilities for writing and researching. Check each semester for the hours.
13. LIBRARY (Learning Resource Center)
The Southwest College has a Learning Resource Center at each campus for student and faculty use.
Stafford: 713-718-782
West Loop: 713-718-7880
The HCC library is available via the web site. http://library.hccs.edu
Library services are available throughout HCC. Through a daily library delivery service and a
listing of all materials belonging to HCC libraries, books may be requested from and delivered to
any campus library. HCC also has cooperative borrowing agreements with the University of
Houston libraries and provides a copy of the Houston Public library catalog at each library.
These arrangements provide students with access to over 4 million volumes.
Special services provided by the library system include photocopying facilities; specialized
equipment for disabled students; group and personalized instruction in library use, including a
self-instructional media program to orient students to the use of the HCCS libraries; a “term
paper” workshop; and online bibliographic search services.
14. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
According to the 2010-2011 Student Handbook for the Houston Community College System:
“Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course
requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by college district officials
against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. ‘Scholastic dishonesty’ includes, but is not limited to,
cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion” (13).
‘Cheating’ on a test includes:
-- Copying from another student’s test paper;
--Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;
--Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
--Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of an unadministered test;
--Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
‘Plagiarism’ means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation
of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
‘Collusion’ means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit.
Please note the possible consequences of such dishonesty, as stated in the 2010-2011 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
district. A recommendation for suspension or expulsion will
be referred to the college Dean of Instruction for disciplinary disposition. Students have the right to
appeal the decision” (13).
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarized papers or projects will receive a grade of “0” (zero) -- no exceptions. Cheating or collusion
will also result in a grade of “0” (zero) on that paper or project. Plagiarism or collusion on a second major
assignment will result in a zero in the course. Students need to be aware that the instructor will be
utilizing plagiarism software and internet sources to check student work for potential plagiarism. This will
be discussed in more detail during class lecture.
Link to Student Handbook:
http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Student_Handbook/2010-stuhandbook.pdf
All students are responsible for following the rules and guidelines related to student conduct as outlined in
the HCC Student Handbook.
HCC Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90 (4 points per semester hour); B = 89 – 80 (3 points per semester hour); C = 79 – 70 (2 points
per semester hour); D = 69 – 60 (1 point per semester hour); 59 and below = F (0 points per semester
hour); *IP [In Progress] (0 points per semester hour); W [Withdrawn] (0 points per semester hour); *I
[Incomplete] (0 points per semester hour); AUD [Audit] (0 points per semester hour)
15. TESTING AND MAKE-UP POLICY
All dates for graded works will be clearly indicated on the calendar. All instructions for each assignment
will be included. Calendars are always posted on the Fort Bend web site. fortbend.k12.tx.us; campuses;
Elkins; courses; College Now; resources; calendars.
Make-up Policy:
Students will be allowed to take make-up exams (midterm and final exams) if they have medical or
unforeseen emergencies. Students will be responsible for contacting the instructor and providing
documentation of the emergency situation. Students are strongly encouraged to avoid taking this measure
and the make-up exam will be an entirely different format from the original exam administered in class on
the scheduled date. *No makeup reading quizzes will be given.
16. LATE PAPER POLICY
All assignments are required to be submitted at the beginning of class the date they are due. Due dates are
posted on your syllabus and/or assignment page. Please keep a copy of your papers for your own files.
Should a paper be lost, it is your responsibility to give me another copy. I do not lose papers The English
Department considers a two week turnaround for the return of a major essay an appropriate timeframe.
1. All out of class work will be typed and must be submitted to turnitin.com.
2. Late work will lose 20 points per day for major work. No late daily work is accepted.
3. All work is due at the start of class. Place all papers in the yellow basket on the table.
4. All out of class writing will be corrected. No corrections—grade becomes a 50.
5. Follow the calendar and be prepared.
17. IMPORTANT DATES
Check you calendars for all assignment due dates. All graded work will be shown on the calendar which
is also always posted on the Elkins web site—fortbend.k12.tx.us; campuses; Elkins; courses; College
Now; resources; calendars
Important Dates:
August 27:
August 30:
August 30:
September 5:
November 3:
November 23:
November 24-27:
December 11:
December 11:
December 12-18:
December 18:
December 19:
December 23:
Classes Begin, Drop/Add/Swap Fee ($15.00) Begins
Registration Ends
Last Day for Drop/Add/Swap
Offices Closed Labor Day Holiday
Last Day for Administrative /Student Withdrawals (4:30pm)
No Night Classes before Thanksgiving
Offices Close Thanksgiving Holiday
Instruction Ends
DE Final Exams
Final Exams for 16 week semester ‘Face to Face’ Courses
Semester Ends
Grades Due by Noon
Grades Available to Students
18. APPROPRIATE USE OF RECORDING DEVICES
Use of Cameras and Recording Devices
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms,
laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. These
devices are also not allowed to be used in campus restrooms. Students with disabilities who need to use a
recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
Inappropriate use of a recording device will be reported to the police and may be a felony offense.
ONLINE TUTORING
HCC provides free online tutoring in writing, math, science, and other subjects. Look for Ask
Online on your Blackboard log-in page. This directs students to the HCC AskOnline Tutoring
site: http://hccs.askonline.net/. Use your student ID or HCC e-mail address to create an
account. Instructions, including a 5-minute video, are provided to make you familiar with the
capabilities of this service.
**HCC ONLINE TUTORING: HCC also provides an online tutoring program. The url for this tutoring
option is: http://hccs.askonline.net. There is also a link to this service on the start-up page for the DE class
in the upper right hand corner of the screen. A flyer with more information and the link are also posted on
my HCC Learning Web page http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/sabrena.belz. Students will be
required to submit rough drafts of their essays to the HCC online tutor center per instructor directions. *In
order to use HCC's Online Tutoring, students must first register with www.hccs.askonline.net , and to do
that they must use their HCC student “W” number and password. Students with old accounts from last
semester may continue to use their old user names and passwords. If they have forgotten one and/or the
other, they should e-mail deborah.hardwick@hccs.edu or Sandra.vaughn@hccs.edu with their full names.
_______________________________________________________________________
HCC Student Email Accounts
All students who have registered and paid for courses at HCC automatically have an HCC email account
generated for them. Once you log on to your account, send a new email message to your personal email
account; then check the message you receive so you can write down your HCC email address as it appears
in the message. The standard email setup is the following: firstname.lastname@student.hccs.edu –
however, in the case of name duplication or misspelled names in the system, you may find a slight
alteration in the standard setup such as a number after your name. Even though I am requiring you to use
your Blackboard email for the purposes of this DE course, you should also consider using your HCC
account to communicate with all of your HCC professors when sending email outside of Blackboard.
Open Computer Lab
You have free access to the Internet and word processing in the open computer lab in the Scarcella
Science Center (Stafford Campus), the lab in the Stafford Library located in the Learning HUB, the Alief
Campus, and the West Loop Campus. Check the door of the open computer labs for hours of operation.
All HCCS students are welcome to utilize this resource. If students wish to print in the open labs, a fee is
charged (10 cents per page). I have also posted a link on my Learning Web page for the Open Lab hours
of operation and phone numbers.
19. TURNITIN.COM
All out of class papers will be submitted to turnitin.com. Be sure you have registered and are listed in the
class. Papers not submitted will not be graded.
20. 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.
Your job is to keep me happy—I stay happy when you do your assignments on time,
come prepared to discuss, participate in class, and contribute to the learning
environment.
I plan to have fun this semester; I hope you will too.