College of Liberal Arts
Department of Languages and Literature
Fall 2020
Course Information
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ENGL1113
CRN: 202128.202120 AND 20121.202120
Credits: 3 hours
Title: Composition I
Instructor Name
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Instructor Email: hancoc07@nsuok.edu
Instructor Phone: 918-200-8733
Office Location: Haskell Hall Annex Rm. 240
Office Hours: Wednesdays 3pm-4pm, Fridays 9am-10am, and by appointment (face to face or
Zoom)
Course Delivery Method
Face to Face
Online
Workload/Credit Hour Statement
The federal definition of a credit hour requires one hour of instruction time and two hours of outof-class student work per credit per week [34 CFR 600.2]. By multiplying the number of credit
hours a course is worth by three clock hours’ instruction / preparation time, you can determine the
minimum average per week for “time on task.” For example, in a 3-credit online course, you
should plan on a minimum average of 9 hours per week of “time on task.” In online or blended
courses, the “traditional” credit hour contact hours are defined by the number of hours of “time on
task.” Time on task includes any time that students spend interacting with course materials and
participating in learning activities, including but not limited to readings, projects, assignments,
videos, student-student or student-professor interaction, and exams.
Class Days / Meeting Times
MWF 10:00 am - 10:50 am Business and Technology Building Rm 202
VCM option available
Course Prerequisites and/or Co-requisites
ENG 0123 if student scores below the qualifying score on the placement test. No major or minor
credit.
Catalog Description
Students develop skills in the processes and types of writing, critical reading, and critical thinking
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
and prepare to write in a variety of academic situations and disciplines across the curriculum.
Course Purpose / Goals
This course fulfills general education requirements that address the university’s Degrees
Excellence in Intellectual Skills. Students who complete this course will gain skills in Information
Literacy. Upon completion of Composition I, students will create texts applicable in a variety of
academic disciplines.
Student Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. analyze rhetorical strategies, including noting areas of agreement and disagreement.*
2. raise questions and problems, demonstrating a clear understanding of audience
through effective and coherent expository prose.*
3. evaluate diverse texts.
4. employ basic research skills to determine the extent of information needed to support
expository writing practices.*
5. access the needed information effectively and efficiently, addressing how texts address
different audiences and rhetorical situations.
6. evaluate the reliability of various information sources in different technologies,
modalities, and formats.
7. use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.
8. apply genre conventions.
9. write a research essay using academic standards for vocabulary, punctuation, and
grammatical constructions*
10. adapt composing processes for a variety of rhetorical situations.
11. develop flexible strategies for reading, drafting, reviewing, collaborating, revising,
rewriting, rereading, and editing
12. use information ethically, showing a basic understanding of citation practices,
intellectual property, and collaborative writing practices.
*indicates a general education requirement.
Description of Required Coursework
Students are required to write at least 16 pages (4500 words) of revised, finished prose, developed
through a process of invention, development, and revision. For Composition I, these texts will
focus on forms of expository, analytical, and evaluative writing. Students must turn in all four
major assignments in order to receive a passing grade in the class.
Point distribution will be as follows:
Essay 1 = 15%
Essay 2 = 20%
Essay 3 = 20%
Essay 4 = 25%
Class Assignments=10%
Final Exam = 10%
Your grade at the end of the semester will stand as follows:
A= 900-1000
B= 800-899
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
C = 700-799
D = 600-699
F= 0-599
All formal writing assignments will be evaluated based on the Academic Discourse Conventions,
the weights of which will vary from assignment to assignment. Individual assignments will
address particular aspects of Academic Literacy and the Enhancement of Individual
Development, and will be outlined separately.
Instructional Materials
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Discovering your Vision and Voice: A Rhetoric and Reader, 4th Edition, Fountainhead
Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-68036-945-8
Bullock, Richard, Michal Brody, and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook,
3rd ed, ISBN: 978-0-393-54567-8
Class and Instructor Policies
COVID-19 Absence Statement
Students who have a prolonged absence because of COVID-19 illness, who quarantine because of
exposure to coronavirus, or who must provide care for family members who are sick or
quarantined have the responsibility to 1) provide documentation to the Office of Student Affairs
and 2) contact their instructor within 24 hours of the first missed class meeting to arrange for
reasonable accommodations. Students will not be penalized for non-attendance due to
coronavirus-related reasons but still have the responsibility to make up any missed exams,
assignments, homework, etc. Students who have a temporary or permanent disability that may be
impacted by COVID-19 should contact Student Disability Services. Please review the following
documents for more detailed information: NSU Student Handbook: Absences,
Medical/Emergency Withdrawal, ADA; Faculty Handbook 10.2.4.a, 10.2.4.b, 10.3.2.
Attendance
The Department of Languages and Literature holds a standard attendance policy for all
Composition One and Two Courses that reads as follows:
The Faculty of the First Year Composition Program holds firmly to the belief in attendance and
participation; students must be present and participate in order even to have a chance at success.
Attendance will be taken each day. The policy is 3/5/7 as outlined below.
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3 unexcused/undocumented absences drops semester grade 10%;
5 unexcused/undocumented - 20%;
7 unexcused/undocumented - FAIL.
3 unexcused/undocumented tardies = 1 absence.
You are expected to attend every class meeting, including both in person and online sessions, and
will be penalized for absences. As noted throughout this syllabus, late work is always penalized.
In-class assignments or assignments scheduled for the missed class period will not be accepted
without prior instructor approval.
Your attendance and participation in each class meeting is important, as much of the class focuses
on responses to the material under consideration and application of ideas presented in the
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
readings and individual assignments. You will be expected to be prepared to contribute to the
discussions, have thoughtful observations, and to respond to challenges and comments from your
peers. You are a sounding board for your classmates, and they do the same for you, therefore your
absence negatively impacts their classroom experience as well.
Expectations for Using Zoom
For those attending this class in Zoom sessions, there is a level of etiquette expected as part of the
course. Please review these standards.
Policy on Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices
1. All electronic devices should be turned off at beginning of class unless they are being used for
legitimate classroom purposes (taking notes, research during authorized class periods). If you
are caught using these devices in an unauthorized way, or if they interrupt class discussion, I
WILL ask you to leave and you will lose credit for the day’s work. Repeat offenses will
receive increasingly severe penalties.
2. Computer Usage- No email, messaging, or web surfing after the beginning of the class, unless
authorized by the instructor as part of a research assignment or other class activity. If you are
caught doing these during class, I WILL ask you to leave and you will lose credit for the day’s
work.
3. Sexual Harassment- Directed toward any member of the class will not be tolerated under any
circumstances and will be reported. Please refer to Section 3.22 of the Faculty Handbook
(available online) for specific details.
Essay Revision Policy
Because academic writing is a process of constant learning, if you are dissatisfied with your
grades on any of the first three essays you will have the option to revise them to improve your
grade. All rewrites will be due within a week of the graded essays being returned. Essays turned
in late will not be eligible for revision. In order to receive an improved grade, the essay must
show substantive improvement and not merely correct issues noted in the previous draft. I am
willing to discuss individual revisions on a case-by-case basis
I am willing to look at, and comment on, student drafts at all stages of completion. Due to time
constraints and the need for rapid response to specific issues, I will not comment on drafts sent to
me less than 24 hours before the final draft of the assignment is due.
Late and Missed Assignments
Major assignments submitted after the beginning of the class on the date assigned will be
considered late and subject to a 10% grade reduction per 24-hour period. Daily assignments and
other activities submitted late will not receive credit, but will need to be accounted for. Should an
extension be needed for a major writing assignment, it is your responsibility to contact me prior
to the due date. Extensions will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Extra Credit
I occasionally offer extra credit assignments periodically throughout the semester. Specific
requirements for each assignment, and the subsequent value of the extra credit, will vary and will
be announced for each.
Policy on Student-Teacher Communication
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
I am your first point of contact for questions or concerns about your work in this class. My job is
to help you become a better writer and reader. If you should have any concerns, questions, and/or
problems, or simply want to discuss something of interest relevant to the class, please feel free to
come by my regular office hours or to make an appointment. I am actually a fairly understanding
individual and look forward to working with you throughout the semester. I am willing to discuss
issues that arise in class, but as the instructor I must follow university guidelines and
departmental policies in many decisions.
I try to respond to student emails in a timely manner (less than 24 hours), and it is my general
policy to return graded assignments promptly (typically the next class meeting for short
assignments, within 1 week for essays). If circumstances should arise which would prevent me
from adhering to these general timelines, I will address them in class or announce them via
Blackboard as soon as possible.
The Writing Center
The NSU Writing Center is an invaluable resource for writing assignments. The center can help
students in any stage of the writing process. You can schedule appointments at both the
Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses. Both campuses do have walk-in sessions, but scheduling
ahead is the best path.
Academic Policies / Required Information
Please go to the following weblink: Academic Affairs Syllabus Information link for required
information pertaining to:
 Academic Misconduct
 Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
 Behavioral Intervention Team
 Inclement Weather/Disaster Policy
 Release of Confidential Information
 Student Handbook
 Teach Act
 Textbook Information
 Title IX
Student Support
Students who may need assistance accessing sufficient food to eat every day, lack a safe and
stable place to live, or who may be experiencing mental health challenges impacting their
performance in the course are urged to contact Student Affairs or HawkReach Counseling
Services for support. Additional resources are available through the Food Pantry (NSU-BA) and
Rowdy's Resource Room (NSU-Tahlequah). An online report may also be submitted through the
Report Concern link.
Course Concerns or Complaints
Students who wish to express a concern about a course or academic issue are encouraged to
follow this process:
 First, talk with the instructor. If the situation is such that the student is concerned about
potential discomfort or retaliation, then the student is welcome to move to the next step
and contact the department chair without talking with the faculty member first.
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
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Second, if the instructor is unable to resolve the issue, the student may talk with the
department chair. If the student is uncertain as to who the department chair is, s/he can
contact the registrar with the course prefix and number, and that office can provide the
information.
 Third, if the department chair is unable to resolve the issue, then the student is welcome to
contact the dean's office.
Finally, if the dean is unable to resolve the issue, the student may contact Academic Affairs.
It is important that the student initiate action (not parents, partners, or other relatives) and begin
at the faculty or department chair level as most issues can be resolved there.
Grade Appeal
A student may petition a course grade change by using the Grade Appeals Process if satisfactory
resolution cannot be achieved after consultation with the instructor and/or Dean. The Grade
Appeals Process must be formally initiated with a written appeal to the Dean within four months
following awarding of the original course grade. Please contact the dean of the college in which
the grade was given for a copy of the grade appeals process and the conditions which allow for
the appeal of a course grade.
Class Calendar with Assignment Due Dates
Please note: In-class writing assignments, or assignments to be written prior to class, should be
assumed in addition to those specifically listed here. Please be aware that this schedule is not
absolutely inclusive, and additional assignments will be given throughout the semester. Also, this
schedule is subject to revision depending on class participation, projects, and unforeseen
circumstances that may necessitate revisions.
All readings should be read in preparation for the date on which they are assigned here. As noted
in the syllabus, this class is discussion oriented and you must be prepared to participate.
8/17- Go over Syllabus, Vocabulary
-Introductions
8/19- MLA Workshop and Vocabulary Worksheet
8/21- Citation Activity
8/24- Assign Essay One
8/26- Read Chapter One and Two in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
8/28- NO CLASS
Read for worksheet questions How to Make it in College pg 236. I will post the assignment on
Blackboard for you all to access that will be open from 10-2. If you miss it during this time
you will lose points as this takes the place of class since I will not be there.
8/31- I may cancel class as this is the first day back following my surgery. Check your email before
you come to class. In class activity if I make it there.😉
9/2- In-class work on Essay 1
9/4- Active Shooter Training with Captain James Bell
9/7- NO CLASS
9/9- Read Chapter Three in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
-Essay One due via Blackboard by midnight
9/11- Assign Essay Two, due 10/5 (Ms. Brown will be your sub)
9/14- Read for Discussion (Ms. Brown will be your sub)
-Take This Fish and Look at It pg 223 and What Does it Mean to be Well-Educated pg 226
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
9/16- Library Lab #105: Session One – Discovery Searching
9/18- Importance of Editing Discussion (Ms. Brown will be your sub)
9/21- Read Chapter Four in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
9/23- Fallacy in Media Discussion
9/25- Fallacy Activity
9/28- Read for Discussion
Somewhere Sequoyah is Weeping pg 83
9/30- Library Lab #105: Session Two – Periodical/Database Searching
10/2- Catch up day
10/5- Peer Review Essay Two
-Essay Two due via Blackboard by midnight
10/7- Assign Essay Three
10/9- Read W-14 Annotated Bibliographies in the Seagull Handbook pg 74
10/12- Read for Discussion
-Want Better Journalism? Pg 127 and The Historian as Artist pg 231
10/14- Read Chapter Five in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
10/16- Seagull Activity pg 470
10/19- In Class Activity
10/21- Read Chapter Six in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
10/23- Seagull Activity L-6 pg 453
10/26- Read W-7 Arguments in Seagull Handbook pg 43
10/28- Read for Discussion
-Learning by Playing pg 209 in Discovering Your Vision and Voice
10/30- Activity
11/2- Catch up day
11/4- Assign Essay Four
-Read W-11 Literary Analyses in Seagull Handbook pg 62
11/6- Read for Discussion
-The Partly Cloudy Patriot pg 241
11/9- Read R-4 Integrating Sources, Avoid Plagiarism in Seagull Handbook pg 107
11/11- Argument discussion and activity
11/13- Read R1-3 in Seagull Handbook pgs 90-107
11/16- Activity
11/18- Individual meeting with me
11/20- Individual meeting with me
11/23- No Class
11/25- No Class
11/27- No Class
11/30- End of Semester Review
12/2 - Peer Review Essay Four
-Essay Four due via Blackboard by midnight on 12/6
12/4- Go over final
Approved by Academic Council – May 3, 1994
Updated – January 27, 2010
Approved by President’s Cabinet – February 23, 2010
Revised Fall 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019