Welcome to English Composition I
Engl 1301 - Spring 2010,
Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Room 316
3 Credit Hours / 48 hours per semester
Lecture / Core Curriculum
INSTRUCTOR:
Robert M. Jeffers
OFFICE:
n/a
CONTACT:
robert.jeffers@hccs.edu
TEXT:
The Writer’s Presence,6th ed., ed. by Donald McQuade and
Robert Atwan
Course Description:
A course devoted to improving the student’s writing and critical reading. Writing essays for a
variety of purposes from personal to academic, including an introduction to argumentation,
critical analysis, and the use of sources.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Course Goals:
In English 1301, we seek to provide writing instruction and practice that will help students
master writing the short essay while developing critical reading skills. We believe that in
mastering this particular kind of writing, students will also gain skills that will permit them to be
successful at writing tasks in other college courses, their careers, and in their personal lives.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.
2.
Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections, developing
expository essays, and writing argumentative essays.
3.
Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays and/or literature
by professional writers.
4.
Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical strategies.
5.
Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their own academic
writing.
Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate writing as a connected and interactive process which includes planning, shaping,
drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading;
2. Demonstrate critical abilities when discussing texts in class and in writing assignments by
delving into the meanings and implications behind the issues, theses, or themes;
3. Analyze texts by professional writers and write critical essays breaking down rhetorical
elements into parts, examining the parts, and showing their effect;
4 Apply various methods of development and organization, and / or rhetorical appeals in written
assignments;
5. Demonstrate effective use and documentation of sources in support of student ideas in
informative and/or persuasive essays.
Prerequisites:
A satisfactory assessment score, completion of English 0310 or (for non-native speakers) English
0349.
Minimum Writing Requirement:
Minimum of 5000 words during the semester.
CORE Curriculum Competencies:
This course stresses the HCC CORE Competencies of reading, writing, speaking, listening,
critical thinking, and computer literacy.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance to all classes is expected. Should you anticipate an absence, please notify the
instructor in advance. An excessive number of absences will prohibit the successful
completion of this course. If you should miss a class, it is the student’s responsibility to
obtain lecture notes and assignments from a classmate.
Anyone who has missed SIX hours of class may be dropped from the course or may receive
a final grade of "F" if the final drop day has passed.
WITHDRAWALS
If a student misses more than 6 hours of class, excused or non-excused absences, the student may
be dropped from the course. Three tardies equal one absence. Leaving early is the same as a
tardy. If students stop attending the class, it is their responsibility to formally withdraw.
For all students, if you wish to withdraw, it is recommended that you submit the withdrawal form
in the registration office. However, before you withdraw from any class, please consider the
following carefully:
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively.
For example, if you take the same course more than two times, you have to pay extra tuition. In
2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting new students (those starting college in Fall
2007) to no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in
obtaining a baccalaureate degree. There may be future penalties imposed.
Please ask your instructor or counselor about opportunities for tutoring or other assistance prior to
considering course withdrawal. In consideration of the above law, I will not give “W” as a grade
option unless you have submitted the withdrawal form yourself before the deadline for
withdrawal. I will only give whatever grades are earned (A, B, C, D, or F) by you. Other
instructors may have different rules concerning giving "W" grade. Please read the syllabus for
each of your classes to be informed of the rules.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your
student Visa. Once a W is given for the course (after you have submitted a withdrawal form
officially), it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the
International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and
other transfer issues.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Behave like adults, and you will be treated like adults. Or, if you prefer:
The college classroom is a place for adult men and women to come together with the
common purpose of improving their intellectual and academic skills. All students deserve a
classroom environment that is free of interruptions or distractions that impede learning.
Because active participation in class discussions is essential, it is important that all students
are fully prepared for class each day. Any student who arrives unprepared, sleeps in class,
or is disruptive will be asked to leave class.
ASSIGNMENTS
This is a writing class. To learn baking, you have to bake; to learn carpentry, you have to work
with wood; to learn writing, you have to write. 8 papers will be assigned, as well as two in-class
essay exams. All assignments and their respective due dates will be announced in class.
Requirements for the papers are listed below. All in-class exams must be submitted in a Blue
Book. No exceptions will be allowed.
All Papers written outside of class must:
1. Be Typed
Format for typed papers: double spaced, font no larger than Times New Roman 11, or its
equivalent
If you can’t possibly get your paper typed, let me know.
The research paper MUST be typed. NO EXCEPTIONS. (Exceptions for extraordinary
circumstances may be made. Ask me if you have an insurmountable problem.)
2. Be Stapled
Any out of class paper that is not stapled together when it is turned in will not be accepted.
You are responsible for all pages of the paper being present, in proper order, and attached to
one another.
A stapler will be provided for papers written in class.
3. Include a heading or title page
If a heading, it should be in the upper right hand corner with:
Student’s name
Date
“English 1301”
If a title page, the same information can be simply centered on the page.
All papers requiring citation to sources (please refer to the notes and definitions of
“plagiarism” in this syllabus for further clarification) must conform to MLA style. The rule of
thumb in this class will be: “When in doubt, cite.”
All assignments are to be completed and submitted to the instructor on the scheduled due
date. All papers are due at the beginning of class on the date they are due. No late
assignments will be accepted.
Exams:
There will be two exams, both in the classroom. The mid-term exam will be on Wednesday,
October 13, 2010. Exams must be taken on or before the scheduled time and date. Students
with special needs or circumstances must contact the instructor BEFORE the scheduled
exam in order to make different arrangements.
Student Assignments:
The following are examples of the types of assignments which will be made over the semester:
Personal Narrative or Memoir: One 750+ word out-of-class reflective essay that requires
narration and description, including figurative language and imagery. Basic sentence structure
will be reviewed for the purposes of writing sentences effectively with variety, emphasis, and
correctness.
Critical Analysis: 750+ word out-of-class essay comparing two essays in the text. The goal is to
break down a topic into smaller parts for discussion via content, argument, organization, style,
persuasive strategies, etc.
Informative Essay: 750+ word out-of-class essay informing the reader about a topic of interest
which includes primary research via detailed observations, surveys, and interviews. Any of the
developmental and organizational strategies may be used.
Midterm Analysis: 600+ word in-class essay that critically analyzes the essay handed out to the
student the day of the exam.
Persuasive Essay: 1000+ out-of-class essay that focuses on an ethical issue, which will require
some research as well as the use of MLA documentation, including parenthetical references and
a works cited page. This essay also focuses on the effective use of the three appeals of logic,
emotion, and credibility.
Final: 600+ word in-class persuasive essay chosen from three topics presented to the class at the
time of the exam.
Department Rule on In-Class Essay Exams:
The English department has a long-standing rule regarding the importance of in-class essays. If
the average of the midterm and final in-class essays falls below a 70 (C) the course grade
will be the average of those two essays, that is, either a “D” or an “F”.
Please note the following requirements:
1. All major writing assignments must be completed to pass the course. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
2. All accompanying documentation must be submitted with each major assignment. Make
sure you get everything you will need to submit documentation and do a Works Cited
page.
3. Plagiarism will earn a “0” for that assignment and may not be made up.
4. Essays will be returned from one to two weeks after the submission date. Please do not
ask me about when papers will be returned.
5. Papers not submitted in class should be directed to the English Department secretary.
DO NOT GIVE PAPERS TO THE RECEPTIONIST OR LEAVE THEM IN MY
MAILBOX. The departmental secretary MUST date, initial and time your envelope. She
will forward your paper to me. Your name and class must be on the front of the
envelope.
6. Keep a hard copy of all assignments you submit.
Grading Policy:
Final grades are determined by averaging the total of each area listed below.
8 Papers
Mid Term and Final
Exam
10% each
10% each
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 – 60
F = 59 and below
Grading Criteria:
A – Student demonstrates superior ability, skill and originality. Possesses
thorough knowledge of material and consistently submits high quality work that is
adapted to audience and the rhetorical context.. Exceptional quality.
· B – Student shows above average ability, but nothing distinguished. Usually goes
beyond what is required. Work is largely free of rhetorical and stylistic errors.
Adheres to instructions. Good work.
· C – Average work which adequately treats assignment. Contains some errors,
i.e., mechanical, stylistic, rhetorical, proofreading. Work adheres to instructions
sometimes.
· D – Below average work, but not failing. Inadequate development of assignment,
poorly focused writing indicating writer’s uncertainty of task. Shows little
originality and skill. Student rarely adheres to specified guidelines. Work
frequently contains errors.
· F – Student consistently turns in unacceptable work which is sloppy, poorly
organized, fails to meet requirements and contains excessive errors in style and
logic. Student never meets deadlines and demonstrates no interest and little effort
in work.
HCC Policy Statements:
 Discipline: As your instructor and as a student in this class, our shared responsibility is
to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. I take this
responsibility seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it
difficult for me to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the
learning needs of your classmates and to assist me achieve this critical goal. (See
Student Handbook)

Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not
showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage
not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each
student’s individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a
level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and
enforcing roles. You are expected to be familiar with the HCC’s policy on Academic
Honesty found in the catalogue. What that means is that if you are charged with an
offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you.
Just so there is no misunderstanding, plagiarism (using another's ideas or words without
giving credit), Collusion (unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
written work offered for credit), and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. To be
accepted, all papers require proof of their development. Students who plagiarize,
collude, or cheat may face disciplinary action including the grade of 0 for the
assignment, an F for the course, and/or dismissal from the college. For more on
plagiarism, see "Plagiarism" in The New McGraw-Hill Handbook, second edition. (See
Student Handbook)
Special Needs: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is
authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services
Office. For questions, please contact Donna Price at 713.718.5165 or the Disability Counselor at
your college. To visit the ADA Web site, please visit www.hccs.edu then click Future students,
scroll down the page and click on the words Disability Information.

Northwest ADA Counselor – Mahnaz Kolaini – 713.718.5422
Additional Support:

Tutoring and Writing Centers
On-Campus tutors in the Katy Campus Writing Center, Room 321, which is located
across from the third floor Library. Look for posted hours or call 713-718-5841.
o Writing Center at Spring Branch Campus, South Hall, Room 703. Look for posted hours
or call 713-718-5889.
On-Line Tutors: http://askonline.net
o
TENTATIVE LECTURE OUTLINE:
WEEK
NUMBER
1
READING ASSIGNMENT
.
Reference Chapters
or text pages
Introductory Lecture
Narrative
“Me Talk Pretty One Day,” by David Sedaris
“Origins,” by Barack Obama
2
(Labor
Day
Holiday)
p. 235
p. 194
Narrative
“My Speech at West Point,” by Marjane Satrapi
“American Pie,” by Hanna Miller
p. 230
p. 479
p. 660
p. 301
3
Narrative
“Why McDonald’s Fries Taste So Good,” by Erich Schlosser
p. 528
Description
“Living like Weasels,” by Annie Dillard
“The Death of the Moth,” by Virginia Woolf
4
p. 660
p. 601
Images
“Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire,” by Errol Morris
“The Boston Photographs,” by Nora Ephron
p. 775
p. 676
Examples
“And Aint’ I a Woman?,” by Sojourner Truth
“Corn-pone Opinions,” by Mark Twain
p. 874
p. 878
p. 522
5
Examples
“The Declaration of Independence,” by Thomas Jefferson
p. 705
Process
“‘This is the End of the World’: The Black Death,” by Barbara
Ehrenreich
6
p. 548
Process
“The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me,” by Sherman
Alexie
Causation
p. 13
“Why Boys Don’t Play with Dolls,” by Katha Pollitt
“Drugs,” by Gore Vidal
7
p. 522
p. 883
Analogies
“The Net is a Waste of Time,” by William Gibson
p. 691
Mid-Term Exam
8
Analogies
“I have a Dream,” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
p. 715
Classification
“Sex, Drugs, Disasters, and the Extinction of Dinosaurs,” by Stephen
Jay Gould
9
Classification
“On Dumpster Diving,” by Lars Eighner
“The Witches of Salem Village,” by Kai Erikson
10
p. 730
Argument
“Family Values,” by Barbara Ehrenreich
“Everything You Need to Know about Writing Successfully—in Ten
Minutes,” by Stephen King
14
Thanksgi
ving
Holiday
15
p. 697
p. 564
Argument
“Letter from Birmingham Jail,” by Martin Luther King,
13
p. 318
p. 748
p. 592
Argument
“What’s Wrong with Animal Rights,” by Vicki Hearne
How Computers Change the Way We Think, by Sherry Turkle
12
p. 355
p. 376
Definition
“The Insufficiency of Honesty,” by Stephen Carter
“Against Love,” by Laura Kipnis
“A Traditional Family,” by Calvin Trillin
11
p. 417
p. 669
p. 440
Argument
“A Modest Proposal,” by Jonathan Swift
p 866
Stories
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” by Sherman
Alexie
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?,” by Joyce Carol
Oates
p. 909
p. 929