RANGER COLLEGE
ERATH COUNTY CAMPUS
STEPHENVILLE, TX
____________________________________________________________________________
__
COURSE SYLLABUS
AND
INSTRUCTOR PLAN
COMPOSITION I
English 1301
3 credit hours
INSTRUCTOR:
CRYSTAL TARPLEY
COMPOSITION I
ENGL 1301
1
Instructor Information
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office Phone:
Conference Hours:
Crystal Tarpley
ctarpley@rangercollege.edu
254-485-9429
By appointment after 4:00 p.m.
Course Description
This is a course in essay composition. A knowledge of spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, and
paragraph generation is needed for entrance into this course. The study focuses on various patterns of
exposition and includes instruction and practice in writing brief, semi-formal research papers, preceded by
an overview of grammar basics.
Texas Core Curriculum Statement of Purpose
Students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world,
develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance
intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning.
Required Text and Materials
Title: Prentice Hall Reader
Editor: George Miller
Edition: Eleventh
Publisher: Longman
ISBN: 978-0-321-89971-2
Title: The DK Handbook
Authors: Anne Frances Wysocki and Dennis A. Lynch
Edition: Third
Publisher: Longman
ISBN: 978-0-205-86379-2
Core Objectives
This course directly meets the following of the six Core Objectives:
● Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation,
and synthesis of information
● Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data
or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
● Teamwork: To include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with
others to support a shared purpose or goal
● Personal Responsibility: To include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences
to ethical decision-making
Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility,
and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
2
COMPOSITION I
ENGL 1301
Methods of Instruction
This is a multimedia class, and as such may include lectures, assigned readings, discussions,
group projects, videos, electronic documents, PowerPoints, and more.
Methods of Assessment
Each of these assessments addresses one or more of the Core Objectives: Critical Thinking
Skills (CT), Communication Skills (COM), Teamwork (TW), and Personal Responsibility (PR)
● Essays (CT, COM): Students will write three essays and one research paper and will
participate in writing-related activities throughout the semester as prescribed by the
instructor. These writings are evaluated by the ability to develop a thesis statement in
the introduction, support the thesis statement in the body, and demonstrate unity and
focus. They will demonstrate students’ proper use of grammar, punctuation, sentence
structure, and spelling. The research paper will require proper documentation of sources
using MLA format. The assignments will be composed during allocated time periods and
will be graded according to clearly specified criteria (see “Essay Grading Criteria” on
page 4 of this syllabus).
● Quizzes (CT): Quizzes will assess the adequate completion of assigned readings and
students’ understanding of grammatical concepts.
● Reading and Homework (PR): Students are expected to complete assigned readings
outside of class. These readings may come from the official course textbooks or from
other sources chosen by the instructor.
● Collaborative Revising/Editing (COM, CT, TW, PR): Students will participate in small
groups face-to-face and via google docs for response, revising and editing assignments.
● Final Exam (CT, COM): All students will take the final exam. No exemptions are
allowed.
Grading
To pass the class, students must achieve at least a 70% overall grade.
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
Student grades will be made up of the following components:
● Major Writing (3 Essays & Research Paper) 60%
● Rough Drafts
10%
● Quizzes and Homework
15%
● Final Exam
15%
3
COMPOSITION I
ENGL 1301
●
●
●
●
●
ESSAY GRADING CRITERIA
An A paper (90-100%) is excellent in nearly all respects. It shows originality of thought
that goes well beyond material presented in class. It is well argued and well organized
with a clear, specific, and ambitious thesis. It is well-developed with content that is
specific, interesting, appropriate, and convincing. It has logical and artful transitions and
is marked by stylistic finesse and varied sentence structures. It demonstrates command
of mature diction and has few, if any, mechanical, grammatical, spelling, or diction
errors.
A B paper (80-89%) is excellent in several respects but may have a less sophisticated
thesis, a less distinguished style, some minor lapses in organization and development,
some ineffective sentence structures, and some minor mechanical, grammatical,
spelling, or diction problems.
A C paper (70-79%) is generally competent, but compared to a B paper, it may have a
weaker thesis and less effective style and development. It may contain some lapses in
organization, poor or awkward transitions, less varied sentence structures that tend
toward choppiness or monotony, and significant problems with mechanics, grammar,
spelling, and diction.
A D paper (60-69%) is below average and may present a thesis that is too vague or too
obvious to be developed effectively. It generally exhibits problems with organization,
support, transitions, sentence structure, mechanics, grammar, spelling, and diction that
impede understanding.
An F paper (59% and below) is far below average and may have no clear thesis or
central topic. It may display a lack of organization, support, and development. It may
contain major and repeated problems with mechanics, grammar, spelling, diction, and
may fail to fulfill the assignment or may be unacceptably brief.
Blackboard: Please familiarize yourself with the Blackboard online course management system
(available through Ranger College’s Website) since this class will use it for delivering some
coursework and maintaining grades.
Email: All students are required to be familiar with Google apps and to upload them on their
phone/mobile device: gmail (this will be your Ranger student email), Google Drive, and Google
Docs.
4
COMPOSITION I
ENGL 1301
CLASSROOM POLICIES
1. Absences: If a student has the equivalence of three weeks of unofficial absences in a
course in which he/she is currently enrolled, the instructor may drop the student with a
grade of “F.” Unofficial absences are counted from the first day of class as listed in the
College Calendar, regardless of the date of the student’s registration. The only official
absence is an authorized school activity or extracurricular event. All work and/or
assignments missed because of an official absence must be completed in the time
allowed according to district policy.
2. Late Work: Late papers will receive a grade of zero.
3. Participation: Students are expected to participate in class discussions and come to
class having completed the assigned readings.
4. Cheating/Plagiarism: Any assignment reflecting cheating, plagiarism or any other form
of academic dishonesty will receive a grade of zero. A second instance of plagiarism
results in automatic failure of the class.
5. Personal Conduct: Adult behavior is expected of all students at all times. Misconduct,
including sleeping in class, will be punishable by immediate dismissal from class.
Students are expected to maintain classroom decorum that includes respect for other
students and the instructor, as well as an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the
education opportunity represented by enrollment in this class and Ranger College.
6. Tutorials: Tutoring is available upon request.
7. ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with
learning and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial
contact with the Ranger College Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or
immediately after the semester begins.
8. Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Students should not text or use
phones/electronic devices in class unless instructed to do so for class purposes only.
5
COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE
Week 1
Course Introduction and Diagnostic Writing Sample
Grammar Basics (Fragments, independent and dependent clauses, simple,
compound, complex, compound/complex sentence structures)
Week 2
Grammar Basics (Commas with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions)
Introduction to Descriptive/Narrative Essay
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Activity
Week 3
Grammar Basics (Comma Splice and Run-on Sentences)
Discussion of Chapters 2 and 3 of Prentice Hall Reader
Week 4
1st Rough Draft of Descriptive Narrative Essay Due
Imagery and other figurative language in writing
Making your writing active
Week 5
2nd Rough Draft of Descriptive Narrative Essay Due (Peer Collaboration)
Discussion of pages 1-30 of Prentice Hall Reader
Sample Summary of “Teach Diversity With a Smile” by Barbara Ehrenreich
Week 6
Descriptive Narrative Portfolio Due at beginning of class
Introduction to Summary/Response Essay
Sample Response of “Teach Diversity With a Smile” by Barbara Ehrenreich
Double-Entry Log of Deborah Tannen’s essay “How Male and Female Students
Use Language Differently”
Week 7
Discussion of Tannen’s essay
Combining summary and response
Discussion of MLA In-text quotations and Work Cited
Week 8
Rough Draft of Summary/Response Due (Peer Collaboration)
Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
Week 9
Summary/Response Portfolio Due at the beginning of class
Grammar Basics (semi-colons, colons, dashes, and parenthesis)
Review of Compare/Contrast essay development
Week 10
Rough Draft of Compare/Contrast Essay Due (Peer Collaboration)
Introduction to Persuasive Argument Research Paper
Week 11
Compare/Contrast Essay Portfolio Due
Discussion of Gathering information, credibility of sources
Week 12
MLA Documentation
Continued work on research
6
Week 13
Rough Draft of Persuasive Research Essay Due (Peer Collaboration)
Week 14
No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday
Revise/Edit Rough Draft
Week 15
Persuasive Research Essay Portfolio Due at beginning of class
Review for the Final Exam
Week 16
Final Exam
ADMISSIONS, EMPLOYMENT, AND PROGRAM POLICIES OF RANGER
COLLEGE ARE NONDISCRIMINATORY IN REGARD TO RACE,
CREED, COLOR, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN.
7
RECEIPT AND UNDERSTANDING OF SYLLABUS
After our review of the syllabus, you understand the following:
1. You must use your school issued email address. Because of the nature of this course,
communication is essential. If you cannot access your school email address, please see the
registrar as soon as possible to rectify the problem.
2. If you are going to be absent for any reason, it is up to you to get any notes from that
week’s lecture. Do not say, “I was gone. Did I miss anything?” The answer is always yes, you
missed something. Please ask your classmates for their notes.
3. All assignments are due on the due date given on your syllabus. Late papers will not be
accepted except in extreme circumstances. If you are going to be absent, they must be
emailed to me at ctarpley@rangercollege.edu by 4:30 on the day due. On days when rough
drafts are due, we will have a peer collaboration activity for a grade which cannot be made up
if you are absent.
4. School-related events are not reasons to turn in papers late. You know about your events
ahead of time; if you know you’re going to be gone on essay day, you are still responsible the
paper.
I HAVE RECEIVED AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THE
SYLLABUS FOR ENGL 1301 COMPOSITION I, AND I AGREE TO
ABIDE BY THE STATED POLICIES.
Signed:__________________________________
Legibly print the following information:
Name_________________________________ Date________________
email address: _____________________________________________
8