Course Name/Section Number:
Composition II/English 1302
Instructor Name:
Jennifer Carrasco, M.I.A.S., M. Ed.
Division/Dept.:
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences/English
Office Hours:
M, W, F: 7:45am-8:45am; 2:30-3:30pm or by appt.
Office Number:
L100
Office Phone:
361-573-3291 ext.3435
Instructor Email:
jennifer.carrasco@victoriacollege.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Description (AMS)
Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based
expository and persuasive texts. The course will have an emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical
inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and
multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and
critical thinking about evidence and conclusions.
Prerequisite(s) (AMS): The completion of English 1301
Required Textbook(s), Supplies, and Materials:
 Barnet, Sylvia, Bedau, Hugo. Current Issues and Enduring Questions. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson,
2014.
 Highlighter or colored pens
 Flash drive
Learning Outcomes (AMS): Learning Outcomes (AMS): (*indicates Program Level Outcome)
*
*
*
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate writing or speaking processes.
Write or speak to an appropriate audience, for a specific purpose, and select appropriate
communication choices.
Use appropriate evidence and reasoning to support claims.
Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.
Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic
arguments, including one or more research-based essays.
Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical use of evidence.
Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or
action.
Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA,
etc.)
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Assessments (AMS):
Research Paper, IDEA Survey Essential Objectives #8, #9, and #11
Course Requirements:
Classroom Policies on Essays/Research papers and all other missed or late Work:
 Students should have Microsoft Word 2010 or newer or the viewer for Microsoft Office 2010 or
newer in order to be able to open all course materials. If a student does not have these software
requirements and has difficulty opening a document they need to utilize on campus computers.
 Students must use MLA formatting when typing all classroom essays and the research paper.
 All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date. Papers turned in
after that time will be considered late. All late papers, including the research paper, shall be
assessed a late penalty deduction. The paper will lose 10 points for every day it is late; this
includes weekends. Additionally, late papers will be returned at my discretion and may not
contain as many comments for improvement as those turned in on time.
 Late papers must be submitted within one week of the due date, or the student will receive a
“0”. If there are extenuating circumstances that may prevent this, it is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor and make other arrangements and/or provide the
necessary documentation.
 Students should contact the instructor with any questions or concerns about the class or
assignments prior to the due date, not understanding the assignment does not exempt a
student from the due date.
 The majority of assignments cannot be made up as most of the work we do in class is discussion
based. If a student misses class, it is that student’s responsibility to contact a classmate for
notes or to find out what was missed.
 It is the student’s responsibility to check the syllabus for what assignments have been missed
when they are absent. The instructor will not remind the student that they have missed work.
Reading the syllabus is always a good idea when an absence does occur and maintaining contact
through email with the instructor will assist in communicating any information which is not on
the syllabus.
 On peer review/editing day if a student does not bring their completed rough draft to class they
will receive ten points deducted from their essay final copy grade. Editing is essential to the
writing process and time manage is an important college skill which should be practiced;
therefore, if a student is going to be absent they should email the instructor their rough draft by
the beginning of class on editing day. If there are extenuating circumstances proper
documentation is required.
Classroom Policies on Participation:
 Active engaged participation is a requirement of this course. Students will be given the
opportunity to drop their lowest quiz or homework grade if a student has shown active
participation throughout the semester. So now the question arises, what does active engaged
participation look like?
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Students come to class prepared and have read their assigned readings.
Students are paying attention (alert, tracking with their eyes, taking notes, and
listening (opposed to chatting, sleeping, or using their cell phones).
Students are asking questions and responding when questions are asked and
lending to the class discussions.
Classroom Policies on Plagiarism:
 A plagiarized assignment, which includes, but is not necessarily limited to buying an essay off
the internet, re-using a paper, and/or using the work of another person with or without
his/her consent will result in a zero without the possibility of a make-up for that assignment.
A second case of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course.
 To avoid being accused of plagiarism, you should make sure you always give credit to the author
of the information you are using in your paper. Throughout the semester, you will be taught
how to document and cite your sources; therefore, you will be expected to do so in your papers.
If you are ever unsure about documentation ask the instructor or see the tutoring center.
Classroom Polices on Technology:
 The instructor will make every attempt to respond to email inquiries within 24 hours except
those messages sent on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, which will be responded to by the
following Tuesday.
 Cell phones and electronic devices should be placed on vibrate to avoid interrupting the learning
of other students. If it is necessary to take a call, please excuse yourself and take the call in the
hall.
 If needed, you can bring a tape recorder to tape lectures, please inform the instructor first.
 Students may also use laptops to take notes. However, laptops should only be used for taking
notes. Playing games, chatting online, surfing the web, and doing homework instead of taking
notes will not be allowed. If this is even suspected of occurring in class, the offending student
will no longer be allowed to use a laptop for the remainder of the semester.
Criteria for Grading:
20% Summary/Analysis/Response, Exploratory Paper
25% Research Paper Student created document designed to assess critical thinking and
application of Standard English usage as well as the correct use of MLA.
15% Presentations: Toulmin Presentation, Issue Proposal
15% Assignments: Homework, class work, discussions, quizzes, Online Tutoring (2) - – At least
two essays and/or research papers will be edited by the tutoring center by utilize the tutoring
center online request for editing, Annotated bibliography
25% Final Exam
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Attendance:
Attendance will be taken and will be determined by the faculty member and clearly outlined in the class
syllabus. Regular and prompt class attendance is expected of every student. Among other factors,
regular and prompt class attendance is very important for success in this course.
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Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and can be taken at any point in class. Quite
simply, if a student arrives late he/she can be counted absent. I do realize, however, that life
sometimes happens. If a student is rarely late to class and walks in late, the tardy arrival will not
turn into an absence. However, some students walk late into class almost every class meeting;
such cases will count as absences, and a habitually tardy student can find him/herself withdrawn
from class if that student meets the requirements for a Faculty Initiated Drop
To be counted as present a student must be in class when attendance is taken.
The instructor will drop any student who does not attend class prior to the Official Recording
Date (ORD).
Students may drop the course at any time prior to 65% has been completed with a W or Q.
An instructor will drop a student if the absences excess 40% of the course scheduled meetings
and is failing.
A student that is absent from class is responsible for contacting the instructor to discuss missed
assignments. If a test is missed the student must schedule a date for retesting on the next day which
the student attends class. Okay, so now you are wondering what does this mean for me. This course
meets three times week; therefore, you are allowed to miss seven times, but on the eighth time
you will be dropped if you are failing the course.
ORD: February 3, 2016
Last day to Drop: April 6, 2016
WITHDRAWAL: Please note that non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from class. All
withdrawals must be processed officially through the Advising or Admissions/Registrar’s
office. http://www.victoriacollege.edu/studentresources
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
5|Page
Date
What’s happening in
class today...
Discussions
Homework
Jan. 20
Course
Introduction/Syllabus
Review
Syllabus Q&A
What is argument?
Read and annotate
with any questions
Chapter 1
Jan. 22
Chapter 1: Critical
Thinking
Mapping Pros and
Cons/Classical Topics
Chapter 2
Jan. 25
Chapter 2: Critical
Reading
Essay
Development/Active
Reading
Read "On racist
speech”
pg. 64-68 answer 1-4
Be ready to discuss
#4
Jan. 27
Chapter 3: Getting Deeper
in Argument/ Argument
can be found all around us
What is argument?
Define/Discuss Ethos,
Pathos, Logos
Bring examples of
argument to class
Jan. 29
Beginning Research
Selecting a topic
Begin reviewing
research topics
Feb. 1
Chapter 4: Visual
Rhetoric
Discuss argument found
within media. Review
check list for analyzing
images. Visual argument
assignment.
Complete Visual
Argument
Assignment
Feb. 3
Visual Argument Day
group work
Read Chapter 5
Library webinars
Select your research
topic/ review webinars
and begin research/ finish
Ch. 5
Author's thesis/purpose
examine persona and
audience; S/A/R criteria
Begin Summary Analysis-Response
Feb. 5
Feb. 8
Feb. 10
Research: How to
select review
resources
Chapter 5: Writing an
analysis of an
Argument Checklist
for analyzing Text
Review MLA format
and effective writing
strategies
Feb. 12
Research: Building a
case with for your
argument
Feb. 15
Due: S/A/R (upload to Safe
Assign by 8am) Hard copy
due at the start of class.
Essay Analysis
pg. 192-194
In class assignment
pg.199-202 1-5
claims, data vs.
evidence, qualifying
your claim
Essay
Development/Active
Reading
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
S/A/R
S/A/R, Read chapter
6
Choose finalize
research topic be
6|Page
Chapter 6: Developing an
Argument
Feb. 17
Feb. 19
Feb. 22
Chapter 7: Using
Sources
Research: Surveying
your data and looking
for patterns
Exploratory Essay
Assigned and
discussed
ready to share next
meeting
MLA citation practice
Organizing information,
building the argument/
Annotated Bibs criteria
presented
Purpose of
exploratory as related
to your research
Begin annotated
bibliographies
Due: ________
Begin working on
exploratory
Due:_______
Five types of Claims/
Study guide for Toulmin
quiz
Study for Toulmin
Quiz
Continue working on
Exploratory Essay/
Work on Toulmin
presentations
Feb. 24
Chapter 8: Toulmin
Feb. 26
Stand Alone Visual
Arguments (using
Toulmin)
Presenters 1-10
Feb. 29
Stand Alone Visual
Arguments
Presenters 11-20
Mar. 2
Exploratory due
(upload to Safe Assign by
8am) Hard copy due at
beginning of class
Toulmin Quiz
Toulmin
Mar. 4
Research: Critique the
data/evidence
Mar. 7
Chapter 9: A
Logician's View
Mar. 9
Mar. 11
Research paper
interviews students
1-10
Times will be given
Research paper
interviews students
11-20
Times will be given
Implicative
Reasoning, Backing,
Fallacies, Research
Criteria Presented
Types of Proof/ The
Fallacies of
Reasoning
Complete
Exploratory Essay
Start Research Paper
/ Read Ch.9
Study for Fallacies
Quiz
Research progress
Annotated
Bibs/Research Papers
Research progress
Annotated
Bibs/Research
Papers/ Read Ch. 10
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
7|Page

Mar. 14-18
Spring
Break
Mar. 21
Ch. 10 Rogerian
Argument
Rogerian Group Work
Mar. 23
Annotated bibs due
(to Safe Assign by
8am) Hard copy due
at class start/ Issue
Proposal instruction
In class Issue
Proposal work
Work on: Issue
Proposals/ Research
paper/ Read Ch. 13
Mar. 25
Good
Friday Holiday

Mar. 28
Chapter 13: A
Debater’s View
Oral presentations,
Delivery, Audience
Mar. 30
Chapter 13 continued
Group Work
April 1
Research: Pulling it
together
April 4
Oral Presentations on
Research Papers 1-7
April 6
Oral Presentations on
Research Papers
8-15
April 8
Oral Presentations
16-20
April 11
April 13
Writing Process,
Writing to
understand, rough
drafting
Each student will ask
the presenter a
question
Each student will ask
the presenter a
question
Each student will ask
the presenter a
question
Work On: Issue
Proposals/ Work on
Research paper
Work On: Issue
Proposals/ Work on
Research paper
Work On: Issue
Proposals/ Work on
Research paper
Research Work
Chapter 12 / Read
"The Story of an
Hour"
Chapter 12 / Read
"The Story of an
Hour"
Chapter 12: A literary
Critic's View:
Arguing about
Literature/ "The Story
of an Hour"
Discuss and Analysis
"The Story of an
Hour"
Complete rough draft
including works cited
for Research paper
Library Day
Meet in
Library
(first floor computer
lab)
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
8|Page
April 15
April 18
April 20
April 22
April 25
April 27
Peer Review/Editing
on Research Paper
Students will read and
review peer research
papers
Read "Young
Goodman Brown"
Research Paper (Due to
Safe Assign by 8am) Hard
Copy due at the start of
class.
"Young Goodman Brown"
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Analysis YGB and
discuss criteria for
analysis/argument
essay
YGB continued
Group Work
Read
“Annabel Lee” be
ready to discuss
YGB Continued/
background on Poe
Discuss and Analysis
the argument in
poem/ Background on
Stetson
Discuss the argument
“The Yellow Wallpaper”
by Charlotte Perkins
in "The Yellow
Stetson
Wallpaper”
Discuss the argument
“The Yellow
in "The Yellow
Wallpaper” Continued
Wallpaper”
"Annabel Lee" by
Edger Allen Poe
Read "The Yellow
Wallpaper”
Read "The Barbie
Doll"
Read “The Barbie
Doll”
April 29
"The Barbie Doll" by
Marge Percy
Discuss symbolism
and apply Toulmin
Find the argument in
“The Barbie Doll”
May 2
"The Barbie Doll" /
watch TZ #13
Background on
“Signs and Symbols”
discussion
Read “Signs and
Symbols”
May 4
"Signs and Symbols”
by Vladimir Nabokov
Argument in story
Begin Review for
Final
May 6
Review for Final
Review
Review
**Final Exam: May 11 (Wednesday) 10:40am – 1:10pm**
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Victoria College Student Services
Admissions and Records & Welcome Center
Admissions Applications, Transcripts, Grade Submission
Student Services Building,
Suite 107
361.485.6841
www.VictoriaCollege.edu/AdmissionsRecords
Advising and Counseling
Academic Advising, Career & Personal Counseling, Disability Support Services, and Veterans
Student Services Building
Suite 105
361.582.2400
www.victoriacollege.edu/advisingcounselingservices
Financial Aid
Childcare Assistance, PELL, Student Loans, Scholarships, & Work Study
Student Services Building
Suite 108
361.572.6415
www.victoriacollege.edu/financialaid
KEY Center **
Johnson Hall, Suite 101
361.582.2414
www.victoriacollege.edu/keycenter
The KEY Center is a federally funded program providing support services for eligible students. **
Pre-College Programs/Dual Credit and Recruitment
Recruitment and TexPREP (summer program)
Student Services Building,
Suite 105
361.485.6823
www.VictoriaCollege.edu/DualCredit
www.VictoriaCollege.edu/PreCollegeProgram
Student Activities Office
Student Government Association, Student Clubs, Activities, Halloween Carnival, Welcome Information Booths
Student Center
361.485.6838
www.victoriacollege.edu/studentactivities
Student Testing Services
TSI, GED, ACT, Online Testing
Continuing Education Center,
Room 202/Testing Room 201
361.582.2589
www.VictoriaCollege.edu/TestingCenter
Tutoring Services
Individual and Group Tutoring
Main Tutor & Study Center
Johnson Hall 106 & 108
Science Tutoring Center
Health Science Center 121C
Gonzales Center Tutoring
Room
361.572.6473
361.573.3291 ext.
3282
www.victoriacollege.edu/tutoringcenter
830.672.6251
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
10 | P a g e
Vice President of Student Services
Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, Discipline Issues, Financial Aid Appeals
Student Services Building
361-582-2516
www.victoriacollege.edu/studentservices
Additional information on Student Support Services can found in The Victoria College Student Handbook. A link to the Handbook
is in the Publications & Dates folder in the Pirate Portal. A hardcopy of The Handbook can be obtained by contacting any Student
Services office.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.