INRW 0311: Integrated Reading and Writing
Course Syllabus: Fall 2013
“Northeast Texas Community College exists to provide responsible, exemplary learning opportunities.”
Jean Ann Pruitt
Office: Administration Building in Student Services
Phone: 903.434.8256
Email: jpruitt@ntcc.edu
Office Hours
Monday
8am - 6pm
Tuesday
8am-6pm
Wednesday
8am-6pm
Thursday
8am-6pm
Friday
8am-12noon
Online
The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to
be aware of any additional course policies presented by the instructor during the course.
Catalog Course Description (include prerequisites): 3 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical: Three hours of lecture each week.
This is an individualized lecture/lab-based course designed to develop students’ critical
reading and academic writing skills. The focus of the course will be on applying critical
reading skills for organizing, analyzing, retaining material and developing written work
appropriate to the audience, purpose, situation, and length of the assignment. The course
integrates fundamental reading skills with foundational skills in writing by developing a
variety of academic essays. This course fulfills TSI requirements for reading and
writing.
Required Textbook(s):
The Bedford Reader
Kennedy, Kennedy, Aaron
Publisher: Bedford St. Martin
ISBN Number: ISBN-10:0-312-60969-8
Recommended Reading(s): None
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Compose a variety of essays that demonstrate clear focus, the logical development of ideas in wellorganized paragraph and essay formats, and the use of appropriate language that advances the author’s
purpose.
2.Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and analyze and evaluate the
information within.
3.Understand new vocabulary and concepts and use them accurately in reading, speaking, and writing.
4.Describe, analyze, and evaluate information across literary, expository, and persuasive readings.
5.Explain how literary and other texts evoke personal experience and reveal character in narrative and
expository texts.
6.Edit and submit multiple drafts that reflect judicious use of self, peer, and instructor assessment.
SCANS Skills:
Academic transfer - type N/A
Lectures & Discussions:
All lectures are provided in the classroom or in video format which will require access to a computer
and Internet conection. Dial-up does not allow for adequate streaming of videos embedded in the course.
Discussion opportunities are provided upon the direction of the instructor in each learning module.
Evaluation/Grading Policy:
NOTE: The department requires a final exam for successful course completion; therefore, student must
pass both the course and the exit exam with a C or better.
•Writing Evaluation or Portfolio 50%
4 essays utilizing a variety of organizational patterns or purposes
Grammar/editing/proofreading activities
•Reading Evaluation 20%
Comprehension/structure/vocabulary activities using a variety of texts
Online discussion activities
•Final Evaluation 10%
Students read and annotate an unfamiliar text and write an essay in response to that text. Suggested final
evaluation activities/content might include annotating text of the article, listing main content points,
identifying organizational patterns, utilizing context clues to understand vocabulary, drawing
inferences/conclusions, connecting prior knowledge, etc.
•Lab and Daily Grades 20%
Blackboard Lab work
Participation
Grading Criteria: Each essay assignment will be evaluated according to a rubric.
Tests/Exams:
Chapter exams are assigned in each learning module and are a part of the assignments for each chapter
as well as a comprehensive final exam.
Assignments:
1,3
Week 1-4
Orientation and Beginning Assessment
Read Chapter 1-3: Page 9-93
Introduction to the writing process and fundamentals of academic writing.
Autobiography assignment will be completed due at the end of Week 2.
1,2,4
Week 5-6
Childhood and Family *** Chapter 5: Description:
Writing With Your Senses
Read: “Arm Wrestling With my Father”, Pg. 163
Read: “Shooting Dad”, Pg. 171
1,2,3
Week 7-8
American Society *** Chapter 7: Comparison and Contrast:
Setting Things Side by Side
Evaluate Visual Images, Pg. 244
Read text, Pg. 245-254
Read: S. Britt, “Neat People vs. Sloppy People. Pg. 255
Read: B. Catton, “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrast”, Pg. 267
*Answer questions related to the Visual Images (see blue box on page 245)
Week 9-10
The Natural World/The Environment ***Process Analysis:
Explaining Step by Step
Read Pgs. 299-307
Read: L. Saukko, “How to Poison the Earth”, Pg. 308-310
Read: G. Ehrlich, “ Chronicles of Ice”, Pg. 313-316
Questions for Meaning, 1-4, Pg. 310
Week 11-12 Same Sex Marriage ***Argument and Persuasion:
Stating Opinions and Proposals
Read pgs. 547-570
Read: K. Pollitt, “What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?” Pg. 570
Read: C. Colson, “Gay Marriage”: Societal Suicide, Pg. 576
Week 13-15
Exit portfolio & Final Exam
Other Course Requirements:
N/A
Student Responsibilities/Expectations:
Students are expected to actively participate in their reading and writing assignments on a regular basis
and to complete assignments on time and submit within the Blackboard 9 Learning platform. This will
require you to login at the beginning of each week and stay current with your reading, writing and quiz
assignments. I expect for you to turn in all chapter assignments within the stated time frames and be
ready to move fully into subsequent chapters. If you get behind it will be very difficult to catch up.
NTCC Academic Honesty Statement:
"Students are expected to complete course work in an honest manner, using their intellects and resources
designated as allowable by the course instructor. Students are responsible for addressing questions
about allowable resources with the course instructor. NTCC upholds the highest standards of academic
integrity. This course will follow the NTCC Academic Honesty policy stated in the Student Handbook."
Academic Ethics
The college expects all students to engage in academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond
reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic
pursuit. Academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, and collusion is unacceptable and may
result in disciplinary action. Refer to the student handbook for more information on this subject.
ADA Statement:
It is the policy of NTCC to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are
students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford
equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a
College counselor to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to
the NTCC Catalog or Student Handbook.
Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa):
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of
student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program
of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s
educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she attends a school beyond the high
school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are considered “eligible students.” In essence,
a parent has no legal right to obtain information concerning the child’s college records without the
written consent of the student. In compliance with FERPA, information classified as “directory
information” may be released to the general public without the written consent of the student unless the
student makes a request in writing. Directory information is defined as: the student’s name, permanent
address and/or local address, telephone listing, dates of attendance, most recent previous education
institution attended, other information including major, field of study, degrees, awards received, and
participation in officially recognized activities/sports.
Other Course Policies:
I am available on my campus email jpruitt@ntcc.edu approximately 12 hours a day 8am-8pm.