ENGLISH 1301 SYLLABUS and WEEKLY CALENDAR
HCC – SW – FALL 2012
Course: CRN# 26552
Schedule: MW 8:30-10 p.m.
Room: The Learning Hub #314
Instructor: Sue A. S. Hirschmann
Email Address: suehir@sbcglobal.net
Office Hours: Before or after class by appointment.
Textbooks
McQuade, Donald and Robert Atwan. The Writer’s Presence. Seventh edition.
Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2012.
Other Materials
Dictionary and Thesaurus access through the Internet, a folder with pockets to
keep handouts and papers. You must also have a folder with pockets or a brown envelope
to turn in your papers and essays. No papers will be accepted without some kind of a
container. Paper and pens
Grade Percentages
Essay #1: (10%) 750 word personal memoir on childhood and family
Essay #2: (10%) 750 expository essay
Essay #3: (10%) 500 word in-class mid-term essay
Essay #4: (30%) 1,000 word researched and documented argumentative/persuasive
essay on issues and ethics
Essay #5: (10%) 750 word critical analysis essay
Essay #6: (10%) 750 word in-class final exam essay
Other grades:
Daily grades (20%), quizzes, research checks, Reading Notebooks, Class
Activities, Grammar work, sentence and paragraph answers.
Important Dates:
August 27:
August 26:
September 3:
November 2:
November22-25:
December 9:
December 10-16:
December 16:
December 21:
Classes Begin-standard HCC Courses, Drop/Add/Swap Fee
Last Day for Drop/Add/Swap (online only)
Labor Day Holiday
Last Day for Administrative /Student Withdrawals (4:30pm)
Thanksgiving Holiday – Night Classes closed on November 23
Instruction Ends
Final Exams
Semester Ends
Grades available to students
Diagnostic Essay
All English 1301 students write a diagnostic essay during the first class session in order
to confirm their placement into English 1301. The essay will not count as a grade in the
course. One goal of the Houston Community College English Department is to place you
in an appropriate English class where you will learn and succeed.
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 1
Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken every class period and this policy will be enforced. HCCS
policy states that a student who is absent more than 12.5% (6 hours) of class may be
administratively dropped from the course. Coming in late or leaving early will constitute
a tardy. All tardies will be counted toward your allotted absences. For example, if you are
ten minutes late, ten minutes will be deducted from your 6 hours of possible absences.
Your participation is required. Students who intend to withdraw from the course must
do so by the official last day to drop (November 2nd – 4:30pm).
Withdrawal Policy:
**If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are
making as the final grade. This grade will probably be an “F.” The last day to withdraw
from the Fall 2011(16 week) semester is November 2nd .
**You should visit with your instructor, an HCC counselor, or HCC Online Student
Services to learn what, if any, HCC interventions might be offered to assist you to stay in
class and improve your performance. Such interventions could include tutoring, child
care, financial aid, and job placement.
**You will be withdrawn automatically once you are absent more than 12.5% of class
time. It may take the system a few weeks to drop you. You will receive a grade FX
(failure due to lack of attendance) if you stop attending class after the official last day to
drop. The professor for this class will drop you after 12.5% absence from class time.
International Students:
Receiving a “W” in a course may affect the status of your student visa. Once a “W” is
given for the course, 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 any other transfer issues.
Use of Cameras and Recording Devices
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring,
or testing occurs. These devices are also not allowed to be used in campus restrooms.
Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations.
Late Paper Policy:
No late papers will be accepted after the paper due date - no exceptions.
Make-up Policy:
Students will be allowed to take make-up exams if they have medical or unforeseen
emergencies. Students will be responsible for contacting the instructor and providing
documentation of the emergency situation. Students are strongly encouraged to avoid
taking this measure and the make-up exam will be an entirely different format from the
original exam administered in class on the scheduled date. *No makeup for reading
quizzes will be given.
Paper Format:
· Typed papers must adhere to MLA style format
· All major assignments need to be printed in “hard copy” format {paper} and turned in
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 2
·
with the material saved on a properly labeled flash drive or other file saving device
{Student Name, Instructor Name, English 1301}
All work completed outside of class needs to be created utilizing Microsoft Word so
it will be compatible with the lab/instructor computer software – Students who use
Microsoft Works or Word 2007 need to save work as “Word for Windows 97-2003
Document”
Other Course Policies:
 This class requires attendance. If you should miss class for any reason, it is your
responsibility to make up the work you missed and to contact me for any special
instructions on work you missed. It is also strongly recommended that you
obtain the phone number of a classmate to aid you in this situation.
 Attendance will be checked daily. Please note: tardies will have an effect on the
grade you receive for the course (i.e. points for the work you miss such as
quizzes, in class writing assignments, etc. will be deducted from your final grade
average). Please make an effort to be on time to avoid losing points and disrupting
the class.
 Please turn off your cell phones upon entering the class. You may not leave
the room to answer a telephone call. Return the call after class. This is a matter
of manners and respect.
New Policy on Repeating Courses:
"NOTICE: Students who repeat a course three or more times will be charged an
additional fee at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your
instructor/counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering
course withdrawal, or if you are not receiving passing grades."
Special Conditions:
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, contact Donna Price at 713.718.5165 or the Disability Counselor at your
college. To visit the ADA Web site, log on to www.hccs.edu and click Future students,
scroll down the page and click on Disability Information.
Southwest ADA Counselor Dr. Becky Hauri – 713.718.7910
Free English Tutoring
*The Southwest College offers you free tutoring at our tutoring centers where you will
receive individual attention with any of your writing concerns. Check with me for
location, dates, and times of tutoring. Signs will be posted once the hours have been
established.
***HCC also provides an online tutoring program. The url for this tutoring option is:
http://hccs.askonline.net.
Open Computer Lab
You have free access to the Internet and word processing in the open computer lab in the
Scarcella Science Center (Stafford Campus), the Alief Campus, and the West Loop
Campus. Check the door of the open computer labs for hours of operation. All HCCS
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 3
students are welcome to utilize this resource. A fee is charged for printed work (per
page).
Counseling
Counseling is available at each campus. Check with the information desk at the particular
campus for room numbers and consult your class schedule for telephone numbers.
Library (Learning Resource Center)
The Southwest College has a Learning Resource Center at each campus for student use.
The library provides electronic resources including a computerized catalog system as
well as numerous data bases that contain full-text articles. Stop by your campus library to
find out hours of operation. All students will be required to obtain and/or update an
HCCS Library Card (this is your student picture id card). http://library.hccs.edu/
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked
to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division
chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the
Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
Student Organizations
One organization of interest to students taking English classes is Southwest Writers, a
group of students who write and read their works (in a public forum as well as on the
Internet) and receive peer support and constructive criticism. Students in this group create
a supportive network to create poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction prose. Contact
advisor Dr. Chris Dunn at: christopher.dunn@hccs.edu. Another organization of interest
for English students is the Gender Studies Group. The Gender Studies Club will meet
each month and online to discuss the roles of women and men in society and
to investigate how sexual differences and cultural constructions of gender may affect
identity. We promote awareness of gender issues on campus, encourage research and
discussion of gender issues, host prominent speakers in the field, and serve the
community. Contact Ms. Marie Dybala at marie.dybala@hccs.edu and/or Ms. Ileana
Loubser at: ileana.loubser@hccs.edu if you are interested in joining this HCC student
organization. In addition, Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society of two-year colleges.
Students must earn a 3.5 grade point average and accumulate 9 credit hours to join this
group. HCCS has a very active chapter: Omega Sigma. Contact: Ms. Eunice Kallarackal
at: eunice.kallarackal@hccs.edu for more information.
Inclement Weather
During inclement weather conditions, monitor major local channels for updates on school
closings. The HCCS homepage usually keeps you informed about classes.
Mission Statement of the English Department
The purpose of the English Department is to provide courses that transfer to four-year
colleges; introduce students to literature from diverse traditions; prepare students to write
clear, communicative, well-organized, and detailed prose; and develop students’ reading,
writing, and analytical skills.
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 4
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
According to the 2006-2009 Student Handbook for the Houston Community College
System :
“Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated
by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
‘Scholastic dishonesty’ includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion. ‘Cheating’ on a test includes:
-- Copying from another student’s test paper;
--Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the
test;
--Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
--Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole
or part the contents of an unadministered test;
--Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
‘Plagiarism’ means the appropriation of another’s work and the
unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
‘Collusion’ means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in
preparing written work offered for credit” (34-35).
Please note the possible consequences of such dishonesty, as stated in the 2006-2009
Student Handbook: Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade
of “0” or “F” for the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation
for probation or dismissal from the College System (35).
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarized papers or projects will receive a grade of “0” (zero) -- no exceptions.
Cheating or collusion will also result in a grade of “0” (zero) on that paper or project.
Plagiarism or collusion on a second major assignment will result in a zero in the course.
Students need to be aware that the instructor will be utilizing plagiarism software and
internet sources to check student work for potential plagiarism. This will be discussed in
more detail during class lecture.
Electronics Policies
1. Turn off and put away all cell phones, beepers, text-messaging devices and
other electronic devices when class starts. No cell phones permitted on top of
desks. You may answer any call after class. It is a matter of manners and respect.
2. No Bluetooth devices in ears allowed during class.
3. No MP3 players or other music devices with earphones allowed during class.
Use of Cameras and Recording Devices
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where
instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. These devices are also not allowed to be used in
campus restrooms. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for
information regarding reasonable accommodations.
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 5
Other Course Policies
1. Please come to class on time. Teaching occurs at the beginning of each class.
Arriving late or leaving class will result in time subtracted from the 12.5%
attendance policy.
2. No food allowed in class (campus rule). Beverages are fine in regular
classrooms but not in the computer labs.
3. Please throw away trash at end of the class session and turn off your computer.
4. Please do not chat with class colleagues during discussion. Let’s listen to what
our class members have to contribute to the discussion.
5. An 89.5 average at the end of the semester is an A. An 89.4 average is a B. A
79.5 average at the end of the semester is an A. A 79.4 average at the end of the
semester is a C.
6. The out-of-class essays and Reading Notebooks must be typed.
7. Emails to your English instructor should use professional language.
COURSE DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
The purpose of the English Department is to provide courses that transfer to four-year
colleges; introduce students to literature from diverse traditions; prepare students to write
clear, communicative, well-organized, and detailed prose; and develop students’ reading,
writing, and analytical skills.
ENGLISH 1301 COURSE DESCRIPTION
English 1301 is a course devoted to improving the student's writing and critical reading.
The course involves writing essays for a variety of purposes from personal to academic,
including the introduction to argumentation, critical analysis, and the use of sources.
English 1301 is a core curriculum course.
COURSE PURPOSE
English 1301 is designed to help students write multi-paragraph expository, analytical,
and argumentative essays that have the following qualities:
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clarity in purpose and expression,
appropriate and sensible organization,
sound content, including applications of concepts from and references to assigned
readings,
completeness in development,
unity and coherence,
appropriate strategies of development,
sensitivity to audience
effective choice of words and sentence patterns,
grammatical and mechanical correctness, and
appropriate MLA citation format.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR ENGLISH 1301: By the time students have
completed English 1301, they will
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understand writing as a connected and interactive process which includes planning,
shaping, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading;
apply writing process to out-of-class writing;
apply writing process as appropriate to in-class, impromptu writing situations, thus
showing an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of writing situations (such
as essay exams and standardized writing tests like the TASP);
apply suggestions from evaluated compositions to other writing projects;
understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading
selections, in developing expository essays, and writing argumentative essays;
apply concepts from and use references to assigned readings in developing essays;
analyze elements of purpose, audience, tone, style, and writing strategy in essays by
professional writers
complete short writing assignments, journal entries, reading quizzes, and other
activities to strengthen basic thinking and writing skills
understand and appropriately apply various methods of development in writing
assignments;
avoid faulty reasoning in all writing assignments;
fulfill the writing requirements of the course, writing at least 5,000 words during the
semester.
EDUCATIONAL COMPETENCIES IN HCCS CORE CURRICULUM
Reading: Reading material at the college level means having the ability to
analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials--books, articles, and documents.
Writing: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear,
correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to
knowing correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, students should also become
familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and
organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities are
acquired through practice and reflection.
Speaking: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear,
coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret
various forms of spoken communication.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both
qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to
construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical
thinking used to address an identified task.
Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means having the
ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and
acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the
limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology and should have
the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR English 1301
 Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.
 Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading
selections,
developing expository essays, and writing argumentative essays.
 Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays and/or
literature by professional writers.
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Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical
strategies.
Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their own
academic writing.
All essays are graded according to rubrics which will be discussed at the onset of the
paper.
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS
This Schedule is subject to changes.
WEEK ONE
August 27
 Brief Introduction to English 1301. Syllabus
 Diagnostic essay
Assignment:
 Purchase and preview textbooks.
 Read WP: Langston Hughes’ “Salvation” (p.118) If you do not have The Writer’s
Presence yet, you can read “Salvation” at http://www.courses.vcu.edu/ENG200dwc/hughes.htm .
August 29
 Continue with course and syllabus discussion
 Discussion: Hughes
Assignment:
 Read WP – Hachiya – “Hiroshima Diary” (p.107); “Joy of Reading and Writing:
Superman and Me (p. 27); “Beauty: When the Other Dancer is the Self” (244)
 RN#1: Write a response to one of the four essays.
WEEK TWO
September 3 – Labor Day – No Class
September 5
Introduction to Essay #1: Childhood and Family Memoir
 Assigned texts discussion. Quiz on all readings up to this point.
Assignment:
 Make a list of three childhood/family experiences suitable for a personal memoir
for Essay #1.
 Read in WP “What’s Your Name Girl?” (p.31) ;“Silent Dancing” (p. 68); “West
Point” (p. 207); “Eight Simple, Short Words” (p. 267)
 RN#2: Write a response to one of these four texts.
WEEK THREE
September 10
 Critical analysis/discussion of texts read. Quiz
 Essay #1 rubric. Outline and claim/thesis statement
Assignment:
 Begin rough draft of Essay #1.
September 12
 Theme or purpose in a Memoir
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 8
Assignment: Complete typed, double-spaced rough draft of Essay #1 for a peer critique
session. You must have two pages for a peer review. Less than two pages will result in
the loss of a peer review grade on your Essay #1.
WEEK FOUR
September 17
 Peer critique session for Essay #1
Assignment: Complete Essay #1 (Outline with claim, final draft, brainstormed list of
topics, rough draft with personal revision, rough draft with peer critique). Present in a
folder with pockets or a brown envelope.
September 19
 Essay #1 is due. Digital copy must be emailed to your instructor before class
begins.
 Introduction to Essay #2: Expository writing
 Writing purposes: Informing and explaining (the expository essay)
Assignment:
 Read in WP Daniel Akst “What Meets the Eye”; Lars Eighner “On Dumpster
Diving”; James Fallows “Throwing like a Girl”; Michael Bérubé “Analyze, Don’t
Summarize.”
 RN#3: Write a response to Bérubé’s essay.
 RN#4: Write a response to one of the remaining essays.
WEEK FIVE
September 24
 Discussion of the texts read.
 Reread Chapters 1-5 in LBH
Assignment:
 Read in WP: Sherry Turkle “How Computers Change the Way We Think,”
Danielle Ofri “SAT”; Eric Schlosser “Why McDonald’s Fries Taste So Good”
 RN#5: Write a response to one of these essays.
September 26
 Writing strategy: Definition / Classification / Explanation
Assignment:
 Outline and claim for Essay #2
WEEK SIX
October 1
 Rough draft
October 3
 Peer review: a minimum of two pages must be brought to the peer review for
credit.
Assignment:
 Final draft of Essay #2. Complete Essay #2 and have it ready for submission at
beginning of Session #14 (final draft, brainstormed list of topics, outline and
thesis or claim, rough draft with personal revision, peer critique). Present in a
folder with pockets or a brown envelope.
WEEK SEVEN
October 8
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 9
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Essay #2 is due. Digital version emailed to your instructor before class
begins.
 Introduction to Essay #3: Midterm In-Class Writing Activity.
Assignment:
 Read poetry packet (Instructor)
October 10
 Discussion and outline
 Connect two poems through their claim, message, imagery, another text or event.
Assignment:
 Prepare Outline with claim for Midterm – Essay #3.
WEEK EIGHT
October 15
 Discuss Midterm
 Discuss argumentation.
Assignment:
 Read in WP Lakshmi Chaudhry “Mirror, Mirror on the Web”
 RN#6: Write a response to this essay.
October 17
Midterm
Assignment:
 Read in WP Laura Kipnis “Against Love”; John Taylor Gatto “Against School”;
David Sedaris “Me Talk Pretty One Day”
 RN#7: Write a response to one of these essays.
 Begin a list of possible research questions and topics.
WEEK NINE
October 22
 Discuss texts and topics
Assignment:
 Read Leslie Marmon Silko “ In the Combat Zone”
 Read Howard Zinn “Stories Hollywood Never Tells”
 Read WP King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
 RN#8: Write a response to one of these essays.
October 24
 Discuss the texts read
 Plan your research
Assignment:
 Brainstorm a list of possible topics for Essay #4.
 Decide on research topic. Work with all the texts read up to this point.
WEEK TEN
October 29
 Write a half page with the questions you have and the explanation of your choice
for an argumentative research project. Turn in.
 Data Sources
 Find an article for your topic. Follow the academic guidelines for research
articles. Print this article.
Hirschmann – English 1301 Syllabus – Fall 2012 – Page 10
Assignment:
 Find two articles for your research paper.
 Data Source #1
October 31
 Two argumentative research articles are due.
 Data Source #2
Assignment:
 Bring to class the last two articles for your research project. Your sources must be
printed out.
 Data Sources #3 and #4
Note: November 2nd: Last day for students to drop a course.
WEEK ELEVEN
November 5
 Sample research paper: Purdue: Owl: MLA Formatting and Style guide.
 MLA documentation
 Data Source #5
Assignment:
 Write the outline and claim for Essay #4
November 7
 Outline and claim or thesis
 Start your rough draft
Assignment:
 Write the rough draft for Essay #4
WEEK TWELVE
November 12
 Outline with claim or thesis is due
 Persuasive style, continued
 Review of research project
Assignment:
 Rough Draft for Essay #4
November 14
 Rough draft for peer review
Assignment:
 Complete Essay #4 and have it ready for submission. Include all sources and data
sources, your topic choice graded paper, a well marked or edited rough draft, peer
review, flash drive. On top place the title page, formal topic outline, final draft,
and works cited page.
WEEK THIRTEEN
November 19
 Essay #4 is due. Digital version must be sent to instructor before class begins.
 Introduction to Essay #5: Criticism and Analysis
 Forming a critical perspective
Assignment:
 Read WP James McBride “Hip-Hop Planet”
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Read WP Stephen L. Carter “The Insuffiency of Honesty”
Choose one of these essays for your critical review. Write a RN#9 on the other
essay.
November 21: No evening classes
WEEK FOURTEEN
November 26
 Critical analysis/discussion of the essays
Assignment:
 Write the rough draft for Essay #5 - Critical Review.
November 28
 Discussion of Essay #5
 Introduction to Essay #6 – Final Exam Essay
Assignment:
 Complete Essay #5 and have it ready for submission (final draft, brainstormed list
of topics, outline, rough draft, self/peer critique).
 Read WP Frederick Douglas “Learning to Read and Write”
WEEK FIFTEEN
December 3
 Essay #5 is due. Digital version must be sent to instructor before class begins.
 Discussion of final exam
Assignment:
 Outline
 Prepare outline for the analysis of the essay of your choice (claim, audience, tone,
organization, support/opposition) for Essay #6 – Final Exam.
December 5
 Discussion of Final Exam
 Table of Contents for Daily Work
WEEK SIXTEEN
Final Exam Week – Check the schedule as posted on the web.
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