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ENGL 1301: Composition and Rhetoric I Syllabus
Instructor Contact & Course Information
Instructor:
Melissa Nelson
Course:
ENGL 1301
Semester:
Fall 2015
Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:25 – 3:00 and by appointment
Office Location:
TWCPHS – Room 2301
Email Address:
mlnelson@conroeisd.net
Phone Number(s):
(936) 709-3000
Catalogue Description:
Intensive study and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising,
and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including
audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for
learning, communicating, and critical analysis.
Credit:
3 Credits (3 hrs. lec.)
Prerequisites:
ENGL 0305 or ENGL 0365 or ENGL 0115 AND ENGL 0307 or ENGL 0375 or ENGL 0117 OR
higher level course (ENGL 1301) OR placement by testing. ENGL 0309 or ENGL 0310 also meets
prerequisite.
Learning Outcomes:
In completing this course, students will be able to:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution, following standard style guidelines in
documenting sources.
Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
Use edited American English in academic essays.
Required Materials:
Textbook Title:
Edition:
Year:
Authors:
Everything’s an Argument with Readings
6th Edition
2013
Andrea Lunsford, John J. Ruskiewicz, and Keith Walters
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Publisher:
ISBN:
ISBN:
Bedford St. Martin’s
If purchased NEW at the LSC-Montgomery Bookstore: ISBN: 9781457669866
If purchased USED at the LSC-Montgomery Bookstore or from another vendor:
ISBN: 1457606046
or
ISBN13: 9781457606045
Components of the Course May Include:
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Multiple drafts of four-six papers
Student responses to classmates’ papers at different stages of the writing process (peer reviews)
Various in-class or on-line writing responses to readings from the text or other outside reading
selections (journal, blog, discussion board, online chat, timed writing)
Assignments that help students build editing, grammar, and mechanical skills within the
context of student writing
Process letters or letters of self-evaluation
Portfolios, student presentations, final exam
Reading tests, class debate exercises
Visual rhetoric exercises (including analysis of advertisements, art, pop-culture references, et
cetera).
Visits to The Write Place, The Writing Center at LSC-Montgomery
The Lone Star College System Information
The System Academic Integrity Policy
The Lone Star College System upholds the core values of learning: honesty, respect, fairness, and
accountability. The system promotes the importance of personal and academic honesty. The system embraces
the belief that all learners—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—will act with integrity and honesty and
must produce their own work and give appropriate credit to the work of others. Fabrication of sources,
cheating, or unauthorized collaboration is not permitted on any work submitted within the system.
The consequences for academic dishonesty are determined by the professor, or the professor and academic
dean, or the professor and chief student services officer and can include but are not limited to:
1. Having additional class requirements imposed,
2. Receiving a grade of zero or "F" for an exam or assignment,
3. Receiving a grade of "F" for the course,
4. Being withdrawn from the course or program,
5. Being expelled from the college system.
(LSCS Catalog 2014-2015, 81)
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (1973) AND The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
These acts protect us against discrimination. Therefore, if you require reasonable accommodations because of
a physical, mental, or learning disability, notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably
before the 7th hour of class.
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Additionally, students with disabilities at Montgomery College who believe that they need accommodations in
this course are encouraged to contact in the Disability Services Office at 936-273-7239, located in Building C,
in room 221 A as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely
fashion. Vicky Saunders is the primary contact person there. E-mail her at Vicky.Saunders@lonestar.edu.
Grade Assessment
The LSCS Catalog 2014-2015 states on page 71 that “Course outcomes are provided in the faculty member’s
course syllabus to students at the beginning of each course. The evaluation of student course progress and the
final grade are based on the degree of mastery of course outcomes.”
Grade analysis for ENGL 1301 courses for Spring 2015 for LSC-Montgomery:
A
Excellent Performance
90 – 100
B
Good Performance
80 – 89
C
Acceptable Performance
70 – 79
D
60 – 69
F
0 – 59
Evaluations
Class evaluations will be available for students to complete through their student portals online for several
weeks after mid-semester. The evaluation is part multiple choice and part comment. Instructors will not see
these evaluations until after they turn in grades at the end of the semester.
Montgomery Campus Information
Equal Opportunity Statement
Montgomery College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The
college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, disability, age,
veteran status, nationality, sexual orientation, or ethnicity in the administration of its educational policies,
admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other college administered
programs and activities.
Counselors
Angela Martin, counselor for Building G in room 120 G, Angela.Martin@lonestar.edu , 936-273-7070.
This counselor can help you with academic and career advising or if you just want someone to talk to. Visit
or call her or one of the other six campus counselors for advice and/or help with college or personal
matters.
Turnitin.com
Turnitin.com supports faculty in their quest to uphold academic integrity, and student coursework may be
submitted to the scrutiny of the Turnitin software. Please, note that these submissions of assignments to
Turnitin do not constitute an accusation or suspicion of plagiarism on the student’s part.
Tutoring at The Write Place and the language lab
The Write Place and the language lab can help you with studying practices as well as specific learning
issues you may encounter in specific subjects. Also, you are able to receive one-on-one help with any part
of the reading and writing processes from trained and friendly tutors. You can visit The Write Place on the
first floor of the G building, room 103 or contact this lab at 936- 273-7055or at
http://www.lonestar.edu/write-place.htm. Nathan Zingleman is the coordinator for The Write Place.
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Computer Access
You have access to computers with educational software in the library (F building), in the Extended
Learning Center (ELC) on the second floor of Building C, and in The Write Place and hallways in G
building. This campus is a wireless campus, meaning that if you have wireless technology on your
computer, you can access the internet anywhere on campus. In the library and ELC, you can print
documents paying 10 cents per page by using a card you can buy or by using your Lone Star Identification
card.
Library
With your free library number that you get with your student ID card, you may access books, journals,
videos, and other materials from a wide selection of libraries. You may request materials from other
libraries and pick them up at the Montgomery Campus library on the first floor of Building F. You may,
also, work online through the library databases to access academic information for research you will do in
your classes.
The library is a study-oriented quiet place where you may study alone or in a small study room with peers.
Transfer and Career Services
These two services are part of the TRAC Center (Transfer, Recruitment, and Careers), which is located in
Building C in room 227 E. Contact the Center at 936-271-6218 or www.LoneStar.edu/trac .
Class Information
Attendance
Best success depends on your attendance at every class meeting. NO absences are excused.
Manage your time wisely and plan ahead so that you can attend class and complete the course outcomes.
Turn in All Work on its due date
If you have a problem that prevents attendance, contact me. Call my office and leave a message or e-mail me.
If you must be absent, turn in your work by e-mail on the due date. No extra credit work is given or accepted.
Do the assigned work, and you can be successful without further assignments.
Behavior in Class
Some behaviors interrupt class, distract you and your peers, and keep us from our main goal which is learning
and interacting in a comfortable and respectful environment. There are two rules that encompass all other
rules: Be respectful. Be responsible.
Honor Our Contract
This syllabus is a contract between you as a student and me as an instructor.
By staying in this class after this first day, you agree that you will abide by ALL information in this
syllabus.
Our contract changes only if we must make a change to this syllabus in order to meet the
outcomes of the course.
Written notice of any change will be provided to students before the change takes place.
Discuss any concerns about this class with me as those concerns arise.
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You may also contact the Division Dean Dr. Brandy Harvey at (936-273-7466) or by e-mail at
Brandy.A.Harvey@lonestar.edu
Core Foundational Component Areas
Critical Thinking Skills:
Creative thinking
Innovation
Inquiry
Analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information
Communication Skills:
Effective written, oral, and visual communication
Grading Scale:
The evaluation of a student’s course progress and final grade is based upon the degree of mastery and of course outcomes.
The grade breakdown for this class is as follows:
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
PERCENTAGE
VALUE
Writing Assignment # 1
10
10
Writing Assignment # 2
10
10
Writing Assignment # 3
15
15
Writing Assignment # 4
15
15
Pre-Writing & Post-Writing Assignments/homework/classwork
20
20
Research paper
20
20
Final exam
10
10
TOTALS
100
100
Grading Scale:
A
Excellent Performance
90 – 100%
B
Good Performance
80 – 89%
C
Acceptable Performance
70 – 79%
F
0 – 69%
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Course Calendar - Due dates, activities, and assignments may be adjusted at the instructor’s discretion.
Fall 2015
Starting in Week # 2, all readings should be read PRIOR to the first class meeting of the week. In other
words, please come to the first class meeting of the week having closely read all of the week’s reading
materials.
Week 1
Monday, Aug. 24 –
Sunday, Aug. 30
Fall 2015 classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24
Readings:
- Ch. 1 – Everything is an Argument, p. 3+
- “Disability and the Media: Prescriptions for Change,” p. 535+
- “Goodbye, Columbus: Ohio’s War on the Middle Class,” p. 931+
Week 2
Monday, Aug. 31 Sunday, Sept. 6
Readings:
- Ch. 2 – Arguments Based on Emotion: Pathos, p. 30+
- Ch. 7 – Structuring Arguments, p. 123+
- “The Trouble with Diversity: How we Learned to Love Identity and Ignore Equality,” p.
809+
Assignments Due:
- Writing Assignment # 1 Pre-Writing Due
Week 3
Monday, Sept. 7 –
Sunday, Sept. 13
Monday, Sept. 7 Labor
Day – No Class
Readings:
- Ch. 3 – Arguments Based on Character: Ethos, p. 42+
- Ch. 4 – Arguments Based on Facts and Reason: Logos, p. 55+
- “The Locavore’s Dilemma,” p. 703+
Assignments Due:
- Writing Assignment # 1 Pre-Writing Due
Week 4
Monday, Sept. 14 –
Sunday, Sept. 20
Readings:
- Ch. 6 – Rhetorical Analysis, p. 90+
- “Eating Ethically-It’s Complicated [and Listener Comments],” p. 696+
- “The Well-to-Do Get Less So, and Teenagers Feel the Crunch,” p. 823+
Assignments Due:
- Final Version of Writing Assignment # 1 Due
- Writing Assignment # 2 Pre-Writing Due
Week 5
Monday, Sept. 21 –
Sunday, Sept. 27
Readings:
- Ch. 13 – Style in Arguments, p. 309+
- Ch. 15 – Presenting Arguments, p. 344+
- “Always Living in Spanish,” p. 599+
Assignments Due:
- Writing Assignment # 2 Pre-Writing Due
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Week 6
Monday, Sept. 28 –
Sunday, Oct. 4
Readings:
- Ch. 16 – Academic Arguments, p. 367+
- “Language Use in the United States: 2007,” p. 571
- “Television, Disordered Eating, and Young Women in Fiji: Negotiating Body Image and
Identity -During Rapid Social Change,” p. 505+
Assignments Due:
- Final Version of Writing Assignment # 2 Due
- Writing Assignment # 3 Pre-Writing Due
Week 7
Monday, Oct. 5 –
Sunday, Oct. 11
Readings:
- Ch. 5 – Fallacies of Argument, p. 74+
- “Indian Mascots – You’re Out!” p. 520+
- “Live Blog: ‘Increase Diversity Bake Sale,’” p. 756+
Assignments Due:
- Writing Assignment #3 Pre-Writing Due
Week 8
Monday, Oct. 12 –
Sunday, Oct. 18
Readings:
- Ch. 10 – Evaluations, p. 214+
- Ch. 14 – Visual and Multimedia Arguments, p. 326+
- “Migration, On Ice: How Globalization Kills Chickens for their Parts,” p. 708+
- “Making a Visual Argument: Spotlight on Statistics: Back to College,” p. 839+
Assignments Due:
- Final Version of Writing Assignment # 3 Due
- Writing Assignment # 4 Pre-Writing Due
Week 9
Monday, Oct. 19 –
Sunday, Oct. 25
Readings:
- Ch. 8 – Arguments of Fact, p. 152+
- Ch. 9 – Arguments of Definition, p. 187+
- “Professors’ Liberalism Contagious? Maybe Not,” p. 796+
Assignments Due:
- Writing Assignment # 4 Pre-Writing Due
Week 10
Monday, Oct. 26 –
Sunday, Nov. 1
Readings:
- Ch. 11 – Causal Arguments, p. 242+
- Ch. 12 – Proposals, p. 273+
- “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?” p. 660+
Assignments Due:
- Final Version of Writing Assignment # 4 Due
Week 11
Monday, Nov. 2 –
Sunday, Nov. 8
Readings:
- Ch. 17 – Finding Evidence, p. 395+
- Ch. 18 – Evaluating Sources, p. 410+
- “Rising Share of Americans See Conflict Between Rich and Poor,” p. 888+
Assignments Due:
- Research Topic Due
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Week 12
Monday, Nov. 9 –
Sunday, Nov. 15
Readings:
- Ch. 19 – Using Sources, p. 418+
- Ch. 20 – Plagiarism and Academic Integrity, p. 436
- “Little Girls or Little Women? The Disney Princess Effect,” p. 482+
- “Education Pays, But Perhaps Less than You Thought,” p. 854
Assignments Due:
Research paper outline due
Week 13
Monday, Nov. 16 –
Sunday, Nov. 22
Readings:
- Ch. 21 – Documenting Sources, p. 446
- “Evictions at Sorority Raise Issue of Bias,” p. 515+
- “What Ever Happened to Upward Mobility?” p. 901+
Assignments Due:
Research Paper Rough draft Due; Research Paper peer review
Week 14
Monday, Nov. 23 –
Sunday, Nov. 29
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Sunday, Nov. 29 – Thanksgiving Break – No Class
Week 15
Monday, Nov. 30 –
Sunday, Dec. 6
Readings:
- No new readings required.
Readings:
- “Toddlers in Tiaras,” p. 490+
- “Are We Worried about Storm’s Identity - Or our Own?” p. 545+
- “Review of Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It,” p. 714
Assignments Due:
Research Paper due
Week 16
Monday, Dec. 7 Sunday, Dec. 13
Final Exam Week
Readings:
- No new readings required.
Assignment:
- Final Exam
See Final Exam Schedule for designated Final Exam day/time:
http://www.lonestar.edu/examschedule.htm