RANGER COLLEGE
COURSE: English 1301 – Composition I
CREDIT HOURS: 3 HRS/WK: 3 HRS/WKLAB: 0
Instructor: Laura Alice Yeck
Office: Ranger Campus, Jack Elsom Administration Bldg., Human Resources Office
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or by appointment
Contact Info: 817.726.4453 (cell) 254.647.3234 ext. 232 (office) lyeck@rangercollege.edu (email)
I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive
composition; analysis of literary, expository, and persuasive texts; and critical thinking. Credit 3
semester hours. Subject to Texas Success Initiative requirements.
II. COURSE GOAL - To develop clear statements of purpose, organizational patterns, and
detailed support for the most commonly employed rhetorical modes in academic writing and to edit
texts for presentation according to the conventions of edited American English. Furthermore,
students will have learned to apply principles for gathering, synthesizing, and presenting academic
research.
III. COURSE CONTENT- Essay content consists of narrative, descriptive,
classification/division, process, comparison/contrast, and argumentative (research).
IV. REQUIRED BACKGROUND/PREREQUISITES
Course Prerequisites: A passing score on appropriate section of THEA or equivalent alternate test.
V. TEXTBOOK (S); READINGS; MATERIALS
Miller, George. The Prentice Hall Reader. Tenth Edition: Prentice-Hall, 2012. ISBN: 9780205027866
Wysocki, Anne Frances and Dennis A. Lynch. The DK Handbook with Exercises. Second Edition.
Boston: Longman, 2011. ISBN 9780205741434
Dictionary of student’s choice.
Other Materials: This is a writing course; you will need a pen and notebook paper – no exceptions!
VI. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, discussion, small group session, multimedia, choose your own adventure.
1
VII. EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES – Communication (C)
C1.
To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention,
organization, drafting, revising, editing, and presentation.
C2.
To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate
communication choices.
C3.
To understand and approximately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expositive,
narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication.
C4.
To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective
thinking, and responding.
C5.
To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical
proficiency in the development of exposition and argument.
C6.
To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or given an oral
presentation.
VIII. BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES
The Basic Intellectual Competencies listed below are components of a process design to assist and
prepare students for becoming well-educated individuals who are intellectually flexible, articulate,
and have the capacity to become responsible and creative members of society. These competencies
are included in this course, and they are noted by the following numbering system:
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
IX.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reading: The ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, books,
documents, and articles above the 12th grade level.
Writing: The ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose,
occasion, and audience above the 12th grade level.
Speaking: the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language
appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience above a 12th grade level.
Listening: The ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication,
possess sufficient literary skill of writing and reading above a 12th grade level.
Critical Thinking: The ability to apply both quantitative and qualitative skills in analytically
and creatively to subject matter to evaluate arguments and construct alternative strategies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To recognize the difference in techniques used in selected genres of essays reflected in
printed essays. (C2) (C3) (C4) (C5) (B1) (B3) (B4) (B5)
To write essays 400-600 words in length that reflect specific organizational patterns and
demonstrate the use of unified thesis statements that are followed by support through the
essays. (C1) (C2) (C3) (C5) (B2) (B5)
To demonstrate the ability to use grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling
acceptable to semi-formal standards in essays. (C1) (B2)
To write selected types of expository discourse based on designed forms for each genre. (C3)
(C5) (C6) (B2) (B5)
To formulate ideas and express them in writing within a specified time period. (C1) (B2) (B5)
2
X.
COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES
1.
2.
A FINAL PAPER (5-7 pages) MUST BE SUBMITTED TO PASS THE COURSE.
Regular and punctual attendance is required of all students. If the student has the
equivalence of three weeks of absences in the course, the instructor may drop the student
from the course. (Ranger College Catalog)
Upon written approval from instructor, make-up papers/assignments should be completed
within one week of the original due date. Any test not made-up within one week of the
original due date will receive a grade of zero. After that time, a student may opt to do an
additional research paper to replace the missing grade. No more than one paper should be
made up.
Any assessment reflecting cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty will
receive a grade of zero on the first offense. The second offense will result in failure of the
course. Face to face students are required to read and sign a plagiarism policy at the
beginning of the semester. Online students are required to read the plagiarism policy and
send the instructor a confirmation email.
Adult behavior is expected of all students at all times. Misconduct or inappropriate behavior
will be punishable by immediate dismissal from class.
Cell phones are to be placed face up on the students desk and used for participation in the
classroom when instructed by the teacher.
Tutoring is available in the Golemon Library of Ranger College.
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.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
XI.
ASSESSMENT
The student’s final grade in this class will be determined by the total number of points
he/she has accumulated during the semester.
Six Essays – 100 points each, 600 points total
Five Quizzes – 10 points each, 50 points total
Mid-term Exam – 200 points
Final Exam – 200 points
Reflection Journal – 150 points
Final Paper – 300 points
Total possible points: 1500
POINT SCALE:
A: 1400-1500
B: 1300 -1399
C: 1200-1299
D: 1100-1199
F: 0-1099
3
XII.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT –
Admission, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are non-discriminatory in regard
to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin.
XIII. COURSE CALENDAR
***SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Week 1: Syllabus Overview/Intro to Composition/Topic Exploration /Reflection Journal
Week 2: Topic Due/Narrative Essay Due / Thesis Statement /Grammar Review
Week 3: Thesis Statement Due/Quiz 1/ Descriptive Essay Due / Grammar Review
Week 4: Library Visit / Research & Investigation / MLA Citation / So What Sources?
Week 5: Annotated Bibliography & Works Cited Due / Quiz 2/ Skeleton Construction
Week 6: Paper Outline Due/Classification & Division Essay Due /From Bone to Flesh
Week 7: Paper Rough Draft Due/ Its Alive! / Mid Term Review
Week 8: Process Essay Due / Mid Term Exam
Week 9: Quiz 3/Final Paper Workshop / Grammar Review
Week 10: Paper Due / Celebrate Catharsis / Choose your own adventure
Week 11: Reconstruction / Literary Criticism / Why Write?
Week 12: Papers Returned /Quiz 4 / World-Wide English
Week 13: Compare-Contrast Essay Due / Choose your own adventure
Week 14: THANKSGIVING Holiday – NO CLASS
Week 15: Quiz 5 / Cause & Effect Essay Due / Final Exam Review / Final Paper Workshop
Week 16: Final Exam / Final Paper Revised & Edited Due / Reflection Journal Due
4
XIV. RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
I HAVE RECEIVED AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THE SYLLABUS FOR
ENGLISH 1301 COMPOSTION I AND I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE STATED POLICIES. I
ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT CLASS ATTENDANCE IS IMPERATIVE FOR MY
CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE.
Signed:
Date:
Required Information (Please Print):
Name:
Student ID #:
Major:
Athletic/Activity:
Hometown:
(City/State/Country)
Optional Information:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Sweet Treat:
If you were an animal what would you be?
Personal Life Motto:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Musician:
Hobbies/other interests:
5