ENGL 1013- Composition 1 – 3 Credit Hours
Instructor: Pam Mathis
Office: M129A
Phone: 870-391-3298
Email: pmathis@northark.edu
Fall 2015 Office Hours:
M-F: 9:00-11:00
DESCRIPTION:
In this course, students read and discuss professional essays, a nonfiction work,
and other readings and then write clear, concise, well-developed expository
essays of their own based upon their reading and discussion. Instruction guides
the student through the preparation and writing of a series of essays as well as a
multisource paper following the MLA format for academic papers. Students will
complete three benchmark exams designed to test their mastery of writing,
researching, and editing skills. Students must earn a minimum of “C” in the
course to advance to ENGL 1023. An honors section is available.
PREREQUISITE AND CO-REQUISITE:
Pre-req CP 0816 with a “C” AND 80 or higher on COMPASS English AND 83 or
higher on COMPASS Reading OR
Co-req CP 0913 with ACT English Score of 14 through 18 (42-79 on COMPASS)
OR ACT English Score of 19 or higher (80 or higher on COMPASS) AND 83 or
higher on COMPASS Reading
RATIONALE FOR COURSE:
ENGL 1013 is required by all degree programs and provides students with the
critical thinking, reading skills, and writing skills necessary for success in other
college courses and in their personal and professional life beyond college. It
requires reading, writing with a word processor program, researching on the
Internet and in a library setting, discussion, and collaboration.
POST REQUISITE:
Students who earn a minimum grade of “C” in ENGL 1013 advance to ENGL
1023 or ENGL 1033.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
ENGL 1013 is intended to help the student:
1. Write sentences that meet generally accepted standards of sentence
structure, punctuation, and grammar.
2. Write adequately developed and effectively organized essays.
3. Collect and organize evidence from one or more sources to support a
thesis.
4. Recognize and distinguish between main ideas and key supporting details.
5. Distinguish between fact and opinion, detect bias, and make inferences
based on supporting detail.
6. Increase vocabulary and reading comprehension.
This class supports the Northark General Learning Outcomes:
The learning outcomes of general education will be common to all students
regardless of major. When students have completed the general education
component of their studies, they should be able to:
1. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills across disciplines.
2. Apply life skills in areas such as teamwork, interpersonal relationships, ethics,
and study habits.
3. Communicate clearly in written or oral formats.
4. Use technology appropriate for learning.
5. Discuss issues of a diverse global society.
6. Demonstrate math and/or statistical skills.
REQUIRED RESOURCES:
Aplia software
Bragg, Rick. All Over But the Shoutin’.New York: Vintage Books, 1997.
Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference. 8th ed. Boston:
Bedford, 2015. Print.
Mathis, Pam. Blueprints for Writing: Building Essays. 1st ed. Boston: Cengage
Learning, 2014. Print.
Turnitin.com
Other necessary items include:
 Access to a computer with Microsoft Word and to the internet for Portal
 Memory stick to save course work
 Thesaurus and dictionary (on-line or in print)
TUTORIAL RESOURCES:
The Learning Commons is available to assist students in completing Aplia
assignments and with all writing needs, including grammar and punctuation.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
This course will consist of lectures, class discussion, hands on activities, in class
writing, peer and instructor evaluation, and group work.
REQUIREMENTS:
 Minimum of 5 essays, 1 multisource paper, and various reading and
writing assignments
 Benchmark tests
 Attendance
EVALUATION: Instructor will evaluate using reading and writing assignments,
quizzes, tests, Aplia assignments, classroom attendance, and a standardized
final exam. Grade in course will consist of 70% essays (100 points each;
multisource paper is 200), 20% benchmark exams (first two collectively count
10%, and final benchmark counts 10%), 10% daily work assignments, including
Aplia assignments. Students are required to submit every paper electronically to
turnitin.com (I will walk you through it) by the due date. I will not accept a paper
for which I have not already approved an outline. Late work is penalized 5
points per class period and will not be accepted after it is four class periods late.
LETTER GRADE SCALE:
100-90= A
79-70 = C
89-80= B
69-60 = D
59-0 = F
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Once a student misses
15% of the class, the instructor has the prerogative to assign an F for the
course. If you must withdraw from the course, you are responsible for
doing so. I am not permitted to drop you from the class.
PROTECTION OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
North Arkansas College's commitment to academic achievement is supported by
a strict but fair policy to protect academic integrity. This policy regards academic
fraud and dishonesty as disciplinary offenses requiring disciplinary actions. Any
student who engages in such offenses (as here defined) will be subject to one or
more courses of action as determined by the instructor, and in some cases, by
the Division Chairperson or Program Director, the Vice President of Learning,
and the Institutional Standards and Appeals Committee as well.
Academic fraud and dishonesty are defined as follows:
Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials,
information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Test tampering: Intentionally gaining access to restricted test booklets, banks,
questions, or answers before a test is given; or tampering with questions or
answers after a test is taken.
Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words and ideas of
another as one's own in any academic exercise.
Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or
attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.
Just don’t do it. As Mom always said, “You’re only cheating yourself.” Plus, it
usually is really obvious and very embarrassing when you are confronted by your
instructor.
If there are any changes in the syllabus or course content, students will be
notified in the Course Announcements.
STATEMENT OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Read the college catalog and all materials you receive during
registration. These materials tell you what the college expects from
you.
Read the daily schedule for each class. The syllabus tells you what
the instructor expects from you. Also, check your Northark email.
I will notify you when I cannot be here or when there are
significant changes to the schedule.
Attend all class meetings. Something important to learning
happens during every class period. If you must miss a class
meeting, talk to the instructor in advance about what you should do.
Be on time. If you come in after class has started, you disrupt the
entire class.
Never interrupt another class to talk to the instructor or a student in
that class.
Be prepared for class. Complete reading assignments and other
homework before class so that you can understand the lecture and
participate in discussion. Always have pen/pencil, paper, and other
specific tools for class.
Learn to take good notes. Write down ideas rather than word-forword statements by the instructor.
Allow time to use all the resources available to you at the college.
Visit your instructor during office hours for help with material or
assignments you do not understand; use the library; use the free
tutors, tapes, computers, and other resources in the Learning
Commons and the Writing Center.
Treat others with respect. Part of the college experience is being
exposed to people with ideas, values, and backgrounds different
from yours. Listen to others and evaluate ideas on their own merit.
ADA STATEMENT: North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their
requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class or during office
hours about their disability or special need related to classroom work; and/or (2)
contact Special Services in Room M154H and ask to speak to Kim Brecklein.