DUAL CREDIT ENGLISH1301: COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I

Course Information / Faculty Information
Course Title: Composition and Rhetoric I / Name:Stephanie Shasteen
Course Number: ENGL 1301 / E-mail:
Credit Hours: 3 credits: 3 hrs. lecture
Prerequisite: Placement by Exam / Room Location: 188

“Philology is that venerable art which exacts from its followers one thing above all — to step to one side, to leave themselves spare moments, to grow silent, to become slow — the leisurely art of the goldsmith applied to language: an art which must carry out slow, fine work, and attains nothing if not lento. Thus philology is now more desirable than ever before; thus it is the highest attraction and incitement in an age of ‘work’: that is, of haste, of unseemly and immoderate hurry-skurry, which is so eager to ‘get things done’ at once, even every book, whether old or new. Philology itself, perhaps, will not so hurriedly ‘get things done.’ It teaches how to read well, that is, slowly, profoundly, attentively, prudently, with inner thoughts, with the mental doors ajar, with delicate fingers and eyes. My patient friends, this book appeals only to perfect readers and philologists: learn to read me well!” – Friedrich Nietzsche

COURSE MATERIALS (Required):

Behrens, Rosen, Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum, 12th ed., Pearson & Longman, 2013.

Kirszner & Mandell, The Brief Wadsworth Handbook, 7th ed., Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.

Purchase textbooks at the University Park bookstore in person or online (see flyer). I also recommend Amazon.com for cheaper, used options with free 2-day shipping. Textbooks must be purchased within the first week of classes (by Sept. 3rd).

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A multi-paragraph composition course, including language study and the mechanics of writing, with examples from selected readings. (2304015112) LSCS Catalog

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will read college level materials to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
  2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution, following standard style guidelines in documenting sources.
  3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose
  4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
  5. Use edited American English in academic essays.

Guidelines and Policies

Attendance: Students must follow Klein ISD attendance policies. Class starts when the bell rings and ends when the bell rings. Arriving to class late without a pass and/or packing your things up before I have ended the lesson and dismissed you will result in a 1-point reduction in your participation grade for that day.

Assignments: Students will choose one major controversy of interest to them. All major writing assignments and the final exam will revolve around that chosen controversy. Minor grades along the way will consist of written reflections in a journal, quizzes, participation, etc.

Unit 1:
Describing a controversy and mapping the various positions within it
In this unit, students detail the history of their controversy, map out the central positions held in regard to it, examine the stakes of each position, and explore the ways in which the positions are interrelated (dependent on one another). The major assignment for this unit requires analysis and description, not evaluation or argumentation.

Unit 2:
Analyzing a position within a controversy
In this unit, students will analyze a specific position within their chosen controversy. After summarizingwhatthe writer says, noting the central claims and key evidence, students will analyzehowthe argument is put together as well aswhythe writer has made specific rhetorical choices. Students may also discover and describe significant disagreements among others who advocate this same position. The major assignment for this unit requires analysis and description, not evaluation or argumentation.

Unit 3:
Advocating a position within a controversy
In this unit, students situate themselves within the "map" of the controversy that they have constructed and produce an argument that advocates a particular position using the persuasive strategies analyzed and studied throughout the semester.

Class Participation:

  1. An English course is an aesthetic experience, meaning it is alive and responsive to the beautiful. Lessons are designed to engage your senses and your thinking mind. To prime yourself for the day’s lesson, come to class with the assigned readings fresh on your mind. You should have thoroughly digested the readings well in advance, and given them another quick glance before class to warm up your brain.
  2. It is your responsibility to make your presence and dedication to success in the classroom known to me. You can demonstrate engagement through thoughtful contributions to class discussions, visiting me individually, and through email/discussion board threads.
  3. You should contribute at least 3 times a week, in one or more of the ways listed above. I will keep a record of how often and in what capacity you participate and consider this in your final grade.
  4. You will notice the participation section is one the lengthiest and most detailed sections of this syllabus. This is because the emphasis is on active discussion from you, the students. We will do a lot of talking and creating in this class. You don’t have to offer profound, genius-level analyses—just show me that you’ve been engaging the material seriously. Even posing an “I don’t get it, can you guys help me figure this out” question to the class can be a meaningful contribution.

Exams/quizzes: one exam per six weeks be given and will consist of short answer questions and an in-class essay and averaged together will count 10% of your final grade. These exams are meant to test your knowledge of the readings and ability to write concisely and thoughtfully in short response format. Periodic pop quizzes will be given and will count towards participation. Quizzes will cover assigned readings and class discussions and lectures. This requires you to be actively engaged in every discussion, every day. The final exam will be the major research paper of the course (see Unit 3 above in the “Assignments” section).

Make-up exams and late work: Hard copy assignments are due at the beginning of class. Electronic submissions are due before you arrive to class. I check email time stamps diligently. Any work turned in late will be docked one letter grade per day late. Only under extenuating circumstances, and with ample advance notice from you, will I grant an extension on major assignments or allow you to reschedule an exam.

Cell Phone and Personal Electronics Policy :

Out of sight, out of mind. If I see it, I will turn it in to your principal and you can retrieve it from them.

Grading Policy:

Final grades are determined by averaging the total of each area listed below:

Assignment

/

Percentage

Participation/Reflection/Quizzes / 30%
Writing Portfolio / 20%
Essay 1– (1st six weeks) / 10%
Essay 2– (2ndsix weeks) / 10%
Exams – (one each six weeks) / 10%
Final Research Paper (3rd six weeks) / 20%

Grading Scale:

90-100 / A
80-89 / B
70-79 / C
60-69 / D
Below 59 / F

Lone Star College-University Park Campus and System Policies

Academic Integrity

Klein Oak High School and the Lone Star College System uphold the core values of learning: honesty, respect, fairness, and accountability. 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. Plagiarism, fabrication of sources, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration is not permitted on any work.

Academic dishonesty/plagiarism is a serious offense in academia and may result in failure of the paper, failure of the course, or worse.

Student Behavior

Behavior that disrupts, distracts, or disrespects others’ learning-- such as tardiness or talking out of turn--hurts others and is an infringement on that person’s freedom. Such behavior will not be tolerated. Seriously. Be nice. Be on time. Contribute meaningfully to discussions and the intellectual culture of the class. To borrow words from The Help, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Treat yourself and others like it.

FERPA

The academic, financial, and non-directory information on your student account is confidential and protected by the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). LSCS cannot release certain information to another person without your written authorization.

Tentative Instructional Outline:

Readings and assignments will be updated on Blackboard and the class website. Our general outline will follow the format listed in the assignments section above.

Page 1 of 4