Instructor: Michelle R. Garza

Freshman Composition Syllabus, Garza Sp 2013

Instructor: Michelle R. Garza

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Office: Gonzalez Hall 100 (SAC)

Course Texts and Materials[1]

• All course readings and resources will be provided online via our course website
• Pen(s)/Pencil(s) and Notebook Paper

Course Introduction

Writing is often a very frightening and daunting task to take on for many people. But before you run off and hide in a corner, breathe in and take a minute to consider: Professional writers feel the exact same way. Good writing isn’t written over night; just the same, good writers aren’t just born with a talent or gift for writing.

All writers understand that writing takes work. Lots and lots of work.[2] Most of what is deemed “good” writing is born out of deep critical examination of a writer’s own work as well as the work of others. All writers begin a writing task with an idea, something that comes from what they’ve observed and what they know about their surroundings and experiences. Writers must be aware of who they are and what they know about writing, in order to understand preferences for crafting original documents written for an audience. Your journey towards becoming a writer begins first with English 1301, where you will examine closely how you write, read, and comprehend difficult texts through examination, reading and writing about writing.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
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.

Assignments and Evaluation

In this English 1301 you write, discuss, and think about you, your place in space, issues that truly affect your lived reality, and members (constituents) that you are responsible for and interact with on a daily basis.

Much of your overall average for this course will come from of 2 portfolios: 1 mini-portfolio, developed to introduce you to research and the portfolio contents, and 1 final portfolio, meant to aide in your research and writing processes and development. The sequence of major writing assignments connects and gradually moves from the familiar, to the less familiar, and from writing for the classroom to writing outside of the classroom. Audience and purpose shift.

• Assignment 1: Reflective Documentation (Mini-portfolio)
• Assignment 2: Spatial Narrative (Compare/Contrast)
• Assignment 3: Living Realities (Cause & Effect)
• Assignment 4: Likely Solutions (Persuasive Argument)
• Assignment 5: Writing Foundations (Final Portfolio)[3]

Course Requirements

All assignments require research and/or the incorporation of other texts you will read and evaluate. To accomplish assignments 3 and 4, you select an issue (topic / problem) that directly affects you and that is suitable for the scope and purpose of the assignment(s). We help you find that topic as we work through writings and readings in assignments 1 and 2. These assignments are designed to generate critical thinking techniques.

*Note: Due dates are subject to change.

Attendance and Participation

This portion of your grade reflects participation, preparation, and engagement. Daily work will include in-class writing (usually a question from the assigned reading for the day--expect to do this the first thing when you come to class), response to drafts by other students, and oral defenses or presentations based on assigned readings, or quizzes on occasion. These assignments cannot be made up if you miss class. Note: if you miss class, or are late for class and miss the in-class activities, you do not receive credit for those particular assignments missed.

Student Led Facilitation/Presentation

As part of daily work, the course format consists of both teacher and student-facilitated discussion. Students will work in small groups throughout the semester to discuss the readings and lead the class. This means part of your daily work grade is based on participation. You will be asked to facilitate discussion over assigned readings. It is your responsibility to read material and be ready to discuss/join the conversation.

Academic Professionalism

Because part of your grade in English 1301 is dependent upon your group and overall class participation, regular attendance is required. Each day you’re not here only lessens your overall average and hurts those who need to hear from you.

I reserve the right to drop you for failure to attend this course and lack of progress for success. I will notify you of my decision to drop prior to the drop date. Remember, you are only allowed 6 course withdrawals throughout your academic career.

Late Major Assignments

Late major assignments without previous arrangements before the due date are penalized a letter grade. You have only 7 days from the original due date to submit an assignment that is late. After that date, I will no longer accept the assignment and you will receive a zero (What are the consequences for a zero though?).[4] Please note that if a special circumstance should occur where a major paper is due to be handed in during class and you elect not to attend class on that day, the paper is penalized for being late. Be responsible turn your work in earl

Class Discussion and Courtesy

Much of the learning in class will occur during in-class activities and discussion of material/homework. I understand, though, that it is often difficult to speak up in front of peers, and for this reason, participation will not be evaluated by how "well" a student may speak. It is my hope, however, that discussions are engaging, and that student responses are reflective in nature, bearing in mind that each student is respectful/mindful of classmates' feelings, beliefs, thoughts, opinions, and questions as well.

Also, note that when we talk as a class, the time is meant to be a daily discussion of issues related to the reading material, discussions that come from your personal experience, or your designated topics. This kind of interaction demands (and probably helps create) a “professional” learning environment wherein we take turns speaking and listening, always with courtesy and respect. There is an important difference between disagreeing with someone’s ideas and putting him/her down, or between offering criticism that proves helpful in the revision process and making disparaging comments.

Revision Policy

You may revise only major written assignments turned in on time (assignments 1, 2, and 3 only though).

1.)You must turn in your revised assignment with prior, original work - which has my feedback - along with the original grading rubric.

2.)Revisions of all work should be submitted in your Final Portfolio.

Academic Integrity and Honesty

All students are expected to conform to college-level standards of ethics, academic integrity, and academic honesty. By enrolling in this course, you agree to be bound by the Regulations and Procedures published in the San Antonio College catalog and student handbooks.

In upholding integrity, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on assignments, plagiarism (unauthorized use of another person’s work, or inadequate documentation), and collusion through unauthorized collaboration results in serious penalties ranging from failing grades on an assignment through expulsion. Warning: A plagiarized writing assignment is an automatic grade of F (0pts) for the course which is not removed from your record.

The most common form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism, or “the presentation of the work of another as one’s own work.” Plagiarism is a serious violation of professional, academic standards and will be handled by judicial affairs. Plagiarism includes: 1) Using the work of another as your own. 2) Downloading or purchasing ready-made essays off the web and using them as your own. 3) Using resource materials without correct documentation. 4) Using work that has already received credit elsewhere for another course. Please note, that just as there are sites providing essays for use or purchase, there are sites too that help teachers identify such sources.

Consulting Services

The Writing Center, located on campus (Gonzalez Hall 203) provides free tutoring. Your fees have paid for this service and you are encouraged to take advantage of it. Writing Centers are usually associated with negativity. This is not the case. Writing Centers are there to help you with any level of maturity in your own writing, much like a consulting service. Whether you need brainstorming ideas, editing, revision, clarity, arrangement or proper citation assistance, the Writing Center is there to guide you.

disABILITY Support Services

The disABILITY Support Services office provides academic support services to qualified San Antonio College students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided to ensure access to all College courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities. This includes those that are off-site, such as study abroad programs, field trips, student-teaching, internships, and field work. Please contact the Support Services office to discuss needs, register for services, or for any further assistance.

To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a temporary or permanent disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the ADA and Section 504, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sitting, breathing, taking care of oneself, etc.).

As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if an accommodation is needed, contact the disABILITYoffice at 210. 486-0020 or visit them on the first floor of the Moody Learning Center (below the library).[5]

Core Competencies for Comp I, II

Statement of Purpose:

Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning.

Core Objectives: Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will prepare for contemporary challenges by developing and demonstrating the following core objectives:

(A) Critical Thinking Skills: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information;

(B) Communication Skills: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication;

(C) Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions;

(D) Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal;

(E) Personal Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making; and

(F) Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Each institution's core curriculum will be composed of courses that adhere to the content description, core objectives, and semester credit hour requirements for a specific component area. The foundational component areas are:

(A) Communication (6 SCH) ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302.

(i) Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively.

(ii) Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

(iii) The following four Core Objectives must be addressed in each course approved to fulfill this category requirement: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.

One Final Note: If for any reason, you feel overwhelmed, unprepared or unready, understand we have all been there, and you are not alone. I would highly recommend making a few friends in class to help keep you on track. Also, please, do not hesitate to talk to me! Most of the things I ask students to do are things that no one has ever asked you to do; so, I am here to help you navigate through these difficult waters if ever you should need. ;)

[1] All materials must be brought to class daily unless otherwise noted in daily class plans.

[2] “Writing is not a genteel profession. It’s quite nasty and tough and kind of dirty.” Rosemary Mahoney

[3] Assignment descriptions are available online via the course website.

[4] If you are unsure of what your grade at any point in the semester, please come see me, or make arrangements to speak with me, during office hours. My office hours and work schedule are posted on the class website’s homepage.

[5]Disclaimer: At any time during the semester, understand that I reserve the right to change this syllabus, such as due dates and content. Course management policies shall not change.