Fall 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: ENGL-1301- Section: 74
Composition I
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Caitlin James
E-mailjamescr1@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6415
Office
Location:Student Center - Room: 416
Hours:M,W- 9:00-11:00 and 12:00-2:00, F- 9:00-11:00. Also by appointment (masks required).
Department
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Michelle Davis
E-mail:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6341

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description Intensive study of 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.
Prerequisites Basic skills competency (TSI complete) in reading and writing required.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes. (PSLO 1) Measured by essay rubric.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.(PSLO 1 & 4) Measured by class discussion, team work, and essay rubric.
3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose. (PSLO 2) Meaured by essay rubric.
4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
(PSLO Alpha, 1,4,6) Measured by pre-test/post-test, class discussion and essay rubric.
5. Use Edited American English in academic essays. (PSLO 2) Measured by essay rubric.
Core Objectives * Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading.
PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills- Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.
PSLO 2: Communication Skills ? Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.
PSLO 4: Teamwork Skills- Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
Helps the team move forward by discussing merits of alternative ideas; Treats team members respectfully; uses positive facial, vocal or written tone, or language to convey a positive attitude; Motivates teammates by expressing confidence about the importance of the task; Provides assistance/encouragement to team members; Completes all assigned tasks by deadline; Addresses conflict constructively; or helps the group avoid conflict completely.
PSLO 6: Personal Responsibility Skills ? Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision-making.
Recognizes ethical issues when presented in a complex, multilayered (gray) context; recognizes cross- relationships among the issues; discusses in detail/ analyzes core beliefs; the discussion has greater depth and clarity showing the independent application of ethical perspectives/ concepts to an ethical question accurately; and is able to consider full implications of the application.
Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

No book is required for this course, all readings are public domain on the Internet. Links, pdfs, and handouts will be provided by the Instructor. TBA on the first week of class.
Lecture Topics
Outline
DO NOT email me to ask what was missed during your absence. Ask another student and check Blackboard. No texting during lectures. NO FOOD. No phones out during class unless I specify you may use them.
Major Assignments
Schedule
Week 1: Intro to course, cover syllabus. Log on to LamarPA and email.
Week 2: Prewriting, reading short stories, Quiz 1
Week 3: Essay#1 Due: Narrative
Week 4: Fiction reading, Writing, Quiz 2
Week 5: Essay#2 Due: Descriptive, Quiz 3
Week 6: Essay #3 Due- Division/Classification
Week 7: Quiz 4
Week 8: Essay #4 Due- Definition/Etymology
Week 9: Writing
Week 10: Quiz 5
Week 11: Essay #5/Final Due: Argument















Final Exam Date December 3, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 8, 2020 - 5:00 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Narrative- 10%

Descriptive- 10%

Division/Classification- 15%

1 Definition Essay- 20%

1 Argument essay- 25%

Response Papers and Quizzes- 20%
______________________
100%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies DO NOT email me to ask what was missed during your absence. Ask another student and check Blackboard. No texting during lectures. NO FOOD. No phones out during class unless I specify you may use them.
Attendance Policy Class attendance is mandatory. However, for either illness or emergencies, I will allow THREE absences for this course without any punitive damage to your grade. Please note: for each subsequent absence after three, a letter grade will be deducted from your semester average, and there is absolutely NO exception to this penalty. If you are an athlete and have to miss class due to an off-campus game, proper paperwork MUST be submitted to the instructor before the date of absence, if not, this will count as an absence. If you are absent (for any reason), you are still responsible for the material that was covered during your absence and for assignments given during your absence. If you get up and leave before I dismiss class, you will be marked absent for the day. It is discourteous to leave while class is in session, but if you really must leave the classroom during class (even for just a couple of minutes), you are still responsible for whatever was covered during your absence.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.