Fall 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: DENG-0301- Section: 71 Foundations of Composition |
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Instructor Information | |||||||||||
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Instructor | Jeremy Belyeu | ||||||||||
belyeujc@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||
Phone | (409) 984-6436 | ||||||||||
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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 | TSI placement scores indicate that students would benefit from a non-course based option (NCBO) as a co-enrollment requirement for ENGL 1301 Composition I. Students are placed in this course based on TSI cut scores, successful completion of base competency courses such as DENG 0410 and 0110, and/or advisory discretion. | ||||||||||
Learning Outcomes |
Learning outcomes correspond to those for ENGL 1301 Composition 1, namely: Upon successful completion of this course, students will: Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate clear focus, the logical development of ideas, and the use of appropriate language that advances the writer's purpose. Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given writing situations. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating the ideas and words of other writers in student writing using established strategies. Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information to formulate and develop a claim. Develop and use effective revision strategies to strengthen the writer's ability to compose college-level writing assignments. Edit writing to conform to the conventions of standard English. |
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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. |
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Program Student Learning Outcomes |
PSLO ALPHA (LSCPA): 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. |
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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.
Hawkes Learning's Foundations of English course software is required for successful completion of the course. The lessons provided will supplement instruction in basic grammar and usage and improve the developing students' consistency and quality of writing. An access code for the software can be purchased by registering at learn.hawkeslearning.com and accessing our course (DENG 0301-71 92542). Grades for the lessons completed through the Hawkes software will be displayed in the Blackboard gradebook. COMPLETION OF THE HAWKES LEARNING MATERIAL IS REQUIRED TO EARN A SATISFACTORY GRADE (S) FOR DENG 0301. ISBN: 978-1-941552-55-1 |
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Lecture Topics Outline |
Hawkes Learning software for our course includes twenty-eight lessons, each containing sections for overview, practice, and certification. We will be touching on many of these lessons in class (and not always in order) so that you may practice the lessons which may be most applicable to your ENGL 1301 Composition course at any given time. For instance, even though 8.6 (Applying MLA Styles and Formatting) is the last lesson listed, we will be visiting it fairly early in the course because knowledge of MLA formatting practices and expectations is essential for success in Composition as well as most other academic college courses. Each student is ultimately responsible for completing all Hawkes assignments. Half of your semester average is determined by your completion of these lessons. 5.1 Determining a Writing Style 5.2 Using an Appropriate Tone 5.3 Maintaining Consistency in Tense and Person 5.4 Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers 5.5 Using Word and Sentence Variety 5.6 Using Parallelism, Coordination, and Subordination 5.7 Using Active and Passive Voice 5.8 Emphasizing Words and Phrases 5.9 Choosing Clear, Concise, and Vivid Words 5.10 Using Inclusive Language 5.11 Proofreading Sentences for Style 7.1 Preparing to Write a Longer Text 7.2 Understanding Genre and Purpose 7.3 Choosing a Topic and Scope for a Longer Text 7.4 Writing a Thesis or Purpose Statement 7.5 Organizing and Outlining a Longer Paper 7.6 Writing with Technology 7.7 Writing a First Draft 7.8 Using Paragraphs Effectively 7.9 Revising a Longer Text 7.10 Participating in Peer Review 7.11 Submitting a Longer Text 8.1 Researching and Writing Responsibly 8.2 Making a Research Plan 8.3 Organizing the Research Process 8.4 Identifying Types of Sources 8.5 Evaluating the Credibility of Sources 8.6 Applying MLA Styles and Formatting |
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Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1: Introductions, Diagnostic, Writing Warm-Up Week 2: Formatting workshop, Hawkes software sign-up Week 3: Vocabulary Week 4: Grammar Check-up Week 5/6: Sentence Building Week 7: Main Ideas/Details Week 8: Mid-Term Check-Up (10/14) Week 9: Intros and Conclusions Week 10: Practicum: The Cover Letter Week 11/12: Research: Works Cited Page Week 13: Hawkes Wrap-up (All Assignments Due Sunday, 11/21) Week 14: Cumulative Response Paper Week 15/16: Final Exam Review, Final Exam (12/7) Major assignments are designed to support the successful completion of Composition I and are subject to the instructor's discretion. |
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Final Exam Date | December 7, 2021 - 8:00 AM Through December 7, 2021 - 8:00 PM | ||||||||||
Grading Scale | This foundational instruction is designed as a co-requisite, non-credit, non-course-based option (NCBO); therefore, students will receive grades of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on a traditional grading scale. Students who earn below a 70% average for the semester will receive a grade of Unsatisfactory. | ||||||||||
Determination of Final Grade |
Hawkes Learning assignments: 50% Supplemental writing activities: 30% Midterm: 10% Final Exam: 10% (STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THE FINAL EXAM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY GRADE FOR THE COURSE.) |
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Course Policies | |||||||||||
Instructor Policies |
Email is the easiest way to get in touch with me (belyeujc@lamarpa.edu). Please remember to include our class name AND section in the subject line (ex. DENG 0301-71). |
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Attendance Policy |
Due to the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, the health and availability of both instructors and students have never been more at risk. If we find ourselves dealing with a surge of infections, we may be forced to adjust policies at some point in the semester. Students are required to attend pre-announced weekly or semi-weekly virtual meetings if they are well enough to do so. However, if you are NOT well enough to do so, please email me BEFORE a meeting to alert me to your absence. Students who fail to do so more than twice during the semester are subject to the loss of a letter grade on their semester average. In other words, IF YOU ARE NOT SICK, SHOW UP TO ALL SCHEDULED MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATE. Our Midterm Exam will be conducted online on Thursday, October 14. Students will have a window of 8 am to 8 pm to complete it. Our Final Exam will be conducted online on Tuesday, December 7. Students will have a window of 8 am to 8 pm to complete it. Since students have a twelve-hour window in which to complete the exams, no make-up exams will be permitted. |
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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 |
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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 |
The Oxford Dictionary defines plagiarism as "the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own." In order to avoid both intentional and accidental plagiarism, please familiarize yourself with the four types of plagiarism most common in higher education here: https://copyleaks.com/blog/types-of-plagiarism Don't cheat. Don't have someone else write your papers or buy work from an online source. Don't copy and paste online material and try to pass it off as your own. I will know. The first offense will result in a zero on the assignment. The second offense will mean an automatic dismissal from the course and a failing grade. If I catch you plagiarizing, I reserve the right to retroactively regrade all past assignments to ensure that no previous plagiarism has taken place. Students will sign a contract acknowledging their understanding and acceptance of this course policy. |
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HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||||
Department |
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