Fall 2021 Course Syllabus Course: ENGL-1301- Section: 02 Composition I

Instructor Information
Instructor	Jeremy Belyeu
E-mail	belyeujc@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6436
Office	Location: Student Success Center - Room: 130 Hours: MWF: 9-11 am; TR: 11:30-2 pm
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 in reading and writing required. Students must be TSI-compliant in writing or concurrently enrolled in a co-requisite foundations course.
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/teamwork and essay rubric. 3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose. (PSLO 2) measured by essay rubric. 4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts. (PSLO 1,4,6) measured by class discussion & 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 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. We will be reading and responding to a series of stories in PDF format throughout the semester. Links to these texts will be provided on the class Blackboard page. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY A TEXTBOOK FOR THIS COURSE. You do, however, need to purchase a thumb drive and bring it to class with you every day so that you can save your work electronically.
Lecture Topics Outline	Weeks 1/2: Beginnings, Preliminary writing activities, MLA formatting Weeks 3/4: Description Weeks 5/6: Narrative Weeks 7/8: Library Literacy, Midterm Reflection Weeks 9/10: Process Analysis Weeks 10/11: Process Analysis Week 12/13: Comparison and Contrast; Phase 1 Research Due Week 14/15: Argument, Phase 2 Research Presentations Week 16: Argument Wrap-Up
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 1: Syllabus; Two Interesting Things Week 2: MLA Formatting; Exploring the Purdue OWL Week 3: "Reunion" Response #1; Descriptive Introduction Week 4: Descriptive Essay Week 5: Intro to Peer Review; "The Lottery" Response #2 Week 6: Narrative Essay; Revision Week 7: Exploring the Library; Choosing a Research Topic Week 8: Midterm Reflection: Defining Success Week 9: "Beyond the Formaldehyde Curtain" Response #3 Week 10: Process Analysis Essay Week 11: Comparative Literature Response #4: "Shiloh" and "Story of an Hour" Week 12: Compare/Contrast Essay Week 13: "A Modest Proposal" Response #5; Annotated Bibliography Week 14: Argument First Drafts; Research Presentations Week 15: Research Presentations, Argument Revisions Week 16: Argument Final Drafts
Final Exam Date	December 9, 2021 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 9, 2021 - 9:15 AM
Grading Scale	While focusing on your grades, consider this: students caught cheating on an assignment receive a zero on the assignment. NO EXCEPTIONS. Students caught cheating a second time automatically fail the course. Don't cheat.
Determination of Final Grade	Major Expository Essays (Description, Narrative, Process, C/C, Argument): 50% Additional Writing (Responses to Literature, Reflections): 30% Research Project (Annotated Bibliography, Presentation of Sources): 20% ALL WRITING SUBMITTED MUST BE WRITTEN BY THE STUDENT (him or herself) ENROLLED IN THE CLASS WITH NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. All essay grading will be based upon the ten-category ENGL 1301 Essay Rubric available on the class homepage. Some of our essays will include multiple drafts with peer-review input. These activities will be factored into the students' essay grades. Extra credit for outstanding effort and participation is not only possible but encouraged. On the other hand, failure to participate will result in loss of points, since essays will be graded as incomplete. There is no final exam in the course. Students' research presentations at the end of the semester will count as final examinations.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	ALL of the writing in this class must be written by the student enrolled in the class without any outside help. Most essays are in-class assignments, while reader responses often will be submitted as homework All essays will be submitted through Blackboard's Safe Assign link and a hard copy will also be submitted at the end of class. MUST bring flash/thumb drive to class EVERY TIME we meet. This class can be a lot of fun even though your favorite activity may not be writing. Just be forewarned: we write and write and write and ... you get the picture! STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE FINAL TO PASS THE CLASS.
Attendance Policy	This course meets twice a week for a total of thirty sessions. 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 meet virtually at some point in the semester. Students are required to attend class if they are well enough to do so. However, if you are NOT well enough to do so, please email me BEFORE class 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 OR QUARANTINING, SHOW UP TO CLASS. The official last day of class is Thursday, December 9. However, if we conduct all of our class business on time, we will wrap up our semester instead on Tuesday, December 7. I will be here on 12/9 during our usual class period just in case anyone has any questions or concerns as the semester adjourns.
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	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. 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	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.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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.