Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: DENG-0301 (Section: 01, CRN: 91958)
Foundations of Composition 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Zebulon Lowe
Email lowezc@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6550
Office Student Center - Room: 418
Office Hours TBD. Office hours schedule will be updated and released upon finalization of class schedule.
Additional Contact Information
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.
Required 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.

 
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.



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 Foundations of English
ISBN (Courseware only): 978-1-941552-55-1

The access code is automatically included for those students enrolled in the Seahawk Book Bundle.

For those who opt out of the bundle for the semester, the code is available for purchase through the "Hawkes Sign On" link in the course Blackboard page.
Additional Materials/Resources Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Microsoft Word) is a key to success in this and every English course at LSCPA. Microsoft products are provided as part of your student fees and apps are available for use through MyLamarPA. Students should bring a flash drive everyday to conveniently save drafts we will be working on in class.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying length.
  • Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing. Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
  • Describe and apply insights gained from reading and writing a variety of texts.
  • Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate reading comprehension, clear focus, logical development of ideas, and use of appropriate language that advance the writer’s purpose.
  • Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and 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 in recognizing, formulating, and developing a claim.
  • Develop and use effective reading and revision strategies to strengthen the writer’s ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
  • Recognize and apply the conventions of standard English in reading and writing
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
Lecture Topics Outline

The following Hawkes Learning lessons and corresponding assignments will be augmented through practical applications of writing, revision, editing, and peer review to complete the coursework. These lessons will be referenced in class, and students will be required to complete the assignments either in class or as homework to satisfy course requirements. These lessons correspond to chapters of the Foundations of English courseware linked on the class Blackboard page and synced to the class gradebook. Assignments not completed by the posted due dates will result in a grade of "0" for the assignment. The average grade for all 35 Hawkes Learning assignments accounts for 50% of the students' average in the course.

Critical Thinking:

3.1 Identifying Purpose and Tone
3.2 Analyzing Argumentation Strategies
3.3 Identifying Bias
3.4 Evaluating Evidence
3.5 Understanding the Basics of Logic
3.6 Recognizing Logical Fallacies
3.7 Analyzing and Evaluating Visuals

Style:

5.1 Determining a Style for Writing
5.2 Using and 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 or Phrases
5.9 Choosing Clear, Concise, and Vivid Words
5.10 Using Inclusive Language
5.11 Proofreading Sentences for Style

Writing Longer Texts:

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 Text
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 a Peer Review
7.11 Submitting a Longer Text

Research:

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
Major Assignments Schedule Schedule

Week 1: Welcome, Syllabus Review, Diagnostics, Discussion Forum
Week 2: Formatting; Microsoft Word
Week 3: Hawkes Learning: Critical Thinking
Week 4: Descriptive Practice
Week 5: Topic Sentences/Thesis
Week 6: Hawkes Learning: Style
Week 7: Style, cont'd.
Week 8: Word Choice
Week 9: SPRING BREAK
Week 10: Cover Letters, Persuasion
Week 11: Cover Letters, cont'd.
Week 12: Hawkes Learning: Writing Long Texts
Week 13: Peer Review, Revision
Week 14: Works Cited; Hawkes Learning: Research
Week 15: Cont'd.
Week 16: Hawkes Learning Wrap-Up (All Assignments Due by Monday, May 8)

All assignment due dates and details are subject to instructor discretion and may be changed to reflect campus closures/natural disasters/health considerations, etc.
 

Final Exam Date December 14, 2023 - 9:00 AM   Through  December 14, 2023 - 9:30 AM
Grading Scale Successful completion of the course is determined by averaging completed Hawkes Learning assignments and in-class writing practice. Students who average 70% or above (A, B, C) will earn a grade of Satisfactory, or "S," while those who average below 70% will earn a grade of Unsatisfactory, or "U."

Since this is an NCBO and not a credit course, the S/U grading system is appropriate to determine students' college readiness for ENGL 1301. Students who pass the co-requisite ENGL 1301 course while earning a U in this course are considered college-ready and TSIA-compliant. Students who receive a U and do not successfully pass ENGL 1301 must repeat both courses in the future to earn credit toward their degree plans for ENGL 1301
Determination of
Final Grade		 Hawkes Learning: (average of all 35 assignments): 50%
Writing Practice Assignments: 40%
Discussion/Participation: 10%

There is no final exam in the course. Class will meet for the final time on Monday, May 8 to discuss final grades and address any potential issues or discrepancies.

LATE WORK POLICY: I will accept assignments up to ONE WEEK past the posted due date for partial credit. Assignments submitted more than one week late will be graded as automatic "0"s. Turn things in on time.
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. Plagiarism policy will be discussed in detail in class; a first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment, and a second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense. The Plagiarism Contract will be read aloud in class and signed by each student who verifies he/she knows exactly what plagiarism is and the consequences if it is committed. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will be dealt with as such.
Attendance Policy Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Students with more than three absences from the course will receive an academic penalty (which is spelled out by the instructor).
Additional Information

I will be available for virtual assistance and discussions by appointment, and you may schedule an appointment with me via ConnexEd or Email. I will be posting your grades on Blackboard for you to access at any point throughout the semester, but if you have any questions about your grade please email me
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern 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.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431