Spring 2019 Course Syllabus
Course: ENGL-1301- Section: 72 Composition I |
![]() |
Instructor Information | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Instructor | Caitlin James | ||||||||
jamescr1@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
Phone | (409) 984-6415 | ||||||||
Office |
|
||||||||
Department |
|
||||||||
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 | Intensive study and practice in the basic forms of expository writing. Frequent themes. Collateral reading in articles and essays of a factual and informative type. | ||||||||
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 | No textbook needed. All readings are public domain and will be attached to assignments as a pdf. | ||||||||
Lecture Topics Outline |
I. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure II. Literary devices III. Expository writing IV. Short stories, poems, and their authors V. Literary analysis and beginning to analyze literature VI. Developing an argument/persuasive essay VII. Research and databases |
||||||||
Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1: Intro to course, cover syllabus. PSLO Pre-test. Log on to LamarPA and email. Netiquette Review, Six Traits Good Writing, Grammar/Punctuation, TED talk diagnostic writing. Week 2: Grammar/Punctuation, Fiction, Writing Week 3: Essay#1 Due: Narrative, Grammar/Punctuation Week 4: Fiction, Writing Week 5: Essay#2 Due: Descriptive Week 6: Fiction, Writing Week 7: Essay#3 Due: Process Analysis Week 8: Intro to Library Research and Annotated Bibliography Week 9: Research & Anno Bibs, Intro to Etymology/Definition Week 10: Anno-Bibs due, Etymology, Intro to Group Projects Week 11: Group Projects, Group Presentations due Week 12: Essay #4 Due: Etymology/Definition Week 13: Argumentation/Persuasion Workshop, Writing Week 14: Argumentation/Persuasion, Intro to Satire Week 15: Essay #5 Due, Review for Final Week 16: Final Exam |
||||||||
Final Exam Date | May 9, 2019 - 8:00 AM Through May 14, 2019 - 5:00 PM | ||||||||
Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||
Determination of Final Grade |
3 essays at 10% ea.= 30% 1 Definition Essay = 15% 1 Argument essay = 20% Discussion Qs/Quizzes= 20% Final (m/c) = 15% _______________________ 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. You must log in to Blackboard at least once a week to be counted as an active participant in this course. | ||||||||
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 |
|
||||||||
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. | ||||||||
MyLamarPA | Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA 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 MyLamarPA. | ||||||||
Other | |||||||||
HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. |