Spring 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: ENGL-1302- Section: 19E English Composition II |
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Instructor Information | |||||||||||
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Instructor | Caitlin James | ||||||||||
jamescr1@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||
Phone | (409) 984-6415 | ||||||||||
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Department |
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Course Information | |||||||||||
Description | Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based expository and persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions. Prerequisite: ENGL 1301 or its equivalent Note: Students whose degree plan re | ||||||||||
Prerequisites | PASSED English 1301. Students whose degree plan requires both English 1301 and 1302 must take these courses in sequence. (Basic skills competency 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 Alpha, 1) Measured by pre-test /post-test, essay rubric. 2. Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.(PSLO 1 & 4) Measured by class discussion, team work, and essay rubric. 3. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethiical and logical uses of evidence. (PSLO 1 & 2) Meaured by essay rubric. 4. Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief and action. (PSLO 1,2,6) Measured by class discussion and essay rubric. 5. Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., MLA writing style). (PSLO 2) Measured by essay rubric. |
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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: 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. 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. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making. |
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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.
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. Students MUST purchase a flash drive. I also suggest one 3-ring binder and a folder with pockets. |
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Lecture Topics Outline |
The following is a list of lecture topics to be covered in this course. -Professional college-level research and library instruction -Compiling a Works Cited (MLA) -Using quotations and paraphrased information to support the thesis in essays and research papers -Separating Ideas and Shaping Content -Purpose, Audience, Tone -Formulating the thesis for an essay or research paper -Composing effective introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs -Literary devices for analytical writing *A Note from the Instructor: All writing that you do in this course has a primary goal of providing you with the experiences that will help you write and think with fluency in other academic contexts. You will also demonstrate college-level knowledge of standard English grammar. The course also continues the goal of improving your use of different sources as evidence in writing. Moreover, this course also continues the goal of improving your knowledge of the composing process. The process you have already developed will be refined and adapted to the demands of newer - more complex - writing tasks such as the longer documented study. This course is a “research” course, which means that it intends to help you grapple with the notion of scholarly inquiry. That is, what is research for? What are its objectives? What are its methods? What are its shortcomings? Along these lines, I want you to appreciate research as a highly social matter: that real research must make some kind of contribution to the understanding of people besides just the researcher. The course will seek to help you develop some of the technical skills connected with research writing: quoting, paraphrasing, documenting, and using research-related genres. Finally, since English 1302 is a university requirement for every discipline in General Education majors, it also has a liberal arts goal: the topics we work on and the ideas we share should contribute to your broader education. As the semester goes on, you will develop your own special area of inquiry and become prepared to pass along knowledge and theories about it to the rest of us. Students participating in this course will become familiar with literary terminology and analysis along with developing research skills including; locating, evaluating, and utilizing sources in order to develop well-developed arguments. |
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Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1: Introductions, Response paper to "Grammar Revolution," PSLO Pre-test (not for a grade) Week 2: Research paper introduction, Library lecture/presentation, research topics, thesis statement writing Week 3: Works Cited lecture, first 3 pages due (rough) Week 4: Peer Review of Introduction and thesis statement, rough draft work, workshopping Week 5: Intro to Critical Analysis essays and literary devices lecture, "Reunion," and "Yours." *Research Paper due* Week 6: Groups. "A&P," Discussion Questions, Presentations Week 7: Groups. "Sweat," Discussion Questions, Presentations, Analysis practice writing Week 8: Spring Break March 9-13 Week 9: Groups. "Hills Like White Elephants," Discussion Questions, Presentations, Analysis writing Week 10: Literary Analysis #1 due Week 11: Groups. "Young Goodman Brown," Discussion Questions, Presentations Week 12: Groups. "Where Are You Going," Discussion Questions, Presentations, begin analysis #2 Week 13: Groups. "Yellow Wallpaper," Discussion Questions, Presentations, writing workshop Week 14: Literary Analysis #2 due, Introduction to poetry and analyzing poetry Week 15: Analyzing poetry, preparing for the Final Week 16: Finals |
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Final Exam Date | May 14, 2020 - 8:00 AM Through May 14, 2020 - 10:00 AM | ||||||||||
Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||||
Determination of Final Grade |
Research Paper w/ WC- 25% Essay # 1- 15% Essay # 2- 15% Essay # 3/Final Exam- 25% Group Work/Presentations 10% = Participation 10% = 100% |
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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 |
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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. | ||||||||||
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 | 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. |