English Composition I (ENGL 1101/W2)
Michelle Abbott
Mabbott@highlands.edu
404-545-8676
Skype ID: michelle.abbott.1
CRN # 20844
Spring Semester 2012
Office Hours: http://www.highlands.edu/site/faculty-mabbott-current-schedule
GENERAL INFORMATION
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Through writing short essays students will demonstrate their ability to conceive ideas about a topic, synthesize and arrange them logically, and express them clearly in written standard English. Through written assignments, students will demonstrate their understanding of development and argumentation. Through writing and revision, students will demonstrate their mastery of proofreading skills developed through an understanding of the principles and mechanics of standard English usage. Through research exercises students will demonstrate an awareness of basic research techniques. Through discussion and/or writing, students will demonstrate appreciation and understanding of assigned readings. Through discussion and writing, students will demonstrate their recognition of differing perspectives and points of view, as well as their ability to form hypotheses and anticipate consequences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Communication: Students will demonstrate their ability to express ideas logically and clearly in standard written English. Critical Thinking: Students will be able to recognize differing perspectives and points of view. Students will be able to construct arguments. Technology: Students will demonstrate ability to prepare course assignments in a variety of courses using computer technology.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
-
Required Textbooks:
- Harbrace Essentials (ISBN 978-0-495-90836-4)
-
short Norton Reader, 12 ed. (ISBN:
978-0-393-93173-0)* -
They Say/I Say, 2nd ed.(ISBN:
978-0-393-93361-1)*
- Internet Access—at home or school
- Microsoft Office 2007/2010 or equivalent**
*These two texts can be purchased from the GHC bookstore or the W. W. Norton website as a discounted package.
**If you will be using Microsoft Works, you will need to save files in a .doc, .docx, or .rtf format rather than the program’s default of .wps as this format cannot be opened by any GHC computer. If you will be using Open Office or any other free shareware word processor, you may have to come to campus and use Microsoft Office to complete the formatting of your assignments.
PREREQUISITES/COURSE DESCRIPTION: Completion of English 020 or English 0099 with a grade of C or better, or SAT Verbal score of 480, COMPASS score of 60, CPE score of 78, or BSE of 68. These prerequisites constitute minimum requirements for projected satisfactory performance in the course. English 1101 is the first credit-level course in college composition. The course provides instruction in the mechanics and principles of standard usage while emphasizing the argumentative and expository modes, providing practice in both clear thinking and effective communication. In some cases, English 1101 is the only course in expository communication that students are required to take. It is necessary, therefore, to ensure that any student receiving a passing grade for the course be able to demonstrate college-level essay skills.
This course proudly supports the mission of IC @ GHC. To learn more about this program, please visit our website: www.highlands.edu/ic/Site/IC_Home.html.The mission of the Georgia Highlands College (GHC) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is to create a curriculum-wide culture of information competency (IC) among students, which will be demonstrated through writing or other modes of communication.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Policies on student conduct and academic integrity are located in the college’s “Student Rights and Responsibilities” document. This can be accessed via the following URL: http://www.highlands.edu/site/student-rights.
DISABILITY STATEMENT: Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with Student Support Services (706-295-6336) to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Students are also welcome to contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs.
FINANCIAL AID: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any students receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the 0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing course requirements for each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student’s financial aid should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.
ATTENDANCE: You are required to attend one in-person orientation meeting and take an on-campus midterm exam. All other assignments and quizzes will be submitted online.
EARLY WARNING PROGRAM: Georgia Highlands College requires that all faculty members report their students' progress throughout the course of the semester as part of the institution-wide Early Warning Program (EWP). The objective of the program is to support academic success by reviewing early indicators of satisfactory student progress. In accordance with EWP, faculty members provide the Registrar's Office with academic reports of each student enrolled in their course(s) at checkpoints staggered throughout the semester. The following success factors are reported at their corresponding checkpoint:
Week 2: Notification of Non-attendance (1/20)
Week 5: Evidence of Course Pursuit (2/14)
Week 8: Mid-term Grades (3/1)
GeorgiaVIEW Vista (Electronic Bulletin Board): This is an ONLINE course. Course content will be delivered via GeorgiaVIEW Vista. Students who do not login by the end of the second week of the course will be dropped from the course rolls.
No “computer” excuses will be accepted in this course. Computers are available on all GHC campuses, in the Kennesaw State Library, in Cobb County and other public libraries, and 24/7 at Kinkos. In addition, the instructor will be happy to assist students with computer-related questions BEFORE assignment deadlines.
**Any assignments sent via email should be .rtf, .doc, or .docx files only (.wps files cannot be opened by GHC computers!!)
CONTENT MODULES: Online modules will present concepts related to research, writing, literature, and literary analysis. Modules will contain readings, short videos, self-assessments, and other study aides. They will also contain online discussion questions and other activities. Quizzes will be multiple choice, matching, and true/false. Specific expectations for and grading of class discussions is available on Vista.
All module activities are open book, but should be completed individually. Students can earn up to 750 points from module activities, adding up to 50 points of extra credit to the final grade.
ESSAYS: All essays will be typed and utilize correct MLA format. Length will vary. Essays that do not meet all specific assignment criteria will receive a penalized grade and a rewrite may be requested. If a student fails to turn in a requested revision, the original essay will receive half credit only. Late essays will be accepted for up to one week and will earn ½ credit only.
Any student earning less than 70% on the Definition or Analysis essay will have the opportunity to complete a revision of ONE essay after conferencing with the instructor. The revised essay grade will replace the original one.
EXTRA CREDIT: In addition to the extra credit available via the module activies, students may complete one credit assignments worth up to 50 points. Details will be listed on Vista.
GRADES: Final grades earned in English 1101 may be A, B, C and F. Writing skills are essential to success in college and the professional arena; therefore, a D will not be assigned as a final grade in this course. Grades will be calculated as follows: A (1800-2000points), B (1600-1800 points), C (1400-1600 points), F (less than 1400 points).
Assignments Points Possible
Module Activities/Discussion and Quizzes 700
Timed Diagnostic Essay (#1) 100
Revision Essay (#2) 100
Definition Essay (#3) 150
Analysis and Persuasive Essays (#4 & #5, 200 points each) 400
Midterm Exam 250
Final Portfolio (#6 plus two revisions) 300
Total 2000 points
** The instructor reserves the right to alter the dates, material covered or format of any exam for the benefit of the class. Notification of any changes will be made at least 72 hours in advance and posted on GeorgiaVIEW whenever possible.**
Mandatory Orientation
Students must attend ONE of the mandatory orientation sessions.
- Tuesday, January 10th, Paulding Campus 12:30-2:30pm, Rm. 109/200
- Wednesday, January 11th, Cartersville Campus 2:00-4:00pm, Rm. 210
- Thursday, January 12th, Cartersville Campus 7:00-9:00pm, Rm. 228
- Tuesday, January 17th, Cartersville Campus 7:00-9:00pm, Rm. 228
- Wednesday, January 18th, Floyd Campus, 4:00-6:00pm, Rm. F-140
Modules
- All modules, except the first one, will be available one week in advance.
- Module weeks run Wednesday to Tuesday.
1/11-1/24 Start Here: Introductory Material
1/18-1/24 Module 1: Grammar Review
1/25-1/31 Module 2: Writing Basics
2/8-2/14 Module 3: Definition Essay
3/14-3/20 Module 4: Analysis Essay
3/28-4/10 Module 5: Persuasive Essay
4/18-4/24 Module 6: Portfolio
Writing Assignments
- Except for the portfolio, all written assignments are due on the Tuesday after the associated module is completed.
Written @ Orientation Essay #1: Timed Diagnostic Essay
2/7 Essay #2: Revision of Timed Diagnostic Essay
2/21 Essay #3: Definition Essay
3/27 Essay #4: Analysis Essay
4/17 Essay #5: Persuasive Essay
4/30 (Monday) Portfolio (Essay #6: Reflective Essay & two essay revisions)
Midterm Exam
2/27-3/2 Each student will schedule the midterm exam on the campus of his or her choice--scheduling instructions are on GeorgiaVIEW Vista in the Midterm Exam folder.
Please Note:
Your continued enrollment in the course constitutes agreement with all assignments, requirements, policies, etc. described in this syllabus. It is YOUR responsibility to keep all original copies of graded assignments for purposes of grade validation. Keeping TWO electronic backups of everything is also recommended.