COURSE INFORMATION SHEET'

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: 

ENGL 2326 - American Literature- Fall 2009

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to develop reading, thinking, and writing skills used by successful academic writers.  This will be facilitaed by an examination of the principles and techniques of written expository and persuasive composition combined with the analyses of literary, expository and persuasive texts.  Additiaonally, ENGL 2326 requires students to utilize critical thinking, close analytical, college-level reading of various American authors in different genres from early to present times and to compose critical analyses and other shorter writings in response to those readings.  Students will employ the most basic methods of library research, actively particpate in class discussions and group activities, document research sources, accommodate cultural diversities in oral and written communictation, and proofread written documents.  At th eend of the semester, students will be able to:

• Review and analyze various professional texts.
• Think, read, and write critically
• Revise appropriately.
• Use standard college library tools for research.
• Effectively incorporate research materials into writing.

Prerequisites - A passing grade in ENGL 1301

Required Textbook - Concise Anthology of American Literature 6th ed.  Eds. George McMichael et. al. Prentice Hall, 2001. ( ISBN#: 0-13-193792-8)

Other Required Materials - college ruled notebook paper, a binder for organization, blue or black pens, highlighters, a flash drive, a functioning e-mail account, and a valid ID in order to access the computer lab in W-124 & library facilities.

Optional Texts -  dictionary, thesaurus, current MLA publication manual, grammar handbook

GRADING CRITERIA:

Homework/Class work............................................10%

Quizzes.......................................................................15%

Essays.........................................................................35%

Research Paper........................................................20%

Final Essay/Exam......................................................20%

Diagnotic Exam..........................................................10%

The final exam must carry an essay component; the final essayis the professor's choice of a rhetorical mode or combination of modes previously covered during the term.

Plagiarized or copied work will receive a grade of 0 (F) and may result in expulsion from the course.

GRADING SCALE:

All papers will receive a numerical grade averaged on a 100-point scale.

90-100............A

80-89..............B

70-79..............C

60-69..............D

  0-59...............F

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Obtains and Maintains Information:

Student Organizes, processes, and maintains written or computerized records and other forms of information in a systematic fashion. 

Interprets and Communicates Information:

Student selects and analyzes information and communicates the results to other by using oral, written, graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods.

Wtiting:

Student communicates thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing; records information cmpletily and accurately; composes and creates documents.

Creative Thinking

Student uses imagination freely, combines ideas or information in new ways, makes connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshapes goals that reveal new possibilities.

ACCOMODATIONS

If you have a documented disability which will make it dfficult for you to carry out the work as outlined by the professor, and/or if you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact (956) 364-4520 or visit the Support Services Office located in the Auxiliary Building as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangments.

PARTICIPATION POLICY

All students are expected to actively participate both during and outside of class when appropriate.  Partnered or group activities require such participation and grades are determined, at times, by the professor based on the level of contribution to either group or class discussion.  Grade averages of 59, 69, 79, & 89 may be moved up one percentage point and into the next letter grade category at the discretion of the professor.  The criteria to determine such increment increases shall be both studen participation and class attendance.

CLASS POLICIES

ACTIVITIES

Student will be actively involved in reading, discussing, writing, revising, annotating, and research their assignments.  As in most student-centered classes, group work is imperative and lecturing by the professor is minimized.  Drafts of essays and elements of the reserach paper must be written on a work prcessor using standard MLA format.  Please take care to double-space using Times New Roman 12-point font.  All coursework should be kept and organized in a binder and saved on a flash drive as evidence of participation in the activiteis completed throughtout the semester.  Bring your binder, flash drive, and textbook to every class meeting.  Selected documents will be submitted to the professor at the end of the semester in a Writier's Portfolio. 

SUBMITTING ESSAYS AND RESEARCH DOCUMENTS FOR EVALUATION

The research paper and all essays completed outside of class should be submitted electronically.  Make sure that all submitted electronic assignments are completed and saved as WORD documents (.doc) and e-mailed  to the professor at the designated e-mail address.  It is the responsibility of the students to properly sumbit the assigned documents electronically before or on the due dates and to keep an electronic record of these submissions. Students are required to bring hard copies of assignments to class on designated due dates.

TUTORING

Students in need of tutorial services should speak with Belle Martinez in the Office of Student Success, D121 in the Bio-medical/Medical Science Building (M-F 8:00aa.m. to 5:00 p.m.).  The English tutorial laboratory is located in room W 124.  Tutor are available by appointment.  You also have the option of electronically submitting your essays for evaluation..

ABSENCES

Attending class is crucial and excessive absences will adversely affect grades.  An attendance sheet must be signed for each class.  Students are responsible for aquiring any information missed when absent.  E-mail the porfessor if you have questions or concerns.  The contact information is on the fist page of this Course Information Sheet.  Daily in-class work cannot be made up, but the daily grade will not count against the student if the absence is excused.  An excused absence is defined as one due to illness or an emergency situation beyond the student's control.  A satisfactorily written explanation from an appropriate authority should be given to the professor.  An absence for any other reason is considered unexcused. 

LATE WORK

All out-of-class assignments will be lowered 20 points per day if submtted after the due date on the assignment sheet.  The points deducted cannot be redeemed through any subsequent rewrites.

Copyright Statement

The materials used in the course (textbooks, handouts, media files (podcast, MP3, Videos, RSS Feeds), and all instructional resources on the colleges Learning Management System (Moodle) are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in this course, and are only to be used for instructional use, activities associated with, and for the duration of the course.  By "handouts," this means all materials generated for this course, which inclusdes but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and any additional materials.

These materials may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further.  They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act.  These materials may not be reporduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of t the copyright holder ro TSTC.  For further information contact your instructor.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR (MyMail Email System)

The use of Your Mymail TSTC College student e-mail account will be the only way to receive official notices from the college.  When communicating with instructors and/or emplyees of the college you are required to use you TSTC Mymail student e-mail address.  If you choose to forward your e-mail to another account, please be advised that all communication from and within the college will use you Mymail student e-mail.

"TSTC Harlingen faculty, staff, and student are asked to report all threats, perceived or real, immediately to College police located in teh Auxiliary Building.  If the threat is imminent, the Ciollege Police emergency phone line at 364-4234 ir 9-911 should be called. College Police will then coordinate the proper response in accordance with State and federal laws and TSTC System/College rules and regulations."

NOTE

Any changes to this Course Information Sheet will be provided in writing to the student.