COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: ENGL 1301- COMPOSITION I

COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION

Principles and techniques of written composition, textual analysis, and critical thinking. 

Prerequisites:  ENGL 100 and ENGL 200 or equivalent or as determined by English placement test.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS

 Wyrick, Jean. Steps to Writing Well . 7th ed. Boston: Thomson, 2007.  Ruskiewicz,John, Maxine Hairston, and Daniel E. Seward.

Other

• Student ID (for admission to computer lab)
• Jump drive/Pen drive (for saving papers and assignments)
• Folder/pocket file
• Blue or Black ink pen

ATTENDANCE POLICY

1. Students are expected to be in class every day the class meets, and they are expected to arrive on time.  Excessive absences and late arrivals will be considered when I determine you final grade.
2. I give handouts.  If you miss class, you should check with your fellow students to see if you missed a handout.  I only bring the hand-out to class the day I pass it out.  If you miss it, then it is your responsibility to come by my office during my office hours to get your copy. 
3. Likewise, if you are absent on the day I return an assignment, it is your responsibility to find out whether or not it was returned during your absence.  As soon as you return, come by my office during my office hours to retrieve your work.  You need the feedback in order to improve your performance in you next assignment.
4. All cell phones and beeper must be turned off during class time.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Class participation is mandatory.  To satisfactorily participate in class, you msut read and prepare all assignments before class begins.  Proper preparation will enable you to satisfactorily participate in class discussions and group work.

WITHDRAWAL

Students must file a withdrawal form wiht the Admissions Office to be withdrawn from the course.  It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course prior to the last date for withdrawal without incurring an "F" grade.  The withdrawal process will not be initiated by the instructor.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

1. Assignments (including quizzes) submitted after teh due date are considered late and will be penalized 10 points a day.  Any assignments not submitted will receive a zero (0) grade.  No assignments will be waived for any reason.
2. Plagiarized or copied work will result in a "0" grade for the assignment and / or expulsion from the class.  Any source material, or copies therof, used in composition of essays must be submitted to th einstructor upon request.  Failure to do so will result in a zero "0" grade for the assignment. 
3. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format will be followed for documentation purposes.  All course work is subject to peer review, group analysis, and the scrutiny of English 1301 instructors other than the instructor of record.
4. The instructor reserves the right to keep any or all submissions on file.  Refer to the assignment schedule for assignment due dates.  The assignment schedule is tentative and may be amended as necessary.

GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

Assignments from this course are subject to being archived for general education assessment.  Procedures will follow protocols as prescribed by the research guidelines of the Association for Institutional Research.

ACCOMMODATIONS

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

WRITING ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA

You will write appoximately 5 essays of not less than 2 pages.  All formal essay assignments will be completed in MLA format (as detailed in our text).  In addition to the essays, quizzes, readings and other assignments you will be required to conducto research in order to write a research paper.  A separate handout will be given with details of the research paper requirements.  Your final exam will consist of an analytical essay.

NOTE

 This Course Information Sheet is intended as a guide to your responsibility in English 1301 and all information given herein is subject to change as the Instructor deems necessary.