COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

(CIS Suject to Change)

Fall 2009

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:  ENGL 1301, COMPOSITION I

COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION: 

Principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition:  analysis of literary, expository, and persuasive texts; and critical thinking.  Prerequisites; Grade of C or better in READ 0200 and WRIT or English placement test equivalent.

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.

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:

• Steps to Writing Well.  Wyrick. United States:  Thomson
• The SF Writer.  Ruskiewicz, John et al.  New York:  Longman. 
• Internet Reading Assignments
• Flash/PIN Drive
• Collegiate dictionary (recommended)
• Loose-leaf notebook paper
• Black or Blue ink
• Assignment must follow MLA format

GRADING CRITERIA

• 45%         Essays
• 15%         Quizzes and miscellaneous assignments
• 20%          Research Paper
• 20%          Final Exams Tentatively for 10 December 2009

GRADING SCALE

• 90-100................A
• 80-89..................B
• 70-79..................C
• 60-69..................D
• 0-59....................F

COURSE SCANS COMPENTENCIES:

• 3B
• 3C
• 6B
• 7A

ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT:

If you have a documented diasbility which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as the instructor has outlined an/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 arrangments.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Only absences of an extreme or catastrophic nature/ emergency may be excused and must be corroborated in writing by an appropriate authority (hospital, doctor); merely phoning in does not excuse an absence.

Sudents must file a withdrawal form with Admissions Office to be withdrawn from the course.  It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course priro to the last date for withdrawal without incurring an "F" grade.  The withdrawal process will no longer be initiated by the instructor. 

 ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

1. The TSTC Catalog and your school handbook outline the policies regarding your responsibility as a student: appropriate conduct and discipline, consequences for cheating, process for appeals and grievances. Conduct yourself accordingly. Serious and / or repeated discipline problems will be cause for removal from the class.  In the event of a disruption, you will be referred to the appropriate administrator=s office.
2. Except for an excused absence, late work will be accepted but penalized 5 points a day. Assignments are due at the start of class, no later. Failure to submit work will result in a “0" grade. There will be no make-up work for quizzes.
3. Plagiarized or copied work will result in a “0" grade for the assignment and / or expulsion from the class. Any source material, or copies thereof, used in composition of essays must be submitted to the instructor upon request; failure to do so will result in a zero “0" grade for the assignment.
4. 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 1302 instructors other than the instructor of record.
5. No electronic equipment, wireless phones, computers, for example, may be used in the classroom without instructor permission.  Turn off phones before entering the classroom unless you expect an emergency call.
6. Make and keep copies of all work done in or out of class for a portfolio to be reviewed at the instructor’s discretion. The instructor reserves the right to keep any or all submissions on file. (Refer to the course calendar for a reading list and assignment due dates. Calendar information is tentative and may be amended as necessary.)

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.