English 121: English Composition 1—GT-CO13 Credit Hours

Instructor: Susan GrahamEmail: Susan.Graham@arapahoe.edu

Course Description:This class emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a minimum of five compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing.

In this class you will have the opportunity to hone your academic writing and sharpen your critical thinking skills. You will learn how professional writers think and how they form passionate and effective texts that are able to inspire, inform, persuade, and positively impact their audience. And most importantly you will come to realize that powerful writing doesn’t just magically appear fully formed on the page. Writing is a process, and effective writers have learned to create a process that works for them.

Online classes are different from face to face classes. Many students mistakenly think that online classes are easier and are shocked when they realize that this is not the case. You must be able to organize your time and be self-motivated enough to stay on track and on schedule. If you find yourself struggling or falling behind, please email me immediately.

And on that note, I am here to help. Please email me if you are ever confused, need help coming up with ideas for papers, don’t understand the deference between a colon and a semi-colon, don’t get the reading, or just need some assurance that you are on the right track. I check my email many times a day and will always get back to you within at least 24 hours, most likely much sooner.

A note about reading: Reading is an integral component of online learning. You are expected and required to read everything assigned in this class. No exceptions.

Learning Objectives:I. Plan, write, and revise multi-paragraph compositions that not only demonstrate competence in the following, but also function as an integrated whole: generating and exploring ideas; writing for a variety of purposes and audiences; and focusing and developing a thesis by exploring a variety of appropriate organizational strategies.II. Practice critical/logical thinking and reading skills - such as evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and criticism - through written assignments that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing.III. Practice critical reading skills.IV. Use accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling and will choose diction and usage appropriate to their writing purposes and audiences.V. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information.

Required Textbooks:The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing, 6th EditionA Writer’s Reference. 7th Edition

Technology Requirement: Students must have access to an adequate computer with Internet service. Technological outage needs to be addressed with appropriate resources and is not an excuse for delayed class activity. ACC provides computers on campus, should it be needed.

General Class Policies: If this is your first online class, keep in mind that it takes time to get used to learning this way.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions.

You must submit your essays as a Microsoft Word 1997-2003 document or rtf (rich text file). If this is a major problem, one way to overcome it is to come to campus (which is open lots of hours) to type up your essays.

Your weekly anticipation of work time for this class should be at least 10 hours. That breaks down like this: 4 hours that you normally would’ve gone to class engaged in lecture, writing lessons, group work, and discussion. 6 hours completing readings, working on essays, and various other homework.

You must complete assignments by the due dates. Most assignments will be due by Sunday at 11:59pm. If you are late, you will only earn ½ credit for up to two days. After that I will not accept your work. Because of the special nature of online learning, it is imperative you keep up. This class will not work of you are still working on another essay while trying to learn all the new skills in a new unit. To reiterate: If you turn in a essay late, you will only be able to earn 50% on that essay (on “F”).

If you have any questions about the policies on this syllabus, please ask!

Under “course content” there are very detailed and specific rubrics that detail the grading criteria for online discussions, peer reviews, drafts, and final essays. You are responsible for reading and understanding the grading criteria. Please ask if there are any questions or confusions.

There will be at least two graded discussions each week. You are expected to fully participate in these discussions. Each student must follow the specific guidelines for posting to the discussion boards. Please be sure to read the course discussion rubric under “content.” Usually discussions will be open for a week. You may begin posting on Monday at 12:01am and the discussion will remain open until Sunday at 11:59pm. You must post at least one original comment as well as comment on at least 3 postings throughout the week. Postings must be made over a three day period. You will not get full credit if you make all of your posts in one day.

If you find yourself struggling, please email me immediately. Do not wait, however, until 7pm on Sunday to seek help on a paper that is due in 5 hours.

Gradable Items:

Quizzes/Tests: 4 grammar/punctuation Tests @ 20 points each; 1 grammar/punctuation pre-test @ 10 points;1 MLA format and citation quiz @ 20 pts; one logic/rhetoric quiz @ 20 pts

Graded Discussions: 16 Graded discussions @ 25 points each. These graded discussions will focus on the reading assignments and must demonstrate clear understanding and thoughtful detail.

5 Peer Reviews @ 25 points each. Each student will be required to participate in discussions and reviews of their class members’ work. Reviews must constructive, thoughtful, and appropriate.

5 Formal Essays @ 150 points each. Each unit is structured around writing one essay. The drafting and prewriting process will be factored into this grade.

2 Final Revisions @ 50 points each. At the end of the semester, each student will re-visit and revise two of their final essays, taking into account specific points for focus and improvement. Students will include a one page summary of how they approached each revision and what they hoped to accomplish.

Grading:

A—90-100% of pointsB—80-89% of pointsC—70-79% of pointsD—60-69% of pointsF—59% or fewer points earned

Please keep in mind that I reserve the right to make additions and changes to the course schedule as needed. I will always give clear notice of any changes and additions that are made to the schedule.

You must complete ALL essay assignments to pass this class even though it is mathematically possible to do otherwise.

Essay Submission Guidelines:

Your essays must be formatted using MLA guidelines (more on this later).

Essays must meet the minimum word requirement (usually 1000).

I assume that since you are in this class you have a basic understanding of the rules governing English grammar and punctuation. While we will continue to expand on what you know, I expect you to already understand the basics. Expect to lose points for errors.

Plagiarism and Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is defined as falsely claiming authorship of someone else’s published or unpublished work AND failing to correctly cite or acknowledge the words or ideas of others. All submitted work will be scrutinized for plagiarism, and MLA standards for citation must be followed. If a student is found guilty of plagiarism, regardless of intent, he or she will face penalties ranging from failure of the assignment to failure of the class. Refer to the ACC Student Handbook for the Code of Conduct and Students Rights and Responsibilities.

Email Policies: Effective 1/20/09 electronic correspondence from ACC employees will go to your student email account only.  When you activate your account you can forward emails to an e-mail account that you already have.  To activate your student e-mail account, go to http://www.arapahoe.edu and click on the “Activate Student E-mail” link. Questions? Please call 303-797-5621.

When emailing me, please make sure that the nature of the email is in the subject line.

Please make sure you type your name after you write your text, so I know with whom I speaking.

Please strive to be professional in all of your communications in this class and always remember your audience. I have an exceedingly low tolerance for sloppy editing, poor spelling, texting jargon in inappropriate contexts, writing in all capital letters, and other such nonsense. So keep the LOLs elsewhere

Drop and Withdraw: Students are responsible for school policies relevant to DROP or WITHDRAW. The last day to drop or withdraw from this class is September 7.

Disabilities: Arapahoe Community College provides accommodations to qualified students with Disabilities. To request accommodation, contact Disability Services located in M2710 or call 303-797-5937. Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a disability should register with the disabilities office. If you’ve already done so, you must present your documents to me during the first week of class.

Arapahoe Community College provides a variety of services to help students achieve their goals:The Student Success Center, The Writing Center, Peer Mentoring and Tutoring (M2720)

provides tutorial assistance with writing and tutorial support for all college courses. Drop in for help, but appointments are suggested to assure that someone is available to help with your exact need: 303 797-5669.

The Open Computer Lab (M1650) provides high quality computer resources. Printing is available for a fee.

The Counseling Center (M2010) offers career counseling, educational planning, and student crisis referral help to outside agencies.

Disability Services (M2710) offers support services to students with disabilities with documentable need for accommodation. To request accommodations, please make an appointment in M2710 or call 303-797-5937 v/tty.

Career Center (M2820) focuses on work, job, and employment services.Financial Aid (M2110) assists with information concerning all types of scholarships and financial

aid sources. Please refer to the ACC Student Handbook for more information.

Your First Assignment: 10 points

Please send me an email from your ACC student email account indicating that you have read and understood all of the policies contained in this syllabus and that you will abide by them. I must receive this email no later than 11:50 pm on Sunday, August 28th. Thanks!!