1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

ENGLISH COMPOSITION I

PREFIX/NUMBER:

ENG 121

CREDIT HOURS:

3

2.

PREREQUISITE:

ENG 90 completed at a "C" or better level or students must have taken the English placement exam (CPTE) and scored at the ENG 121 level (95 or above).

3.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

TEXTS:

Click Here for Current Book(s)

SUPPLIES:

Dictionary

Pocket folder for PCC Writing Portfolio

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course will include a minimum of five compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive writing.

5.

COURSE GOAL:

Students will develop their writing and critical reading skills by writing compositions and evaluating model essays by well-known authors and by student writers. Clarity of thought and organization are emphasized.

6.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, the students will

(A)

Plan, write, and revise compositions (approximately 600-1,000 words) that not only demonstrate competence in the following but also function as an integrated whole: 
1. Generating and exploring ideas
2. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences
3. Focusing and developing a thesis by exploring a variety of appropriate organizational strategies.

(B)

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.

(C)

Write various types of compositions:  evaluation, explanation, and two argumentative essays. One or more compositions will include research.

(D)

Read, annotate, and discuss essays, thus developing skills in critical analysis.

(E)

Use correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling and choose diction and usage appropriate to the writing purposes and audiences.

(F)

Use the MLA style to document and integrate sources for compositions requiring research.

7.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Students will be evaluated on their ability to write clear, coherent, and correct compositions. All essays must be submitted to receive a passing grade in the course.

All tests and writing assignments will be worth one letter grade or a specified number of points. These grades/points will be averaged, and a grade will be given according to the Raw Score Range.

Grading Scale

 Raw Score Range

Letter Grade

90 to 100

A

80 to 89

B

70 to 79

C

60 to 69

D

0 to 59

F

Special Remarks:

a.

To receive full credit, all work must be submitted on time. Late work will receive one grade cut for each day beyond the due date of the assignment and will not be accepted during final exam week.

b.

Attendance: College policy states that students may be withdrawn from a course when absent 20% (9 hours) of the scheduled class meetings. In addition, after missing the fourth instructional hour of a class, students may have points or a percentage deducted from their final grade for further absences. The specific number of points or percentage will be left to the instructor's discretion.

c.

Tardy Policy: Students are to be ready to begin classes at the scheduled start of the classes. It is considered unprofessional and disruptive behavior for students to arrive late and/or leave early. Three tardies or early exits may be counted as one absence.

d.

Assignments/Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup of tests may be allowed. Late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. Makeup of quizzes is to be at the instructor's discretion.

e.

Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class.

f.

Respect for others and for the teaching-learning situation is the key to successful interaction in the class. Therefore, to promote a positive learning experience for all students, instructors reserve the right to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom.

g.

Use of Electronics in the Classroom

Computers and other electronic devices may be used in the classroom only for academic purposes as directed by the instructor.  Texting and/or accessing personal e-mail and social networking sites such as Facebook are not allowed.  All cell phones must be turned off during class. If a student uses an unapproved electronic device during a test or class activity, the student will receive no credit for the activity or test, may be asked to leave the classroom, and/or may fail the course for cheating.

Professionalism Rubric

Criteria

Excellent

Good

Weak

Unacceptable

Attendance

Student is present every class meeting and does not leave early.

Student has missed two classes and/or left early.

Student has missed 3-4 classes or left early more than once.

Student misses class continually or leaves early frequently.

Punctuality

Arrives to class on time; turns in assignments on due date.

Arrives late once or misses one assignment deadline.

Arrives late twice or misses 2 deadlines.

Is continually late to class; misses deadlines frequently.

Attitude

Communicates with a positive attitude; never displays rudeness.

Almost always communicates with a positive attitude showing courtesy towards others.

Occasionally communicates negatively bordering on rudeness.

Often communicates with a negative attitude without regard for others' points of view.

Commitment

Demonstrates eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Usually demonstrates an eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Is indifferent to or uninvolved in the course information and the learning process.

Expresses negativity towards information presented for courses or for the learning process.

Classroom Interaction

Politely accepts feedback and uses it constructively. Remains on task and follows the class rules.

Is usually open to positive feedback and follows class policies. Occasionally gets off-task.

Is sometimes unwilling to accept feedback, follow directions, or remain on task.

Is resistant to positive feedback, directions, or class policies. Is frequently off-task.

Modified from CSU Monterey Bay-1 Oct. 2009

8.

COURSE OUTLINE

Tentative Schedule (Instructor may vary and/or supplement)

I.

Introduction to course and diagnostic writing

II.

Review of basic paragraph and essay structure

III.

Purposes, audiences, and processes for writing

IV.

Explanation Essay (Extended Definition)

V.

Evaluation Essay

VI.

MLA Style Documentation

VII.

Argumentative Essay #1

VIII.

Argumentative Essay #2

IX.

Final Exam:  In-class writing 

9.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, and peer review activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.

10.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

The English Department supports and adheres to the following policy on academic integrity. Students should refer to their PCC Student Handbook for the complete policy statement.

"Pueblo Community College is committed to providing a superior educational experience for all students who attend the college. Academic integrity and honesty in all educational classrooms and programs are critical in providing this high level of education. . . . . Academic Dishonesty is any form of cheating and plagiarism which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own. . . . Plagiarism is the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas or words or statements of another person as one's own without acknowledgement."

The penalty for violating the standards of academic integrity is failure of the course.

11.

ADA NOTICE:

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.