English 1301 - Composition & Grammar
Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR

COURSE DESCRIPTION

    Composition & Grammar (2304015112)
    Study of principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition including analysis of literary, expository, and persuasive texts; critical thinking; and a review of grammar and communication skills, with emphasis on clear, correct, effective composition and speech.  Frequent reading and writing.
    Prerequisite: students must demonstrate readiness to perform college-level academic coursework in reading and writing according to Coastal Bend College academic skills assessment guidelines.  See the current Coastal Bend Catalog for more information.

FOCUS

  • Students will examine selected literary works and essays;
  • analyze the structural and organizational elements of compositions to discover various modes of expression;
  • write essays using various modes of expression, the writing of which will encourage students to further develop their ability to communicate effectively, to think critically, to write clearly, and master literary terminology and its use in composition; and
  • recognize various modes of expression and organization in written English.

TEXTBOOKS

    Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 11th ed. New York: Longman, 2010.

    Nadell, Judith, John Langan, and Eliza A. Comodromos. The Longman Writer: Rhetoric and Reader, Concise Edition. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 2007.

    Aaron, Jane E. The Little, Brown Handbook, Brief Version. 4th ed. New York: Longman, 2010.

WEB SITES

LEARNING OUTCOMES

    Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate through composition satisfactory knowledge of English grammar, usage, and mechanics so that writing is free of major sentence errors;
  • display evidence of critical thinking involving writing as an interactive process including pre-writing and invention, writing, revision, editing, and proofreading;
  • establish a specific audience and purpose in written assignments;
  • understand and use literary terminology in written assignments;
  • read assigned materials and connect through critical thinking correlations between examples of modes of expression and applications in written assignments;
  • write organized, well-developed, grammatically correct paragraphs;
  • write organized, adequately developed, grammatically correct essays derived from a thesis statement, parallel topic outline and begun with an introductory paragraph that captures the reader's attention, states the thesis, and restricts the topic and closes with a concluding paragraph that brings the essay to a forceful but smooth end;
  • demonstrate knowledge of the development of language(s) and their influence on cross-cultural interactions; and
  • demonstrate sufficient computer literacy skills to participate in writing lab classes and to word process essays.

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS

    Each student is expected to read and complete all assignments; write a minimum of five (5) five hundred word essays plus a final essay; participate in group discussions; and maintain an appropriate, civil manner in the classroom.

ASSIGNMENTS

    This course may incorporate essays, discussions, quizzes, journals, and exams to evaluate student performance and to direct instruction.  Due to the nature of the course, not every assignment will be fully graded and returned.  Unless otherwise noted, students may expect to receive feedback on their assignments no later than 6 class hours (2 weeks) from the date of submission.
    It is the student's responsibility to keep copies of all course-related documents, including all assignments submitted or received.
    The instructor is not obligated to award any credit for assignments submitted after the due date.

GRADES

  • Essays and other assignments free of major grammar and mechanical errors, clearly and correctly composed according to the directions or guidelines, and meeting the minimum expectations related to organization, content, formatting, etc. generally earn a grade of "C" (70% - 79%: Average).
  • Essays and other assignments free of all major grammar and mechanical errors, clearly and correctly composed according to the directions or guidelines, and effectively exceeding the minimum expectations related to organization, content, formatting, etc. generally earn a grade of "B" (80% - 89%: Above Average).
  • Essays and other assignments with only very few, if any, minor grammar and mechanical errors, clearly and correctly composed according to the directions or guidelines, and exceeding all expectations related to organization, content, formatting, etc. generally earn a grade of "A" (90% - 100%: Exceptional).
  • Essays and other assignments containing major grammar and/or mechanical errors, lacking clarity and/or unification, not composed according to the directions or guidelines, or failing to meet the minimum expectations related to organization, content, formatting, etc. generally earn a grade of "D" (60% - 69%: Poor) or "F" (59% - 0%: Failing).
  • Letter grades are awarded for submissions. Letter grades may be converted to numerical grades as follows: A+=98, A=95, A-=90, B+=88, B=85, B-=80, C+=78, C=75, C-=70, D+=68, D=65, D-=60, F=58 or below (the corresponding numerical grade will be noted on any paper earning a grade of "F").

GRADE DETERMINATION*:

  • Essays/Writings --65%
  • Final Essay --25%
  • Participation --10%

    • *No assignment will be accepted after the due date.

RECORDING LECTURES

    Students may not electronically record lectures and presentations without the express, written permission of the instructor.  Most lecture content is based upon original, fixed works, and is therefore the intellectual property of the instructor, which is protected by state law.
    In the event that permission to record is granted, any and all course-related recordings are solely for the student’s use, and may not be publicly played, broadcast, reproduced, transcribed, or distributed.  Electronic equipment used to record lectures must be designed for that purpose (personal recorders; digital or analog), must operate silently, and must be of an appropriate size.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

    Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of the written work of another person.  This definition not only applies to situations in which an entire paper is copied, but also to situations in which only a single phrase or sentence is used without giving the original author credit for the work.
    Students caught plagiarizing, cheating, or otherwise violating the Coastal Bend College academic honesty policy, will receive an “F” for the course and will be placed on disciplinary probation.  Please see the Coastal Bend College Student Handbook or the Language Division Academic Honesty Policy page at www.coastalbend.edu for more information.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

    Attendance is necessary for successful completion of this course.  Students with more than four (4) absences may be dropped from the course, or may receive a significantly lower grade for the course.  In the case of unavoidable absences, students should contact the instructor as early as possible in order to address assignments, notes, etc.

Coastal Bend College does not discriminate of the basis of race, creed, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
Revised 25 August 2010.