Your odyssey is about to begin. Are you up for the challenge?

This class will be an adventurous

voyage for intellectual discovery and rejuvenating your creativity. This course will teach you skills as
well as life lessons. No faint hearts here!

Your journey begins at Richland COLLEGE IN THIS ENGLISH 1301 CLASS THIS FALL 2010 AT BERKNER HS
SECTION 8920 T/TH 7:30-8:50 AM. YOUR guide is Jane Stidham TEL # 972-238-6140, OFFICE B-A 110
AND EMAIL:JSTIDHAN@DCCCD. EDU APPOINTMENT BY REQUEST.
This is a common course number. Former course prefix/number ENG 101.
Prerequisite: One of the following must be met: (1) Developmental Reading 0093 AND Developmental
Writing 0093; (2) English as a second Language (ESOL) 0044 AND 0054; or (3) have met Texas Success
Initiative (TSI) Reading and Writing standards. This course focuses on student writing. It emphasizes reading
and analytical thinking and introduces research skills. Students practice writing for a variety of audiences and
purposes. (3 Lec.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2304015112

Aids to help you along your Odyssey are:

• The McGraw-Hill Guide –Writing for College, Writing for Life 2nd Edition - authors Duane Roen, Gregory Glau
and Barry Maid - ISBN 13:978-0-07-338397-2
Compliance with Core Curriculum Guidelines:

This English 1301 Course develops the following Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies:
• READING - the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials - books,
documents, and articles - above 12th grade level.
• WRITING - the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose,
occasion and audience - above 12th grade level.
• CRITICAL THINKING - think and analyze at a critical level.
• COMPUTER LITERACY - understand our technological society, use computer based
technology in communication, solving problems, acquiring information

YOUR JOURNEY WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS/CURRICULUM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Upon successful
completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:

1. To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization,
drafting, revision, editing, and presentation
2. To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate
communication choices.
3. To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expositive, narrative,
scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication.
4. To effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and
responding.
5. To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical
proficiency in the development of exposition and argument.

English 1301 Course Objectives

Upon completing English 1301, students should demonstrate the ability to

1. Write with voice, detail, and clarity to communicate effectively to a chosen audience.
2. Write for a variety of purposes, including to express, to inform, and to convince.
3. Write for a variety of audiences, each chosen with a purpose in mind.
4. Write within different time constraints, such as a single class period or over the course of several
days or weeks.
5. Read and critically respond to the writing of others, including professional writers and/or students
6. Paraphrase, summarize, and quote, using source material.

Your Odyssey has specified requirements for the completion of your journey and your evaluation will
reflect your progress in realizing the course objectives based on the following components:

Method of Evaluation
4 outside class essays, typed, at least 6 60%
pages in length: narration/story,
compare/contrast, cause/effect and
argument/research
2 in class essays: definition and process
In-class writing, group work, exercises and 20%
oral participation
Final Writing Examination 20%
Total Grade % 100%

Note: All major assignments must be turned in to pass this course. No make-up
will be given for quizzes or in-class writing, and no daily work will be
accepted late. Major essays are due on time. If a major essay is turned in late,
the student will lose one letter grade for each day the paper is late. All
assignments are due at the first of the class period.

Odyssey Deliverables
All writing assignments will include the following when turned in a pocket folder to have a
“paper trail” for the development of the paper:
• An outline
• Rough drafts with one completed draft
• Final copy of the paper.
• Any information from secondary sources will be turned in for review
(organized, individually stapled, and highlighted on sections used).
• A Works Cited page for the argument/research paper
• MLA style documentation and internal citation for any research papers

If these materials are not turned in when the paper is due, the paper will not be graded,
and 30 points will automatically be deducted from the grade. These materials need to
be tuned in by the next class period if not before that time. If not, the paper will not be
graded/evaluated and the student will receive a zero for that paper. In addition, email
the final paper in word format to the instructor. No late work will be accepted during
finals week. (Font size 11.)

For the research paper, students will be able to select their own topics/thesis based on their interest and subject
to approval by the instructor. Subjects that are not to be used are anything faith based, abortion, historical or
biographical subjects. Students will be encouraged to utilize a variety of source material, (books, magazines,
journals, Internet, peer reviewed articles, etc., but are not to use Wikipedia.

PAPERS ARE DUE ON TIME at the first of class. If not, the paper is considered late
thus a letter grade will be deducted. In addition, a letter grade will be deducted
for EVERY day the paper is late. Back up your work – save your papers in
multiple places and print occasionally, just in case your computer crashes or you
misplace your flash drive.
Communication with the Instructor
The best method to contact me is via email:jstidhan@dcccd.edu. In the subject line, state your
name and class. I check periodically during the day for student messages and respond in a timely
manner. Do not send urgent messages late at night expecting a response. I am not always at my
computer just waiting on student questions.
 Avoid the Pit of Doom: Plagiarism- Zero Tolerance
Richland’s Academic Honesty Statement

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism and
collusion. Cheating includes copying from another student’s test or homework paper,
using materials not authorized, collaborating with or seeking aid from another student
during a test, knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting the contents of an
unadministered test, and substituting for another person to take a test. Plagiarism is the
appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work
and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.
Collusion is the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written
work for fulfillment of course requirements. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense
in college. You can be given a failing grade on an assignment or test or even be
suspended from college. Students who are determined to be involved in such activities
shall be punished as prescribed by college and Board policies outlined in the Student
Code of Conduct.
You can access this information by going to
http://www.richlandcollege.edu/conduct .

As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment

indicates acceptance of the DCCCD Code Of Student Conduct published in the
DCCCD catalog.

Plagiarism has become a chronic problem. To further clarify, any form of plagiarism -
from block copying whole sections of your paper from an Internet source to forgetting
to use one direct quote – will not be tolerated. If you plagiarize your paper, you will
receive a zero for that paper. Based on the severity of the plagiarism (like buying a
paper), you could fail the journey (course). Also you name will be sent to the
department notifying them of the plagiarism with a copy of your paper. If you
plagiarize, two assignments you will automatically fail the journey (course).

Dedication to the Journey: Attendance: Since the writing process involves group interaction and
individual participation in all classes, attendance is both critical and mandatory; consequently,
it will be part of the evaluation of your grade. You are expected to attend class regularly and to
consult with me whenever an absence is necessary. If you miss more than 2 unexcused
classes, you will lose a letter grade. If you miss 4 or more classes excused or unexcused,
you will fail the course. Roll will be taken at the first of the class in the morning and then
again in the afternoon. If a student is tardy, the student will be considered absent unless he/she
takes the responsibility of requesting that I change the roll for that day. This decision is up to
my discretion and will depend on how late the student was. Excessive job related excuses will
not be accepted. If a student has an extreme number of tardies, points will be deducted from
the daily grade...

FINAL EXAM: FINAL EXAM: BRING A BLUEBOOK ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM, UNLESS
YOU ARE IN A COMPUTER CLASSROOM. YOU MUST TAKE THE FINAL EXAM
(ESSAY) DURING FINAL WEEK. THIS EXAM CANNOT BE MADE UP. IF YOU DO
NOT TAKE IT AT THE APPOINTED TIME, YOU FORFEIT 20% OF YOUR COURSE
GRADE.

The Journey Format: Lectures, class discussion, small group discussions, computer-assisted
instruction, audio/visual materials, and personal conferences.

Odyssey Rules:
CAMPUS POLICY:
 No eating, drinking, or smoking in the classrooms or labs.

ADA Statement
If you are a student with a disability and/or special needs who requires accommodations, please contact the college
Disability Services Office at 972-238-6180 (Voice/TTY), visit Thunderduck Hall, suite T120, or go
http://richlandcollege.edu.dso
Religious Holidays
Absences for observance of a religious holy day are excused. A student whose absence is excused to observe a
religious holy day is allowed to contract with the instructor to take a make-up examination or complete an
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.

Repeating This Course:

Effective for Fall Semester 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students
registering the third or subsequent time for a course. All third and subsequent attempts of the majority of credit and
Continuing Education/Workforce Training courses will result in additional tuition to be charged. Developmental Studies
and some other courses will not be charged a higher tuition rate. Third attempts include courses taken at any of the Dallas
County Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 Semester. See Third Attempt to Enroll in a Course at
http://www.dcccd.edu/thirdcourseattempt/

Financial Aid Statement

If you are receiving any form of financial aid, you should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from
classes. Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment
for the current semester. Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy.

Financial Aid Statement For Distance Learning Classes

If you are receiving Financial Aid grants or loans and are enrolled in a Distance Learning class, you must show
participation in this class prior to the certification date by either e-mailing or contacting the instructor or
logging on to eCampus. Do not drop or stop attending any class without consulting the Financial Aid Office.
Changes in your enrollment level and failing grades may require that you repay financial aid funds.

Obtaining Final Course Grades Using eConnect

Final Grade Reports are no longer mailed. Convenient access is available online at www.econnect.dcccd.edu or
by telephone at 972-613-1818. Use your identification number when you log onto eConnect, an online system
developed by the DCCCD to provide you with timely information regarding your college record. Your grades
will also be printed on your Student Advising Report, which is available in the Admissions and Student
Records Office, T170.

Stop Before You Drop

For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas Education Code 51.907 limits
the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no more than 6 courses during your entire undergraduate career
unless the drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the
allowable exceptions.
Remember that once you have accumulated 6 non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a “W”.
Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all
seven of the Dallas County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access
https://www1.dcccd.edu/6drop

Withdrawal Policy

If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The withdrawal request must be
received in the Registrar’s Office by the official drop date for this course (see Course Drop Date mentioned earlier in this
syllabus). Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an “F.” If you drop a class or withdraw
from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a “W” (Withdraw) in each class dropped.
For more information about drop deadlines, refer to the current printed Credit Class Schedule, contact the
Admissions/Student Records office at 972-238-6100 or 6101 (Thunderduck Hall, T170), or contact the division office.

Campus Emergency Operation Plan: Richland College and the Dallas County Community College District have
developed policies and procedures for dealing with emergencies that may occur on campus.
●To familiarize yourself with these procedures, please take time to watch the overview video:
http://video.dcccd.edu/rtv/DO/emergency_dcccd.wmv
●The complete Emergency Operations Plan can be viewed and printed at the following website:
http://www.richlandcollege.edu/emergency
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Richland College Office of Emergency Management. This office can
be reached by phone (972/238-3794) or by e-mail (rlcoem@dcccd.edu)

Contingency Plan: Richland College has developed an Instructional Contingency Plan for Temporary College Closing for
On-Campus Courses. Please discuss this contingency plan with your instructor.

Where to go if you need additional help with your writing:

The Writing Center is located in Medina 216 (Phone: 972-238-6226). There you can receive free tutoring by
appointment or on a drop-in basis. The Writing Center staff also offers a series of Connnections workshops
throughout the semester on writing and study skills in general. Dates and times for these free workshops are
posted on the door of M-216.

Help with grammar and mechanics is also available on-line at the following websites:
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/
http://www.dianahacker.com/writersref/index.html
http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu
Classroom Etiquette:

Please treat each other and the instructor with respect. Be aware of the written and/or verbal policies the
instructor includes in the syllabus or says in class. As you would wish to be treated, so treat others. In other
words, by following the rules outlined below, you will be more successful and less frustrated with your
instructor and fellow students (and better prepared for university and/or business life).

a. Practice open and honest communication. Communicate, politely, with

your instructor if you have a problem. Nothing can be solved if you
approach your instructor in an offensive manner, or demand the instructor
solve your problems. Also, nothing can be accomplished if you don’t talk to your instructor at
all! Remember the golden rule above: if you treat your instructor with respect, your instructor
will treat you with respect. This works for your fellow students, too!

b. Avoid asking for special treatment without good reason. Requests for special consideration
from the instructor (such as late papers, excused absences, etc.) are just that, requests. You
are asking the instructor for a favor. Your instructor must be fair to all students and may not
grant your request, or may grant it only with adequate documentation/evidence. Be aware of
this and respect the instructor’s decision.

c. Be prepared. Come to class prepared to write, discuss, work in groups, and ready to
cooperate. Being prepared and able to work with a team are the two most valued skills in the
business world! Have your reading done, drafts prepared, topics considered before you come
to class. This, above all else, demonstrates respect for yourself!

d. Listen! Listen to your instructor and your fellow students. Take notes when needed. Most
problems occur because deep and open listening has not been practiced. Considering what has
been said before reacting shows respect for the other person, as well as yourself.

e. Finally, respect other students and the instructor by coming to class on time and making sure
you turn off cell phones and pagers. Disrupting class is never respectful in anyone’s eyes!

Thank you for your attention. It is noticed and appreciated by your instructor and fellow students.

This course syllabus may be modified as the semester progresses

Cell phone usage in the classroom is prohibited. That includes texting during class. If a student
chooses to text during class, they will be asked to leave the classroom.

Readings and Assignments

Aug 24 Introduction to class

26 Writing Sample -Narration and Description Handouts Blackboard Writing
Narration p. 439-444 and Writing Description p 445-447
31 Getting Started – Writing Goals and Objectives for College and Life p 1-14
Sept 2 Discussion and Group Work
7 Labor Day
9 Discussion
14 Workshop
16 Narration Paper Due Writing Processes p 70-89
21 Discussion
23 Definition p 448-449 and Definition Handout from Blackboard
28 Discussion
30 Classification p 450-451 and Handout on Classification Blackboard
Oct 5 In-class Definition Paper
7 Process Handout Blackboard
Introductions and Conclusions - Power Point presentation
12 Compare and Contrast p 451-453 and Compare Contrast Handout Blackboard
14 Writing to Discover and Learn p 33-45
19 In-class Process Paper
21 Writing to Explain Causes and Effects p. 310-357 and Cause/Effect Handout
Blackboard
26 Discussion
28 Compare/ Contrast Paper Due Using Strategies for Argument p 457-478
Nov 2 Documentation p 559-616
4 Discussion
9 Finding and Evaluating Sources p 533-558
11 Cause/Effect Paper Due MLA Documentation
16 Discussion
18 Workshop
23 Research Paper Due
25 Mixing of Writing Strategies
29 Discussion
Dec 2 Class wrap-up

7 Final Exam

Withdrawal Policy

If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The
withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar’s Office by Nov 11, 2010.

Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an “F.” If you drop a class
or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a “W”
(Withdraw) in each class dropped. The deadline for receiving a W is Nov 11, 2010.