ENGL 1302 - English Composition II: English Composition II (SSII - July 08 to Aug 08)
Summer 2024 Syllabus, Section 480, CRN 51680
Instructor Information
Times and Location
Does Not Meet Face-to-Face
Course Description
Program Learning Outcomes
As one class in the First-Year Writing Program, students’ successful completion of this course will contribute to their overall ability to:
- Critically analyze and evaluate the audience, purpose, and genre of a writing situation or written piece.
- Recognize and apply the writing elements of format, structure, and grammar in a written piece.
- Demonstrate an effective writing process that includes drafting, revising, editing, and respectful and ethical collaboration.
- Apply reflective writing practices across different writing tasks and genres.
- Develop writing-related technological skills that allow them to locate, engage, and evaluate writing activities and artifacts in various genres and across media formats.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following relative to the First-Year Writing Program’s Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
- Apply genre-specific, academic writing techniques. (PLO 1)
- Recognize, critique, defend, and apply rhetorical choices in writing situations. (PLO 1)
- Effectively apply conventions of Standard American Academic English, including word choice, formality, grammar and mechanics, MLA formatting, and essay format. (PLO 2)
- Expertly apply a process of writing from invention, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. (PLO 3)
- Ethically collaborate through such writing processes as peer-review, constructive self-critique, or teamwork. (PLO 3)
- Compose written work that reflects on connections between writing situations encountered in College Composition I, College Composition II, and beyond. (PLO 4)
- Apply various research methods or techniques in order to synthesize multiple sources of information as a means of engaging with an ongoing academic conversation. (PLO 4)
- Engage a variety of technologies in order to locate sources and write across multiple media for specific audiences and purposes. (PLO 5)
- Evaluate and critique scholarly, scientific, and popular sources in order to determine reliability and to capably integrate sources with one’s own ideas. (PLO 5)
Important Dates
Visit the Academic Calendar (tamiu.edu) page to view the term's important dates.
Textbooks
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Everyone’s an Author. 4th edition | Andrea Lunsford | 978-1-324-04527-4 |
Other Course Materials
Additional materials and readings will be available on Blackboard.
Grading Criteria
| GRADE | PERCENTAGE |
| A | 90-100 |
| B | 80-89.9 |
| C | 70-79.9 |
| D | 60-69.9 |
| F | Below 60 |
Methods of Evaluation and Weight Distribution
| Homework | 20% Total |
| Research Assignments | 50% Total |
| Research Genre 1 | 10% |
| Research Genre 2 | 10% |
| Research Genre 3 | 10% |
| Reflection Essays | 15% Total |
| Reflection Essay 1 | 5% |
| Reflection Essay 2 | 5% |
| Reflection Essay 3 | 5% |
| Final Portfolio | 35% Total |
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Agenda/Topic | Reading(s) | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8 | Introduction to Course & Research Genre 1: Annotated Bibliography | Refer to Blackboard | Refer to Blackboard |
| 7/15 | Week 2: Research Genre 2: Literature Review | Refer to Blackboard | Refer to Blackboard |
| 7/22 | Week 3: Research Genre 2: Literature Review, cont. & Research Genre 3: Researched Position | Refer to Blackboard | Refer to Blackboard |
| 7/29 | Week 4: Research Genre 3: Researched Position, cont. | Refer to Blackboard | Refer to Blackboard |
| 8/5 | Week 5: Research Portfolio | Refer to Blackboard | Refer to Blackboard |
Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes
Core-Curriculum Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking Skills (CT) - creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
- Communication Skills (COM) - effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills (EQS) - manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
- Teamwork (TW) - ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
- Social Responsibility (SR) - intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
- Personal Responsibility (PR) - ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making
Distance Education Courses
Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings
Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):
- Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.
- 100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.
This online course is 100-Percent Online. We do not meet in person.
Course Structure
This course is administered through Blackboard. All instructions for coursework and assignments are delivered to students through the course Blackboard site, and all work completed by students must be uploaded to Blackboard.
Student coursework is divided into 5 modules on the course Blackboard site. Each module, except for Module 1, contains daily tasks for several days corresponding with the major Research and Writing Project Units. Students can expect to complete multiple tasks per day throughout this intensive 5-week course. Daily tasks will include reading assignments, quizzes, discussion board posts (for engaging in peer review), worksheets, and writing assignments aimed at helping students produce and revise drafts of the major Research and Writing projects. Deadlines for daily tasks will be 11:59 PM on the day the tasks are assigned.
First and Final Drafts of major Research and Writing projects must be uploaded to TurnItIn assignment links that are embedded within relevant modules in order to be eligible for credit.
Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time
Announcements/Course Messages/Emails
Announcements will be posted at the start and end of each Module.
Students should email the instructor with questions and requests for office hours meetings at sharity.nelson@tamiu.edu. The instructor typically responds to emails within 24 hours. By-request office hours meetings will be conducted via Blackboard Collaborate.
Assignments and Assessments
Homework assignments will typically be graded within 24 hours of the submission deadline. Quizzes are graded automatically and can be re-taken as many times up to the deadline for submission. Worksheets will be provided point values and only in special instances will they contain instructor feedback.
Instructor feedback will be provided on Draft 1 of each major Research and Writing project to be used by students as they revise for the Final Draft, typically within 12 hours of the deadline for submission. Draft 2 will not receive instructor feedback except in special instances. Instructor feedback will be also provided on the Final Draft of each major Research and Writing project, in conjunction with the relevant grading rubrics, to explain student grades and provide revision guidelines for the Final Portfolio project due at the end of the semester, typically within 48 hours of the deadline for submission.
Reflection essays will be provided point values and only in special instances will they contain instructor feedback.
The Final Portfolio Project will be provided point value and no instructor feedback.
Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)
There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.
Accommodations/Accessibility Policy
Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.
Student Support Resources
The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.
Computer/Technology Requirements
When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.
It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.
Additional Hardware. For this class, you may need the following additional hardware: web camera, microphone, headphones. Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras. If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone, or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store.
NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.
Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: Microsoft Word. TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.
Note: This course will not accept documents from Google Docs or Apple Pages, or links to Google Docs. All written coursework must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or PDF.
Note: Students, if you do not own the required hardware or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.
Learning Management System (Blackboard)
Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.
Minimum Technical Skills Expected
When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.
Technical Support Services
Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.
Late Work Policy
Late work is not accepted in this course, for homework assignments, essays (including reflection essays), or the Portfolio. However:
One-Exception Rule: Everyone is allowed one request to have one, and only one, late assignment accepted after the deadline (I will be keeping track of requests with an Excel worksheet!). Request for acceptance of a late assignment must occur via email and within one (1) day of the missed deadline. This one-exception rule DOES NOT APPLY to the Portfolio project that is due at the end of the semester. A late Portfolio assignment will receive a 0 grade in all circumstances.
Extensions and Flexible Deadlines: Students may request extensions on coursework (but NOT the Portfolio due at the end of the semester) when they anticipate they will not be able to meet a deadline. Requests for extensions should be rare, limited to one or two assignments per semester and prioritizing major assignments (like Final Drafts or Reflection Essays). Requests should also be made via email at least 12 hours in advance of a deadline. Requests for extensions cannot be made after an assignment deadline—in such an instance the work is already considered late and it is therefore appropriate only to request use of the one-exception rule, if applicable. For students with documented accommodations (see the COAS Policies below), flexible deadline requests are allowed but they are not applicable to all coursework nor are they comprehensively retroactive or proactive. Flexible deadline requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are the first step in a conversation with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility in each instance to reach out to the instructor with a request and proposal for the length of extension needed.
Course Evaluation
At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.
Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems
All drafts (Draft 1, Draft 2, and the Final Draft) of the three major Research and Writing projects must be submitted to Turnitin assignment links embedded in the relevant modules on Blackboard. All reflection essays must be submitted to Turnitin assignment links embedded in the relevant modules on Blackboard. Lastly, two out of three portions of the Final Portfolio Project must be submitted to Turnitin assignment links embedded in the relevant modules on Blackboard.
Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies
At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.
In this class, we will utilize: Blackboard and Dusty Email.
Syllabus Subject to Change
While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.