Course

English Composition I (ENC1101)

Instructor

Information

Arnold Wood

FCCJ

11901 Beach Blvd.

Jacksonville, Florida 32246 

Office Phone: (904) 646-2341

Fax: (904) 646-2396

Email:  awood@fccj.edu

FCCJ Catalog Description

Prerequisite: satisfactory score on reading and writing placement tests. This course embodies the fundamentals of effective expression with emphasis on the various forms of expository writing, logical and imaginative thinking, and reading for under standing. The course provides instruction in sentence structure, diction, organization of short essays and correct usage of standard American English. This course includes CLAST writing competencies and serves to meet the Gordon Rule writing requirement. Three contact hours. (CBE) A.A., A.S., A.A.S.

Required Textbooks

• Mauk, John & John Metz. The Composition of Everyday Life: A Guide to Writing, 2nd ed.   Boston: Thomson-Wadsworth, 2007. ISBN: 1413018491.
• Martin, Diane. Student Course Guide for The Writer's Circle. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth Learning, 2008. ISBN: 1413033962.

• Glenn, Cheryl et al. Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, Latest edition.  Boston: Thomson-Wadsworth, latest copyright.

Required Supplies

• Computer processed assignments and essays are strongly preferred

• Writing paper and pen for essays

Suggested Books

College Dictionary and Thesaurus

ENC 1101 Information

ENC 1101 is a writing course which fulfills the state of Florida's requirement that students writing "significant" compositions in ENC 1101 You will satisfy this requirement by writing a variety of essays as well as two one-hour essays (topics will be provided as the Mid-term exam and the Final exam). This particular ENC 1101 course has been designed for stand-alone delivery for distance learners using the CD material titled, The Writer's Circle.  The course will be completed according to the learner’s schedule, though a suggested timeline is provided.  Because there will likely be no interactivity between student and teacher, a portfolio approach will be used to maintain writing and offer a chance for weaker papers to be “dropped” (e mailing the portfolio is very acceptable) at the student’s discretion.

Class Basics

This course has been specifically designed for self-paced delivery.  To fulfill the class requirements, the learner will view lessons on CD, read chapters from the required textbook, and maintain a portfolio of writing assignments.   The course outline is presented in modules for self-paced delivery.  However, one or more modules per week is the suggestion for course duration.  By completing approximately one module per week, students will complete the course with fairly consistent work-load from week to week.  The class is, however, designed with students in mind that must work at a pace consistent with their own schedule.  The ability to follow directions and remain organized will be critical to the success of each student as he or she moves through the course.

Reading & Video Assignments

The nature of this course assumes that you are disciplined enough to succeed without weekly instructor supervision in a classroom setting. If you wish to understand the writing assignments and succeed in this class, you must keep up with the weekly readings and video lessons. Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook is your grammar handbook. The study guide will direct you to chapters/sections in the book for reference: you are expected to understand the material and use it in your essays. Of your two textbooks, however, The Composition of Everyday Life  (TCOEL)is the most important for giving you writing instruction in general and on the various forms (with student models) in particular, so make sure you read the TCOEL sections indicated in each of the following modules very carefully.

Course Requirements

1. Complete all reading assignments.
2. View all assigned video lessons.  Please note that Windows Media Player is required to view CD-ROM lessons.  To download, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia.
3. Complete all assigned essays and papers.
4. Maintain and submit a thorough portfolio of all essays and papers.
5. Complete a proctored, timed mid-term and final exam essay.

6.  Please note that all coursework must be completed and returned to me within one year of your registration in the course as an B52 term student; you must complete the course within the three months period to come if you are an B12 term student.  If you do not complete the course by the end of the B52 or the B12 term, you will receive an “I” (Incomplete) grade.  However, you have a year to complete the course.

Assessment Procedures

If you are a military student, your ESO should have already agreed to serve as your proctor.  Please confirm this with your ESO. 

If you are a local student, you should contact the Distance Learning Assessment Center by calling 904-633-5020 or emailing assessme@fccj.edu.  Local students do NOT need to complete the assessment form.

If you are a non-military student and live over 75 miles from the College, please use the Proctor Approval Form to identify and secure approval for your proctor.  Note that your selected test site should be a college or university assessment center.  High schools, libraries, workplaces, or personal friends are NOT acceptable proctors.  You can find a list of acceptable sites at The National Consortium of College Testing Centers web site http://testing.byu.edu/NCTA/Consortium/. 

You can also contact the Open Campus Assessment Center for assistance in locating an authorized testing site. See the Distance Learning website at www.distancelearning.org for more information on testing.

Once you locate an acceptable site, please present the Proctor Approval Form to your selected proctor for signature.  Your proctor must read, sign, make a copy for his/her records and return the original form to FCCJ, Open Campus Assessment Center within two weeks of receiving your course packet: 
 

Carl Jowers
Open Campus Assessment Center 
Florida Community College at Jacksonville

601 W. State St.

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Office: 904.632.5020
Fax:  904.633.8445

email: cjowers@fccj.edu

You will be responsible for the payment of any testing fees at the time of your scheduled testing. 

         
Upon receiving the Proctor Approval Form, the Open Campus Assessment contact will notify your instructor of your approved test location, and mail your proctor an exam package with instructions, deadlines and postage-paid envelopes.  As you move through the syllabus, you will coordinate with your proctor to take exams according to the module outline.

Best Practices

• For the best results, follow the order of the assignments as they are written in each module.  They are placed in such an order to facilitate your learning.  Additionally, complete each module in order, 1 – 13. You do not have to do the section or unit exercises to send to me. Do them only as you have time, for I would rather you concentrate on drafting and revising and completing your essays to build and complete your portfolio (which you may e mail to me).

• Look ahead to assignments for the module before viewing the video lesson or reading the text.  Some of the assignments will come from the video or book, so it will benefit you to know this ahead of time.

• Review the module assignments and study guide so that you can schedule your time accordingly.  For example, knowing that an assigned reading is 20 pages as opposed to 45 pages will determine what you might be able to undertake in one sitting.

• Get in the habit of taking notes as you watch the video lessons.  Record whatever strikes you as important to your own learning; the instructor will not grade your notes.

• When an assignment calls for an essay (narrative, descriptive, explanatory, etc.), you should conduct prewriting, drafting, polishing, and editing before considering a paper complete and moving on to the next module.

• Don’t try to complete too many modules at once.  Aim for completing one module per week.

• To earn the best score possible on your portfolio, write each paper as if you will choose it for one of your graded essays.  Revise and polish each paper within the module that it is assigned, not just during the final module of portfolio ranking.  This kind of procrastination is usually evident to the instructor.

• Be sure to read the each section the study guide for to connect the textbook information to the telelesson (on the cd) information.

• Again, the modules below will refer you to the study guide for assignments.  If you are assigned certain pages in the study guide, you should view the video lessons, read the textbook material, refer to the handbook, and review the material outlined in the assigned study guide pages.  However, unless specifically assigned, the questions in the study guide are for your benefit only. The questions and answers will not be collected or graded.

• ENC 1101 is a freshmen-level, college-credit course charged with teaching all college freshmen to write well.  The skills learned here will largely determine how well you write for future classes.  History, psychology, humanities, sociology, foreign language, computer, and, yes, even some math classes will require you to write papers and essays of various types.  Approach this course maturely, with intent to learn everything you can about writing.  The result, beyond the letter grade you earn, will be a more rewarding and successful college career.

Policies

• Your essays will be compiled in a writing portfolio.  This means that all prewriting, drafts, edits, and the final copy of every essay you write will be submitted to the instructor as part of your portfolio of work for the class.  Once you have completed all the modules, you will choose which essays you want to be counted for a grade.  This is to your benefit, obviously, but don’t take advantage of this practice.  If it is obvious to the professor that you did little to no work on the ungraded papers, points will be deducted from the final portfolio grade. You may e mail me your portfolio (attach each assignment as a Word document) once you have completed the composition/essay (5) assignments.
   
• All essays, if you don't e mail them to me, but choose, instead, to mail them to me, should be stapled or clipped together with all prewriting, drafts, and revisions (place final copy on top).  All five essays should be submitted in a folder.

• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of someone else's work as your own. Whether intentional or accidental, plagiarism is a serious offense. Any student found guilty of plagiarism will receive a zero on the assignment in question and face possible failure for the course. This class follows the Academic Dishonesty and Discipline Procedures set forth by the college (see the college catalog on-line or refer to the printed version of the college handbook for the specifics of the college honor policy).

• Clearly label ALL WORK in your journal, class notebook, and writing portfolio.  Your name, the module number, and the assignment should be on all completed work.

• The mid-term and final exam will be graded based on content, grammar, maturity of thought, and attention to subject.  You should aim for five, well-developed paragraphs.  Word processing is preferred (double spaced), but if your essay must be hand-written, give special attention to neat, clear handwriting (skip lines).  You may use a print dictionary & thesaurus as writing aids.

• The narrative, descriptive, explanatory, analytical, and thesis/support or problem/solution essays written within each module should be no fewer than 500 words each. 

Grade Percentages

• Portfolio of Essays – 80% 
• Midterm – 10%
• Final – 10%

Grading Scale:   A = 90 – 100 points

                          B = 80 – 89 points

                          C = 70 – 79 points

                          D = 60 – 69 points

                          F =   0 – 59 points

Withdrawal from Courses

Drop deadline for B12 with refund – see the college web site or the current college catalog

Final date to withdraw from Session B12 with grade of “W” – see the college web site or the current college catalog.

You must officially withdraw to receive a grade of "W" for any class.

Course Outline

Before beginning Module 1, study the syllabus, familiarize yourself with the textbook, and scan the contents of the entire course outline.  Get a notebook appropriate for note-taking entries and rough drafts of your essays.  Once you feel comfortable with the course layout and content, begin module 1.

Module 1

·        Read Lesson 1, "Exploring the Process," in your study guide, and watch the video lesson, "Exploring the Process," on the cd, The Writer's Circle (hereafter noted by its initials: TWC). Read pages 2-49, 640-648, and 778-788 in The Composition of Everyday Life (hereafter noted by its initials: TCOEL). The Harbrace Handbook (hereafter abbreviated as HH) covers and grammar and mechanics in chapters 1-17 (3-265); HH examines the elements of good sentence writing in chapters 23-30 (326-81). Read the pages in the handbook as you have time.
 

Module 2

·        Read Lesson 2, "Explaining Relationships," in your study guide, and watch the video lesson, " Explaining Relationships," on the TWC cd. Read pages 50-93, 754-756, and 792-797 in TCOEL text. The HH covers prewriting and drafting in chapter 32 (404-444); read this section as time permits.

·        ESSAY 1 - Write an essay (500-750 words) based on Lesson 1, " Exploring the Process," or Lesson 2, Explaining Relationships." Select the topic from one of the following: Page 26, "Point of Contact" to recall an event from your past life; or, Page 72, "Point of Contact" to explore a relationship. Produce a multi-paragraph (at least 5) with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Be sure to explore many facets of your topic. Conclude your discussion with an evaluation of the process you followed to reach the final draft of your essay.

Module 3

·        Read Lesson 3, "Observing Details," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 3, "Observing Details," on TWC cd. Read pages 94-141, 748-753, and 778 in TCOEL text. The HH covers paragraph writing in chapter 31 (382-403); read this section as time permits.
 

Module 4

·        Read Lesson 4, "Analyzing Concepts," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 4, "Observing Concepts," on TWC cd. Read pages 142-187, 757-767, and 778-782 in TCOEL text. The HH does not address analysis per se.
 

·        Write an essay (500-750 words) based on Lesson 3, "Observing Details," or Lesson 4, " Analyzing Concepts. Select your topic from the following: Page 120, "Point of Contact" to begin your observation; or, Page 164, "Point of Contact" to find a concept. Your essay should be personal as well as analytical as you observe specific details or identify and analyze a concept. Write a multi-paragraph (at least 5) essay with a clear thesis in the introduction, support in the body, and a conclusion. Organize your essay carefully.
 

Module 5

·        Read Lesson 5, "Analyzing Images," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 5, "Analyzing Images," on TWC cd. Read pages 188-243, 748-749, 761-764, and 782 in TCOEL text.
 

An Option: You may now send your two essays to your instructor (see instructor address above). The instructor will evaluate (without grade) how well you are developing your writing skills at this point. The instructor will return your marked work to you as quickly as possible so that you may correct/revise the assignment(s) you choose for your final portfolio. Make sure a return address appears on the essays so they may be mailed ASAP to you.

Module 6

·        Read Lesson 6, "Building Arguments," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 6, "Building Arguments," on TWC cd. Read pages 244-301 in TCOEL text. The HH explains argument writing in chapter 36, pages 516-545; read this section as time permits.
 

·        Write an essay (500-750 words) based on Lesson 5, " Analyzing Images," or Lesson 6, "Building Arguments. Select your topic from the following: Pages 222, "Point of Contact" to begin your analysis of a specific image; or, Page 274, "Point of Contact" to explore an argument. Your essay should be reasonable and objective. Pay attention to specific detail particularly in selecting support for your thesis. Pay close attention to claims, counterarguments, and concessions. Be able to explain why you chose the particular and specific supporting counterarguments and concessions for your argument.

Module 7 –Midterm

·        Read Lesson 7, "Responding to Arguments," in the study guide, watch video lesson 7, "Responding to Arguments" on TWC cd. Read pages in 302-357, 761-764, and 775-777 in TCOEL text.
 

·        Take a proctored, timed (one hour) essay-writing exam.  An approved proctor in a secure, approved environment must administer the exam.  Details of the proctored exam are included in your original course packet.

Module 8

·        Read Lesson 8, "Evaluating and Organizing," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 8, "Evaluating and Organizing" on TWC cd. Read pages 358-405 and 754-760 in TCOEL text.
 

·        Write an essay (500-750 words) on Lesson 7, "Responding to Arguments" or Lesson 8, "Evaluating and Organizing." Selectyour topic from the following: Page 338, "Point of Contact" to select the argument for response; or Page 384, "Point of Contact" to select the subject to evaluate and examine. Your essay should be reasonable and objective. Pay specific attention to counterargument and concessions in your own writer's voice. Try some of the voice techniques suggested in TCOEL text to see if they work for you.

An Option: At this point, if it is possible, send essays three and four to your instructor for evaluation. The instructor will mark/comment on your essays and return them to you so that you may select from them and correct/revise for possible inclusion in your final portfolio. This is not required; it is for your benefit only.

Module 9

·        Read Lesson 9, "Integrating Research," in the study guide and watch video lesson 9, "Integrating Research," on TWC cd. Read pages 610-697 in TCOEL text.cd. As time permits,read chapters 37-40, pages 564-694 (study, especially, the student model papers; carefully note and avoid plagiarism - chapter 39e, pages 597+) in the HH. HH explains research writing in chapters 37-40, pages 546-694 (see especially the student models; carefully note and avoid plagiarism –39e, pages 597+).

·        For your convenience and to assure source quality, you should use the Academic Search Premier from FCCJ’s Online Library. Print any article that you use for direct quote or paraphrase in your essay; highlight the passage that you used for evidence and cited in the text (as covered in TCOEL; refer also chapter 40 in HH)) following the MLA research and in-text citation technique. Your research-based essay (essay 5 explained below) must also end with a Works Cited page.

·        At this point, if you have let your instructor evaluate your four essay "drafts," using what you have learned about revising, editing, and polishing, further polish and revise your explanatory essays for inclusion in your final portfolio.  Keep both copies (the original "draft" essay and the new, revised copy in your portfolio.  Clearly label the revised essay as such6.
 

Module 10

·       Read Lesson 10, "Searching for Causes," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 10, "Searching for Causes," on TWC cd. Read pages 406-451, 752-753, and 802)in TCOEL text.
 

·         Draft/write a 3-page research paper which incorporates facts, figures, examples, expert opinion in the form of direct quotes or paraphrases from at least three sources (a variety of periodical articles is best from the college's electronic "library" of information/dBases though print periodicals as well as valid web sources are also sound for gathering informtion) based on Lesson 9's information. Use the MLA style sheet outlined in your text in TCOEL text in Chapter 13, "Research and Writing: Gathering and Using Information from Sourches." Select your topic based on "What's a Good Research Topic?" on page 614 of TCOEL text. Remember to include a Works Cited page of your sources with you research-based essay.
 

·        Using what you have learned about revising, editing, and polishing your writing, polish and revise your research-based essay. Be sure to clearly label your essay, and place all the prewriting, drafts, final polishing of your research essay in your portfolio.

 

Module 11

·        Read Lesson 11, "Imagining Solutions," in the study guide, and watch the video lesson 11, "Imagining Solutions," on TWC cd. read pages 425-501, 290, 768-771, and 792-799 in TCOEL text.

·        Send (e mail attachments or through the U.S. mail  is fine) your writing portfolio to your instructor for grading. Be sure to clearly label all your work, and place all the prewriting, drafts, final revised essays in your writing portfolio.

Module 12

·        Read Lesson 12, "Discovering Voice," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 12, "Discovering Voice," on TWC cd. Read pages 502-559 and 754-777 in TCOEL text.
 

·        Take a proctored, timed (one hour) writing exam.  An approved proctor in a secure, approved  environment must administer the exam.  Details of the proctored exam are included in your original course packet.

Module 13

·        Read Lesson 13, "Thinking Radically," in the study guide, and watch video lesson 13, "Thinking Radically," on TWC cd. Read pages 560-609, 749, and 761-764 in TCOEL text.