Course Syllabus

Summer 2024 | ENG-1061-VT01 - English Composition

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Linda Lipkin
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Collin Lee

General Education Requirements

VSCS Introductory Written Expression

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this course, students develop effective composition skills and research techniques. Students learn strategies for organizing, evaluating, and revising their work through extensive reading of a variety of essay styles and literary texts; apply writing and research techniques to their papers; and demonstrate proficiency in first-year college-level writing and information literacy.

Essential Objectives

1. Consistently apply an appropriate writing process that includes planning, drafting, revising, and editing.
2. Demonstrate in written work an awareness of the relationship among writer, subject, audience, and purpose.
3. Demonstrate writing proficiency with a range of rhetorical approaches to include narration, exposition, argument, and critical analysis and recognize the stylistic and structural strategies in the writing of others.
4. Discuss writing by authors from diverse (such as racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and gender) backgrounds to explore how perspectives and experiences may shape voice in composition.
5. Focus written work around an explicit central thesis, a position statement or proposition advanced by the writer that is arguable and supportable and develop the thesis systematically, using specific details and supporting evidence.
6. Compose written work that demonstrates effective use of sentence structure, paragraphing, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling.
7. Demonstrate proficiency in research writing skills by completing one or more papers that:
a) Develop and support an arguable thesis;
b) Locate, evaluate, and incorporate appropriate scholarly and professional sources, including primary and secondary evidence as needed, to address an academic research question;
c) Appropriately acknowledge and document sources, using standard MLA or APA styles.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

In the first class meetings, we will review the responsible use of AI.

Methods

This class will focus on developing your skills in active reading, accurate writing, effective speaking and critical listening. Teaching methods to improve student writing will include:

• In-class writing assignments: bring a notebook and a pen to class
• Multimedia presentations and resources
• Small group and whole group in-class discussions
• Reading and critique of published work
• Reading and response to peer work
• Writing three essays; each includes a draft and final essay
• Research Paper writing process that includes developing a research topic, thesis statement, annotated bibliography, research paper outline, library research, in-text citations and works cited page, and a draft and final research paper.

Evaluation Criteria

Grading for this course:

20% - Participation and Attendance

20% - Writing Exercises, Reading Responses, Quizzes

15% - Draft Essays, including Research Paper Draft 1

20% - Final Essays

25% - Research Paper

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important. You'll have the opportunity to self-assess and receive instructor feedback on each of these areas at the mid-point and the end of the semester.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session.
• Bring a notebook, pen, and a laptop (if you have one) to class.
• Complete all of the week's reading and writing assignments before the start of class.
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind.
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities.
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it.
• Challenge yourself to do your best work.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Plan to complete and submit assignments by the deadline noted on the syllabus.
  • Usually, the deadline for FIRST DRAFTS will be 11:59 PM the FRIDAY following our Monday class.
  • Usually, the deadline for READING RESPONSES will be 11:59 PM the SUNDAY following our Monday class.
  • Usually, the deadline for FINAL DRAFTS will be 11:59 PM the SUNDAY following our Monday class.
• You are responsible for checking Canvas and getting any notes, materials and assignments for any missed classes. Please reach out and ask questions if anything is unclear.

• First Draft Essays are 15% and Final Essays are 20% of your grade. Together they comprise more than a third of your total course grade.

  • Draft and Final Essays will be accepted up to a week late. You will lose 10% each day your draft or final essay is late. After a week, the essay assignment will be closed, and your essay will no longer be accepted for credit. If you need extra time, let me know before the due date and we will figure out a plan that works for you.
  • If you submit only the first draft of any essay, I will grade that draft for up to 50% credit as a submission for the final draft. If you submit only the final essay with no first draft, I will grade the final draft for up to 50% credit. The first draft stage is critical for getting feedback that will develop your writing skills.
  • Extensions for longer than one week will be granted for extenuating circumstances. If a lengthy medical problem or other personal issues will result in missing weekly discussions and/or assignments, please contact me as soon as possible.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity