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COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor: Jeannine Stanko

Semester/Session: Spring 2015

Course Number: ENG101

Course Title: English Composition 1
Course Credits: 3
Lecture hours: 3

Lab hours:

Other hours:

Pre-requisite(s): English Placement Test or ENG100 and Reading Placement Test

or successful completion of DVS101 or DVS103

Co-requisite(s): NONE
Course Description:
This is a course that introduces or continues to familiarize students with critical thinking, the principles of academic
writing, and rudimentary research skills. Through the writing process, students refine topics; develop and support
ideas; investigate, evaluate and integrate appropriate sources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine
appropriate approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes.
Students must earn a C grade or better to register for the next course in this discipline or to use this course as a
prerequisite for a course in another discipline.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:
Write academic essays that
o Develop a thesis
o Create an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience and context
o Make valid inferences
o Support ideas with relevant explanation and substantial evidence details
o Integrate and cite information from relevant print and/or electronic sources
o Provide a coherent introduction and conclusion
Revise drafts to develop or support ideas more clearly, address potential objections, ensure effective transitions
between paragraphs, and correct errors in logic
Edit and proofread, using standards for formal written English

LISTED TOPICS
Review as Needed:
1. Using standard written English
2. Writing process from prewriting to rewriting
3. Developing ideas and supporting them with details
4. Creating introductions and conclusions
5. Using primary and secondary sources
6. Quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing sources
Further Develop:
1. Evaluating basic library and Internet sources
2. Using examples to clarify ideas vs. proving an idea
3. Avoiding 'cut and paste,' plagiarism and fabrication
4. Revising to accommodate differences in audience, tone, persona
5. Comparing and contrasting

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Introduce:
1. Distinguishing observations, inferences & value judgments
2. Summarizing or reporting a position vs. arguing for or against a position
3. Problem-solving techniques
4. Critiquing the informational or argumentative weaknesses of a document
The student will produce five to seven reading based multi-paragraphed expository and argumentative essays of
increasing difficulty, totaling 15-20 pages for the semester.

REFERENCES, RESOURCES OR LEARNING MATERIALS:

(May be unique to each class)
Current recognized texts, handouts, videos, study sheets, Internet resources and multi-media

Class Section(s) Time & Location:

Instructor:
Telephone:
E-Mail Address:

Jeannine Stanko
724-396-4158
jstanko@ccac.edu

Section
BC06
BC02

Dates
1/13 4/30
1/13 4/30

Days
T/TH
T/TH

Office Hours:
Office Location:

Time
9:30-10:45AM
12:00-1:15PM

Room
N308
N310

T/TH: By Appointment
Writing Lab

Materials and Resources:

Required Text(s):
Reinking, James and Robert Von Der Osten, Strategies for Successful Writing:
A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader, and Handbook.10th ed., Boston: Pearson,
2014.
Required Materials:
internet access
Recommended Material: flash drive
The Learning Assistance Center and the Learning Commons provide free
Open Lab, Tutoring, etc.
tutoring to registered CCAC students. Online services are available through
smartthinking.com
Teaching Methods:
The course will include direct instruction in the form of lectures; guided practice to include whole, small, and
flexible group discussions, in-class writing, in-class grammar activities; and independent practice through
homework assignments, essays, quizzes, and examinations.
In order to be successful in this course, each student should plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours on classroom
preparation for each hour of class. If the student is in class 3 hours a week, the student should plan to
spend approximately 4.5 to 6 hours per week preparing for class.
Communication:
A website is used to communicate with students outside of class. All materials presented in class by the
instructor will be made available on the website. The URL is www.english101stlucia.weebly.com
Evaluation Plan:
Your final grade will be determined by dividing the points you have earned by the total points possible to
earn. Rubrics will be given with each assignment to provide a clear understanding of how writing will be
evaluated. Every essay will be thoroughly marked to give as much feedback as possible. Essays earning
below a C may be revised and resubmitted. Please remember that students must earn a C grade or
better in this course in order for it to count as a prerequisite for another course.
The grading scale is as follows:
100-90% - A;
89-80% - B;

79-70% - C;

69-60% - D;

59-0% - F

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Assignment values are as follows:

Tests, Quizzes & Attendance
30% of final grade
Reading quizzes 50 points
Final Exam 75 points
Final essay 75 points

Newsletters
30% of final grade

Essays
40% of final grade

1st submission (2/24) 75 points

2nd submission (3/17) 75 points
3rd submission (4/9) 75 points
4th submission (4/30) 75 points

Narration 100 points

Comparison 100 points
Causal 100 points
Argument 100 points

Total 300 points

Total 400 points

Attendance minimum 100 points

Total 300 points

Other Policies and Procedures:

Attendance:
Students are expected to attend every class. Each class is worth a portion of your final grade. Rough
drafts, in-class work, and quizzes cannot be made up. Any homework assignments due the day of
absence will receive half-credit. If absent for a quiz, the mulligan is forfeited. If an essay is
submitted after its due date, the mulligan is forfeited. If you choose to come to class unprepared,
you will be marked absent. For example, in order to participate in the peer review process, you must
have a completed rough draft. Rough drafts are due the class before submissions no exceptions.
You will be considered absent if you are not in class. You will be considered late if you arrive after I have
taken roll. Lateness or early departure of 20 or more minutes counts as a complete absence. After three late
entries or early departure, coming in late or leaving early will count as an absence. After 3 classes, the
final grade will drop 1 letter grade for each subsequent absence. One class constitutes one hour of
instruction.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned periodically, as needed. Late homework will not be accepted. If you will be
absent on a submission day, it is your responsibility to submit via email before the scheduled class time.
Newsletters:
After receiving a series of grammar instruction, the newsletters will be submitted with corrections completed
to the covered topics. This process will be completed 4 times throughout the semester. Newsletters must
follow MLA formatting guidelines. Newsletters are cumulative. Since newsletters are exempt from mulligans,
late submissions will drop one letter grade per day after due date.
Essays:
Essays must be typed and double-spaced according to MLA format (one-inch margins, Times New Roman,
12 point font). In the upper left hand corner, include your name, instructors name, course title, and the due
date. If your assignment is longer than one page, please staple the pages together. Essays must have the
page number preceded by your last name in the upper right corner of each page.
Essays must be submitted at the beginning of the class period to be on time. Due dates for all work are
listed on the course plan. No late papers will be accepted for full credit except in the case of an
emergency. Problems with a computer are not an emergency situation; CCAC has computers for student
use.
If you miss class the day a paper is due, email your essay to me as an attachment and copy/paste it into the
body of the email. The email must be sent prior to the beginning of your class time. Bring a paper copy to
the next class. When I receive your essay, I will respond to let you know that it was received. If you do not
receive acknowledgement from me, you know that I did not receive the essay! It is your responsibility to
ensure that I receive your essay. Do not wait until the next class period to resolve this because I will not

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accept the essay for full credit.

Quizzes & Exams:
Quizzes and exams may not be made up. If an emergency arises, it is your responsibility to contact me
within 24 hours to make arrangements.
Mulligans:
For each essay and quiz, one mulligan or do-over will be offered. Mulligans cannot be performed on
newsletters. All mulligans are due before the next assignment in the course outline sequence. The mulligan
is forfeited if absent on the day of the original assignments due date as listed in the course outline.
When submitting an essay mulligan, the essay showing corrections, the original essay, and its rubric must
be submitted.
Plagiarism:
A plagiarized essay will result in an automatic failure for the assignment. Plagiarism is representing
someone elses research, writing, or ideas as your own. Depending on the severity of the offense, a
plagiarized essay or assignment may result in course failure and/or academic dismissal from the college.
Miscellaneous:
All electronics (cell phones, iPods, etc.) must be turned off and put away during class. Texting or engaging
in any electronic social networking will result in a class absence. If class is held in a computer lab, students
who choose to engage in internet or computer activities without instructor consent will receive an absence
for that class period.
Students should not be receiving personal calls nor taking restroom breaks during class time. If there is an
emergency or medical problem, please let me know ahead. Otherwise, plan to stay in the room for the
entire time.
Please be aware that it is very disruptive when students talk in class while the instructor is teaching or other
students are asking questions. Every student should have a copy of the Student Handbook which outlines
acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Any student who demonstrates an inability to conform to acceptable
social conduct will be subject to the disciplinary policies and procedures of the college.
Please remember that it is school policy that children are not permitted in classes.
Students with Disabilities:
The Community College of Allegheny County makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities. Questions about services and procedures for students with disabilities should be
directed to the Office of Supportive Services at your campus.
Course Outline Corrections:
During the semester/session, reasonable changes to the course outline may be academically appropriate.
Students will be notified of these adjustments by the instructor in a timely manner.

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The following is the tentative class schedule for the Spring 2015 semester. In the event of cancelled or shortened days due to severe weather or
emergencies, the schedule may be modified.

Course Plan:
Class
Week/Date
Week 1
January
13, 15
Week 2
January
20, 22

Week 3
January
27, 29
Week 4
February
3, 5

Week 5
February
10, 12

Week 6
February
17, 19

Lesson or Topic

Learning Activities

Assignments

Evaluation

Course introduction,
Writing Sample,
Grammar diagnostic
the writing process,
writing effective
paragraphs and topic
sentences, introductions,
conclusions, and thesis
statements
MLA format, in-textcitation, integrating
quotes, plagiarism, works
cited
narration techniques,
active/passive verbs,
prepositions, model
newsletter corrections,
reading discussions
writing conferences,
writers workshops

introductions

Read syllabus

grammar diagnostic

Lecture, discussion, group

work, in-class writing

Read pages 35 81, 82 87, 97 - 103

writing diagnostic
in-class exercises

Lecture, discussion, inclass writing activities,

peer review

Read pages 395 421, 389 391, 386

389, 395 421

worksheets

lecture, discussion, group

work

Read pages 141 157, 464 474

ancillary readings

in-class exercises
Reading quizzes

Lecture, discussion, group

work,

individual conferences
peer reviews

rough draft essay #1

shifts, pronoun and

antecedent agreement,
pronoun reference,
pronoun case,
fragments, run-ons,
sentence variety

Lecture, discussion, inclass activities

ancillary readings

Essay #1 (narration) due

2/19

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Week 7
February
24, 26

Week 8
March
3, 5
Week 9
March
10, 12
Week 10
March
17, 19
Week 11
March
24, 26
Week 12
April
7, 9

Week 13
April
14, 16

Week 14
April
21, 23

comparison techniques,
capitalization,
who/whom,
homophones, reading
discussions

lecture, discussion, group

activities, drafting

Read pages 219 231, 527 537

ancillary readings

newsletters 1st submission

writing conferences,
writers workshops

Lecture, discussion, peer

review

individual conferences
peer review activities

rough draft essay #2

appropriate language,
exact words, avoiding
wordiness, apostrophes,
commas
causal techniques,
semicolons, colons,
reading discussions
writing conferences
writers workshops

lecture, discussion, group

activities

ancillary readings

Essay #2 (comparison) due

3/10

Lecture, in-class writing,

drafting

Read pages 232 246, 543 557

ancillary readings

newsletter 2nd submission

due 3/17

group activities, peer

review

individual conferences
peer review activities

rough draft essay #3 due

lecture, discussion, group

activities

Read pages 263 301, 579 - 588,

ancillary readings

lecture, discussion, group

activities, in-class writing

individual conferences
ancillary readings

rough draft essay #4 due

lecture, discussion, group

activities, in-class activities

peer reviews
ancillary readings

Essay #4 (argument) due

4/23

parenthesis, brackets,
ellipses, slashes,
dashes, hyphens,
argument techniques,
reading discussions
numbers, quotations,
commonly confused
words, writing
conferences
writers workshops,
parallelism, misplaced
and dangling modifiers

Essay #3 (causal) due 4/7

newsletter 3rd submission
due 4/9

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Cumulative reviews

review activities

BC06 5/7
@ 10:30-12:30

BC002 5/5
@ 1:00-3:00PM

Week 15
April
28, 30

Final Exam

review games and assessments

newsletter 4th submission

due
grammar assessment

wjp10/24/06
Approved by Academic Deans 10/24/2006