Sample Syllabus

Below is a sample syllabus for you to use when creating your own syllabus.

The following Comp I syllabus is presented as a sample with all elements from our syllabus checklist included. Of course, you will adjust it to address your own course information.

ENC 1101 Course Syllabus
Freshman Composition 1 – M/W 10:20-11:35am –
Room 107 – CRN XXXXX
Winter Park Campus

“ The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” - Mark Twain

“… I don’t believe that we can write any kind of story without including, whether we intend to or not, our response to the world around us.” – Madeleine L’Engle

Professor: Name
Office: Available before and after class at the Winter Park Campus, room 126 or by appointment. Alternate – specify days/times
Phone contact: (XXX)XXX-XXXX
On-campus office hours: see “office” above or full-time faculty will specify times
Virtual office hours (for full-time faculty) (available via email): Mon. – Wed. 9-10 a.m. and Tues/Thurs. 3-4p.m.
Email Address: XXXXX@atlas.valenciacc.edu

Required Textbooks:

• 75 Readings , 9 th ed. Buscemi and Smith
• Basics: A Rhetoric and Handbook , Buscemi, Nicolai, and Strugula, 4 th edition
• Assorted handouts

Prerequisite:
Score of 83 on writing component of CPT or equivalent score on other state-approved entry test or minimum grade of C in ENC0012 and ENC0012L or ENC0012C or EAP1640 or ENS1441; also, score of 83 on REA0002 and REA0002L or REA0002C or EAP1620 or ENS1421.

Course Description:
Development of essay form, including a documented essay; instruction and practice in expository writing. Emphasis on clarity of central and support ideas, adequate development, logical organization, coherence, appropriate citing of primary and/or secondary sources, and grammatical and mechanical accuracy. Gordon Rule course in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Minimum grade of C required if ENC 1101 is used to satisfy Gordon Rule and general education requirements. This course includes a learning activity designed to ensure competence in the basic use of computers.

COURSE OUTCOMES - ENC 1101

My goal is for students to have a thorough understanding of essay structure, and how an awareness of one's audience, purpose and the special requirements of any given writing situation affect one's rhetorical choices. Additionally, students should consider how they establish their credibility as the writer. Students should have knowledge of grammar, mechanics and organizational strategies and be able to apply them successfully in their written work. A further goal is for students to be able to identify these rhetorical choices in the works of others and how these contribute to the successful and effective communication of information, thoughts and ideas. Students will also identify areas of improvement in their works and those of their peers and edit and revise their works accordingly.

". I don't believe that we can write any kind of story without including, whether we intend to or not, our response to the world around us." - Madeleine L'Engle

VCC Competencies: Think, Value, Communicate, and Act are Valencia 's core competencies.  See the VCC catalog for a more complete reference.

COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITY

To demonstrate competence with the basic use of computers the College's Freshmen Composition Course (ENC 1101) is designed to include a formal "computer based" learning activity. For this particular course the following assignment(s), assessment and percentage of final grade protocols have been established.

• Computer-based learning activities, method of assessment and impact on final course grade: All out-of class essays and writing assignments must be word- processed. Handwritten or typewriter work will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. Online/electronic research will also be required as part of a documented essay project later in the term. Use of these sources in terms of the Modern Language Association's (MLA) guidelines will be required. Papers that do not conform to these standards will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. As essays account for 70% of a student's grade, failure to word-process one essay will result in the loss of 11.6% of the final grade. The same results will occur if a documented online-researched and word-processed essay is not submitted.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities (Winter Park Campus, room 203; (407) 582 6887).

Atlas Policy
In order to minimize the risk of computer-virus transfers, I prefer to communicate with students via the student's Atlas account. My Atlas e-mail address is eobrien@atlas.valenciacc.edu

Important Notice: Your instructor is NOT technical support. If you are experiencing problems with Atlas, WebCT, etc. you will need to contact the appropriate department: ( 407)582-5600 or webcthelp@valenciacc.edu   The ATLAS help desk phone # is (407)582-5590

A special note about computers : Even though computers and word-processing software are marvelous time and energy-saving devices, they can and do cause problems with the production of your documents. Please be aware that a broken or ill-functioning computer, or the inability to retrieve, produce or submit your assignments from a computer will not be accepted as a valid excuse for a document that is submitted late. I advise you to save all your documents to both a floppy disk, a CD, or a flash drive and your hard drive.

Please regularly check your atlas account for excessive absence notices, grade warnings, instructor emails, etc.

Other Materials:

• Paper: Handwritten work (in-class only): lined notebook paper 81/2 by 11 (no spiral notebook paper!)
• A notebook for class notes
• Blue or black pens for in-class writings: Work submitted in pencil will NOT be graded.
• Plain typewriter or printer paper for typing or printing all out of class essays and work
• Blue books (15 cents in bookstore) - purchase about 8
• A dictionary and thesaurus
• Stapler and paper clips
• A two-pocket, three-prong folder for research essay
• A diskette, CD, or flash drive to save essays
• A diskette or CD to submit with final draft of research essay

Attendance and Deportment: I expect you to be on time to all class meetings and to attend every class. I will take roll (only once) at the beginning of every class meeting.

• Tardiness: Tardiness is disruptive, inconsiderate and unacceptable. Plan ahead to be at class on time. Three tardies equal one absence . These may lead to your withdrawal from the course.
• If a student misses 15 minutes of class he or she will be considered absent.
• Make plans to stay for the whole class meeting. Don't get up in the middle of class to get a drink, make a phone call, etc.
• After missing three class meetings, you will be sent an Excessive Absence notice via Atlas.
• Absences should be used for emergencies and illnesses. These absences are more than enough to cover emergencies and illnesses that occur during the semester.
• After four absences, regardless of the reasons, you will be withdrawn from the class.
• Do not schedule appointments or work hours during class meetings. They will not be considered excused absences.
• Turn off all cell phones and pagers during class.

CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS TURNED OFF! The first time such a device interrupts the class you will need to bring in food for everyone in the class. The second time you will be marked absent for the day.

Format for Assignments: Please remember that your submissions are college-level material and should conform to the following:

• ALL out of class writings must be typed or word-processed in a legible 12-point font!!!
• are neat, legible , and stapled ( Note: I do NOT provide a stapler. Always staple your papers before you bring them to class to turn them in.)
• Double-space - This applies to typed and handwritten work.
• Write or type on only one side of the page.
• are proofread for grammatical and mechanical (spelling, capitalization, and punctuation) errors
• have a one-inch margin on all sides
• include your name, course and section number, assignment, and date in the upper left corner of the first page
• have title centered on the top line of the first page. Skip a line between the title and the first line of your composition.
• Please submit your assignment sheet along with your final papers. Staple it to the final draft.
• Do not allow anyone else to type your papers for you.

NOTE: Papers that are not fastened or do not conform to any of the syllabus rules will not be accepted and will be counted as a late assignment.

The following information should go in the upper left corner of the page.

Participation: Along with your attendance, I also expect you to participate in class discussions and activities; this participation will be factored into your final course grade. Learning occurs when you are actively involved in the process. Take responsibility for your own learning by coming to class prepared, completing assignments on time, paying attention and participating.

Quiz Policy: If all students are not participating in class discussion and coursework, pop quizzes will be given. In order to avoid quizzes, students should be contributing insights, comments, or questions at every class meeting.

NOTE: If you miss a quiz or an in-class writing assignment, you cannot make it up.

NOTE: You are 100% responsible for keeping up with everything that goes on in class, even if you are absent or tardy. Therefore, it will be to your advantage to attend class regularly, participate fully, and complete all assignments on time. Call or email a classmate or me to find out what you missed. If you need a quick response to a question, please submit it via email.

Important Dates:

Withdrawal Deadline: Month/Day

Final Exam: Exit Exam - TBA

Late or missing assignment policy:

• ALL assignments (homework, rough drafts, final drafts, etc.) are due at the beginning of the class on the assigned due date .

• Failure to hand in any assignment will result in it earning a failing grade of ZERO.

• Late assignments will receive a letter grade deduction for every day that they are late. Weekends count. No assignment will be accepted more than seven days after the due date.
• The deadline for the documented essay is absolute. Do not even ask for an exception or extension.
• Emailing a late paper is typically not an accepted form of submission and the paper will not be graded until a hard copy is submitted.

NOTE: I will not accept computer problems as an excuse for late work, so plan ahead.

Grading Scale: A=100-90, B=89-80, C= 79-70, D=69-60, F=59-.

Writing Assignments: 70%

Final Examination: 10%

Participation & Attendance, Class work, and Quizzes: 20%

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Your final examination will be an essay read and evaluated by two instructors in the English Department other than your regular instructor. It must indicate that you are competent in the course objectives. Students must score a "C" or higher to pass the course; those who earn less than a passing grade will receive an "F" in the course regardless of the grade carried into the final exam. Students who have a " C-" or better average going into the final exam will be offered the chance to retake the exam Students who miss the final exam will automatically receive an "F" in the course and will not be permitted to sit for the retest.

Plagiarism: Write your own stuff. I expect that that ideas presented in your writing assignments were authored by you and that all outside sources have been cited properly. I have ZERO tolerance for plagiarism. Any assignment that shows signs of plagiarism will receive a grade of zero. Plagiarism can also result in earning an "F" in the course and/or being withdrawn from the course.

" To plagiarize is to present another person's words or ideas as if they were your own. Plagiarism is a serious offense that can be grounds for failing a course or expulsion from a college." (From Troyka, Lynn. Handbook for Writers . p.487) (See also page 16 and Ch. 31 in your Handbook for Writers for further information.)

(See also Part 3, Ch. 13 in Basics for further information.)

Expectations: In order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, the following activities are not acceptable for a college classroom: tardiness, leaving and returning during class, and leaving class early. Additionally, your instructor and your fellow students will appreciate your courtesy in refraining from talking during lecture or when another student is speaking and keeping cell phones and pagers turned off.

Student Code of Classroom Conduct
"Activities which disrupt the desired classroom setting and which are violative of this Student Code of Classroom Conduct are those which, with or without intent to do so, are disruptive of the essence of the educational process. Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Activities that are inconsistent with commonly acceptable classroom behavior and which are not conducive to the learning experience, such as: tardiness, leaving and returning during class, and early departure when not previously authorized;
2. Activities which violate previously described classroom guidelines or constitute an unreasonable interruption of the learning process;
3. Side discussions which are irrelevant to the subject matter of the class, that distract from the learning process or impede, hinder, or inhibit the ability of other students to obtain the full benefit of the educational presentation;
4. Utterances of "fighting words" or epithets directed specifically toward other persons with the purpose or effect of creating a hostile educational environment or which may reasonably be expected to incite imminent or immediate violence.

Violations of this Student Code of Classroom Conduct shall constitute grounds for student disciplinary action as provided in Policy 6Hx28:10-04."

-- Valencia Community College District Board of Trustees 

* Disclaimer - The instructor reserves the right to alter the course syllabus and outline.

THEME GRADES for ENC 1101

Valencia Community College
Grades on written work range from A to F. They are based on both content and form. The criteria for each grade are listed below. Your instructor assumes that you will do the assignment as instructed, and that when you choose your own topic, you will select one appropriate to expository writing.

The A theme

1. has clear stated thesis, accurately written topic sentences that support the thesis, and   sufficient fresh detail to support the topic sentences;
2. is logical and generally thought-provoking;
3. has clear and effective organization and appropriate transitional devices between paragraphs and between and within sentences;
4. employs variety in length and structure of sentences;
5. uses words correctly and avoids wordiness, jargon, pretentious diction, slang;
6. is virtually free of errors in grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling, and of common weaknesses in writing (overuse of passive voice, shifts   in   focus, awkward phrasing, and other errors listed under "Weaknesses" below).

The B theme

1. has a clearly stated thesis, topic sentences that support the thesis, and adequate details to   support each topic sentence;
2. is logical and occasionally thought-provoking;
3. has clear organization and appropriate transitional devices between paragraphs and sentences;
4. uses words acceptably without awkwardness or wordiness;
5. uses appropriate coordination and subordination;
6. is relatively free of errors in grammar.... (See #6 under the A theme and "Weaknesses.")

The C theme

1. has a passable thesis, topic sentences that relate to the thesis, and some   detail to support   each topic sentence;
2. is logical but rarely thought-provoking;
3. has recognizable organizational pattern and overall coherence;
4. lacks accurate word choice and tends to be awkward or wordy;
5. lacks sentence variety;
6. contains occasional errors in grammar.... (See #6 under the A theme and "weaknesses.")

The D theme

1. lacks a clear thesis or fails to develop the thesis it does have;
2. is frequently illogical;
3. lacks organization beyond an elementary level;
4. uses monotonous sentence structure and phrasing;
5. tends to prefer general to specific words;
6. contains frequent errors in grammar.... (See under the A theme and "Weaknesses.")

The F theme

1. lacks a clear thesis, organization, and/or development;
2. is illogical;
3. fails to use specific words; frequently uses wrong words;
4. uses elementary sentences structure;
5. has frequent errors in grammar.... (See #6 under the A theme and Weaknesses.")

Weaknesses characteristic of D and F writing:

1.  inaccurate word choice
2.  obscure or ambiguous phrasing
3.  unjustifiable sentence fragments
4.  run-on sentences
5.  fused sentences
6.  comma splices
7.  lack of verb-subject agreement
8.  lack of pronoun-antecedent agreement
9.  inappropriate shifts in tense, voice, mood, tone, etc.
10.  misplaced modifiers
11.  misuse of common marks of punctuation
12.  inappropriate capitalization
13.  inconsistent numbering system
14.  excessive misspellings
15.  unconventional manuscript form
16.  illegible handwriting or careless typing

Please remember that I generally only mark an error ONE TIME per paper. So, if you misspell the SAME word throughout your paper, use the incorrect form of a verb like teached or tooked , use I instead of you , I will only mark the error the first time I find it. After that, I expect YOU to find and fix the error throughout the rest of your paper. Take responsibility for improving your writing.

Major Mistakes/Errors

Important Errors

Monday/Wednesday course schedule: ENC 1101 CRN 13489 - Course Outline: Subject to change

COURSE SCHEDULE: See the syllabus checklist for your course dates.