Instructor Name: Stacey Higdon Email Address: [email protected]
Mailbox: FAC 319
Office Hours: by appointment (Skype, or Face-to-Face)
Course# 74849: Distance Education
Attention:
YOUR CLASS IS ON EAGLE ONLINE 2
https://eo2.hccs.edu/login/index.php
How to log in to Eagle Online 2: Your Eagle Online 2 username/password is HCC Student email
username/password. (Note: This username/password is also used to log-on to computers and
printers at the HCC campuses). If you have never used your HCC
student email, follow this link to learn how to locate that:
http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/student-e-maileagle-id/
or go to the HCC distance eduction site for lots of helpful information: http://de.hccs.edu
Browser Issues:
Use the latest version of Firefox. Eagle Online should be used with Firefox only; failure to use
the browser can lead to problems with quizzes and exams. If you do not have this program, you
can download it for free.
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Student learning objectives
1. Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.
2. Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections, developing expository essays, and
writing argumentative essays.
3. Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays and/or literature by professional
writers.
4. Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical strategies.
5. Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their own academic writing.
Catalog Description
A course devoted to improving the student’s writing and critical reading. Writing essays for a variety of
purposes from personal to academic, including the introduction to argumentation, critical analysis, and the
use of sources. Core Curriculum course. Prerequisite: a satisfactory assessment score, completion of ENGL
0310, or (for non-native speakers) ENGL 0349. 3 credit (3 lecture)
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online
survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will
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be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction.
Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end
of the term.
Textbooks:
REQUIRED: Peterson and Brereton, Norton Reader, 13th edition (Full edition to be purchased)
Recommended: Maimon, Peritz, and Yancey, The McGraw-Hill Handbook, 2nd edition
Recommended: A good, college-level dictionary
The key to succeeding in this course is to understand writing as an ongoing process of thinking, drafting, and revising. We will work on preparing manuscripts that are professional. We will address issues of mechanics, grammar, and presentation in terms of the earned authority of a manuscript. Questions? Contact me at [email protected] Determination of Grades: Instructor's Choice 10%
Professionalism 10%
Major Paper 1: Literacy Narrative 15%
Major Paper 2: Summary/Strong Response 15%
Major Paper 3: Synthesis/Analysis 20%
Midterm Essay: 15%
Final Exam Essay: 15%
Total 100%
Assignments:
Readings and Class Participation
All of our work will be the product of careful, detailed, close
reading. Be prepared to discuss the readings online by the assigned
due dates—ALL students will be expected to participate regularly in online discussions.
Essays
There will be five essays that will be drafted over the course of the sixteen-week class. Out-of class essays
(three) require a drafting component that functions as part of the grade; there MUST be changes through
revision and editing. In fact, the revision from rough draft to final copy WILL be a portion of your major
essay grade. Details about these papers will be posted on Eagle Online 2.
Discussion Boards
In addition to readings and homework assignments, you will also be asked to work in an additional online
space on Eagle Online 2. The Discussion Board assignments often will consist of two parts, and will have
specific due dates that you’ll need to adhere to.
NOTE: This class is completely online. As such, online participation affects your attendance record in the course. Missing a weekly online obligation will count as an absence. (See “Online Attendance” below) Submission of Work: READ THIS CLOSELY
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Essays are uploaded to Eagle Online according to the due dates. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade
each calendar day they are late. Late papers are unacceptable after seven calendar days. Each student receives
one late paper, one calendar day at the latest, without penalty. Browser issues or personal computer issues are
not an excuse for not turning in work on time. There are computers on the HCC campuses that you can use.
Eagle Online 2 issues should be handled through the help link on the EO2 website, and are also not valid
excuses.
Homework: Telling me things like “I didn’t understand the assignment,” or “I couldn’t find it in the book/on
Eagle Online” are not valid excuses for not doing your work. Homework should be completed and uploaded
to Eagle Online after it is assigned.
“Txtspk” and Comic-Book Language: We all know what text-message language is; I don’t care how you write
messages in text messages, on Facebook, or in emails, but I don’t want to see that language in our online
classroom. I like to call it “txtspk.” If I see it in an essay or another assignment—discussion boards
included—I’ll make you do it over. Now onto what I call “comic-book” language: this is when you utilize
multiple punctuation marks in a row when one mark will do. I don’t want to see essays or other assignments
that do this. The same thing applies as above: I will “hand” it back and make you do it over. No “!!!” or “???”
or “?!?” or other any combination of punctuation marks; we are not manga artists.
Papers should include a full heading, and number all pages of main text (MLA-style). All essays should have
a distinct title and should be double-spaced. If you must miss a deadline for an essay assignment,
communicate with me to request an extension (which may or may not be granted).
Student’s Last Name and Page Number (as a header)
Student’s name
Instructor’s Name
Date
Title of essay
Keep in mind that a title of an essay is not the name of the assignment; it is not a
“placeholder.” After you’ve thought of a great title, start writing the paper; don’t forget to indent
your paragraphs, and remember to double space the entire thing.
Remember that the key to succeeding in this course is to understand writing as an ongoing
process of thinking, drafting, and revising. We will work on preparing manuscripts that are
professional. We will address issues of mechanics, grammar, and presentation in terms of the earned
authority of a manuscript.
Rough drafts must be written for each major essay—excluding midterm and final—and must be
turned in when they are due or they will not be accepted. These will be commented on and returned.
Essays will be graded for appropriateness, unity and focus, development, organization,
sentence structure, word usage, and mechanics.
You will also turn in all of your major essays through TurnitIn on Eagle Online 2. Therefore, your
essays need to be turned in on time. You will upload papers electronically through the Turnitin link on our
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Eagle Online 2 before 11:59pm on the paper due date. Late final papers will be penalized one letter grade for
each day (24hr. period) overdue. Papers should conform to MLA formatting and citation style.
Professionalism – 10% You will be expected to participate in the class in a professional manner, that is, be “on time”, meet deadlines, and contribute online. Professionalism includes all of these as well as regular online attendance (see “Attendance” below) and willing participation in all facets of classroom virtual life. Academic Honesty: In this class, we will function as a community of scholars, sharing ideas and responding to each other’s work. According to college and department policy, plagiarism (broadly defined as passing off somebody else’s work as your own) constitutes grounds for failure of the assignment in question, possibly failure of the course, or even suspension from the university. See “Scholastic Dishonesty,” in the Student Handbook, http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Student_Handbook/student_policies.pd
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Plagiarism involves using another’s ideas or words without giving proper credit to those sources.
Even if a student paraphrases information from an outside source--such as the Internet, books, magazines,
other essays, etc.—the student must give those sources credit for the ideas by using both in-text citations and
a works cited page. Prior to W-day, if it is discovered that a student has plagiarized any portion of any
assignment, then the student will be dropped from the course. After W-day, if it is discovered that a student
has plagiarized any portion of any assignment, then the student will receive an F for the course instead of a
W. If a student inadvertently plagiarizes because the student has failed to give full attention to assigned course
activities or readings that could have prevented the student from plagiarizing, then such plagiarism is also
considered intentional. Remember that using sources requires attention to detail; plagiarism resulting from
carelessness is still plagiarism. Any work students write for this course must be their original work that has
not been previously drafted or published, submitted for another class, or submitted to essay websites.
Tutoring
All students have access to tutoring through Ask Online: http://hccs.askonline.net/. This is an
online tutoring service powered by HCCS. The tutors will examine your essays for content,
organization, and even grammatical errors; however, they will only accept one draft per assignment.
The English department highly recommends that you submit a draft of your assignment to Ask
Online for tutoring help. There are also tutors on the campuses that you can go visit—more
information to follow
Open Computer Lab
There are computer labs on the campuses for you to use. Email me if you are searching.
Online Attendance: You are expected to maintain an online presence. To succeed, you must keep up with your online presence. After you accrue 4 absences (4 missed weekly online activities), your professionalism grade becomes an F. Excessive absences (more than 4) may result in a lower final grade or possible failure of the course. COURSE CALENDAR: This will be posted on Eagle Online; any changes to it will be announced. Images: 4
“College student using his laptop computer.” Online image. 123RF. Web. 15 Aug. 2012. “Grades Graphic.” Online image. Tips on Getting Good Grades. Web. 8 Aug. 2012. 5