Fall 2019

Division of English and Communication

English Department
https://www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/liberal-arts-humanities--education/english/

ENGL 1301: Freshman Composition I | Lecture | CRN 13270

Fall 2020 | 16 Weeks (8.24.2020-12.13.2020)
Flex Campus | OTHS 2663 | MTWRF
3 Credit Hours | 48 hours per semester

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor: D. Brody Lipton. Office Phone: 281-234-1203

Office: OTHS 2663 Office Hours: By Appointment
HCC Email: david.lipton@hccs.edu

Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this
course. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your
concerns or just to discuss course topics.

Instructor’s Preferred Method of Contact

Please contact me with questions or concerns via email at david.lipton@hccs.edu or at
Canvas Inbox. I will respond to emails within 24 hours Monday through Friday; I will reply to
weekend messages on Monday mornings.

What’s Exciting About This Course

The Department of English helps students find and develop their authentic voices, establish
political power, and create social capital. We teach critical thinking, close reading, and
analysis. We coach students on the rhetoric of messaging with consideration of purpose and
audience. We support them as they craft their own narratives. We turn thoughts into words,
ideas into interpretations, ambiguity into translation, and silence into voice.

Personal Welcome

The original meaning of “essay” was “to try.” In this class, we will try clarifying our own ideas
to ourselves and each other.

1
 Fall 2019

Prerequisites and/or Co-Requisites

A satisfactory assessment score, completion of INRW 0420 or (for non-native speakers) or

ESOL 0360. Please carefully read and consider the repeater policy in the HCCS Student
Handbook.

Learning Management System

This section of ENGL 1301 will use Eagle Online Canvas and/or the Learning Web for all
assignments, exams, and activities. Example of statement: Each week, you will complete
several reading and writing assignments, all of which will be found in the Canvas course shell.
When accessing the course on Canvas, it is recommended that you use FIREFOX or CHROME.

This semester, there are three modalities for English courses: Online Anytime, Online on a
Schedule, and Flex Campus. Online Anytime classes are traditional online courses;
coursework is online, and there are no meetings at specific times. Online on a Schedule
classes are online courses with traditional meeting components; coursework is online, and
there are specific times to log in for scheduled class meetings. Flex Campus are in-person
classes; coursework is online, and students have the choice to come to campus or to
participate online during scheduled class meetings.

This section of ENGL 1301 is both Flex and Online/Schedule. Students enrolled at OTHS for in
person instruction will meet in 2663. Students enrolled with KVA are expected to meet
virtually during those appointed class times, Monday through Friday.
 
HCC Online Information and Policies
http://www.hccs.edu/online/

Scoring Rubrics, Sample Assignments, Other Resources

Look on your course website for the scoring rubrics for assignments, samples of class
assignments, and other information to assist you in the course.
https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/david.lipton/engl1301/

Instructional Materials
Course Reader Information

Please have a notebook exclusively for this course and bring it to class every day. Readings
will be supplied to you free of charge. Please bring these to class every day.

Other Instructional Resources

Tutoring
HCC provides free, confidential, and convenient academic support, including writing critiques,
to HCC students in an online environment and on campus. Tutoring is provided by HCC
personnel in order to ensure that it is contextual and appropriate. Visit the HCC Tutoring
Services website for services provided.

2
 Fall 2019
Libraries
The HCC Library System consists of 9 libraries and 6 Electronic Resource Centers (ERCs) that
are inviting places to study and collaborate on projects. Librarians are available both at the
libraries and online to show you how to locate and use the resources you need. The libraries
maintain a large selection of electronic resources as well as collections of books, magazines,
newspapers, and audiovisual materials. The portal to all libraries’ resources and services is
the HCCS library web page at http://library.hccs.edu.
 
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction is an academic enrichment and support program that uses peer-
assisted study sessions to improve student retention and success in historically difficult
courses. Peer Support is provided by students who have already succeeded in completion of
the specified course, and who earned a grade of A or B. Find details at
http://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/supplemental-instruction/.

Course Overview for ENGL 1301

ENGL 1301 is an intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and
researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis
on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on
writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis.
Core curriculum course.

Core Curriculum Objectives (CCOs) for all ENGL Core Courses

ENGL 1301 satisfies three (3) hours of the communication requirement in the HCCS core
curriculum. The HCCS English Discipline Committee has specified that the course address the
following core objectives:
 Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry,
analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
 Communication: Students will demonstrate effective development, interpretation and
expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.
 Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices,
actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
 Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to consider different points of view
and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for all ENGL courses

Can be found at:

https://www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/liberal-arts-humanities--education/english/

Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for ENGL 1301

Upon successful completion of ENGL 1301, the student will be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
 Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
 Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose
 Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.

3
 Fall 2019
 Use Edited American English in academic essays.

Student Success in ENGL

As with any three-hour course, expect to spend at least six hours per week outside of
class reading and studying the material. I will provide assignments to help you use those six
hours per week wisely. Additional time will be required for written assignments. Successful
completion of this course requires a combination of reading the textbook, attending class,
completing assignments in Eagle Online, and participating in class discussions. There is no
short cut for success in this course; it requires reading (and probably re-reading) and
studying the material using the course objectives as your guide.

Instructor and Student Responsibilities

As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:

 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades
are to be calculated
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and
lectures
 Provide a description of any assignments
 Inform students of policies
 Provide the course outline and class calendar that will include a description of
assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students as required

As a student, it is your responsibility to:

 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the texts
 Complete the required assignments
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all documents, including this syllabus, handouts, and all assignments
 Be aware of and comply with academic honesty policies, including plagiarism, in the
HCCS Student Handbook

Assignments
Written Assignments and Essays

Students will write a minimum of 5,000 words over the course of the semester.
1. Definition
2. Research
3. Family History
4. Creative Writing
Students should expect to write every day of class.
There will also be a written midterm and final exam.

Grading Formula

Definition Essay – 10%

Research Essay – 15%
Midterm – 15%
4
 Fall 2019
Family History – 20%
Creative Writing – 10%
Final Exam – 20%
Homework – 10%
This grading scale is subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
(EX: student conduct, professionalism, and participation may also be contributing factors.)

HCC Grading Scale can be found on this site under Academic Information:
http://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-handbook/

Course Calendar

Week Dates Topic / Assignments Due

1 Aug 24 Summary and Podcast Presentations
2 Aug 31 Memory and Detail
3 Sept 7 Definition Essay Examples
4 Sept 14 Drafting Definition Essay
5 Sept 21 Definition Essay Due & Tone Practice
6 Sept 28 Persuasion Essay Examples
7 Oct 5 Midterm: Persuasion
8 Oct 12 Research Essay Examples
9 Oct 19 Drafting Research Essay
10 Oct 26 Research Essay Due & Family History Examples
11 Nov 2 Family History Group Presentations
12 Nov 9 Drafting Family History Essay
13 Nov 16 Family History Essay Due & Fiction Examples
14 Nov 25 Thanksgiving Break
15 Nov 30 Creative Writing Due & Review
16 Dec 7 Final Exam

Syllabus Modifications

The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus at any time during the semester and
will promptly notify students in writing, typically by e-mail, of any such changes.

Instructor’s Policies

Academic Integrity

Here’s the link to the HCC information about academic integrity (Scholastic Dishonesty and
Violation of Academic Scholastic Dishonesty and Grievance):
http://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procedures/student-rights-policies--procedures/student-
procedures/
Attendance Procedure

Students are expected to attend every class session. Attendance rules will be in accordance
those of OTHS and Katy ISD.

Student Conduct
5
 Fall 2019

Students are expected to be respectful and orderly in the classroom. Expectations will be in
accordance with OTHS and Katy ISD policy.

HCC Policies
Here’s the link to the HCC Student Handbook http://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-
students/student-handbook/ In it you will find information about the following:

 Academic Information
 Academic Support
 Attendance, Repeating Courses, and Withdrawal
 Career Planning and Job Search
 Childcare
 disAbility Support Services
 Electronic Devices
 Equal Educational Opportunity
 Financial Aid TV (FATV)
 General Student Complaints
 Grade of FX
 Incomplete Grades
 International Student Services
 Health Awareness
 Libraries/Bookstore
 Police Services & Campus Safety
 Student Life at HCC
 Student Rights and Responsibilities
 Student Services
 Testing
 Transfer Planning
 Veteran Services

EGLS3
3
The EGLS (Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System) will be available for
most courses near the end of the term until finals start. This brief survey will give invaluable
information to your faculty about their teaching. Results are anonymous and will be available
to faculty and division chairs after the end of the term. EGLS3 surveys are only available for
the Fall and Spring semesters. EGLS3 surveys are not offered during the Summer semester
due to logistical constraints.

HCC Email Policy

When communicating via email, HCC requires students to communicate only through the HCC
email system to protect your privacy. If you have not activated your HCC student email
account, you can go to HCC Eagle ID and activate it now. You may also use Canvas Inbox to
communicate.

Office of Institutional Equity

http://www.hccs.edu/departments/institutional-equity/

6
 Fall 2019

disAbility Services
http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/disability-services/

Title IX
http://www.hccs.edu/departments/institutional-equity/title-ix-know-your-rights/

Office of the Dean of Students

https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procedures/student-rights-policies--procedures/student-
complaints/speak-with-the-dean-of-students/

Department Chair Contact Information

Dr. Alan Ainsworth, alan.ainsworth@hccs.edu, 713.718.7591