ENG 101: English Composition 1

Instructor: D. Mora

Tuesday-Thursday 11:00-12:15

Email: dschett2@jeffco.edu

Required Text: No textbook needed

Catalogue Description

Prerequisites: Reading proficiency and one of the following:

- 3.0+ high school GPA

English Composition 1 offers the student the opportunity to learn to write competent essays and
to do preliminary research. Students will review grammar and mechanics, but the emphasis is on the
writing process. English Composition 1 is required for all degrees.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Write well-developed, concise and coherent essays (concise means clear and to the point with
no unnecessary words – no rambling – and coherent means the writing makes sense/is logical)
- Use the writing process: plan, compose, revise, edit, proofread
- Practice a variety of patterns to make a significant point
- Analyze and critically evaluate model essays and student essays
- Students will research topics, find authoritative (credible) sources, and use those sources to
support their claim; they will apply MLA documentation standards. We will conduct research and
write a research paper in the form of an Argumentative essay.
- Punctuation, parts of speech, grammar, and more will be reviewed.

Assessment Measures: Prewriting activities, Editing and revision activities, Essays, Paragraph writing,
Grammar exercises, Class discussions, Journal writing, Self-review activities, Research activities, Quizzes,
Daily Assignments. All essays will be double-spaced, using 12 pt. Times New Roman font and submitted
on Canvas (MLA format). Do not submit assignments through email.

Covid: At this time, the college does not require students to wear masks.

Grades: Grades will be calculated with a standard 10 percent scale (90-100 is an “A” 80-89 is a “B”, etc).
Assignments will be weighted to determine course grades:
Argumentative Research Paper 25%
Two essays written outside of class 30%
Quizzes, essays written during class, Canvas assignments, participation points 45%
Canvas Quizzes:
A. Announced quizzes
B. Pop Quizzes are always open-note
How do I earn participation points?
A. Attend class regularly
B. Submit all assigned work
C. No tardies
D. Cell phones put away
E. Pay attention
Deadlines and Due Dates:
1. I accept most assignments late with no penalty (see below).
2. The due date is posted on Canvas.
3. However, life happens. You never have to ask for extended time for an assignment because an
automatic extension is granted for all work.
4. You will see an “Until” date on Canvas; this date is an extension of the due date.
5. Canvas is permanently closed after the “Until” date passes.
6. So, the due date is the due date, but an extension is provided for those rare instances when
your WiFi quits working, your boss makes you work extra hours, you get strep throat, or you
have three assignments due on the same day.
7. Students may be permitted to submit the major essays after the “Until” date with a letter grade
deduction per day late.
Materials Needed
Laptop with Internet access is needed during class
A notebook for note-taking during class
Six different-colored highlighters

Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism: The unauthorized use of material not written or created by the person claiming authorship.
Plagiarism occurs when a student submits writing belonging to another person without giving credit to
the author. Submitting an essay that has been highly influenced by another person and does not
resemble a student’s in-class writing is considered plagiarism, as well. See the Jefferson College handout
for more information.
Cheating: Dishonest acts committed while being tested or evaluated.
Since this is a college-level course, any assignment that exhibits academic dishonesty in whole or in part
will be assigned a grade of zero. Administration will also be notified. On the second offense, a student
will fail the course.
All assignments will be submitted through Canvas and the program includes an option that notifies the
instructor if plagiarism has occurred.
Attendance/Tardy Statement
Keep up with your absences. After you miss more than 15% of class, or five classes, you will likely be
dropped. Failing to begin the semester or missing two consecutive weeks will also likely result in being
dropped. Students earn their financial aid by regularly attending and actively participating in their
coursework. The same is true for students who fail to submit more than 15% of their assignments.
Please be on time for class! A tardy student tends to disrupt class and he/she misses important
information. Three tardies = one absence
Electronics: Please keep laptops put away when not in use, and serious students do not use cell phones
during class, so keep them put away.
Absences: If an emergency arises and you must miss a class:
1. Check Canvas for assignments and complete them by the due date. Being absent doesn’t postpone
the due date.
2. Ask a classmate for information. It is the student’s responsibility to get handouts, class notes, and
assignments.
Class Participation
Attendance and participation will be factors in the class participation grade. A student’s grade may be
affected by late arrivals and early departures, as well as a student’s obvious lack of interest or attention.
Sleeping, using cell phones, or doing homework for other courses are examples of rude behavior in the
classroom. Be respectful.
ADA/AA (Special Accommodations):
Any student requiring special accommodations should inform the instructor and the Coordinator of
Disability Support Services (Technology Center, room 101; phone 636-481-3169)

Federal Definition of a Credit Hour

Since this class is a 16-week, 3 credit hour class, the expectation is that 112.5 hours be spent on
academically related activities over the 16-week period. The course meets for 37.5 hours over the 16
weeks, so it is expected that 75 hours be spent on outside-of-class activities. This means you should
expect to spend 5+ hours per week completing the requirements for this course.
Additional Information - During the course, if you have questions, please review this syllabus.
The same holds true for all assignments. To become a better-educated person and be prepared for your
professional career, reading closely for understanding and directions is essential. When given an
assignment, read the directions carefully, review your notes, check announcements, and if you still have
questions, email me.
We will have pop quizzes that will always be open-note. So, as long as you attend class, take notes, and
bring notes and handouts to class, you will likely make A’s.
Communication: In this course, and every college course, communication is key. Unlike high school,
college instructors don’t remind students of assignments and due dates. Students must stay up-to-date
on assignments, assigned readings, due dates, and must take the initiative to ask for help. Therefore, if
you have a question, ask! If you do not understand directions, or how to complete an assignment, email
me! Waiting until the due date to ask for help will result in low grades.
Stress: If stress is affecting your life, contact one of the counselors on campus. If you need assistance, let
me know and I will help you locate the contact information. Counseling is free for all students.
ALL assignments will be submitted on Canvas, unless directed otherwise. As soon as I grade your work,
the points are immediately transferred to the Canvas gradebook. Always read comments that I send to
you, along with points earned in case a revision is needed.
If you have technology issues, use the online service on the Jeffco website or call. We will work on
assignments, take quizzes, and compose essays during class, so a laptop is needed every day. The library
loans laptops to students, if needed.
Extra Credit: Opportunities will be given throughout the semester. I typically don’t announce EC during
class; instead, I post the information on Announcements; I like rewarding students who take great
interest in class, and that includes checking Announcements on a regular basis. Also, check your email!