ENG 112 Argument-based Research

Guilford Technical Community College

Division: Arts and Sciences Department:English/Humanities Chair: Ms. Connie Carroll Chair: Dr. Jo Ann Buck Office: DH 210 Office: DH 304B

Course Information
Course Number: Credits: Pre-requisites: ENG 112-FJW03 3
All students must present evidence of appropriate eligibility or placement into this course by meeting prerequisites. Students must present ONE of the following to maintain enrollment: grade report that indicates completed prerequisite course (ENG 111) with a grade of a "C" or better; a copy of an unofficial transcript from another college that indicates that a course transferred to GTCC meets the prerequisite (i.e., ENG 101 at UNCG equates to ENG 111).

Co-requisites: Description:

none
This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and argumentative strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data and incorporating research findings into documented argumentative essays and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to summarize, paraphrase, interpret, and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using standard research format and style. Assignments will require use of word processing and presentation software. Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments, Brief Edition: A Rhetoric with Readings (8th Edition). New York, NY: Longman, 2009. Print. Troyka, Lynn Quitman. QA Compact. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice, 2004. Print.

Textbooks:

Supplies:

A voice, composition notebook, 3-ring binder (or folder with pockets), paper for notes, writing utensils, flash drive highly recommended

Instructor Information
Instructors Name: J. Ryan Spillman E-Mail Address: jrspillman@gtcc.edu Office Information Location: Campus: Address: City, State, Zip: Office Phone: HT 314 Jamestown 601 High Point Rd Jamestown, NC 27282 336-334-4822 or 336-454-1126, ext.50639 Mon/ Wed/ Fri 9 10am; Tues 12 2 pm; by appointment

ours:

Class Information Beginning Date: 1/9/12 Withdrawal Date: 4/2/12 Meeting Times: Tues 10:30-11:45

Census Date: 1/19/12 Number of Weeks: 16 Meeting Locations: AT 344

Student Learning Outcomes

In order to pass this course, a student must pass each of the following student learning outcomes. Failure to pass any outcome will automatically result in a failing grade for the course regardless of course average. In order to successfully complete this course, the student will be able to demonstrate all of the following outcomes to the standards

identified on the course assessment rubrics with a minimum grade of C for each outcome: 1. Evaluate appropriate information from a variety of sources (print, electronic, field research) to support a claim. 2. Support with evidence a position on a controversial issue; 3. Develop arguments using a variety of organizational strategies; 4. Formulate a response to opposing arguments; 5. Integrate primary and/or secondary sources into written assignments accurately; 6. Document sources accurately (in-text and end citations) using MLA and APA documentation formats.

Employability Skills
The following basic employability skills are considered essential for career success and are emphasized in the GTCC curriculum. 1. TeamworkWork with others to analyze a situation, establish priorities, and apply resources for solving a problem or accomplishing a task. 2. ResponsibilityExhibit individual behaviors that support the official goals and objectives of the organization and its members. 3. CommunicationEffectively exchange ideas and information with others in oral, written, or visual form. 4. Problem-solvingIdentify problems and potential causes while developing and implementing action plans for solutions. 5. Information processingAcquire, evaluate, organize, manage, and interpret information. 6. AdaptabilityExhibit flexibility and receptivity to changing technologies, methods, processes, work environments, organizational structures and management practices.

General Education Core Competencies

The following core academic competencies are considered essential for student success and are covered in the GTCC curriculum. The broad purpose of a learning-centered two-year technical and community college in the culturally diverse world of the 21st century should be to prepare graduates for productive employment, university transfer, and lifelong learning through the attainment of the following skills, knowledge, and values: 1. Effective Communication a. Speak clearly with grammatical correctness b. Use standard written English in traditional and electronic media c. Design professional caliber documents for workplace or academic context 2. Critical Thinking
a. Access, evaluate, and synthesize information from both oral and written sources b. Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines, to draw reasonable and evidence-based

conclusions

3. Problem Solving

a. Use scientific inquiry method b. Apply problem solving skills to real world experiences/applications c. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem

4. Technological Literacy a. Use electronic and print resources to access, retrieve, process, and communicate information b. Demonstrate proficiency of appropriate computer technology 5. Global Literacy a. Develop an awareness of diversity b. Develop an awareness of the interdependence of our world

Grading Policy
Grading Scale Grade Requirement A B C D F 90 100 80 89 70 79 60 69 59 & below 20% 10% 60% 10%

Evaluation of Performance (Final Choices will be customized by instructor) 1. Daily work (in and out of class writing assignments, participation in class activities, quizzes, homework) 2. Mid-Term Exam 3. Essays/ Projects 4. Final Assessment

Code of Conduct for the Learning Environment

GTCC is an institution for adult learning. The GTCC learning environment reflects a partnership between instructors with the desire to teach and students with the desire to learn. In order to create an appropriate environment for teaching and learning, there must be mutual respect. Listed below are guidelines for behavior which the College has established to ensure that the learning environment is not compromised. 1. Identification. To promote a safe learning environment, all persons who are consistently present on a GTCC campus are required to have in their possession at GTCC issued ID and present it upon request by college personnel. 2. Tobacco Free. Because of the commitment of GTCC to health and well-being, students violating the Tobacco Free Campus Policy (no tobacco products allowed including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.) will be subject to probation for the first offense and suspension (one semester) for the second offense. 3. Profanity. To promote a respectful learning environment, GTCC students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner appropriate for their course of study. Physically or verbally lewd or indecent behavior, profanity, threatening or sexually explicit language and obscene acts are strictly prohibited. 4. Dress. GTCC expects all students to dress in a manner in keeping with the serious academic intent of the college and acceptable to the community. In keeping with the mission to prepare students

for success in the workforce, students are expected to dress appropriately within the generally accepted bounds of good taste. The college respects individual style and creativity as long as students dress in a manner which is not disruptive or distracting to the educational environment and conforms to the expectations and standards of the professional community.

o o o o 5.

Inappropriate clothing: Clothing that displays nudity or implied nudity, profanity, or violence Sagging or low cut pants (no skin and undergarments exposed) Deeply low-cut shirts/blouses Shirts/blouses with midriffs showing Respect. All individuals are expected to maintain mutual respect in the learning environment.

Respectful Learning Environments Exclude: o Inappropriate or offensive commentary or body language regarding the course, the instructor, assignments, or fellow students. o The use of cell phones, beepers, and other personal communication devices upon entering class. Individuals may not receive or send telephone calls, text messages, or pages during class. o Side conversations as they are disruptive. o Working on outside activities while in class including homework for other courses or personal activities. o Transaction of personal business with the instructor other than before or after class. o Wearing strong scents (perfume, aftershave, etc.) of any kind as others may be allergic to them. o Using Internet access for other than valid, academic purposes that are related to the course. 6. Absences/Attendance. To sustain a Learning College environment, students are expected to attend all classes unless officially excused. Students should inform the instructor in advance if they know they are going to miss a class and must take responsibility for getting missed assignments from other students. Students should not expect to make up work, such as unannounced quizzes or tests, after an unexcused absence. Instructors are not responsible for re-teaching the material students miss because of an unexcused absence. Students are expected to remain in a class the entire time. Individuals should not enter the class late or leave early. Rare exceptions may be excused, particularly under emergency circumstances, but students should be prepared to explain tardiness to the instructor after class. Likewise, the need to leave early should be explained to the instructor before a class. 7. Guests. In the interest of safety, children should not be left unattended in public areas. Only persons registered for a course and listed on the attendance roster may attend class in any learning environment. All college personnel have the authority and responsibility to ensure these guidelines are followed. Students who fail to adhere to the guidelines listed could be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

Policies and Information

Quality of Instruction Statement The GTCC faculty members are committed to providing quality instruction. If there is a concern about the instruction provided, treatment of an individual or a group of students, or professional conduct of instructors, first see the instructor, then the department chair, and then the division chair. The description of Students' Rights and Responsibilities can be found in the current Student Handbook/Calendar.

ADA Statement If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and are seeking accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform disability Access Services, Davis Hall room 107, ext. 50157 as soon as possible. It is important to request accommodations early enough to give the disabilities staff adequate time to consider your request and recommend reasonable accommodations. Instructors will provide necessary accommodations based on the recommendations of the disabilities staff. e-Learning Information This course has an online classroom in Moodle. This classroom can be accessed by going to the homepage for GTCC and clicking the word, Moodle. Here you can access course documents, possible assignments and stay in contact with both your instructor and classmates. If you experience difficulty accessing our online classroom, please notify your instructor immediately. School Closing Policy If school is closed, the instructor will communicate the information for makeup assignments of the missed class. Currently, the makeup days are listed in the catalog (March 6, March 7, and March 8) and will be used if needed. Inclement Weather Policy The inclement weather day(s) designated by the college for this term is Dec. 14. Remember that should we have bad weather and this day(s) is used for a make up day, you are required to attend school and should you miss, this day would count against the attendance policy below. Departmental Attendance Policy The department attendance policy is reasonable. Students may miss no more than 6 hours of class in a semester in a course that meets three hours each week. Students will be considered tardy for class up to 15 minutes late or if they leave up to 15 minutes early. Three tardies equal one absence. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late will earn an absence. Complete details of the departmental policy will be provided by the instructor. Students who are absent beyond the hour allowance will no longer be admitted to class. Students who do not complete withdrawal paperwork or just stop attending class will likely earn an F in the course. Late Work Policy/Make-Up Work Policy No late assignments will be accepted without prior approval by the instructor who will designate how approved assignments will be submitted. It is the students responsibility to make-up all work missed while absent as the instructor allows (some in-class work/quizzes, etc. cannot be duplicated) and be ready to submit required assignments on time when returning to class from an absence. Withdrawal Policy It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from a class by the course withdrawal date of 4/2/11. Failure to follow the withdrawal procedure will result in a grade of F for the course. Cell Phone and Use of Other Electronic Devices The use of cell phones or any other electronic devices for purposes entirely unrelated to class activities or concepts--random web-surfing, texting, etc.--is patently inappropriate and a violation of professional courtesy. Students who disengage from the class activities by texting, calling others, leaving class to take a call or any other improper use of various digital devices may be marked absent at the instructor's discretion. Student/Instructor Partnership A common way of describing education is to speak of it in business terms. In such a description, the college and its instructors are the service- providers and their students are the customers. But the comparison is a false and misleading one because college demands more of its students than a retail

establishment asks of its customers. In addition to an investment of money, students must invest their time, their attention, their good faith, and their energy. Customers go to stores to buy the goods or services the store has for sale. Its a simple, one-way transaction. Learning, however, is a process. It takes quite a long time, in comparison to a simple purchase, and the transaction is ongoing. If it is to be successful, the student must be committed to its success at least as much as the instructor is. When was the last time a retailer asked you to do homework, for example? In a successful learning environment, students and instructors are partners in a mutual enterprise. Plagiarism Plagiarism is using someone elses words or ideas as your own. Your GTCC Student Handbook lists using others work as prohibited and subject to disciplinary action (see the Student Handbook discussion under Disciplinary Policy/Prohibited Conduct.) A fuller explanation of the English/Humanities Department Plagiarism Policy is detailed in the College and Workplace Writing Guide that is a required text for this course. In short, plagiarism is wrong and may cause you to fail the course. Computer and Internet Access All students must have access to a computer that has a word processing program such as Microsoft Word and the Internet. These resources are considered to be basic tools for both modern education as well as the modern workplace. Each campus has open computer labs that are available to all students, and computers can also be accessed in public libraries. All classes at GTCC have a Moodle site that is associated with the class and may be used extensively by the instructor. When you register for a class, you will be enrolled in the Moodle site for that class. You should access your Titan Cruiser account since that is how the college will communicate important information to you. Other online tools such as email, instant messaging, and chat rooms may also be used for communication outside the classroom, so download Pronto at the Moodle login site to have instant messaging access to your instructor. Tutoring The Tutoring Center provides free tutoring to currently enrolled GTCC curriculum students who seek assistance with their coursework. The purpose of the tutoring program is to help students become independent and successful learners by assisting them to develop good study skills, to increase their understanding of course content, to enhance their self-confidence, and to develop a positive attitude toward learning. The majority of tutors are currently enrolled students who have made an A or B in the course or its equivalent in which they are tutoring and have been recommended by their instructor. All students interested in receiving tutorial assistance or being a tutor should see the Tutoring Center staff for an appropriate application form. The Tutoring Center is located in room 100-102 in the James L. Williams Health Careers Building, 334-4822 ext. 2528. Stop by to see the hours of operation. The Writing Center The English/Humanities Department sponsors and staffs the Writing Centers. Writing Centers offer individual assistance for all GTCC students with writing assignments from any class they take. Questions about getting started to incorporating primary and/or secondary sources papers can be addressed. While our services are not intended to include proofreading, we will help guide your editing and revision process. Services are free to GTCC students. While its possible you can receive help by just dropping in, we encourage you to make an appointment several days in advance if possible. Hours of availability are posted on the departments web site. The AT Open Computer Lab The Open Lab houses 132 computers for student use free of charge. Access to the Internet and software taught in curriculum classes is available. Printing is available at 10 cents per page. Both a cardaccessed and a coin-operated photo copier are also present in the room. Help from the two professionals

and student lab assistants with the range of software loaded on these computers is always available. Students can get help with Moodle and use of the Internet as well. The Open Lab operates Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00pm and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Electronic Classroom Supplements Moodle is GTCCs online course management system. All GTCC courses have Moodle sites, even those that meet in a traditional classroom. The web address is http://online.gtcc.edu. Many instructors use Moodle course sites to upload handouts, provide assignments, and generally communicate with students enrolled in the course. Pronto, and instant messaging system, is also available at the Moodle site for students to download. Pronto also allows online access to your instructors and classmates. Netiquette Expectations 1. All forms of correspondence to both the instructor and your classmates must abide by the GTCC Student Code of Conduct. 2. You are in a classroom with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. At least once during your studies here, you will encounter someone who has an opinion that is not yours. Discussions should focus on the topic, not the person. 3. All correspondence between the instructor and classmates should be in full sentences and free from slang or IM speak. 4. Please avoid ALL CAPS and a variety of colors on your discussion board postings and e-mails. These make your content difficult to read. 5. You cannot use your access to your classmates' email as a way to deliver commercial correspondence and political endorsement information. Course/Grade Concerns Any issues related to grades, course, or instruction should follow a clear process. To pursue an issue about a course, the student must: 1. Set up an appointment with the instructor at a time separate from class time. This process assures focus on the students concerns at a time set aside specifically for that purpose. The student must bring the completed Issue Resolution Form. Blank forms are available from the Administrative Assistant in Davis Hall 333 or downloaded from the courses Moodle site. 2. Bring relevant documents to the appointment, particularly the student work and the assignment in question, course syllabus, and other materials as requested by the faculty member or deemed important by the student. 3. If the meeting with the instructor does not reach a resolution, the student may set up a meeting with the department chair, Dr. Jo Ann Buck, Davis Hall 304B, ext. 50063, jmbuck@gtcc.edu. Because this is a formal appointment, the student must submit the following items to the Administrative Assistant in Davis Hall 333 at least 24 hours before the meeting with the department chair: a. the signed Issue Resolution Form with the outcome of the meeting with the instructor b. a printout from WebAdvisor of the students academic record c. any materials requested by the department chair or the faculty member 4. As mandated in the GTCC Management Manual, Section III-1.020 Evaluation, the decision of the department chair is final. Subject to Change This course syllabus is subject to change as determined by the course instructor. If changes are needed, an addendum to the syllabus will be provided to each student and implementation of changes will be set forth at date that addendum is issued.

Hybrid/ Online Courses Even more than traditional, face-to-face courses, hybrid and online courses force students to be motivated self-starters that actively seek out the help they need. Please understand this prior to embarking on the journey that is this semester. The online portions of the class will be as intellectually challenging as the face-to-face portions, yet you will not have an instructor right there beside you. This means that you will need to address the online portions immediately to ensure that you the instruction, objectives, and assignments are clear to you. Procrastination is especially dangerous in this type of class; therefore, all online assignments will be due at the beginning of the face-to-face portions of class. You will not have face-to-face time to address questions regarding the online portion of the class; online questions should be handled online. However, if you are ever confused, I will go to great lengths to insure that you get the material, as long as you ask in a timely manner. Late or Incomplete Work Only essays will be accepted late; otherwise, no late work will be accepted unless lateness is due to unavoidable, documented medical or family emergency. Such emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis, but they must be accompanied with official evidence (i.e. doctors note, tow receipt, etc.). For late essays, students will lose one letter grade for every day that the essay is late (including weekends). Incomplete work will not be accepted. Ensure that you have followed the rubrics and completed every component of each assignment. Moodle Quizzes Any Moodle quizzes must be completed 10 minutes prior to class; after this time, they will be unavailable. Missed Exam/Quiz Missed quizzes (in class or online) cannot be made up. I will drop the ONE, lowest quiz grade. Exams cannot be made up unless there is a documented emergency. Without documentation, the exam will be entered as a zero. These emergencies include cars that breakdown or any other emergency. (For example, if your car breaks down, you need to have this documented from an auto mechanic.) There are no exceptions. Replacement Credit Assignments If you have turned in all the assignments, but you are still not pleased with your grade, then you may meet with me during the last three weeks of class to develop a replacement credit assignment that can replace an essay or quiz grade. Keep in mind that these replacement credit assignments will be MORE work than the original assignment, so it behooves you to meet with me long before assignment due dates if you ever feel like you need assistance. Revision Policy You will have multiple opportunities to revise your work via in and out of class collaborative groups. Additionally, you may set up a time to meet with me on the listed office hours. Some revisions will be accepted for credit, and these will be explained in class. Turning in Assignments

All project work must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date; if it is not turned in at the beginning of class, it will be considered one day late. Each final draft must be submitted via Moodle Turnitin AND as a hard copy at the beginning of class. Emailed assignments will not be accepted. Conferences At times, conferences will be necessary, whether to celebrate an achievement or address an issue. These conferences are part of the class; therefore, attendance is mandatory. If you miss a conference, you will not be admitted to class until you make up the conference.