DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: This course continues the development of writing principles by adding an emphasis on critical and analytical thinking through the study of literature and the important techniques in writing a research paper. This course may also be taken through instructional television or Internet.

TEXTBOOKS: Literature and the Writing Process, 8th ed., McMahan, et al.

A college level dictionary

PURPOSE AND GOALS OF COURSE: Through the critical analysis of short stories, poems, and plays, students will increase their understanding of the subtleties of language and their insight into the universal truths of the human experience. In addition, students will acquire research techniques that can be applied to any career. By the end of the semester students will be able to complete satisfactorily the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 70 percent competency level based on the completion of a comprehensive final examination not to exceed two hours.

INSTRUCTOR NAME: ___________________________

OFFICE NUMBER: _______________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: __________________________

OFFICE HOURS: _________________________________

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COURSE GRADE: At least seven major grades will be given throughout the semester, the average of which will count three-fourths of the final course grade. Of these grades, at least five will be in essay form, including essay tests. Homework, daily work, and other short assignments may be averaged together to equal a major grade. The required library paper will count as two major grades. The comprehensive final exam, which must be part essay, will count as the remaining one-fourth of the course grade.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Reading, lecture, collaborative group work, class discussion, visual aids, multimedia presentations, computer activities, and research.

METHODS OF EVALUATION: Examinations, tests, written assignments, and class participation, as determined by the instructor.

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES

(MINIMUM COMPETENCIES)

1. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have accomplished the following:
2. Demonstrate skills in critical thinking (logic, reasoning, recognize and avoid fallacies) by class discussion and writing argumentative essays regarding literature.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply methods of research and documentation in a research paper.
4. Complete the following specific course requirements:
   1. Students must write a minimum of four 400-600-word essays each plus an 800-1200-word research paper. Even though this course uses literature as a basis for the argumentative mode, one of these four regular essays must be written on a non-literary topic.
   2. The instructor may allow students to substitute several other assignments (computer lab prescribed hours; critiques of Tyler Junior College plays, concerts and/or recitals; fallacy journals, etc.) for one of the four required essays.
   3. A research paper is mandatory. No student will pass the course without completing a research paper written in the latest MLA style of documentation.
   4. Since the purpose of the research paper is to teach the process of doing research and using proper documentation, the student will complete several short assignments on the skills and mechanics of researching, documenting, and writing the research paper.
   5. Students will read the required short stories, poems, dramas, and essays as assigned by the instructor.

The objectives for this course cover the following SCANS skills:

C5, C7, C9, F1-12 (excluding F3-F4).

EXPECTED CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

FOR TYLER JUNOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Tyler Junior College is committed to promoting a level of classroom etiquette conducive to maximum teaching and learning. Within this context the following etiquette is expected:

1. Attend class each time the class meets.
2. Be on time for class and remain for the entire period. You are inconsiderate of your classmates if you arrive late and leave early.
3. Refrain from talking while the teacher is lecturing. Idle chattering and giggling are disruptive to the class and disrespectful to your teacher and classmates.
4. Without prior approval from you instructor, do not use cell-phones, beepers, walk mans with headphones or any electronic device in class.
5. Be attentive and participate in class.

ADA Statement: If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact ADA Student Coordinator Margaret Rapp for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact the ADA Student Coordinator if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Ms. Rapp’s office is located on the second floor of Rogers Student Center. Her phone is (903) 510 2878. In order for the instructor of this class to allow/offer accommodations to a student, the student must present the documentation from Ms. Rapp’s office as soon as possible, at least by the end of the second class week.

Class concerns: Any student with a concern(s) about any aspect of this class should first discuss the matter with the instructor in an attempt to clear up any misunderstanding before taking the concern to the next level.