NMSU-A Mission Statement
The mission of the Alamogordo Branch of New Mexico State University, a comprehensive community college, is to
•    provide quality education that includes academic, technical, vocational, developmental, and career-oriented skills;
•    promote student competence, confidence, and success by providing personal enrichment programs through continued response to the cultural, intellectual, and economic needs of the community;
•    maintain active ties and continuity with the main campus;
•    afford equal opportunity for individuals who meet admission criteria to receive educational services within the community without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

In Case of Emergency
If someone in your family needs to contact you in an emergency, the person calling should know the class you are attending and use the following telephone numbers:
  Alamogordo Campus:
   Daytime:  439-3700 (Admissions Office)
   Evening:  439-3751 (Faculty Office Secretary)

  Holloman AFB:
   Daytime:  479-4318 (NMSU-A/HAFB Coordinator);  572-3971 (Base Education Office)
   Evening  As of August 2002, no emergency contact is available in the evening.  Instructors may or may not allow students to have cell phones turned on during class.  Please discuss potential emergencies and cell phone status with your instructor.

In Case of Holloman Air Force Base Closure
National or international events may cause Holloman Air Force Base to close, keeping students from leaving the base to attend classes on campus, and keeping instructors from entering the base to teach classes there.  To alleviate the problems a closure would cause,
• the instructor may collect student phone numbers and email addresses;
• the instructor may use email addresses to create a distribution list to keep students up-to-date on assignments and activities;
• students should note the instructor’s email address and be adept at sending word-processed assignments as attachments via computer;
• instructors and students may need to mutually agree on a make-up class or classes, times, places, and modes of instruction (including email or chat room discussions), in order to abide by state requirements of 750 minutes of class time per credit hour.

Classroom Conduct
• You are not allowed to use tobacco products in classrooms at NMSU-A or HAFB.
• You are not allowed to eat or drink in computer classrooms at NMSU-A or HAFB.
• Any student engaging in disruptive behavior will be required to leave the class.

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
In an effort to fulfill our mission to “maintain active ties and continuity with the main campus at Las Cruces,” the following statement on plagiarism and academic dishonesty is taken from Paideia IV: A Course Guide for English 111 Composition and Rhetoric, edited by Rebecca Blackwell and Gina Hochhalter, published for the NMSU-Las Cruces Department of English by Outernet Publishing, 2002.

 It is academically dishonest, and often illegal, to present someone else’s ideas or writing as your own.  You cannot use even short phrases or parts of sentences obtained from other sources unless you properly document those sources.  Documentation includes marking quotations, as well as providing notes, citations, and a reference list.  If you receive assistance from a source other than your instructor, your colleagues in the class, or the Writing Center, then you must acknowledge that assistance.  Identify the source and the nature of the assistance in an acknowledgment note at the end of the assignment.  Failure to acknowledge constitutes academic misconduct.
 In addition, it is academically dishonest to submit your own previously written work for a current assignment or to submit an assignment in more than one class without the prior permission of the instructors.
 You will be held responsible for furnishing upon request all the sources and preliminary work (notes, rough drafts, etc.) that you use when preparing written assignments.  If you cannot produce that material upon request, the assignment will be considered unsatisfactory and given a failing grade.
 Plagiarism and academic misconduct of any kind may constitute grounds for failing the course and may result in further disciplinary action according to university policy.  Consult the . . . [NMSU-A] Student Handbook regarding your responsibilities and rights concerning plagiarism and academic dishonesty.  In addition, writing textbooks contain useful discussions of plagiarism.
 As a student, you are responsible for protecting your own work.  It is your responsibility to ensure that other students do not copy your work or submit your work as their own.  Allowing your work to be used inappropriately makes you guilty of academic misconduct and subject to sanctions. (xi)

Catalog Description for ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition
Skills and methods used in writing university-level essays.

Prerequisites
To qualify for admission into this class, you must have

• earned the appropriate placement score on the ACT Compass test, administered in the NMSU-A Writing Center; or
• provided the counselors with proof of a high score on the ACT English test or the SAT verbal test; or

completed the CCDE 110N non-transfer-level course at NMSU-A with a grade of C or better.

In order to promote students’ academic success and to enable them to pursue personal and professional goals involving writing and research skills, the objectives of this course are to prepare students to

• understand and practice writing as a multiple-stage process;
• develop reading, research, and critical thinking skills necessary for success in college courses;
• become competent in language usage, grammar, and mechanics;
• construct multiple-paragraph essays with clear thesis and adequate evidence in a variety of modes acceptable in college-level courses, such as argumentation, exposition, narration, and description;
• produce a formal research paper similar to those expected in other college courses;
• use logic and rhetoric to communicate clearly with an educated audience.

Outcomes Assessment: Objectives, Methods, and Standards
In an effort to fulfill our mission to “maintain active ties an continuity with the main campus,” and to measure student learning outcomes,  the following assessment procedures have been adapted from Paideia IV: A Course Guide for English 111 Composition and Rhetoric, edited by Rebecca Blackwell and Gina Hochhalter, published for the NMSU Department of English by Outernet Publishing, 2002, page x.  These procedures also closely match pilot assessment projects in English 111G conducted during the 1998-99 academic year, and reported in NMSU-A’s Institutional Assessment and Strategic Planning publications for 1999.

The NMSU-A writing program assesses students’ writing products and processes separately from grade evaluation.  We do this to measure how well our writing courses carry out our established objectives.  Results of assessment projects will be used to revise the curriculum, both at the instructor level and at the program level.  The ultimate goal of assessment is to satisfy the needs of the students and the university’s mission.

Typical assignments that may be collected for assessment projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Writing samples taken at the beginning of the year
• Early semester essays
• Late semester essays
• annotated bibliographies
• portfolios demonstrating achievement
• portfolios demonstrating proof of process
• research papers

 For some assignments, such as the research paper assignment, students will be asked to submit two copies: one with identifying information, and one without identifying information.  Selected assignments will then be reviewed anonymously.  For program assessment, instructors will not be identified.  Individual instructors may be identified for their own purposes to assess their section-specific objectives.  However, results of program-wide assessment projects will only be reported for the entire program, not for individual students, sections, or instructors.

Because of staff limitations, only a random sampling of student papers will be reviewed.  If students do not want their work considered for random selection, they must notify the Humanities Coordinator in writing before the fifth week of the semester.

The random samplings will be reviewed according to generally accepted assessment practices in the field of rhetoric.  Most commonly, this practice will involve primary trait analysis using a 4 or 6 point scale.  But it may also involve the identification of the presence or absence of an attribute essential to meeting a course objective.  Or, another method may be a holistic review of an essay assignment or portfolio.

In the fall 2002 semester, English 111G instructors will concentrate on Course Objective Number 5:  produce a formal research paper similar to those expected in other college courses.  Students will turn in two copies of research papers: one with identification and one without.  The anonymous research papers will be submitted to a random selection process.  The randomly selected papers will be scrutinized with a primary trait analysis instrument, similar to the instrument used in the 1998-99 study.  Thus, comparisons can be made between primary trait scores in the two studies.

The randomly selected research papers will also be matched to Standard 7 as set forth by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), in cooperation with the International Reading Association (IRA):
                        Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and
                      questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize
                      data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people)
                      to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and
                      audience.
 
 

Back to Top of Page

Changes in grading matters may be made with the approval of all students who may be affected by the changes.
 

Grade Worth	Assignments
25 points	Essay #1
25 points	Essay #2
25 points	Essay #3
25 points	Essay #4, revised version required in portfolio
25 points	Various quizzes & exercises as assigned
25 points	First journal submission
25 points	Second journal submission
50 points	Exit Essay
25 points	Annotated Bibliography
125 points	Research Paper
125 points	Portfolio with 2 substantially revised essays plus 2 polished journal entries
500 Points Total

Semester Grades: 500-450= A; 449-400= B; 399-350= C; 349-300= D; Below 300 = F

Attendance Policy

25 bonus points are possible for attendance.  However, since bonus points are possible for attendance, there are NO EXCUSED ABSENCES, except for authorized University functions, as provided for in the Student Handbook. Also, absences and tardies may eventually cost you points, and therefore semester grades, thus:
 

+1 point for each class, up to 26;  excludes conference days, final exam

-10 points for each absence

-5 points for each tardy

It may be possible for students to get credit for attending by entering into our class discussions and class work via email:  emailing journal responses on readings, emailing drafts as attachments if students cannot physically attend the class.

ENGLISH 111G, RHETORIC & COMPOSITION
 

Instructor Contact Information Mr. Ron McNeel  Professor of English  Office #115, Faculty Office Building  Office Hours, Spring 2002  Mon. Tue, Wed., Thur: 9:00-9:30 a.m; 3:00-4:15 p.m.; 6:40-7:00 p.m. at HAFB  Phone and voice mail: 505.439.3742  email: mcneel@nmsua.nmsu.edu website: http://alamo.nmsu.edu/~rmcneel

Required Texts and Materials The Macmillan Writer (MW), 4th edition A Pocket Style Manual, 3rd ed. A good dictionary An NMSU-A computer account and/or internet access and an email address Access to reliable word-processing equipment 2-3 floppy disks A spiral notebook with pockets for journal-keeping 2-3 letter-sized manila folders A medium three-ring notebook with loose-leaf filler paper and dividers

If changes to the schedule are necessary, I will do my best to announce them in advance. However, occasionally minor changes may occur at the beginning of a class session. Major changes to the syllabus will be made in writing and handed out as an addendum to the syllabus, and/or posted at the syllabus website.

Reading assignments are to be completed before the date on which they are scheduled for discussion. If a lack of discussion and preparation indicate that the selections have not been read, then I may give unannounced quizzes over the day's readings.

Week 2

Session # and Dates	Assignments and Activities
5.  Mon., Aug. 26	Discussion of Chapter 5 on Organization, and Chapter 6 on Drafting a Paper. Discussion of Chapter 13, Illustration (Lindbergh). Discussion of student essay in Chapter 13 and Rodriguez.  Review of pp. 655-665.
6.  Tues., Aug. 27	Discussion of Friedrich's article.  Drafting and Revising time.
7.  Wed., Aug. 28	Concentration on Revision Strategies and group work. Discussion of Chapters 7 and 8.
8.  Thurs., Aug. 29	Discussion of Chapter 11, Description(White).  Peer reviews of Essay #1.  Bring 3 copies of your word-processed draft.

Week 3

Session # and Dates	Assignments and Activities
9.  Wed., Sept. 4	Essay #1 is due.  Chapter 14, Division-Classification (McClintock, Tannen). Discussion of Chapters 9 and 20. Assignment of Essay #2. Essay #2 will require the use of an outside source. Research Paper topic is due. .
10.  Thur., Sept. 5	Discussion of Readings on Reserve.  Research time.Review of Chapter 20, the Research Paper and Process. New lecture on Chapter 21. Pay particular attention to the sample research paper, pp. 666-693. Assignment of the Annotated Bibliography.  Library tour, possibly computer lab time

Week 4

Session # and Dates	Assignments and Activities
11.  Mon., Sept. 9	Peer reviews of Essay #2. Bring 3 copies of your typed or word-processed draft. Instructor review time. Revision exercises and revision time.
12. Tue., Sept. 10	First journal submissions are due. Computer-mediated communications and research.
13. Wed., Sept. 11	Essay #2 is due at the beginning of class. Discussion on Chapter 16, Comparison/Contrast (Hamill). Assignment of Essay #3.  Pre-writing and drafting of Essay #3. This assignment will eventually require the use of an outside source, formally documented in MLA style.
14.  Thur., Sept. 12	Individual conferences over Essays #1 and 2, over the journals, and over research progress.

Back to Top of Page

Week 5

Week 6

Session # and Dates	Assignments and Activities
19.  Mon., Sept. 23	Continued discussion of Chapter 17 on Cause and Effect (Angier, and discussion of Chapter 18, Definition (Gibbs). Library and computer research time.
20.  Tue., Sept. 24	Essay #3 is due at the beginning of class. Drafting of Essay #4, a Cause and Effect paper on some Environmental issue. This essay requires two documented sources.
21.  Wed., Sept. 25	Peer Reviews of Essay #4.  Bring 3 copies of your typed or word-processed draft.   Library Time and Word Processing Lab time.
22.  Thur., Sept. 26	Annotated Bibliography is due at the beginning of class.  Last lecture and activity practice for Research Papers. Discussion of chapter 20 on Argumentation-Persuasion (Kupfer, Rivers). Brief conferences to negotiate the contents of the portfolio.

Week 7

Back to Top of Page

Week 8

Session # and Dates	Assignments and Activities
27.  Mon., Oct. 7	Research Papers are due.  Sign up for individual conferences for the return of portfolios. Course wrap-up and evaluation.
28. Tue., Oct. 8	Exit Essay. Portfolios are Due.
29. Wed. Oct. 9	Individual Conferences on Portfolios.
30. Thur., Oct. 10	Individual Conferences on Portfolios.

Back to Top of Page

1. The University administration and the U.S. Air Force insist that you do not smoke, eat, or drink in the classrooms--especially computer  laboratories.

2. I insist that you attend class: excessive absences will adversely affect your final semester grade, as explained in attendance and grading policies above.

3. Chronic tardiness will also affect your final grade. If you do come in late, just take a seat quietly in the row of desks nearest the door. This row is to be set aside for this purpose. Please don't walk in front of me.

4. If you have a serious and legitimate reason for missing class, I will discuss the possibility of your making up your work, provided that you see me as soon as you return.

5. No matter the reason or excuse, all late papers will lose 10% of the possible points for the assignment. No assignments will be accepted after Session 25, Wednesday, October 2.  Please consider emailing assignments as attachments to get them in on time.

6. Work that is missed and not made up, or make-up work that I will not accept, will receive a grade of zero.

7. If you plagiarize a paper or cheat on a test, you will be urged to drop the course. Also, you will receive a zero grade on the falsified assignment.

8. A plagiarized research paper is sufficient cause for failure in the course. I reserve the right to ask for all your pre-final draft materials, such as your note cards or photocopied notes and your rough drafts--paper or electronic--before agreeing to grade your research paper, or any essay.

9. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FOUR TO SIX PAGE DRAFT OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER AT YOUR SCHEDULED INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE, THE RESEARCH PAPER WILL BE DOCKED 25 POINTS.

10. Regardless of how many points you may amass on essay assignments during the semester, you must complete a research paper to pass the course.

11. Students with Disabilities: If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Counselor for Special Populations, Mr. Jim Payne (phone: 439-3724). Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.

12. If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or the ADA Coordinator. If you have general questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), call the ADA Coordinator, Doris Lynch, at 439-3717.

13. NMSU-A's Holloman staff person Cindy Holder can also be of service:  479-4318
 

Back to Top of Page