Faculty Syllabus
ENGL-1301 English Composition I
Anja Ketcham
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
ENGL-1301-156 (33865)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am NRG NRG4 4202
Course Subjects
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
English Composition I (3 Credit Hours)
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.
COURSE RATIONALE
The goals of Composition I are to promote critical thinking, reading, and writing in the service of clear and effective communication. Students will become aware of their own as well as others' rhetorical choices and will develop their voice through critical analysis, research, understanding of the writing process, and collaborative learning. All of these skills are applicable to future collegiate study, professional work, and civic life. A successful completion of Composition I will provide the foundation for work that will be done in Composition II.
PREREQUISITES
One of the following must apply:
● TSI exempt
● TSI Assessment Scores:
- TSI 1.0 Reading 351; Writing–Essay 4/Objective 340
- TSI 2.0 ELAR 945; Essay 5
- TSI 2.0 ELAR 910-944; Diagnostic Test (DT) 5-6; Essay 5
● Grade of C or better in INRW 0230, 0430, or 0340
● Grade of C or better in Writing 4 (ESOL 0374) and Reading and Vocabulary 4 (ESOL 0314)
Course Requirements
The following policies and requirements are specific to Prof. Ketcham’s English 1301 course. You can also review the Composition and Literary Studies Departmental syllabus.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
Class meetings are in-person. Time in class will include activities, workshops, small and large group discussion, individual student writing exercises, and instructor lecture. Students will use Perusall to access class readings and Blackboard to obtain materials and submit assignments.
What to expect for “homework”
For “homework,” you should plan for 6-8 hours of course work each week. Below, I’ve mapped out the various tasks you’ll complete on your own time throughout the semester. You won’t do ALL of them every week.
- Read an article and complete Perusall comments. Each week, we’ll read 1-2 articles. You’ll add comments to the article in the Perusall app. Depending on the article, this will take you between 1 and 2 hours per article.
- Review course concepts. Each week, I’ll introduce concepts related to argument, analysis, and effective writing while we’re in the classroom. Plan to review your notes, handouts, and online material about these concepts after you leave the classroom. This review will take approximately 1 hour per week.
- Brainstorm, Outline, or Draft Major Assignments. For each major assignment, you can expect to spend 1-3 hours in the thinking and planning stages.
- Complete and Edit a Final Version of Major Assignments. If you complete the planning stages of major assignments, your final version will take 2-4 hours.
- Revise a Major Assignment. If you need or want to revise a major assignment, you should set aside 1-2 hours.
GRADING
I grade on a scale of 0-4 (0=F, 1=D, 2=C, 3=B, 4=A). Final course grades are calculated using the percentages below, rounded (>.50 is rounded up; <.49 is rounded down), and converted to letter grades. Important: the “total points” on BB does not reflect your overall semester grade.
|
Assignment Type |
% of Final Average |
|
Perusall Comments Average |
10% |
|
Prep Work Average |
20% |
|
Completion Tasks |
10% |
|
What’s the Point? Project |
10% |
|
Core Values Essay |
15% |
|
Wicked Problems Presentation |
10% |
|
Wicked Problems Analysis Essay |
15% |
|
Self-Reflection Essay |
10% |
TYPES OF ASSIGNMENTS
Perusall Comments are posted in Perusall. Each reading will have specific directions (usually answering 2-4 questions).
- Submission: Your comments will be submitted directly in the Perusall app.
- Grading is on a 4 point scale and assesses your ability to meet assignment requirements, think critically, and communicate effectively. The rubric will be available on BB and discussed the first week of class.
- AI Restrictions: Perusall comments must be ALL you – no generative AI. Spell check is okay.
- Late or Missed Perusall Comments if you miss a Perusall assignment, you will have 24 hours to complete the assignment for partial credit (up to 2/4). Do NOT work on Perusall assignments during class time! No credit after 24 hours.
Prep Work includes a variety of small assignments (quizzes, tutorials, outlines, in-class worksheets).
- Submission: Prep Work is submitted through BB (occasionally, you’ll have an in-class worksheet). Remember that typed documents need to be PDF or DOCX file when they are uploaded to BB. (If you use Pages or GoogleDocs, you will need to convert your file to a PDF before submission).
- Grading is on a 4 point scale and each assignment will have a point breakdown explaining how you can earn points for the assignment.
- AI Restrictions: Do not use generative AI unless the specific assignment has an AI Allowance. If generative AI is allowed, you will need to document how you use it. Spellcheck is okay.
- Late or Missed Prep if you miss a prep work assignment, you will have 24 hours to submit for partial credit (up to 2/4). After 24 hours, you’ll have to email me to discuss further options. Please use the tips in the Formal Email lesson to compose your email.
Completion Tasks (CT) include journal entries, check-ins, and some in-class activities.
- Submission: Journal entries and in-class activities will be completed in the classroom. I’ll collect them and mark completion. Sometimes we’ll use a Google Form for check-ins.
- Grading: Each Completion Task will be graded complete (1 point) or incomplete (0 points). At the end of the semester, you’ll receive a grade based on the percentage of tasks you complete.
- AI Restrictions: Do not use generative AI unless the specific assignment has an AI allowance. If generative AI is allowed, you will need to document how you use it. Spellcheck is okay.
- Late or Missed Tasks if you miss Completion Task, you will have 24 hours to submit for partial credit (0.5/1pt). No credit after 24 hours.
Major Assignments (MA) are big projects that we work on for several weeks, including What’s the Point, Core Values Essay, Wicked Problems Presentation, Wicked Problems Analysis Essay, and Self-Reflection Essay.
- Required: You MUST submit ALL Major Assignments in order to pass English 1301; you cannot choose to skip or “take a zero” on a major assignment
- Grading: Each Major Assignment will include a rubric and receive a grade on the 0-4 scale. Essay assignment include a checklist of basic criteria. Failure to meet these criteria may require you to rework before grading (with a penalty to your final grade).
- Digital Submission: Major Assignments need to be submitted through BB by the assigned deadline. For essays, upload your complete file as a PDF or DOCX file. (If you use Pages or GoogleDocs, you will need to convert your file to a PDF before submission)
- Revisions: You may revise Major Assignments that were submitted on time. Revisions are due one week after you receive a grade (reminders will be announced in class and posted to BB).
- Extension: You may request ONE essay extension during the semester. Your extension request is available on BB and needs to be submitted before the Major Assignment due date/time. I will respond to your request with specific instructions (which may include a conference).
- Late Major Assignments (without extensions) must be submitted but will lose points. Each day, they will lose -0.15. This means that after a week, your grade is reduced by 1.05 pts. Late assignments that meet all the criteria will always receive completion credit (1/4). After three weeks, your late assignments will only receive completion credit (1/4). I will only grade one late Major Assignment during the final week of class.
Attendance, Preparation, and Participation
Attending class is mandatory.
- Plan to be in class, on time, every class period; your success depends on it! If you need to miss class, review class content for the day (available on BB).
- If you miss more than 3 class periods, you and I will conference to discuss whether or not you can continue with the course.
- Arriving late, leaving early, and stepping out frequently makes it hard for you to do well. If this becomes an issue, these partial absences may be treated as absences.
Preparation for class is essential. Class activities and discussion rely on you reading and engaging with assigned readings and homework before the class period.
- Make notes while reading all assigned articles and content. Bring those notes to class.
- Come to class prepared to make more notes (and keep those notes organized).
Participation in class discussion and group activities increases learning.
- PARTICIPATE in class discussions by asking constructive questions and sharing your ideas.
- Limit distractions (cellphone, computer apps) to the best of your ability.
- Use small group discussion appropriately. Engage with your classmates and stay on task.
- Wait until I’ve dismissed class to leave.
USE of BLACKBOARD (BB)
Log-in
1. Access Blackboard from the ACC Student page
2. Login using ACCeID and ACCeID password. For ACCeID info, visit http://www.austincc.edu/acceid/
3. Once logged in, you will need to find English 1301. Click it.
BB Assignment Submission
We’ll submit a lot of assignments through BB this semester. Most of them will require you to attach a file (PDF or DOCX) to the BB assignment and hit Submit. We’ll practice this during the first weeks of class. If BB malfunctions while you are trying to submit an assignment, email me and include 1) an explanation and 2) proof that the assignment is complete.
USE of ACC EMAIL
Throughout the semester, I will send class reminders as well as private correspondence about grades and class progress to your ACC email. You should check your ACC email daily or set up forwarding to an email that you do check daily.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT and PLAGIARISM
Acts of scholastic dishonesty--major or minor--have serious repercussions: 0 for the assignment/essay, or in severe cases failure of the course and/or disciplinary action on the part of the College. Austin Community College policies can be found in the ACC Student Handbook
USE of ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TECHNOLOGY
Composition and Literary Studies Department AI Policy states:
While the firm expectation for all courses is that student work will reflect authentic (student-generated) effort and original critical thinking, individual professors will enforce their own policies on the use and documentation of generative AI technology. Where generative AI technology is allowed, its use must be documented. You can find all CLS Department expectations about AI here: Departmental Syllabus ENGL1301.
Professor Ketcham’s Use of AI Policy:
The goal of this class is to improve critical thinking and communication skills. Therefore, you should approach every ENGL1301 assignment with your brain and hard work. Do not use generative AI for any assignments unless the specific assignment instructions have an AI Allowance. For assignments that allow generative AI, you must document your use. Here’s a link to citing generative AI: https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/
Non-negotiable AI Restrictions: You may not copy answers from any generative AI and present them as your own. You may not rephrase the answers from generative AI and present them as your own. Both of these uses are scholastic dishonesty, and you'll earn a 0 for the assignment.
You may use instructional AI (Grammarly or spellcheck) to edit word choice and punctuation. Remember that instructional AI will sometimes change the meaning of your sentences. Remember, too, that your unique voice is valuable – don’t assume that polished AI-speak is better.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
At midterm, I assess student progress and may withdraw students for excessive absences, lack of progress, or ineligibility to pass the course. It is important to know that The Texas State Legislature passed a bill stating that students who first enroll in public colleges and universities beginning in fall 2007 and thereafter may not withdraw from more than six classes during their undergraduate college career. See ACC Student Handbook for further information. Last day to withdraw is Apr. 27.
AWARDING OF “INCOMPLETE” AS A FINAL GRADE
I rarely award INCOMPLETE grades. Incompletes may be an option for students who have consistently attended class and completed assignments but become unable to complete course requirements during the last weeks of the course (I may require documentation of the circumstances that prevent your success). If you would like to discuss the possibilities of this option, please email or stop by office hours.
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES (SAS)
If you require learning accommodations, please contact the SAS office as soon as possible (link available on BB). Then make sure that you get the SAS paperwork to me, so we can make sure you have your best learning experience.
USE OF STUDENT WORK
Sometimes I use examples of student work in our class or in future classes. I never identify the student. If you do not want your work used as an example, please let me know in an email or in a BB note. Something like “This is a pretty personal topic for me. I would prefer if it weren’t used as a class example.” Or “Based on my in-class comments, I think classmates will know this is my essay and I don’t want it shared in class.” Opting out will have no effect on your grade.
Readings
REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS
- Required readings are posted on Perusall. Students will be expected to reference texts in class.
- Access to a computer w/ internet
- A reasonable method for organizing your class notes and handouts
- A reliable means of backing up digital work (a thumb drive or cloud service)
English 1301 Assignment Calendar
- Tuesday/Thursday assignments need to be completed and submitted BEFORE class
- Sunday assignments are due by 11:59p
- Changes to due dates or readings will be announced in class and posted to Blackboard
|
Unit 1: Getting Started |
||
|
Date |
What’s Due? |
Time per task |
|
T 1/20 |
Read/Review:
Submit/Post
|
10 minutes |
|
TH 1/22 |
|
|
|
Sun 1/25 |
Read/Review:
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes 30 minutes
30 minutes 20 minutes |
|
T 1/27 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
5 minutes 10 minutes
10 minutes
5 minutes |
|
TH 1/29 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
40 minutes
30 minutes 30 minutes |
|
Sun 2/1 |
Submit/Post
|
1 hour 1 hour |
|
T 2/3 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
15 minutes
15 minutes 40 minutes |
|
TH 2/5 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
40 minutes
20 minutes
40 minutes |
|
Sun 2/8 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
40 minutes
20 minutes |
|
T 2/10 |
Submit/Post
|
40 minutes |
|
TH 2/12 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
40 minutes |
|
Sun 2/15 |
Submit/Post
|
1-2 hours |
|
Unit 2: Core Values |
||
|
Date |
What’s Due? |
Time per task |
|
T 2/17 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
1.5 hours
30 minutes |
|
TH 2/19 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes |
|
Sun 2/22 |
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes |
|
T 2/24 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
20 minutes
10 minutes 30 minutes |
|
TH 2/26 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
20 minutes
10 minutes 30 minutes |
|
Sun 3/1 |
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes |
|
T 3/3 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
TBD |
|
TH 3/5 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes
15 minutes |
|
Sun 3/8 |
Submit/Post
|
2 hours |
|
T 3/10 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes |
|
TH 3/12 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
|
|
Sun 3/15 |
Submit/Post
**remember to cite |
2-3 hours |
|
M 3/16- Sun 3/22 |
Spring Break |
0 minutes! |
|
Unit 3: Wicked Problems |
||
|
Date |
What’s Due? |
Time per task |
|
T 3/24 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
1 hour
30 minutes |
|
TH 3/26 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
15 minutes
20 minutes 10 minutes |
|
Sun 3/29 |
Submit/Post
|
1 hour |
|
T 3/31 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes 30 minutes |
|
TH 4/2 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
1-2 hour
30 minutes |
|
Sun 4/5 |
Note: Sunday 4/5 is Easter Sunday. Rather than push our deadline up, I left our standard Sunday deadline to allow you to manage your time based on your plans/needs (i.e. submit on Thursday/Friday/Saturday if you have Easter plans)
Submit/Post
**include your Works Cited **You do NOT need your recording yet
|
2 hours |
|
T 4/7 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
5 minutes 30 minutes
15 minutes 1 hour |
|
TH 4/9 |
Read/Review
Keep working!
|
30 hour
1-2 hours |
|
Sun 4/12 |
Submit/Post
|
3 hours |
|
T 4/14 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
20 minutes
30 minutes |
|
TH 4/16 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
20 minutes
20 minutes |
|
Sun 4/19 |
Submit/Post
Note: Monday 4/27 is the last day to withdraw from our class. If you have questions about your progress, ask now! |
1-2 hours |
|
T 4/21 |
Keep working!
|
1-2 hours |
|
TH 4/23 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
15 minutes
1 hour |
|
Sun 4/26 |
Submit/Post
|
2-3 hours |
|
Unit 4: Reflecting |
||
|
Date |
What’s Due? |
Time per task |
|
T 4/28 |
|
0 minutes! |
|
TH 4/30 |
Read/Review
Submit/Post
|
1 hour
30 minutes |
|
Sun 5/3 |
Submit/Post
|
1-2 hours |
|
T 5/5 |
Keep working!
|
1-2 hours |
|
TH 5/7 |
Keep working!
|
1-2 hours |
|
Sun 5/10 |
Submit/Post
|
3 hours |
|
T 5/12 |
Submit/Post
|
30 minutes |
|
TH 5/14 |
Last day to submit coursework for review (including revisions or missing Major Assignments) |
|
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of ENGL 1301, students should 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
● Use Edited American English in academic essays
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
The following outcomes are developed in all Composition courses:
● expanded critical reading ability;
● strengthened written communication skills, characterized by
- ability to write to the specifications of an assignment;
- ability to develop a thesis, locate and select credible sources applicable to the thesis, and write an essay of the specified length that responds to the thesis;
- ability to use standard American English writing conventions (grammar, spelling, usage, punctuation, and formatting) and the ability to communicate to readers with clarity and fluency.
● improved critical thinking, characterized by
- examination of multiple components of a larger issue,
- synthesis and evaluation of multiple perspectives,
- consideration of moral/ethical questions.
GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES
Upon completion of the general education component of an associate’s degree, students will demonstrate competence in:
● Critical Thinking Skills (CT) - creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
● Communication Skills (COM) - effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
● Teamwork (TW) - ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
● Social Responsibility (SR) - intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
● Personal Responsibility (PR) - ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making
Office Hours
T Th 10:20 AM - 11:00 AM NRG4216A
NOTE Email for virtual conferences!M W 10:20 AM - 11:00 AM RGC 3171
NOTEPublished: 01/30/2026 14:14:43