I. Course Identification: Web viewENGL 1301-009 - English Composition. TAMUSA: The Game. Fall 2016 -...

ENGL 1301-009 - English Composition

TAMUSA: The Game

ENGL 1301-009 - English CompositionTAMUSA: The GameFall 2016 - Texas A&M University - San Antonio - Instructor Sarah Dwyer

I. Course Identification:Discipline: Humanities and Social SciencesCourse Title: ENGL 1301-009 - English CompositionCourse Number: 10503Credit Hours: 3Location and Meeting Time: TR 11 - 12:15, Madla 225Instructor/Game Master: Sarah DwyerContact Information:

Email: [email protected] Location: CAB 325Office Hours: MW 1:30 - 4:30 pm, TR 2:30 - 3:30, and by appointmentOffice Phone: 210-784-2254

II. Course Description:Introduces students to college-level reading and writing through the development of reading habits and composing practices that will enable students to respond critically and communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences.


TAMUSA: The Game

III. First-Year Composition Program Outcomes:The First-Year Composition (FYC) program at Texas A&M University-San Antonio prepares all first-year students for success in writing. Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:

● demonstrate knowledge of threshold concepts in rhetoric and composition● use composing and reading for learning and critical thinking ● compose verbal, visual, and multimedia texts for various situations, audiences, and genres● locate and evaluate primary and secondary source material and integrate information into writing projects● demonstrate knowledge of writing conventions (e.g., style, grammar, and citation) and their variations across situations and

genres● analyze and critique multiple forms of verbal, visual, and multimedia communication● revise texts in response to the needs of multiple audiences● reflect on, evaluate, and adapt individual and collaborative writing processes

IV. Course Objectives:This course helps you to fulfill program outcomes by asking you to analyze and compose texts for a variety of genres, purposes, and audiences. By the end of the class, you will be able to demonstrate versatility in your reading and composing. More specifically, you will be able to:

● CO1: demonstrate knowledge of threshold concepts such as purpose, genre, and audience○ Assessment method: reading assignments, analysis and critique, drafting and revision of writing assignments

● CO2: use composing and reading to learn and think critically about these concepts○ Assessment method: reading assignments, analysis and critique, drafting and revision of texts

● CO3: compose verbal, visual, and multimedia texts in various genres○ Assessment method: drafting, peer review, and revision of texts in a variety of forms

● CO4: locate and evaluate primary and secondary source material and integrate information into writing projects


TAMUSA: The Game

○ Assessment method: research, MLA and APA-style citations, drafting of researched projects● CO5: demonstrate knowledge of writing conventions (e.g., style, grammar, and citation) and their variations across

genres○ Assessment method: drafting and revision of texts, MLA and APA citation exercises

● CO6: analyze and critique verbal, visual, and multimedia texts in various genres○ Assessment method: discussion, analysis and critique of texts in a variety of genres, peer review

● CO7: revise texts in response to the needs of multiple audiences○ Assessment method: drafting of texts, in-class peer review and revision

● CO8: reflect on, evaluate, and adapt individual and collaborative writing processes○ Assessment method: discussion, freewrites, reflection essay

V. Format:This class is designed as a multiplayer game. You are the players. Your journey starts now, on day one. Your objective is to explore the university and bring back information to share with your guild by completing Battles (homework and in-class assignments) and Quests (explorations and essays). Your class is your guild.

During the first week of guild meetings, we will decide on the name of our guild, and you will choose a Job Class which you will use for your first Quest. Your Job Class will determine the type of mission you undertake in the course of each Quest. There are four Job Classes to choose from: Adventurer, Artist, Scholar, and Freelancer.

Adventurers will explore the campus, discovering everything they can about different events, experiences, and policies.

Artists will explore the artistic side of the university, discovering everything they can about on-campus artwork, art-related events, drama, film, and poetry.

Scholars will explore the academic side of the university, discovering everything they can about different classes and academic research.

Freelancers will explore a variety of subjects, including physical locations on campus, websites used for course work, and topics of


TAMUSA: The Game

their own choosing.

Choose your Job Class based on your interests and the amount of time you have available to you. Those with less free time may find it easiest to choose the Scholar class, as that will allow you to focus your explorations on classes that you are currently taking. Artists, writers, or those with an interest in performance may want to choose the Artist class, while those who are interested in learning more about on-campus activities may wish to choose the Adventurer class. If you have a variety of interests, or are unsure about what you want to focus on, you may want to choose the Freelancer class.

You are free to change Job Classes throughout the semester, depending on your interests for each of the Quests, the amount of free time you have to focus on Questing at a particular point in the semester, etc. All requirements for the Quests are the same for each Job Class, though the focus of each will vary based on your choice of Job Class and topic.

VI. Textbooks and Supplies:

In order to survive your journey, you will need to equip yourself with the following items:

● Textbook: The Bedford Book of Genres: A Guide and Reader, by Braziller and Kleinfeld, ISBN 0312386567. It's available for rent on Amazon in both e-book and hard copy form for around 20 dollars. I do not recommend purchasing a copy of the textbook, unless it’s in e-book form--even the used copies can be expensive.

● Technology: Reliable access to a computer with a stable internet connection and a reliable office suite program. Free office suite software can be downloaded from LibreOffice. Google Drive is a free, cloud-based file storage system which includes an office suite program that allows for collaborative work.

○ Computers with appropriate software are available in the Library, located on the 2nd floor in the CAB. Fall hours are M-R 8 am - 9 pm, Friday 8 am - 6 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6 pm, and Sunday 1 pm - 9 pm, with extended hours after Thanksgiving Break.

● Other: Notebooks/paper and writing implements for Reading Notes and class work


TAMUSA: The Game

VII. Grading Procedures and Criteria:Procedures: You begin on day one of class as a Level One Initiate. Over the course of the semester, you will earn XP by completing battles and quests. Earning XP will allow you to Level Up.

As you Level Up, so will your rank. “Master,” Levels 19 and 20, is the highest rank you can achieve. Your class letter grade will be determined by your final level. You must reach at least “Journeyman,” Level 14, to pass this course.

Level Rank XP Grade Equivalent

Level One Initiate 0-15

Level Two Initiate 25+

Level Three Initiate 50+

Level Four Initiate 75+

Level Five Initiate 100+

Level Six Novice 150+

Level Seven Novice 200+

Level Eight Novice 250+

Level Nine Novice 300+


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Level Ten Novice 400+

Level Eleven Acolyte 500+

Level Twelve Acolyte 600+

Level Thirteen Acolyte 700+ D (780+)

Level Fourteen Journeyer 800+ D

Level Fifteen Journeyer 900+ C (910+)

Level Sixteen Journeyer 1000+ B (1040+)

Level Seventeen Journeyer 1100+ B

Level Eighteen Journeyer 1150+ B

Level Nineteen Master 1170+ A

Level Twenty Master 1300+ A

In order to receive course credit, you must complete the following assignments, which I will describe in further detail on each project’s assignment sheet.

The total possible XP for each assignment are as follows:


TAMUSA: The Game

Battle/Quest XP Possible Percentage of Total Grade

Battle: Acknowledgement Email 10 XP .76%

Battle: Reading Notes 1-26 130 XP (5 XP each) 10%

Battle: Random Encounters 1-8 40 XP (5 XP each) 3.1%

Battle: Outlines Q1-Q4 80 XP (20 XP each) 6.2%

Battle: Rough Drafts Q1-Q4 80 XP (20 XP each) 6.2%

Quest One (Exploration) 100 XP 7.6%

Quest Two (Analysis) 150 XP 11.5%

Sub-Quest: Annotated Bibliography 40 XP 3.1%

Quest Three (Investigation) 150 XP 11.5%

Quest Four (Argument) 200 XP 15.4%

Quest Five (Narration) 50 XP 3.8%

Quest Six (E-portfolio and Reflection) 130 XP 10%

E-portfolio 100

Reflection 30

Side Quests 10* XP .76%*

Guild Membership (Professionalism) 130 XP 10%

Total 1300* XP possible

* It is possible to earn more than the total XP listed here by completing more than the required Side Quests and unlocking Achievements. See the Side Quests and Achievements handouts for more details.


TAMUSA: The Game

Grade Ranges: A Range: 1170 - 1300 XP C Range: 910 - 1039 XP F: Below 780 XP

B Range: 1040 - 1169 XP D Range: 780 - 909 XP

Grading Criteria:You will be evaluated on the quality of your work. Specifically, written assignments (both Battles and Quests) will be evaluated on content, the correct use of standard English, clarity and concision of expression, proper format, correct use of punctuation and grammar, and correct spelling. You are expected to keep track of your own rank, level, and XP in Blackboard.

I will provide both formal and informal feedback on the work you submit this semester. My responses will offer guidance and support and will invite you to enter a conversation with me about your progress in the class. My evaluations of your major projects will be keyed to expectations outlined on each project’s assignment sheet and rubric. If you have questions or concerns about my feedback, please contact me via email, meet with me during office hours, and/or request an appointment.

You will receive a grade for Guild Membership/Professionalism, which addresses your ability to:

● Attend class consistently

● Arrive to class on time

● Successfully complete any in-class writing, exercises, or supplemental assignments

● Collaborate with classmates

● Interact with classmates and instructor maturely and professionally


TAMUSA: The Game

VIII. Make-Up Policy and Attendance:Make-Up Policy: Except under special circumstances, I will accept no late work, and you will not be able to make up missed Battles or Quests. In case of extenuating circumstances, please contact me immediately. Extensions are always granted as long as they are requested prior to the assignment's due date. Computer glitches or technical malfunctions are not acceptable excuses.

If you have known special events (vacation, wedding, birth of a child, surgery, etc.), you can work ahead on Quests and Battles. In all cases, communication with the GM in advance is desired, whenever possible.

Attendance: “Your success and development as a writer depends upon your active participation within a community of writers. Consistent attendance in your FYC classes is, therefore, crucial. Barring exceptional circumstances, students who are absent more than two weeks may not earn a passing grade. If you are struggling to attend class, we urge you to communicate both with your Academic Success Coach and with your FYC instructor, who will work with you to negotiate a plan for attending and completing the class” (FYC Program Policy).

If you are unable to make it to a guild meeting due to illness, family emergencies, or other issues, you are welcome to submit Battles and Quests via Blackboard. If you have extenuating circumstances such as long-term health or family issues, you are asked to contact me as soon as possible so that we can make alternate arrangements for the completion of coursework.

Late Arrival/Early Departure: If, for whatever reason, you arrive late, or need to leave early, you are welcome to do so. Please do so quietly, without disrupting the guild, and if possible, let me know about it ahead of time.

IX. Accommodation Statement:“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disability. If you believe you have a disability that may require accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for the coordination of services. DSS is located at the Main Campus on the 2nd floor of the Central Academic Building in room 210 and at the Brooks City-Base Campus in room 149. The phone number for DSS is (210) 784-1335 and email is [email protected]” (Office of Disability Support Services).


TAMUSA: The Game

X. Course Activity Disclaimer:The GM reserves the right to alter to alter the type and sequence of scheduled activities.

XI. Guild Hall Etiquette:All cell phones should be turned off or put on silent during guild meetings. Except when prompted, you should not use cell phones, listen to headphones or earbuds, or otherwise cause a distraction for your guildmates.

Discussion is an important component of guild meetings. You are expected to contribute meaningfully to discussion, ask questions, and share ideas. We may occasionally touch on sensitive subjects during discussions, so everyone is expected to be polite and respectful.

XII. Student Support Services:Writing Center: “The Jaguar Writing Center provides writing assistance to graduate and undergraduate students in all three colleges. Writing tutors work with students to develop reading skills, prepare oral presentations, and plan, draft, and revise their written assignments. Students can make individual or group appointments with a writing tutor. The Writing Center has two locations: Central Academic Building, Suite 208, and Brooks City-Base, Room 104. Both locations can be reached by emailing [email protected] or calling 210-784-1332. Appointments can also be made through JagWire using TutorTrac, which is found under the services tab” (Jaguar Writing Center).

Visiting the Writing Center is a repeatable Side Quest.

Tutoring Center: Tutoring Services offers free, appointment-based tutoring to Texas A&M University-San Antonio students. The Tutoring Center is located in CAB Suite 208. You can make an appointment through JagWire or by phone at (210) 784-1332.

Counseling Center: “The Office of Student Counseling & Wellness Services (SC&WS) provides short-term individual, couples, and group counseling services, consultation, and prevention services that facilitate students’ academic and life goals and enhance


TAMUSA: The Game

their personal growth and well-being. SC&WS’s staff of licensed mental health professionals can work with you to identify effective strategies both to cope with difficult situations and to achieve goals set with your counselor. To schedule an appointment please call (210-784-1331) or email ([email protected]). SC&WS is located in Suite 212 of Patriot’s Casa” (Counseling Center, 2016).

Disability Services: The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) at Texas A&M University-San Antonio is committed to ensuring equal access, full participation and reasonable accommodations by coordinating services that meet the unique educational needs of enrolled students with documented disabilities. Disability Support Services is open from 8 am-5 pm M-F, and is located in CAB Suite 210. The phone number is (210) 784-1331.

XIII. Diversity Policy:“We are committed to fostering inclusive classroom environments where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are not only respected and understood, but are also recognized as powerful resources for building communities of writers both in the classroom and across campus. While working with classmates and instructors, we ask that you:

● respectfully share your unique experiences and perspectives● demonstrate respect for and openness to the perspectives and experiences of others● value the opportunity to learn from difference

Demonstrating respect for those different from you not only prepares you for success in the classroom, but it also prepares you for success as citizens and professionals in a global community.

Although we value the respectful expression and exchange of ideas, students who use violent, harassing, and/or discriminatory language, including sexist, racist, homophobic, classist, ableist, and/or anti-ethnic language, will be reported to the university and may be subject to Student Code of Conduct policies, as well as any classroom conduct or civility policies your instructor has established.

Lastly, the FYC program is committed to affirming linguistic diversity in student communication. We approach style and grammar as context-specific and do not advocate the use of Edited American English except when appropriate for the writer’s genre and audience” (FYC Program Policy).


TAMUSA: The Game

XIV. University Policies:

University Email Policy and Course Communications:

All correspondence between professors and students must occur via University email accounts. You must have your Jaguar email account ready and working. If it is not working, please contact the help desk at [email protected] or at 210-784-4357. If you don’t hear back from professors within 48 hours, contact them again. They have a lot of requests during the first part of the semester, so you may need to follow up. I will distribute course materials, including announcements and updates, via Blackboard, so I encourage you to log-in to that system at least twice per week. I will respond to all email within 48 hours of receipt.

The Six-Drop Rule:Students are subject to the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 1231 passed by the Texas Legislature in 2007. SB 1231 limits students to a maximum of six (6) non-punitive course drops (i.e., courses a student chooses to drop) during their undergraduate careers. A non-punitive drop does not affect the student’s GPA. However, course drops that exceed the maximum allowed by SB 1231 will be treated as “F” grades and will impact the student’s GPA.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty for which a students is subject to penalty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, multiple submissions, misrepresentation of academic records, facilitating academic dishonesty, unfair advantage, violating known safety requirements and ethical misconduct. This includes holding other students to the same standards and reporting any incidents of alleged violation of the honesty policy to the instructor involved or, if necessary, to the appropriate academic department head. All students are responsible for being familiar with the Academic Dishonesty Policy, which may be found in the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Student Handbook.


TAMUSA: The Game

University policy prescribes serious consequences for acts of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, a grade of ‘F’ on the particular paper or assignment, a failing grade in the course, or possible expulsion from the University. Considering the potential consequences of academic misconduct, it is obviously in students’ best interests to avoid even the appearance of such behavior. If you are ever unclear whether a specific act might constitute academic misconduct, please contact your instructor for an assessment of the situation.

All student term papers and other written assignments are subject to analysis by anti-plagiarism software.

XV. Plagiarism Policy:“We recognize that what constitutes plagiarism depends upon context. As such, we work with you to learn how different genres, professions, and academic disciplines define plagiarism. In the context of your FYC classes, plagiarism is defined as the intentional use of another’s “language, ideas, or original (not common-knowledge) material” without acknowledgement (“Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism”). If you are found to have committed plagiarism as defined here, your instructor will report you for academic dishonesty, and you may be subject to failing the assignment or even failing the class” (FYC Program Policy).

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own, whether in writing or in speaking.

You are expected to give and to receive help in this course, but all written work must be your own. Plagiarism is a serious offense; it is illegal, it is unethical, and it is behavior that can disqualify you from receiving a degree from this college under some circumstances. If you plagiarize, in whole or in part, from library or field sources or from other students’ work, or if you fail to document properly, the minimum penalty is an F or zero credit for the assignment. If you have questions about plagiarism, ask before you act.

You are plagiarizing if you:

● Present ideas, images, or testimony of others without citing the source of the material and/or implying in any way that such material is your own;


TAMUSA: The Game

● Paraphrase or summarize without crediting the source of the material;

● Directly quote with no quotation marks, footnotes, or textual citation of the source;

● Submit material from one class or course as if it were originally produced for this class or course—even if it is your own material (in other words, reusing papers submitted for a previous class, even a previous section of ENGL 1301, is considered auto-plagiarism and is prohibited);

● Submit material written by someone else as your own; this includes purchasing a term paper or essay;

● Submit a paper or assignment for which you have received so much help that the writing is different from your own; or

● Copy assignments in part or in whole previously submitted or written by another student.

Plagiarism detection software (Turnitin) will be used to check student work for plagiarism.

XVI. Course Schedule:

COs Module Objectives Readings Assignments

Week One: 8/22 - 8/26

Intro to Composition and the Game

CO1 CO2 T - Intro to the class/game, choose Guild name

T - Intro BB

R - Intro subject

R - Ch. 1 R – Course Acknowledgement

R - RN 1

Week Two: 8/29 - 9/2

Quest 1: Exploration and

CO1 CO2CO5 CO6CO8

T - Intro Quest 1

R - MLA Exercise

T - Summary and Response pdf

R - “Documenting

TR - RN 2&3

R - MLA Exercise


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MLA Format Sources”, p. 393-414 R - Random Encounter 1: Plans for Q1

Week Three: 9/6 - 9/9

Citation and Quest 1

CO1 CO2CO3 CO4CO5

T - MLA Exercises

R - Genre Exercises

T - Ch. 5

R - Ch. 3

TR - RN 4&5

R - Outline Q1

Week Four: 9/12 - 9/16

Drafting Q1

CO1 CO2CO3 CO4CO5 CO6CO7 CO8

T - RD/PR Workshop Q1

R - Revision Exercise: Create an Error Log

T - Peer Reviews

R - Ch. 9

TR - RN 6&7


R - RE 2: Reflection Q1

R - FD Q1

Week Five: 9/19 - 9/23

Quest 2: Analysis

CO1 CO2CO3 CO4CO5 CO6

Intro Q2

T - Rhetorical Analysis Exercise

R - Library Day 1

T - “Rhetorical Analysis”

R - Ch. 6

TR - RN 8&9

R - Outline Q2

Week Six: 9/26 - 9/30

Drafting Q2



R - Library Day 2

T - Ch. 7

R - English Research Guide

TR - RN 10&11


R - RE 3: Reflection Q2

R - FD Q2

Week Seven: 10/3 - 10/7

Sub-Quest: Annotated Bibliography

CO1 CO2CO4 CO6CO8

T - Intro Q3 + Ann. Bib. T - Review “How to Create a Bibliography” p. 298-300 and “Annotated

TR - RN 12&13

T - RE 4: Brainstorm


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R - Research and Computer Day

Bibliography”

R - “Synthesis”

R - RE 5: Plans

Week Eight: 10/10 - 10/14

Drafting Sub-Quest: Annotated Bibliography


T - RD/PR Workshop Ann. Bib.

R - Computer Day; FD Ann. Bib.

T - Ch. 8

R - Using Appropriate Language

TR - RN 14&15

T - RD/PR Workshop

R - FD Ann. Bib

Week Nine: 10/17 - 10/21

Quest 3: Investigation


T - APA Exercise

R - MLA/APA Exercise

R - Outline Q3

T - “APA Style” p. 415 – 435

R - Choose a text from “Identity”

TR - RN 16&17T - APA Exercise

R - MLA/APA Exercise

R - Outline Q3

Week Ten: 10/24 - 10/28

Drafting Q3


TR - Comma Exercises


R – RE 6: Q3 Reflection

R - FD Q3

T - Cliches, Conciseness, and Commas

R - Choose a text from “The Body”

TR - RN 18&19


R - RE 6: Q3 Reflection

R - FD Q3

Week Eleven: 10/31 - 11/4

Quest 4: Argument


T - Intro Q4

TR – Computer Days

R - Outline Q4

T - Ch. 4

R - Choose a text from “The Environment”

TR - RN 20&21

R - Outline Q4

Week Twelve: 11/7 - 11/11 CO1 CO2CO3 CO4CO5 CO6



T - Choose a text from “Heroes & Villains”

TR - RN 22&23



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Drafting Q4 CO7 CO8 R - FD Q4 R - Ch. 2 R - FD Q4

Week Thirteen: 11/14 - 11/18

Quest 5: Narration

CO1 CO2CO3 CO6CO8

Intro Quest 5

T - Story Circles Day 1

R - Story Circles Day 2

T - Storycorps

R – Spoken Texts

TR - RN 24&25

TR - Story Circles

R - RE 7: Plans for Q5 RD

Week Fourteen: 11/21 - 11/22

Quest 5 Recordings

CO1 CO2CO3 CO7CO8


T - FD Q5


T - RE 8: Q5 Reflection

T - FD Q5

Week Fifteen: 11/28 - 12/2

Quest 6: E-Portfolios


Intro Quest 6

TR - Computer Days

T - Ch. 10 T - RN 26


Week Sixteen: 12/5 - 12/9

E-Portfolio


Quest 6: E-Portfolio and Reflection Essay

TR – E-Portfolio and Reflection Essay

XVII. Final Note:As your instructor, I am committed to helping you achieve the course and program outcomes. As such, I encourage you to see me during office hours, to schedule appointments with me when needed, and to contact me via email with any questions or concerns you might have; I am approachable and easily reached. Remember that I am here to help you succeed.

I. Course Identification: Web viewENGL 1301-009 - English Composition. TAMUSA: The Game. Fall 2016 -...

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