Instructor: Pat Heintzelman

Email: pheintzelman@lamarpa.edu

Phone: TBA

Office Hours: By appointment

Additional Contact Information: I request students to message me through blackboard.

Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis is on effective rhetorical choices including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. The focus will be on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis.

No textbook is required; however, students must have access to the internet outside of class to read assignments and read/send messages to me.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

1 manila folder

notebook paper

1 black and 1 blue pen

1 binder/folder to keep notes in

Students must have access to a computer which has Microsoft Word on it. All assignments must be written and then saved in Word documents. Students should print assignments to submit in class.

TSIA2 complete in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes

2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution

3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose

4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts

5. Use Edited American English (Standard Written English which is the standard, formal variety of written English used in US academic, professional, and publishing settings) in academic essays

1. Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.

2. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

3. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

4. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Grammar Review including standard English grammar and punctuation review

Modern Language Association (MLA) format including parenthetical citations and Works Cited.

LSCPA email and Blackboard use

Reading critically

Practice writing: discussions, responses, and practice essays

Narrative: what it is and how to write one

Description: what it is and how to write one

Argument: what it is and how to write one

Research project

Group project

Essay 1: Narrative

Essay 2: Description

Essay 3: Argument

Project: Research

Project: Group assignment

In between essays and projects, there will be practice writing assignments, response papers, and quizzes.

Monday, December 7, 2026 Final Exam 8:10 AM - 9:25 AM in MMED

English 1301.9-D

90-100 A

80-90 B

70-80 C

60-70 D

Below 60 F

Narrative 10%

Descriptive 10%

Argument 15%

Works Cited 5%

Research project 15%

Group assignment 15%

Quizzes and other in class work such as submitting short writing assignments, outlines, and grammar sheets 20%

Attendance and Participation 10%

Students should understand that this course takes a significant investment of time and consistent effort. Deadlines are firm, so please plan ahead. If you need to submit an assignment late, then message me through Blackboard before the assignment is due to request permission. Please make sure to explain why you need extra time to complete the assignment. I will respond with an answer within 24 hours.

Students should not disrupt class. Students visiting with each other while I or a student is asking or answering questions can be disruptive to other students. A student will lose class participation points for that class if he/she continues to visit after I have asked the student to be quiet.

The use of AI is up to each instructor and every instructor's guidelines for using it are probably different; those guidelines should be carefully followed. We will sometimes use AI in class. I will announce in that class if AI can/should be used. We will watch a film on AI to discuss its use. If you ever have a question or concern about the use of AI in this course, ask me for clarification. I will provide specific instructions and guidelines regarding the acceptable use of AI as a source within the context of this source.

Use of AI as a Source: When I give instructions for students to use AI as a source for an assignment, the students must acknowledge the AI source when citing it in their work. This includes providing the necessary information such as the name of the AI (ChatGPT) and stating that the information was obtained from an AI language model. In addition to citing the AI source, it is essential to include the parameters or instructions provided to the AI device to provide context for the generated response.

Academic Integrity: While AI technology can provide valuable insights and assistance, students must maintain academic integrity when using AI-generated content. Plagiarism, including directly copying AI generated responses without proper citation, is strictly prohibited. Students should use AI-generated content as a supplement to their own analysis, critical thinking, and research.

Critical Evaluation: When using AI-generated responses, students should critically evaluate the information provided and consider it as one potential perspective among others. AI models like ChatGPT are trained on a vast amount of data, but they may not always produce accurate or up-to-date information. Students are encouraged to cross-reference information obtained from AI sources with reliable and credible academic resources.

Authentic Student Work: Assignments, papers, and assessments should primarily reflect the original thoughts, analysis, and research of the individual student. While AI can provide guidance and ideas, students should ensure that the final work demonstrates their own understanding and effort. Over-reliance on AI generated content may compromise the authenticity and educational value of the assignment.

Responsible Use of AI: Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the princeiples of academic integrity, honest, and respect for others.

If an issue arises with your work, the instructor reserves the right to go back and reassess/regrade previously submitted work to see if academic dishonesty has occurred with previous submissions. Assigning an F for the course for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty is at the instructor's discretion if the offense is flagrant or repeated. Please note that the instructors decides if an offense is flagrant or repeated, not the student.

Due dates and late work policy: All assignments, exams, and required submissions are due according to the syllabus.

Civility in the Classroom: Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature or statements will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or in blackboard will be required to cease such behavior. If the behavior continues aft the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course.

Blackboard Help Guides: Please contact the 24-hour online help desk at (936) 496-5379 or bbhelp@lamarpa.edu.

For mylamarpa access/login issues: Contact Kenneth Lisby, help desk operator, Email: lisbykl@lamarpa.edu

Extra Credit: There is no extra credit offered for the course.

Email policy: Message me through our blackboard course. I will respond within 24 hours, excluding weekends.

Students are expected to attend class as scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays for the entire class period. After six absences, a student's grade could be affected because the student did not meet contact hours. In addition attendance counts as part of a student's grade.

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights 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 disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.