English 203, Composition II

(linked with Ethnographic Methods at Work, taught by Angela Dunne)

Spring 1, 2026

Instructor: Rachel H. Lipscomb

Email: [email protected]

Office Hour: By appointment

Location/Day/Time: M/W 9:45 am – 11:15 am (Room 502)

M/W 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (Room 502)

M/W 1:15 PM – 2:45 pm (504)

 

 

English 203 Description:

The purpose of this course is to enhance students’ abilities to write in different genres, with an emphasis on developing a project involving research for a real-world audience. With readings and writing assignments drawn from a range of disciplines, the course prepares students for writing in a variety of contexts and supports their developing strategies for writing in various genres. In close consultation with the instructor, students will develop, investigate, draft, and refine a practical research project on a topic of relevance to their major. Throughout the semester, students will practice skills such as gathering information through library research, analyzing, and evaluating outside sources, integrating others’ ideas into their own writing, and creating evidence-based arguments that contribute to the ongoing civic and/or academic conversations on their topic. The course will also further develop elements of the writing process: generating ideas, developing a thesis, supporting a thesis with evidence, seeking, and receiving feedback on work in progress, and revising and editing.

 

Expectations for Participation and Engagement:

For a rich, constructive, and healthy class, it is important that we all show up ready to deeply engage with each other and the course materials.

 

Required Texts:

All readings and additional materials will be provided by me in class or via Academic Commons.

 

Resources:

More than one-third of CUNY students were born in another country. Many more have immediate family members who were. I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that every student, regardless of immigration status, is safe in this classroom. The university’s website affirms, “​​As the nation’s largest urban public university system, CUNY is dedicated to educating and advocating for the immigrant students and families who make up the lifeblood of our city and state.” I will not create or maintain records that could be used by federal agencies to implicate members of our community as undocumented. The Professional Staff Congress (the faculty and staff union) provides important links to free legal support and other resources through the union’s Immigrant Solidarity Working Group. CUNY has an extensive list of legal and other resources to support undocumented students. Students may also consult the “Know Your Rights” information provided by the New York Immigration Coalition.

 

Other Resources:

Counseling and Wellness Center – Guttman Community College 

Information Technology – Guttman Community College 

AccessABILITY Services – Guttman Community College 

 

Policy on Academic Honesty

Guttman Community College considers intellectual honesty to be the cornerstone of all academic and scholarly work. GCC views any form of academic dishonesty as a serious matter and requires all instructors to report every case of academic dishonesty to its Academic Integrity Officer, who keeps records of all cases. All work submitted or posted by students in this course must be their own. Submission of writing or ideas which are not the original work of the student, or which is not adequately referenced, is considered plagiarism. Unintentional plagiarism is still plagiarism, so if you have any question about whether to acknowledge a source, acknowledge it. And if you are still uncertain, be sure to ask. Refer to Article II of your Student Grievance Procedures for further details on academic honesty and Guttman’s academic integrity procedures. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.

 

Disability Support Services

In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Guttman Community College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY to secure necessary academic accommodations and adjustments for additional information and assistance please call 646-313-8833 or email [email protected].

 

Critical Incident Management

Guttman expects students to respect the rights, privileges and property of other people. Faculty are required to report disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment or inhibits student’s ability to learn.

 

Viewpoint Tolerance

Some of the issues covered during the seminar may evoke strong emotions. Students, faculty and staff must be able to disagree respectfully with others on topics that are personally very important to them. Civility is essential to all scholarly discourse.