EMLS 112 Syllabus

 

ADVANCED COMPOSITION- EMLS 112 Fall 2018 Instructor: Jim Beasley                  Section 112-54052 M-W 8:00AM - 10:05AM i D-101 E-mail: beasley_james@sac.edu                              Office Hours:  by appointment only

 

COURSE PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this course is to develop advanced level language skills through practice in reading and writing. The emphasis of this course is on complex expository modes, grammar review, research methods, critical reading skills, and revision and editing techniques.

 

Learning Outcomes:

• To demonstrate competency in the use of specific rhetorical patterns and logical patterns of development in well-organized paragraphs and essays.
• To recognize the main idea in expository essays and to develop effective thesis statements.
• To analyze methods of support in academic essays and use similar methods in writing.
• To follow the conventions of correct grammar and punctuation in writing.
• To write opinions about professionally written essays in logically organized, well developed, unified paragraphs and essays

SANTA ANA COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Santa Ana College is to be a leader and partner in meeting the intellectual, cultural, technological, and workforce development needs of our diverse community.  Santa Ana College provides access and equity in a learning environment that prepares students for transfer, careers, and lifelong intellectual pursuits in a global community

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

 

Along These Lines, Seventh Edition by John Biays and Carol Wershoven (9780321984005)

Voices and Values, Second Edition by Janet M. Goldstein and John Langan (9781591944430)

An English to English dictionary of your choice (e.g. Longmans)

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

You must be a non‑native speaker of English and have received a grade of C or better in EMLS 110 or a qualifying profile from the EMLS placement process. 

 

We will be using Canvas for posting of assignments and other class information including Reading.  Attendance in all classes is required. If you miss more than four classes before the drop deadlne, you will be dropped from the class by the instructor. In addition, you are expected to be in your seat at the starting time for the class. If you are tardy more than three time you will receive an absence. Regular attendance, preparation and active class participation will improve your chances for success in this class. Simply attending class without contributing does not guarantee a passing grade.

 

Class work collected on paper other than 8 ½ x 11 paper will not be accepted after the first week.  Homework not turned in, or uploaded by the due date will receive a “zero.”  Paper assignments must be turned in the next day after an absence.  It is essential that all work be completed in a timely manner.  Outside class writing must be typed following MLA formatting requirements.  If you do not understand an assignment, ask me about it before it is due.  If you know in advance that you are going to miss a class, it is your responsibility to see me as soon as possible before that class.

 

Expect to spend two hours a day studying outside of class. Do not ask the instructor for permission to be absent of late.  It is the student’s responsibility to come to class on time, leave when dismissed, and find out what he/she has missed if absent.  In addition to regular attendance, you are expected to participate in all class activities.  Finally, NO TEXTING and please turn off all cell phones during class time.  Texting and cell phone use during class time may result in a reduced classroom grade.

 

Your progress in English is dependent on your own effort.  Students are required to bring a black or blue pen, 8 ½ x 11-inch college-rule loose-leaf paper or 8 ½ x 11 three-ring binder, an English-English dictionary, and the textbook to each class session. 

 

All ESL 112 students are required to do four Directed Learning Activities (DLA) in the Learning Center located in D307 and D301 (Hours:  Mon – Thurs 9 am to 7 pm, Fri 10 am to 2 pm and Sat 12 to 3 pm).    Three required DLAs include Eng. 61-1 “How to Write a Summary”; 61-3A “Thesis Statements”; and 61-16 “Beginning Research.”    A fourth DLA will be either student’s choice or teacher’s suggestion.

 

 

Santa Ana College is happy to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.  It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of such needs.  A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS).  To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Disabled Student Office in Johnson center, U-103, or phone (714) 564-6264, TTY (714) 564-6284 for a referral to the appropriate DSPS Department.

 

GRADE DISTRIBUTION

 

Final grades will be weighted as follows:

1. In‑class essays and paragraphs 50%
2. Final exam (an in‑class essay of 300‑500 words) 20%
3. Quizzes                                                                                     10%
4. Homework, class work 7%
5. Blogs                         3%
6. 4 DLAs             5%
7. Participation             5%

 

ACTIVITIES OR ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED OUTSIDE OF CLASS

 

Study of reading text and handouts (4 hours per week); Practice in paraphrasing, summarizing, and evaluation of reading materials (2 hours per week); Out-of-class writing, revision, and editing; preparation (2 hours per week).

 

GRADING

 

Your grade will be based on:

1. Minimum of two graded 150 word in‑class paragraphs (both will include an at-home second draft submitted to Turnitin).
2. Minimum of three graded 300‑500 word in‑class essays (all will include an at-home, second draft submitted to Turnitin).
3. Homework, DLAs, research including citations, paraphrasing and summarizing
4. Reading comprehension, grammar or vocabulary quizzes
5. Writing Studio exercises (blogs)
6. Classroom participation
7. Final exam

 

GRADING SCALE

 

89.5‑ 100% = A; 79.5 – 89.4% = B; 69.5 ‑79.4% = C; 59.5 – 69.4% = D; Below 59.5% = F

Some Important Dates

 

Class Begins	August 27, 2018
Labor Day	September 3, 2018
Last Date to get Refund	September 9, 2018
Last Day to Add (add code required)	September 9, 2018
Last Drop Date without 'W'	September 9, 2018
Last Day to file Pass/No Pass	September 28, 2018
Veteran’s Day (holiday)	November 12, 2018
Last Drop Date with 'W'	November 18, 2018
Thanksgiving Holiday	November 22-25, 2018
Instruction Ends/Final Exam	December 12, 2018

 

 

Some Rules to Follow

 

 

1. Try to use “action” verbs such as “run, drive, and see” instead of the non-action verb “to be.” Action verbs help create a piece of writing that is vivid and interesting for your reader.

 

2. You must put your name, date and assignment name/page number on each paper to turn in, whether homework or class work. Please, place only one written assignment on a physical paper.  With each new written assignment start a new paper.

 

3. Avoid words like “etc.” “humans” “stuff” and phrases that announce your topic (for example, “I want to write about the following…).

 

4. Also, please avoid using “you” and “your” in academic writing. Use the more formal third person (e.g., “one” “someone” “something” “ones”)

 

5. You MUST write on the topic assigned if you wish to get a passing grade on your writing assignment.

 

6. Do not worry about neatness. Do not re-write your paper during the time you are assigned to write.  As long as I can follow your “carets” and “arrows” you will be fine.  The important thing is to edit.

 

7. If you wish to do well in this class, you MUST reserve five to fifteen minutes at the end of a writing session to edit your paper. Watch particularly for article use and verb tense consistency.

 

8. Do not use the construction: “The reason why we have not withdrawn more troops from Iraq is because conditions on the ground have not warranted such a move.”

 

Instead write:  “We have not withdrawn more troops from Iraq because conditions on the ground have not warranted such a move.”  OR  “The reason why we have not withdrawn more troops from Iraq is (that) conditions on the ground have not warranted such a move.”

 

Major Writing Assignments in EMLS 112

 

1. All drafts must be uploaded to Turnitin (within Canvas).
2. For the first and third major assignments, both second rough draft and final draft will be graded.
3. Always follow proper paragraph format
   1. Use college ruled 8 ½ by 11-inch lined paper for the first draft of hand-written assignments
   2. Type all at drafts using MLA format (see Course Information Module) for an example.
   3. One-inch margins on all sides.
   4. Indent paragraphs five-ten spaces depending on the size of the font (just use the “tab” key in Word). Two spaces between each sentence.
   5. Always double-space on all drafts
4. Rough drafts will not be accepted late. Late final drafts may be subject to a five to ten percent reduction in grade.