English 061 Syllabus

 

Course Syllabus:  English 061 Syllabus Fall 2018.docx

Course Calendar (updated): ENGLISH 061 CALENDAR – F 2018 - Revised 11.19.docx

Meet Your Instructor:

Textbook Information:  

1. REAL WRITING WITH READINGS: PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS 6TH ED.   Author: ANKER    

ISBN: 978-1-457601-99-6

2. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet  Author: Jamie Ford

 

Required Materials:

Red paper, not plastic, assignment folder with pockets

White, college-rule notebook paper

Pencils and blue or black pens

*Class binder with at least four dividers

 

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 dynamic learning environment that prepares students for transfer, careers and lifelong intellectual pursuits in a global community.

 English Department Mission Statement: The Santa Ana College English Department provides numerous opportunities for our students to develop and improve the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills required to succeed at their chosen careers, to meet the rigors of the writing demands at four-year transfer institution, and to foster lifelong learning and an appreciation of literature.

 

Course Description: Welcome to English 061. This course is designed to teach students how to write clearly and effectively. We will focus on creating essays with strong thesis statements, adequate support and details, logical organization, and proper grammar and style. At the same time, we will practice different methods of paragraph and essay development such as illustration, description, compare and contrast, and argument. The exercises and readings from Real Writing will serve as the foundation for homework assignments and class discussions. We will also read, discuss, and write about the novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Lectures are an important component of the course, but group discussions, in-class workshops and writings, and other activities are equally vital.

Student Learning Outcomes for English 061: (1) Students will be able to read critically for literal meaning and identify the main idea of a reading and the author’s writing strategies as well as summarize and paraphrase effectively. (2) Students will use the writing process to write, in proper MLA format, essays, including a documented paper, using appropriately chosen details, organizational strategies, sentence variety, and sufficiently correct grammar and punctuation. (3) Students will ethically integrate and document source material.

Course requirements: (1) Grade of C or better in English N60 or qualifying profile from English placement process.

 

EXPECTATIONS:

Participation and Attendance: This course is based on lectures, group discussions, and in-class activities, and your participation and attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend class everyday, bring all necessary materials, pay attention and listen carefully, ask and answer questions, participate in class discussions, make use of available student resources (instructor and/or Learning Center instructors), and complete all assigned work on time, and be on time to class.

 

Canvas: Students are expected to check their email as well as Canvas for important announcements and materials.

 

You may be dropped from the course for excessive absences (3 or more missed classes). An absence may be excused for documented car accidents, medical emergencies, legal duties, family tragedies, etc. However, dentist/doctor appointments, a change in work schedule, or transportation problems are not excused absences. You are responsible for any assignments or material you may have missed when absent, so be sure to check Blackboard regularly for any announcements, updates, and assignments. At the same time, I strongly suggest exchanging phone numbers or e-mail addresses with other classmates so that you can contact them for help.

Cell phone/electronic device policy: Electronic devices such as iPods, iPads, laptop computers, electronic dictionaries, and cell phones are not to be used in class. This means no checking messages, receiving and answering calls, or text messaging. Cell phones should be turned off or silenced. If you need to use your phone at any time (including before class and during breaks) please step outside. Laptop computers may be used by permission only. Thank you.

 

The Learning Center Requirements: Students are required to attend three, one hour workshops. See last page of syllabus.

 

Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Any assignment turned in after that time will be considered late. You are only allowed one late assignment, which must be turned in within one week of the original due date. *Quizzes, in-class assignments, journals, final paper, and midterm exam, and final exam may not be turned in late or made up.

 

Readings and Grammar Homework: Students will practice and strengthen their writing skills by completing grammar-based exercises and writing in and out of class. Some assignments will be completed in the book and some must be typed. This course also requires reading and reading-based exercises. I expect you to have completed all the reading and all assigned exercises prior to each class meeting. Complete all assignments and come to class prepared.

           

Writing Assignments: Students will write four formal out-of-class essays (multiple drafts) and two in-class essays (midterm and final). Specific guidelines will be provided for each assignment, but all written assignments and rough drafts are to be typed in MLA format. Also, all prewriting and rough drafts must be attached to the back of the final draft or points may be deducted.

 

Quizzes and Exams: Students will be quizzed regularly on grammar lessons and readings. If you keep up with the reading and homework, you should have no trouble passing these quizzes. The midterm and final exams will be in-class essays.

 

Peer-group Workshops: Writing is a process that requires prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. In order to practice and refine your skills as critics of your own work as well as your peers' every student will be required to participate in peer-editing sessions and schedule one-on-one conferences with me. On workshop days, you must bring multiple copies of your draft to be shared with your group members. Failure to be prepared on these days will result in a 10-point deduction from your final paragraph or essay grade.

 

Journals: Students must keep a journal throughout the course of the semester in which they respond to specific journal prompts. If you miss class or arrive late, you will need to get the day’s journal topic from a classmate or Blackboard. These journals will be randomly collected and checked two times during the 8-week course. Journals will be awarded points based on how neat and thorough your responses are. I may also provide feedback on your entries. Each of the 10 journal entries is worth 2 points. Entries must be clearly dated and labeled with the topic or question at the top of each entry. They must be neat, at least 3/4 of a page in length, and kept in order. Late journals will not be accepted.

 

Office Hours/conferences: I encourage you to meet with me during office hours or after class if you have any questions or concerns about the course, assignments, grades, etc. Students will also be required to conference with me at least once during the semester.

 

Drop Policy: All students have the obligation to withdraw from this course though the Admissions Office. Although it is your responsibility to withdraw from this course, I may drop you for excessive absences. The last day to drop this course with a "W" grade is ­­­___________. Withdrawing from a course after the above deadline requires that the student receive an "F" or other letter grade. Please consult the Admissions Office for answers to any questions regarding this policy.

 

Plagiarism: Plagiarism and unethical conduct are not acceptable. Academic dishonesty will result in an "F" on the assignment and a written reprimand will be filled out. Copies of the report will filed with the Humanities & Social Sciences Division Dean and the Dean of Students. Please read the distributed handouts on plagiarism and refer to the college catalogue for a full definition of plagiarism and its consequences.

 

Special Accommodations: Your success in this course is important to me. Santa Ana College and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Also, please contact Disabled Student Programs & Services so that we can all collaborate on your classroom accommodations in a timely manner. DSP&S is located in VL-203, and their phone number is 714-564-6264. TTY: 714-564-6384. Video Phones: 714-660-3075 or 657-235-2999. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation, they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals.

 

*It is the disabled student’s responsibility to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester to discuss potential plans when classroom evacuations are necessary.

 

Required Assignments:

1 Paragraph                                                     (20 points)

3 Essays                                                          (200 points)

1 Research Essay                                           (200 points)

In-class midterm                                              (100 points)

Final Essay (in-class)                                       (200 points)

*Quizzes                                                          (100 points)

*Homework/In-class Exercises                        (25 points)  

Journals                                                           (20 points)

Novel Study Questions                                    (50 points)

DLAs                                                                (30 points)

 

*Total                                                                         (945 points)

 

100-90% = A   89 - 80% = B   79 – 70% = C   69 – 60% = D   59 – 0% = F

*Point totals and assignments are subject to change.

 

Please read (and keep) any handouts about the Learning Center that are distributed in class or posted on Canvas.

 

1. All students must register for the Learning Center online: sac.edu/learningcenter

 

2. Students are required to complete three DLA’s (or MLA Workshops) in the Learning Center.

 

3. Specific workshops/DLA’s will be announced.
   1. ________________________________
   2. ________________________________
   3. ________________________________

 

4. Contact Information:
   1. sac.edu/learningcenter
   2. 714-564-6569
   3. D-307
   4. learningcenter@sac.edu