Syllabus

Syllabus English 091 Section 0015 # 27548

1/15/13-5/10/13    11:30 am – 12:24 pm  Ocotillo 109

ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Fundamentals of Writing - Instructor: Mrs. Patricia Eaton

E-mail: patricia.eaton@estrellamountain.edu  If you have questions, contact me via e-mail. I will check the e-mail daily during the week and respond. Please check the blog before asking me for information about a missed class.

Blog:  www.eatonenglish091.blogspot.com       Note: The blog is your link to what is happening in class and to what is due. Links to readings are also posted on the blog.

 

Adjunct Office: 623-935-8139 - Montezuma Hall 119 (You may phone the office and leave a message for me between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays.

 

Required Text:

 

Wordsmith: A Guide to College Writing 5^th Edition: Copyright 2012 Be sure you order a copy that includes the access code to MyWritingLab. It must be a new access code. Previously used codes will not work!

Without the access code, you will not be able to submit your work. Essays and other assignments will be submitted electronically at MyWritingLab.

 

The book, with the access code, is available in the EMCC bookstore. Again, you cannot use a previously used access code.

 

Computer Access: You will need regular access to a computer with reliable Internet access. If you do not have access at home, please use the EMCC computers in Estrella Hall’s Information Commons. MyWritingLab is an on-line resource. Homework and essays will be submitted there. You cannot complete this class without using a computer with Internet access. If you are new to the use of computers or need help getting registered in MyWritingLab, just ask for help. We were all new users at one time!

 

USB Drive: You need a USB drive for this course. If you already have one and space is available, you may use it. A new one is not required. You will want to save all work on your jump drive and bring the jump drive to class.

 

Note: This syllabus is subject to change based upon the progress of the class. Daily updates will be provided on the blog. If you miss a class, be sure to contact me and ask for a copy of the daily information. Also, be sure to check the blog for updates and links to required readings.

 

Office Hours: By appointment – my schedule is flexible.

Course Summary

This course places an emphasis on preparation for college-level composition with a focus on organizational skills. You will develop effective writing strategies through five or more writing projects.

Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score or a grade of C or better in ENG081 or ESL 087 or permission of the Department or Division.

Course Competencies

1.      Recognize how rhetorical contexts (including circumstance, purpose, topic, audience, and writer) affect writing.

2.      Organize writing to support a central idea through unity, coherence, and logical development.

3.      Use conventions in writing complete sentences, using appropriate grammar, and using proper mechanics.

4.      Use convention in writing, including consistent voice, tone, and diction.

5.      Generate and support effective and appropriate ideas.

6.      Integrate a variety of sentence types.

7.      Recognize and implement steps in the writing process for paragraphs and multi-paragraph projects, including prewriting, drafting, and editing for unity and coherence.

8.      Use feedback obtained from peer review, instructor comments and/or other resources to revise writing.

9.      Assess one’s own writing strengths and identify strategies for improvement through instructor conference, portfolio review, written evaluation, and/or other methods.

10.  Generate, format, edit, and deliver writing using appropriate technology.

Each week you will have lessons on grammar, usage, and mechanics. (GUM) In addition, you will learn about the writing process and put what you learn into practice. Peer editing is an important step in the writing process. You are expected to participate in all peer editing activities. You will also participate in class discussions. Readings will be assigned. You need to complete all readings and assignments related to those readings.

Major Writing Projects - Suggested List

1.      Description

2.      Narration

3.      Definition

4.      Summary

5.      Classification

In addition to these major projects, there will be numerous shorter writing activities designed to help you develop specific skills.

You will also learn the basics of crediting your sources in MLA format.

Attendance Policy: Active participation is expected for successful completion in this course. In the event of an absence, students are expected to contact me by e-mail: Patricia.Eaton@estrellamountain.edu and go to www.eatonenglish091.blogspot.com for daily updates for the course.

Important FYI:

Attendance policy (typically, students are allowed the number of unofficial absences according to the number of times a class meets per week; ex: TR, students are allowed two unofficial absences and may be dropped after that.) Students must sign the attendance sheet for each class to be counted as present.

 

2.3.2 Attendance

• Only persons who are registered for a class at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges may attend that class. Attendance requirements are determined by the course instructor. Students who do not meet the attendance requirement as determined by the course instructor may be withdrawn.
• Students who fail to attend the first scheduled class meeting, or to contact the instructor regarding absence before the first scheduled class meeting may, at the option of the instructor, be withdrawn.
• At the beginning of each course, each faculty member will provide students with written attendance requirements. It is the student's responsibility to consult with the instructor regarding official or unofficial absences. Absences begin to accumulate with the first scheduled class meeting.
• Students bear the responsibility of notifying the Admissions and Records Office/Office of Student Enrollment Services when they discontinue studies in a course or studies at the college. 

Official absences are those that occur when students are involved in an official activity of the college. Absences for those events are not counted against the number of allowed absences. Make-up work is required. Documentation is required.

Jury duty and subpoenas will not be counted against the number of allowed absences. Documentation is required. Make-up work is required.

Military commitments for up to one week will not counted against the number of allowed absences. If the length of the assignment is more than one week, the student and instructor will determine if it will be possible to make up the work missed. If the length of absence creates an undue hardship on the student’s ability to make up assignments, he or she will be given an opportunity to request an incomplete grade or be allowed to drop the class. Appropriate documentation is required. Make-up work is required.

In the event of the death of an immediate family member, absences for periods of up to one week will not be counted against the number of absences allowed by the instructor or department. Students should contact the instructor as soon as possible to arrange for make-up work. Appropriate documentation is required. Make-­­­­­up work is required.

Students have the right to observe major religious holidays without penalty. Absences for such holidays do not count against the number of absences allowed by the instructor. At least one week before the holiday, students must submit a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday and the reason why class attendance is impossible. Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work. If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized.

Late Work:

Students are expected to complete any homework for the missed day by the next class period.

Make-ups of in-class writing assignments are at the instructor’s discretion. Students turning their work in after the due date may be penalized by having the grade lowered five points per day in fairness to those students who met the deadline.

Tape Recordings and/or Video Recordings: In order to tape any class session, a student must first seek permission from the instructor. In order to tape group discussions, permission must be given by the instructor and the students in the group.

Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off or placed on “vibrate” during class. At no time should a student be sending text messages, sending e-mails, listening to music, surfing the web, visiting Facebook, playing games, or carrying on conversations. In the event of an emergency call, please excuse yourself from the room, take care of the situation, and quietly return to class.

Computers, Tablets, and IPods: Class time is just that – time to complete the tasks of the class. Refrain from surfing the web, visiting Facebook, playing games, sending e-mails, completing homework for other classes, or listening to music. If you are using the device for something other than class assignments, you are disrupting the class. Please be respectful of your classmates, your instructor, and yourself.

Student Disabilities: If you are student with a disability that requires special accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. “Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the DRS office at the beginning of the admissions process to discuss accommodation needs and to request an alternate format of printed materials. Some accommodations may require three to four weeks notification. For more information, call 623-935-8935, or contact the EMCC DRS office in Komatke Hall 119, or e-mail: Ramona.shingler@emcmail.maricopa.edu.”

Student Support Services: For writing assistance in the Learning Enhancement Center, students should contact Susan Malmo, Writing Center Coordinator, at 623-935-8419. The Writing Center is located on the first floor of Estrella Hall.

Grading Scale:

·         Three one-page essays – 33 points for two and 34 points for one – total 100 possible points

·         Three essays - each counts as 100 points. I use the EMCC Writing Rubric. We will review this in class.

·         Up to 20 short GUM assignments – each counts 10 points (200 points possible)

·         Exam essay -. Note that all students must attend class on the day of the exam. This is an EMCC policy.

·         Class participation = 100 points – This includes attendance, peer editing, and homework.

·         Approximately 800 points possible. (This is subject to change based on the needs of the class.)

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

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the process of borrowing information from other sources or individuals without giving credit. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Essays will not be accepted unless accompanied by pre-writing exercises, notes, drafts, peer and self-editing marks, etc. This paper trail is proof of a student’s own work. Proof of plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment.

Classroom Misconduct: Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected within the academic setting.

 

 

2.3.11 Academic Misconduct

1. Definitions
1. Academic Misconduct - includes misconduct associated with the classroom, laboratory or clinical learning process. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, excessive absences, use of abusive or profane language, and disruptive and/or threatening behavior.
2. Cheating - includes, but is not limited to, (a) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, assessment tests or examinations; (b) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the faculty member in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the college faculty or staff.
3. Plagiarism - includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

Final Thoughts: This course is designed to help you become a better writer, researcher, and reader. You will get out of the course what you put into it. You are expected to actively participate in readings, discussions, debates, and reports. Come to class prepared with readings and with required writings and notes. Conduct thorough research. At all times, give credit to the source of information by using proper documentation. Be on time. Be positive. Ask questions. Contribute your thoughts. Be tolerant of others and of ideas that differ from your own.

You need to earn a final grade of “C” or higher to move to ENG 101.

FYI: Our exam will be taken on May 10, 1213, at the regular class time in the regular room. You MUST physically attend class on the day of the exam in order to pass the course.