Course Information: Fall 2009

This syllabus may be adjusted during the term to reflect the pace of the class.

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Objectives

1) understand advanced level readings;
2) understand the main ideas of the textbook and supplementary readings, including periodical articles, and short stories;
3) read maps, tables, graphs, and cartoons;
4) locate important details;
5) draw inferences and conclusions;
6) understand literary features, such as plot, setting, character, theme, conflict, point  of view, narrative technique, and symbolism;
7) use prereading techniques;
8) understand the organization of various readings, including magazine articles;
9)  summarize the main ideas of a reading;
10) paraphrase important ideas from a reading;
11) think critically about the ideas in a reading and their meaning to their own lives;
12) identify audience and writer's purpose;
13) relate readings to their own experience;
14) compare readings about the same topic;
15) use an online periodical database to find related articles and review them orally and in writing;
16) use context clues and other vocabulary skills;
17) develop a larger vocabulary;
18) use an English dictionary effectively;
19) use their knowledge of grammatical structure to understand readings;
20) read and accurately respond to readings in a fixed period of time;
21) participate frequently and show preparation for class and group discussions.

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Requirements and policies

Students should try to come to class every day. If you are going to be  absent, please call me (503-977-4269) to excuse yourself and ask about missed assignments. Leave a message including your name and phone number if I am not in my office.
You will automatically fail the class if you are absent for more than ten classes.   Three unexcused absences are allowed per term. One point will be taken off of your final grade for every unexcused absence after three.
Class begins at 8:00 a.m. every day. Students who are more than ten minutes late will be counted as "absent" even if they stay for the rest of the class. Students who are less than ten minutes late will be marked "late", and one half point will be taken off of their final grade.

Homework:

You will be given homework almost every day. You must prepare for your classes by doing the assignments and handing them in on time. Graded assignments will be marked down for every day they are handed in late. Students who don't do enough of the homework will not pass the class.

Participation:

You must participate in class discussions and activities. Try to ask a question, make a comment, or interact in groups as much as possible.

Discussion leader activity:

Students will work in pairs, and each pair will be required to stand up in front of the class, present, and lead a discussion about a reading assignment.

Article reports:

You will be asked to use the P.C.C. Library's access to the EbscoHost periodical index to find magazine articles related to topics we have read about in the textbook or the novel. You will write a report on each article and may be asked to present your report orally to a group of  your classmates.

Fiction reading:

This term we will be reading Bird Girl and the Man Who Followed the Sun. You will be expected to keep up with the reading schedule (about two chapters every week). We will be discussing the novel every Monday.

Cheating:

Any student found cheating (looking at another studentís paper during a quiz, copying another studentís work, copying from a book, etc.) will be given a '0' for the assignment. Repeated cheating will result in an F for the course.

Special accommodations:

If you have any specific needs, such as special seating  arrangements, please let me know on the first day. The Disabilities Services office is located in the ST Building, Room 229 (Phone: 503-977-4341).

Bad weather:

If the weather looks bad, and you think the college might close, call the college number (503-244-6111) and listen to the message. Remember that the message might change, so you should always check before you leave home.

Tutoring :

Tutors in the ESOL Tutoring Center in the CT Building may help students with assignments for this course. Tutors are not supposed to give answers or rewrite essays; they are there to help with ideas and explain English structures and vocabulary.

Discipline:

Inappropriate behavior in the classroom or in the ESOL Tutoring  Center can lead to suspension or expulsion from the college. Please turn off cell phones when you come to class. College policy says that there should be no eating, drinking, or smoking in the classroom.

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Tests

Students will be given a diagnostic reading test on the second day of class to see if they belong at the level. Students may be asked to move up or down a level based on the results of the diagnostic test.

Quizzes:

There will be several quizzes during the term. These will test reading comprehension, vocabulary, and skills.

Midterm:

The midterm will test comprehension of a newspaper or magazine article you have never seen before.

Final examination:

The final exam will be on Wednesday, December 9th, from  8:00 to 9:50 a.m. It will test reading comprehension of two readings you have never seen before.

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Grading

Students must receive an A, B, or C in the course in order to pass and move on to the next level.  In addition, students must have a C average on the quizzes and exams in order to pass the class. Students who do not pass the final exam may not pass the course.

Students who wish to drop the course must officially withdraw by Friday, November 13th. Students who leave the class without officially dropping may get an F for the course. I will withdraw a student who is absent from class for five consecutive days without informing me. Students may drop the course using MyPCC. 

Students who wish to audit the course must tell me at the beginning of the term. To get an audit, you must attend 70% of the classes.

You may check your grades for this course through MyPCC by Saturday, December 12th.

Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for enrollment in ESOL 260: Level 8 Academic Reading.

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