Course Information: Winter 2013

This syllabus may be changed to adjust to the pace of the class.

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Objectives

1)  write a variety of essays, each of several well-developed paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs with supporting details, and a conclusion;
2) use pre-writing skills, including brainstorming and narrowing the topic;
3) write a clear thesis statement and develop essays based on the thesis;
4) type essays according to an accepted format;
5) revise and edit essays;
6) conference with the instructor;
6) successfully complete in-class essays within a 50-minute class period;
7) include sources in their writing and document them correctly;
8)  avoid plagiarism;
9) participate effectively in class discussions and pair/group assignments, including peer responses to classmates' essays;
10) demonstrate creative thinking, complexity of ideas, and critical thinking skills in their writing;
11) use active and passive verb tenses accurately in their writing;
12) use other grammar structures (gerunds, infinitives, articles, prepositions, etc.) correctly most of the time.
13) use a variety of sentence types, subordinate with a variety of clauses and phrases, and use appropriate transitions;
14) apply punctuation, capitalization, and spelling rules correctly, and avoid sentence fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.

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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 (971-722-4269) 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 four classes. One unexcused absence is allowed per term. Two points will be taken off of your final grade for every unexcused absence after one.
Class begins at 1:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. 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. This includes coming in late after the mid-class break.

Homework

You will be given homework at every class meeting. You must prepare for your classes by doing the assignments. Please work as much as possible with the grammar exercises in Grammar and Beyond and the Workbook. Homework will include first and final drafts of three different kinds of essay (classification/definition, problem/solution, and argument), practice reading response essays, and sentence writing exercises. Graded assignments, including essays, will be marked down for every day they are handed in late. Students who don't do the homework will not pass.

Participation

You must participate in all class discussions and activities. Try to ask a question, make a comment, or interact with a classmate in English at every class meeting.

Writing conferences

I will schedule two 15-minute meetings with each student during the quarter to discuss progress in the class. You may also make appointments to see me, or come in during office hours.

Cheating

Any student found cheating (looking at another student's paper during a quiz, copying another student's work, copying a previously written essay, copying from a book, etc.) will be given a '0' for the assignment. When writing an essay, all ideas which are taken directly from other sources must be documented appropriately. Repeated cheating will result in an F for the course.

Special accommodations

PCC is committed to supporting all students. If you plan to use academic accommodations for this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Accommodations are not retroactive; they begin when the instructor receives the 'Approved Academic Accommodations' letter from the student. To request academic accommodations for a disability, please contact a disability services counselor (ST Building, Room 229; phone: 971-722-4341).

Bad weather

If the weather looks bad, and you think the college might close, call the college number (971-722-6111) 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.

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Tests

Students will be given a diagnostic in-class writing test on the first day of class to see if they belong at the level. Students may be asked to move to another level based on the results of the diagnostic test.

In-class essay tests

There will be three in-class essays, including one on the final exam. You must average a C on these essays in order to pass the class. Students might not pass the class if they fail the essay section on the final exam.

Grammar tests

There will be a grammar midterm and a grammar section on the final exam which will test the structures covered in the course.

Final examination:

The final exam will be on Tuesday, March 19th, from  1:00 to 3:00 p.m. It will consist of an in-class writing assignment and a quiz on all grammar covered since the midterm.

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Grading

Grades for essays will include assessment of a) sentence structure and grammar; b) mechanics; c) vocabulary, including use of natural language; d) organization; e) content, including creativity, complexity of ideas, and critical thinking abilities. Eighty percent of the final grade is based on the essay writing assignments. In order to successfully complete the class, you must pass the in-class writing tests.

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.
 

Deadlines

To audit the course, tell me and submit paperwork by Friday, January 11th. To get an audit, you must attend 70% of the classes.
                                                      

Drop the course without having to pay tuition by Saturday, January 12th.

Drop to get a ‘W’ for the course: officially withdraw by Saturday, March 2nd. Students who leave the class without officially dropping may get an ‘F’ for the course. Drop the course using MyPCC.

Request the P/NP grade option by Saturday, March 2nd. Do this through MyPCC.

Successful completion of this course and ESOL 260 (Level 8 Academic Reading) is required before enrollment in WR 115.

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