BELLEVUE COLLEGE

Engl& 101 H - English Composition I
Fall Quarter 2012

 

 

Paula D. Sebastian

Office Location: R230K

Email: psebasti@bellevuecollege.edu

 

 

POLICY STATEMENT

Textbook:

Reading Our World: Conversations in Context, Robert P. Yageliski

Additional Materials:

-        thumb drive

-        folder

 

Bring YOUR TEXTBOOK to class every time we meet!

 

Attendance & Participation (20%):

Attendance is directly connected to performance, particularly in group-oriented, intense classes such as English 101. You are expected to attend every class and attend on time.  Attendance is taken at the beginning of the period; persistent late arrival will affect your participation and attendance grade for the course. Showing up for a group session without your paper or peer sheet will be counted against your participation grade. If you come in after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to come up after class and make sure you have been marked late, rather than absent.

 

Your attendance will comprise 10% of your grade. Your participation grade will comprise an additional 10%. Participation includes oral participation in class discussions and homework assignments, contributions to group exercises and peer review, and the attitude, demeanor, and sensitivity you display towards me and other students.

 

Preparedness and class participation (40% of Final Grade):

To receive full credit for this component, you must attend each class on time, have completed all written work and read related materials on days they are to be discussed. You must generate at least 10 formal critiques of peer essays, have your own essay drafts completed and available for class critiques; when your work is not under review, you must participate actively and constructively in all peer critiques, small group activities and class discussions by offering insightful or thought provoking, relevant comments that advance and develop the discussion. Keep in mind that what matters here is the caliber and quality of your comments, not the amount of noise you make.

 

Effective Group Time Management:

On discussion and rough draft group days, be prepared and come on time. Do not consider yourself responsible for people who are not prepared. For discussions, talk with those who have read the assignment. For outlines and writing groups, work with people who are fully first. Each group is responsible for managing class time effectively, and meeting out of class if necessary to complete assignments.

 

Ground Rules:

Out of respect for everyone in the classroom, I ask that you follow these ground rules:

  1. Turn off pagers and cell phones. Anyone whose phone or other device makes any sound in class will lose two participation points toward their final grade upon each occurrence.
  2. Do not talk or whisper while I am talking, or when another student is talking. It is discourteous and disrespectful, and will not be tolerated. You WILL be asked to leave the classroom
  3. Be constructive in your comments and respect the opinions of your classmates.
  4. All papers, responses, and outlines for this class should be typed or word-processed. Please make yourself familiar with the various computer labs on campus (D building, NWCET) if you are not already. Free tutoring is available at the Writing Lab. After the first week of the quarter, technology issues will not be accepted as a valid excuse for any missed or late assignments.
  5. Deadlines (due dates and times) are posted on the course calendar on CANVAS. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be accepted.

 

                             

Special Needs:

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of an emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. If you’d like to inquire about becoming a DRC student, you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC (Disability Resource Center) reception area in B132.

 

Final Draft Essays (40%):

You will write four 1000-word papers in this class. The process for writing, revising and submitting work is on a tight timeline. Don’t fail to meet these deadlines. We will spend extensive time in class on the structure, logical organization and development of your papers. Papers may be revised PRIOR (only) to final grade. Please feel free to ask for additional help or schedule an appointment with me.

 

Use the following guidelines for typing your assignments:

  1. Typed and double spaced with 1 ½ inch margins
  2.  On the first page of you essay in the top left corner,

please include the following:

o Your Name

o Course: English 101 & Section # of Class

o Instructor’s Name: Paula Sebastian

o Date the paper is submitted

o Creative title for essay, followed by an explanatory title:

Designer Genes: An analysis of the role of genetic engineering

  1. Always keep a copy of any essay you submit

 

Grading Policy:

40% Final Draft Essay

40% Preparedness & Participation (including module assignments)

20% Attendance (10) and Participation (10) in class meetings

Attendance Grid:

0-2=A; 3-4=B; 5 =C; 6-7=D; 8+ = F (And you will fail the class)

 

Outcomes:

After completing this course, students will be able to...

 

Think and read critically: carefully read, analyze, interpret and evaluate claims, beliefs, texts and/or issues.

· frame questions, define problems, and position arguments.

· consider multiple points of view and differentiate between assumptions, beliefs, facts, opinions, and biases.

· read and respond to various texts critically for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and/or judgment.

· demonstrate an understanding of a text’s main point/thesis and its relevant supporting details.

Compose and revise in context: shape written responses for different audiences and purposes.

· consider flexible strategies for prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing.

· develop and support thesis statements that are appropriately complex and significant.

· construct unified paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details that advance the thesis.

· apply various methods of development such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and/or analysis.

· balance their individual voices with those from other texts.

· employ style, tone, and mechanical conventions appropriate to the demands of a particular audience or purpose.

Reflect and evaluate: recognize and incorporate newly acquired skills.

· develop the ability to critique their own and others’ work.

· gain a clearer perspective of habits that may detract from the effectiveness of their own writing.

· respond to comments from their instructor and peers