I. Required Textbook:
Patterns for College Writing, A Rhetorical Reader and Guide (9th ed.) by Laurie
G. Kirszner & Stephen R. Mandell.
II. Course Description:
This course emphasizes advanced editing and critical thinking skills. Students
learn to meet composition objectives by writing, revising, and editing essays
in one class period and by analyzing their work from other classes. Students
will also read several short essays by professional and student authors.
III. Course Outcomes and Objectives:
a. By the end of the course,
students will be able to write essays that demonstrate the ability to use all
stages of the writing process effectively.
b. Identify the needs of their
audience, produce a substantive and engaging topic, and create a unified,
coherent, and well-developed piece of writing that consistently follows
appropriate grammatical and mechanical conventions of Standard English.
c. Use a variety of purposes
for essay construction, such as analysis, exposition, and/or persuasion.
d. Demonstrate ability to
recognize some strengths and weaknesses in their own writing, based on specific
criteria. (i.e. self-assessment).
e. Comprehend texts written at
college level or above both literally and inferentially.
IV. Assignments & Percentages (for calculating overall
grade):
a. Four
out-of-class essays: 60%
b. Ten
Journal Entries: 15%
c. Reading
quizzes & In-class writing: 15%
d. Class
Participation & Attendance: 10%
V. English 092 Class Attendance Policies:
a. I will take roll call at the
beginning of class and keep a record of your attendance. If you arrive late, I
may not mark you as having attended class. You should check with me after class
to ensure I marked you present.
b. Class Participation and
Attendance is worth 10% of your overall grade. It is a combination grade of
your participation in classroom discussions, activities, and your overall
attendance.
VI. English 092 Class Policies:
a. Please arrive to class on
time, for the class will begin promptly at 6:30 am.
b. Much of what we cover in
class will be beneficial to meeting the course objectives, so attendance is
important. If you cannot attend a class, it is your responsibility to get the
information from a fellow student or me.
c. I will accept late papers.
However, I will deduct from the numerical grade 0.1 per class period that the
paper is late. If you do not submit a paper, you will receive a numerical grade
of 0.0 for the assignment.
d. Plagiarized assignments will
result in a failing grade for that assignment. Additional penalties such as
failure of the course or expulsion from the college may also occur as
appropriate.
e. If you need special
accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical needs, or you
need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, see me as
soon as possible.
VII. Miscellaneous Notes:
a. Please note that this
syllabus is subject to change. I will notify you of any changes as early as
possible.
b. If you have any questions,
comments, or concerns, about the course, instruction, assignments, or grades,
please see me as soon as possible. I am here to help you, but if you wait until
the last minute to get my help on a particular assignment or are simply confused
as to what you are supposed to do, I may not be able to assist you. So, please
don’t hesitate to ask questions.
c. If you have any questions
regarding Bellevue Community College's student policies, please refer to the
Student Procedures and Expectations section online. The website address is
below: