English 092: Developmental English

Spring 2009

Section d, 11:30-12:20 daily

 

 


Instructor: Donna Miguel

Email: dmiguel@bellevuecollege.edu (read Prentice 82-83 for email netiquette)

Office:    R230-T                                  Phone: (425) 564-2553

Office Hours:

Materials online: MyBCC – http://mybcc.net/

 

 

REQUIRED TEXTS / materials

§  Steps to Writing Well with Additional Readings,  7th ed, by Jean Wyrick

§  Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage, 7th ed, by Muriel Harris

§  Access to MyBCC & printer

§  Dictionary/Thesaurus – optional, but strongly recommended

§  Floppy or USB flash drive (anything to save your work)

§  Folder to keep your work and handouts

§  Mini stapler - optional but strongly recommended

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES and outcomes

In English 92, you will work on the issues involved in college composition. We will focus on the writing process, which includes how to organize ideas, write rough and final drafts, rely on peer critique (revision), argue effectively, and learn the importance of audience awareness. Along with reading/writing assignments (prewriting, freewrites, essays) there will be grammar exercises and quizzes to ensure that your written English /communication skills are effective and passable for English 101.

 

By the end of the quarter, you should be able to…

 

§  Write essays which demonstrate the ability to:

ü Use all stages of the writing process effectively (essays, PW, rd/pc)

ü Identify the needs of the audience (all)

ü Produce a substantive topic (essays, responses)

ü Create a unified, coherent, and well-developed piece of writing which                                     consistently follows appropriate conventions of Standard English (all)

§   Learn rhetorical modes (essays)

§   Use a variety of purposes for essay construction, such as analysis, narration, exposition, and/or persuasion (all)

§   Demonstrate ability to recognize some strengths and weaknesses in your own writing, based on specified criteria (peer critique, revision/edit)

 

CLASS POLICIES

I am not your babysitter, so please act maturely and respectfully. I expect:

  1. Common courtesy – please, thank yous, no chatting during lectures/discussion, no text messaging or listening to iPods during class.
  2. Attendance – don’t miss class. Attendance is crucial for participation, discussion, and understanding of assignments and readings. In accordance with the BCC/Arts and Humanities attendance policy, you will receive a failing grade (F) for the class if have 10 unexcused absences.  Out of these, you have 5 absences that will not count towards your final grade. Thus, 6-9 absences (after the 5 free ones) will result in your final grade being deducted a half letter grade for each absence. Confused? I’ll explain this in class.

     If you know you will miss a session, please let me know in advance via email or phone (these absences must be emergency or illness related). Punctuality is also mandatory; 2 tardies = 1 absence, so be on time, and don’t sneak out of class early.  At the beginning of class, I pass around a sign in sheet that serves as roll call. If you don’t sign it, then you are considered absent.

      MYBCC: If I am unable to come to class for any reason (illness, weather, conferences, off campus) I will post directions under “Announcements” on MyBCC.

  1. Assignments turned in on time – assignments and readings are due the day they are on the schedule. Consult your course schedule for due dates; I do not accept late work. MYBCC: most, if not all, assignments, handouts, activities will be posted on MyBCC under “handouts” or “documents.” Consult your course schedule as to what and when to print for the class.
  2. Participation – you will receive points at the end of the quarter for your participation in the class. This means adding to the class and/or small group discussion and activities. Don’t lose points by goofing off, chatting with friend, sleeping, refusing to be on task, playing with any electronic gadgets. IMPORTANT: if you are unprepared for class, group work, peer critiques, you will be dismissed from class. You will not receive points for that day, and will be considered absent.
  3. Your own work – do not plagiarize! If you have any questions about correct citation methods, or how to safely use outside sources, it is imperative you ask me for help. Don’t cheat, plagiarize, or perform any other misconduct, or serious consequence may follow, such as receiving a “0” for the assignment, receiving an “F” grade in the course, or being reported to the Associate Dean of Students.

 

I will ask you to leave class if: (no credit, counts as an absence)

  1. You are listening to your iPod or texting during class. Please take out the earphones and silence your phone BEFORE entering class. You can wait till class is over to use your gadgets.
  2. You are using your laptop. You cannot use a laptop in this class unless otherwise noted by the DRC or me.
  3. You are sleeping.
  4. You are disruptive to me and/or the class. If your behavior inhibits the class’s learning and education, you will be asked to leave, and may be directed/reported to the Associate Dean of Students and/or Campus Security. In addition, any comments, jokes, or remarks that belittle the worth of an individual’s physical attributes, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, are inappropriate and will not be tolerated.
  5. You are unprepared. See #4 above.

 

Students contribute to making a class effective as the instructor. Do your work, read, and participate in class discussions. Need more assistance?

  1. Special Accommodations – If you need course accommodations because of a disability, please refer to the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at B132, or by calling (425) 564-2498, or TTY (425) 564-4110.
  2. Library Media Center – D building.
  3. Reading/Writing Lab – D204-D.
  4. Please refer to the Arts and Humanities web page for the Student Expectations, which apply to all of my classes: http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html.

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS

All homework assignments (unless otherwise noted) need to be typed, double-spaced, and have 1” margins. Use 11- 12 size fonts in Roman, Courier, Palatino, California, etc. Please see me in advance if you have problems about computer or printer use. You will need an appropriate heading for your assignments. Position the heading at the top right or left corner on the 1st page:

Name

Date

Class and Section

Assignment

 

! Essays (E) 1 – 3: to practice your efficiency in the writing process, sentence/paragraph/essay skills, and critical thinking skills, you will be writing three types, or “modes” of communication essays: Comparison/Contrast, Narration and Argumentation (final paper). You will be completing pre-writing exercises in class, rough drafts, critiqued drafts, and final drafts. These papers need to be about 1-2 pages (~500 words +), typed, and double-spaced.

§  You have the opportunity to revise one out of the first two essays for a possible improved grade. You must turn in the graded essay along with the revised one, due one week after I have returned your essay.

§  If you have received an “R”, that means that your essay did not sufficiently or effectively follow the assignment, and you have to revise (no grade assigned). This also counts as one of your revisions.

 

! Debate: to prepare you for a position essay (Essay 3), you will participate in a classroom debate, over a societal issue of my choice. You will learn essential skills needed in writing a persuasion essay: critical thinking, elements of the argument, persuasion, countering opposition, questioning credibility of research and/or sources, identifying bias, distinguishing fact from opinion. You will also learn other skills such as public speaking and teamwork.

 

! Pop Reading Quiz: To ensure that you are reading the assigned chapters/materials, there will be a pop reading quiz. This is a closed book, closed notes quiz. If you’ve done your reading, you should be able to pass the quiz. There will no trick questions. You cannot make this up.  

 

! Grammar Quizzes: You will have 4 grammar quizzes throughout the quarter to help improve your grammar skills in written communication. You may not use your book or notes during the quizzes; therefore, be present on review days. Also, there are no make-up quizzes.

 

Quiz #1: subject/verbs, coordination & subordination

Quiz #3: Possessive apostrophes & homonyms

      

     

 Quiz #2: Fragments, Run-ons & Comma Splices

 

Quiz #4: Comprehensive OR makeup quiz

 

! Grammar Lesson: end the quarter in an informal, instructional presentation designed to improve, and show off, your knowledge of grammar and language use. Choosing your group members/partner, make the lesson about 15-20 minutes long, provide a handout for students, and do something that involves specific, brief, direct teaching at the board, followed by a Q&A or exercise. You may also come up with a more creative lesson, such as creating a movie, using School House Rock materials, etc. Make sure to do some research besides your grammar handouts and handbook. Look on the Internet, go to the library, and ask me for help if needed. You will be signing up with your partner(s) towards mid to the end of the quarter.

 

 

A:        100-95%

A-:       94-90%

B+:       89-87%

B:         86-85%

B-:        84-80%

C+:      79-77%

C:        76-75%

C-:       74-70%

D:        69-60%

F:         59 or fewer
 
GRADING ( NOTE: YOU MUST PASS THE CLASS WITH A C- TO MOVE ON TO ENGLISH 101!)

* Essays 310 total (including Prewriting, essay assignments, and

       Peer Critique)*

* Grammar Quizzes – 80 pts total (4 @ 20)

* Pop Reading Quiz – 10 points

* Grammar Lesson – 30 pts

* Debate – 15 pts

* Participation – 50 pts total

TOTAL POINTS = 495

 

 

 

§  Although I do not accept late work, if for some circumstances

you turn in your essay after the due date, I will deduct 5 points for

each day late. I will not accept late essays after one week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course agreement

 

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  English 92 students

CC:                  Thomas Nielsen, Arts and Humanities Division Chair

FROM:            Donna Miguel, Instructor

DATE:            April 1st, 2009

 

The syllabus for English 92 clearly states the policies for the Spring 2009 quarter. The student will receive a deduction of points from the participation grade if he/she fails to turn in any assignments on the date they are due (unless there have been prior arrangements made with the teacher), which will adversely affect the student’s total points for the course.

 

Also, if the student becomes disruptive or violent to the other students and teacher, then the student will be warned, and possibly be kicked out for the day or the entire quarter.

 

Finally, if the student uses someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit to the source (plagiarism), then he/she will receive a “0” for the assignment or an “F” for the course, as stated on the syllabus. Please note the other policies on the syllabus that the student must abide by.

 

This memo serves as a contract/course agreement. ________________________________’s signature ensures that he/she has read, acknowledges, and understood the terms of this contract.

 

Finally, it is understood by the instructor that the student’s life is his/her own and will not blame the instructor for failure to meet course requirements.

 

Signature ________________________________                Date _______________________

 

Signature ________________________________

(Instructor)