BELLEVUE COLLEGE

ENGL 101, English Composition I (5 credit hours)

Syllabus & Class Schedule, WINTER Quarter 2013

ONLINE

Instructor:  Debbie Pope     Office:  R-230

Office Hours:  By appointment only

Phones:  425/922-5296 (home)

debbie.pope@bellevuecollege.edu

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

"Exposition" is writing that conveys information or explains something, and most college writing fits this category. Thus, ENG 101 is a foundational writing course which acquaints students with the principles of effective composition, from prewriting and brainstorming to editing and revising. The focus in this class is on becoming better writers through the development of critical thinking skills as we analyze fiction, nonfiction prose, and film. In other words, in order to write, one must first think.

 

COURSE PREQUISITES:

In preparation for ENG 101, a student should be able to produce writing that demonstrates an understanding of the writing process and of the rhetorical components: topic, audience, and main point. The student writing should be clear, effective, and without significant grammatical or mechanical errors that interfere with meaning. In order to enroll in ENG 101, you must first pass the assessment test and be placed in 101, or you must have completed ENG 092 or 093 with a grade of C- or higher.

 

COURSE 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.

 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

English 101 is a completely online class. However, English 101 is NOT a correspondence course, completed on your own timetable. You must participate in this course in an ongoing, timely manner to successfully fulfill the class requirements.

 

English 101 does not accommodate vacations, business trips, or honeymoons. If any of these loom in your future, you will need to get your work done ahead of time. This course makes no allowance for people who start late for any reason; that is not the fault of BC. The course has a set schedule, and it’s your job to adhere to it. Late is late. I sympathize like crazy, but that’s about it.

 

This online course requires you to have some particular attributes and skills:

            *college level reading and comprehension skills

            *good self-motivation

            *the ability to communicate clearly in writing

*the ability to learn well in a totally visual medium

*the ability to follow written directions

*the ability to use your computer to complete various tasks, including (but not  

            limited to) uploading and downloading files, as well as attaching files to

            email messages

*the ability to ask questions as needed

 

If you signed up for this class thinking that it would require less work than a course in the classroom, you were mistaken. Any online course requires more writing than a class in the classroom, as all of our communication must be written. Understand that the workload may be very difficult for you if you work full time, and/or family demands do not allow you a minimum of two to three uninterrupted hours every weekday to work on the assignments for this class. I have tried to focus and space assignments to facilitate as many learning styles as possible, but you may need to schedule extra time, especially around paper writing/editing time, depending on all the other outside factors impacting your ability to complete assignments.

 

TIME COMMITMENT:

Most college instructors assume that the average student will study two hours outside of class for every hour you spend in the classroom – a total of 15 hours per week for a five-credit course. I expect roughly the same total time commitment, even though you aren’t coming to class on campus. Maybe more.

 

The course requires you to be on-line, sometimes only briefly, four or five days a week, but the days are somewhat flexible. You’ll never have to meet on-campus or be on-line at a specific hour

 

ESSAYS:

You will write 3 major essays. You must – in order to pass the course – average C or better on the major essays, the final drafts.  I’ll grade each essay and send it back with feedback for revision.  You will revise the essay and earn (hopefully) a new, improved grade.

 

In addition, you may write one additional short essay, and we’ll what about that later in the course.  If I do give this assignment, it will change the final grading scale, and I will update you at that time.

 

MY EXPECTATIONS:

Please note that the first two can determine passing or failing.

 

1.         I expect that you will complete every assignment, no matter how small, seemingly insignificant, or unimportant. You must complete every assignment in a timely manner to remain eligible for a passing grade. “Timely manner” will vary. I’ll keep you abreast. Late work loses credit rapidly. I’m deeply sympathetic to explanations for late work (I understand that stuff happens), but I’ll never excuse it. Bottom line: late is late.

 

2.         I expect that your major essays will average at least a grade of C in order to pass the course.

 

3.         I expect that you will take care to back up your papers and other assignments on more than one flash drive and/or store them on your hard drive and a flash drive. Never trust an instructor with the only copy of an assignment. If some computer catastrophe should occur, you will still be responsible for producing the work by the due date in order to get a grade. Be careful – save and back your work up regularly!

 

4.         I expect that you will show respect to everyone by responding to email and discussion postings in a way that is not judgmental, degrading, or derogatory. Even though we may disagree with the interpretations of others, please use some self-restraint and compassion in responding to others’ ideas. Logical and questioning responses are encouraged. Choose your words and the tone of your message with utmost care. I also expect tolerance for others’ abilities and learning styles.

 

COURSE TEXTBOOKS:

75 Readings Plus, 10th edition, Santi V. Buscemi & Charlotte Smith (required)

English Grammar Workbook for Dummies, Geraldine Woods (required)

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (required)

             

VALUES CONFLICT STATEMENT:
Essential to a liberal arts education is an open-minded tolerance for ideas and modes of expression that might conflict with one’s personal values. By being exposed to such ideas or expressions, students are not expected to endorse or adopt them but rather to understand that they are part of the free flow of information upon which higher education depends. 


To this end, you may find that class requirements may include engaging certain materials, such as books, films, and art work, which may, in whole or in part, offend you. These materials are equivalent to required texts and are essential to the course content.  If you decline to engage the required material by not reading, viewing, or performing material you consider offensive, you will still be required to meet class requirements in order to earn credit.  This may require responding to the content of the material, and you may not be able to fully participate in required class discussions, exams, or assignments.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is the act of using another writer’s words or ideas as your own. According to the Bellevue College Arts & Humanities website, plagiarism “may take many forms, including, but not limited to, using a paper written by someone else, using printed sources word-for-word without proper documentation, and paraphrasing or summarizing the ideas of others without acknowledging the source.  Plagiarism can also occur when non-written ideas are taken without documentation--using someone else's design or performance idea, for example.  In short, plagiarism is passing off someone else's ideas, words, or images as your own; it amounts to intellectual theft--whether or not it was your intention to steal.” In this class, any student who plagiarizes fails the course automatically. I have no tolerance for this behavior.

 

BELLEVUE COLLEGE E-MAIL and ACCESS TO CANVAS:

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and

E-mail account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network, and log into Canvas. To create your account, go to:  https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam

 

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Computing Services website.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES:

Readings: It is impossible to successfully complete this course without purchasing and reading each required text. Furthermore, it is essential that you complete the assigned readings before the classes during which we will discuss them. While I realize that many students attempt to save money by borrowing textbooks from friends, doing so presents more problems than benefits, especially when your friend is still trying to finish a book (for example) on Thursday that you need to have read by class time that same night. Buy your books now. Stay caught up with your reading assignments.

 

DEADLINES & DUE DATES:

It is the responsibility of each student to meet all deadlines for class assignments. I will penalize any assignment turned in late in the following way:

 

For each day a paper is late, I lower the final grade one full letter.

After three days (this includes weekends), there is no point in submitting the paper, because your grade at that point is "F” or zero points.

 

 

Keep in mind:

I have no sympathy for last-minute glitches with a computer or printer.

You are asking for trouble if you rely on your ability

to print your paper in the half-hour before it is due.

 

It’s better to assume that no printer on the planet

will work at all during the twelve hours just before you

must submit a paper to me.

 

In other words: work ahead.

 

Along those lines:

If you are absent from class on the date that an assignment is due,

the assignment is still due in class, in my hands,

at the hour scheduled. You must get it to me.

 

Leap tall buildings, if necessary.

 

DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER:

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. Please visit the DRC if you have any questions about classroom accommodations.

If you are a student who has a disability or a learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact the DRC staff as soon as possible.

The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call the reception desk at 425-564-2498.  Deaf students can reach the DRC by videophone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. Please visit our website for application information into the DRC program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc .  The e-mail address for the Disability Resource Center is drc@bellevuecollege.edu

INCOMPLETE GRADES

I do not assign incomplete grades for any course, for any reason.

 

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

What follows is the Bellevue College Arts & Humanities Division policy on classroom behavior:

The college's ‘Affirmation of Inclusion’ is posted in each classroom and sets forth the expectation that we will all treat one another with respect and dignity regardless of whether or not we agree philosophically. This expectation is in line with the principle of free speech in a free society:  we have the right to express unpopular ideas as long as we don't show disrespect for reasonable people who might believe otherwise. In an on-line [or hybrid] course, you will be expressing ideas through the medium of the course site rather than face to face in the classroom. In that case, these expectations refer to the courtesy with which you communicate with one another through e-mails and e-discussions.

Part of this respect involves professional behavior toward the instructor, colleagues, and the class itself. Disruptive behavior is disrespectful behavior. The Arts and Humanities Division honors the right of its faculty to define "disruptive behavior," which often involves such things as arriving late, leaving early, leaving class and then returning, talking while others are trying to hear the instructor or their group members, doing other homework in class, wearing earphones in class, bringing activated beepers, alarm watches, or cell phones into class, inappropriate comments or gestures, etc. In on-line courses, “flaming’ anyone in the class is also considered disruptive behavior. Such behavior interrupts the educational process. When you are in doubt about any behavior, consult your instructor during office hours. We recognize the judgment of the instructor as the final authority in these matters.

When disruptive behavior occurs, instructors will speak to or e-mail the students concerned. Those students are then responsible for ending the disruptions at once.  Failure to do so may result in removal of the disruptive student from class.

All students should check BC Student Procedures & Expectations web address at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.html

PUBLIC SAFETY:

The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well-trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Their phone number is 425.564.2400. The Public Safety website is your one-stop resource for campus emergency preparedness information, campus closure announcements and critical information in the event of an emergency. Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety

WRITING LAB:
Please make use – often – of the Bellevue College Writing Lab. The lab offers tutoring and help (both personal and computerized) on grammar and basic skills. The Writing Lab is located in D-204.  Check the website for hours of availability: http://bellevuecollege.edu/asc/writing/works

The Writing Lab is a place where students can work on developing college-level writing skills. Students can come to the Writing Lab (not more than once per day) for individual help on revising their writing for class, college applications, or personal projects. Tutors can listen to ideas and ask questions to help students focus on one topic, correct and avoid punctuation and grammar errors, and review papers to ensure they are clear and follow the assignment instructions. However, tutors do not edit papers!

While students can drop in any time the Writing Lab is open, it is better to make an appointment at least two days before a paper is due by calling 425-564-2200. If students do not have an appointment and all of the tutors are busy, they may have to wait or come back later.

Please also understand that visiting the Writing Lab for help with a paper in no way ensures that you will earn a grade of “A” on the paper. Many (if not most) of the Writing Lab tutors are students themselves, and as good as they may be when it comes to English and writing, editing, revising – they, too, are still learning.  They are not perfect; their advice does not mean you walk out of the Writing Lab with an “A” paper.

FREE ONLINE TUTORING: King County & Snohomish County Libraries

I want all students to be aware of the free online-tutoring that is offered by both the King Country and Snohomish County libraries.  First, you’ll need a library card, so if you don’t have one, you seriously – really! – want to apply for one right now.  This is a fantastic resource.

 

I do not have a Snohomish County library card because I’m a King County resident, so I can’t give you the specifics about their tutoring resources, but I can tell you how to get started. First, go to the main web page for Snohomish County Library:

http://www.sno-isle.org/

 

Once you are there, scroll down to the bottom of the main page and look for “24/7 Library.”  Under “24/7 Library” click on Help Now for Homework. That will take you to a page where you enter your library card number and pin/password – and from there, you connect with a live tutor.  You may need to check with the library for the hours that tutoring is available.

 

For King Country Library, go the main page:

http://www.kcls.org/

 

Once you are there, click on “Research and Homework.”  On the next page, look for a small icon with the words “Live Homework Help” right beneath it. Click on “Live Homework Help.”  That will take you to a new page and on that page click on “Live Homework Help” again – or “Live Homework Help for Adult Learners.”  At that point, you’ll be on a page where you have to enter your King County Library card and pin/password, and that will take you directly to a live tutor.

 

When I say a “live” tutor, I mean exactly that. You will be able to upload your paper and a tutor will come online to help you with it. The tutor will ask you specifically what kind of help you need.  Maybe you need help with spelling and want someone to check your paper for spelling errors.  Maybe you need help with your thesis statement, with paragraph development, with grammatical errors. 

 

Each session with a tutor lasts 15 minutes only, and then the tutor must move on the next person waiting.  But don’t click out, if that happens.  Another tutor will then come online to help you – or maybe the same tutor.

 

I recommend submitting two paragraphs at a time – multiple times. Some tutors will be better than others.  The point is, the more you submit, the better your paper is going to be by the time you have to submit the final draft for grading.

 

Most students do not know of this wonderful resource – this is FREE!  Tutors are available from 2 p.m. until midnight, 7 days a week.  Students have told me that they have less of a wait in the afternoon hours.  If you wait until the prime homework evening hours, you may have a 10-15 minute wait for a tutor.

 

OTHER VITAL REQUIREMENTS:

 

● MLA format: From the start, with the very first introductory paragraph, I require you to use proper MLA format for all rough and final drafts. This includes not only the way the paper actually looks on the page, but also in-text citations and a Works Cited page for each essay. You should have learned MLA format in high school, but if for some

reason you are unfamiliar with MLA, fear not.  We will also go over MLA format in class.

 

● Ms. Pope’s Grading Abbreviations: Over the years, I have developed a list of abbreviations that I use when grading, and you will find that list posted in Canvas. I recommend that you print a copy and keep it nearby so you can understand what it is I am saying about a specific issue in your writing. 

 

EVALUATION:

 

(Note:  I always reserve the right to adjust the number and type of assignments, depending on class progress. In the event adjustments prove necessary, I will modify the final grading scale to reflect those changes.)

 

Discussion Threads in Blackboard Vista                           300 points

Grammar Assignment Threads in Blackboard Vista        100 points

3 formal essays @ 100 points each                                                    300 points

The Kite Runner (Quiz over entire book, January 14)              50 points

Grammar Exam 1                                                                                  25 points

Grammar Exam 2                                                                                  25 points

 

 

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE FOR QUARTER           =          800

 

 

FINAL GRADE SCALE

94-100%          =          A                      752-800 points

91-93%            =          A-                     728-751 points

88-90%            =          B+                   704-727 points

84-87%            =          B                      672-703 points

81-83%            =          B-                    648-671 points

78-80%            =          C+                   624-647 points

74-77%            =          C                     592-623 points

71-73%            =          C-                    568-591 points

68-70%            =          D+                   544-567 points

64-67%            =          D                     512-543 points

60-63%            =          D-                    480-511 points

59% & below   =          F                      479 & below

 

 

NOTE:  All final grades are just that:  final.  I do not discuss, negotiate, revisit, or change final grades for any reason.

 

A WORD ABOUT THE WAY I GRADE PAPERS:

I will read every single, solitary word that you write in this class. I will block out the rest of the universe as I examine what you are trying to say, how you have said it, how you have presented your ideas. I will expect to find, in your words, a thesis, an essay map, supporting points and arguments, concrete illustrations, specific examples, logical organization, coherence, and evidence of critical thinking.

 

I will, on many occasions, be disappointed. This is not a moral statement about your character, your personhood. It simply means that many of you – and for a variety of reasons -- may not yet know how to write effectively and well. This class is a step in that direction. The course will not solve all the writing problems you may arrive with on my doorstep, depending upon the quality of instruction you did or did not receive in high school or previous college courses, but it’s a start. Much of what you will take away from this course depends upon your motivation, your effort, your desire to learn and become a better writer.  

 

Because I will read every single, solitary word you write, and because I will expect much of your writing, and because you may not yet be able to meet my expectations--you, too, on many occasions, will most likely be disappointed by my response to your written words. Please remember, at those times, that I am responding to your expertise (or lack thereof) as a writer--not to you, the fragile, vulnerable, valuable human being. In other words, it's not personal. I may like you tremendously, but it’s possible I won't like the way you’ve abused the English language.

 

SOME WRITING GUIDELINES:

 

1.         Learn to spell--and don't depend on a computer program to do it for you.

People program spell check functions. Many of those anonymous human beings cannot spell (and know very little about grammar). Do not trust those anonymous individuals with your grade in this class.

 

I allow three (3) spelling errors/typos per paper.

 

When I find a fourth one, I stop reading,

and you earn a grade of "F" for that paper.

 

The “F” is permanent; you may not re-write the essay.

 

I will assign only half credit for the paper.

 

 

2.         Do not submit a paper to me that you have not proofread carefully. In fact, do not submit a paper to me that has not been edited by at least three other people who know much more about writing, editing, and proofreading than you do – and you’re certain they know what they are doing.   

 

3.         Follow all directions I give you for each assignment. I am anal retentive, pathologically organized, and therefore, the directions will be highly specific. I give them for a reason. Read each assignment thoroughly. You ignore or skim instructions at your grade’s peril.

 

4.         Essay content is important. However, I cannot get to the content if you do not pave the way for me. Translation? If you fill your paper with sentence fragments, run-ons, comma splices, incorrect punctuation, agreement problems, UFPs (unidentified flying pronouns), etc.— that is what I will see first. I will never get beyond those errors to the rich, deep content in your words.       

 

5.         Understand that I have no faith in high school English grades, especially when they have been consistently high. It has been my experience that many of my English Composition students may have a track record of "A" and "B" grades in high school English--and yet cannot spell or compose a grammatically correct sentence. In other words, those good grades were gifts; they were not earned. What is important to me is the quality of the writing you submit to me now, during this quarter, in this class.

 

6.         If you plagiarize a paper in my class, you will automatically fail not just the paper but also the course. 

 

7.         College and universities across the country suffer from appalling grade inflation. Generally speaking, students expect grades of "A" and "B” – usually with little effort.  Do not expect that in this class. Know now that in English 101:

 

            A         means             EXCELLENT  

            B         means             GOOD WORK

            C         means             AVERAGE WORK     

            D         means             POOR WORK 

            F          means             UNACCEPTABLE COLLEGE LEVEL WORK

 

            For further explanation, see GRADING CRITERIA HANDOUT (posted

            in Canvas.)

 

8.         I do not “give” grades. Students earn their grades – by their hard and diligent labor – or lack of it. As well – and once more with feeling -- all final grades are final; I do not change or re-visit final grades for any reason.

 

9.         If you are nervous by now, that's probably a wise reaction. I'm not a tyrant,

            not a dictator, not a creature dressed in black wielding an English handbook

with an evil cackle (most days, anyway). But I am serious about writing. If you want to do well in this class, you must be also.

                       

The class calendar is always a work in progress.  You are to check the course site in Canvas each weekend to determine what’s on tap for the next week.