ESOL 0343
Beginning Writing: Syllabus
Instructor: Margaret (Peggy) Shallock
Email: margaret.shallock@hccs.edu
Office hours: M-W: 10:10, T-Th: 1:20
HCC Office: 713-718-7750
Textbook: You are required to have Fundamentals of Academic Writing, Level 1, by Linda Butler, Pearson-Longman, 2007.
Course Description: A course devoted to expanding vocabulary, developing basic writing skills, and simple spelling.
Statement of Purpose: Beginning Writing seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce study by
accomplishing the following objectives:
 Introducing students to basic English rules of capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph format.
 Introducing students to various common sentence patterns, from simple sentences to the basics of co-ordination and
subordination.
 Most importantly, building basic knowledge of paragraph organization with emphasis on developing topic sentences,
support, concluding sentences and the use of basic transitions.
Course Outcomes: At the end of the following, you should be able to do the following: use capital letters at the beginning of
sentences, correct punctuation, correctly spell basic vocabulary, be able to correct verb forms for simple present and present
progressive tenses and be familiar with simple past tense, past progressive tense, and simple modals. You should be able to
correctly write simple sentences and basic compound sentences with AND, BUT, and SO and write basic complex sentences with
WHEN, WHILE, BEFORE, AFTER, and BECAUSE. You should be able to create ideas through prewriting, organize a simple
paragraph of 8-10 sentences which would be 80-125 words, with a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding
sentence, and be able to revise a paragraph whose errors have been indicated.
Grade Breakdown: Your grade will be calculated as follows:
In-class compositions
60%
Journals
5%
Homework, Quizzes, Dictation
10%
Writing lab
5%
Final exam
20%
100%
Grading Scale: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), Below 70 is NOT Passing. Students will receive an IP (In Progress), or if repeating
that level, an F (Failing). Students will receive a W (Withdrawal) up to Week 11. After week 11, students will receive the grade.
Attendance: HCC has very strict attendance policies. If a student is absent 10 hours in any class, including Labs, he/she may be
dropped from the course and given a W in all four courses. This will place F1 students out of status.
Tardiness: Classes begin at 8:30 and lateness of 15 minutes three times will count as an absence. If you are persistently absent
10 minutes, these may be added cumulatively to total a class period of 50 minutes and equal one hour absence.
Withdrawal: Students may drop a course for any reason by November 18, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. After that date, students will
receive the grade that was earned. College policy prohibits instructors from entering a grade of “W” after the official drop date.
Notice: Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas
public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer
with your instructor and counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills,
attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Class Behavior: Students are expected to act as adults and be respectful of others. Turn off or silence all cell phones. In an
emergency, please see me about keeping your phone on. If you must leave class early or have been absent, please see instructor.
If you must go to the restroom, leave quietly and return in less than 5 minutes. No more than one student should leave the room
at a time. Gentlemen, it is polite to remove your hats when you enter a building.
Class Participation: In order to learn English effectively, students need to participate fully in class activities, do homework, and
cooperate with other students in pair or group work. You should strive to speak English at all times in class. Expect to move
around and have different seats to encourage English practice.
Make-up policy: Students are responsible for all work assigned. Homework is part of this course, so come prepared. All work
is due on the day assigned. If absent, you are still responsible for work done while you are not in class. Please get a classmate’s
phone number or email me to find out assignments. Students should try to not be absent for tests or presentations. If you are
absent, be prepared to take the test or present when you return to class. You will be given one chance to make up a test at the
instructor’s convenience. Time may not always allow itself for project make-ups.
Academic Honesty/ Cheating: Any form of copying, cheating, plagiarism or collusion will result in a ZERO (0) for that assignment.
Penalties can also include a W or F in the course. This includes copying a paper from another student or copying text from the
internet and presenting it as your own work. See the HCCS Student Handbook for further information.
Students with Disabilities: See HCCS Policies. Any student with a documented learning or physical disability which may affect
their performance in class should contact the HCCS disabilities counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909 for assistance.
Sexual Harassment Policy: Sexual harassment in any form is not tolerated at Houston Community College. See the HCCS Student
Handbook for further information or report any incident to your instructor or counselor.
Tutoring: Tutoring is available after school in Rm. 121, and on Fridays from 9-11 a.m. in the Audio lab. Take advantage of this
service. Your instructor may highly recommend that you attend tutoring.
Problems: If you have a problem in class, please see me before or after class. I will make every effort to help you.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction and Chapter 1
Week 2: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Week 3: Chapter 2
Week 4: Chapter 3 and Composition #1
Week 5: Chapter 3 and 4
Week 6: Chapter 4 and 5
Week 7: Chapter 6 and Composition #2
Week 8: Chapter 6 and 7
Week 9: Chapter 7 and Midterm Composition #3
Week 10: Chapter 7 and 8
Week 11: Chapter 8
Week 12: Chapter and Composition #4
Week 13: Chapter 9
Week 14: Chapter 9 and Composition #5
Week 15: Review
Week 16: Final Exams