English as a Second Language
Southwest College
ESOL 0354 – Advanced Composition for Foreign Speakers
CRN: 32134 - Fall 2014
SW Scarcella Center – Room W 119 |12:00 – 3:20 am | Wednesdays
Hybrid 2.5 hour lecture and 2.5 hour online course and 1+ hours lab / 80 hours/12 weeks
Class dates: 9/20/2014 – 12/14/2014
Instructor: Liza Daily
Instructor Contact Information: e-mail: elizabeth.daily@hccs.edu
Office location and hours: Stafford Campus – Scarcella Center on Wednesdays 11:00
am -12:00 noon by appt.
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this
course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my
assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your
concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to come by my office anytime during these
hours.
Course Description
ESOL 0354 is a composition class that is designed for non-native speakers of English. We work
on the structure of language. We review the elements of a paragraph and learn how to develop
essays from 300-500 words. We will learn how to use the computer to word process, access
information via the Internet, and reinforce writing skills through grammar software (when
possible). In addition to building vocabulary, reading, and writing skills, this course prepares
students for ESOL 0360 and the writing assignments for other college-level courses.
Prerequisites
Completion and a passing grade in ESOL 0351 or a minimum score of 63 on the CELSA and
departmental recommendation. However, a final decision will also be based on the first day
diagnostic essay (with the exception of those coming from ESOL 0351).
Course Goals
The primary goals of ESOL 0354 are to prepare non-native English speakers for ESOL 0360
and ENGL 1301 as well as to prepare them for all the writing tasks they will
encounter in their academic studies at HCCS, other institutions of higher learning, and
ultimately in the professional world.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Apply pre-writing strategies such as brainstorming, concept maps, and outlining to create
and organize ideas
2. Develop revision and editing skills
3. Write multiple drafts
4. Design the essay format: margins, indentation, spacing
5. Produce an introduction with a clear thesis statement, clear and limited topic sentences,
supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion
6. Compose an in-class narrative or process or division essay
7. Compose an in-class comparison/contrast essay
8. Compose an in-class cause/effect essay
9. Compose an in class argument essay
10. Compose an in-class final exam essay
11. Identify and model the use of present, past, and future
tenses
12. Identify and model the use of prepositions including verbpreposition combinations
13. Identify and model the use of comparatives and superlatives
14. Identify and model the use of coordinators, subordinators,
logical connectors, correlatives
15. Identify and model the use of adjective clauses
16. Identify and model the use of adverb clauses
17. Identify and model the correction of sentence structure: runon, fragment, and comma splice errors
18. Identify and model the correct use of agreement such as parallel
structure, subject-verb, and pronoun-antecedent
Learning objectives
Students will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Apply the principles of writing as a process.
Adopt the essay structure.
Differentiate among rhetorical styles.
Demonstrate knowledge of advanced grammar usage and structure in sentences.
ESOL 0354 12-Week Course Calendar, Fall 2014
Textbook: Engaging Writing 2: Essential Skills for Academic Writing
(This is a tentative calendar that may change to meet the needs of the class.)
Important Dates and Holidays
Second start classes begin
Official Day of Record
Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals
No night classes (5:00 pm)
Thanksgiving Break
Last day of instruction
Final Examinations
Grades available to students
WEEK
1
Sept. 24
Reading
Engaging
Writing 2
Chapter 1
September 20
September 30
November 10 at 4:30 PM
November 26
November 27 & 28
December 7
December 8 - 14
December 15 (12:00 noon)
Course Calendar for ESOL 0354 – Wednesdays Fall 2014
Writing
Grammar
Intro to ESOL 0354; Diagnostic assessment
Review of the writing process
Paragraph structure – pp 12-19
Sentences 14a – 14d pp 269272; Coordinating
Conjunctions 7a pp 252-254;
Subject-verb inversion p 247
Verb tenses in essays pp 103104
Passive Voice /Past modals
Pp 279 – 283
Verb form problems pp 283284
Participial adjectives pp 237238
Adjective clauses pp 229-235
2
Oct. 1
Chapter 2
Expanding a paragraph to an essay – pp 54-57
Using background information in introductions – p
63
Developing body paragraphs
Write C1D1 (Composition 1 Draft 1) – Division
Essay
3
Oct. 8
Chapter 2
Write C1D2- Division Essay
Noun phrases & adjective clauses pp 66 – 71
4
Oct. 15
Chapter 3
What cause and effect is pp 82
Essay introductions pp 90-93
Essay conclusions pp 100-102
Write C2D1- Cause / Effect Essay
The vocabulary of cause & effect pp 105-110
Adjective clauses (handouts /
EO)
Write C2D2-Cause / Effect Essay
Word families pp 119-120
The vocabulary of comparison and contrast pp 146149
Introduction to point-by-point organization
Sample essay pp 127-128
Write C3D1 – Comparison / Contrast Essay
Adverb clauses (handouts /
EO)
5
Oct. 22
6
Oct. 29
Chapters 3 &
4
7
Nov. 5
Chapter 4
Adverb clauses pp 239 – 245;
prepositions p 264
Comparatives & Superlatives
pp 251-251; correlative
conjunctions p 256; Noun
clauses & reported speech pp
258-262; quotation marks 294.
Write C3D2 – Comparison / Contrast Essay
More on introductions pp 130-131
More on noun phrase and clauses pp 131-132
Cohesion pp 136-139
Introduction to argument essays
What argument is pp 162-163
Structuring an argument
Write C4D1- Argument Essay
Parallel structure pp 254-255
Review of sentence problems
(run-ons, fragments, & comma
splices) pp 275-278 &
handouts
Articles pp 248-250 +
handouts
10
Nov. 26
The language of concession and refutation
Write C4D2 – Argument Essay
Prepositions of time and place
(Handouts & EO assignments)
11
Dec. 3
Write Final Essay
Continue review for final
exam.
12
Dec. 10
Final Exam
8
Nov. 12
9
Nov. 19
Chapter 5
Instructional Materials
 Engaging Writing 2: Essential Skills for Academic Writing by Mary Fitzpatrick
 An English-English dictionary (The COBUILD Dictionary or the Longman Dictionary of
American English have been ordered for you, but you may buy another American English
dictionary). Note: Students will not be permitted the use of any electronic
devices during exams or while composing essays. This includes electronic
translation machines. Likewise, they will not be permitted to access the
Internet during exams or while composing essays.
 Pens (two colors), highlighters, a pencil, and an eraser, and stapler
 Scantrons
 A thumb drive
 A 1” notebook to be used only for this course containing:
Lined paper (standard size-8.5 by 11 inch);
All previous handouts
All homework assignments
All graded work
HCC Policy Statement – ADA: Services to Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services Office
in Room C136 West Loop Campus, or call (713) 718-7910 to make necessary arrangements at
the beginning of each semester. Your instructor is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the office of Ability Support Services.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has
been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The
instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for
ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor
has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the
University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the HCC catalog. What that means is: If you
are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are
responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.
Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by HCC System officials against a
student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited
to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:




Copying from another students’ test paper
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F
in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the HCC System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statement: Class Attendance
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best
way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in
student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to
succeed. You are expected to attend all lectures and labs regularly. You are responsible for
materials covered during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your
responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you
for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. Because the information
that is discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course
after being absent in excess of 12.5% hours (8 hours) of instruction (F-1 students should
particularly take note of this so as not to affect your visa status). The eight hours of class time
would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness. If you do not log in to the
class at least once from Wednesday to the following Tuesday for at least one hour, you will
receive one absence for the class. Problems with personal computers do not excuse you from
these absences as you have access to a number of open labs on all HCCS campuses.
Classes and tests begin on time. Lateness of five minutes or more counts as a one-hour class or
lab absence. You can enter the classroom, but you will be counted absent for that hour.
Lateness after break times, leaving early or disappearing for more than five minutes during
class or lab are also counted as one-hour absences. Texting, using social networking sites, or
other improper use of technology during class time or lab time are also counted towards your
absences (1 warning = 1 tardy). Class attendance leads to class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from it prior to the
final date of withdrawal (See your course calendar). Before you withdraw from your course,
please take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so.
The instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete
the course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature
passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early
Alert process by which your professor can “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a
class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC
interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job
placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact an HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR
to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. If you do not withdraw before
the deadline, you will receive an F or an IP (see below) as your final grade.
College Grading System:
Students who have completed ESOL 0354 and show that they are ready for the next level
(ESOL 0360) with a final average of 70% or higher will receive a letter grade of A, B, or C.
Students who are not ready for ESOL 0360 may receive a grade of IP. The IP grade is not a
good or bad grade; however, it means "IN PROGRESS" and requires the student to take ESOL
0354 again because the student will benefit from another semester in 0354 to learn all of the
skills that are taught in this course. However, if a student repeats 0354 after receiving one IP, a
letter grade must be given (A, B, C, or F upon completing the course for the second time). If a
student stops attending class and fails a class as a result of not coming to class, he or she will
make a grade of FX.
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs
for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community
College Student System online near the end of the term.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice,
are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students
to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate
to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course
withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/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.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow
students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not
use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or
testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations
Classroom Policies
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this responsibility
very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for
him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs
of your classmates and assist your instructor to achieve this critical goal.
To this end All cell phones, pagers, Ipods, or any other electronic devices that may cause a distraction
in class must be turned off and put away. No laptops are permitted to be used during class. You are
not permitted to leave class to answer or return calls unless it is an absolute emergency; doing so will
be counted as a tardy. If a student is using a cell phone at any time during the class period, I will
remind the student about the policy once. After that, I will ask the student to leave class and mark
him or her absent.
In addition, students are expected to arrive to class on time with ALL THEIR MATERIALS
INCLUDING THE TEXT BOOKS. (You will not be permitted to share after the first week of
class.)
If you miss four classes (4 absences) you can be dropped without notification and will therefore
be out of compliance if you are an F-1 student. If a student misses a class, it is his or her
responsibility to see the instructor about the work that was missed.
COURSE WORK
Homework
While doing all the homework and attending class is not a complete guarantee of success, it is certainly
true that not doing it is a guarantee of failure. Homework includes reading assignments, summaries,
journal entries and grammar exercises. You will receive a number of assignments each Thursday
which must be completed by or before the beginning of class the following Thursday.
In Class Essays
Students write four in-class essays during the semester, plus the final exam essay. In this hybrid class,
they must be typewritten. Pencil (only for the exams) may be used. While the in-class essay is
graded, no grades are recorded until you have turned in the second draft of your essay.
Evaluation of Written Work
Grades for written work will take into account: content, logical sequencing, use of transitions, topic
sentences and support, range and sophistication of vocabulary, complexity of sentences, grammar,
spelling, and punctuation and length. Grammar errors result in the loss of points. More points are taken
off for other problems such as the lack of a thesis statement, problems with topics sentences, or
problems with content and length. Your instructor is required to use a departmental “rubric” to
evaluate your essays, but he/she may use other criteria for different kinds of writing assignments.
The Final Exams
The final exam consists of two parts: a comprehensive multiple-choice grammar section based
on the grammar in the textbook and the grammar book, AND an essay that is similar to one of
the compositions that is written during the semester. The essay exam will be given on the last
day of class, and the grammar exam on the final exam day. See your course calendar for the
time and date of the final exam. You will need a green Scantron for the grammar exam. A
student who fails both the essay and grammar final will have to repeat ESOL 0354. If a student
has a passing average for the course but fails both parts of the final exam, the instructor will
meet and review that student’s work with the Assistant Chair for Academic ESL to determine if
that student needs to repeat E
Grading
Your instructor will conduct grammar and vocabulary quizzes, and essay exams which you can
use to determine how successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of
course content and skills) outlined in the syllabus. If you find you are not mastering the
material and skills, you are encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class.
Your instructor welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in
finding resources on campus that will improve your performance.
Grading Scale
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
69 and below = IP or F
If a student stops attending class and fails a class as a result of not coming to class, he or she
will make a grade of FX.
Grading Percentages
Compositions 1,2
Compositions 3,4
Quizzes
Homework / Journals
Final Essay
Final Grammar Exam
10%
30%
20%
10%
20%
10%
Supplemental Syllabus:
I reserve the right to supplement this syllabus at any time during the semester
with additional guidelines, rules of conduct, and changes to the course calendar to
meet the needs of the class.