English 0347 Course Syllabus Instructor: Ms. Fresolo Adams Course CRN# 54780 Contact #: 713-502-9268 Email: monique.adams1@hccs.edu TEXTS Destinations 2: Writing for Academic Success by Nancy Herzfeld-Pipkin (required) Destinations 2: Grammar for Academic Success by Nancy Herzfeld-Pipkin (required) An English-only dictionary (e.g. Collins Co-build, recommended) Note: Every student must purchase their own set of required books for this class. OTHER SUPPLIES: TBA COURSE OBJECTIVES English 0347 is a composition (comp) class for non-native speakers of English. We work on the structure of compound and complex sentences. 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. In addition to building vocabulary, reading, and writing skills, this course prepares students for ENGL 0349 and the writing assignments for other college-level courses. Specific course objectives include learning to: read and understand a writing topic, called a writing prompt write a meaningful thesis for an academic essay support a thesis with a variety of details (specific details, facts, statistics) write 300-500 word essays in a variety of rhetorical structures (description, process analysis, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, argumentative) use research sources for paraphrasing and summarizing expand vocabulary use compound and complex sentence structures accurately demonstrate ability to edit an essay for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation COLLEGE GRADING SYSTEM Students who have completed English 0347 and show that they are ready for the next level (ENGL 0349) with a final average of 70% or higher will receive a letter grade of A, B, or C. Students who are not ready for English 0349 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 English 0347 again because the student will benefit from another semester in 0347 to learn all of the skills that are taught in this course. However, if a student repeats 0347 after receiving one IP, a letter grade must be given (A, B,C, or F upon completing the course for the 1|Page second time). Students who do not complete the work in the course will receive an F. Students who exceed the number of absences allowed by HCCS policy (up to 8 hours before the last day to withdraw from classes) will be dropped and receive a W. Any student who stops attending classes after the last official day to withdraw will receive either an IP or F. QUIZZES There are 4 major quizzes on the grammar that is listed on the attached course calendar. Other short quizzes (some that are announced and some that are unannounced) may be given as needed and averaged into the final quiz grade for this course. HOMEWORK The course calendar has a list of assignments that will be collected and graded. In addition, the Destinations 2 texts has exercises for class work and practice. The instructor will also recommend specific grammar websites as supplements for students who need extra homework and practice on grammar. In addition to the assigned homework, students are responsible for reading and studying all of the material (chapters and pages) listed on the calendar before they come to class each week. All homework not received when requested will be considered late. NOTE: It is each student’s responsibility to read and do the exercises in every chapter on the calendar even if they are not collected and graded. ESSAYS Students write 4 essays (comps) during the semester. All or most of the first draft of the essays is written in class. Essays must be written on loose-leaf paper, on every other line (double-spaced), on only the front side of the paper, and in blue or black ink. All second drafts of essays are written for homework. The grade for each essay is based on the first draft; however, students must revise every essay for draft 2. If draft 2 shows significant improvement, the essay may earn up to 5 additional points for the content. Students are not required to type essays (exception: the collaborative assignment); however, an additional 3 points will be given if the final draft is typed. The grade for each essay is not recorded until the last draft has been turned in. In other words, at least two drafts of each comp. are required. FINAL EXAM The final exam consists of two parts: a comprehensive multiple-choice grammar section based on the grammar in the textbook with a short-answer section about the writing process AND an essay that is similar in structure to one of the comps that is written during the semester. The finals are given on two different days at the end of the semester. See your course calendar for the time and date of the final exam. 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 ENGL 0347. 2|Page CLASSROOM POLICIES Students are expected to arrive in class on time. I will mark students absent for any time that is missed after the class is scheduled to begin. 3 late, leave early, or extensive absence from class = 1 absence. If a student misses a class, it is his or her responsibility to see or email the instructor about the work that is missed. If a student misses class on the day that a composition is due, that comp must be turned in at the beginning of the next class. I will deduct 10 points for each class day that the final draft of a comp is turned in late. Leaving class early or falling asleep in class counts against the allowed time for absences (up to 8 hours). There are NO make up tests or quizzes. All cell phones, pagers, or other devices that may cause a distraction in class must be turned off and out of sight during class. If students are using a cell phone at any time during the class period, I will remind the class about the policy once. After that, I will ask the student to leave class and mark him or her absent for the time that is missed. No laptops and electronic devices are permitted in class. TUTORING AND THE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE CENTER (LAC) All students are encouraged to take advantage of the student services on campus. Tutors are available to assist students with any reading/writing assignments. Students may make an appointment in advance or drop in (if no one has an appointment ). Prepare yourself before you see a tutor to ask specific questions in order to use your time together well. In addition, online tutoring is available through: www.hccs.askonline.net Reminder: the tutor is not your editor and will not write papers for you. Each campus has an LAC where students can use a computer, work on grammar software or use online resources, and word process. No appointment is needed to use an LAC; however, if a teacher schedules a class there, you might be asked to leave. NOTE: Students must pay for all copies printed in the LAC. ACADEMIC HONESTY If a student copies another person's words and uses them in his or her own work, it is a form of cheating. For each student to meet the course goals and as effective writing skills are central to success in college and the work place, student honesty is required on all assignments and exams. Turning in any work for a grade and claiming it as your own when it was taken in whole or part from any other source, without proper credit is plagiarism. This includes material taken from the Internet, books, newspapers, magazines, other students, or any person besides yourself. Student Handbook: “Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F for the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation of dismissal from the College System” (35). 3|Page GRADING FORMULA Compositions 1, 2, Compositions 3, 4 Homework Quizzes Final Comp Final Exam 10% 30% 20% 10% 20% 10% GRADING SCALE 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 IP or F 4|Page