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:
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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
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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.
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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).
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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
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