English 0300 Mini Syllabus
English 0300: Fundamentals of Grammar and Composition I
Textbooks: Gaetz and Phadke The Writer’s World
Instructor: Mrs. K Hackley
Phone: 713.718.5677
Email: karen.hackley@hccs.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00noon- 2:00pm
Conferences available on a daily basis by appointment
Learning Objectives for English 0300:
I.
Demonstrate mastery of subjects, verbs, and complete thoughts.
Apply correct use of punctuation in sentences.
II.
Identify basic figures of speech such as metaphor, simile, and
personification in assigned readings.
Identify patterns of organization in assigned readings.
III.
Write journals in response to assigned readings.
Demonstrate critical analysis skills in response to readings.
IV.
Identify and write thesis statements.
Identify and write appropriate support for thesis statements.
V.
Write 4-5 essays per semester.
Write final in class essay.
Student Learning Outcomes for English 0300:
By the time students have completed English 0300, they will be able to:
1. Write sentences that demonstrate proper use of grammar and mechanics.
2. Read analytically.
3. Write in response to reading.
4. Develop a thesis and use supporting paragraphs to strengthen and support
the thesis.
5. Write a variety of paragraphs including introductory, supporting, and
concluding paragraphs.
Suggested Course Materials: Notebook, loose-leaf paper, folder for
handouts, 2-3 Scantron sheets, pocket dictionary, USB drive.
Attendance: Texas State Law designates 87.5% minimum attendance for
college courses. This requirement allows a 12.5% absence maximum which
computes as 6 hours. Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday classes
have 6 absences. A student who exceeds the maximum is dropped from the
course.
Tardiness: A student who is tardy may sign the roll at the end of class. A
tardy student who fails to sign the roll or notify the professor of their
attendance will be counted absent. Excessive tardies, either individual or as a
class, are an interruption of instruction. Official tardy count is recorded as
follows: Three tardies (or early leaves) count as one class absence.
Course Requirements: The base course requirements necessary in order
for a student to receive a grade are as follows: 4 Essays, Midterm and Final
Exams, Oral Presentations, Journals and Grammar Exercises. The minimum
passing criteria for base course requirements is a grade of 70+ (a C or
higher) on the Final Essay and a 70+ average in the course. The grade
distribution is as follows:
Essay 1 10%
Essay 2 10%
Essay 3 10%
In-Class Assignments/Oral Presentations/Quizzes
10%
Technology Tools/Grammar
Journals/Short Essays
Midterm
Final Essay
10%
20%
10% (Grammar based)
20%
Grading Scale:
90-100 A
80-90 B
70-79 C
Below 60 U/IP (U= Unsatisfactory)
0-69 IP
IP (In Progress Grade) is given to students who do not meet the minimum
grading standards but who are otherwise in good standing (complete all
assignments in a timely manner, attend class, participate, etc.) An IP does
not affect a student’s GPA but does require the student to retake the course.
A student may receive an IP grade only once for any developmental course.
When repeating the course, a student must receive a letter grade (A, B, C,
OR F). FX grade: This grade is for repeaters of English 0310. If the student
fails the course because he/she did not attend, then the FX grade will be
given. This grade adversely affects Financial Aid as well as academic
standing
HCC POLICY STATEMENTS: WITHDRAWAL
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw
from the course prior to the final date of withdrawal. Before you withdraw
from your course, please take 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.
.
Scholastic Dishonesty: The Houston Community College System Student
Handbook 1999/2000 defines the following criteria: “Scholastic dishonesty
includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.”
Please refer to the Handbook for the specifics of cheating on a test.
“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 to F for the
particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for
probation or dismissal from the College System.”
Course Objectives and Overview: The primary objective of English
0310 is to teach students the central components of academic writing and
prepare them for future English composition and other college course
writing as well as career writing. Students will gain extensive experience
using Writing Process, rhetorical modes, structural strategies, and standard
writing techniques with sufficient skill to address freshmen level English
composition and any state testing requirements.
Student Conduct: The guidelines for student conduct are specifically
defined in The Student Handbook 2002/2003. [As] “mature, responsible
adults …they will voluntarily observe these rules as a matter of training and
habit. Students [will] not interfere with or disrupt the orderly educational
processes of the College System.” It is expected that students will
demonstrate both courtesy and cooperation in the classroom. A student who
either cannot or will not extend both courtesy and cooperation may not
continue the course.
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.
HCCS Policy: Ringing cellular phones constitute an
interruption of instruction. Students must remember to TURN
OFF phones when they are in class. A student who does not
cooperate may be dismissed from class. It is also disruptive to
leave the classroom after receiving a call. Unless it is an
emergency, answer or return calls AFTER class is dismissed.
You must not take pictures, text, or search the Internet in
class. You may use laptop for taking notes.
ADA: HCCS is compliant with the American Disabilities Act and Sec. 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have any special needs or
disabilities that may affect your ability to succeed in college courses, contact
a Disability Support Service Counselor (DSSC) in the college you plan to
attend.
Northwest ADA Counselor: Mohnaz Kolaini (713) 718-5422
English 0300 Course Information
Journals: Frequently journals are assigned. The journal questions are
always given by me and are often connected to the readings in class or the
writing assignment that we are building toward. Some journals I will take up
immediately and others you will keep until I ask for them. Write all journals
on loose-leaf paper. The content of the journals is my primary emphasis.
Though the journals should be organized, well thought out, and neat, the
focus will not be on grammar and/or mechanics.
Essays: All Essays must have a rough draft, a final copy that is typed,
double spaced and it should have a coversheet. Handwritten Essays will not
be accepted. If you used AskOnline, you may attach their comments as well.
Late Essays: Essays should be turned in on the deadline. I will accept late
Essays with a written excuse (doctor’s note, court date) up to the next class
meeting. Late essays will also be accepted by one class meeting minus 10
points off of the Essay grade. After that period of time, the Essay will not be
accepted.
Late Work: With an excused absence, work may be turned in upon your
return or as scheduled by the instructor. Otherwise, late work will not be
accepted.
Emailed Assignments: There are times when you will be asked to email an
assignment. In this case, it will be your responsibility to make sure that the
assignment is properly attached, and sent to me. You should always keep a
record of your sent assignments in case technology does not do what it is
supposed to
0300 Course Calendar
(Calendar is subject to change)
Week One
Diagnostic Essays; Introduction to the Course; Introduction to the
Writing Process, rhetorical situations, Discuss reading and writing
assignments:
Ch. 1, Exploring in WW text
Week Two
Writing Process, Purpose, Audience, and Tone; Writing Inventions and
developing a thesis; drafting and revising
Ch. 2 Developing and Ch. 5 Narration and Ch. 6 Description in WW
Week Three
Writing process continued, effective descriptive details, narration and order
of details; introduction to revision process and editing techniques
Directions for online exercises, journal writing and free writings
assigned
Readings assigned in class, continued discussion of drafting, revising
process.
Ch. 3 Revising and Editing
Week Four
Writing process continued, effective descriptive details, narration and order
of details; introduction to revision process and editing techniques
Directions for online exercises, journal writing and free writings
assigned
Readings assigned in class, continued discussion of drafting, revising
process.
Ch. 4 Illustration Readings assigned
Simple and Compound Sentences Ch. 16 and 17 Grammar exercises
assigned in class
Week Five
Continued discussion and readings of Illustration; Order of Paragraphs:
Focus, Unity, Coherence, and Development; Topic Sentence Paragraphs;
Ordering Details; Transitional Words and phrases; Coherence techniques
1st Draft of Illustration Paragraphs
journal writing and readings continued
(WW) Fragments and Run-Ons Ch. 20 Assignments given in class
Week Six
Complex Sentences Ch. 18
Sentence Variety Ch. 19
Illustration Paragraph is due
Week Seven
Review and study guides for midterm exam
Review effective thesis and support evidence; practice grammar skills
Grammar assignments
Week Eight
Midterm Objective Exam (Grammar and Writing Process)
Conferencing
Week Nine
Career project begins
Comparison/Contrast Ch. 10 / Writing the Essay Ch. 13
(WW) Readings assigned in class
Week Ten
Continued Career project preparation
In Class Conferencing on Comparison/Contrast Essay and Preparations for
Oral Presentations
(WW) Commonly Confused Words Ch. 32 and
Verb Tense Consistency Ch. 26
Grammar exercises
Journal writing assigned in class
Week Eleven
Comparison/Contrast Essay deadline/ Oral Presentations begin
Week Twelve
Presentations continue as needed
(WW) Readings assigned in class
Strategies for in class Essay writing
Journal writing
Week Thirteen
Constructing and analyzing Argument Ch. 12
Preparation for In-class Final Essay
Short writing Assignments/ Journal writing
Week Fourteen:
Supplemental Readings as Assigned
Follow up assignments: complete Persuasion Essay as needed
Study Guide for Final
Week Fifteen: In Class Final Essay
Week Sixteen: Departmental Final Examination TBA
Two hours