Developmental English Southwest College
English 0300: Fundamentals of Grammar and Composition I
CRN 54732 Fall 2010
West Loop Campus Room C225 10:00-12:00 Tuesday/Thursday
Three Hour Lecture One Hour Lab Sixteen Weeks Sixty-four Semester Hours
Instructor: Bob Akin
Office Number: 713-718-6365 Email: bob.akin@hccs.edu
West Loop Faculty Offices
Hours: 2:00-3:00 TTH
Learning Web: http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/membser/bob.akin
Conferences are available on a daily basis and by appointment.
Course Description
A refresher course devoted to improving basic English skills for native speakers. (Note:
Instead of English 0300, non-native speakers must refer to English 0320-0349 or ESOL
0341-0356). Emphasizing grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph development, the
course introduces the student to the writing process and the essay.
ACGM-Course Description
Developmental Writing
Development of fundamental writing skills such as idea generation, organization, style,
utilization of Standard English, and revision.
Approval Number ........................................................................................ 32.0108.53 12
CIP Area ................................................................Reading, Literacy, and Communication
maximum SCH per student ............................................................................................. 9
maximum SCH per course .............................................................................................. 3
maximum contact hours per course .............................................................................. 96
Prerequisites
Students are responsible for registering for and taking the correct courses to meet
department, institutional, and state requirements. A student who is taking developmental
English, reading, or math to meet minimum standards as set by the state government will
be blocked from registering for certain college-level courses based on a lack of
prerequisites. Example: a student tries to register for History 1301; however, the student
has not passed the reading and writing sections of the placement test. The student also
has not completed GUST 0342 and ENGL 0310 (or ENGL 0349 for the non-native
speakers). The student will be blocked from registering for HIST 1301 because
prerequisites have not been met.
Course Goals
By semester end, the student who passes with a "C" or above will have been able to
1. Complete and comprehend reading assignments.
2. Attend class regularly, missing no more than 12.5% (8 hours) of instruction.
3. Participate in small group and/or class discussions in which assigned composition
models are analyzed and interpreted.
4. Write 5 or 6 passing essays as assigned. Two essays will be timed and impromptu.
Program Learning Outcomes: The Developmental English Program prepares students
for the writing requirements of core academic English courses and any standard testing
required by any state or other agency.
Student Learning Outcomes
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.
Learning Objectives: Students will
1-1 Demonstrate mastery of subjects, verbs and complete thoughts.
1-2 Apply correct use of punctuation in sentences.
2-1 Identify basic figures of speech such as metaphor, simile and personification in
assigned readings.
2-2 Identify patterns of organization in assigned readings.
3-1 Write journals in response to assigned readings.
3-1 Demonstrate critical analysis skills in response to readings.
4-1 Identify and write thesis statements.
4-2 Identify and write appropriate support for thesis statements.
5-1 Write 4-5 essays per semesters.
5-2 Write final in class essay.
SCANS or Core Curriculum Statement and Other Standards
Developmental English 0300 Objectives include and incorporate SCANS SKILLS
development (workplace skills) in curriculum, classroom instruction, and applications.
SCANS SKILLS includes skills development in listening, speaking, reading, writing,
critical thinking skills, and computer literacy.
ENGLISH 0300 COURSE CALENDAR
Text: The Writer’s World Paragraphs and Essays (WW),
Gaetz and Phadke, Second Edition
Important Dates:
9/6 Labor Day
11/18 Last Day for Withdrawals
12/13-19 Final Exams 12/24 Grades Online
11/25-28 Thanksgiving
Course Content: Specific page assignments in WW, essay assignments in WW, and
dates for assignments will be made by the instructor. The instructor may make additional
assignments and/or change assignments during the semester.
Week One
Diagnostic Essays; Introduction to Course and Text; Course requirements and
additional materials; Syllabus and calendar; Course requirements; Principles and
Strategies; Writing Process and Inventions; Purpose and Audience
Day One
WW Chapter 1
3-18
Day Two
Chapter 2
19-27
Week Two
Writing Process steps; Reading and writing strategies and key terms; Inventions;
Content development; Thesis/Topic Sentences; Grouping and Outlining; Revising
and Editing Strategy
WW Chapter 2
28-40
Chapter 3
41-57
Begin Reading Journal (RJ) and Freewriting Journal (FJ)
Week Three
Application of Writing Process concepts and steps; Revision and Editing
technique; Writing Description and developing details; Defining Paragraphs
paragraph patterns; Parts of Speech
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay One: Begin Essay Assignment One with assignment, topics, and inventions
WW Chapter 6
83-89
Chapter 6
90-95
Appendix 1 603
Parts of Speech Supplements
Week Four
Paragraphs as writing units; Using checklists; descriptive writing; Understanding
Narration; developing descriptive details for narration; more on Parts of Speech;
Understanding and editing nouns; using prepositions effectively
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay One: Draft Essay One paragraphs in class, revise out of class
WW Chapter 5
70-77
Chapter 5
77-82
Chapter 27
398-407
Chapter 27
408-414
Week Five
Descriptive and Narrative checklists; Revision and editing checklists;
Understanding and editing pronouns; more on prepositional phrases
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay One: Essay One paragraphs are Due: edit and complete final copy
WW Chapter 13
178-190
Chapter 13
191-204
Chapter 28
415-424
Chapter 28
424-435
Week Six
Understanding Illustration and Example; Identifying and using essay elements
effectively; developing and planning essay strategy; Understanding Verbs: using
and editing verbs tenses
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Two: Begin Essay Two with assignment, topic, and inventions
WW Chapter 4
58-64
Chapter 4
65-69
Chapter 22
340-347
Chapter 22
348-354
Week Seven
Illustration and Example as rhetorical mode: more on using essay elements;
evaluating thesis and topic sentences; evaluating and revising drafts; Using and
editing past tense verbs
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Two: Draft Essay Two, revise Essay Two
WW Chapter 14
205-209
Chapter 23
355-361
Chapter 23
361-366
Week Eight
More on Illustration and Example; revising and editing verb errors: More on verb
forms; effectively editing verbs; essay editing technique
WW Chapter 24
367-372
Chapter 24
372-376
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Two: Essay Two is Due: edit and complete final copy
Week Nine
Understanding Classification; Selecting a Subject and determining groupings;
Classification and essay strategy; developing effective content and details;
Subject Verb Agreement; Identifying basic Sentence Structures
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Three: Begin Essay Three with assignment, topic, and inventions
WW Chapter 9
123-129
Chapter 9
130-136
Chapter 25
377-386
Chapter 25
387-391
Week Ten
Evaluating Classification development; essay elements; developing thesis and
topic sentences; developing effective examples; Simple and Compound sentences
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Three: Draft Essay Three, revise Essay Three
WW Chapter 14
228-232
Chapter 16
266-272
Chapter 16
273-277
Week Eleven
Understanding Argument and Persuasion; Identifying a position and point of
view; developing and evaluating effective support evidence; Major Sentence
Errors; Run Ons, Comma Splices, and Fragments
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Essay Three: Essay Three is Due: edit and complete final copy
WW Chapter 12
163-170
Chapter 12
171-177
Chapter 20
317-324
Chapter 20
325-330
Week Twelve
Using Argument and Persuasion; Identifying effective persuasion technique;
revising and editing checklist review; Understanding and editing Run Ons,
Comma Splices, and Fragments; Commas and editing
RJ and FJ Entries as assigned
Argument and Persuasion: Sample Topics and Outlines
WW Chapter 14
241-245
Chapter 33
491-498
Chapter 33
499-504
Week Thirteen
Complete preparation for Final Essay: Argument and Persuasion; Commas;
effective comma editing strategies; Spelling and editing strategies; Revision and
Editing Practice
Argument and Persuasion: Sample Paragraphs and One Draft
WW Chapter 36
527-534
Chapter 36
535-539
Chapter 32
473-480
Chapter 32
480-490
Week Fourteen: IN-CLASS FINAL ESSAY: Two Hours
Week Fifteen: Review and Preparation for Departmental Exam
Week Sixteen: Departmental Final Examination: Two Hours
Essay Readings
“Aunt Tee”
“Dancing with Fear”
“The Old-Time Pueblo World”
“Fads”
“Mind Over Body”
“Why I Worked for La Migra”
“How Spies are Caught”
“Dying to Be Bigger”
“Control Your Temper”
“Dealing With People”
“The Case for Affirmative Action”
“Religious Faith Versus Spirituality”
Instructional Methods
In English 0300, we use a variety of approaches to help students enhance their listening,
speaking, reading, and writing skills. These include lecture, lab, and writing workshop
activities. Students will engage in pairs and group activities, use online resources, and
learn multiple writing styles. Students will have ample opportunities to develop and
improve their writing skills for both college and business world writing.
Text: The Writer’s World Paragraphs and Essays (WW), Gaetz and Phadke, Second
Edition
Course Materials:
1) A Three Ring, Hardback Notebook, six dividers, a highlighter, 250 sheets of loose-leaf
paper, 1 Scantron Sheets; 2) A pocket dictionary; thesaurus recommended; 3) one flash
drive; 4) $2-3 for printing in labs/library
Student Assignments
Course Requirement: The base course requirements necessary in order for a
student to receive a grade are as follows: 4 Major Essays, Reading Journal,
Freewriting Journal, Quiz Bank Grade, Course Book, and Final Exam. 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 Assignment One: Descriptive and
Narrative Paragraphs; 5% each
10%
Essay Two
10%
Essay Three (Collaborative Writing
Project)
10%
Essay Four: Final Essay
20%
GRADING SCALE: 90 - 100 A
80 - 90 B
Reading Journal
Freewriting Journal
Quiz Bank
Course Book
Final Exam
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 IP
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
Below 60 U/IP
(U=Unsatisfactory)
Business and Policy Information
Attendance: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board charges colleges and
universities to set attendance standards for courses. The attendance requirement for HCC
is 87.5%. This requirement allows a 12.5% absence maximum in a 4-hour course which
computes as 8 hours. MW and TR classes have 4 absences. A student who exceeds the
maximum is dropped from the course. See the HCC Student Handbook for specifics.
Tardies: A student who is tardy may sign the roll at the end of class. A tardy student
who fails to sign the roll will be counted as absent. Excessive tardies, either individual or
as a class, are an interruption of instruction. Official tardy count is recorded as follows:
three tardies (or breaks or early leaves) count as one class absence.
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 on a timely
basis, attend class, participate, etc.) An IP does not affect a student's GPA but does
require the student to re-take the course. A student may receive an IP grade only once in
any developmental course. When repeating the course, the student must receive a letter
grade (A, B, C, or F).
W (Withdrawn) is given to a student who exceeds the 12.5% maximum absence or to a
student who withdraws from the course before the last drop date. F may be given in
cases of poor performance, scholastic dishonesty, or other severe academic violations.
An F or W grade requires that the student repeat the course.
Texas Law Change to Withdrawal Policy for Texas Institutions: In 2007, the Texas
Legislature determined to limit the number of withdrawals a student may receive in the
course of a college career (four years for a bachelor degree) to six withdrawals. Students
who exceed this number may pay increased tuition. Students who receive financial aid
may also be affected. Students who stop attending class after the last day for withdrawals
will receive an F grade for the course. HCCS has determined that students must now
receive counselor advisement to drop a course. If you plan to drop a course, contact your
instructor and/or a counselor to determine the best course of action.
Scholastic Dishonesty: The Houston Community College System Student Handbook
2009/2010 page 34 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 Overview: The dominant focus of English 0300 is on Writing Process, reading
and thinking critically for evaluation purposes, and the production of writing products
that demonstrate both provocative reading and effective presentation. Students will have
ample opportunities to learn, apply, practice, and refine writing skills.
Course Objectives: The primary objective of English 0300 is to teach students the
central components of academic writing and prepare them for future composition and
other college course writing as well as career writing. Students will gain experience
using Writing Process and standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Successful students will master these writing techniques with sufficient skill to address
English 0310, freshman level English composition, and any state testing requirements.
Developmental English 0300 Objectives include SCANS SKILLS (workplace skills) in
curriculum, instruction, and applications. SCANS SKILLS includes skills development
in listening, speaking, reading, writing, critical thinking skills, and computer literacy.
Student Conduct: The guidelines for student conduct are specifically defined in The
Student Handbook 2009-2010, page 34. [As] “A student’s membership in the community
of scholars is a privilege and carries with it obligations to participate in and contribute to
the educational mission of the College and to avoid any behavior that is contrary to that
mission. Therefore, no student may disrupt or otherwise interfere with any educational
activity being performed by a member of the College System.” Students are expected to
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.
HCCS POLICY: The use of electronic devices in the classroom is strictly prohibited per
the Chancellor’s policy addition July 1, 2007: "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." Ringing cellular phones or sounding beepers constitute an
interruption of instruction. Students must remember to TURN OFF phones and beepers
when they are in class. A student who does not cooperate may be dismissed from class.
Course Prerequisites and Placement: Students are responsible for registering and
taking the correct courses to meet department, system, and state requirements. A student
who is taking developmental English, reading, or math to meet state requirements is
responsible for taking the correct courses. A student who registers for a class without
meeting the state and/or HCCS requirement will be dropped from the class. Example: a
student registers for English 1301 (credit level freshman composition). However, the
student has not passed the Reading and Writing Sections of the THEA or a THEA
Alternative Test (Asset or Compass). The student has not completed GUST 0342 and
ENGL 0310 (or ENGL 0349 for second language speakers). These course requirements
were determined by the student’s test scores. The student will be dropped from ENGL
1301 without a refund.
GUST 0342 and ENGL 1301: Students taking developmental English and reading courses for
state purposes must complete GUST 0342 (Reading) and English 0310 before taking English
1301.
Repeating a Course: 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/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. If you are attending on a student visa and withdraw from the
class, your grade report will reflect a W, not an IP or F.
Grade Reports: Students may get their grades online at the HCCS homepage at www.hccs.edu.
Students who require a paper or hard copy of their grades must obtain an unofficial transcript
from the Records and Admissions Office of their campus or college.
Attendance Policy: Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has full authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student
may be dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has accumulated absences
in excess of 12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).
American Disabilities Act and ADA Compliance
HCCS is compliant with the ADA and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. “Any student
with a documented disability (e. g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Service Office at the
respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.” The Disability Services
Office number for Southwest College is 713-718-7910. Dr. Becky Hauri is the ADA counselor.
Sexual Harassment: It is a violation of HCCS policy for an employee, agent, or student of the
college to engage in sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance
Handbook 47). Consult the 2010-2011 Student Handbook for specifics.