Houston Community College—Southwest College
Fall 2013
ESOL 0354—Writing and Grammar II
(Fall semester 2013 --- CRN# 66927 9:00- 1:00)
Professor: Karen Amoani
Dept. Office: 713-718-7750
E-mail: Karen.amoani@yahoo.com (use for specified homework)
Course Description:
ESOL 0354 (formerly English 0347) is a composition class that is designed for non-native
speakers of English. This class meets five (5) hours per week. We work on the structure of
language. We review the elements of a paragraph and learn how to develop essays from 300500 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.
Course Objectives:
Specific course objectives include learning to:
 read and understand a writing topic
 apply the writing process: generate, organize, and draft college compositions (comps)
 write an effective thesis for an academic essay
 support a thesis with a variety of strategies (specific details, examples, facts, statistics)
 write 300-500 word essays in a variety of rhetorical modes (narrative, cause/effect, opinion,
comparison/contrast)
 use “outside” sources; summarizing, paraphrasing, citing a source
 expand vocabulary
 use compound and complex sentence structures and punctuation accurately
 demonstrate ability to edit an essay for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
 type and word-process; to follow Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines
Textbooks & Materials:
Destinations 2: Grammar for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
ISBN: 13: 978-1-4130-2245-2
Destinations 2: Writing for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
ISBN: 13: 978-1-4130-1936-0
 Online site to accompany Destinations 2 : http://elt.thomson.com/destinations
NOTE: Copies of the required texts are on reserve in the HCC library. Ask the librarian about
the procedure for checking out these books on a temporary basis.
An English-English dictionary (the Cobuild Dictionary and the Longman Dictionary of
American English are recommended, but you may use another American English
collegiate dictionary);
blue or black pens, highlighters, a pencil, an eraser, and a stapler
two green Scantrons (for the diagnostic and final exam)
a 1” ring binder to be used only for this course, including:
lined paper (standard size-8.5 by 11 inch loose-leaf)
all course handouts
all homework assignments and graded work
four divider sheets with tabs
Students must bring the Destinations 2 textbooks (writing and grammar) and all of the
above materials every day to participate successfully in this class.
College Grading System:
Students who complete ESOL 0354 and demonstrate readiness 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 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).
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 10 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 the grade FX.
HCC ESL-Developmental Course Grading Scale:
A=
B=
C=
*IP/F =
90-100
80-89
70-79
0-69
*IP = in progress; student must repeat the course
At least 70% overall average is necessary to pass the course.
NOTE: Effective Fall 2006, HCC charges a higher tuition rate to students registering for the
third or subsequent time for certain courses. Students who enroll for most credit
classes for a third or more time will be charged an additional $50 per semester credit
hour and $3.00 per contact hour, except for courses exempted by The Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
Students are limited to a total of 6 W’s (withdrawn) during the course of their
academic careers.
Dropping Courses and Absences: It is the responsibility of the student to officially
drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to officially withdraw will result in the student
receiving a grade of “FX.”
Grading Formula :
Compositions 1 & 2
10%
Grading Scale :
90—100
A
Compositions 3 & 4
30%
80—89
B
Homework
20%
70—79
C
Quizzes
10%
69—below
IP or F
Final Composition
20%
Final Grammar Exam
10%
Course Work:
Compositions: Because this is primarily a writing course, the bulk of your grade will be
based on your compositions. You will write 5 compositions this semester (including the final
essay) for a grade. The first drafts will be written in class. All essays must be at least 300
words in length, and the Opinion Essay must be at least 500 words. You will keep all of your
drafts and comp. assignment sheets in your notebook. The final draft must be typed and must
be submitted with the first draft(s) in order to receive a grade for the composition. A final draft
of an essay that is turned in late will receive a 10-point penalty per class period. See the due
dates on the course calendar.
Quizzes: I will periodically test you on the grammar that we have studied in class to
measure how well you understand the material, but grammar tests are not a large percentage
of your final grade. The grammar is taught to support your writing. NOTE: If you are absent
when we have a quiz, there is no make-up quiz. However, at the end of the semester, I will
drop the lowest quiz grade for every student. In other words, if you miss a quiz, you will get a
“0” grade, but I will delete that “0” when I calculate your semester quiz average.
Homework: Homework consists of grammar and writing assignments, reading of texts,
some online research, and comprehension and vocabulary exercises. You will receive a
completion grade rather than a letter or number grade for homework. An average homework
load in ESOL 0354 is 1-2 hours for every hour in class. If you are taking too many classes or
working long hours, you may not have time to complete the homework. Please be aware of the
course requirements because not doing the work could result in a failing grade.
Course Requirements:
1) Regular, punctual attendance is mandatory. If necessary, you may miss up to 10 hours
without penalty. After 10 hours (or 4 absences), you will be dropped. Chronic tardiness
is unacceptable! Therefore, two times tardy (entering 5 or more minutes after the class
has started, leaving early, or leaving during class) count as one full absence (in other
words 2 tardies = 2 hours of absence).
If you are absent, you are still responsible for the class work. Contact your instructor
and/or a classmate. It is a good idea to get the phone number or email of 2 classmates
so that you can find out about the work that you have missed:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
College students are expected to:
2)--participate in class discussions, take notes in class, and annotate (make notes in the text
about readings), and ask questions.
3) --organize their course materials, so the textbooks (writing and grammar) AND the course
binder with all class work must be brought to class each day.
4) –follow Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for formatting a typed essay.
Double space and use Times New Roman font, 12 pt. When you write a draft by hand,
double-space all compositions and write neatly, on one side of the paper only, in blue/black
pen.
5) – prepare for class before you arrive. Written assignments, exercises, and all readings are
to be completed before the class meeting for which they were assigned. Late homework is not
accepted, except in the event of an absence. Homework must be turned in on the day you
return from an absence. Homework is due before class begins. In other words, completing
homework during the class period is unacceptable.
6)—understand the Academic Honesty policies in higher education. Anyone caught cheating
on a test or composition will immediately be given a “0” on that assignment. Anyone caught
cheating twice will be reported to the Academic Dean. Cheating takes many forms. One form
is plagiarism, which is the use of another person’s words or ideas without giving the author
credit. In American schools, plagiarism is considered dishonest, like stealing or cheating.
Plagiarism can result from “borrowing” a friend’s paper or downloading papers ( in part or in
whole) from the Internet. We will learn language skills to avoid plagiarism and develop our
understanding of it throughout the semester, but if you think you might be plagiarizing, stop
and don’t do it.
7)—be responsible for ALL the information on this syllabus. Put this syllabus in your notebook
and bring it to class with you. Read it over when you have a question about the course.
8)—practice courtesy and professionalism in the classroom. No cell phones or other electronic
devices are allowed in class unless the teacher has incorporated them into the assignment. If
you leave class to answer your cell phone, you will be counted tardy. Turn your phone off
before class. Students who are in any way disruptive will be asked to leave and marked
absent. The following is a list of behaviors that are unacceptable in a college class:
Sleeping or eating during class
Chronic tardiness. We need you to be here when class starts!
Reading or working on materials that are extraneous to this class
Doing homework for this (or any other) class inside the classroom
Prematurely packing up your books and bags before class has ended
Chatting with your classmates while the teacher is talking or your classmates are speaking
Checking your cell phones or other electronic devices-- All cell phones must be turned off!
Tutoring:
All students are encouraged to take advantage of the student services on campus. Tutors are
available to assist students with any reading/writing assignments. Prepare yourself before you
consult a tutor to ask specific questions in order to use your time together well. Writing Centers
are available to HCC-Southwest College students at West Loop in room C-230 and at Stafford
in room N110 (Scarcella Building). Online tutoring is available through: www.askonline.net.
HCCS Policy Addendum
Fall 2013
IMPORTANT NOTICE: 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. This survey will replace the paper
forms that students used in the past to evaluate teachers and classes.
Developmental Courses and ENGL 1301: Students taking developmental English and
reading courses to meet state and institutional requirements must complete GUST 0342 and
ENGL 0349 (or ENGL 0310 for native speakers) before taking ENGL 1301.
Grades – IP & W & FX: Students taking developmental courses may only receive an “In
Progress” (or IP) grade one time for each course. The instructor’s official class roll indicates
with an asterisk next to the student’s name when a student is repeating a course. The student
must receive a letter grade after the second attempt (A, B, C, or F). F-1 students are subject
to the same attendance and grading policies as all other students. F-1 students will be dropped
for excessive absences and receive W. The FX grade is given to the student who stops
attending after the official date to withdraw. IP, W, and FX require that you take the class
again.
Grade Reports: HCCS does not mail out grade reports. Students will get their grades online
at the following Internet address (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/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 of more
than 12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time). Texas State Law
requires students to complete 87.5% of hours of instruction in order to receive a grade. If
students drop/are dropped from developmental studies while they are taking college-level
courses, they will also be dropped from those college-level courses.
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 contact 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).
Tuition Payment: Students who use the installment plan or receive financial aid are
responsible for making sure all of their fees are paid. Students will be dropped for nonpayment of tuition. The cost for reinstatement is $75.
Course Calendar
The instructor reserves the right to supplement this syllabus later in the semester with additional
guidelines, rules of conduct, etc. and to revise due dates to meet the needs of the class.
Holidays and Important Dates:
Aug. 25
Aug. 26
Sept. 2
Sept. 9
Nov. 1
Nov. 27
Nov. 28-Dec. 1
Dec. 8
Last day to add/drop/swap a class (online only)
First day of Fall semester classes
Labor Day Holiday
Official Date of Record
Last day (by 4:30 p.m.) to drop with a “W”
No night classes before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Holiday
Instruction ends
Dec. 9-15
Final Exam Period (see course calendar, below)
Course Calendar for ESOL 0354- Fall 2013
WEEK
1
Days
Destinations 2: Writing for Academic Success
Daily Coursework + Composition Homework
Intro. to the ESL program and ESOL 0354 course;
diagnostic assessment
Destinations 2 : Grammar for
Academic Success (D2)
Grammar Homework
Read the course syllabus; get
textbooks and supplies
Bring one green Scantron to
the next class
Continue diagnostic assessment; discuss the
diagnostic writing sample and review the writing
process, pp. 25-29; Intro. to Unit 1
2
Homework (HW): Read pp. 3-7; answer
Comprehension Check, p. 5 part A by copying and
finishing 1—5 with complete sentences on notebook
paper + fill in the chart for part B, p. 6 + do
Vocabulary Study, p. 7 in the spaces in the book
(D2) Review Simple Present
and Present Progressive
tenses with stative verbs, pp.
11-29; see assignment on
the board
Continue Unit 1: Review sentence structure &
coordinating conjunctions, pp. 8-11
(D2) Simple Past tense, pp.
3-10; see assignment on the
board
HW: Do part C, p. 13 on notebook paper
3
Review paragraph structure, pp. 14-24
(D2) Present Perfect,
pp. 51-64; see assignment
on the board
Continue review of paragraph structure—irrelevant
sentences, pp. 21-23 & write practice paragraph # 1
(D2) Present Perfect with for
and since, pp. 65-69
HW: Write practice paragraph # 2,
Begin Unit 2: (Narration); discuss parts 1 & 2,
pp. 36-39
HW: Do part B, p. 41 in the spaces in the book
(D2) Present Perfect
Progressive, pp. 70-76
Study for Quiz on present,
past, and present perfect
4
QUIZ # 1 on Present, Past & Present Perfect
Tenses
Review sentence structure & subordinating
conjunctions, pp. 42-49
HW: Do part D, p. 49-50 on notebook paper
Introduction to the Narrative Essay, pp. 51-52
(D2) Past Perfect,
pp. 77-83
HW: Read “Essay Organization,” pp. 53-55
5
Work on Introductions and Thesis Statements, pp.
55-57
(D2) Past Perfect Progressive,
pp. 84-90
HW: Complete the outline on p. 58 in the spaces in
the book
Discuss pp. 59-61 & practice with punctuation of
quotations
Adverb Clauses of time
(teacher supplements)
HW: Write practice Essay # 1; choose one topic from
“Discussion/Writing” on pp. 61-62
6
Write C1D1 (Comp # 1, Draft # 1) Narrative Essay
Bring a dictionary to class
Direct vs. Indirect Speech
(teacher supplements)
Discuss revision of C1 & begin C1D2
HW: Complete C1D2 (final draft) due Oct. 8
7
QUIZ # 2 on direct and indirect speech
Discuss the use of transitions, pp. 78-85
HW: Do part B, pp. 85-86 on notebook paper
Study for a quiz on direct and
indirect speech
Study--Transitions +
punctuation
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.e
du/grammar/transitions.htm
Begin Unit 4: Discuss, pp. 104-106
HW: Continue reading pp. 106-108 and complete
“Comprehension Check” T/F in the book’s spaces on
pp. 108-109 & part B (Meanings), pp. 110-111
8
Discuss writing sentences with connectors showing
reasons, results, or conditions, pp. 111-120
(D2) Passive Sentences, pp.
159-181
Passive Continued:
(D2) Passive Sentences, pp.
159-181
HW: Read “Causes of Deforestation,” pp. 120-121
Practice planning for an essay about causes
HW: Read “Effects of Deforestation,” pp. 123-124
9
QUIZ # 3 on passive voice
Discuss planning for an essay about effects
HW: Prepare two outlines for the Cause/Effect
Essay; see pp. 127-132
Study--Parallel Structure
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.e
du/grammar/parallelism.htm
Take QUIZ online for practice.
(+ teacher supplements)
Write C2D1—Cause/Effect Essay
Bring a dictionary to class
HW: Read pp. 135-139; do “Comprehension Check,”
pp. 139-141 by copying and finishing 1--11 with
complete sentences on notebook paper + do
Vocabulary Study, part B (Meanings), pp. 142-143 in
the spaces in the book
(D2) Conditionals,
pp. 182-194
10
Discuss revision of C2D1
HW: Complete C2D2 (final draft)
Introduction to the Opinion Essay
Writing sentences with relative (adjective clauses), p.
144
Adjective Clauses
(teacher supplements)
Discuss “Following the Old Ways or the New,” pp.
161-162 + Expressing Opinions + Facts and
Opinions, pp. 163-164
11
Practice expressing an opinion, p. 165
Adjective Clauses, continued
HW: Write practice essay 3; see part A, p. 165 #3
12
Continue discussing the Opinion Essay
Write C3D1- Opinion Essay
Bring a dictionary to class
Discuss revision of C3
HW: Complete C3D2 (final draft) due Nov. 19
13
Review all Clauses
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.e
du/grammar/clauses.htm
Take Quizzes online for
practice.
QUIZ # 4 on adjective clauses and parallel
structure
Discuss pp. 174-177; do Comp. Check, pp. 177-179
+ Vocab Study, part A (Meanings), pp. 180-181
HW: Read “Connectors of Contrast,” pp. 183-186; do
part A & B pp. 186-187 in the spaces in the book
(D2) Gerunds and Infinitives,
pp. 239-265 (including
Appendices)
Practice using contrast connectors &
discuss different C/C organization patterns,
pp. 193-200
HW: Write two outlines for the C/C Essay
14
Write C4D1—Comparison/Contrast
Bring a dictionary to class
(D2) Comparatives/
Superlatives/Equatives,
pp. 233-238
Discuss revision of C4
HW: Complete C4D2 (final draft) due Dec. 3
15
Review for the Final Exam
16
Write Final Essay on Dec. 5
Study day—No class
Final Grammar Exam on Dec. 12
Buy a green Scantron for the
Final Grammar Exam
Bring a green Scantron for the
Final Grammar Exam