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Houston Community College System
COURSE SYLLABUS AND GUIDELINES
Rev. Spring 2011
English 0347: Grammar and Composition for Foreign Speakers II
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
An advanced course in English grammar and composition designed
to help the foreign student who already has some elementary skills
in English grammar and composition. This course is a continuation
of ENGL 0346, and focuses more on advanced grammar and essay
writing. Credit: 3 (3 lecture, 1 lab)
COURSE PURPOSE
The primary functions of ENGL 0347 are to prepare non-native
English speakers for ENGL 0349 and 1301 as well as to prepare
them for all the writing tasks they will encounter in their academic
careers at HCCS, later at the university, and ultimately in the
professional world. It is the last course in the AESL sequence that
has an explicit grammar component. It is the course that most
closely parallels the 1301 curriculum in that essay development is
taught using standard rhetorical modes: narrative, process analysis,
comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and argumentation. This second
composition course in the AESL sequence reinforces the
conventions of academic writing established in ENGL 0346.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE CONTENT
The ENGL 0347 curriculum calls for instruction and practice in
grammar with emphasis on the following:
 conjunctions: coordinators, subordinators
 adverb & adjective clauses
 parallel structure (taught in conjunction with the three-part
thesis statement)
 sentence structure: run-on, fragment, comma splice
 agreement: subject-verb, pronoun-antecedent
 review of conditionals: present unreal, past unreal
 review of reported speech (optional)
 review of gerunds and infinitives
 essays (300-500 words) using one of the rhetorical modes
The ENGL 0347 curriculum also includes instruction and practice in
the writing process:
 understanding the topic: audience, purpose, tone,
person, tense
 pre-writing strategies: generating, organizing, and
outlining ideas
 essay structure: intro & thesis, body and conclusion
paragraphs
 essay format: margins, indentation, spacing
 writing multiple drafts of essays
 rhetorical strategies: narration or process analysis,
comparison/contrast, cause/effect, argumentation
 intro. to summarizing
 collaborative work: small group communication
skills, peer editing, time management
TEXTBOOKS
Destinations 2, Writing for Academic Success, by Herzfeld-Pipkin
Destinations 2, Grammar for Academic Success
A collegiate dictionary, Collins Cobuild or Longman
(recommended)
OBJECTIVES AND METHODS
By the end of the semester, the student who passes with a final
grade of “C” or better will have demonstrated:
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the ability to write simple, compound, and complex
sentences with reasonable accuracy;
the ability to recognize and appropriately address the
audience and purpose for an essay topic;
the ability to plan, draft, and revise a 300-500 word
academic essay using one or more of the rhetorical strategies
covered in class to develop a thesis;
the ability to comprehend and respond to college-level
model essays;
the ability to work well collaboratively toward completing
writing assignments;
GENERAL ACADEMIC ESL POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
Instructors must give students a copy of their classroom syllabus,
which includes individual and departmental policies and procedures
as well as a calendar of chapters to be covered each day or week.
The diagnostic instrument (an oral interview and/or a composition)
given by the instructor during the first week of the semester,
supersedes any placement test score for a new student. The
diagnostic also overrides the recommendation from the Intensive
English Program (IEP). New instructors should consult their Chair,
or other experienced instructors teaching the same course, about the
appropriate placement of students based on the diagnostic work.
After this preliminary evaluation of the student, the instructor has
the right to move an under-prepared student who has been placed
into the course by the HCCS assessment test (CELSA). The
instructor may ONLY strongly urge an under-prepared student to
take a lower-level course but may not insist when that student has
passed the prerequisite course.
Students are placed into Academic ESL (AESL) classes by the
CELSA test, which the testing department administers. Students
need a CELSA score of 63 or higher OR a “C” or better grade in
ENGL 0346 to take ENGL 0347. NOTE: the COMPASS, ASSET
and THEA are not valid for ESL placement.
Final grades for all AESL courses are calculated according to the
formula prescribed in the curriculum guide for the respective
course. The grade options include A, B, C, IP, and F or W. NOTE:
There is no “D” grade option in Developmental Studies classes. The
IP grade is given to a student who has completed the work of the
course but who has not shown enough mastery of the skills to
progress to the next level. The I grade is given to a student who has
missed one or two assignments, such as a final oral interview or
final exam, but who has a passing average. The F grade may be
given to a student who does not have a passing average AND who
has not made a good faith effort to complete the work in the course.
The W grade is given to a student who drops or is withdrawn from a
class by the official last date to withdraw in the semester.
Instructors must cover all of the chapters listed on the course
calendar to prepare students for a comprehensive, multiple-choice
final exam. This required departmental final is used to standardize
the exit criteria for ENGL 0347.
Test security must be maintained for all final exams; teachers may
not give any part of the final exam to students prior to the scheduled
exam date in the HCCS Schedule of Classes. Students may not keep
any part of the final exam. Instructors must return all copies of
departmental finals to the Chair at the end of each semester.
To pass an AESL class, the students must have a class average of
70% or higher. In ENGL 0340, 0341, 0346, and 0347, the final
objective test is averaged into the final grade according to its weight
per the respective course curriculum guide. In the event that a
student fails any part (or both comp/oral assessment AND objective)
of the final exam but has a passing average, the Chair along with the
instructor will evaluate all parts of the final before promoting or
retaining that student.
Instructors teaching a course for the first time turn in ALL parts of
the final exam with grades at the end of the semester. Returning
teachers keep all applicable final exam results: Scantrons, comps,
written or oral production sheets in their own files for one year in
the event of a grade dispute.
GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING ENGLISH 0347
Syllabus
Within the first week of the semester, the instructor gives students a
syllabus for the course and sends a copy to the Chair. The syllabus
should include the following information:
 instructor’s name, office hours, course CRN #, and phone or
email by which to be reached
 the grading formula to be used in calculating final grades,
and a grading scale
 the names of required and optional textbooks and materials
 a course schedule or calendar of chapters for the term
 a brief explanation of the following: course purpose,
prerequisites, plagiarism/academic honesty, attendance,
ADA
 a list of important dates (holidays, last day to withdraw)
 an explanation of major course components (tests,
homework, projects, etc.)
 any personal or departmental policies (cell phones,
attendance, tardies, make-ups, etc.)
 provisions for extra credit (if any)
 information about tutoring and the Learning Assistance
Centers (LAC)
Reading Requirements
While making a course calendar, instructors should include specific
chapter and/or page numbers to be read and covered in the primary
text and the supplemental text. Students should know they are
responsible for reading all of the material listed on the course
calendar.
Writing Requirements
ENGL 0347 is an advanced writing course; therefore, the primary
focus of the class should be on writing. Students write 4
compositions; three are written entirely in class, one may be done
collaboratively, or one is written outside of class. Students are
allowed 90 minutes for in-class writing after preparatory discussion
and/or prewriting activities on the topic. Up to 3 comps may involve
some at-home preparation before the paper is written. However,
teachers need to be vigilant about plagiarism. A departmentallyapproved grading profile must be used for each first draft.
All comps must be written at least two times in order to teach
students the editing and revision process. The grade is based on the
first draft, which is evaluated using a required departmental grading
profile; however, students may earn up to 5 extra points on draft two
if revisions show significant improvement to the content,
organization and sentence structure. Instructors may award fewer
than 5 points for other changes made on the second draft; however,
a comp that simply corrects the grammar that has been marked does
not warrant more than one or two points of extra credit.
Students also keep a journal throughout the semester. The instructor
may handle the journal in a variety of ways, but having the students
write at least 3 times each week ( a minimum of 75-100 words per
entry) is strongly recommended.
All students write a diagnostic composition on their first day in
class. See your department Chair for information about assessing
diagnostics for placement.
Testing
Students should be tested periodically during the semester. At least
3 quizzes are recommended. Teachers write their own quizzes and
decide how to evaluate students’ knowledge of grammar and the
writing process. The departmental final exam consists of an
objective component and an essay. The final comp is given during
the last week of instruction. The instructor chooses three topics
from a list of topics in the final exam materials packet issued from
the department Chair. An essay of at least 300 words on one of the
three topics must be written within 90 minutes. The objective
component of the final exam is given on the date listed for a
particular class in the HCCS Schedule of Classes. Students are
allowed to see their graded final essay, but it must be returned to the
instructor to be kept on file for one year in the event of a grade
dispute. Students do not see the results of the final objective test,
which are also kept on file for a year.
Lab Facilities
Most HCC colleges have a designated language lab, computerassisted learning center and/or an open lab in which students can
access the Internet. Suggested grammar websites for homework and
additional practice are included on the course calendar.
Grading Standards
A variety of assignments should provide evidence of students’
mastery of the material in ENGL 0347. The final grade is based on
the following formula:
Homework
Journal
Quizzes or tests
Comps 1 & 2
Comps 3 & 4
Final Comp
Final Exam
10%
10%
10%
10%
30%
20%
10%
When assigning grades, instructors have almost the same options as
other academic courses:
90-100 (A), 80-89 (B), 70-79 (C), 69 and below (IP= in progress),
F and W (Withdrawn) or I (Incomplete). NOTE: Students whose
overall average is 69% and below earn either an IP or F for the
course. A student can receive an IP only once in this course. If an IP
is awarded, be sure to inform students that it does not factor into
their GPA, as they must repeat any course in which they receive an
IP until they earn a letter grade, which will be used to calculate
GPA. Students who would benefit from another semester in ENGL
0347 usually have mastered some of the material but not enough to
adequately prepare them for ENGL 0349.
SUMMARY OF REQUIRED ELEMENTS IN ENGL 0347

a course syllabus per this curriculum guide

student placement into 0347 with (CELSA) scores 63
or higher OR a “C” or better in ENGL 0346, OR the
instructor’s diagnostic assessment, OR a
recommendation from another developmental
instructor

four compositions from 300-500 words each

use of the departmental grading rubric to assess the
first draft of each comp

two drafts of each composition

a journal, a minimum of 200-300 words per week
(recommended)
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a departmental final essay

a departmental final objective exam

periodic quizzes or tests(at least 3 are recommended)

an overall average of 70% or higher on written
assignments to pass
Houston Community College—Southwest College
Fall 2011
Part II of Curriculum Guide ENGL 0347—Writing and
Grammar II
Instructor:Janice Callihan
Dept. Office: 713-718-7750
E-mail: Janice.Callihan@hccs.edu
Course Description:
English 0347 is a composition class that is designed for non-native speakers of English.
We work on the structure of language. 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 (when possible). 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:
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read and understand a writing topic
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 (narrative,
comparison/contrast, cause/effect, argumentative)
use research sources; summarizing + giving credit to a source
work collaboratively to complete the writing process (for one comp)
expand vocabulary
use compound and complex sentence structures accurately
demonstrate ability to edit an essay for correct grammar, spelling, and
punctuation
use the computer in the lab to word-process (one comp)
Materials: Students must be prepared each day by bringing the following:
Destinations 2: Grammar for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
Destinations 2: Writing for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
 Online site to accompany Destinations 2: http://elt.thomson.com/destinations
An English-English dictionary (the Cobuild Dictionary or the Longman
Dictionary of American English have been ordered for you, but you may buy
another American English dictionary);
A bluebook (for journals, available in HCC bookstores)
Pens (two colors), highlighters, a pencil, and an eraser, and stapler
A green Scantron (for the final exam)
A flashdrive drive
A 1” ring binder to be used only for this course containing:
Lined paper (standard size-8.5 by 11 inch loose-leaf)
All course handouts
All homework assignments
All graded work
Students must have all of the above materials to participate successfully in this class.
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 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.
HCC Grading Scale:
A=
90-100
B=
80-89
C=
70-79
*IP/F =0-69
*IP=in progress-not passing
You must receive at least 70% overall average to pass the course.
Notice: 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 and CEU 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 during the
course of their academic
careers. Be careful about dropping a class and about excessive
absences that lead your teacher to drop you!
*****
Grading Formula :
Compositions 1,2
10%
Compositions 3,4
30%
Homework
20%
Quizzes
10%
Final Composition
20%
Final Grammar Exam
10%
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
“F” or “IP.” The instructor after three absences (or excessive tardies) will inform
"Early Alert.” This means
you—international students-- are in jeopardy of losing your F1 status.
Course Work:
Compositions: Because this is primarily a writing course, the bulk of your grade
will be based on your compositions. You will write a minimum of 5 compositions this
semester (including the final essay). These essays will be written in class. All essays
must be at least 300 words in length, and the argument essay must be 500 words. You
will keep all of your drafts and comp. assignment sheets in your notebook. The final
draft will be typed and must be submitted with the first draft(s) in order to receive a
grade for the composition.
Quizzes: I will periodically test you on grammar 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. You will
also have online vocabulary quizzes.
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 drop one “0”—not
use it—when I calculate your semester quiz average.
Journals: To improve your fluency in English, you will occasionally write journal
assignments. Students will practice expressing ideas in English regularly, usually once
per week. Students should write freely, without fear of penalty. The journal is not
graded like a composition. It is part of homework. The grade at the end of the semester
is based on the total number of entries that you write. The journal assignments are
listed on the course calendar. The journal may not be handed in late. The journal will be
collected at random, so you must keep journal writing in the binder and bring it to class
every day.
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 ENGL 0347 is 1-2 hours for every hour in class. If you are
taking too many classes or working long hours, you will not have time to complete the
homework. Please do not remain in this class if you do not have time to complete the
work, for it will result in a failing grade.
Course Requirements:
1) Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory. You may miss one class without
penalty. After 4 absences, you may be dropped. Two tardies (entering after the class
has started, leaving early, or leaving during class) count as one absence. If you are
absent, you are still responsible for the class work. Therefore, 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:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
If you are absent on the day of a composition or test, it is your responsibility to notify
me and to make arrangements for doing the work after an absence. There are no makeup quizzes, but I will drop the lowest quiz grade for every student.
2) Students are expected to participate in all class discussions and take notes in class
and annotate (mark up) readings.
3) Both textbooks and a notebook for all class work must be brought to class each day.
4) Please double-space all compositions and write neatly, on one side only, in
blue/black pen. If you type any work, please double space and use a size 12 Times New
Roman font.
5) Written assignments, exercises, and all readings are to be completed before the
class meeting for which they were assigned. Late homework is not accepted. Homework
is due before class begins. Homework is not always collected. Rather it will be checked
randomly, and missing assignments will be counted against the final grade.
6) 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, using another person’s words or
ideas without giving them credit. In American schools, plagiarism is considered
dishonest, like stealing or cheating. Plagiarism can be “borrowing” a friend’s paper or
downloading papers 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) You are responsible for all the information on this syllabus. Put it in your notebook
and bring it to class with you. Read it over when you have a question about the course.
8) No cell phones or other electronic devices are to be used 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. Following is a list of
behaviors I consider unacceptable for class:
Sleeping or daydreaming 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 class inside the classroom.
Prematurely packing up your books and bags before class has ended.
Chatting with your classmates while I am talking or your classmates are asking
questions.
Checking your cell phones or other electronic devices. All cell phones must be
turned off.
Students with Special Needs
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Ability Services Office. Your instructor is authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the office of Ability Support Services. The Disability Services Office number
for Southwest College is 713-718-7910. Dr. Becky Hauri is the ADA contact counselor.
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. Ask your
teacher for the Tutoring Schedule on your campus. 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.askonline.net. Reminder: the tutor is not your editor
and will not write papers for you nor correct all your mistakes.
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. 27
Aug. 30
Sept. 5
Sept. 9
Nov. 3
Nov. 23
Holiday
First day of Fall semester classes
Last day to add/drop/swap a class
Labor Day Holiday
Official Date of Record
Last day (by 4:30 p.m.) to drop with a “W”
No evening classes before Thanksgiving
Nov. 24-27
Dec. 11
Thanksgiving Holiday
Instruction ends
Dec. 12-18
Schedule)
Final Exam Period (See HCC Final Exam
Course Calendar for ENGL 0347- Fall 2011
WEEK
Reading:
Destinatio
ns
1
2
Unit One
3
Unit Two
4
Unit Two
5
Unit Two
Writing:
Grammar Homework:
Intro to the AESL program and 0347 course;
Diagnostic assessment
HW: Read pp. 2-7
Journal #1: p. 8, #4 Due
Paragraph Structure, pp. 14-24
Sentence Structure – Coordinating
Conjunction
Review Writing Process
Summary writing
Journal #2, p. 25, #3 Due
HW: Read pp. 37-39, Answer
Comprehension Check, p. 39
Begin Unit 2: (Narration), Discussion pp. 4043; Writing sentences with subordinating
conjunctions, pp. 43-50
Journal #3, p. 50 #2 Due
Writing Essays-Narrative, pp. 51-58
Continue Narrative, pp. 59-62
Journal #4, p. 61, #2 Due
Write C1D1 and C1D2- Narrative
Discuss revision strategies and grading
rubric
Grammar Diagnostic
Destinations
Destinations 2 : Grammar
(D2)
Perfect & Perfect
Continuous
(D2) pp. 51-64
Perfect & Perfect
Continuous
(D2) pp. 65-76
Past Perfect
(D2) pp. 77-90
Adverb Clauses
(teacher supplements)
www.englishpage.com/grammar/
Passive
(D2) pp. 153-171
6
Unit Three Grammar Test #1- Perfect/Perfect
Continuous
Writing sentences with transitions, pp. 7886
Prepositions
(D2) pp. 211-231
7
Unit Four
8
Unit Four
9
10
11
12
Unit Four
Unit Five
Unit Five
Unit Five
Unit Six
13
Unit Six
HW: Read pp. 105-108, Do comp. check, p.
108-109
Journal #5, p.111, #3 Due
Discuss, pp. 109-111
Writing sentences with connectors showing
reasons, results, or conditions, pp. 111-120
Cause or Effect Essay, pp. 120-127
Journal #6, p. 120, #1 Due
Cause or Effect, pp. 127-134
Grammar Quiz #2- Passive Voice and
Conditionals
Write C2D1- Cause or Effect
Journal #7, p. 126, #2 Due
C2D2-Cause and Effect
HW: Read pp. 136-139, Do comp. check,
p.139-141
Journal #8, p. 143, #2 Due
Discuss pp. 141-143
Writing sentences with relative (adjective
clauses), pp. 144-160
The Opinion Essay, pp. 161-162
Fact vs. opinion, pp. 163-164
Journal #9, p. 164, #3 Due
Expressing an Opinion, pp. 163-171;
discuss the role of a counter-argument
Write C3D1
Write C3D2- Opinion
Grammar Quiz #3- Adverb & Adjective
Clauses
Writing sentences with connectors of
contrast, pp. 182-189
HW: Read pp. 175-177, Do comp. check,
pp. 177-179
Journal #10, p. 182, #3 Due
Discuss, pp. 180-182
Writing Essays of Comparison/Contrast, pp.
191-200
Continue comparison/contrast essay, pp.
201-209
Conditionals (D2)
pp. 182-194
Study--Transitions +
punctuation
(teacher supplements)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu
/grammar/transitions.htm
Study--Parallel Structure
(teacher supplements)
http://grammar.ccc.com
mnet.edu/grammar/parall
elism.htm
Take QUIZ online for
practice.
Adjective Clauses
(teacher supplements)
www.englishpage.com/grammar/
Noun Clauses
(teacher supplements)
www.englishpage.com/grammar/
Noun Clauses
(teacher supplements)
www.englishpage.com/grammar/
Gerunds and Infinitives
(D2) pp. 239-265
(including Appendices)
Write C4D1
14
Unit Six
Write C4D2- Comparison/Contrast
Grammar Quiz #4-Noun Clauses
15
16
Write Final Essay
Final Grammar Exam
Comparatives/
Superlatives/Equatives
(D2)
pp. 233-238
Review