Houston Community College —Southwest College
Fall 2013
ESOL 0354
—Writing and Grammar II
(CRN# 66919) Saturday 9:00 a.m.
—1:00 p.m.
Instructor: Richard Cramer
E-mail: richard.cramer0354@yahoo.com
Dept. Office: 713-718-7750
Office Hour: by appointment
Course Description:
ESOL 0354 (formerly 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. In addition to building vocabulary, reading, and writing skills, this course prepares students for ENGL 0349 and 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; introduction to 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: Writing for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
ISBN: 13: 978-1-4130-1936-0 [required; available in the HCC bookstore]

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 Writing textbook 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 =
90-100
80-89
70-79
0-69 *IP/F =
*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
Homework
Quizzes
30%
20%
10%
80 —89
70 —79
B
C
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
Using electronic devices-- All cell phones must be turned off and out of sight !
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 : EGLS
3
-- 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 19 73. “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.
Teacher’s Personal “Mission Statement”
I am here to help you complete the objectives of this course, to assist you in developing your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, and to promote your intellectual and academic growth. Please communicate with me about any problems or obstacles that might interfere with your success in our class.