Fall 2012
Course Syllabus
English 0346
CRN # : 26359
Location: West Loop Center Rm C257
Instructor: Ms. La’Kisha Hawkins
E-mail: ln_hawkins@yahoo.com
Cellular Phone: 713-305-5621
Texts and Materials
Ready to Write 3, by Blanchard and Root (required)
ISBN: 978-0-13-136334-2
loose-leaf notebook paper
a stapler
red and black/blue pens
an email address
a one-inch ring binder
four divider sheets with tabs
a highlighter
one green Scantron (for the final exam)
English-only dictionary (recommended: Longman dictionary, for non-native speakers)
Course Goals
English 0346 helps English as a Second Language (ESL) students prepare for
the reading and writing assignments in college classes. Students learn basic
grammar, simple sentence and some basic compound/complex structures,
vocabulary, and paragraph writing skills. English 0346 is part of a sequence of
classes (English 0340, 0341, 0346, 0347, and 0349). After students pass these
courses, they should be ready for English 1301 and other college credit courses.
Specific course objectives are to:
identify parts of speech & understand word families
write simple sentences: S + V + O
write compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions
use common complex sentences (when, while, before, after, because, if )
write a well-developed paragraph
understand the role of: topic, title, topic sentence , supporting details
use present and past tenses accurately
use verbals accurately: gerunds, infinitives, base forms
use auxiliary and modal verbs accurately
use the present real, present unreal, and past unreal conditional
use direct and indirect speech
expand vocabulary, including phrasal verbs
write short (3-paragraph) essays about 300-400 words each
Quizzes
There are 4 grammar quizzes based on the grammar covered in the course. If
there is time, the class will have a review session and a short practice quiz
during the class period before the actual test day. It's important that students
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come prepared to ask questions about the grammar that they don't understand
well.
Compositions
Students will write a total of 4 compositions (comps.) and the Final Comp. The
first four compositions are written twice; the first draft is written in class, and
the second draft is written for homework. The grade for a comp is recorded after
the second draft is written and evaluated. Therefore, students must write draft 2.
No late second drafts of compositions will be accepted. All comps must be
written in blue or black ink, double-spaced, and the front side of the paper. All
second drafts must be double-spaced and typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman
font.
Homework
Homework is a very important part of ENGL 0346. Students must have a binder
in which they keep their work for this course. Some homework will be collected,
and some of it will be checked in class. Students must complete the homework
before coming to class and be prepared to turn in some exercises during class.
Because these assignments do not receive a letter grade, the homework grade
is based on the total number of complete assignments. For example, if students
have 20 homework assignments and finish all of them, they will get an A for the
homework grade.
Journal
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 usually part of a “warm-up” exercise in class. The
grade at the end of the semester is based on the total number of entries when
the journal is collected. Sometimes the teacher will give the journal topic, and
sometimes the students will choose a topic. The journal may not be handed in
late. It will be collected at random, so you must keep journal writing in the binder
and bring it to class everyday.
Course Binder
To be successful in college classes, students need good organization skills,
especially for all of the paperwork that is part of the course. Therefore, a course
binder is required in 0346 class. The binder must have four (4) dividers with tabs
for the following class materials: class notes, journals, homework and handouts,
and grammar log. The teacher will check the binder at random, so students
should always bring it to class and keep it up to date. The binder may not be
turned in late.
Computer Lab
Occasionally, our class will meet in a computer lab in order to work on grammar
and practice using Microsoft Word to compose compositions. Usually, the last
part of class will be designated as “lab time.” Attendance is required during lab
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time since it is part of class instruction. Assignments will be given in class each
day prior to lab time. Homework on grammar websites may be assigned in order
to reinforce the grammar topics that are covered in the textbook. Lab time may
be used to begin homework or to review lessons from the textbook.
Final Examinations
The Final Exam has two parts: a comprehensive, multiple-choice grammar test
and a Final Comp. The finals will be given on two different days at the end of the
semester. See the Final Exam dates on the Course Calendar.
Instructor’s Attendance Policy
Houston Community College requires students to attend classes regularly.
However, sometimes students have a problem and cannot come to class. In
0346, students are allowed to miss up to 8 hours (total) of absence, if necessary.
When students arrive late, they will be marked tardy; if students leave the
classroom during class, return late from a break, or leave before class is
finished, they will be marked tardy.
2 times tardy = 1 absence.
This attendance policy applies to all students; those on an F-1 visa must be
careful not to miss too much of class time in order to maintain their visa status in
the United States.
Classroom Policies
Students are expected to arrive on time to class. If you are absent from class,
you are responsible for contacting me about the missed work.
 Regardless of the reason for an absence, the final draft of an essay that is
turned in after the due date will lose10-points for each class day that it is
late.
 If necessary, students may miss up to 8 hours of instruction without
penalty. The instructor has the right to drop any student who exceeds 8
hours of absence (see the Syllabus Addendum regarding the HCC
attendance policy).
 There are no make-up tests or quizzes, but I will drop the lowest test/quiz
grade for each student at the end of the semester. In other words, if you
miss a quiz, you will receive a 0 grade, but that 0 grade will be dropped—
once only.
 All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight
when the class is in session. If you have an emergency and must have a
phone handy, please tell me before class begins.
 Talking out of turn or while students and the teacher are talking is
considered to be disruptive. This kind of behavior is unacceptable in a
college classroom.
 I reserve the right to dismiss you from class for any violation of the
classroom and college policies.
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College Grading System
Students in English 0346 class may receive a letter grade of A, B, C, IP or F.
IP means "In Progress." This is not a failing grade, but it is for students who
complete the course but who are not yet ready for the next level. Anyone who
receives an IP must take English 0346 again. However, if a student has already
received an IP in this course during a previous semester, that student will receive
a letter grade: A, B, C, or F this semester.
Students who have a 70% or higher class average before the Final Exams
but who fail both parts of the Final will have a team of teachers review their
work and determine their readiness to pass into English 0347.
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.
English 0346 Grading Formula
The final grade for the course is calculated as follows:
Homework:
Quizzes :
Comp. 1:
Comp. 2:
Comp. 3:
10%
15%
10%
10%
10%
Comp. 4:
15%
Final Comp: 20%
Final Exam: 10%
Academic Dishonesty
If a student copies sentences from another person's work without giving credit to
the writer by naming the writer as the source of the ideas and words, it is called
"plagiarism." This is a serious offense in American colleges, and it is
unacceptable. Academic honesty is expected of all college students. Any
homework, journal entry, or composition that is not a student's own work or that
has been copied from another person will be given a grade of “0.” The student
may receive an F for the course when plagiarism occurs repeatedly.
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Fall 2012
HCCS Policy Addendum
Fall 2012
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). Students who miss more than 8 hours of
instruction in this course before the last day to withdraw, will receive a W on the
transcript. Students who stop attending after the last day to withdraw will receive
an FX on the transcript. 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. Both the W and FX grades mean that the student has
not passed and must repeat the course for credit.
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.
HCCS Attendance Policy: Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop
a course for non-attendance, 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.
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Fall 2012
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 non-payment of tuition. The cost for reinstatement is $75.
On-Line Tutoring: HCCS now offers access to English tutors on-line. All HCCS
students can take advantage of this service by logging on to www.askonline.net
and by using their e-mail account. Papers for most HCC classes can be
submitted for advice with a short turnaround time. See the askonline homepage.
See the Course Calendar, below.
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Weekly Course Calendar for ENGL 0346- Fall 2012
The instructor reserves the right to supplement this syllabus later in the semester and to
revise due dates to meet the needs of the class.
Holidays and Important Dates:
Aug. 26
Aug. 27
Sept. 3
Sept. 10
Nov. 2
Nov. 21
Nov. 22-25
Dec. 9
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 evening classes before Thanksgiving Holiday
Thanksgiving Holiday
Instruction ends
Dec. 10-16
Final Exam Period (See course calendar, below)
An average homework load in ENGL 0346 is 1-2 hours for every hour in class.
Week Reading
Ready to Write 3:
HOMEWORK:
From Paragraph to Essay
1
Monday
Intro to the ESL program and ENGL 0346
Get textbook and supplies;
course; syllabus; diagnostic assessment
read the Scope &
Sequence for Chapters: 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 on pp.
iv--vi
Wed. Chp. 1 Begin Chp. 1—Getting Ready to Write, pp. 2-12
Read pp. 13-24
2
Mon. Chp. 1
Continue Chp. 1—discuss the Writing Process
Complete “Making an
Informal Outline,” A or B,
pp. 23-24 on notebook
paper
Wed. Chp. 2
Begin Chp. 2—Writing Paragraphs, pp. 25-45
Complete “Evaluating
Support” Set 1, 2, and 3,
pp. 31-33 on notebook
paper
Introduction to the computer lab: Sheehan’s
Learning Web, “What is a Phrase?”
3
Mon. Chp. 2
Continue Chp. 2—Writing Supporting
Sentences, Develop Unity, pp. 34-39
Do part C. p. 39 on
notebook paper
Wed. Chp. 2
Create Coherence, Organizing Your Ideas, and
Complete parts C & D or E
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Using Transitions, pp. 39-46
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mon. Chp. 3
Lab Time: Learning Web, “What is a
Sentence?”
Begin Chp. 3—Revising and Editing, pp. 47-50
Wed. Chp. 3
Continue Chp. 3—Sentence Fragments, Run-on
Sentences, Punctuation & Capitalization
Mon.
QUIZ # 1 on phrase & sentence structure,
agreement, punctuation & capitalization
Wed. Chp. 4
Begin Chp. 4—Writing Essays, the Introduction
and Thesis Statement, pp. 67-73
Mon. Chp. 4
Continue Chp. 4-Using the Writing Process, pp.
77-79
Wed. Chp. 4
Continue Using the Writing Process, pp. 80-82
to complete C1D1(comp 1, draft 1)
Mon. Chp. 5
Begin Chp. 5—Analyzing a Process Essay, p.
93-94
Wed. Chp. 5
Continue Chp. 5—apply Essay Plan, pp. 95-97
to complete C2D1
Lab Time: Introduction to the Passive Voice
Mon. Chp. 5
Discuss revision of C2 & Essay Grading Rubric
Wed. Chp. 5
C2D2 due; review for QUIZ 2—passive voice
Mon.
QUIZ # 2 on passive voice
Wed. Chp. 6
Begin Chp. 6—Division and Classification—
Analyzing a Classification Essay, pp. 103-106
Mon. Chp. 6
Continue Chp. 6—Prewriting for C3D1, pp. 107108
& F, pp. 44-45 on notebook
paper
Read “Editing,” pp. 50-53;
do exercises on pp. 52-53
on notebook paper
Do “You Be the Editor,” p.
65 on notebook paper;
study for QUIZ # 1
Read “Real Competition on
Television,” pp. 68-69
Read “Supporting
Paragraphs,” and “The
Conclusion,” pp. 74-77;
complete part A. in textbook
Complete Step 1, part B. &
Step 2, parts A & B, pp. 7980
Read Chp. 5: Process
Essays, pp. 86-90;
complete part B, p. 90
Read pp. 88-89; choose 3
topics from 2-13, pp. 88-89
& write a thesis statement
for each topic
Continue Lab TimeLearning Web, “More on
Verb Forms,” scroll down to
Passive Voice; do exs. 10,
11, 12 on notebook paper
Revise C2D1; focus on
passive voice
Read pp. 99-102; complete
2-4 on p. 102 in textbook
Read part B and complete
part C, pp. 106-107 on
notebook paper
Choose three topics from
part A and make an outline
for each topic on paper
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11
12
13
Wed. Chp. 6
Complete C3D1
Complete “You Be the
Editor,” p. 110
Mon. Chp. 6
Discuss revision of C3 & subject-verb
agreement
Revise C3D1; focus on
subject-verb agreement
Wed.
C3D2 due; Catch-up & Lab Time: Learning
Web, “How To Use Verb Tenses”
Mon. Chp. 9
Begin Chp. 9—Problem-Solution Essay, pp.
138-142
Continue Lab Time:
Learning Web, scroll down
to “How Do We Use the
Past Tenses” and do exs. 8.
9. 10 & 15 on notebook
paper
Choose two problems from
pp. 139-140 and write a
possible thesis statement
for a problem-solution
essay (write in textbook)
Wed. Chp. 9
Continue Chp. 9—Offering Solutions, p. 143
and Analyzing a Problem-Solution essay, pp.
145-146
QUIZ # 3 on the past tenses
Read Case # 8 on p. 147;
complete the Prewriting ex.
on p. 147 (write in textbook)
Continue Chp. 9; introduction to gerunds and
infinitives; Lab Time
Continue Lab Time: online
Mon.
Wed. Chp. 9
http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/i
ndex.htm
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Mon. Chp. 9
Wed. Chp. 9
Complete C4D1
Revise C4D1
Continue Lab Time
15
Mon.
Quiz # 4 on gerunds & infinitives
Review for the Final Essay
Complete Review Sheet for
Final Exam
Study for the Final Exam
Mon.
Write Final Essay on Mon., Dec. 10
No Class—Study Day
Wed.
Final Grammar Exam Wed., Dec. 12
Wed.
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