English 0900-04 Basic Composition II
Fall 2013
Illinois Valley Community College
Instructor: Tricia Haynes
Class Location: M/W/F A-211
Email: Tricia_Haynes@ivcc.edu
Meeting Times: M-W-F 11:00am – 11:50am
Phone: 815-993-5253
Office Hours: By Appointment
Course description: Basic Composition II is a preparation course before enrolling in the transfer
course English 1001 or the Communication course English 1205. The coursework focuses on
writing paragraphs and an introduction to writing essays. The course includes a review of
functional grammar, usage, and punctuation. This course does not offer credits applied to
certificates or degrees. Students must receive a grade of 80 percent or higher to pass this course.
Expected Student Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able:
1.
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8.
To communicate orally and in writing.
To work and study both individually and in collaboration with other.
To appreciate the value of learning, self-improvement and career planning.
The student will review functional grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.
The student will be able to write a well-developed paragraph.
The student will be able to write a well-developed, organized essay.
The student will be able to read and respond to a variety of literature selections.
The student will be able to assess essays written by both student and peers.
Required Text:
McWhorter, Kathleen T. Reflections. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2013.
Required Materials:
Flash Drive (needed for every class meeting)
1- 3-ring Binder with dividers
3 different colored highlighters
Folder
Exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.
Assessment:
Paragraph Writing
Essay writing (five total- Narrative, Cause & Effect, Compare & Contrast, Argument &
Analysis)
Final Exit Essay
Other (Daily Homework, quizzes, WWR’s, etc.)
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
F
94+
87-93
80-86
Less than 80
Expectations:
Attendance: You are allowed three excused absences as long as you contact me before each
class to discuss the absence. I may request documentation regarding the absence and this must
be produced at the next class meeting. Four or more unexcused absences will result in a failing
grade or withdrawal from the course. Classes begin promptly at 11:00 am. You are expected to
come to class prepared and to arrive on time. We will be covering material at a rapid rate and
attending class and being on time will help you succeed.
Assignment Completion: All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Any student not
having an assignment completed will receive a zero. If you are absent, you must make
arrangements for a hard copy of your assignment to be turned in for you the day it is due. Inclass assignments missed during an absence will not be made up. ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT
BE ACCEPTED AS EMAIL ATTACHMENTS. In-class activities cannot be made up. Each
essay has five parts-prewriting, 1st draft, 2nd draft, peer review, and a final draft. In order to
receive a score on the final draft, you must complete each part of the essay. Your success in this
class depends on your effort and dedication.
Maintain a Portfolio: You are expected to keep all course materials and work in your binder in
order to monitor your progression throughout the course. You should organize the following:
SYLLABUS, HOMEWORK, NOTES, ESSAYS, and RESOURCES. Points will be given at the
end of the semester.
Participate: All students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and activities.
Read materials and come to class prepared.
Weekly Written Responses: You are expected to respond to a writing prompt weekly in
Blackboard. Since this is done online, it will be due each Friday at midnight. Each response is
worth 10 points and will be graded using a rubric. If you do not have Internet access at home,
please allow for time to use campus computers to complete this portion of the homework.
Exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.
Do your own work. Plagiarism will result in disciplinary action, failing the course, or
possible withdrawal from the course.
Withdrawal Policy: Effective Summer 2011, students will have the ability to initiate a
withdrawal from classes. By completing the form in the Records Office or at
www.ivcc.edu/withdraw, the student is authorizing IVCC to remove him/her from the course.
Entering the student ID number serves as the student’s electronic signature. IVCC has the right
to rescind a withdrawal in cases of academic dishonesty or at the instructor’s discretion.
Students should be aware of the impact of a withdrawal on full-time status for insurance
purposes and for financial aid. It is highly recommended that students meet with their instructor
or with a counselor before withdrawing from a class to discuss if a withdrawal is the best course
of action for that particular student.
Cell phone/Texting/Internet policy: Cell phones should be turned off or made silent during
class. Students should focus on class discussions and activities and should not be sending or
receiving text messages. This class is held in a lab classroom and work is done on the
computers. Students should refrain from visiting Internet sites other than those necessary for
class (i.e. Facebook). This behavior is distracting to fellow students and the instructor and
inhibits learning. If a student continually texts and surfs the Internet during class, he or she will
be asked to leave.
Writing Center: The IVCC Writing Center offers free, unlimited, one-on-one tutoring for
students in any class at any stage of their writing process. The Writing Center staff, which
includes faculty and student tutors, is happy to assist students in understanding assignments,
brainstorming topics, organizing and developing ideas, and revising and editing drafts. Our
Quick Query service provides help with basic writing questions via email. The Writing Center
also has handouts on grammar and style, writing reference materials, and documentation manuals
available in the Center and in the Stylebook (www.ivcc.edu/stylebook). The schedule,
appointment availability, and Quick Query instructions can be found by visiting the Web site
(ivcc.edu/writingcenter), calling the Learning Commons at 815-224-0318, or stopping by the
Writing Center in the Learning Commons (D-201). You can earn 2 points of extra credit for
each visit to the writing center (limit of 2 visits per essay – max 4 points).
Jacobs Library: The library hours are Mon.-Thurs. from 7:30 am-8:00 pm, and Friday hours are
7:30 am-4:30 pm. Notices of shortened hours are posted on the library web page. Please plan
your work on research assignments accordingly. Many library resources are available online with
your IVCC student ID at https://www.ivcc.edu/library. Chat online or text the library at 1-815605-0482 for assistance.
The mission of Jacobs Library is to provide resources to enhance the IVCC learning programs,
and services that enable our community to seek, evaluate, and use information. To fulfill that
mission the library promotes an environment for quiet reading, study, research, and computer
access by individuals, as well as small group work in designated areas. Students need to be
respectful of this mission and of other students using the library for quiet reading, study and
research. Failure to abide by the rules of the library and failure to follow directions of staff will
Exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.
subject students to the Student Code of Conduct. If you, or a group you are with, are
disruptive you will be asked to leave the library.
Jacobs Library (located on the main campus) helps you get to know your college library’s
collections and services. A self-guided orientation is available whenever the library is open for
you to learn about the library at your own pace. Allow about 20 minutes and bring your IVCC
student ID to the library service desk in A-201 to get started. If you prefer to participate in a
guided orientation with a library staff member, please bring your IVCC student ID to the library
at one of the scheduled times posted at https://www.ivcc.edu/libraryorientation.
Accommodations for Disabilities: This course is designed to support diversity of learners. My
hope is to create a safe environment for all students. If you want to discuss your learning
experience, please talk to me as early in the term as possible. If you know you have, or suspect
you have a disability (learning disability, physical disability, or psychiatric disability such as
anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, AD/HD, post-traumatic stress, or others) for which you
may need accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office in B-204. Tina Hardy
tina_hardy@ivcc.edu, 224-0284) or Judy Mika Judy_Mika@ivcc.edu or 224-0350) work in that
office and can help determine if you are eligible for support.
Instructor’s Note: The goal for this class is for you to develop your writing skills, pass the exit
essay, and move on to a credit bearing, college-level English course. Along the way, I intend to
help you learn to be a successful college student while learning the process of essay writing. For
many of you, this is your first college semester, and some of you have not attended classes in
quite some time. I understand that this can be a new and overwhelming experience. My
expectations are quite simple:
COME TO CLASS
WORK HARD
COMPLETE THE WORK
DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS
MAKE NO EXCUSES
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any
direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy
who'll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss
Exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.