EMLS 106: College Reading and Writing II (Section 98021)
Syllabus
Meet Your Instructor
Melanie Mowrer is a full-time professor at Santa Ana College
in the EMLS department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in
English from Moravian College, a master’s degree in
education from United States International University, and a
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certificate
(TESOL) from the University of California, Irvine. Melanie
teaches Introduction to the Essay, College Reading and
Writing 1, and Beginning and Intermediate Pronunciation.
Prior to coming to SAC’s main campus in 2009, she worked
in the School of Continuing Education where she held a variety of teaching
and coordinating positions. She taught all levels of ESL and coordinated the
High School Subjects and U.S. Citizenship programs. A native of Bucks
County Pennsylvania, Melanie began her teaching career as a middle school
language arts instructor. When asked about what she likes about her job,
Melanie explained, “Teaching at Santa Ana College is my absolute dream
job. I love working with students and helping them develop the English
language skills they need to successfully transition into higher level
academic classes with confidence.” On a personal note, Melanie enjoys riding
her bicycle around Balboa Peninsula, working-out with her aqua group,
participating in book club, and watching HGTV for innovative decorating
ideas.
Contact Information:
Email: Mowrer_Melanie@SAC.edu
Office Phone:(714) 564-6522
Cell phone: (949) 228-7344
Office hours: M,T,TH 9:00-10:15am email/phone; W 5:00-6:00pm D412
Course Description:
EMLS 106 is a reading and short essay writing course for multilingual
students who need to improve skills in reading academic material and
writing academic essays. Emphasis on connection between reading and
writing, responding to reading critically, following the writing process, and
editing.
Required Materials:
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English Skills with Readings by John Langan, 9th edition (REQUIRED)
Spare Parts by Joshua Davis (REQUIRED)
Three ring binder, college rule notebook paper and 5 colored dividers.
Highlighters in 5 different colors.
Learning Objectives:
Students who successfully complete EMLS 106 will be able to:
 Utilize the writing process to develop academic paragraphs and essays
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Demonstrate competency in writing paragraphs with a specific
purpose
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Use four reading strategies to comprehend text and connect skillful
reading with skillful writing.
Course Communication Facilitation:
We will utilize live video conferencing via Canvas Zoom this semester which
is housed in your EMLS 110 Canvas course shell. We will meet every
Monday and Wednesday from 10:15am to 12:45pm August 23’rd
December 08th. Attendance is REQUIRED. All assignments for this course
are housed in the Canvas modules. All meetings will be recorded so if you
are absent, you will be able to view them at a later time.
Course Summary:
EMLS 106 sets the foundation for students who want to transition into higher
level English and general education courses. Students will learn the
fundaments of effective writing, paragraph development, essay
development, and sentence structure. In addition, the reading selections
help students develop reading comprehension skills, learn vocabulary in
context, and connect reading with writing. The ability to express oneself
clearly and logically is important in school as well as in one’s career. If
students really want to improve their language skills, this course will help
them reach that goal.
Attendance:
Attendance is required. If students are absent from a Zoom class, they are
still responsible for any assignments or activities missed. Please
communicate with me either by email, phone, or text if you are having any
attendance issues. Please do not just disappear!
Grades:
All graded assignments will be submitted in Canvas. No grades can be given
by email. You will be able to view your grades at any time in Canvas Grades.
Grades are based on averaging the following assessments:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Five academic paragraphs
one essay
Quizzes
Project
Mid-term and final
Honesty Policy:
It is essential that students do their own work. Do not copy from other
students. Any kind of cheating or plagiarism will be penalized.
Zoom Classroom Protocol:
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Log onto the class in Canvas before 10:15 am.
Find a quiet place free of any distractions.
Participate in the class! Please show your face.
Engage with your classmates.
Speak English.
Stay for the entire class. If you need to leave early, please let me
know.
Santa Ana College Mission Statement:
Santa College inspires, transforms, and empowers a diverse community of learners.
EMLS Department Mission Statement:
The Santa Ana College EMLS Department is dedicated to helping students
improve their academic reading and writing skills. With a focus on writing
fluency, reading comprehension, and developing critical thinking skills, the
program provides students with the instruction they need to be successful in
college, in the community, and in their careers.
Academic Accommodations:
A student with a disability who would like to request an academic
accommodation is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor
and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) at (714) 5646295 for a referral to the appropriate DSPS department. The DSPS
department is located in the Johnson Student Center, Room JSC 108.
Schedule of Assignments and Activities:
Week 1: August 23 and August 25
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Welcome, instructor introduction, overview of course, and student
learning outcomes.
Show and explain color coded sections of English Skills with
Readings text.
Introduce novel – Spare Parts
Class discussion about the connection between college reading
and writing
Importance of class participation and the Six Factors of Student
Success
Whole Group reading: The Late Paper and activities
Assignment: Writing Sample – due 8/23 11:59 pm
Read Chapter 1: An Introduction to Writing pages 2-17.
Weeks 2 – 4: The Writing Process (Gold )
 The Fundamentals of Effective Writing Chapters 1-6 in English Skills with
Reading pages 2-167 prewriting strategies, topic sentences, supporting
details, writing concluding sentences, revising editing
 Selected readings from Part 5 of text – Readings for Writers (white pages)
 Selected chapters from Handbook of Sentence Skills Part 4 (purple pages)
commas, fragments, run-ons
 Spare Parts
Weeks 5- 8: Paragraph Development (Brown)
 Read about, study, and produce various types of paragraphs including
exemplification, process, cause and/or effect, comparison and/or contrast,
description, argument
 Selected chapters from Sentence Skills including Grammar, Mechanics,
Punctuation, Word Use, Practice
 Spare Parts continued
Weeks 9-11 : Essay Development
 Writing the essay chapter 17
 Differences between a paragraph and an essay
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Structuring of an essay
 Planning an essay and outlining
 Tying supporting paragraphs together – transitions
 Concluding an essay
 Examining model essays and creating a class essay
 Spare Parts continued
Weeks 12-16: Essay Writing:
 Developing and writing your own outline and essay
 Individualized student conferences
 Spare Parts
Weeks 12: November 8th - November 10th
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Read Chapter 17: Writing the Essay pages 324-356
Complete Activities 1-4 pages 328-332
Complete Questions 1-8 pages 336-337
Components of the essay/outline template
Evaluating students essay models
Planning and outlining essays
Week 13: November 15th – November 17th
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Planning and outlining essays continued
Practice writing thesis statements
Evaluating student essay models continued
Student/instructor conferences (Times will be assigned)
Week 14: November 22rd – November 24th
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Submission of student outlines
Student/instructor conferences continued
Week 15: December 29th- December 1st
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Essays
Review for final exam
Week 16: December 6th - December 9th
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Final Exam Due 12/14
Course Evaluation Activity