English 42: College Reading & Study Skills I
Ross Warfel
Welcome to the class. This course is designed for entering college students who need to
develop reading, writing, and study skills. It emphasizes reading comprehension and
vocabulary development in the context of college level text material and quality literature. It
also provides practice in identifying main ideas, supporting details, and inferences while
promoting good writing and the development of higher order thinking skills such as critical
thinking. Satisfactory completion of this course is a great first step to becoming a better reader,
but sustained practice of the skills you have learned and development of a passion for reading
are the follow up steps that must be taken for you to access and achieve, among other things, a
good college education.
Credits earned in this class do not apply to the Associates Degree; however, the reading
skills attained here will help you succeed at the type of reading expected in classes that do
apply.
Course Objectives
The activities of this course are designed to help students:
A. Improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
B. Develop more effective reading and studying strategies
C. Improve specific critical reading skills such as reading for inferences, recognizing
author’s viewpoint, and separating fact from opinion
D. Determine strengths and weaknesses as a reader and writer and to learn to
build on strengths while eliminating weaknesses.
E. Increase awareness of the various types of reading materials,
particularly those helpful to college students
F. Develop a sense of pleasure from reading
G. Build self-confidence
Required Texts and Materials
The required texts are Joining a Community of Readers, 5th edition by Roberta
Alexander and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Students will need a 3-ring
notebook, notebook dividers, small college level dictionary, Scantron forms, and a highlighter.
Required texts and materials must be brought to each class session.
Methods of Instruction
The objectives may be accomplished in a variety of ways: lecture, discussion, films,
group activities, interactive study/discussion, oral presentation, individual assignments, Internet
activities, and computer programs. You are expected to fully participate in classroom activities
and to take advantage of the marvelous resources available at City College and in your
communities.
Assignments
Assignments are based on quality literature and reading selections from the text. Writing
assignments are crafted in such a way as to promote Active Reading and Critical Thinking.
Students are required to keep a notebook in which they will record class notes, file graded
assignments and reflections, log grades on a Student Record Sheet, and maintain a very basic
vocabulary system.
Attendance and Punctuality
Because class participation is heavily weighted in this class, regular attendance is
demanded of those desiring to succeed. This is especially true if you are in an 8-week session;
it also holds true for regular 16-week sessions.
School policy states that you may be dropped if you miss more than 6% of class
meetings. It also states that you must be dropped after missing 12% of the meetings. That
means you must be dropped if you miss three class meetings.
Arriving to class on time is essential: If you know you are going to be late or absent for a
class meeting, I need to know in advance. Call my voice mail or email me. Three unexcused
“tardies” count as an unexcused absence.
If you decide to drop the class, it is your responsibility to do so officially, but remember
anyone enrolled after the drop deadline must receive a grade. It is the instructor’s discretion
whether to withdraw a student who fails to attend the first scheduled class.
Student Responsibilities
You are responsible for your own learning in a college class. Absence is never an
excuse for missing a due date on an assignment or not staying up with the class. I post a brief
summary of each day’s activities as well as advance notice of assignments and other useful
information on my website at http://sites.google.com/site/warfelfall11 I expect you to come to
each class prepared. That means you have whatever assignment is due, your textbook, The
Four Agreements, your notebook, a dictionary, highlighter, Scantrons as needed, and
something with which to write.
College Classroom Expectations
It is expected that you treat everyone in the room with respect. One way to demonstrate
respect is to listen to whoever is speaking. I view the classroom as an “arena of ideas” where
points of view sometimes clash but often result in new insight. To facilitate this process it is
incumbent on those sharing an idea to state it succinctly and to provide backup. When there are
opposing points of view, the same basic rule applies.
Personal needs should be taken care of before class. Do not check cell phones for
messages or anything else during class time unless you have cleared doing so with me prior to
the beginning of the class. Turn off pagers and music players during class time.
Please do not leave the class unless there is a scheduled break. Once again, take care
of personal needs before coming to class.
Cheating/Plagiarism
Students are expected to be honest and ethical in pursuit of their academic goals.
Students who are found to be in violation of Administrative Procedure 3100.3, Honest Academic
Conduct will receive a zero for the assignment in question and may be referred for disciplinary
action in accordance with Administrative Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures.
Evaluation
Semester grades are based on a points system:
Mastery Tests (Take Home)
6@ 25
Class Participation
Class Notebook
Summaries
3@50
Midterm Test
Learning Resources Presentation
Final Test
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150
320
225
150
225
180
250
1500
1500 -1373
-1350 =-AA
1525
1349
1372 -1200
1220 =- BB
1199
-1050
1219 -1068 =- CC
1049 -- 900
1067
919 =- DD
899
0=F
918 & Learning
Make Up/Extra Credit (limited to a total of 225 points)
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Unscheduled Mastery Tests Each test is worth up to 25 points.
Work with a Tutor in the English Center: 30 points per hour, 150 point maximum.
Read a Book from the book list, summarize it, and share your summary and personal
reflections with either a small group or the whole class: 150 points maximum.
Attend a cultural event and present your findings/impressions to a small group or the
whole class with some form of illustration: collage, poster, pictures: 150 point maximum
Come up with a project of your own that improves literacy, either yours or someone
else’s: 225 points maximum.
Office Hours
Mr. Warfel will be available at a place to be determined for an hour before class.
Other times are available upon request. Phone: 619-388-3500 extension 4082 email:
rwarfel@sdccd.edu
Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/warfelfall11
Disability Support and Services
DSPS students and others with special needs or situations should make sure I am
aware of them. I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate you
Food for Thought
Good Readers are made not born: One key to becoming a better reader is to do a lot of
reading. Start with easy to read personally interesting material and go from there. Another key
is to learn the strategies good readers use and to practice them regularly.