Class of 2016
ERWC
Ms. Gamache
Rm. E-104
(951) 738-2100 Ext. 1504
tgamache@cnusd.k12.ca.us
Course Overview
“Rhetoric is the art
of ruling the minds
of men.” ~Plato
Welcome the Expository Reading
and Writing Course (ERWC)! I have
a fun and exciting year planned for
us. I assure you that not only will
you learn a lot this year, but, with
an open mind, you will enjoy
yourself as well. I look forward to
getting to know all of you well
while I help you to become more
active learners who think critically
about life, literature, and the world
around you, as well as read, write,
listen and speak more effectively.
ERWC is a full-year college
preparatory English course for
high school seniors. This class
focuses specifically on preparing
you to engage in critical reading
and critical writing identified by
the California State University
(CSU) English Placement Test
Committee, and to prepare you to
meet the expectations of college
and university faculty. Course
assignments,
organized
into
modules and based largely on nonfiction texts, emphasize the
in-depth study of expository,
analytical, and argumentative
reading
and
writing.
The
University of California has
approved the ERWC for area "b"
credit
(from
the
"a-g"
requirements), and the course
meets
college
preparatory
requirements for both UC and
CSU institutions. The goal of the
ERWC is to effectively prepare
students for the rigorous levels of
both reading and writing that will
be expected of them while
attending college.
Thematic Units
Learning targets
 Students will evaluate various authors’ claims and writing styles,
and then participate in thoughtful, text-based discussions in order
to formulate their own opinions
 You will be expected to increase your awareness of the rhetorical
strategies employed by authors, and to apply those strategies in
your writing.
 You will read closely to examine the relationship between an
author’s argument or theme and his/her audience and purpose, to
analyze the impact of structural and rhetorical strategies, and to
examine the social, political, and philosophical assumptions that
underlie the text.
 By the end of this course, you will be expected to use this process
independently when reading unfamiliar texts and writing in
response to them.
Semester 1




What’s Next
Racial Profiling
In The Wild
The Value of Life
Semester 2
 Brave New World
 Good Food, Bad Food
 Language, Gender,
and Culture
 Bullying
Reading List
 ERWC Course Reader
 Novels: Into the Wild and Brave New World
 Other texts (both fiction and nonfiction),
films, advertisements, podcasts, blogs,
websites, speeches, and other materials
will be supplemented and included in this
course. I reserve the right to alter these
works as necessary for instructional
purposes. Notification of changes will be
provided in advance, as necessary.
Required Materials






College-ruled paper
Composition Notebook (no spiral)
Ink pens (black or blue)
Red pens (grading)
Pencils
A binder and dividers (size depends on if
you plan to use a binder for all your classes
or separate one for LA)
 Highlighters (Yellow, Pink, Orange, Blue,
Green)
 Post-it notes (tabs or regular size)
Grading Scale
Grades are based on a standard point-based
system. We will complete most of the work in
class therefore regular attendance is critical to
maintaining a passing grade in this class.
Points will be earned based on classwork,
essays/projects, exams/quizzes, participation,
and homework. Homework will consist
primarily of required assigned reading and
essays. The grading scale is as follows:
A 100 – 89.5%
B 89.4 – 79.5%
C 79.4 – 69.5%
D 69.4% – 59.5%
F 59.4% and below
Housekeeping Policies
1. All work must be typed or written neatly. All final
drafts of essays MUST be typed.
2. Late work will be accepted for 50% credit until the
last week of the unit and incomplete, messy late work
will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
3. Late essays are marked down a full letter grade each
day past the due date and won’t be excepted for
more than 50% after 5 days.
4. Major papers and projects are assigned well in
advance, and their due dates are very firm. If you are
absent and your work is not received on the due date,
the late policy applies. If you know that you will need
an extension, see me in advance, which does not
mean the day before it is due. Most essays will be
submitted via Turnitin.com and, therefore, are still
required to be submitted on the due date even if
absent.
5. Academic dishonesty, including cheating, copying
homework, plagiarism, and the like, WILL NOT be
tolerated. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s
WORDS or IDEAS without giving proper credit. This
includes paraphrasing a source without giving due
credit (i.e. in-text citations). Academic dishonesty is a
serious offense is subject to the following
consequences:
a. Receives a zero
b. Parent phone call
c. Parent conference
And/or
d. Referral
6. It is YOUR responsibility to check Student Connect
and monitor your progress in my class and all classes.
7. It is YOUR responsibility to get any missing work the
day you return from an absence.
8. If you miss the day of an exam you have one week to
complete the exam from the day it was given.
9. You have one week from the day of your absences to
turn in any work missed while you were out.
10. If you know you will be absent (attention students in
extracurricular activities) please see me the previous
day to get the work so you don’t fall behind.
11. I am diligent about responding to emails. Please use
this to your advantage.
12. If you follow the rules, work hard, and maintain a
good attitude you WILL be successful in my class!
Assessments
Students enrolled in this course will be assessed in a variety of ways. Common assessments for reading will include
written responses (short answer and/or developed essays), class work activities, and class and group discussion.
Assessments for writing will include the use of rubrics. Vocabulary and grammar will be assessed through warm-up
activities and application through writing. Whether it is communicating with a partner, small groups, or in front of larger
audiences, all students will be expected to deliver and orally present an array of information to others and the entire
class. At the same time, students will learn how to become active listeners during oral presentations.
Classroom Rules
1. Be on time, on-task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY
2.
3.
4.
5.
Keep ALL personal electronics PUT AWAY, unless otherwise stated.
Be responsible for your own learning, each day.
Respect: the teachers, other students, and the classroom
Trash goes in the trashcan! #notyourmaid
Based on the ERHS student handbook, possible sanctions for not following the rules, include verbal warning,
assigned detention, phone call home, parent conference, referral, and suspension. For any ongoing or persistent
issues, Ms. Gamache will meet with the student one-on-one to discuss the issue and brainstorm possible
solutions prior to taking punitive measures.
Social Contract
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the course syllabus for Language Arts 1A. _________ (initial)
By signing below, I am stating that I have read the syllabus (either in paper or online), and I understand the
classroom policies, instructors expectations, and rules (eg., technology and text requirements, grading system,
attendance policy, academic integrity policy, assignment responsibilities, test policies, etc.) as stated in the
syllabus for this course. _________ (initial)
If I have any questions or concerns, I will contact the Ms. Gamache for further explanation. _________ (initial)
I understand that I am responsible to complete all homework assignments, quizzes/in-class assignments, and
written projects by the due dates as outlined in the syllabus. __________ (initial)
I agree to be prepared for and attend class each day and on each scheduled test day. __________ (initial)
I agree to follow all the rules and understand the possible consequences if I choose not to adhere to those
rules. __________ (initial)
I understand that this syllabus contains crucial information pertinent to my success in this class; as such, I
realize how important it is to keep my syllabus throughout the year. ________ (initial)
Signature
Printed Name
Date
, 2015