PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Fall 2010
Welcome to EGL 1000 Introduction to Composition
EGL 1000-XD01 25441 MW 9:00--10:50 UTC 210
EGL 1000-XD02 25442 MW 11:00-12:50 UTC 210
EGL 1000-LD15 25427 TTH 11:00-12:50 M-3081
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICES:
PHONE NUMBERS:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE HOURS:
MAILBOX:
Mary Stevenson, English
University Town Center, 224; Largo Marlboro 3063
UTC 301-277-5934 ext 310
Largo English office 301-322-0561
Largo my office 301-322-0573 (voice-mail)
MStevenson@pgcc.edu (Use your Owl Link user ID and password to
access MyPGCC and the use OWL MAIL to contact me.)
UTC Room- 224 MW 8-9; 1:00-1:30
Largo Marlboro-3063 TR 9-9:30, 12:50-1:20
Largo Marlboro-3072, English Office (Please do not put material
under my door.) If you are leaving material in my mail box at Largo or
UTC, remember to have the secretary date and initial it as a record of
when you turned it in.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
EGL 1000, Introduction to Composition, is designed as a bridge course to help students build on
basic skills and make a successful transition to EGL 1010, Composition I, the basic composition
course needed for graduation. The catalog calls EGL 1000 a ”preparation” for EGL 1010.
According to college master syllabus, the class will focus on “grammar and punctuation,
sentence construction, paragraph development, and short essay writing.” During the semester,
we may meet in the computer lab as well as in our classroom, but there are no required lab hours.
Students either test into EGL 1000 or pass into it after completing DVE 0010. To go onto EGL
1010, students need to earn a “C” or better in EGL 1000.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, a student should be able to
1.) Write, using Standard English, well-developed paragraphs of at least 150 words and essays of
at least 500 words that have unified, restricted, and precise thesis statements; clear topic
sentences that support the thesis; adequate development of topic sentences in paragraphs, and a
variety of sentence patterns and lengths.
2.) Write prose with essential meaning unimpaired by grammatical errors, including fragments;
run-ons (comma splices and fused sentences), faulty subject-verb agreement, and incorrect verb
forms.
3.) Use a handbook/dictionary to correct marked errors of grammar, punctuation, mechanics,
usages, and spelling.
4.) Write either a summary or an analysis of an assigned text.
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
Bob Brannon A Writer’s Workshop: Crafting Paragraphs, Building Essays. 3rd edition
ISBN 077275640. new: $71.25, used: $53.80
Diana Hacker Rules for Writers MLA 6th ed. ISBN13-978-0-312-66481-7
Helene Cooper’s House at Sugar Beach 978-0-7432-6625-3, $15
Dictionary, thesaurus, loose leaf notebook/folder to hold returned work/handouts
GRADE:
See Point Sheet, assignment sheet, and hand outs on individual assignments for details. Keep
track of your points on the Point Sheet.
2 paragraphs 10%
Quizzes/textbook exercises 5%
Note taking 5%
4 essays
60% Grammar tests 20%
There is a total of 1,000 points: 900+=A; 800+=B, 700+=C, 600+=D
GRADING CRITERIA:
See the English department handout Grading Standards for English Composition (standards for a
C paper) and the checklists for essays and paragraphs for details. See the section on attendance
too for its effect on your grade.
HOW ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED:
Homework/class work: There is no make up for missing homework or class work; to count,
home work is due at the beginning of class. Certain homework and class work assignments will
be checked and given points: quizzes, plans, drafts, and revisions. Throughout the semester, at
unannounced times, I’ll spot check homework in the workbook for additional points.
Major assignments: No late paragraphs or essays. You must turn in a paper on the day it is
due; it is due at the beginning of class. Due that day are the final draft (typed, double spaced (if
not written in class) and prewriting: plans, lab work, and rough draft(s). Final drafts of paragraph
2 and essays 1, 3, and 4 are also to be submitted to Turnitin.com. If the essay or paragraph is to
be written in class, you can not substitute work done outside of class. Note: You may make up
one missing paragraph or essay by writing it in class on the day of the final. If you turn in all the
major work—paragraphs and essays--, you may make up one missing grammar test on the day of
the final.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Talk to me outside of class if you have special circumstances which will affect your attendance
and/or work in the class. This includes health problems as well as learning disabilities.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office (B124) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and
accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their instructors at
the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students and
establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and other rules and
regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a
manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Refer to the 2009-2010 Student
Handbook, beginning on page 39, for a complete explanation of the code of conduct, including the Code of
Academic Integrity and the procedure for dealing with disruptive student behavior.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of
knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility for adhering
to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic achievement
and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle of honest representation in the work that is
produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic
Integrity is in the 2009-2010 Student Handbook (pages 39-41) and posted on the college's website.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
While not every circumstance is covered in the following comments, these policies do cover
most of the rules. See the Student Handbook for more details.
1.) Please honor the college policy: no food or drink in the classrooms.
2.) My expectations: Students are in class on time, stay the complete period, are prepared,
participate, turn in work on time. Please schedule medical appointments outside of class times.
Remember to turn off cell phones and arrange for childcare so that children are not in class.
3.) Attendance: Very important. Keep me informed by telephone or email about emergencies or
illnesses that impact on your attendance, especially vital on days papers are due. Much of the
class involves group work and in-class writing, so your performance in class will be adversely
effected if do not attend regularly and participate in the assigned activities. Note: A student who
is late, leaves early over seven times, and/or misses more than seven classes will loose 50 points
(5% of the final grade).
Q GRADE: Students who fail to attend regularly in the opening weeks will be given a “Q”
grade and dropped from the roster.
NON PAYMENT: Students who fail to pay tuition bills will not be able to register in following
semesters until they pay.
DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS
When the college announces a delayed opening, all classes witth at least 45 minutes of class time
remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of a 10 a.m.
opening, a 9:30 to 10:45 class will be held. This procedure applies to all credit classes. For
information on delayed openings, sign up for Owl Alert or check College website.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Break
Last Day to withdraw
Final Exam period
Monday, September 6
November 25-28
Friday, November 19
December 10-16
COLLEGE RESOURCES and SERVICES:
Log in to myPGCC to access more information.
Tutoring and Writing Centers
Largo Bladen Wing, Room 107 301-322-0748 for appointment. UTC TBA
The Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring for all students who are working on any
writing assignment in any course.
Student Development Services 301-322-0503
Student Development Services has various programs that provide students with
mentoring, advising, and individual counseling. Call or check the website for more
information.
Library (www.pgcc.edu/library) Accokeek Hall General information: 301-322-0476
Open Computer Labs: UTC and Largo, Bladen Hall, first floor, 301-322-0999
Campus Bookstore: Largo Student Center, Room 116 301-322-0912