UTB/TSC
Course Syllabus
College Reading 320
Fall 2011
Instructor:
Herman Pena
Office:
Cortez 105
Office Hours: T-Th 8:15-9:15am & 12:10-1:35pm & 4:30-5:30pm
(other times by appointment)
Contact Information:
Office Phone:
956-882-7822
Main Office Phone: 956-882-6705
Email:
Need to log into Blackboard e-message account
Course Description:
The primary purpose of this reading course is to improve basic reading and
comprehension skills through a combination of classroom-based and computer-assisted
instruction. Primary emphasis will be in the areas of vocabulary and comprehension
development, which will be enhanced through the use of selected literary materials.
(Lec.3, Cr. 3)
READ Student Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will identify the meaning of words using context clues, word
structure clues, and use of a dictionary.
2. The student will successfully use the context of a sentence, passage or word
analysis to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.
3. The student will successfully identify the topic, central point, main idea of a
passage and recognize ideas that support the main idea.
4. The student will identify organizational relationships among the elements in
written material.
5. The student will recognize a writer’s tone and purpose for writing.
6. The student will recognize basic elements of stories, including setting, plot,
characters.
7. The student will recognize implied uses of language and have a basic
understanding of figurative interpretation through the use of literary selections.
8. The student will apply independent reading skills through the use of real-world
reading experiences.
9. The student will summarize/respond to assigned readings.
Required Course Materials:
 Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills by John Langan, 5th Edition.
 NOVEL will be assigned by instructor.
 3 ring binder and a Dictionary
 Pen and Pencils and one package of Green Scantrons
 Must have UTB student I.D. and password to use Blackboard
Required Course Work:
 Chapter quizzes, midterm and final exam.
 Assigned readings/homework
 Application of Reading Strategies
 Participation and Attendance
 Presentation
Participation & Attendance:
Participation will be evaluated on carefully reading the assignments and carefully
completing the assigned homework before class. Preparation will also be determined by
the quality of your group work, individual answers, and other assignments. Major
projects are due on the designated due date regardless of absence. Late homework will
not be accepted. Students who missed on the day of online quizzes (at computer lab) will
not be allowed to make up online quizzes, regardless of excuse. If an exam is missed,
you are allowed to make up the exam; however, it is the student’s responsibility to
contact the instructor. Attendance is vital to student success in any course. A student that
is absent more than 3 times will be in danger of failing the course.
The department of developmental reading has implemented a comprehensive attendance
policy which will be strictly enforced. The attendance policy is as follows and applies
before the withdrawal date. You are responsible to know when and if you need to drop
or withdraw from the class if in any case you are failing or can not attend.
Class Days
Number of Absences
Action to Be Taken
MWF
MWF
T TH
T TH
4 consecutive unexcused
absences
7 excused or unexcused absences
throughout the semester
3 consecutive unexcused
absences
6 excused or unexcused absences
throughout the semester
Automatic withdrawal
Automatic withdrawal
Automatic withdrawal
Automatic withdrawal
If excessive absences continue after the withdrawal date, then a student’s overall class
average will result in a “F.”
***What constitutes as an excused absence is at the discretion of the instructor
*The final exam schedule can be accessed online. Please refer to the final exam schedule to
determine the date and time your course section is supposed to take the final exam and verify with
the instructor the dates and times. Anyone missing the final exam will receive a zero and will
not be able to make up the grade regardless of excuse!
Instructor Expectations:
 Arrive promptly to class
 Be prepared for class – homework, materials
 Turn OFF all cellular phones.
 No visitors or children allowed in class
 Bring to class NEW text books.
- If you are coming to class without a text, you will be asked to
leave until you bring your new textbook.
Grades:
Assignment
Notebook & Class Participation
Vocabulary Assignments
Class Assignments
Midterm Exam
Novel Presentation
Townsend Press-Mastery Tests
Final
TOTAL
%
15%
10%
10%
15%
10%
25%
15%
100%
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
Read 320
Class Outline
Fall 2011
Class Assignments
Hwk. or Notes
Login to Blackboard
& get a copy of Syllabus
Week 1
Introduce Syllabus
Class Intro. and Class Expectations
Week 2
Townsend Press (pretest)
*Test will be a 2 day-2 part test
Meeting at Library
A-105
Intro. to computer Lab
Bring in Scantron
For Townsend Press
Pre Test
Week 3
Chapter 1
Intro. to Vocabulary
Read Chapter 1
Informal
Presentation: Student
Introductions
Week 4
Week 5
Chapter 1
Vocabulary Practice and Assignments
Chapter 2
Main Ideas
Week 6
Chapter 3
Supporting Details
Week 7
Chapter 4
Implied Main Ideas
Week 8
Chapter 5
Relationships I
DUE: Mastery Tests
Chapters 1-4
Week 9
Practice & Review
Mid-Term
Week 10
Chapter 6
Relationships II
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)
The following REVISED policy applies to new and returning UTB/TSC students
registered for classes in the 2007-2008 academic year.
UTB/TSC monitors academic progress every fall and spring semester to identify those
students who are experiencing difficulty with their courses. Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) is based upon two components: GPA of 2.0 or higher and successful
course completion of at least 70% of course work attempted. Students remain in
good standing with the university and Financial Aid when both criteria are met. Students
who do not maintain these required minimum standards will be placed on probation or
suspension as appropriate. The complete Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and the
Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid policy can be found in
the current Undergraduate Catalog. For more information, please visit MyUTBTSC
Blackboard http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com; click on the Satisfactory Academic Progress
link.
THEA Testing Requirements
You have been placed in this class by your initial score on the state required assessment
test (usually THEA), or by successfully completing the previous College Reading course.
You do not have to retake the state assessment test (THEA). By state law, you may, at
your option retake the exam, but it is not required. If you retake the test and pass the
exam, you may drop the course if you wish, but be careful, as this may affect your
financial aid status. Just because you pass the THEA retake doesn’t mean you can just
quit attending class. If you pass the test and do not drop the course, you are still required
to complete the course requirements. Failure to do so may result in a reduced course
grade or a failing grade for the course. This will affect your GPA and also possibly your
financial aid status.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities. Students who
engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic
dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, submission for
credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person,
taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a
student, or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the
individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic
dishonesty will be strictly enforced. (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations)
All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. Do not
allow your peers to pressure you to cheat. Your grade, academic standing and personal
reputation are at stake.
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are expected to be diligent in their studies and attend class regularly and on
time. Students are responsible for all class work and assignments. On recommendation of
the instructor concerned and with the approval of the Dean, students may, at any time, be
dropped from courses. This may result in a “W” or “F” on the student’s permanent
record.
EMERGENCY ACADEMIC CONTINUITY PLAN
In compliance with the Emergency UTB/TSC Academic Continuity Plan, academic
courses, partially or entirely, will be made available on the MyUTBTSC Blackboard
course management system. This allows faculty members and students to continue their
teaching and learning via MyUTBTSC Blackboard http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com, in
case the university shuts down as a result of a hurricane or any other natural disaster.
The university will use MyUTBTSC Blackboard to post announcements notifying faculty
members and students of their responsibilities as a hurricane approaches our region. If
the university is forced to shut down, faculty will notify their course(s). To receive credit
for a course, it is the student’s responsibility to complete all the requirements for that
course. Failure to access course materials once reasonably possible can result in a
reduction of your overall grade in the class.
To facilitate the completion of class, most or all of the communication between students
and the institution, the instructor, and fellow classmates will take place using the features
in your MyUTBTSC Blackboard and UTB email system. Therefore, all students must
use Scorpion Online to provide a current email address. Students may update their email
address by following the link titled “Validate your e-Mail Account” in MyUTBTSC
Blackboard Portal. In the event of a disaster, that disrupts normal operations, all students
and faculty must make every effort to access an internet-enabled computer as often as
possible to continue the learning process.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request
accommodations in this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in the
semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal
law, a student requesting accommodations must provide documentation of his/her
disability to the Disability Services counselor. For more information, visit Disability
Services in the Lightner Center, call 956-882-7374 or e-mail steve.wilder@utb.edu.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
This syllabus is subject to change as long as it does not violate HOOPS or the student
handbook.