BROOKLYN COLLEGE
English Department
Guidefor_
Adjuncts_
Table of Contents
I NTRODUCTI ON
ENGLI SH
1
1 010
ADMI NI STRATI VE
MATTE RS
Rosters
8
Overtallies
8
Description and Objectives
1
Evaluation of Faculty
8
Special Designated Sections
1
Grade Appeals Committee
8
Writing Assignments
1
WebGrade
9
Texts
2
Change of Grade
9
Final Exam
2
Academic Advisement Center
9
Final Grades
2
Office Hours
9
Missed Classes
9
Final Exam Schedule
9
ENGLI SH
1012
Description and Objectives
3
Book Orders
10
Texts
3
Photocopies
10
Final Grades
3
Salary and Benefits
11
Keys
11
RESOURCES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Part-timers Caucus
11
Syllabus
4
Phone Numbers and E-Mail Addresses
11
Exemptions
6
Freshman Composition Website
6
APPENDI X
12
Learning Center
6
English 1010 Syllabi
Adjunct Office
7
Grading Grid
Blackboard
7
English 1012 Syllabi
Brooklyn College IDs
7
Core Syllabi
DVD/VCR and Video Library
7
Observation of Teaching Form
Introduction
The purpose of this manual is to aid adjuncts in the teaching and management of English 1010, English 1012, and
Core Studies and to inform them about departmental procedures. Although experience is no doubt the best
teacher, nonetheless there are pedagogical and administrative pitfalls that this document can help adjuncts avoid,
especially when they are teaching these courses for the first time. This manual is the product of the experience of
veteran full-time and part-time instructors and also of the questions asked by new instructors.
The information included here can also be found at the Freshman Composition web site, accessible through the
main English Department website or at: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/composition/homepage.html
The English Department is grateful for the generous help of the Classics Department in sharing its own Adjunct
Information guide.
English 1010
Description and Objectives
The Brooklyn College Bulletin describes English 1010 as: A workshop in expository writing: strategies of, and
practice in analytical reading and writing about texts. Fundamentals of grammar and syntax. Frequent assignments in
writing summaries, comparisons, analyses, of texts and such other expository forms as narration, description, and
argumentation. Emphasis on writing as a process: invention, revision, editing.
Special Designated Sections
Certain sections of English 1010 are designated as word processing and meet in a computer classroom, 132 NE.
Students who are enrolled in these sections have the option to take the exit exam in the computer lab.
ESL sections of English 1010 are reserved for students whose first language is not English.
First-Year Learning Communities for entering students and second semester students are made up of courses that
are requirements for completing a degree. Many Learning Community Instructors work together in planning their
courses. For example, an English composition teacher and an instructor in Core 1230 (People, Power and Politics)
may coordinate reading and writing assignments. Instructors in Core 1332 (Geology: The Science of Our World)
and Core 1210 (Knowledge, Reality, and Values) may coordinate the discussion of environmental and ethical issues.
Learning communities group students together to create a community of learners with a strong support system.
Writing Assignments
Students are expected to write frequently in class and at home. Instructors should insist that students revise all
formal essays. There should be approximately eight formal essays, with revisions, assigned during the semester.
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Texts
The English Department does not mandate a specific text for all sections of English 1010. Instructors should
remember that this is not a course in creative writing, and that they must choose a book or create a course pack that
is appropriate for the kinds of writing that students are expected to do. Generally speaking, for example, English
1010 should not emphasize writing about fiction, poetry, or drama. There are many samples of essay anthologies in
the Freshman Composition Office, located in 2314 Boylan, and suggestions available on the web site.
Final Exam
The English 1010 Final Exam is prepared by the Freshman English Committee. The exam is based on
two pieces of writing: one 5-7 page essay, to be distributed to students about two weeks before the end of
the term, and a second, 1-2 page piece, to be distributed along with the question on the day of the exam.
Students are asked to write about the essays, specifically to summarize briefly each writer’s position, to compare the
two points of views expressed, to draw on evidence from the texts to support their assertions, and to use their
personal experience as relevant to the discussion. Recent exam topics focused on education, family, work. Sample
exams are available in the Freshman Composition Office and on the web site.
Instructors grade their own students’ exams. The exam must count for 20% of a student’s final grade for
the class. You may wish to consult the enclosed grid when grading the exam. Consider 4 the highest
grade in each category and 1 the lowest. The highest score is therefore a 16; an 11 is roughly equivalent to
a C-.
At the end of the semester you must submit your English 1010 final exams to the Freshman
Composition Office. These are kept on file for five years.
Final Grades
Final grades in English 1010 are A+ through C-, NC (no credit), and F. NC is a non-passing but non-punitive
grade. It appears on the student’s transcript but does not affect the grade-point average. NC is intended for
students who did all the work of the course but are not yet writing at C- level. F indicates that the student did not
complete the work of the course and/or was excessively absent. There is no D grade, nor is Incomplete a
permissible grade in English 1010.
Students are allowed to take English 1010 three times. Some of them really need to do that. Please do not inflate
grades. If you assign more than three or four A’s, chances are you are inflating grades. Remember that students
you grade in English 1010 will appear in a colleague’s English 1012.
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English 1012
Description and Objectives
The Brooklyn College Bulletin describes English 1012 as: Writing-intensive seminar focusing on a topic chosen by
the instructor. Provides student with an opportunity to explore a particular subject in depth and further develop the
skills of critical thinking, research techniques, and clear expression necessary for academic writing. Students must
take English 1012 within two semesters of completing English 1010. Example topics: Reading the City; 1960’s:
Decade of Revolt; Novels of the Jazz Age; Cross-Cultural Writing and the Arts.
Students should be familiar with MLA or APA style guidelines (Diana Hacker's A Writer's Reference. Bedford St.
Martins).
Course requirements: 7 short papers (2-4 pages) and 1 research paper (5-7 pages).
Texts
Instructors may choose any works, in any genre, that reflect the theme of their course. Students must also purchase a
research style manual, Diana Hacker's A Writer's Reference (Bedford/ St. Martins).
Final Grades
Final grades in English 1012 are A+ through C-, NC (no credit), and F. NC is a non-passing but non-punitive
grade. It appears on the student’s transcript but does not affect the grade-point average. NC is intended for
students who did all the work of the course but are not yet writing at C level. F indicates that the student did not
complete the work of the course and/or was excessively absent. There is no D grade, nor is Incomplete a
permissible grade in English 1012.
Students are allowed to take English 1012 twice. Some of them really need to do that. Please do not inflate
grades.
3
Resources and General
Information
Syllabus
On the first day you should hand out a syllabus that tells students exactly what is required of them for
the whole term. Tell them that the syllabus is like a contract with terms both you and they will have to
live up to. A written statement of these terms is especially useful when students challenge grades. You
should also read them the memo that Dean of Undergraduate Studies sends out every semester, giving
important deadlines that they must observe, e.g., for dropping classes. Please make it clear to your
students that they just can’t walk away from the course. An unofficial withdrawal (WU) eventually
turns into an ‘F.’
This syllabus should include:

List of required texts
Tell students that they are required to bring the appropriate text to class for each meeting.
Students should purchase the translations and editions the instructor selects.

Schedule of classes and assignments

Course Objectives
N.B. There should not be any reduction in reading, writing, and exam requirements for any English course given in
one of the summer sessions.

Office hours, room number, and e-mail address

Weighting of attendance and participation, exams, papers and quizzes (if applicable). A
sample distribution for Core class might be: (without quizzes) attendance and participation
(10%), midterm (30%), final (30%), two papers (15% each); (with quizzes) attendance and
participation (10%) midterm (25%), final (25%), two papers (15% each), quizzes (10%).

Absence and lateness policy: The English Department considers attendance and promptness
important requirements for all its courses. You should state clearly what penalties will be
imposed for excessive absences and latenesses. It is general policy to allow three absences for
a course that meets twice a week and four absences for a course that meets three times a week.
Most instructors count two latenesses as an absence.

Grading scale
Make it clear to students how numerical grades are translated into letter grades. Here is a
suggested grading scale for Core Studies:
4
A+
98-100
B+
88-89
C+
78-79
D+
68-69
F
Below 60
A
93-97
B
83-87
C
73-77
D
63-67
A90-92
B80-82
C70-72
D60-62
Please note: C- is the lowest passing grade for English 1010 and English 1012.
If a student is absent from the final exam, the proper grade is ABS and not INC (incomplete). The
student must apply through the Academic Advisement Center for permission to take a make-up final.
This process relieves you of the responsibility of judging the worthiness of the student’s excuse for
missing exam. Even after AAC has approved an application for a makeup, you can still deny
permission if you believe that even a good performance on the final will not enable a student to pass
the course. If you do give permission, however, the student will then schedule an appointment with
you to take the makeup.
N.B. Each semester the Department reviews grades given by all instructors in all courses. The
Department does not recommend a model distribution pattern. Obviously, student quality varies from
class to class, so grades will be at times higher and at other times, lower. The Department, however, is
concerned about chronic grade inflation.

Plagiarism: Be aware that students may have access to papers that have been submitted in
other sections, can be downloaded from the Internet, or can be purchased from another
service. There are many free programs available online to check for plagiarism including:
o http://plagiarism.phys.virginia.edu
o http://www.copycatch.freeserve.co.uk
o http://www.turnitin.com
o http://safeassign.com/
You should put a statement of your policy about academic integrity on your syllabus. Here is
the College’s policy:
“Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn
College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of
another person's work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College
Student handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards.
Faculty members are encouraged to discuss with students the application of these standards to work
in each course. Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the test, examination, term paper, or
other assignment on which cheating occurred. In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of
academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation,
restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection" (Brooklyn College Bulletin,
58).
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Copies of your English 1010 and/or English 1012 syllabus must be given to the Freshman
Composition Office to be kept on file. It is preferable that you send your syllabi electronically. Sample
syllabi are on file in the Freshman English Office. on the web site, and in the Appendix to this Guide.
Exemptions
1. Students are exempt from English 1010 if they have an Advanced Placement English
Language and Literature score of 4 or 5. Students are exempt from English 1010 and will
receive elective credit if they have an Advanced Placement Language and Composition score
of 4 or 5.
2. All transfer students who entered Brooklyn College in Fall 2000 or later are exempt from
English 1010 and/or English 1012 if they have taken a comparable course at their former
college.
3. All transfer students who entered Brooklyn College prior to Fall 2000 must take the Transfer
Students’ Writing Test to be placed in an appropriate English course.
4. Students may request exemption from English 1012 if they have all of the following:
a. An A+, A, or A- in English 1010
b. The written recommendation of the English 1010 instructor
c. An exceptional final exam essay
d. A course taken at Brooklyn College that required at least one research paper, with
standard academic documentation. The paper(s) must be submitted to the Director of
Freshman English.
or
e. Successful completion of History 10 or Music 11.1
Freshman Composition Website
The Freshman Composition Website is a resource for both instructors and students. English 1010
and 1012 teachers may use the site to make essays or course packets available electronically.
Additionally, suggested texts, sample syllabi, practice exit exams, and answers to many frequently
encountered questions can be found on the site, accessible through the English Department site or directly
at http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/composition/homepage.html.
Learning Center
The Learning Center (1300 Boylan) provides free peer tutoring in writing by trained students. Students
may attend weekly or on a drop-in basis. Instructors should encourage students to make an
appointment at the Learning Center well before the due date of a writing assignment. Please tell your
students that peer tutors do not provide proofreading service. The Learning Center is open every
weekday, and some evenings and weekends. Instructors should strongly encourage students to take
advantage of this service.
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Adjunct Office
The adjunct office is located in 2311 Boylan, ext. 5576. Each instructor has access to storage space,
desk space, and a computer. Instructors use this space to meet with students and colleagues.
Although the printers are available to adjuncts, please take the Department’s limited budget into
consideration. Note that the Faculty Lab on the third floor of the library is available for unlimited
printing.
Blackboard
Instructors may choose to make their courses more interactive using an online program called
Blackboard. The software allows for online threaded discussions about the course material and allows
instructors to post course material online. Blackboard is housed in the Office of Academic
Information Technology, which is directed by Nick Irons, 382 Library, X4634,
nirons@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Brooklyn College IDs
You will need a Brooklyn College ID:
 To enter the campus
 To use the Brooklyn College and other CUNY libraries (4-month borrowing privileges)
 To use the recreational facilities
 To receive faculty discounts at both the college bookstore (10%) and Shakespeare and Co.
(20%), located on Hillel Place
You can get an ID on the first floor of the West Quad building.
Smart Classrooms
Subject to availability, instructors may reserve smart classrooms for courses that rely heavily on
multimedia. The rooms offer projection screens set up to work with a PC (w/internet), DVD, and
audio. To request a smartroom contact scheduling (Pat O'Neill for day classes, Elaine Sokol for
evening) at extension 5148.
DVD/VCR and Video Library
A monitor and DVD/VCR are available to instructors who wish to show films to their students.
Instructors must reserve the monitor and DVD/VCR beforehand. Instructors who teach early in the
morning, nights, or weekends, when the Department office is closed, should make the appropriate
arrangements to have access to the monitor and VCR. In addition, the Department has a limited video
library available to instructors.
The Library has audiovisual viewing rooms on the second floor in the New Media Center, or the
auditorium. Contact the Academic Information Technology Office at 5312 or go to
www.ait.brooklyn.cuny.edu to reserve a room.
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Administrative Matters
Rosters
Your first week roster will almost certainly be inaccurate. To get an updated one go to
http://attendance.brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Every course has a four-digit code; please note that multiple sections of the same course meet at the same time. Be
sure that every student in your classroom is registered in your section. If a student wants your section, and it is
already full, the student may request an overtally. Do not allow students to remain in your section unless they are on
the official roster or have received an overtally.
Overtallies
There should be no more than 35 students in Core Studies, and 25 in English 1010 and English 1012.
On the first day of classes, however, students may ask for overtallies so that they can register for a class
that is closed. You are free to refuse overtallies, but if you do grant them, you should accept no
more than three, giving priority to graduating seniors. You must write permissions on
Department stationery, which the students will take to the Administrative Deputy in 2308 Boylan.
You should be aware that the Bursar’s office drops students for non-payment a day or two before
classes begin. When these students are dropped, the computer then allows other students to register
for the course in their place. Students who have been dropped by the Bursar’s office have lost their place in the class
and are subject to the Department’s policy on overtallies. They may not simply be reinstated with a ‘Course Add’ Form.
Evaluation of Faculty
For the first ten semesters of employment, an adjunct instructor must be observed by a full-time
member of the faculty once a term. The observer must give an adjunct at least 24 hours notice of the
class to be observed. The observer then writes up an observation report and schedules an observation
conference with the adjunct. A summary of the adjunct’s reaction to the observation is recorded by
the observer on the observation conference report form. If necessary, a separate recorder will be
appointed by the Chair. Both the observation report and the post observation conference report are
put in the adjunct’s personal file. There is also a student evaluation of faculty every fall. After all of
these reports have been signed by the parties involved, they should be given to the Administrative
Assistant for placement in the instructor’s personal file. See Appendix for sample observation form.
Grade Appeals Committee
If a student disagrees with a grade you have assigned, meet with the student to discuss the difference of
opinion. If no agreement can be reached, the student may file a grade appeal. Both you and the student will
be asked to write letters to the Grade Appeals Committee, giving your views of the dispute. In addition, the
student must submit all class assignments. The Committee notifies the student and the instructor of the final
decision.
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WebGrade
The Brooklyn College WEBGRADE system allows faculty to submit final grades for their courses via the
Internet. It also provides the options of instant Grade Submission Status Reports and roster details.
At the end of the semester, instructors must submit xeroxed copies of both the WebGrade printout and their
roll book. The roll book should include attendance and grades for all written work done in the course. These
essential records are kept on file in the Department office.
Change of Grade
When a student is given an ABS (absent from the final) or an INC (incomplete) grade or there has been a
mistake in computing the grade, you will need to do some paperwork to change the grade. A "Change of
Grade Form," on which you will record the change and justify it, is available from the Administrative
Assistant. Letter grades cannot be changed by submission of new work. The change has to be approved by
the Chair and the Academic Advisement Center.
Academic Advisement Center
Whenever students come to you with problems involving college procedure and regulations, please refer
them to the Academic Advisement Center (3207 Boylan). As noted above on p. 6, the Center must approve
an application for a make-up final before it can be administered.
Office Hours
Adjuncts teaching English 1010 and English 1012 are required to be available to students at least an
hour a week per course. Please indicate hours and room on your syllabus.
Missed Classes
If you must miss a class, please inform the English Department office ahead of time. You are allowed
to miss up to one week of classes.
Final Exam Schedule
The final exam schedule can be found in the section "Calendar and General Information" under
"Course Schedules and Bulletins" on the Brooklyn College website. This schedule has the advantage
of being virtually conflict-proof for students, so please do not deviate from it. If you can’t be present
to proctor any of your exams, notify the English Department well in advance. Instructors must leave a
copy of their exam with the date, time, and location noted on it. English 1012 and Core final exams
can be copied if they are submitted to the Department in a timely fashion. Please specify the number
of students in the class, as the Department keeps five extra copies on file.
9
Book Orders
Books may be ordered from the Brooklyn College Bookstore, in the basement of Boylan, or from
Shakespeare and Company, on Campus Road. Order forms are available in the Department office. In
addition, you may order books from the Brooklyn College Bookstore online:
http://brooklyn.bkstore.com.
If you are assigned a course at the last minute, you may not tell your students to buy books that have
already been ordered by another instructor for his/her section. Please be considerate of your
colleagues. You must place your own book order.
You may also order free examination or desk copies of texts for your own personal use. These orders
must be sent to the Department office. Here are some URL’s:





Bedford/St. Martin’s Press
http://www.bedfordbooks.com
Penguin Putnam
http://www.penguinputnam.com/static/html/us/academic/index.html
Prentice Hall
http://www.prenhall.com/resource_central/professors/index.html
Random House
http://www.randomhouse.com/about/faq.html#deskexam
WW Norton
http://www.wwnorton.com
Photocopies
You may leave any material that needs to be copied in the tray in the English Department office. There
is a limit of 200 copies for any one request. The maximum you can request, for example, is 25 copies
of a 8-page document. Please make every effort to give the staff 48 hours to do your work. Larger
runs (up to 250 copies) can be sent to the College Reproduction Center, but the Center requires about
a week’s notice. If you need only ten or fewer copies of no more than two pages, you may use the
small copy machine in the English Department Office.
Many instructors use the Far Better Copy Center off-campus, on Hillel Place. Large runs can be left
with them, and students can pick up and pay for packets of material there. The instructor’s copy is
free.
10
Salary and Benefits
Faculty get paid every two weeks, on Thursdays. Checks are available on Wednesdays after 3 pm on the first
floor of the West Quad building.
Adjuncts are paid in nine equal paychecks commencing with the first scheduled pay date, usually about three
weeks after the start of classes. If your check is not ready for you on the first (or second) scheduled pay date,
you are entitled to receive an advance on your pay, up to the amount you would have received; you should
also receive double checks on the second pay date (or triple checks if you miss two pay dates). For more
information see the PSC-CUNY web site (http://www.psc-cuny.org).
Brooklyn College participates in the Direct Deposit Program offered by the Office of the State Comptroller.
Your paycheck is electronically deposited into an account(s) of your choice. There is no need to wait for a
check to clear, and your salary is therefore available to you in advance of a check mailed to your bank by the
College or picked up from Check Distribution on payday. Employees must meet minimal requirements to
receive Direct Deposit. For further information, or to pick up an application, please contact Dione Francis of
the Payroll Staff at (718) 951-5091. The Payroll Office is located 1156 Boylan Hall.
Adjuncts become eligible for health care benefits in the 3rd consecutive semester of appointment to 90 hours
or more contact teaching hours (150 or more non teaching hours). Summer sessions are excluded for
purposes of determining eligibility.
Keys
You will need keys for the English Department Office, the adjunct office, the faculty bathroom (the
same key opens most classrooms in Boylan), and, if you are teaching a computer section in 132 NE,
you will need a key to that room as well. Key cards are available from the secretary in the English
Department. You need to take the card to the Bursar on the first floor of the West Quad Building, pay
a $3 deposit per key, and then take the receipt to the locksmith, 0216N. You can pick up your keys in a
few days.
Part-timers Caucus
The New Caucus of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) can give you information about rights and
benefits. Len Fox, ext. 5920, who teaches in the English Department, is a good person to talk to.
Phone Numbers and E-Mail Addresses





Department Office (voice): 718-951-5195/6.
Chairperson: Ellen Tremper, 718-951-5195; etremper@brooklyn.cuny.edu; 2308 Boylan.
Deputy Chairperson: Elaine Brooks, 718-951-5195; ebrooks@brooklyn.cuny.edu; 2308
Boylan.
Deputy Chairperson and Graduate Deputy: James Davis, 718-951-5197;
jcdavis@brooklyn.cuny.edu; 2314 Boylan.
Director of Freshman Composition: Janet Moser, 718-951-5197; jmoser@brooklyn.cuny.edu;
2314 Boylan.
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