VANIER COLLEGE
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND GENERAL STUDIES: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Course Title: Introduction to College English: Effective Reading and Writing
Course Number: 603-101-MC
Section:
1880
Semester: Winter 2010
Course Hours Per Week:
1 hours of theoretical work
3 hours of practical work
4 hours of homework
Teacher:
Office:
Phone Number: 514-744-7500 ext. 7194
Email:
Office Hours: As announced in class, posted on office door, and by appointment.
Prerequisites: Students are placed in this course based on their results in the Vanier English
Placement or Proficiency Test.
Course Description:
This introductory course is intended to bring students to a college level of proficiency in the areas
of reading, writing, listening and speaking, with a marked emphasis on writing and reading. In
addition, students are encouraged to develop an appreciation of literature by becoming acquainted
with a number of significant literary works representative of various genres and periods and
expressing a variety of literary themes. Students will develop college-level critical and analytical
reading skills, and learn to analyze the essay as well as at least two of the three following genres:
fiction, poetry and drama. A major focus of this course is on improving students’ writing abilities
in terms of composition organization, development and expression. Important elements of
grammar will also be included.
Objectives and Standards:
The objective of this course is to enable students to analyze texts and produce written and oral
work. Students will learn to read literature critically. Students will also learn to write an
analytical essay containing a thesis statement, which is clearly supported and developed.
On successful completion of this course, students, with the aid of reference material, will be able
to produce a 750-word essay analyzing a literary text. This essay will demonstrate the following:
correct grammar, syntax and spelling; appropriate tone and diction; and effective sentences and
paragraphs. This essay will also demonstrate thorough revision of form and content.
Methodology:
On average, one hour of the class time each week will involve short lectures, close readings of
selected passages of literature, and discussions of literary elements such as plot, character, tone,
style and structure.
The three hours of practical activities include note-taking, outlining, development and revision of
thesis statements, paragraph design and revision, use of glossaries and dictionaries,
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documentation, and other exercises designed to strengthen writing, grammar and speaking skills.
There will be short quizzes as well as work in pairs and small groups. For homework, students are
expected to read assigned literature and to respond in writing in a variety of forms, including
statements of main ideas or themes, answers to study questions, paraphrases, summaries, reaction
paragraphs, journal entries and brief reports. Students are also expected to complete grammar
exercises and revise their writing assignments.
Bibliography:
Rites of Passage: Effective Reading and Writing Course Reader, Winter 2010. Compiled by Micah
Locilento. Montreal: Vanier College Printing Services, 2010.
Sentence Skills Workbook. Montreal: Vanier College Printing Services, 2010.
A college-level English dictionary.
Evaluation:
One in-class 500-word analytical essay on fiction or poetry
One take-home 750-word analytical essay on fiction
Class-work (group projects, quizzes, etc.)
Short writing assignments
Final exam (in-class): paragraph answers to questions on course readings
Final grammar test (in-class)
Oral presentation
20%
30%
15%
10%
10%
10%
5%
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy:
Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of zero on the test or assignment, and a
letter from the teacher will be placed in your file. A repeated offence may lead to even more
serious consequences. Please consult the Vanier College Catalogue, the Student Handbook and
your teacher for more information.
Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance and active participation are required throughout the term. Missing more than
10% of in-class work without a valid reason seriously jeopardizes a student’s chance of passing
the course. Students who miss 20% of in-class work will likely fail. Students who will be absent
from classes for religious reasons must inform their teachers, in writing at the beginning of the
semester, of the dates of these holidays and make up the work missed. These students will not
then be penalized for these absences. Students with justifiable absences must submit original and
verifiable documentation, such as a medical note, upon their return to class. Students are
responsible for making up any work missed due to justifiable absences.
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COLLEGE/COURSE POLICIES ON CLASSROOM CONDUCT
Course Material and Coursework:
Students should know what is expected of them each week. They must come to class with their
course material (course reader, grammar book, dictionary, etc.) and be prepared for the day’s lesson.
If they fail to do so, they may be asked to leave the classroom.
Absences:
Being absent without a valid medial reason is not an acceptable excuse for (1) failing to submit work
that is due, (2) completing homework, (3) missing a test or a quiz, or (4) coming to class unprepared
for the day’s lesson. If students are absent, it is their responsibility to find out what they missed (e.g.
assignments, notes, etc.) and to arrange to make up any missed in-class assignments or projects for
which they have a signed medical note. Note that students will not be permitted to make up in-class
work (including quizzes, exams and tests) for which they do not provide the documentation required
to justify their absence (e.g. a signed medical note).
Religious Holidays:
Students must inform the teacher at the beginning of the semester, in writing, of any absences due to
religious holidays. Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to make up any class work that is
missed due to such absences.
Punctuality and Class Attendance:
Punctuality is important, in that late students tend to disrupt the class and impede work in progress. If
students are late, they may not be permitted to enter the classroom. In addition, students are not
permitted to leave the classroom until the class has ended. If students leave the classroom without
permission, they may not be allowed to re-enter the classroom. If students must leave early, they
must inform the teacher before the beginning of class.
Electronic Devices:
It is strictly prohibited to use laptops, cell phones, pagers, iPods, MP3 players or any electronic
device during class. They must be turned off and placed out of sight before you enter the class!
If you have a documented medical reason for needing to use a laptop, please see the teacher and
provide the required documentation.
COURSE POLICIES ON ASSIGNMENTS, GROUP PROJECTS AND QUIZZES
Submission of Work: All writing assignments should be double spaced and clearly legible. Takehome writing assignments should be typed using a computer. Unless otherwise specified, assignments
must be submitted in “hard” (i.e. printed) copy; an electronic copy may also be required. The teacher
is not responsible for any assignments that may go “missing”; always keep a copy.
Due Date Policy: All assignments must be handed in on the date specified, at the beginning of class.
No out-of-class assignment or project will be accepted later than one week after the due date unless a
signed medical note is provided with the assignment. For late assignments that are submitted within
one week of the due date, a 10% penalty will apply. Extensions will only be granted under
exceptional circumstances and must be discussed with the teacher at least 48 hours before the
assignment is due. Penalties do not apply if the student provides a signed medical note.
Revisions: Students may, at the teacher’s discretion, be permitted to revise selected written
assignments. No revision, however, can earn a mark higher than 20% over the original mark, and all
revisions must be accompanied by the original assignment.
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