Spring 2011
CM098
Transitional English
5 Credit Hours
Textbook—
Exploring Writing: Sentences and Paragraphs
John Langan
McGraw Hill
Division of Humanities
Instructor: Susan Regan
TRANSITIONAL ENGLISH
Spring 2011
Course Number: CM098
Time & Day: 12A M– 1 PM
Location: Room 221 MWF, 201 TR
Instructor: Sue Regan
Office: 210 Learning Skills Center
Office Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 Daily
Phone: 785-243-1435 Ext: 230
Writing Center Hours: 9 – 10 AM and 1 – 4 PM Monday through Friday
Email: sregan@cloud.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Transitional English helps students develop their grammar and writing skills in preparation for
CM099, CM101, and CM102 English composition courses. This class includes various writing
assignments and grammar review. The class structure consists of lecture, discussions, class
workshops, individual conferences, small group work, and in-class writing. Students should
expect to spend at least five hours per week on homework for this course. Students will also be
required to spend time in the Learning Skills Center.
TEXTBOOK: Exploring Writing: Sentences and Paragraphs. John Langan. McGraw Hill,
Latest edition.
A Writer’s Reference, 6e, Diana Hacker. Bedford/St. Martins, Latest edition.
OTHER MATERIALS: A dictionary (suggested, not required)
Standard composition theme book or spiral-bound notebook
Standard 3-ring binder to organize handouts and assignments.
Your CCCC computer ID and e-mail account.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
The ability to write meaningful sentences is the major goal of this class, and this skill is
developed through practice. You will be writing sentences emphasizing a number of techniques
which you are expected to execute in other college courses. This class prepares you for college
success, so the performance demands are intended to provide experience in using a variety of
sentence writing skills.
Students are expected to arrive on time for class, to have assignments ready for discussion, and to
be prepared for tests. College is similar to having a job, so successful habits are expected to
complete class work, to be involved in discussions, and to interact on an effective basis with
classmates and instructor. Time management skills are important for college and job success.
Plan your semester now to get your rest, eat sensibly, record all homework assignments, and
prepare for tests on the first day of class. Students are responsible for paying attention and being
involved in the discussion or current activity. Students do not leave the room until the instructor
dismisses the class. Behavior that interferes with the progress of the class will not be tolerated.
METHOD OF EVALUATION
The student will be evaluated with a letter grade as follows:
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = 0 – 59%
Please retain all of your graded papers in case of a discrepancy with the recorded grade.
The overall grade will be determined as follows:
Tests
Major assignments
Activities
Final Test
Percentage
35%
25%
15%
25%
ACTIVITIES
These are assignments from the textbook that are specific to the topic currently being studied.
The point value of these assignments will be approximately 10-15 points.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
These assignments will be worth 25 or more points and require more work on your part. They
may be paragraph, one page essays, or larger projects.
FORMAT FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
When you turn in a writing assignment, each must be typed, double-spaced using a standard 12point font or typeface. Indent paragraphs five spaces using the tab default, but please do not
leave extra spaces between paragraphs. Title writing assignments when directed to do so. Some
in-class writing assignments will be expected to be hand-written.
Your Name
Transitional English
Title
The paragraph or essay must be double-spaced. This makes for easer reading and allows
space for remarks. Be sure you read all remarks and make appropriate corrections on the next
paper.
Each paragraph will stand out if you indent the first line. Check each paper for spelling
and complete sentences. You will be glad you took the time.
Good luck this semester. I am very happy to have you in class.
Notations on writing assignments may reference sections of A Writer’s Reference. Keep
this book with you as we will be using it to broaden our knowledge of grammar and sentence
structure.
Some assignments must be reviewed by a tutor in the Writing Center before they are
turned in. With a tutor’s help, you will make adjustments to your essay. The tutors will write a
sheet of suggestions which they will staple to your paper. The paper must be signed and dated by
a tutor. You will be told which papers must be checked by tutors.
WRITING CENTER HOURS
Learning Skills Center
Daily
1:00 – 4:00 PM
LSC USAGE
You must log in on the Timekeeper computer at the door of the LSC when you use the Writing
Center, Math Center, Science Center, or any LSC resource. Contrary to popular belief, the
government is not out to track you—we need to record usage of the center. You will be shown
how to log in on your first visit.
The computers in the LSC also require a log in procedure. Instructions are posted in the room, or
a staff person will be happy to help you.
If you download pornography or open emails with such pictures, you will be asked to leave the
LSC. The college does not condone such practices.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
You, as a student, are expected to be in class and on time everyday as class participation is vital
to your final grade. You are responsible for all information that is given in class, even if you are
absent. You are expected to find out from classmates what information you missed. If you must
be gone unexpectedly, contact the instructor by email or by calling the LSC as soon as possible.
Any work missed should be made up immediately upon your return. If you have a planned
absence, you must turn the assignment in before your absence. Late work becomes subject to
lower scores.
PARTICIPATION
Participation is expected of every college student. Lack of participation in class adversely
reflects on students’ grades. If you need extra assistance with a topic, you are expected to get the
help you need. There are tutors assigned in the Writing Center for your assistance.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS/TESTS
All tests and assignments are expected to be taken or turned in the specified day. Assignments
will be turned in at the beginning of class. Any assignments not turned in at the beginning of
class will be considered late.
If you need to be late or absent, you must email me or leave a phone message letting me know
why you will be absent/late.
Two weeks before finals, all outstanding assignments must be made up, or you will receive 0%
for those activities.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all
students in class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
 Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other
words, taking someone else’s work, placing your name on it and claiming it as yours;
using another student’s quiz; or getting help on a quiz/exam.
 Giving other students your work knowing that they intend to turn it in as their own
creation, giving other students your quiz, or helping another student on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help other students understand how to do an assignment if
they do the work themselves with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any
information, answers, or help during an exam.
2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take
notes or books to the exam when such aids are forbidden. You must not refer to any
book or notes while you are taking an exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open
book” exam.
3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam
after it has been corrected.
PLAGIARISM POLICY
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material
from a book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone
else’s and not your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct
quotation and supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the
wording, appropriate credit should be given. Using wording that closely resembles the original text can be
considered plagiarism. You must put the information in your own words. You have also committed
plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a paper as your own that you did not write.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990,
2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of University Assessment and Intellectual Skills
Program, Western Michigan University)
PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Instructors use plagiarism software to detect copied material.
Students who violate this policy will face one of the following consequences, depending upon the
severity of the case:



The student will receive an F for the assignment that is plagiarized.
The student will be dismissed from the class and receive an F for the course. A second
infraction is an automatic dismissal from class.
The student may be recommended for disciplinary action.
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS
Cell phones must be turned off every day during class. Students must not leave class to answer
the phone or return a phone call. Family, friends, and employers must understand that you are in
class and are not available for this period of time. Phones which are removed from your
possession during class may be retrieved after class. If you use the cell phone during a test, you
get a zero for that test as this will automatically be seen as cheating.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
This is a learning environment and your fellow students and instructor are to be treated with
respect. Any behavior that detracts from the learning experience will be considered to be
disruptive. Any student displaying disruptive behavior will be asked to leave the room. Such
student will receive a zero for graded work that is given while he or she is out. Students who are
continually disruptive will be asked to withdraw from the class. Talking without permission,
using unauthorized technology, or initiating or participating in a distraction is considered
disruptive behavior.
COURSE OUTCOMES
The student will demonstrate the ability to:
 analyze and eliminate personal fears of writing
 use recognized grammatical structures
 develop writing and editing skills in expository essays
o Assessment Procedure: The instructor will evaluate writing samples. Students
who don't meet the criteria will receive oral and written instruction through
individual conferencing, class instruction, and tutors in the Learning Skills
Center.
 successfully follow the steps of the writing process from freewriting and brainstorming to
formation and support of a topic sentence, including revision and editing
 respond to selected readings through written and oral language
 advancement to Intermediate English
EXIT REQUIREMENTS
Students should be able to
 score 70% on grammar and writing achievement
 recognize basic parts of speech and grammatical structures
 recognize topic sentence and supporting material
 write complete sentences using sentence variety techniques
 use the basic components in the composition of a paragraph
 pass Transitional English with a “C” or higher in order to advance to Intermediate
English
ASSISTANCE
If you need academic assistance due to any type of disability, please see any of the instructors of
this course or Advisement Center. You can also visit a peer tutor in the LSC.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
Since a significant number of students and faculty commute to campus from out of town, the
situation may arise sometime during the semester when a student may question whether the
instructor or student will make it to class. For classes that begin at 9:30 AM or later, students
should call the switchboard at (785)243-1435 or (800)729-5101.
In cases of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio stations will be
notified:
KCNK 1390 AM – Concordia
KREP 92.1 FM – Bellville
KVSV 1190 AM – Beloit
KCLY 101 AM – Clay Center
KSAL 1150 AM – Salina
KHCD 895 AM - Hutchinson
Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will
also be sent out on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up
for it.
Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to
attend class due to hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left
to the discretion of the instructor.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE
When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a
designated safe area or to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed
to leave the room, take as many of your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and
other electronic devices are only to be used once you arrive in the safe area outside the building.
Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility of the instructor or staff person.
Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In
case of fire, the alarm will sound.
If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has
been designated.