ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
SYLLABUS
ENGL 105 - Composition and Reading
Course Description
Students enhance writing skills through the process of prewriting, organizing, drafting, revising, and
editing of expository and argumentative essays. The course includes a review and further development of
sentence writing and editing skills for the development of a college writing style. Various texts are
analyzed to develop critical thinking skills. 4 units
Prerequisites
Eligibility to enroll in this course is determined by placement exam scores or successful completion of
ENGL 10 Essential Language Skills.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:





Write formal, academic essays.
Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation when writing.
Critically analyze readings.
Integrate new vocabulary in writing.
Prepare presentation(s) using principles of organization and formal language.
Instructor Information
Adrienne Williams, MS
January 2011
E-mail: jus22tuf@gmail.com
Phone: (916) 572-1712
Office Hours: As arranged
Wikispace: www.jus22tuf.wikispaces.com/English 105
Topics Covered







Writing Mechanics
General Essay Writing Skills
Presentations
Reading
Critical Thinking
Internet
Portfolio
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
1 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
Textbook(s)
Bundle ISBN: 1111199132
This bundle consists of:
Wyrick, J. (2011). Steps to Writing Well with Additional Readings (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning. ISBN 1428292055
Wadsworth. (2004). Patterns of Inquiry Comp21 CD-ROM. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
ISBN 1413006825
Kirszner, L.G., & Mandell, S.R. (2009). Advantage Books: The Pocket Wadsworth Handbook, 2009 MLA
Update Edition (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. ISBN 1439081816
Robitaille, J., & Connelly, B. (2003). Writer’s Resources CD-ROM 2.0 (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning. ISBN 0838406742
Grading
Exams
Projects and Assignments
Participation
20%
70%
10%
A grade of 90 percent or higher earns an A grade; 80 to 89 percent earns a B grade; 70 to 79 percent earns
a C grade; 60 to 69 percent earns a D grade. A minimum grade of C is required in major courses or
courses that are prerequisites for advanced courses.
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
2 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Week 2
1/24
Week 3
1/31
Week 3
2/7
Week 4
2/14
Week 5
2/21
Week 6
2/28
Week 7
3/7
Week 8
3/14
























Introductions/Review Syllabus & Classroom Policies
Grammar Review
Introduce Vocabulary #1 (due: 2/7)
Assign Exercise 1: MLA Formatting (due: TODAY)
Read and discuss Narrative Reading Journal -Black Men and Public Space pg. 611 (due: TODAY)
Discuss & Assign Narrative Essay (due: 2/7)
Introduce & Assign Exercise 2: Prewriting Techniques (due: TODAY)
Assign Diagnostic Essay (due 1/31)
Introduce Topic Sentences and Paragraphs
In Class Activity: Topic Sentence & Paragraph
Introduce Introduction, Body, and Conclusion Essay Structure
Discuss & Assign Exercise 3: Thesis Statements (due: TODAY)
Discuss & Assign Descriptive Essay (due: 2/28)
In Class Activity: Cause & Effect
Read and discuss Descriptive Reading Journal - Still Learning from My Mother pg. 337 (due: 2/14)
Assign Exercise 4: Quotations (due: 2/14)
Vocabulary #1 Due
Review Vocabulary #2 (due: 2/14)
Exam 1 (Vocabulary/Thesis Statements/MLA)
Introduce Summarizing (Watch video)
Assign Exercise 5: Summarizing
Read and discuss Compare & Contrast Reading Journal -My Real Car pg. 623 (due: 2/28)
Introduce Works Cited (MLA)
NO CLASS- HOLIDAY








Assign Exercise 6: Outlines (due: 3/7)
Discuss & Assign Compare & Contrast Essay (due: 3/14)
Introduce Oral Presentation (presentations given during Finals Week)
Essay Revisions
Midterm Exam (Vocabulary/Quotations/Summarizing)
Essay Revisions
In Class Activity: Cause & Effect
Read and discuss Cause & Effect Reading Journal - Cell Phones and Social Graces pg. 659 (due: 3/21)
Assign Cause & Effect Essay (due: 3/28)
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
3 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
Week 9
3/21
Week 10
3/28
Week 11
4/1







Work on Oral Presentations
Essay Revisions
Prep for Final Exam
Essay Revisions
Begin Oral Presentations
Finish Oral Presentations
Final Exam
Instructor’s Biography
Ms. Williams currently works for The County of Sacramento in the Department of Health & Human
Services, where she monitors mental health services for children who struggle in school due to their
mental health issues. She has worked in residential treatment in several capacities, ranging from
establishing treatment goals and conducting mental health assessments of children during her tenure with
the Sacramento Children’s Home. She has also worked at Sutter Center for Psychiatry with adults who
had a variety of diagnoses, ranging from Bipolar Disorder to Schizophrenia. Ms. Williams has a Master of
Science degree in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, both from California
State University, Sacramento. This is Ms. Williams’ second year teaching at Heald College.
Heald Policy Reminders
Heald College policies can be found in the Heald Academic Catalog. Please review the reminders below
and, if needed, refer to the Academic Catalog for complete policy details.
Attendance Standards
Students are expected to attend all classes as scheduled, to arrive on time, and to remain until the end of
each class. Absences should occur only in the event of illness or unforeseen and unavoidable situations or
emergencies. Students should inform his/her instructor of planned absences in advance via email and/or
telephone.
This section applies only to residential courses offered on campus. Courses offered online have a separate
attendance policy.
All students are expected to attend classes beginning with the first day of each quarter or module. A new
or continuing student who has not attended during the add/drop period must attend the first class
meeting(s) immediately following the add/drop period in order to remain enrolled in the course or courses
for the module or quarter. If there is no attendance in any courses at the completion of the first class
meeting(s) following the add/drop period, the student’s enrollment will be cancelled.
If there is attendance in some, but not all of the courses at the completion of the first class meeting
immediately following the add/drop period, the student may continue his/her enrollment in the courses
attended. Registration in those courses not attended will be cancelled and the grade of NS will be
recorded for those courses on the student’s academic record for that quarter or module.
A student who is absent 14 or more consecutive calendar days in a course will be withdrawn from the
course. Students who are absent from all scheduled classes for 14 or more consecutive calendar days will
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
4 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
be withdrawn from school. Saturdays and Sundays are included in the consecutive absence count.
Holidays and break days are excluded.
Additional Attendance Guidelines
All students are expected to immediately contact their instructor when they expect to be absent from a
scheduled class or classes. In order to be successful, students are strongly encouraged to attend at least
85% of the scheduled class meetings per quarter per course. Students whose attendance falls below 85%
may be subject to additional attendance monitoring requirements including:

The student may be required to present documentation for his/her absence(s) as well as a
written attendance commitment for the duration of the quarter. The Academic Affairs
Department will review with the student the reason for absence(s), the documentation, and
the student’s communication with the Academic Affairs Department when absent.

A consultation may be conducted with the instructor to determine if continued enrollment is
in the student’s best interest academically.
Students whose attendance falls below 70% may be subject to additional attendance monitoring
requirements and conditions as needed to promote good attendance and academic success.
Tardy or Early Departure from Class
There may be occasions when students enter after a class has started or may have reason to leave
before the end of a class. Students are expected to inform their instructor in advance and enter or
leave class quietly, minimizing any disruption. Heald College has established a maximum number of
times a student may be tardy or depart from a course early, as shown in the table below. Attendance
monitoring (as detailed above) may be required when students reach the maximum number of times
tardy or early departures shown in the table.
Number of Class Meetings
per week
One
Two
Three
Four
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
Maximum number of times tardy
and/or early departure from class
2
4
7
10
5 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading

Makeup Policy
Each student has the opportunity to make up one missed major in-class graded event. Your instructor
will inform you of which graded events fall into this category in this course.

Professional Appearance
At Heald College, student professional appearance standards have been established to be at or above
those normally required for employment in business, industry, and healthcare in the area. The dress
standard helps prepare a student for the workplace and fosters a professional appearance, which is a
positive factor in job placement. The professional appearance policy is discussed in the enrollment
process and is available in the Academic Affairs office.
Instructor’s Classroom Policies









Participation guidelines- students are expected to participate fully. This includes class discussions,
asking questions, and respecting the comments/questions/opinions of fellow students.
Late assignment policy- Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been
made with Instructor.
Cell phones/pagers- CELL PHONES AND PAGERS MUST BE TURNED OFF OR ON SILENT
DURING CLASS. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! If you must answer, please step outside.
Attendance/Tardiness- Students are expected to be in class, on time, ready to work. If you come to
class late, it is your responsibility to let me know, or you may be marked absent if role has been
taken.
NO food, drinks or gum chewing will be allowed in the classroom, per Heald policy. You are
allowed to have bottled water for which you have a lid.
Professional Behavior- Students are expected to conduct themselves as professionals at all times.
This will include your adherence to the dress code, communicating respectfully with colleagues, and
maintaining an attitude of professionalism at all times. I will not tolerate offensive language in the
classroom!
Professional Dress- Please refer to Heald’s Dress Code Policy. I will ask you to leave class if you are
not in dress code.
Make-up tests will only be permitted in the event of an emergency. It will be your responsibility to
arrange to make up a missed test. Tests should be made up by the beginning of the next class.
Computers are to be used only when instructed, and only for school related activities. I will announce
when it is appropriate to use the computers. Class time will not be used to make up outstanding
work. I will give one warning for using computers at inappropriate times, and then you will be asked
to leave class.
Instructor’s Really Strong Suggestion ☺
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
6 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5
ENGL 105 Composition and Reading
I suggest that you exchange telephone numbers with at least two classmates who would be willing to
exchange information about work missed while you were away from class.
Portfolio
A portfolio represents the assembly of – and reflection upon – the depth and breadth of learning that has taken
place at Heald College during your program of study. It can be used during the job interview process to
highlight the skills and knowledge gained throughout your education.
You should start saving key assignments from each class in your first quarter at Heald College. You will select
those documents that best highlight your skill development throughout your time at Heald. In general, the
portfolio should contain evidence of learning related to your program’s outcomes including written
communication, business, computer and keyboarding skills, as well as interpersonal skills and teamwork.
Consult with your instructor on strategies for collecting evidence.
We recommend creating both an electronic and paper storage system and storing evidence as you complete
each course in your program. You can create a folder in your P: drive titled “Portfolio” in which to place
portfolio documents. You can also buy a two-inch binder and start saving paper copies of your work.
ENGL 105
Composition and Reading
7 of 7
Course Version 1.0 06/25/2010
Template Version 4.5