EN 100: English Fundamentals
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Tenir Gumbs
Term: Spring 2016
Office: LRC 402F
Meeting Time: Section 02 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays (Rm 403)
Section 03 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays (Rm 402)
Section 06 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays (Rm 404)
Email: tgumbs@miles.edu
Website: http://msgumbsen100.wordpress.com
Office Hours- Mondays: 1-2pm, Wednesdays: 12-1pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays: 12-3 pm, Fridays: 12-2pm
MILES COLLEGE: HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT
Fundamental Skills Division
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
EN 100 is a fundamental course designed to advance the student’s ability to communicate his or
her thinking in clear, cogent written expression conforming to the rules of Standard American
English, with a particular focus on grammatical and mechanical accuracy. This course is for
institutional credit only and is not open to students who have completed EN 101 and received a
passing grade. Specifically, the course provides instruction, training, and practice in the
following:
A. basic grammatical rules and organizational structures
B. the writing process, from prewriting through final editing
C. basic patterns of structure and development of both paragraphs and essays
D. analytical and critical reading, as students evaluate their own work as well as others’
II. REQUIRED READING MATERIALS AND OTHER COURSE MATERIALS:
A. Evergreen: A Guide to Writing with Readings by Susan Fawcett (available in Miles Library)
B. Our America by LeAlan Jones & Lloyd Newman (available in class)
C. 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (available in class)
D. An up-to-date dictionary & thesaurus
E. A folder with pockets
F. Paper, pen/pencils, highlighters
G. Flash Drive
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
State Department of Education rules/objectives applicable to this course: 7.a.1;7.a.4; 8.a.1.i;
8.a.1.iv.Education majors passing this course fulfill the SDE objectives designated.
A. to acquire or reinforce basic skills in organizing and writing different kinds of paragraphs and
essays
B. to acquire the necessary proofreading and editing skills needed to locate and correct major
sentence errors in grammar and mechanics.
IV. MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS, PROJECTS, EXAMINATIONS, AND EVALUATIk8ONS:
A. Writing Assignments:
1. Diagnostic Paragraph—The first paragraph written in EN 100 is used for diagnostic
purposes, marked in the teacher’s own method, but not counted as a graded assignment.
The student should write this assignment in class.
2. Subsequent Assignments
A. Writing Prompts/Paragraphs—During the first half of the semester,
students should compose paragraphs using the traditional rhetorical modes. Four
paragraphs (6-10 sentences are considered minimal).
B. Essays—At midterm, the student should be prepared to transition from
paragraph composition to essay composition. Students should write these essays
using the traditional rhetorical modes. Three essays (300-500 words each) are
considered minimal.
Recommended types of paragraphs and essays include the following:
a. Narrative
d. Compare and Contrast
b. Illustration
e. Persuasion
c. Description
f. Analysis
B. Rough drafts & Revisions—Rough drafts and full revisions of paragraphs and essays are
required and are worth points. Writing is a PROCESS!
C. Final Examination-- In order to successfully complete the course, students must pass the
final exam. The exam will require the student to compose a standard essay that is grammatically
and mechanically sound.
D. Grades--A, B, C, and F.
VI. POLICY STATEMENTS:
A. Attendance Policy—Attendance is mandatory! If there is a reason why the student is not in
class, the student must obtain proper documentation for the absence in order for it to be excused.
Students must be aware that even excused absences can affect their grade if excessive. After 5
unexcused absences, the student’s average will be lowered by 1 letter grade. This policy
begins with the first class session after the last day to add. Classwork is intended to help
students’ grades; therefore, students who miss class are harming their grade.
B. Tardy Policy—It is disruptive to be tardy to class, so please avoid being tardy. If a student
does arrive late, it is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher of his or her
attendance by handing in a dated, signed note at the end of class. Otherwise, the student
will be reported absent for that class.
C. Make-up Policy— NO daily work will be made up even with an excuse! The daily work
includes quizzes, writing prompts, etc. Only tests and major essays can be made up if the
absence is excused. This means the student must provide documentation for the absence. If
the teacher excuses the absence, the student must arrange a convenient time with the teacher to
complete the missed work. Also, it is your responsibility to arrive to class on time and be
prepared. If the student arrives late for a class and the class has already completed the
daily work, the student may not make it up.
D. Civility Statement—All students are expected to attend class fully prepared with appropriate
materials and all devices that make noise turned to the off position (e. g., cellular phones, pagers,
personal stereos, etc.). Any student behavior deemed disruptive by the professor will result in
expulsion of the student from the classroom, with an absence for the day and possible
disciplinary action. NO CELL PHONE USAGE IS ALLOWED IN CLASS!!! CELL
PHONES MUST BE ON SILENT MODE OR TURNED OFF!!! PARTICIPATION
POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR CELL PHONE USE IN CLASS. If the student is
taking a quiz and the cell phone is visible or is in use, the student will receive a zero on the
quiz because the assumption will be that the student is cheating! NO QUESTIONS
ASKED!!!!
E. Disabilities Accommodation Act—Any individual who qualifies for reasonable
accommodations under The Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 should contact the teacher immediately.
VIII. GRADING-- This course will be based on a point system; therefore your grade will be
calculated by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible and
multiply by 100. Final grades in EN 100 derive primarily from the grades earned on paragraphs
and essays. However, class work points will either help or hinder your grade.
Grades will be determined according to the following:
Letters & Rough Drafts…..15-25 pts
Paragraphs…………….30-50 pts
Essays…………………100 pts
Class work:
Grammar/Vocabulary Quizzes.……20pts-50pts
In-class Writing Prompts,
Grammar Exercises, etc...........10 pts
Participation & Workshops…...5-10pts
IV. CLASSROOM PROJECTS, ASSIGNMENTS, and EXAMINATIONS
Writing Assignments
* Paragraphs – During the first half of the semester, students will compose one paragraph per
unit for a total of three paragraphs (6-8 sentences each). These paragraphs will be drafted and
completed in class.
* Essays - At midterm, the student will transition from paragraph composition to essay
composition. Students will compose a 5 paragraph essay (300-500 words each). These essays
will also be drafted and completed in class.
*Workshops- During workshop days, the students will exchange papers and discuss one
another’s work. The student will learn how to give appropriate praise and critiques of the work
but only for in a respectful manner. No disrespectful comments will be tolerated. If there are
inappropriate comments made, the student will receive a zero for that day.
*Participation- Students must participate in class discussions and attend class regularly and
on time!!! Points will be deducted from the students’ participation grade when a student does not
provide his/her input in discussions; when the student arrives late to class or leaves early without
prior notification; when a student does not come to class; when the student does not have proper
materials in class; or when a student has his/her cell phone out during class.
* Revisions – A full revision of at least one paragraph and one essay is required. A revision must
address ALL comments made by the instructor to be accepted. Should the student revise
additional paragraphs/essays, ONE letter grade will be added to the original grade. Revisions are
due at the beginning of class. In order to receive credit for a revision, the student must receive
help from a tutor! The student must have the tutor sign the written work confirming that the
student received help. No signature= no grade!!!
* This syllabus is a working document and subject to modifications*
Website: http://msgumbsen100.wordpress.com
Week 1January 11- 15
Overview of the Course: Objectives, Policies, Texts, Assignments, and Grades;
Weekly Devotion & Establishing Purpose
Diagnostic Paragraph; MLA heading; Professionalism, Time Management & Goal Setting
Week 2January 18 (No class!)
January 19 - 22 (EGW: Ch 1; Technical Writing Mode)
“Destiny” Devotion
Diagnostic Grammar Pre-Test
Commonly Confused Words; Parts of Speech - Nouns & Subjects; Vocab 16
Technical Writing Introduction & Complete Resume & Cover Letter draft
Week 3January 25- 29 (EGW: Ch 2-3--Paragraph Writing, Ch. 6 Narration)
Devotion/Narrative: John Fountain’s “The God Who Embraced Me” from This I Believe(online)
Introduction to Paragraph Process & Complete Narration Paragraph draft
Italics/Underline & Quotations & MLA Citation Introduction
Begin Our America Preface, Ch.1-2, 3-4
Parts of Speech – Prepositions & Pronouns
Complete Resume & Cover Letter Revision
Week 4February 1- 5 (EGW: Ch 2-3--Paragraph Writing, Ch. 6 Narration)
“Power of Words” Devotion
Grammar/Vocab. Quiz – CC Words, Nouns, Subjects, Prepositions, Pronouns, Vocab 16
Parts of Speech - Action & Linking Verbs; Subject & Verb Agreement; Vocab 26
Our America Ch. 5 & 6 (HW: Ch. 7-8)
Complete Narration Paragraph Revision
Week 5February 8- 12 (EGW: Ch. 14--Process of Writing an Essay; Ch. 5 Illustration Mode)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Our America Quiz; Our America Ch.9-10
Article: “How ‘Ghetto’ Lost Its Meaning”; Media: Chicago documentary Introduction
Parts of Speech - Adjectives & Adverbs; Sentence Basics - Fragments & Fused Sentences
Illustration 5 Paragrah Essay Outline, Introduction & Thesis
Week 6February 15- 19 (EGW: Ch. 15--Intro & Conclusion; Ch. 5--Illustration Mode)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Our America Ch. 11-12, Ch. 13-14
Media: Chicago documentary pt. 2
Comma Splices and Fused Sentences; Coordinating Conjunctions; Vocab 4
Illustration Essay Topic Sentences & Body 1-3
Week 7February 22- 26 (EGW: Ch. 15--Intro & Conclusion; Ch. 5--Illustration Mode)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Our America Ch.15, Ch.16-17
Media: Chicago documentary pt. 3
Grammar & Vocabulary Review
Complete Illustration Essay & Revision
Week 8February 29- March 4 Midterm Week
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion; Review & Makeup
MIDTERM! [Parts of Speech--Prepositions, Nouns, Pronouns, Subjects, Verbs, Adjective, &
Adverbs; Vocab 4 & 26; Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, & Fragments]
Week 9March 7- 11 (EGW: Ch. 14--Process of Writing an Essay; Ch. 10--Compare & Contrast Mode)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Media: Chicago documentary pt. 4 & 5
Our America Ch. 18, Ch.19-21
Sentence Basics: Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences Review; Vocab 7
Introduction to Compare/Contrast & Plagiarism Pitfalls pt.2
Complete Compare/Contrast Essay Outline, Introduction & Thesis
Week 10March 14- 18 Founder’s Day (EGW: Ch. 18—Summarizing, Quoting & Avoiding Plagiarism)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Finish Our America Ch. 22-23, Ch. 24-25
Subordination and Coordination; Independent & Dependent clauses
HW: Find an Article(s) relating to Compare/Contrast Essay topic
Complete Compare/Contrast Essay Topic Sentences & Body 1-3
Week 11March 21- 25 (EGW: Ch. 19—Strengthening an Essay w/Research/Analysis Mode)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
Compare/Contrast Essay: How to add article(s)
Sentence Structure: Compound & Complex Sentences; Vocab 15
Complete Compare/Contrast Essay Topic Sentences & Body 1-3 Revision
Week 12
March 28- April 1
(Spring Break holidays- No classes!)
Week 13April 4- 8 (EGW: Ch. 22—Revising for Sentence Variety)
Media: Chicago documentary breakdown
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue Devotion
MLA In-text Citations & Citation Page; Peer-editing
Compound & Complex Sentences; Vocab 1
Complete Compare/Contrast Essay Conclusion & Citation Page
Week 14April 11- 15 (EGW: Ch. 20—Writing Under Pressure)
Grammar (Post-Test) Quiz
5 Paragraph Outline & Thesis Practice
*Discussion of Compare/Contrast Essays
Complete Compare/Contrast Essay Revision
Week 15April 18- 22
* Review for FINAL!
Week 16April 25- 29
FINAL EXAM! [Parts of Speech-Prepositions, Nouns, Pronouns, Subjects, Verbs, Adjective, &
Adverbs; Sentence Structure--Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, & Fragments,
Dependent/Independent Clauses, Vocab 7, 15 & 1; Italicizing & Quoting]
(Note: Final Exams for your other courses will be held the following week—May 2-May 6)