ACADEMIC PREPARATION: SPECIAL TOPICS: BRIDGE
Summer Quarter, 2015
Instructors:
Office:
Office Phone
Office Hours
Email:
Class Hours
Class Room
Rob Fieser
Wendy Pickering
C 230
C 230
425-564-2350
425-564-3143
By appointment
By appointment
rfieser@bellevuecollege.edu wpickeri@bellevuecollege.edu
Monday-Friday: 1:00-3:50 pm:
Required Text: Good Wife (Season 3 – see explanation)
Required Materials: A 3-ring binder with dividers, an English-English dictionary, 8 ½” x 11” lined white paper, a
USB drive, access to a computer with internet and a printer.
A Writer’s Reference Handbook. There are many different types available. The BC Bookstore
sells them.
Course Overview: The goal of this class is to help students develop the variety of skills they will need to succeed in
academic classes. We will focus on active listening, note taking, summarizing and giving reactions both in speech and
writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, and study skills. These skills will be practiced in a variety of ways in class
and evaluated by 2 projects, quizzes and tests, and summary/responses, reaction papers and personal essays.
Recommended:
In addition, in order to gain a greater awareness of the academic rigors of credit classes, students will be expected to
attend and observe 2 credit classes during the quarter. Students will approach instructors for permission to attend the
classes they choose to visit. After the observation, students will get a signature from the instructor and write a report about
what they observed.
This summer you will have two instructors: Rob Fieser from June 30-July 22 and Wendy Pickering from July 23-August
14. We have worked together closely to plan a great summer course for you.
In the first half, Rob will concentrate on the legal system in the US. He will start with the Declaration of Independence
and the writing of the US Constitution, touch upon the legacy of the Civil War, and finish with discussion of three cases
presented in the popular US TV drama, “The Good Wife”. Grammatically, we will focus on sentence combining.
In the second half, Wendy will focus on sustainability as the central theme. Sustainability is “achieving a balanced union
of ecological harmony, social respect and economic vitality.” We will be employing critical thinking skills as we examine
various issues, such as globalization, as well as economic and environmental concerns, with the question in mind, “What
is sustainable for our world and for future generations?”
NOTE: You will be required to create a BC email account if you don’t already have one. Bellevue College expects that
all students utilize only their BC account or CANVAS for corresponding with instructors and staff.
Course Outcomes: Students will demonstrate the ability to interact critically with college-level learning through:

Think critically about college-level content; connect issues in the course to local and global communities

Use active reading, listening, and discussion strategies

Summarize and paraphrase academic materials orally and in writing

Speak and write English clearly and effectively

Plan and deliver effective individual and group presentations

Gather and evaluate information on a topic using library databases and other research tools

Use proactive study skills
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels
welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.
We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are
to treat one another with dignity and respect. For more information, go to:
http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-4000/
Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity
Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own
without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the
Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to,
talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and
inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code
of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal
procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at: Student Code
College Anti-Discrimination Statement (Title IX)
Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed; national origin; sex; marital
status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical
disability; gender identity or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates.
For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements.
Attendance Policy –Summer- Lateness & Absence
Please come to class on time. Good attendance helps you learn. This is the ELI attendance policy for summer:
late 5 minutes or more, three times
= one absence
late 10 minutes or more
= one absence.
absent 8 or 9 times
grade D/not passing
absent 10 times
grade F/not passing
absent 12 times
grade F and may be dismissed at the end of the quarter.
(This means you will have to go home or find a new school.)
Vacation Days -• There will be no class on Friday July 3rd.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own on assignments. It is cheating and is not acceptable in
American classes.
There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, “borrowing” a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly), using an
essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using “cheat notes,” and copying answers from classmates’ papers
during tests.
Examples of plagiarism are:
Copying from a Web page, book or article
Buying papers
Copying from another student
Using a friend’s paper from a previous quarter
If you plagiarize:
First time: your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do
Second time: Fail the assignment
Third time: Fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services. Possibly be asked to leave the
school
This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
UP Grades
UP grades are determined on the following basis:
A = 90- 100% (Excellent)
B = 80- 89% (Above Average)
C = 70 – 79% (At Level)
D = Below 70% (Satisfactory Effort - Repeat Level)
F = Below 70% (Unsatisfactory Effort – Repeat Level)
Help with CANVAS
Please click on the link below for help with CANVAS for students.
http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/canvas/
Bellevue College E-mail and Access to MyBC
All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account. Your student
network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms,
connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To create your account, go to: Create Email
BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus
locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help Desk
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a
student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for
treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon
as possible.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please
meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to
you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators Email and phone number is on the web page. ASN is located in the
Library Media Center in D125.
The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us by
Skype: the address is DRCatBC (NOTE: There is no @ sign...it is actually DRCatBC). Please visit our website
at Disability Resource Center for application information into our program and other helpful links.
Public Safety and Emergencies
Public Safety is located in the K building and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember because it’s the only
office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits,
Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center. Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our
campus alerting system by registering at RAVE Alert Registration
If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate
this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort.
Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the
event of an evacuation. Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you
do anything else. Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for.
If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules:
1) Take directions from those in charge of the response -We all need to be working together.
2) Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent emergency
vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from those in charge.
3) In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.
Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any time. You may also visit
the Public Safety web page for answers to your questions.
Religious Holidays
Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence of their religious
observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities.
It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which
they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class
assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they have previously arranged
to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute an unreasonable burden on a
member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an unreasonable burden or any element of this
policy, parties involved should consult the department chair, or Dean.
Student Concerns
Should you have concerns about any part of the class, please come to me with them. If for any reason you don’t feel
comfortable coming to me, the usual next step would be to speak with the ELI Department Chair, Ivan Breen
<ibreen@bellevuecollege.edu>. You can also refer concerns to the Arts and Humanities Division Associate Dean,
Tuan Dang <tuan.dang@bellevuecollege.edu> or the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho
<scott.bessho@bellevuecollege.edu>. An additional resource for concerns you find aren’t being addressed by faculty
or administration is the Ombuds Office
<http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ombuds/default.html>.
Rob will be grading the first half of the quarter and Wendy the second. Grades will be available online.
Important Note: Attendance, Participation, Preparation, and Time Management are all part of being a successful college
student in the American academic system. Therefore, absences, accumulated tardies (=late arrivals), lack of textbook and
materials, and lack of participation during class will result in a loss of up to 5 points per day. If you are ill and know that
you will not be in class, email your instructor before class time to be excused. Otherwise, you will lose points for your
absence.
Paper Format: All written assignments unless otherwise stated should be typed, double-spaced, and in size 12 font
(Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Times New Roman), with one-inch margins. All written work should have your full name, date,
and assignment listed in the upper right corner and follow the other principles of good format.
Values Conflicts
Essential to a liberal arts education is an open-minded tolerance for ideas and modes of expression that might conflict with
one’s personal values. By being exposed to such ideas or expressions, students are not expected to endorse or adopt them
but rather to understand that they are part of the free flow of information upon which higher education depends.
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels
welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different
backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with
dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp
There are no make-ups for tests. Make-up tests will only be available to students with medical or advisor’s written
excuse.
Teacher Expectations: Students will…
 Use only English in the classroom.
 Use college appropriate behavior at all times and be respectful of classmates and the teacher.
 Keep cell/smart phones off.
 Not eat during class. (Bottled/covered drinks are acceptable.)
 Come to class with the materials they need. (paper, pencil, dictionary, etc.)
 Check CANVAS daily for announcements and resources.
 Be active in all class activities by listening while others are speaking, doing homework to prepare for class,
attending class regularly, and asking and answering questions.
Repeating Bridge:
Students who receive a quarterly GPA of below 2.0 or receive an “F” have two options:
o Repeat the Bridge Quarter once
Drop down to Level 5 courses
Students who fall below 2.0 for a second time must leave the program.
Students cannot enroll in Bridge for a third time under any circumstances.
Special Needs
If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency information to share, or need special
arrangements in case of emergency evacuation; please make an appointment with DRC (Disability Resource Center.) If
you would like to inquire about becoming a DRC student, you may call 425-564-2498 or go in person to the DRC
program office in B132.
Other: Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations
www.bellevuecollege.edu/artsum/studentinfo.asp for all other information.
Tentative Calendar for Summer 2015
Content
Week 1
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
First Day
Diagnostic for
Writing
6
Late Placement/
Challenge Test
(new students
only)
Judge Judy
7
My Cousin Vinnie
Courtroom language
Sentence combining
–adjective clauses
8
13
14
20
Good Wife 3
Viewing
21
Class Observation # 1
Due at 1:00 pm
Introduction to
the Course
Week 2
Module 1:
American
Legal System
Week 3
Module 1:
American
Legal System
Week 4
Module 1:
American
Legal System
Thursday
2
Diagnostic for
Listening
US Law – The
Constitution Preamble
9
Good Wife 1
Viewing
Friday
3
HOLIDAY
15
Good Wife 2
Viewing
16
17
BC TOEFL
22
23
Rob’s Last Day!
24
Wendy’s First Day!
Meet-and-Greet
10
Mid-qtr. Grades
What is
Sustainability?
Week 5
Module 2:
Sustainability
27
28
29
Elective Sign-Up
30
31
Week 6
Module 2:
Sustainability
3
4
5
6
7
Week 7
Module 2:
Sustainability
10
11
Class Observation # 2
Due at 1:00 pm
12
13
14
Final Exams