English 50 Basic English Composition (Section 22200)
Moreno Valley College (Riverside Community College District)
Spring 2013 (February 11 - June 6)
Tuesday and Thursday 12:30PM - 2:35PM SCI 157
INSTRUCTOR: Maybao Yang Vang
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment only. I am available before and after class and by
appointment. You can e-mail or text me with questions as this is the best way to
reach me. I am also in the WRC (Humanities 232) on Friday between 8AM and
12PM.
CONTACT INFO: (951) 452-9415/studentsemails@yahoo.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course emphasizes principles of effective written expression,
including practice and development of the skills of exposition and argumentation as well as a
review of the grammar, mechanics, and usage of standard American English.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course, students
should be able to:
Recognize thesis, audience, purpose, and evidence in advanced pre-collegiate texts.

Compose developed, unified, stylistically competent essays of 2 - 3+ pages that:
o Are relatively free from errors in grammar and mechanics;
o Employ one or more patterns of development;
o Respond to advanced pre-collegiate texts;
o Adjust for audience and purpose with advanced intermediate skill;
o Control voice, tone, and level of formality with advanced intermediate skill;
o Use evidence effectively, with advanced intermediate skill, to support a thesis;
o Demonstrate awareness of the writing process and an ability to critique their own
work and the work of others with advanced intermediate skill;
o Employ, at advanced intermediate skill level, the standard methods of academic
written discourse for guiding readers through an analysis or argument (e.g.
introductions and conclusions, transitions, topic sentences).

Understand the purpose of textual source citations and be able to employ MLA
conventions for documenting sources and citing parenthetically, with basic-skill.
1
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Rosa and Escholz. Models for Writers. 11th. edition. Bedford/St.
Martin's
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK: Any good desk or pocket dictionary; a writer's handbook
WRITING AND READING CENTER (WRC): The WRC is here to help students to succeed.
Students can meet with tutors and instructors to receive assistance on their English assignments.
The WRC is open during the following days and hours:
Location: HM 232
Monday through Thursday: 8am – 8pm
Friday: 8am – 3pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Website: http://websites.mvc.edu/wrcmoval/
The WRC is a vital component of this class. Students are required to complete 18 hours of
specific instructional activities.
**Students must login to the WRC for a complete lab hour before census date or face being
dropped from the class. (This is February 25 for most classes.)
Students need to complete one lab hour per week—that is, a minimum of 64 and a maximum 72
minutes or 1.2 hours per week at regularly scheduled times during the WRC hours of operation
located in HM 232. Students must use the lab log-in software to record attendance through the
login computers located near the entrance.
Each student will sign and submit his or her contract indicating a preferred schedule during the
first week of instruction. (Students may change the scheduled time later and/or substitute other
hours on an emergency basis or for attendance at pre-scheduled workshops.) The lab contract
indicates your understanding of the WRC policies and your agreement to attend the WRC at a
regularly scheduled time. Please sign it and return it to me at the second class meeting.
Since the lab cannot be used simply for completing homework, please do not go to the WRC Lab
simply to use a computer or do regularly assigned homework. The WRC Lab is reserved for
students needing to fulfill their lab assignments.
In short there are four main activities for students to fulfill the lab requirement: 1) Reading
for one lab hour and taking notes on the Reading Log form; 2) Writing a thinking critically
response to a reading; 3) Attending a workshop; OR, 4) Consulting one-to-one with an instructor.
In order to fulfill the WRC Lab requirement, you must complete 15 total activities: 5 Reading
2
Logs, 5 Thinking Critically Responses (on any 5 in-class readings of your choice), a
minimum of 2 workshops, and a minimum of 3 One-to-One meetings with an instructor or
tutor to discuss and work on any of the five papers assigned in class. I will collect previous
week Lab Activities every Tuesday in class (unless there is a holiday in which case I will collect
it during the next class period). I will check WebAdvisor each weekend to see if you are attending
for the appropriate amount of time each week. If you are not, we will talk.
Note: Always take a draft of the paper you are working on to workshops. Workshop
instructors may provide you time to work on your papers in relation to the skill they are
teaching.
If you want to meet with an instructor or tutor beyond the one required hour each week or to work
on supplemental grammar or writing Directed Learning Activities (DLAs), you may sign up for
ILA 800, a free, non-credit course which allows you to have access to the WRC beyond the
required one lab hour each week. Please see me if you want to sign up for more time in the WRC
Lab.
METHODS OF EVALUATION: Students will be evaluated for progress in and mastery of
learning objectives by methods of evaluation of various assignments. I will use the simple 1000point system: 900-1000=A, 800-899=B, 700-799=C, 600-699=D, 0-599=F. Additional writing
assignments, attendance and classroom attitude will be considered and computed into the final
grade. Missed tests/quizzes will be made up only at the discretion of the instructor. Pop quizzes
and journals will not be announced so be here and be attentive in class. Students must earn a
grade of a C or better to pass this course.
Final grades for the course will be determined as follows (1000 points possible)
Papers One - Four
400 points
Quizzes (10)
100 points
Journals (10)
100 points
Classroom and WRC Exercises
200 points
Paper Five (Final Exam)
200 points
LATE WORK POLICY: No late work is accepted.
PLAGIARISM POLICY: Plagiarism violates the Standards of Student Conduct established by
Board Policy 6080. Remember that plagiarism is a form of cheating. Make sure your work is
original. Anytime you use someone else’s work and do not give them credit, it is plagiarism. If
you are uncertain, be sure to ask for clarification before you turn in an assignment. Anyone who
3
plagiarizes will receive an “F” (no credit) on that assignment. If you are suspected of plagiarism,
you will bear the burden of proof. You must be able to present rough drafts or related materials
and discuss the topic intelligently.
ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM POLICY: Attendance is a major part of this course, and
your success depends on regular attendance and active participation. Be on time; you will not be
allowed to make up work completed after you arrive. If you have to be absent, arrange with a
classmate to get assignments for you. The only excused absences that will be accepted will be
for illness or injury if a doctor’s note is provided.
The MVC attendance policies allow me to drop students who do not attend the first day of class,
have stopped attending class prior to census, have missed multiple consecutive classes, or who
have failed to regularly attend lab hours. I drop any student not in attendance on the first and
second days of the semester. I will also follow the other policies, if necessary, but YOU are
ultimately responsible for your attendance, your lab attendance, and your decision to drop the
class officially if you are not able to continue with the class. Simply not coming to class does not
drop you. If you are not in your seat when I take attendance, I count you absent even if you show
up after roll is taken. Please come to class on time and be fully prepared.
It is expected that you will participate appropriately and as adults in class. We are a diverse
academic community, representing different faiths, lifestyles, ethnicities, and cultures. In
addition, we may discuss controversial issues—issues that typically elicit strong opinions, so it is
especially important that you will be tolerant, respectful, and considerate of your fellow
classmates during any discussions. Disruptions to the classroom environment are unwelcome and
inconsiderate of others’ right to learn. Please turn off all electronics (cell phones, pagers, ipods,
etc.) before entering class and limit discussions in class and group activities to class-related
topics. No student has the right to interfere in another student’s ability to learn. Therefore, all
students are required to comply with the “Standards of Student Conduct” as listed in the student
handbook. Anyone unable to adhere to classroom policy will be asked to leave and will be
marked absent.
FOOD AND DRINK POLICY: MVC policy states that NO food or drinks are allowed in
classrooms. This policy must be adhered to; therefore, no food or drinks will be allowed during
class. Eating and drinking in class is distracting; smelly and noisy food is disruptive; sharing and
passing food is rude; and spilled drinks can create a mess for the whole class. Respect each
other. We all have something to learn from those around us if we take the time to respect one
another.
STATEMENT ON DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: If you have a
physical, psychiatric, emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to
carry out assigned course work, you are urged to contact the staff of the Disabled Student
Services. Here at Moreno Valley you can call (951) 485-6138 or visit their office in the
4
Science/Technology building; however, these services are available on all three campuses.
DSP&S will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary
and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. If you use these services,
you are responsible for communicating this to me through DSP&S and for arranging assignments
for the class as necessary.
Tentative Schedule of Classroom Activities
(Subject to change with notice)
Week 1 Feb. 12/14
Introduction; Writing Samples; Ch. 1 The Writing Process;
Ch. 2 From Reading to Writing
Week 2 Feb. 19/21
Ch. 3Thesis; "The Most Important Day" (p. 84); "Be
Specific" (p. 90); Ch. 4 Unity; "My Name" (p. 109)
Week 3 Feb. 26/28
Common mistakes in grammar/spelling/punctuation; Ch. 5
Organization; "A View from the Bridge" (p. 124); "Buying a
House" (p. 137); Ch. 14 Narration; "The Story
of an Hour" (p. 395)
Assign: Paper 1 (see p. 88 prompt 1, or p. 399 prompt 1 or 2)
Week 4 Mar. 5/7
Narration cont'd; Ch. 6 Beginnings and Endings; "The Case for
Short Words" (p. 160); "What's in a Name?" (p. 376);
Due: Paper 1 Rough Draft
Week 5 Mar. 12/14
Ch. 7 Paragraphs; "Simplicity" (p. 176); "The Last Shot" (p. 189);
Continue work on Paper 1
Due: Paper 1 Final Draft
Week 6 Mar. 19/21
Ch. 8 Transitions "Bright, and Unable to Read" (p. 197); "The
Magic of the Family Meal" (p. 208); Ch. 13 Illustration; "Let's
Think Outside the Box of Bad Cliches" (p. 349); "A Crime of
Passion" (p. 343)
Assign: Paper 2 (see handout)
Week 7 Mar. 26/28
Illustration cont'd.; Ch. 9 Effective Sentences; "Childhood"
(p.222); "Salvation" (p. 228); Ch. 10 Writing With Sources;
Due: Paper 2 Rough Draft
Week 8 Apr. 2/4
Effective Sentences cont'd.; Continue work on Paper 2; MLA
Due: Paper 2 Final Draft
5
April 8 - 12
Happy Spring Break!! Classes do not meet!!
Week 9 Apr. 16/18
Ch. 12 Figurative Language; "The Barrio" (p. 316);
"Polaroid" (p. 323); Ch. 15 Description; "And the Orchestra Played
On" (p. 407); "My Favorite Teacher" (p.103); "Unforgettable Miss
Bessie" (p. 166)
Assign: Paper 3 (see handout)
Week 10 Apr. 23/25
Ch. 11 Diction and Tone; "Shame" (p. 288); "Me Talk Pretty One
Day" (p. 294); Description Cont'd.
Due: Paper 3 Rough Draft
Week 11 Apr. 30/May 2
Diction and Tone, Figurative Language, and Description cont'd.;
Ch. 19 Compare and Contrast; "Two Ways of Seeing a River" (p.
488);
Due: Paper 3 Final Draft
Assign: Paper 4 (see handout)
Week 12 May 7/9
Compare and Contrast cont'd; "Two Ways to Belong in America"
(p. 491); "Who Says a Woman Can't Be Einstein?" (p. 505) More
discussion on writing with sources (see ch. 10)
Due: Paper 4 Rough Draft
Week 13 May 14/16
Ch. 21 Argument; "In Praise of the F Word" (p. 564); "Condemn
the Crime, Not the Person" (p. 569); "Shame is Worth a Try" (p.
574); more on MLA Documentation
Due: Paper 4 Final Draft
Assign: Paper 5 - Final Exam (see handout)
Week 14 May 21/23
Argument cont'd; MLA cont'd; continue work on Paper 5
Due: Paper 5 Rough Draft
Week 15 May 28/30
Argument cont'd; All assignments are due!!
Due: Paper 5 Final Draft
Week 16 Jun. 1 - 6
Final Exam Week (follow exam schedule)
6