J. Roth On-line English 101--Summer Section

CAUTION! PLEASE READ

 

Summer Quarter 2014 is four weeks shorter than a regular academic quarter (7 weeks long rather than 11 weeks). However, because English 101 is a college transfer-level course, it still contains the same workload and holds the same expectations as English 101 taught in a regular academic quarter.

 

What this means for you:

 

The shortened quarter means that you will have little if any time to repair deficiencies in basic writing skills. These skills include the following:

 

Ø  The ability to write clear, correct sentences (an absence of sentence fragments and comma splice errors).

Ø  The ability to recognize and use Standard Written English grammar, usage, and punctuation.

Ø  The ability to critically read and respond to college-level and professional writing.

Ø  The ability to write unified, coherent paragraphs and clear thesis statements.

Ø  The ability to sequence paragraphs to create essays.

 

If you are weak in any of these areas, I recommend you NOT take English 101 in a shortened summer quarter (7 weeks) because you will likely not have the time to repair deficient skills AND master the content of English 101. Please remember that English 101 is a college-transfer level course and requires a certain level of written competence to receive a grade of 2.0 or higher. Effort alone will not be enough, nor will, in seven weeks, trying to learn the skills you had the opportunity to learn earlier in your education. Before continuing, please complete the following exercise:

 

Beginning Exercise:   To help you determine if you are ready to begin English 101, please complete the exercise at the following link: Entry-level English 101 Exercise.  If, after some thought and self-assessment, you believe you are ready for this course, please return here.

 

Online English 101 Summer Quarter 2014

 

Instructor: Jim Roth

 

NOTE: Please use CANVAS e-mail for all course communications

 

Required at the beginning of the course

 

Ø  The text Viewpoints (either the seventh or eighth edition) by W. Royce Adams in hand by the middle of the first week

Ø  A reliable Internet connection

Ø  Assuming your skills are at 101-entry level, 12 to 15 hours per week for study and writing.

 

The MANDATORY prerequisites to remain in the course

 

Please read the following list carefully.  If you answer no to any of these, please find an alternative course immediately.

 

Ø  Minimum English 101 entry-level essay writing skills demonstrated on a timed diagnostic writing assignment. To remain in the course, this essay must be attempted and completed by midnight on the third day of the quarter.

 

IMPORTANT: To continue in the course, this timed diagnostic writing assignment must be completed satisfactorily by no later than midnight Thursday, July 3, 2014. If you fail to meet this deadline regardless of reason, you will be dropped from the course to make room for students on the waiting list.

 

Other Mandatory Prerequisites:

 

Ø  An approved minimum writing assessment score and/or successful completion of English 99.

Ø  A trustworthy Internet connection as well as general experience using the Internet and copy-and-paste word processing programs.

Ø  Ability and willingness to devote an average of at least 12 to 15 hours per week to the course.

Ø  Ability to understand and follow written directions.

Ø  Willingness to share your writing with others and constructively comment on others’ writing.

Ø  The ability to write clear, correct sentences (an absence of sentence fragments and comma splice errors)

Ø  The ability to recognize and use Standard English grammar, usage, and punctuation. 

Ø  The ability to critically read and respond to college-level and professional writing.

Ø  The ability to write unified, coherence paragraphs and clear thesis statements.

Ø  The ability to sequence paragraphs to create essays. 

 

If your answer was yes to ALL of the above requirements, please read on. If you answered no to any of them, please drop the course immediately.  Finally, please be clear that, in order to receive a final course grade of 2.0 or higher (regardless of your overall course average), the body of your writing must meet or exceed transfer-level English 101 exit standards.

 

SCC ENGLISH DEPARTMENT COURSE OUTCOMES

 

WHAT THE COURSE IS ABOUT

 

English 101 is a college-level writing course designed to make you a better writer. The college catalog describes our course as a study of the basic principles of writing with a series of writing experiences designed to help students improve their ability to write detailed prose. Student writing with teacher evaluation is the primary method used in teaching basic course content. Competence in mechanics and edited English is assumed of all students taking English 101.

 

Please keep in mind that, as a student in English 101, you are taking a course that is transferable to Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities as well as many private colleges and universities. This course meets the content level and expectations of a comparable university course in basic composition.  Because of this, in order to receive a final course grade of 2.0 or higher (regardless of your overall course average), the body of your writing must meet or exceed transfer-level English 101 exit standards.

 

COURSE ACTIVITIES

 

1.      Use a writing process that involves strategies of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.  

2.      Apply various rhetorical elements and strategies to particular writing assignments.

3.      Complete a variety of text and web assignments, many with quizzes.

4.      Read and discuss others’ writing as well as learn to revise your own.

5.      Write well developed and clearly organized college level essays using standard American English sentences.  

6.      Respond thoughtfully and critically to substantive college-level and professional readings.  

7.      Use correct methods of documentation as required by the Modern Language Association (MLA).

 

8.      Keep a Writing Journal for informal writing practice, including assignments from the text and free-writing exercises.

 

YOUR PORTFOLIO

Please keep all course writing, including rough drafts of essays.  Be sure to save each draft as a new file so that it does not overwrite an earlier draft.

 

THE COURSE WEEK

 

Our course week runs from Monday morning through Sunday at midnight.

 

MAKING UP LATE ASSIGNMENTS

 

There is NO MAKE-UP OPTION regardless of reason so please don’t ask.

[ Please note: Any assignment that has a time and date stamp later than the due date is a late assignment no matter what the reason and will receive no credit. This late assignment rule includes technical problems with the Internet and/or your computer.

 

 

THE JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT

 

The Writing Journal is for informal course assignments.  Please go to this link to read more about the Journal Assignment.

 

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism is knowingly using someone else's words or ideas as your own. The temptation to plagiarize is great because writing is difficult. Remember that plagiarism is stealing and will NOT be tolerated. Cheating covers a variety of different methods, but generally turning in work that is not your own. Don't cheat; you are only hurting yourself.  Please read the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Letter before continuing.

OTHERS

 

Registered sex offenders (RSO’s) may be enrolled in SCC classes. Persons interested in seeking the identity of these person(s) may obtain further information from the Campus Security Office. 

At all times, whether on campus or taking online courses, be cautious of your personal safety and be very careful of any relationships or attachments you form with others you meet through college courses and activities. Students in online courses must be particularly careful since there is no opportunity to screen others in person.

Community Colleges of Spokane is committed to the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. The entire community is responsible for maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment. Please report any suspicious activities to the Campus Security Office immediately.

 

In addition, please read crime prevention and safety tips for students, faculty and staff.

 

PROPER ENGLISH AND COURTESY IN COURSE COMMUNICATIONS

Whether we like it or not, others judge us by how well we use the language. In addition, the use of Standard Written English demonstrates respect for ourselves, our language, our readers, and our message. Because of these facts, part of your grade this quarter will be determined by the quality of English you use in e-mails to me as well as in postings and Writing Group comments to your peers.

 

Please be aware that I will not respond to e-mails nor will I accept or grade any essays written in substandard English. In addition, I will not read nor will I respond to e-mails written in Textlish (“texting English”).

 

Finally, I will not read nor will I respond to communications that are impolite or discourteous.

 

YOUR FINAL GRADE

 

Several categories will determine your course grade, each category being worth a certain percent of your total grade. Please remember that receiving a final course grade of 2.0 or higher also depends upon meeting or exceeding college transfer-level English 101 exit writing standards.

 

COURSE CATEGORY WEIGHTS

Timed Writing Activities (These are pass/fail one-time-only writing assignments.

5% of the total grade

Essays written with the opportunity for peer review

55% of the total grade

On-time submissions of complete rough drafts

5% of the total grade

Peer Reviews of others’ writing

5% of the total grade

Postings and posting responses (Only those written in Standard English will receive a grade.)

5% of the total grade

Quizzes on various topics and activities

25% of the total grade

Writing Journal completion—pass/fail

Pass/fail

 

 

Transfer-level Course Grade Scale—J. Roth

% to

Decimal

 

Letter

% to

Decimal

 

Letter

% to

Decimal

 

Letter

% to

Decimal

 

Letter

100--4.0

A

89—3.4

B+

79—2.6

C+

69—1.7

D+

99—4.0

A

88—3.4

B+

78—2.5

C+

68—1.7

D+

98—4.0

A

87—3.3

B+

77—2.4

C+

67—1.6

D

97—4.0

A

86—3.3

B

76—2.3

C+

66—1.6

D

96—4.0

A

85—3.2

B

75—2.2

C

65—1.5

D

95—4.0

A

84—3.1

B

74—2.1

C

64—1.4

D

94—3.9

A

83—3.0

B

73—2.0

C

63—1.3

D

93—3.8

A-

82—2.9

B

72—1.9

C-

62—1.2

D

92—3.7

A-

81—2.8

B-

71—1.9

C-

61—1.1

D-

91—3.6

A-

80—2.7

B-

70—1.8

C-

60—1.0

D-

90—3.5

A-

0.7—less

F