ccoleman@clmn.net

The complete course syllabus is available below. If you would like to print the syllabus, the links for the pdf and rtf files are here as well.

English 1 – Addendum Syllabus

Grading & Assignments:

Grading Procedure

Students will receive points for assignments and attendance/participation; the chart below itemizes the point totals.

Note: In addition to the overall semester point total, a passing score (70 % or higher) on the final exam is required to pass the course.

Students with verifiable disabilities who need academic accommodations are responsible for notifying the instructor and Disabled Students Programs and Services as early as possible in the semester.

Assignment Details

All essays MUST be submitted in both hard copy format (typed paper copy) AND soft copy format (posted to class website). All essays should follow standard MLA format, typed, laser or letter-quality printed on standard size, white paper. Do not use binders or separate title pages. Carefully proofread the work. Instructor may submit essays to DC Cop as needed.

Due dates for summaries, peer reviews, essays, extra credit, and all other assignments will be both announced in class and posted on the class website. No late work will be accepted. All work MUST be submitted at the beginning of the class period it is due or it will NOT be accepted. No make-up exams or quizzes will be permitted.

3 Out-of-Class Essays

Essay #1: Experience / Observation Essay

This 2 to 2 ½ page narrative essay will use both visual and concrete language to describe significant aspects of student’s life as related to college transfer. It will include appropriate essay structure, RIBS exemplification, academic vocabulary, and correct grammar. No outside sources will be used for this essay. The class peer review MUST be included with the essay to receive full credit.

Essay #2: Compare / Contrast Essay

This 2 ½ to 3 page essay will compare and/or contrast two given topics. It will include appropriate essay structure, RIBS exemplification, academic vocabulary, and correct grammar. Class readings may be included in this assignment. The class peer review MUST be included with the essay to receive full credit.

Essay #3: Cause/Effect

This 3 ½ to 4 page essay will examine the causes, effects, and solutions for a given topic. It will include appropriate essay structure, RIBS exemplification, academic vocabulary, and correct grammar. Class readings and outside sources may be included in this assignment. The class peer review MUST be included to receive full credit.

Research Paper Project

Annotative Bibliography

An annotative bibliography with 5-7 appropriate academic sources will be required for the research paper.

Research Paper

This 5 o 5 ½ page essay will incorporate library research into a given topic. It will include appropriate essay structure, RIBS exemplification, academic vocabulary, appropriate MLA format, and correct grammar. The class peer review MUST be included with the essay to receive full credit.

Research Paper Revision

This 6 to 6 ½ page essay revision will incorporate revisions both at a global and surface levels, and demonstrate substantial expansion and improvement in content, structure, and grammar from the original. The originally graded essay MUST be included with this essay to receive full credit.

Oral Presentation

A 5 – 7 minute class presentation will be given based on the research paper revision.

Peer-editing workshops

Various strategies will be employed during peer review sessions for each of the essays. Students will be required to bring several copies of a COMPLETE draft (the exact number will be announced before peer review day) and participate in review by offering relevant and helpful information during these sessions. The student peer review sheets completed in class will be attached to the final essay drafts and be part of the essay grades.

Reading Anylasis

Throughout the semester, students will complete 1 to 1 ½ page Reading Analysis based on assigned reading. Specific format and questions for these analyses will be assigned.

In-Class Essays

The midterm examination will be an in-class timed writing to a given prompt. It should include appropriate essay structure, RIBS exemplification, academic vocabulary, and correct grammar. Ideas from class readings may be included. Midterm MUST be written in large size unused Blue Books with standard blue or black ink pen. NO pencil will be allowed for exam.

The final exam will be an English department written prompt. All sections of English 1 will use the same exam. Final MUST be written in large size unused Blue Books with standard blue or black ink pen. NO pencil will be allowed for exam. The date and time for the final exam is THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1:20- 3:50. Room TBA. Students must take this exam at this time. NO exceptions will be made.

Various Other Assignments

Various other writing assignments will be assigned as needed during the course of the semester.

Extra Credit Assignments

10 Extra Assignments will be allowed throughout the semester. See Extra Credit Log for specific dates and details.

General Classroom Expectations:

Attendance and Participation

As there is a strong correlation between attendance and success, attendance in class is mandatory and students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Students who miss a class meeting are still responsible for all material presented and discussed in class, and for any assignments due. Missing six consecutive hours of class without adequate explanation MAY result in the student being dropped from the class. Documentation of illness or emergency should be provided whenever possible. In addition, outside appointments should not be scheduled during class meetings. If an unforeseen circumstance necessitates leaving class early, the instructor should be informed before class to avoid disturbing classroom instruction. Repeated early dismissal will negatively impact both learning and the final grade.

Furthermore, tardiness is disruptive to the learning environment. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Students who are unavoidably late should enter the classroom discreetly and quietly; additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of attendance at the end of that class. Excessive tardiness will adversely affect learning and grades.

Attendance alone is not sufficient for participation. Careful listening, note taking, completing assignments, and having the texts and other materials in class are key components of the learning process and comprise participation. Failure to participate will adversely affect the final grade. Students are required to bring the assigned textbook, appropriate handouts, pens, and paper to every class meeting.

Drop Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to drop this course. See below for relevant dates. Failing to facilitate a drop but not completing the course will likely result in an “NC” for the course.

• Last day to drop without a “W” grade September 7
• Last day to drop with a “W” grade November 21

Behavioral Expectations

Respect is the guiding principle for classroom behavior. Any activity that disrupts learning is disrespectful to other students and the instructor; thus, it is not permissible. Disrespectful behavior includes any cell phone activity, speaking while the instructor or other members of the class have the floor, sleeping, using profanity or rude language and completing other off-task assignments during class. Moreover, all rules of conduct as detailed in the LBCC Student Handbook must be met. As outlined in the Student Handbook, it is the instructor’s right to ask a student to leave the class for violating rules of conduct. A removal will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services who will take further appropriate action. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices including IPods and MP3 players, and store any earphones before entering the classroom. One warning will be give for a cell phone ringing during class. After being warned, further violations may result in loss of points or being asked to leave the class. DO NOT answer a cell phone and hold a conversation during class. If a call must be taken in emergency situations, first leave the classroom and then answer the call.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on exams, copying assignments and collaborating on an assignment without explicit permission. Cheating and Plagiarism are defined below:

Cheating- Using unauthorized sources of information for assignments or exams, using as one’s own the assignments of others, and submitting for a grade previously graded work of one’s own or someone else’s.

Plagiarism- Submitting another’s words, ideas, work, material or data as one’s own.

Examples of intended or accidental plagiarism occur when any ONE of the following exists:

1) Quoting or paraphrasing materials without citing the sources.

2) Copying, using or borrowing another’s ideas, assignments, test answers, etc. and submitting as one’s own work, or allowing another student to do so.

3) Submitting as one’s own work material prepared by others or in collaboration with others without giving credit.

4) Purchasing essays from an outside source such as Internet or student underground.

Violation of the rules of Academic Honesty may result in an “F” on the assignment and / or an “NC” in the class and will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services for additional action.

Final Notes

As the instructor, my responsibilities are to be prepared, explain the material to the best of my ability, assign tasks to help students master the course skills, and treat all students equally. As a student, the responsibilities are to come to class, be prepared, do the work, and take an active part in the learning. Students are responsible for their performance.

English 1

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact me right away. Problems which are easily solved early in the semester can become insurmountable issues by the end of the course. As I do not hold office hours, the best way to reach me is by either of my email addresses or before or after class as needed. I look forward to a terrific semester with you!