IBP Exploring Contemporary Issues Syllabus

Fall 2011

Instructor:  Ivan Breen

Office: C235

Office Phone: 425-564-3147

E-mail: ibreen@bellevuecollege.edu

Office hours: M-F 9:30am-10:20am

Textbook and Materials:

o A three-ring binder to keep all of your quizzes, homework, tests, lecture notes, etc.

o A memory storage device such as a USB memory stick

Course Description

Exploring Comtemporary Issues integrates instruction in  speaking and listening skills through the exploration of  contemporary topics.  High-interest topics are selected and current articles, videos and/or guest speakers are used as vehicles for introducing new language and improving the students’ skills.  Students work in teams to “present” their topics to the class.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to…

Discussion Skills

• Analyze and explain current events in conversation
• Paraphrase and summarize ideas
• Clearly express an opinion
• Support views with reasons and evidence
• Expand on content or ideas expressed in a conversation, debate, reading, video, etc.
• Synthesize information from a variety of sources (newspaper and magazine articles, reference materials, video, audio).
• Cooperate in a team setting to organize and divide tasks.
• Work effectively in a small group structure to promote the sharing of ideas and accomplish a set task.

Oral Presentation Skills

• Analyze audience expectations and level of knowledge
• Prepare, describe and follow the structure (organization) of a presentation
• Use effective transitions between ideas
• Clearly define new terms
• Use examples to clarify information
• Prepare visual and/or audio aids to enhance a presentation
• Clearly articulate a point of view and support it with reasons and evidence
• Summarize main points and draw a conclusion
• Hold the interest of the audience
• Use appropriate language, gestures and body language

Listening Skills

• Identify main ideas and supporting details from a lecture or other audio source
• Answer main idea and factual questions based on notes
• Paraphrase and summarize aural information
• Evaluate effectiveness of an oral presentation (self and others)

Class Format:

This class will consist of listening to lectures, researching and discussing several topics, and giving both individual and group presentations. 

Time Management and Workload:

This course will be a fair amount of work.  You should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours everyday outside of class studying and working on homework or class projects.  That means that you have to schedule and manage your time carefully every week so that you will have time to get everything done on time.  Do not wait until the night before to do your assignments.  Do them early so that you can do a good job and increase your learning potential.

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is very important in this class.  We will cover a lot of information everyday, and it is important that you are in class and on time. 

Students who miss class 10 times will receive a grade of “F.”  Students who miss class 8 or 9 times will receive a grade of “D.”  Three (3) tardies of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.

Although not recommended, students are allowed to miss up to three classes per quarter without any penalty.  After that, students who miss 4-5 classes may have their grade lowered.  Students who miss 6-7 classes will have their final grade lowered by one full letter grade.

Please Note:  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out from another student what was covered in class on the day you were absent and to make copies of any material that was handed out in class on the day you were absent.  The instructor will not be responsible for helping you to catch up.  The instructor will not be responsible for bringing any handouts or copies of lecture notes when you return to class.  You must get these materials from a classmate.   I recommend exchanging email addresses and phone numbers with at least one other student in class.  If you are sick, you can contact this student to take lecture notes for you and collect any handouts.

Classmate Name___________________       Email____________________________     Phone_____________________

Classroom Atmosphere/Student Conduct Responsibilities:

“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) 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 Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College.  Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.”  The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

Plagiarism and cheating

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own in both writing and oral presentations.  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

A good resource for Plagiarism is the Writing Lab: http://bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/Plagiarism.html

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://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp

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: https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam

Assignments:

All assignments and homework are due at the beginning of the class period on the date assigned.

Make Up Quizzes

Students are allowed to make up one quiz due to absence if students follow the make-up quiz procedure.  The procedure is—students must email the instructor before class starts on the day of their absences stating why they are absent and requesting an appointment for a make up quiz.  Student will then have 48 hours to make up the quiz upon their return to class.  For example, if you are sick on a Tuesday, you would email the instructor before 1:30pm explaining why you are absent and requesting an appointment for a make up quiz.  When you return to class on Wednesday, you would have Wednesday or Thursday to make up the quiz.  Students who fail to follow the make-up quiz procedure correctly will not be allowed to make-up a quiz.

Office Hours

My office hours are M-F 9:30am-10:20am.  I prefer that you make an appointment with me ahead of time so that I can better serve you and manage other student appointments.  Please send me an email ahead of time requesting an appointment during office hours.  I am also happy to meet with you at other times of the day as long as you email ahead of time.

Keys To Success In This Class:

o Participate in class discussions and group work.

o Take responsibility for your education and actions.

o Seek additional help if needed through the Writing Lab, tutoring, or me.

o Complete all assignments and homework.

o Be on time and come to all class meetings.

o Come with a smile, respect for yourself and others, a positive attitude, and be ready to learn.

Late Work

I will accept late work up to four days late, but you will receive a 10% lower grade for each day you are late.

Grading

Presentations                                                                                        30%

Homework                                                                                             10%

Quizzes                                                                                                  20%

Participation                                                                                          10%

Attendance                                                                                           10%

Teaching Project                                                                                  20%

Special Needs

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical 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 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC program office in B132.  For more information, please go to: www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

Cell Phones and Cell Phone Dictionaries

Cell phones and cell phone dictionaries are not allowed in the classroom.  If you have a cell phone, please use it before class, after class, or during break time outside of the classroom.  During class, please turn them off and put them away in your bag.  Please use a paper or electronic dictionary during class time.

Problems and Communication

If you are having a problem that is affecting your ability to do well in class or you don’t understand something, please communicate with me about what is going on so that I can help you!  For example, if you are having a personal problem that is affecting your attendance, I want to know about it so I can suggest ways to solve your problem.  If you received a low grade on an assignment and don’t understand why your grade is so low, I want you to ask me about it.  Please don’t stay silent in class.  Communication is the key!   I’m happy to talk to you in person, by email, or over the phone.  Don’t be a stranger!  I want to help you be successful!

Other

Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp for all other information.

Instructor’s Note: 

If you have any concerns about the course or your grade, please don’t hesitate to talk to me. 

Ok!  Let’s work hard and have fun in this class!!!