Bellevue Community College ELI--University Preparation

Winter 2009                                                                                                     1:30-3:20, MTWRF

INTEGRATED SKILLS 4D ELI061 and Reading 4D ELI062 a linked course

Instructors:  Shannon King (email:  sking@bellevuecollege.edu)                       

                     Message phone:  425-802-7439        Office:  C227                                       Office hours by appointment

Required Texts and Supplies:     Voices and Values by Johnson and Goldstein

Writing Academic English by Oshima and Hogue

                                                            A spiral notebook

8 ½” x 11” lined white paper for all written work

                                                            8 ½” x 11” white paper (A4) for all typed work

An English-English dictionary

Course Description:  This course will focus on making you a better academic writer.  The focus of this level is to introduce the academic essay form.  Reading is an integral part of academic writing.  In order to have something to write about, you will need to read many different types of reading material about a variety of topics.  You will read, discuss, analyze, paraphrase, summarize, and write in a variety of styles.  The reading and writing tasks will vary in length and difficulty.  You will also work on seeing and reducing common grammatical and compositional problems in your writing.  At this level, grammar work is focused on using clauses to vary your sentence types and make your writing more interesting.

We will be using the MyBCC website for this class.  Go to MyBCC and click on the class link, or type https://go.mybcc.net/classes/6183A893/default.aspx into your browser.

On this page you can find assignment handouts, class information, notices from your teacher, and other items of interest.  Sometimes, you may be asked to print things out for yourself from this site.  BCC has computer labs with access to printers if you do not have a printer at home: The Writing Lab D204, The Computer Lab N250.  Please check the website daily.  There is also a discussion board that I hope you will use to discuss the articles that you read.  Participation in the online discussion board will earn you extra credit. 

Course Content:  You will participate in class discussions based on videos and readings on a central topic and respond in writing. The class will include daily reading and writing activities that are designed to improve the skills mentioned above. Most of your reading assignments will be done at home and discussed in class the next day; therefore, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you do your assigned reading homework.  You will complete at least one or two writing assignments a week based on your reading and discussions. Sometimes these will be in class, and sometimes they will be done at home depending on the length of the writing.

Format:  All papers written in class must be on 8 ½” X 11” lined white paper with no fringe, double spaced, and with the holes on the left.  Write your name and the assignment in the upper right hand corner.  All papers written outside of class must be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 white paper (A4), double spaced, and use a 12 point font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma). All final drafts of essays must be typed and include a cover sheet.  See the last page of this handout for the format.

Outcomes and Learning Activities:

Grammar Component

· Sentence level grammar editing

· Complex sentence structures

Writing Component

· Introduction to the essay

· Rhetorical modes—process, comparison/contrast, cause/effect

· Paraphrasing and summarizing

· Paragraph answers to questions based on a reading

· Sentence to paragraph answers to test questions

· Introductions and conclusions

· Development and organization of ideas

· Thesis statements and topic sentences

· Supporting details and examples

· Unity and coherence

· Sentence variety

· Editing and proofreading

Reading Component

· Identify main ideas in readings of a variety of lengths, styles, and levels of difficulty

· Respond critically to questions about readings through discussion and writing

· Clearly express an opinion relevant to the content of a passage

· Support views with reasons and evidence

· Extend and/or apply the ideas expressed in a reading

· Summarize passages

Assignments and Grading:  Everything you do in this course will improve your skills.  Not all activities will be part of your grade.  Your final grade in this class will be based on your class average (must be 75% or higher) and your final writing exam.  If you don’t pass your final exam, your letter grade for the class will be lowered by one.  Final exams are graded by a group of instructors at this level. 

Timed Essays (4)                                           35%

Reading Journals                                           10%

Reading Groups                                              10%

Grammar Assessments                                  10%

Essays                                                             20%

Homework Assignments                               10%

Attendance, Participation, Effort              5%

Participation, in this class, means that you ask questions, volunteer answers (not only when I call on you), and share your ideas with me and with your classmates.  Don’t be shy about asking questions.  If you have a question, your classmates probably don’t understand either, but they are afraid to show it.  If you don’t ask questions, I assume you understand.

Please turn in your homework on the day it is due.  If you are absent, turn it in on your first day back, and it will not be late.  If you are not absent but turn in homework late, the grade will drop 10% each day it is late.  Homework turned in more than two (2) days late will not be accepted.  If you are ill, email me or call before class.  Tests will have to be made up within 2 days of returning to class.  You are responsible for making the arrangements.

BCC Grading Scale:       A = 93-100 (You went way beyond what was expected.  Extraordinary effort and high skill)

                                    B = 84-92 (You did what you were expected to do and more.  High effort or high skill)

                                    C = 75-83 (You did what you were expected to do.  Average effort and average skill)

                                    D = 0-74 (repeat level; good effort)

                                    F = 0-74 (repeat level; unsatisfactory effort)

Student Absence:  Students who miss class 12 times will receive a grade of “F.”  Students who miss class 10 or 11 times will receive a grade of “D.”  Three (3) tardies of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.

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.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is very serious and will not be tolerated.  Read the BCC Writing Lab’s page on plagiarism http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/Plagiarism.html and the BCC Arts and Humanities policy http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html. 

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

How to Succeed in this Course

1.  Participate.  Join in the class.  Be respectful and active.

2.  Ask questions immediately.  If you don’t understand something I say or something you read, ask me about it.  Don’t wait to ask later.  You might forget your question!  J

3.  Plan.  Don’t wait until the last minute to do your work.  Plan your time so that you aren’t rushed and so that you can ask questions before an assignment is due.

4.  Give me feedback.  If something is very difficult or needs to be explained more, please tell me.  I am happy to go over the lessons again.  Likewise, if you really enjoy something that we do, let me know.

5.  Make appointments for extra help.  If you find that you are struggling with something we are working on, make an appointment to see me for some extra support.  I am ALWAYS happy to meet with students.  Remember, you are responsible for your own learning. If you need help, it is up to you to ask for it.

6.  Have a positive attitude.  You may not like everything that you do in all of your classes, but try to find something positive about the work.  Have a positive attitude toward your instructors and your fellow students.  You will have less stress and more fun!

7.  Share your ideas and opinions.  Interact with the reading.  Relate it to your own life.  This will help you retain the information and will help you be a better writer!

8.  Stay organized.  Keep your papers in a binder in chronological order.  This way you not only have a portfolio of your work, but you also can find assignments easily.  Also, I will be giving you a lot of supplemental handouts which you will want to reference.

9.  Do your own work.  Do not copy your friend’s work or copy from a newspaper or Internet site.  Trust me, I will know.  This is plagiarism.  It is a very serious offense in United States colleges and universities.

10.  Try your hardest.  I know that you are going through a lot as students.  I know you are under a lot of pressure too.  Don’t let that get you down.  Always try to do your best.

Homework Buddy:

Name:   ___________________Phone or E-mail: ________________________

NAME

INTEGRATED SKILLS 4

ASSIGNMENT

DATE

Please read your syllabus.  If you have questions, ask as soon as possible.  When you have read and understand your syllabus, sign this sheet and turn it in to your instructor.  Turn this sheet in no later than Monday, September 29, 2008.

I have read and understand this syllabus.  I understand that I am responsible for the information in this syllabus. 

Signature                                                                                          Date

Printed Name