English 073 Section C                                                                       

Mondays-Thursday 5:30-7:40

Room D-274A

Wednesdays and some Thursdays in D-222

Winter 2010

 

Instructor Sean Allen

sallen@bellevuecollege.edu

Voicemail: 425-564-2413

Office: D-221

Office hours Monday-Thursday 3-5:30

 

Required Textbooks & Materials

  1. Structured Reading, 7th Ed. by Troyka & Thweatt
  2. Sentence-Combining Workbook, 2nd Edition by Altman, Caro, Metge-Egan and Roberts
  3. A paperback dictionary
  4. floppy disk/USB drive
  5. One notebook for in-class notes, assignments, grammar exercises and free writes
  6. One folder or large clip to collect revised class work for end-of-quarter portfolio

 

Course Description: This course presents reading and writing strategies.  During each two-hour period our class will focus on how to improve sentence grammar, summary writing and essay writing skills, and learn how to proofread and edit your work. We will focus on strengthening vocabulary and reading comprehension, as well as identifying main ideas and supporting details. In addition, our class will focus on sentence and paragraph structure, prewriting and drafting, which you will develop through individual work in the Writing and Reading Labs, class discussion and group work. Each week students in English 073 will work at home and in class to complete the assigned chapters in the Sentence-Combining Workbook and Structured Reading.  Our goal is to complete a chapter a week in the Sentence-Combining Workbook and 1-2 readings per week in Structured Reading.

 

Course Requirements & Portfolio: Out-of-class essays, summaries, responses and lab assignments must be word processed and double-spaced.  Other assignments, such as reading and workbook exercises and essay rough drafts, can be handwritten or typed. The criteria for receiving 10 credits in the 070 series this quarter include the following:

 

          9 readings, mostly from Structured Reading

          9 in-class essays, plus revisions of rough drafts

          9 summaries and responses

          9+ vocabulary and grammar quizzes

          9 grammar workbook chapters in Sentence-Combining Workbook       

          9 Vocabulary lists

1 end-of-quarter portfolio containing all revised essays, summaries and learning             assessments

 

You must save ALL your revised essays in a Portfolio (excluding grammar chapters, quizzes, summaries, etc) to hand in at the end of the quarter for a final evaluation.  The criteria for placement into 092/093 will be discussed during the first few weeks of the course and reviewed again at midterm. 

 

Grades: The English 070 series is offered every quarter so that students may repeat until they test into 092 for native speakers, or 093 for non-native speakers.  It is designed so that you don't need to worry about grades, but rather to concentrate on practicing and developing your English skills.  If your work is satisfactory, you'll receive 10 credits (Cr) whether you test into 092/093 or not.  If it is unsatisfactory, you'll receive no credit (NC), which may prevent you from receiving financial aid next quarter.  Please be advised, if you're an international student, an NC can cause problems with your immigration status.  Individual assignments will be graded “-ü” (needs work), “ü” (satisfactory) or a  “+ü” (excellent) 

 

Writing Lab (D-222): The class will be composing, editing, and revising essay rough drafts on a weekly basis in the Writing Lab. The Lab will be reserved during regular class time on Wednesdays and occasionally on Thursdays. You should plan to word process your essays and to conference with me to discuss your work.  Attendance is required. These assignments are graded and go into the Portfolio for end-of-quarter evaluation.

 

In addition, our class will meet every other Thursday in D-222 to work on writing-improvement exercises using Microsoft Word, your Sentence-Combining Workbook, or other online sources.  

 

Reading Lab (D202): The Reading Lab is a separate course in which you need to spend several hours per week to help improve your reading. You will need to complete 22 or 44 hours for the quarter, which equals 1 or 2 credits of English 080.  We will have an orientation for new students the first week of class to explain lab programs and procedures.

 

Attendance:  This is important.  Please be on time to class every day and do not leave until class is over. If you are habitually late or absent for more than eight class periods, you may not receive credit for English 074. May 22nd is the last day to withdraw in person to receive a W on your transcript.  Frequent absences and late arrivals are disruptive to me and impede the progress of serious students. What follows is the complete list of BCC refund/withdrawal deadlines for Fall Quarter:

 

In-person last day for 100% refund                                                                                                1/08/10 by 5 pm

Last day for 100% refund remotely                                                                                                1/08/10 by midnight

In-person last day to withdraw and avoid a "W" posted on your transcripts          1/15/10 by 5 pm

Via remote access to withdraw without "W"                                                                  1/15/10 by midnight

In-person last day to withdraw and receive 50% refund                                             1/22/10 by 5 PM

Via remote access for a 50% refund                                                                               1/23/10 by midnight

In-person last day to withdraw (will result in a "W" on your transcript)           2/26/10 by 5 PM

Via remote access to withdraw with "W" grade                                                             2/28/10 by noon

 

Placements: In December, a committee of English instructors will evaluate your final exit exam to determine if you have reached the necessary skill level for advancement to 092/093.   If you have a full time job and other outside responsibilities, your progress may not be as accelerated as you’d like.  Your progress depends on how hard you work and how fast you learn. For many students it can take a minimum of two quarters of practice in the English 070 series to reach the next level.

 

 

 

 

Criteria for March Placement into 092/093:

 

Read and Comprehend at the 11th grade level;

Understand and use vocabulary at level 9.5 or above;

Demonstrate Reading Comprehension in their writing;

Accurately paraphrase passages written at Level 10 or higher, avoiding plagiarism and identifying sources;

Accurately summarize reading written at Level 10 or higher without interjecting own opinions;

Respond appropriately to different kinds of prompts;

Summarize short (500-1000 word) passages;

Write essays of about 500 words that have a main point supported by appropriate evidence;

Maintain focus on point throughout essay of five or more paragraphs;

Use specific, concrete detail and avoid empty generalizations.

Demonstrate coherence in writing (repeated key words, and signals of an overall plan);

Identify the basic structural elements of simple and compound sentences (subject, verb, object, etc);

Be able to edit their own writing to avoid errors in such things as verb tense, plurals, possessives, word order, word forms, etc.

 

Early Placements: In some cases, I will be able to assign early placements to those students who consistently have done above average work throughout the quarter, including students who have shown steady progress in the Reading Lab and in their in-class work, as well as those who have turned in all work and attended class regularly and on time.  Early placements help students to register early and get the classes they need. As we near the end of fall quarter, if you would like early placement into 092/093, and have worked hard, attended class consistently and shown steady improvement, please see me in advance.

 

Plagiarism:

 

Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is the act of using another writer’s words or ideas as your own. According to the BC Arts & Humanities website, plagiarism “may take many forms, including, but not limited to, using a paper written by someone else, using printed sources word-for-word without proper documentation, and paraphrasing or summarizing the ideas of others without acknowledging the source.  Plagiarism can also occur when non-written ideas are taken without documentation--using someone else's design or performance idea, for example.  In short, plagiarism is passing off someone else's ideas, words, or images as your own; it amounts to intellectual theft--whether or not it was your intention to steal.” Plagiarism in this course may result in a paper’s failing grade, or further disciplinary action from the Dean of Student Services.

 

Students with Disabilities: 

 

Students with disabilities are required to meet with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). If you think you have a disability that merits special accommodations, please visit the DRC office (B-132) or call (425-564-2498).

 

Cell phones:

 

During class time, please turn off your cell phones or pagers, or set them to “buzz.”

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

 

Classroom Behavior

 

What follows is the Arts & Humanities Division’s policy on classroom behavior:

 

The college's ‘Affirmation of Inclusion’ is posted in each classroom and sets forth the expectation that we will all treat one another with respect and dignity regardless of whether or not we agree philosophically.  This expectation is in line with the principle of free speech in a free society:  we have the right to express unpopular ideas as long as we don't show disrespect for reasonable people who might believe otherwise.  In an on-line course, you will be expressing ideas through the medium of the course site rather than face to face in the classroom.  In that case, these expectations refer to the courtesy with which you communicate with one another through e-mails and e-discussions.

 

Part of this respect involves professional behavior toward the instructor, colleagues, and the class itself.  Disruptive behavior is disrespectful behavior.  The Arts and Humanities Division honors the right of its faculty to define "disruptive behavior," which often involves such things as arriving late, leaving early, leaving class and then returning, talking while others are trying to hear the instructor or their group members, doing other homework in class, wearing earphones in class, bringing activated beepers, alarm watches, or cellular phones into class, inappropriate comments or gestures, etc.  In on-line courses, “flaming’ anyone in the class is also considered disruptive behavior.  Such behavior interrupts the educational process.  When you are in doubt about any behavior, consult your instructor during office hours:  we recognize the judgment of the instructor as the final authority in these matters.

 

When disruptive behavior occurs, instructors will speak to or e-mail the students concerned.  Those students are then responsible for ending the disruptions at once.  Failure to do so may result in removal of the students from class.”

 

***All students should check BC Student Procedures & Expectations web address at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.html

 

Important Links

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 .

 

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Computing Services website.

 

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

 

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.

 

The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498.  Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110.   .    .  Please visit our website for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

 

Public Safety

 

The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day,7 days per week.  Their phone number is 425.564.2400.  The Public Safety website is your one-stop resource for campus emergency preparedness information, campus closure announcements and critical information in the event of an emergency. Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/