Bellevue Community College
English Language Institute—University Preparation
Read / React 4C / Fall 2008
M – F / 12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. / Room L 222
Instructor: Rebecca Banset Message Phone: (425) 564 – 2341
E-mail: rbanset@bellevuecollege.edu Office: Room C 227
Course Description
This course is designed to help you strengthen your academic reading and critical thinking skills.
Learning Outcomes
- make, confirm, and/or revise predictions as you read.
- draw conclusions and make inferences about what you read.
- identify an author’s point of view.
- analyze fiction and non-fiction reading passages.
- respond appropriately to questions about readings (orally and in writing).
- summarize reading passages.
- clearly express your opinion about a reading passage, supporting your views with reasons and evidence.
- identify similarities and differences between readings.
- find materials in the library and on-line.
- guess the meaning of new words in context.
- expand your vocabulary.
Required Texts and Materials
The following texts and materials are required for this course:
▪ Concepts for Today, 2nd ed. by Smith and Mare.
▪ A binder or folder to keep all notes, handouts, and assignments.
▪ An English-English dictionary.
Attendance and Participation
It is important for you to attend every class session, come to class on time, and stay for the entire class period. Attendance will affect your final grade.
▪ 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 one (1) absence.
To be successful in this class, you should:
- talk to me if you miss class for any reason.
- complete required readings and homework before class.
- bring a pen or pencil, paper for taking notes, and your books to every class.
- TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE before you enter the classroom.
- actively participate in class by listening carefully, answering questions, working
with your classmates, and asking questions when you don’t understand.
Course Requirements
1). Daily Homework Assignments: You will need to spend approximately 30 minutes outside of class every day to complete reading selections, do exercises from our textbook, work on your vocabulary journal, and prepare for quizzes & tests. You will receive points on the homework assignments I collect. I will take off points for late assignments.
2). Vocabulary Journal:
You will keep a vocabulary journal throughout the quarter in which you record a list of new words and their definitions. I will collect your journal every Wednesday to provide feedback and assign a grade. You can earn a maximum of 10 points each week. For additional guidelines, see page 5 of this syllabus.
3). Summary Writing Assignments: Throughout the quarter, you will read three (3) newspaper/magazine articles of your own choosing and write a summary of each article. Each summary will be worth 25 points. Specific instructions for each assignment will be provided later. The due dates are: October 17, October 31, November 14. I will take off points for late assignments. For additional guidelines, see page 6 of this syllabus.
4). Quizzes: There will be a quiz every Monday. If you are absent on the day of a quiz, you must make an appointment with me to take a make-up quiz. Only ONE make-up quiz is allowed for the quarter.
5). Exams: There will be a mid-term exam on Monday, October 20th and a final exam on Wednesday, December 3rd. Additional information about each exam will be given at least one week prior to each exam. Early exams will not be given.
Grading
In order to determine your final grade for this class, I will add up the points you receive on homework, vocabulary journals, summary assignments, quizzes, and exams and divide by the total number of points possible. I will use the following scale to determine your letter grade.
93 – 100% A (excellent)
84 – 92 % B (good)
75 – 83% C (satisfactory)
0 – 74% D (repeat class, good effort)
0 – 74% F (repeat class, unsatisfactory effort)
* You must earn a 75% or higher to move up to the next level.
Important Dates
There will be NO CLASSES on October 29, November 11, 27, and 28.
Fall Quarter ends on December 3. Winter Quarter begins on January 8.
Special Needs
If you need special help because of a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special help in case of an emergency, please make an appointment with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). If you would like to ask about becoming a DRC student, you may call (425) 564 – 2498 or TTY (425) 564 – 4110 or go to their office in B 132. Information is also available on their website at http://bellevuecollege.edu/drc/.
Other Information
Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations for all other information: www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp .
Fall 2008 Calendar
Read/React 4C
|
|
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
WEEK 1
|
9/22 Classes Begin |
9/23 |
9/24 Late Placement Test
New students only: Challenge Test |
9/25
|
9/26
|
WEEK 2
|
9/29 Quiz 1 |
9/30 |
10/1 Vocabulary Journal 1 Due |
10/2
|
10/3 |
WEEK 3
|
10/6 Quiz 2 |
10/7
|
10/8 Vocabulary Journal 2 Due |
10/9 |
10/10 |
WEEK 4
|
10/13 Quiz 3 |
10/14 |
10/15 Vocabulary Journal 3 Due |
10/16 |
10/17
Summary #1 Due |
WEEK 5
|
10/20 Midterm Exam |
10/21
|
10/22 Vocabulary Journal 4 Due |
10/23 Mid-quarter grades due |
10/24
|
WEEK 6
|
10/27 Quiz 4
|
10/28 |
10/29
College Issues Day— No Classes
|
10/30
|
10/31
Summary #2 Due |
WEEK 7
|
11/3 Quiz 5 |
11/4
|
11/5 Vocabulary Journal 5 Due |
11/6
|
11/7
|
WEEK 8
|
11/10 Quiz 6 |
11/11
Holiday—No Classes |
11/12 Vocabulary Journal 6 Due |
11/13
|
11/14
TOEFL
Summary #3 Due |
WEEK 9
|
11/17 Quiz 7
|
11/18 |
11/19
Elective Signup
Vocabulary Journal 7 Due |
11/20
|
11/21
|
WEEK 10
|
11/24 Quiz 8 |
11/25 |
11/26 Vocabulary Journal 8 Due |
11/27
Holiday—No Classes |
11/28
Holiday—No Classes |
WEEK 11
|
12/1 Last Day of Classes |
12/2
2:30-3:20 Writing Final
|
12/3
12:30 – 1:20 Reading Final
1:30 – 2:20 S/L Final
2:30 EOQ Party |
12/4 |
12/5
|