Fall Quarter 2003

BCC English 101: Written Expression

Item #1225, Sec: K, Credits: 5.0

Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 12:20 pm

Bldg/Room: C168

(Prereq: Placement by assessment or English 092, 093 with a C – or better)  

 

Instructor: Michael Warner

Office: R230K (Arts & Humanities)

Office Hours: 10:30 am – 11:20 am (Tue, Wed, Thu, or by appointment)

Phone: (425) 564 – 4185 ext. 1

E-mail: mwarner@bcc.ctc.edu

 

I.          Required Textbook:

 

Patterns for College Writing, A Rhetorical Reader and Guide (9th ed.)

by Laurie G. Kirszner & Stephen R. Mandell

           

II.                 Course Description:

 

This course is an introduction to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on major strategies of non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation. Reading assignments will also be a major focus for this course. For one to become a better writer, one must be an avid reader. Students will read several essays a week and develop critical thinking skills by analyzing both professional and student essays. Plan accordingly and please have the assigned essays read BEFORE the class begins.

 

III.               Course Objectives:

 

a.       To study and practice writing to support an implied or stated thesis.

b.      To understand and practice the writing process.

c.       To use personal experience and observation as a source for writing.

d.      To gather data and to understand and synthesize ideas from others.

e.       To be able to evaluate and assist others with their writings.

f.        To read and mark professional and student essays critically and analytically.

g.       To paraphrase, summarize or infer a thesis and its support.

h.       To be able to think deeply and critically on a subject.

i.         To discover that your ideas are important, and to expand your vocabulary.

j.        To refine punctuation, grammar, and spelling skills.

k.      To discover that writing is pleasurable hard work.

 

 

 

IV.       Assignments:

 

a.       Four out-of-class essays

b.      In-class reading and writing assignments

c.       Out-of-class reading and writing homework assignments

d.      Several short reading quizzes and writing exercises

e.       Grammar and Sentence Skills exercises

 

V.        Grading and Percentages for Assignments:

 

a.         1.  Four out-of-class essays:                             60%

2.  Reading quizzes and writing exercises:          15%

3.  Grammar and Sentence Skills tests:  15%

4.  Class Participation and Attendance:  10%

 

b.         Each of these areas will be given a numerical grade in accordance with the Bellevue Community College’s grading system.

 

c.         BCC’s Grading System:

 

A         4.0 - 3.8           A-        3.7 - 3.4          

B+       3.3 - 3.1           B          3.0 - 2.8           B-        2.7 - 2.4

C+       2.3 - 2.1           C         2.0 - 1.8           C-        1.7 - 1.4

D+       1.3 - 1.1           D         1.0 - 0.9           F          0.8 - 0.0

 

VI.       Class Policies:

 

a.       Please arrive to class on time, as we will begin promptly at 11:30 am.

b.      Much of what we cover in class will be beneficial to meeting the course

Objectives, so attendance is important. If you cannot attend a class, it is your responsibility to get the information from a fellow student or myself.

c.       Plagiarized assignments will result in a failing grade for that assignment. Additional penalties such as failure of the course or expulsion from the college may also occur as appropriate.

d.      I will accept late papers. However, I will deduct from the numerical grade 0.1 per class period that the paper is late. If you do not submit a paper, you will receive a numerical grade of 0.0 for the assignment.

e.       Eating and drinking in class are fine (within reason) as long as you clean up your mess.

f.        If you need special accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical needs, or you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, see me as soon as possible.

 

VII.      Completion Schedule: (See Attached Handout)

 

 

 

VIII.     English 101 Class Attendance Policies:

 

a.       I will keep a record of your class attendance.

b.      I take attendance at the beginning of the class. If you arrive late, I may not mark you as having attended class. You should check with me after class to ensure I marked you present.

c.       Class Participation/Attendance is worth 10% of your overall grade. It is a combination grade of your participation in classroom discussions, activities and your attendance.

d.      The following is a breakout for the attendance portion of the English 101 Class Participation/Attendance grade:

 

# of Absences                                Grade

 

                         0 - 2                                        A, A-

                         3 - 4                                        B+, B

                         5 - 6                                        C+, C

                         7 - 8                                        D+, D

                         9 - 10                                      D-, F

 

IX.       Miscellaneous Notes:

 

a.       Please note that this syllabus and the completion schedule are subject to change. I will notify you of any changes as soon as humanly possible. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems about the course, instruction, assignments or grades, please see me.

b.      To access course materials, or if you have any questions regarding BCC’s student policies, please refer to the Student Procedures & Expectations section online. The web address is:

http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.html