6170B782 - ELIUP051 Writing Level III

Syllabus

Fall 2017 - English Language Institute

Course Number: ELIUP 051 & 052 (Writing & Grammar Level 3)

Class Item #: 6170 / 6175

Class:  Mondays – Fridays from 1:30 pm – 3:20 pm

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor:	Rebecca Banset
E-mail:	rbanset@bellevuecollege.edu
Phone:	(425) 564-2528
Office Location:	Room R-130P
Office Hours:	10:30 - 11:30 am AND by appointment

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to help you improve your writing and grammar skills, as well as your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.  

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this class, you will be able to:

• Use correct Level 3 grammar.
• Use the writing process from brainstorming to final draft.
• Write a variety of compositions as homework and in-class writings.
• Develop thoughtful and relevant supporting details.
• Organize paragraphs clearly and logically.
• Use sentence variety in paragraphs.
• Write correct sentences and avoid common sentence errors.
• Proofread and edit written work.
• Punctuate correctly.
• Use the passive voice.
• Identify and use passive modals.
• Review personal pronouns (I, me, my, mine), and learn demonstrative and reflexive pronouns.
• Write compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions and sentence connectors.
• Write complex sentences with adverb clauses of time and cause.
• Use the simple, progressive, and perfect tenses.
• Recognize the perfect progressive tenses.

REQUIRED TEXT & MATERIALS

• Grammar for Great Writing B by K. S. Folse.

ISBN: 978-1-337-11860-6. 

Purchase your textbook in the BC Store or on-line.

• Four or five blue books for journal writing. Purchase blue books in the BC Store.
• A good English-English dictionary. No cell phone dictionaries at any time!
• A Bellevue College computer account /e-mail address. You must use your Bellevue College e-mail account for all communication related to this class. You must also use your BC username and password to access our Canvas class site every day for homework assignments and supplemental materials. Click here if you need help using Canvas: Canvas Help for Students.

GRADING

You will be graded on the following:

1. Daily Work (10%) – Canvas quizzes, homework, and journal assignments. 
2. Revised Writing Assignments (20%) – Late assignments will lose points.
3. In-class Writing Tests (50%) – See calendar for dates.
4. Final Portfolio & Reflection Paper (10%) – Late assignments will lose points.
5. Final Writing Exam (10%) – See note below.

You should keep track of your progress and look at your scores regularly on our Canvas site. Talk to me at any time if you need help improving your skills.

Note on the Final Exam: On Friday, December 1, you will take a 50-minute Final Writing Exam. This exam will be graded Pass (P) or No Pass (NP). If you receive an NP grade on your final exam (or if you do not take the final exam), your class grade will be lowered one letter grade (10%). In order to move up to the next level, your final class grade must be 75% (C-) or higher. NOTE:  Early or late exams will not be given.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage
A	100 – 96 %
A-	95 – 93
B+	92 – 90
B	89 – 87
B-	86 – 84
C+	83 – 81
C	80 – 78
C-	77 – 75
D	74 - 0 repeat class, good effort
F	74 - 0 repeat class, poor effort

ELI ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is important for you to come to 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 15 times or more will receive a grade of “F” and will be dismissed from the program at the end of the quarter.
• Students who miss class 12, 13 or 14 times will receive a grade of “F.”
• Students who miss class 10 or 11 times will receive a grade of no higher than a “D.”
• Three tardies (arriving late) of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.
• Missing 10 minutes or more of any hour of class = 1 absence (in a 2 hr. class = ½ absence)

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

The Arts & Humanities Division of Bellevue College recognizes its students’ diverse religious beliefs. Students who plan to miss classes, exams, or any other assignments because of a religious holiday should be given an opportunity to make up the work without penalty if the students tell the instructor about their absence before they miss class. Students are responsible for telling the instructor the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the quarter. If there is any disagreement about this policy, students should talk to the department chair or the Dean of Arts & Humanities in R-230.

ELI CELL PHONE POLICY

Cell phones are NOT ALLOWED at any time during class for any reason, this includes cell phone dictionaries.  Turn off your cell phone before you enter the classroom and do not use your cell phone at all during class.  If your cell phone becomes a distraction, I will take it and keep it on the front desk until the end of class.  If you use your cell phone during a test, you may receive an F for that assignment.

SPECIAL NOTES ON CELL PHONES

• Sometimes we will use our cell phones for class activities, but please wait for me to give you permission first.
• Do not use your cell phone as a dictionary during class. Carry a small book dictionary or electronic dictionary with you to class.  If you don’t know a word, ask me!  I will be your dictionary in the classroom.
• Do not take photos of the screen or board with your cell phone during class. I will post most of materials for you on our Canvas class site. For notes that aren’t available on Canvas, I will allow you to take photos, but only at the end of class or during break time.

STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

Students are in ELI classes to learn English and ELI teachers are here to help them. Cheating makes that harder for both the students and the teachers. “Cheating” is also called “academic dishonesty.” 

There are different kinds of academic dishonesty:

• plagiarism (copying word-for-word from a Web page, book or article)
• using a paper or homework assignment written by someone else
• copying a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly)
• using your own essay or presentation from a previous quarter
• using “cheat notes” during a test
• copying answers from a classmate’s paper or test
• giving answers to a classmate during a test
• giving your own assignment to a classmate

Academic dishonesty is not acceptable at Bellevue College or in any American classes.  Participating in academic dishonesty in any way, including writing a paper or taking a test for someone else, may result in severe penalties.

If you plagiarize:

First time:	Your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do.
Second time:	You will fail the assignment.
Third time:	You will fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services. You will possibly be asked to leave BC.

If you cheat:

First time:	You will fail the assignment and have no opportunity to make it up.
Second time:	You will fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services.  You will possibly be asked to leave the school.

STUDENT CONCERNS

If you have concerns about any part of the class, please speak to me first. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with me, the next step is to speak with the ELI Department Chair, Ivan Breen (ibreen@bellevuecollege.edu). You can also refer concerns to the Arts and Humanities Associate Dean, Tuan Dang (tuan.dang@bellevuecollege.edu) or the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho (scott.bessho@bellevuecollege.edu).  An additional resource for concerns is the Ombuds Office in D-126K or on-line here: BC Ombuds Office. 

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Get your textbook and set up your computer account as soon as possible.
• Come to class prepared every day. Bring a pen, pencil, eraser, paper for taking notes, your book, and your dictionary to every class.
• Make the most of our time in class! Listen carefully, take notes, answer questions, work respectfully with your classmates, and ask questions when you don’t understand.
• Check our Canvas class site every day for important announcements, materials, and homework.
• Finish your homework before class. Plan to spend ~20 minutes every evening on homework.
• Talk to me if you miss class for any reason AND check our Canvas site to see what you missed.

Did You Know?  The English Language Institute awards scholarships to the Top 6 Students at the end of every quarter.  What do you need to do to be nominated?

• Actively participate and make positive contributions in class
• Be respectful of your classmates and instructors 
• Set a good example for others
• Do honest work
• Earn good grades in all classes

The ELI also awards Perfect Attendance and Academic Achievement certificates at the end of each quarter.  Come to class on time every day, work hard all quarter long, and you might receive one!

COLLEGE POLICIES & INFORMATION

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 

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
• 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 and on-line.  The Student Code, Policy 2050, is located at: Student Code of Conduct.

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. 

COLLEGE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT (TITLE IX)

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; gender identity or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates. For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND MANDATORY REPORTING

As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share information regarding sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct (e.g. dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) that may have occurred on campus or that may impact someone on campus with the Title IX Coordinator. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the BC Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2441 and more information can be found at Title IX Office.

DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

The Disability Resource Center serves students with learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a documented disability or learning challenge or has seen someone for treatment and you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact the DRC as soon as possible. 

The DRC office is located in B-132 or you can call the reception desk at (425) 564 - 2498.  Deaf students can reach the DRC by Skype.  The address is DRCatBC (NOTE: There is no @ sign...it is actually DRCatBC).  Please visit their website at Disability Resource Center for application information and other helpful links. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional program available to you.  It’s called Autism Spectrum Navigators.  They are located in the Library Media Center in D-125.  You can contact them by e-mail or phone: asn@bellevuecollege.edu or (425) 564-2764 or go to their Website: Autism Spectrum Navigators.

If you require assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire or earthquake, please meet with me to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.

ACCESSIBILITY

The online elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning. Be sure to let me know immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCIES

Public Safety (the campus police department) is located in the D Building in D-171 and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember because it’s the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Public Safety is in charge of Parking Permits, Lost and Found, Emergency Notification, etc. Please make sure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by registering at RAVE Alerts.  If you study late on campus and do not want to walk to your car or the bus alone, Public Safety will walk with you. To coordinate this, please call Public Safety and let them know when and where you will need an escort.

Please read the emergency signs by the door of every classroom and know where to go if there is an emergency. Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you do anything else. Emergency workers will search for anyone unaccounted for.

If a major emergency occurs, please follow these two rules:

1. Take directions from those in charge of the response. We all need to be working together.
2. Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless you are told to do so). If you do this, there will be too many cars on the streets and it will prevent emergency vehicles from getting to campus. Instead, follow directions from the people in charge.

Please call Public Safety at 425-564-2400 at any time if you have safety questions or concerns.