Course Syllabus

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ABE English 5 #7716  Fall 2017

Class Information

The course is fully online. Because we have one Getting Started Sessions on-campus, it is listed as a hybrid. These sessions are optional but recommended. You can access the course from 9/25 - 12/08. Last day to turn in work: 12/01/2017.

 

Instructor Information

Margi Goertz

E-mail: margaret.goertz@bellevuecollege.edu

Phone: 425-564-3224 (message)

Office: R130

Office Hours: Contact by email or phone.

 

Getting Started Help Sessions 

If you are new to online course work, plan on attending at least 1 of the “Getting Started” Orientation sessions listed below. This is not required, but your instructor will show you how to navigate the course. The sessions will be informal work session where you can work on assignments and ask questions.

Wednesday, September 27th, 5:00 - 5:50 PM in R108

 

Highly Recommended: Before you come, log on to Canvas and open our site. Open the module called “Getting Started – Orientation” and try to complete the assignments. You can then move on to UNIT 1 - The Penny Debate.

 

Materials Required

  • There are no text books for this course. All course materials are on
  • You will need regular access to a computer or tablet with internet access and a set of headphones. You will be doing a lot of reading, listening and typing.
  • If you don’t have regular access to a computer:

 

Course Outcomes

  • Use reading strategies to improve comprehension: annotating, outlining, summarizing, paraphrasing.
  • Distinguish and evaluate writers’ use of: fact, opinion and implied meaning; main ideas and details; point of view, purpose and audience.
  • Practice the components of academic writing: thesis statements, using evidence, developing analysis, transitions, and structuring a multi-paragraph essay.
  • Practice the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, teacher/peer reviews, reflecting on feedback, revising and editing.
  • Practice sentence patterns and grammar points to improve the expression of ideas.
  • Practice punctuation rules to improve editing skills and sentence level accuracy.
  • Develop academic vocabulary and context decoding skills.
  • Communicating effectively with students and the instructor using Canvas.
  • Use technology to produce, publish, and update writing products

 

Instructor's Expectations

    1. Log into Canvas daily. Check for course announcements and calendar changes.
    2. Regularly check your Canvas email and for feedback notes on your assignments.
    3. Participate in online activities 7 – 10 hours per week.
    4. Complete all class work and homework activities on time and to the best of your ability.
    5. Be respectful of yourself and others when sharing ideas online.
    6. Contact instructor with questions regarding topics, class activities and/or assignments.
    7. Use instructor’s feedback to improve your work.
    8. Show persistence and patience when dealing with technology. Ask for help from your instructor and use lab resources if your hardware stops functioning.
    9. Cheating and copying the work of others will not be tolerated. Students who cheat or plagiarize will receive a written warning. If cheating or plagiarism continue, students may be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College.

 

Assignments and Course Design:

The course is divided in unit modules. You may work at your own pace within the unit, but you may not skip assignments or units. All assignments will be completed sequentially (in order) and turned in online via Canvas. Each unit will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.

This is the suggested pace for completing all of the course assignments:

Week 1: Reading and Reading Skill Building Assignments 

Week 2: Writing Skill Building Assignments

Week 3: Extended Writing Assignment

Each module contains a list of assignments that include:

  • Unit Reading Assignments (defined in unit videos)
  • Unit Writing Assignments (defined in unit videos)
  • Unit Foundation Assignments in grammar, vocabulary and skill exercises

 

Grading

Important to Note:  This course may be repeated up to 3 times!

  • The course is designed sequentially, so Units 1, 2 and 4  must be completed before Units 5, 7 and 8.
  • Students who want to move on to credit English courses (English 092/093 and/or English 101)  should follow BC testing requirements described on the BC Testing Services Website and schedule a meeting with our Pathways Navigator, Elaine Nutter.  Elaine and I will discuss with you your progress this quarter, your scores from the Testing Services, and your academic goals in order to help you find suitable course options for the following quarter.
  • Full completion of  6  units with high scores  is excellent preparation for English credit courses.  Completion of the 6 units can span over 3 quarters. Please remember that each student has unique learning needs and goals. 

At the end of the quarter, you will receive a letter grade for the class.  It will be based on the following scale:    

90-100 - A         80-89 - B       70-79 - C         60-69 - D           below 59 - F

Assignments are scored using a point system. Every assignment has a rubric which details expectations. Please review the rubrics before you begin.  Assignments are divided into categories. Each category carries a separate weight.

  • Online Reading Journal: 20% of total grade
  • Extended Writing Assignments: 40% of total grade
  • Skill Building and  Orientation Assignments: 40% of total grade

 

ABE Program Participation

Your active and thoughtful participation is the most important part of your ability to make significant and sustained academic progress. To promote your progress, the ABE program requires a minimum class attendance of 80% unless you have accommodations through the DRC. If you do not meet this minimum, you may be dropped from the course. Students who do not meet this requirement may not be eligible to receive tuition or parking waivers for the following quarter. Also, students who have not logged on to the course by Friday of Week One may be dropped from the course. Students who have extenuating circumstances, such as a personal emergency or illness, may contact the instructor and appeal these participation requirements.

Important Note Regarding Assignments within the NROC Videos: Your instructor is able to track your online engagement with an activity. This includes your time watching the videos, responses in your journal, and the drafting/revision of your writing assignments. This is a 5 credit class, so you should plan to work actively on your assignments for 7 – 10 hours a week.

Students receive oral and written feedback on written work. The purpose of the feedback is to allow students to build on their strengths and focus their studies on the areas they are weakest in. Read and reflect upon the feedback you are given. You should apply corrections/suggestions moving forward. Students will be informed at mid-quarter of the current quarter if they need to improve their performance and make a plan for success. 

The ABE/GED department requires students to take the CASAS reading and math assessments. Each student takes the assessment before placement into a course and a post-test at some point after 45 hours of instruction. The purpose of these assessments is to make sure students are improving their reading and math skills to strengthen their employability and other life skills.

 

Student Concerns

If you have concerns about any part of this class, I encourage you to talk with me. If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable talking to me, the next step would be to speak with the Program Chair, Heidi Songstad, R130W. If Heidi is unable to help, you may contact the Dean, Tuan Dang, in R130.

 

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

 

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

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, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation.  Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/

 

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://www.bellevuecollege.edu/netid/.

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 http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/

 

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 B132 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 and Emergencies

Public Safety is located in the D building and can be reached at 425-564-2400. Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center.  Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by registering at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/alerts/?ref=footer

 If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort.

 

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) establishes that the education records of students attending or having attended the college are confidential and can be released only with written permission of the student. FERPA also authorizes the college to release so-called "directory information" without that prior written permission. The college has adopted procedures to implement FERPA. Questions pertaining to the procedures and their implementation should be directed to the Vice President of Student Services. A complete transcript of the law can be viewed at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

 

Academic Calendar

The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They provide information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due