Course Syllabus

 

English 101, – College Composition & Reading

                                                           

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Instructor: Donna Cowan                                                                              

Office: R230                             

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 1:30 to 2:20 pm, and by appointment

Email: dcowan@bellevuecollege.edu

• When sending emails, you must use your Bellevue College email account and include “English 101 in the subject line.    

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Required Text

 

Dialogues: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader, 8th Edition

Gary Goshgarian & Kathleen Krueger

 

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What You Can Expect From Me

My role as your instructor is to facilitate the learning process and offer assistance concerning resources for this course and the larger campus community. I will come to class prepared to respectfully engage your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. You can also expect me to assess your work in a timely manner, and provide careful and thoughtful feedback. You are, of course, entitled to discuss your assessment with me at any time.  My classes are safe places where respect is a value that is present in nearly everything we do, and how we communicate with each other.  My classroom embraces our differences and will take advantage of our unique individual attributes, lifestyles, experiences and backgrounds. I will not tolerate any intentional disrespect towards any member in the classroom. No matter the religion, creed, sexual orientation/identity, socioeconomic background, native language or cultural practices and traditions, everyone has an important and equal role is our class, the learning process, and the success we will obtain throughout the quarter!

 

Course Description, Objectives and Learning Outcomes

English 101 supports students to reach college-level critical reading and writing skills fundamental to college preparation. In this course, student writing is at the center of the course, and reading and writing are taught and learned as an integrative process. Students’ comfort, confidence, and competence in academic writing are the main goals of the course. Based on this purpose, I will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for the writing required in college. Upon completion of this course, and based on individual commitment, you will find your analytical and writing abilities have improved, giving you the skills and confidence needed to succeed in college, and to find success throughout your academic careers.

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, students will be able to:

 

Think and read critically: carefully read, analyze, interpret and evaluate claims, beliefs, texts and/or issues.

• frame questions, define problems, and position arguments.
• consider multiple points of view and differentiate between assumptions, beliefs, facts, opinions, and biases.
• read and respond to various texts critically for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and/or judgment.
• demonstrate an understanding of a text’s main point/thesis and its relevant supporting details.

 

Compose and revise in context: shape written responses for different audiences and purposes.

• consider flexible strategies for prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing.
• develop and support thesis statements that are appropriately complex and significant.
• construct unified paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details that advance the thesis.
• apply various methods of development such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and/or analysis.
• balance their individual voices with those from other texts.
• employ style, tone, and mechanical conventions appropriate to the demands of a particular audience or purpose.

 Reflect and evaluate: recognize and incorporate newly acquired skills.

• develop the ability to critique their own and others’ work.
• gain a clearer perspective of habits that may detract from the effectiveness of their own writing.
• respond to comments from their instructor and peers.

 English 101

 

Class Policy 

Students must make their best effort to attend ALL scheduled class sessions. 

 

Class participation: Regular attendance is required for active learning. Much of class time will be spent learning new skills or working as a group. Thus, it is impossible to “make up" a missed class. Attendance and active participation contribute considerably to the quality of this course and help us meet the course requirements and learning outcomes. Class participation is central to our process of practicing listening and communication skills, thinking critically and ethically about ideas and opinions of divergent perspectives, and sharpening self-reflexive, cooperative, and collaborative argumentation skills. Through this process we can construct informed, critical, cross-cultural analyses of reading, writing, and critical thinking. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact me (dcowan@bellevuecollege.edu) or one of your peers for any assignments you may have missed. Excessive tardiness or failure to participate in the work of the class is considered equivalent to an absence. There will be frequent "pop"quizzes that will count towards your participation grade

1. Excess unexcused absences could result in a "no credit" grade for the course, meaning you will need to re-take the course. Do not interpret this policy to mean that you are entitled to "free" absences. You are expected to attend all class meetings.
2. Arrive on time. Because of group activities, you will hinder other student’s learning if you arrive late. A late arrival therefore may count as an unexcused absence; when late, confer with me to see if this will be the case.
3. Coming to any class or meeting unprepared, and thus unable to participate, will count as an unexcused absence.
4. Submit assignments complete and on time
5. Technology policy:  Ipods, cell phones, laptops, etc. must be put away, turned off, and disregarded BEFORE class begins and during the class period. While these are instrumental tools outside of class,they may distract from the purpose of this course, which focuses on reading, writing and pertinent class discussion among fellow students. Offending this policy will take credit away from your participation evaluation.

 

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

 

“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 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.”  The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

No late papers will be accepted, except under extenuating circumstances, and only when permited by the instructor in advance. A late paper will be considered a missed assignment, and will be graded "0".

 

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.  Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/

 

 

• Please refer to the “Student Services and Support Areas” handout for information regarding the DRC, TRIO, MCS, Student Programs, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Counseling Center, etc.  I will introduce you to a wide variety of campus resources that are here for you!

 

Values Conflicts

Essential to a liberal arts education is an open-minded tolerance for ideas and modes of expression that might conflict with one’s personal values.  By being exposed to such ideas or expressions, students are not expected to endorse or adopt them but rather to understand that they are part of the free flow of information upon which higher education depends.

To this end, you may find that class requirements may include engaging certain materials, such as books, films, and art work, which may, in whole or in part, offend you.  These materials are equivalent to required texts and are essential to the course content.  If you decline to engage the required material by not reading, viewing, or performing material you consider offensive, you will still be required to meet class requirements in order to earn credit.  This may require responding to the content of the material, and you may not be able to fully participate in required class discussions, exams, or assignments.

 

Gradiing

Assignment                                                     points towards course grade

 * 3 Essays (including all drafts, essay assignments, writing reflections,      

    peer review workshops, etc.)   (50%)                                                                                          

 * Discussions and Participation   (50%) 

                                    

 

 

                                                                           

                                                            Total                100%

 

 

A:                            100-95% A-                              95-90% B+:                            89-87% B:                              86-85% B-:                             84-80% C+:                            79-77% C:                              76-75% C-:                             74-70% D:                              69-60% F:                              59 or fewer

 

 Bellevue College

Student Services and Support Areas

Academic Success Center                                                                                             Go to: D204   Call: 425-564-2200

The Academic Success Center can assist you in successfully completing your college courses.  Students and professionals are hired to provide group, drop-in and one-to-one tutoring sessions.  Tutoring is available in virtually any subject. The Math Lab and Writing Center are designed for you to succeed!

Advising Center                                                        Go to: B231 2^nd floor of student services  Call: 425-564- 2212

Providing professional academic advice and educational planning to new and continuing students by providing the resources and planning tools to best develop a meaningful, sound educational plan to achieve their academic and life goals.

Career, Scholarship, and Women’s Center                            Go to: 2^nd floor of Student Services  Call: 425-564-2279

The Career Center provides comprehensive career resources for you at all stages of your academic and professional career.  The Women's Center assists you (yes…both men and women) in reaching your academic and career goals and tapping into community resources and scholarships.

Counseling Center                                                               Go to: 2^nd floor of Student Services  Call: 425-564- 2212

The Counseling Center supports your success by providing educational and career planning, academic counseling, and free short-term confidential personal counseling to any registered BCC student. The Center also offers credit classes under the Human Development curriculum to help you identify goals and learn effective decision-making skills for college and life success.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)                               Go to: B132 (1^st floor of Student Services)  Call: 425-564-2498

In order to ensure student success, DRC provides accommodations (in the forms of equipment, additional time, note takers, etc.) for students with a documented disability.  Appropriate accommodations are authorized when a student requests them after following the eligibility processes set by disability laws and college procedures. Part of the eligibility process includes the student submitting documentation of his/her disabling conditions(s).

 

Financial Aid                                                              Go to: B124 (1^st floor of student services)     Call: 425-564-2227

There are many ways in which you can fund your education!  Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans and student employment. Contact the Financial Aid Office for applications.

Library Media Center (LMC)                                              Go to: D126 (library main entrance)  Call: 425-564- 2252

The LMC offers excellent resource materials in print and electronic format. Librarians are always available to help you with search strategies and other research techniques to complement your class work.

Multi-Cultural Services (MCS)                                  Go to: B233 (2^nd floor of Student Services)  Call: 425-564-2208

MCS provides academic and support services and advocacy for students of color, low-income students, first generation college students, students with disabilities, and veterans at BCC (example assistance for FAFSA).

Student Programs                                                                 Go to: C212 (Above the Café)      Call: 425-564- 6150

By enriching your student experience through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, Student Programs is committed to building a pluralistic and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success. We encourage you to get involved in campus life!

TRiO                                                                 Go to: B234 (2^nd floor of Student Services)       Call: 425-564- 5745

TRiO services include study skills development, tutoring, advising, financial aid advising and assistance, a quiet study center and computer lab, a laptop lending program, and cultural and social activities.  Stop by to meet the TRiO staff and to see if you qualify!