On-Line Grammar for Effective Writing Syllabus

#7652 ABE 064 Summer 2018
Dates: July 2nd - August 16th

Instructor: Heidi Songstad
E-mail: h.songstad@bellevuecollege.edu 
Phone:  425-564-5729  
Office location: R130V
Office Hours: Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00  or available by appointment

Course Information

Course Description

This class is a supplemental class to our ABE 064 or HSC 065, and HSC 071 or 072 GED Prep courses. We will practice grammar and sentence construction in order to improve academic writing. Upon completion of this course, you will effectively construct a variety of sentence types, using a variety of verb tenses, correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and quotations, while developing overall computer familiarity.

Course Outcomes

The particular topics covered support students to be able to:

• Cite strong and thorough evidence and inferences from a text 
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text 
• Determine and summarize the theme, development and conclusion of a text 
• Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events to explain how individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of a text 
• Analyze and evaluate an author’s claim and the effectiveness of the structure of a text 
• Use the writing process to convey ideas, concepts, explanations, research 
• Use information from multiple sources on the same topic to write arguments and reports that support ideas with clear evidence 
• Use technology to produce, publish, and update writing products

How Outcomes Will be Met

The outcomes of this class will be met by:

• Studying and practicing spelling rules and commonly misspelled words.
• Studying a variety of capitalization and punctuation rules and using them in sentences.
• Studying rules for producing simple, compound, and complex sentences and using them in short paragraphs.
• Studying a variety of verb tenses and using them in short sentences or paragraphs. 
• Using feedback on various aspects of writing to improve sentence-level accuracy.
• Effectively communicating with students and the instructor by using on-line discussions on various writing topics.

Books and Materials Required

Regular access to a computer with Internet access is required. Computers are available in the N-building, the library, as well as your local library. 

  

Grading

Students attending ABE classes at BC are expected to make significant and sustained academic progress for their program and level. If academic progress, as defined in program policy, is not met, students may not continue in the program. Academic progress is determined by the teachers based on classroom work, tests, demonstration of competence on performance tasks, and attendance. Students will be informed at mid-quarter of the current quarter if they need to improve their performance and make a plan for success.

Since this is a support class, successful completion of all assignments, regular login/participation and reasonable improvement is expected for success. This will be measured by:

Participation: You are expected to log in and practice for 2- 4 hours each week. You are expected to complete each of the modules in order. 

Quizzes: Each week there will be one or more quizzes to allow you to practice the topics.  A score of 80% must be obtained to proceed through the modules. You should re-take any quiz until a minimum of 80% is obtained.

Discussion Assignments: 

Discussion Submissions: 1-2 per week; on the discussion page, there is a prompt that you are required to write about.  You will be graded on 80% accuracy of the topic we are studying, as well as any topics previously covered. 

Feedback: The teacher will provide most of the editing suggestions. You can expect to hear back from the instructor within 48 hours of your submissions. One benefit of using the discussion board to do much of work is we can learn from what other students are writing. Students can respond to other students with ideas about the content of the post, or the way a classmate has crafted a sentence. 

Revisions: Once you receive feedback from your instructor, you should go back to the original post and edit your writing immediately. This is how you will learn best about the kinds of mistake you make in your writing.

 

Help with Canvas

Help with Canvas can be found on the Bellevue College Website under Technology Help Desk or by clicking on the below word “students.”   Students Links to an external site.

 

Classroom Learning Atmosphere

Instructor’s Expectations

We are participating in a group learning classroom. We are all different, so we need to be respectful of our differences and supportive of all of our desires to learn. It is necessary that each student receives equal time and ability to ask questions, provide answers, and participate in activities. If you find that you have many questions, contact me for additional help (see contact information above),

Cheating and copying (plagiarism) are serious offenses. Expect to have a one-on-one conversation with me the first time. And then, the second time, you will be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College.

I expect myself, your instructor, to also follow these rules for 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.

Affirmation of Inclusion Links to an external site. (https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/inclusion/ Links to an external site.)

 

Religious Holidays

Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments because of their religious observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they have previously arranged to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute an unreasonable burden on a member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an unreasonable burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult the department chair, or Dean.

Policy 2950 Accommodations for Reasons of Faith or Conscience Links to an external site. (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2950p-2/).

 

College Anti-Discrimination Statement (Title IX)

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; creed; color; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates. Bellevue College is prohibited from discriminating in such a manner by college policy and by state and federal law. All college personnel and persons, vendors, and organizations with whom the college does business are required to comply with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations designed to promote affirmative action and equal opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Links to an external site. (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/equal/)

 

FERPA

We do not wish other people (parents, spouses, and friends of students) to speak for students about school performance because this can slow student growth and progress. We do this because we would like students to speak for themselves and be independent.  We also do it because federal law (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) says that we must protect the privacy of student education records.  It is BC policy to keep school performance between the school and the student. If a student asks for a parent, spouse, or friend to be at any instructor-student discussion of academic performance, instructors will look at each situation and make the final decision. You can see all of this policy, Arts and Humanities Commitment to Student Growth and Development, at https://s.bellevuecollege.edu/wp/sites/59/2013/11/Arts-and-Humanities-Commitment-to-Student-Growth-and-Development1.pdf Links to an external site.

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 usual next step would be to speak with the Program Chair, Hope Gamez, or the Faculty Chair, Heidi Songstad, in R130. If Hope or Heidi are unable to help, you may also contact the Associate Dean, Tuan Dang, in R130.

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication 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 Links to an external site. at  http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/ Links to an external site.

Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College Copyright Policy Links to an external site.

This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism Links to an external site.

 

Important Links ▪ 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: Create Email Links to an external site.

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 Technology Help Desk Links to an external site.

 

▪ Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with disabilities.  A disability includes any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Common disabilities include physical, neurological (e.g. Autism, ADD), and mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety). If you are a student who has a disability or if you think you may need accommodations in order to have equal access to programs, activities, and services, please contact the DRC.

If you require assistance in an emergency, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan for while in class and contact the DRC to develop a safety plan for while you are elsewhere on campus.

If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators (ASN).  Email and phone number is on the web page. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D125. 

The DRC office is located in building B132.  You can contact the DRC by stopping by B132, calling our desk at 425-564-2498, emailing drc@bellevuecollege.edu, and Deaf students can reach us by Skype (account name DRCatBC).  For more information about the services we offer, including our Initial Access Application, visit our website at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc Links to an external site. 

Only Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals approved by the DRC are allowed in this classroom.  All other animals will be asked to leave.  If you believe you need your animal with you, please connect with the DRC and refrain from bringing your animal until a decision has been made.

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 and Emergencies

Public Safety is located in the D building 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).  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 RAVE Alert Registration Links to an external site.

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.

Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the event of an evacuation.  Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you do anything else.  Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for.

If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three 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 directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene.  Instead, follow directions from those in charge.

3) In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.

Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any time. You may also visit the Public Safety Links to an external site. web page for answers to your questions.

  

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.

• Enrollment Calendar Links to an external site. On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds.
• College Calendar Links to an external site.This calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays, scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.