Course Syllabus

ENGL& 101: English Composition I Syllabus Item# 1046 ODS 2018/Summer Online 

Instructor Ron Holland
ron.holland@bellevuecollege.edu
Phone: 425-564-4186
Office: R230N
Office hours: By Appointment

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to...

• Think Critically and Read Analytically: carefully interpret and evaluate claims, beliefs, arguments or issues, reading various texts critically for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation.
• Compose and Revise in Context: shape written responses for--and employ style, tone, and mechanical conventions appropriate to--the demands of different audiences and purposes, using various methods of development such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and analysis, and balancing their individual voices with those from other texts.
• Reflect, Collaborate & Evaluate: incorporate newly acquired skills, both individually and with peers, to critique their own and others’ work, to gain a clearer perspective of habits that may detract from the effectiveness of their own writing, and to develop flexible strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading in response to comments from their instructor and peers.

Outcomes Completion

In this course, we will work on incorporating the writing process into various forms of written assignments. There will be an emphasis on audience awareness and how that influences the writing of clear, effective arguments that are supported with details and organized strategically (rather than the 5 paragraph essay). Throughout the quarter we’ll focus on the writing process, critical reading and analytical writing, some grammatical issues to ensure that your writing is readable, and self-assessment of your own writing.

Books

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ 

Free Source Text (CANVAS Access)

Grading

Assignments
There will be assignments. You will need an appropriate heading for your assignments. Position the heading at the top right hand corner on the 1st page: name, date, class and assignment. Every assignment
must be typed, double-spaced, and have 1-inch margins if possible.

Essays
This class requires you to write (2) essays, including free-writes, drafts, and revisions. Each essay is graded on a 0-200 point scale. I return graded essays about a week after they are handed in. [400 points total]

Rough Drafts
You will be required to submit a rough draft for your first two papers worth 25 points each. It is important because they are used for peer and instructor feedback. Your final paper will not have a rough draft because it is meant to test the skills you have gained from this course. [50 points total]

Summary Assignment/Activity
There will be one summary assignment and one activity. [100 points total]

Peer-Review
(2) sessions for 25 points each also take place in class, and are an invaluable means for receiving and giving constructive feedback. Therefore, peer-editing sessions are not only important for you-but for your classmates as well. Written peer feedback should be submitted back to the student at the conclusion of your group work. Important: Peer review assignments cannot be made up. [50 points total]

Thesis Assignments
(2) assignments that allows feedback in the strength of your thesis.  [20 points total]

Comprehension Quizzes & Final Test
You will be assessed on your understanding of various concepts throughout the quarter. Quizzes are due on the day assigned.  10% deducted for each day late. Quizzes cannot be taken more than once. All online quizzes are open notes. There will also be a 100 point final test on classical argument. [415 points] 

Discussions

Every week you will be expected to engage in an online discussion with other students. You will answer a given prompt by posting your response into a discussion session. You will then also be responsible for commenting on two other students’ postings. Your contribution to the topic should be clear, complete, and accurate. Late discussion responses and replies will receive NO credit. Do not wait to the last minute to post your answer. Posting early allows you to write thoughtful answers and to be the first one to make important points. Posting early also ensures that you will not miss the deadline. 8 posts at 5-10 points each. [160 points] 

Attendance (For Face-to-Face Classes Only)

Attendance expectations for hybrid and in-person classes: Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings whenever possible. While attendance requirements are up to individual faculty members in the Arts & Humanities Division, active participation and regular attendance are essential to students’ success.

Unless students have accommodations regarding attendance that have been approved through the Disability Resource Center, they should not be absent more than 20% of the total class time scheduled. When absences go beyond 20%, instructors’ policies may result in one of the following:

• Students may earn a grade of "F" for the course.
• Students may earn a lower final grade.

In cases of legitimate hardship, students may also request that instructors grant a “HW” (hardship withdrawal), which is a non-credit grade.

Students with accommodations regarding attendance must actively communicate with the instructor (and consult with the DRC) about each absence to determine if the accommodation applies.

Late papers
All papers and other assignments are due at the dates and times specified in the course calendar.  Any papers turned in late will result in a 10% deduction of grade for each day. 

Readings
The readings will introduce or familiarize you with ongoing issues. In order to become an active reader, you must engage in active vs. passive reading; think critically and analyze ideas, arguments, and techniques, author’s reasoning and main points. Think of it as you having a conversation with the texts. Use a dictionary if needed; take notes in the margins/your notebook. This is a good chance for you to practice making a strong point and support it with textual evidence and interpretation rather than just personal beliefs. Remember to have an open mind when listening to your classmates; there are a lot of different perspectives. Contribute to the discussion.

Grading Procedure 

Essays                                                                 2 x 200=400

Rough Drafts                                                       2 x 25=50     

Activity/Summary Assignment                             2 x 50=100

Peer Editing                                                         2 x 25=50

Thesis Assignment                                              2 x 10=20

Comprehension Quiz                                           10 =415

Discussion Posts                                                  8=160

Total Points                                                        1,195 points         

 

A:                100 – 95%

A-:               94-90%

B+:              89-87%

B:                 86-85%

B-:               84-80%

C+:              79-77%

C:                 76-75%

C-:               74-70% (Needed to move only English 201)

D:                69-60%

F:            59% or fewer

Help with Canvas

The following places are helpful http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/canvas/.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is the act of using another writer’s words or ideas as your own. According to the BCC Arts & Humanities website, plagiarism “may take many forms, including, but not limited to, using a paper written by someone else, using printed sources word-for-word without proper documentation, and paraphrasing or summarizing the ideas of others without acknowledging the source.  Plagiarism can also occur when non-written ideas are taken without documentation--using someone else's design or performance idea, for example.  In short, plagiarism is passing off someone else's ideas, words, or images as your own; it amounts to intellectual theft--whether or not it was your intention to steal.” Plagiarism in this course may result in a paper’s failing grade, or further disciplinary action from the Dean of Student Success. Consecutive acts of plagiarism may result in a failing grade for the class.

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.

College Anti-Discrimination Statement

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 (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/equal/)

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 (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2950p-2/).

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.

What follows is the Arts & Humanities Division’s policy on classroom behavior:

“The college's ‘Affirmation of Inclusion’ is posted in each classroom and sets forth the expectation that we will all treat one another with respect and dignity regardless of whether or not we agree philosophically.  This expectation is in line with the principle of free speech in a free society:  we have the right to express unpopular ideas as long as we don't show disrespect for reasonable people who might believe otherwise.  In an on-line course, you will be expressing ideas through the medium of the course site rather than face to face in the classroom.  In that case, these expectations refer to the courtesy with which you communicate with one another through e-mails and e-discussions.

Part of this respect involves professional behavior toward the instructor, colleagues, and the class itself.  Disruptive behavior is disrespectful behavior.  The Arts and Humanities Division honors the right of its faculty to define "disruptive behavior," which often involves such things as arriving late, leaving early, leaving class and then returning, talking while others are trying to hear the instructor or their group members, doing other homework in class, wearing earphones in class, bringing activated beepers, alarm watches, or cellular phones into class, inappropriate comments or gestures, etc.  In on-line courses, “flaming’ anyone in the class is also considered disruptive behavior.  Such behavior interrupts the educational process.  When you are in doubt about any behavior, consult your instructor during office hours:  we recognize the judgment of the instructor as the final authority in these matters.

When disruptive behavior occurs, instructors will speak to or e-mail the students concerned.  Those students are then responsible for ending the disruptions at once.  Failure to do so may result in removal of the students from class.”

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 with the Title IX Coordinator any and all 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 impacts someone on campus. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the BC Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2641 and more information can be found at Title IX (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleix/). If you have any concerns, you may report to: Report Concerns (https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/reportconcerns/).

Important Links
See "Important Links” page online for more information about BC E-mail, access to MyBC, the Disability Resource Center (DRC), Public Safety, the Academic Calendar, the Academic Success Center, and more.

Assignment Schedule

(See CANVAS modules)