Course Syllabus

LEAP:  Culture and Community

Item Number:  ELIUP096-6297

Fall 2018

 

Class Information Day & Time: Mon – Thurs 11:30 am – 12:20 pm Fridays as scheduled (see calendar) Room: C155 Dates: Sept 17 – Dec 6 NO CLASS – Oct 2, Nov 12, Nov 22, Nov 23 Dec 3

Instructor Information Krista Capodanno E-mail:  krista.capodanno@bellevuecollege.edu Phone: 425-564-2411 Office Hours:  Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-1:20 or by appointment

Course Description:  This course is designed to give you a general introduction to culture and a specific introduction to American (U.S) culture. It will examine the role immigration has played in shaping American life.  It will also help you understand the meaning of culture, how culture affects the way we think and communicate, sub-cultures and how American culture can vary depending on region.  You will use the information that you learn in class to help you communicate more effectively in English within the U.S. cultural setting.

Course Outcomes:  At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Differentiate between beliefs, values, and norms in a culture  
• Identify and explain common American beliefs, values, norms, and communication patterns  
• Identify and explain common American behaviors and ways of reasoning  
• Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the local community 
• Make connections between the personal, local, and global levels of culture and communication 
• Build on existing English-language skills to improve comprehension and communication 

Course Materials: 

• A 3-ring binder to keep your handouts and assignments for this class in order.
• An English-English dictionary, paper or electronic (not a cell phone dictionary)
• College-ruled 8 ½ X 11 paper, pencils, pens, etc.
• Cell phones may not be used in class except when permitted by the instructor.

Field-Trips

We will be going on field-trips both on and off campus as a class.  The dates for those will be discussed in class.  In addition to the field-trips we go on as a group, you will be required to go to at least two places on or off-campus on your own or with others from the class.  You will then report back to the class about your experience and what you learned as it relates to the topics we cover in class. Your instructor will give you a list of places you could go or if you have an idea of a place you are interested in visiting, please ask your instructor to be sure it meets the requirements.  

Projects

1)The first project will be an interview project with an immigrant to the United States, here on campus, with students in the immigrant ESL program.

2)  The second project will be a video project in which you interview a person to share his or her story with the BC community.

*****These projects will be discussed in more detail before you begin.

▪ Grading:  You must receive a 75% or higher to pass this course.  You will be evaluated on your projects, your Canvas Discussions/Reflections, additional assignments and your class participation. Keep in mind that the quality of your work is important. Just turning in an assignment doesn't mean you will get the maximum points. Be sure to ask questions about your assignments to make sure you completely understand what is expected to get the maximum points.

 

• Projects:                                                                   30%
• Discussions and Reflections:                                25%
• Assignments and Field-trips:                                 25%
• Attendance, Participation, and Effort:                   20%

A Note on Participation:  Student participation is an important element of learning in an American classroom.  As such, active participation and engagement with the class material and classmates are essential parts of your learning in this course.  You will be expected to be prepared for class by doing the reading, reflections and other assignments outside of class so that you are able to participate in small group and whole class discussions.  The participation grade represents my overall assessment of your active participation in class. 

UP Grades

UP grades are determined on the following basis:

 

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

 

Keep track of your scores by looking at our CANVAS site regularly.  Talk to me anytime if you need help improving your skills.

ELI Attendance Policy:  Attendance and participation are critical for success in any class. Any time that a student is not in class for any reason will be counted as an absence. Being late to class makes it hard for you to learn, is distracting to the class members, and is disrespectful to the instructor.

Students are required to attend class everyday. There are no “excused absences” in the ELI. Please do not bring a doctor’s note to excuse your absence since your teacher or the ELI cannot accept doctor’s notes.

Fall/Winter/Spring Quarters

• 15 absences = F and can be dismissed from the program at the end of the quarter
• 12 absences = F (not passing)
• 10 or 11 absences = no higher than a D (not passing)
• 3 tardies of 5 minutes or more (per hour) = 1 absence
• Missing 10 minutes or more of any hour of class = 1 absence (in a 2 hr. class = ½ absence)

 

A Note on Parking:  Please be aware that parking at BC is difficult.  If you drive to school, be sure to allow enough time to find parking before class.  Lateness due to parking problems is not excused.

Classroom Learning Atmosphere

▪ Instructor’s Expectations:

 

• Late homework assignments:  Assignments that are more than one day late will not be accepted, and will lose 10% from the assessed grade.
• There are no make-up quizzes or presentations.  You must give your presentation on the day that you are scheduled.
• Speak only English when you are in class.  Don’t worry about making mistakes - that’s one of the best ways to learn English.  We are here to learn together!

 

Tips for Success

 

• Organize your class materials and set up your computer account as soon as possible.
• Keep your assignments well organized in a folder dedicated to this class.

• Come to class on time and prepared every day.  Bring your class binder, a pen, pencil, eraser, paper for taking notes, and your dictionary every day.
• Check our CANVAS site daily for important announcements, homework and materials and to find out what you’ve missed if you are absent from class.
• Keep track of your progress.  Be a pro-active learner.
• Read teacher feedback carefully and respond appropriately.
• Do all of your homework prior to class and turn in all assignments at the beginning of class.  Remember, late assignments reduce your points.
• Refer to your syllabus and calendar regularly for important information and dates.
• DO YOUR OWN WORK and do not have others review or edit your work for you!
• Contact me through CANVAS Inbox or BC email if you miss class or if you have a question about an assignment outside of class.
• Please no eating or gum chewing during class.  Drinks or coffee in closed containers are okay.
• Use college appropriate behavior in the classroom.  Listen carefully, take notes, answer questions, work respectfully with your classmates and ask questions when you don’t understand.

 

Help with CANVAS

Click on the link below for help with CANVAS for students: How to Get Started with CANVAS.

 

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. For more information, go to: Affirmation of Inclusion Policy.

 

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 at: Student Code.

 

 

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: BC Title IX Office Website.

 

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) 564-5747. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2641 and more information can be found at: BC Title IX Office Website

 

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

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: Student Code

 

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. 

 

Help with CANVAS

Click on the link below for help with CANVAS for students: How to Get Started with CANVAS.

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 Account.

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 ITS Service Desk.

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 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 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.

 

If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to you. Go to the Website for more information: Autism Spectrum Navigators. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D-125.   

Public Safety and Emergencies

Public Safety is located in the D building (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). Among other things, Public Safety serves as our center for Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification. 

Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through the campus alerting system by registering at RAVE Alert Registration.  

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:

• Take directions from those in charge of the response. We all need to be working together.
• 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.
• 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 web page for answers to your questions.

Religious Holidays

Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence 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.

Student Concerns

Should you have concerns about any part of the class, please come to me with them. If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable coming to me, the usual next step is to speak with the ELI Department Chair, Ivan Breen ibreen@bellevuecollege.edu. You can also refer concerns to the Associate Dean, Tuan Dang tuan.dang@bellevuecollege.edu. An additional resource for concerns you find aren’t being addressed by faculty or administration is the Ombuds Office https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ombuds/.

 

Additional Information:

All students should be aware of the many tutorial services provided by the Academic Success Center.  If you need free tutorial help, please visit them in D204.

 

Computer Labs & Printing: 

The main computer lab on campus is located in N-250.  It's free to use the computers in this lab and you can print up to $15 worth of pages without paying extra.  This is already covered in the technology fees you paid with your tuition. You can also print in the library and other locations.