Course Syllabus

E-mail:   ethan.anderson@bellevuecollege.edu

Phone:   425-564-2644

Office Location:  R 130O

Office Hours:  M, T, W, Th: 10am–11:15am 
 
Course Information 
 
The goal of this class is to help students develop the variety of skills they will need to succeed in academic classes. We will focus on active listening, note taking, summarizing and giving reactions both in speech and writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, and study skills. These skills will be practiced in a variety of ways in class and evaluated by projects, quizzes and tests, summary/responses, reaction papers, written reflections, and personal essays.  
 
In addition, in order to gain a greater awareness of the academic rigors of credit classes, students will be expected to attend and observe 2 credit classes during the quarter. Students will approach instructors for permission to attend the classes they choose to visit. After the observation, students will get a signature from the instructor and write a report about what they observed. 
 
The central theme of the course is "The Unnatural World".  We will employ critical thinking skills as we examine various issues and topics 

Note on Linked Classes:  Academic Preparation (Bridge) is linked to the credit class English 093, with an option of also taking English 090.  Please note that your grade for ALL these linked classes will be the same at the end of the quarter.  Your grade for your linked classes will be the LOWEST grade you receive.  For example, if you receive a C in English 093 and a B in Bridge, your grade for BOTH classes will be a C.  If you receive a C in Bridge, a B in English 093, and a D in English 090, your grade for ALL THREE classes will be a D.
 

COURSE OUTCOMES:  Students will demonstrate the ability to: 

▪   Think critically about college-level content 

▪   Connect issues in the course to local and global communities 

▪   Use active reading, listening, and discussion strategies  

▪   Summarize and paraphrase academic materials orally and in writing  

▪   Speak and write English clearly and effectively 

▪   Plan and deliver effective individual and group presentations 

▪   Gather and evaluate information on a topic using library databases and other research tools  ▪   Use proactive study skills

 

BOOKS:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

GRADING:   You will be graded as follows: 
 

Assignments     30%

Discussions and Reflections   20%

Projects, Presentations, and Debates 20%

Quizzes and Tests    20%

Attendance and Participation   10% 
 
Grades for the Bridge course are based on the credit course system:  
 
A = 90- 100%    (Excellent)

B = 80- 89%      (Above Average)

C = 70 – 79%    (At Level)

D = Below 70% (Satisfactory Effort - Repeat Level)

F = Below 70% (Unsatisfactory  Effort – Repeat Level) 
 
Repeating Bridge: Students who receive a quarterly GPA of below 2.0 or receive an “F” have two options: o Repeat the Bridge Quarter once  Drop down to Level 5 courses    Students who fall below 2.0 for a second time must leave the program. Students cannot enroll in Bridge for a third time under any circumstance 
 
 
 
ELI Attendance Policy:  Please come to class on time.  Good attendance helps you learn.   
 
late 5 minutes or more, three times = one absence 
late 10 minutes or more  = one absence. 
absent 10 or 11 times = grade D/not passing 

absent 12 times = grade F/not passing 

absent 15 times = grade F and may be dismissed at the end of the quarter. 

  (This means you will have to go home or find a new school.     Important Note:  Attendance, Participation, Preparation, and Time Management are all part of being a successful college student in the American academic system.  Therefore, absences, accumulated tardies (=late arrivals), lack of textbook and materials, and lack of preparedness and participation during class will result in losing daily participation points from your grade. 
 
***Sleeping in class, using your native language in class, and using your cell phone in class unless authorized by the instructor will also result in a loss of daily participation points. 

▪ Books and Materials Required 
 
Required: A 3-ring binder with dividers, an English-English dictionary, 8 ½” x 11” lined white paper, a USB drive, access to a computer with internet and a printer. 
 
Recommended:  A Writer’s Reference Handbook.  There are many different types available.  The BC Bookstore sells them.

Help with Canvas 

You will be using Canvas daily.  Please learn how to access Canvas and use it for communicating with your instructor, keeping track of your assignments, special events, due dates, and grades.   
 
The following places are helpful for Students to learn how to navigate Canvas.  Click on the link.

Classroom Learning Atmosphere

▪ Instructor’s Expectations:  Our classroom is a community.  Let’s all work together to make it a friendly, active environment conducive to learning: 
 
Use only English in the classroom.  It is inconsiderate to other students in the room to speak in your first language and builds barriers rather than community.  Use college appropriate behavior at all times and be respectful of classmates and the teacher.   Be respectful of cultural differences and differences of opinion.  Keep cell/smart phones off and put away at all times, unless instructed otherwise.   Eat before class, not during class. (Bottled/covered drinks are acceptable.)  Sleep at night, not during class.  Come to class with the materials needed. (paper, pencil, dictionary, etc.)  


Check CANVAS daily for announcements and resources.  If you are ill and know that you will not be in class, send an Inbox message on Canvas to your instructor before class time.   Be active in all class activities by listening while others are speaking, doing homework to prepare for class, attending class regularly, and asking and answering questions.   Paper Format: All written assignments unless otherwise stated or directed to Canvas should be typed, double-spaced, and in size 12 font (Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Times New Roman), with one-inch margins. All written work should have your full name, date, and assignment listed in the upper right corner and follow the other principles of good format. 
 
 
Important Note:  Assignments are due at class time.  This means that all printing for assignments due in class must be done before class.  If you plan to print on campus, organize your time to come early to complete it before class time.  Assignments that are turned in after the beginning of class will be considered late and will lose at least 10% of the grade.  You will also be marked late for class and so will lose participation points for the day. 
 
Time Management and Workload 
 
This course will be a fair amount of work.  You should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours every day outside of class reading, studying and working on homework or class projects.  That means that you have to schedule and manage your time carefully every week so that you will have time to get everything done on time.  Do not wait until the night before to do your assignments.  Do them early so that you can do a good job and increase your learning potential. 
 

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 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

 

 

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 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

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.   College Anti-Discrimination Statement  
 
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.  
 
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 425-564-2441 and more information can be found at www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleix/.  
 
For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements. 

 
Plagiarism and Cheating 
 
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own on assignments.  It 
is cheating and is not acceptable in American classes. 
 
There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, “borrowing” a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly), using an essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using “cheat notes,” and copying answers from classmates’ papers during tests. If you plagiarize: 
 
First time: your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do Second time:  Fail the assignment Third time:  Fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services.  Possibly be asked to leave the school 
 
Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College Copyright Policy 
 
This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism 
 
This 22-minute video also provides a good overview of how to avoid trouble when using sources: From the college home page select SERVICES, then LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, then DATABASES, then FILMS ON DEMAND.  At their site, search by title for PLAGIARISM 2.0: ETHICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE. 
 
Important Links  ▪ Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and email 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  
 
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  
 
▪ 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 B Room 132.  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. 
 
 
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 
 
Public Safety and Emergencies 
 
Public Safety is located in the D building (D171) 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  
 
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 web page for answers to your questions. 
 
If you feel threatened or see something that may indicate trouble, please report it right away at Report Concerns.  We all need to help keep our campus safe for everyone. 
 
▪ 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 On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds.   College CalendarThis calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays, scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates. 
 
▪ 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. 
 
Writing and Reading Labs:  Located inside the Academic Success Center in D-204, the Reading and Writing Labs are places you can go to:  work independently on your reading & vocabulary skills using computer programs  attend free workshops on study skills and reading & writing topics  meet with student writing tutors to get help with your papers  type and print your writing assignments during open lab times 
 
Library:  It's easy to check out books!  Just show your student ID card or tell them your student ID number.  Take advantage of the novels, audio books, dictionaries, English language textbooks, TOEFL prep books, etc. that the library offers.  It’s FREE! 
 
Computer Labs & Printing:  The main computer lab on campus is located in N250.  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, such as C 105.