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Blended English 102—Fall Quarter 2018 Instructor: Jim Roth Contact Information: PLEASE USE CANVAS EMAIL for all course communications. School website: http://ol.scc.spokane.edu /jroth Please Note: Please use CANVAS email for all course communications. What level of writing is expected by the end of this course? Course Emphasis: Clear Thinking using Rhetorical Structures REQUIRED TEXTS and RESOURCES
No physical
textbook is required. The online world holds all of the resources we'll need,
including the resources to create and complete college-level research papers. [Please Note: Occasionally I will ask you to print out an item from the Internet and bring it with you to class. On those days, a student must have the required printout at the beginning of class to remain in class and participate. The CANVAS weekly modules will give you plenty of lead-time to prepare. 1. Occasional access to a scanner or smartphone
camera. 2. A very reliable Internet connection (smartphones and tablets
are NOT recommended for regular course work because their performance can
become erratic in CANVAS)
MANDATORY PREREQUISITES
Please read the following
list carefully. If your answer is “no” to any of
these “musts,” please find an alternative course immediately. To begin this course, students must have-- · College-level reading and writing skills. · Completed English 101 or equivalent with a grade of 2.0 or
better. · A willingness and ability devote an average of at least 12-15 hours per week to the
course. · A
willingness to interact with a variety of ideas and formats (articles, short
stories, poems, and plays). · A willingness to share their writing with others and
constructively critique others’ writing. · A willingness to participate actively in discussions and
postings. · Completed a satisfactory
diagnostic essay written within the first three days of the quarter, one that meets entry standards for Advanced English Composition
102, as determined by the instructor. Students who fail to meet this
deadline, regardless of reason,
will be dropped from the course to make room for students on the waiting
list. Regarding Fall Quarter 2018, we will write the diagnostic essay in class on Thursday, September 20th, 2018. This diagnostic essay must be written in class on this date. Please note: A student whose
beginning-of-the-quarter diagnostic essay does not meet the minimum entry
requirements of the course, as determined by the instructor, will have to find an alternative writing
course to upgrade writing skills. ENGLISH 102 CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course teaches students research skills by emphasizing the development of critical reading habits, investigative proficiency, and the writing of expository and persuasive prose including documented research essays. Students work to understand academic audiences, increase their clarity and objectivity, and adhere to standard formats. Prerequisite: English 101 with a 2.0 or better. MORE ABOUT OUR
COURSE Our
section of English 102 is “hybrid” or “blended” course whose goal is to take
advantage of the best features of both face-to-face and online learning.
Though our course does not meet on campus Mondays or Fridays, these non-campus class days are replaced by equivalent online and off-campus activities which will include independent research, journal writing, and other course-related assignments. Please note: Each week’s activities and assignments—both online and in-class—will be listed in the respective CANVAS module by the Tuesday morning of the new week. The key is to check each week’s module EARLY and REGULARLY to learn about assignments and the week’s in-class activities. Class time will include both small-group and
general discussion and activities.
Please remember that this is not a lecture course, and so, to profit,
always read assignments in advance and come to class willing to discuss them;
please do not attend if your intention is only to have other class members or
me tell you what we think the assignments mean. Expect an occasional pop quiz to
encourage participation and reward those who complete assignments on time.
COURSE OUTCOMES and ACTIVITIES · Become
self-directed as a student, learning to use resources independent of others’
help. ·
Respond thoughtfully and critically to
a variety of articles, short stories, poems, and plays. ·
Use a writing process that involves
strategies of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and
proofreading. ·
Learn and apply the various rhetorical
elements and strategies to particular thinking, reading, and writing
assignments. ·
Complete a variety of web assignments,
many with quizzes. ·
Read and discuss others’ writing as
well as learn to revise your own. ·
Write well developed and clearly
organized college-level essays using standard American English
sentences. ·
Use proper research methods to locate a variety
of articles accessed through our SCC Library databases. ·
Use correct methods of documentation
as required by the Modern Language Association (MLA) and/or the American
Psychological Association (APA). · Interview
and write about a very senior citizen. · Create
and write original college-level research papers that conform to either MLA
or APA guidelines. SCC ENGLISH DEPARTMENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Please read the SCC English Department Course Outcomes THE WRITING YOU SUBMIT
All submitted writing becomes property of the course and may be used as examples in this and future courses. If your writing is used, it will remain strictly anonymous. THE
COURSE WEEK In
general, the on-campus portion of our course week meets Tuesdays, Thursdays,
and most Wednesdays. The online portion of our course
week runs from Tuesday morning through Monday evening. Please be attentive to the weekly course
calendar, available in the week’s CANVAS module, for planned daily
activities. MAKING UP LATE ASSIGNMENTS There is NO
MAKE-UP OPTION for any assignment or activity regardless of reason so please don’t ask. This
includes both on-campus and online assignments. The good news is you will
have plenty of lead time for each assignment. [ Please note: Any assignment that has
a time and date stamp later than the due date is a late assignment no
matter what the reason and will receive no credit. This late assignment
rule includes technical problems with the Internet and/or your computer. That’s why it’s a good idea to begin assignments early. CLASSROOM ADMISSION TICKETS-- “You’ve got a ticket to write.”
Occasionally you will need to show a “ticket” at the door to attend class that day. A required “ticket” might be a printout of an article we’ll be discussing that day, a completed free-writing assignment, an annotated piece of literature, or a completed rough draft ready for peer review. These “tickets” work like any other: if you do not have the appropriate ticket, you cannot gain admission to the class that day. You will know what tickets you need by checking the weekly CANVAS module regularly.
MY
ATTENDANCE POLICY I do not take attendance because I believe that at the college level, attendance is the student’s responsibility. Unlike earlier required school participation, enrolling in college is a choice you freely make, so it is up to you whether to take advantage of it or not. However, a student who misses too many classes may become ineligible to pass the course because excessive absence brings into question whether the student attempted the course. Please be aware that a blended course with voluntary attendance is easy to forget about. CLASSROOM CONDUCT
and BEHAVIOR No student has the right to interfere with
another student’s opportunity to learn.
To this end, I expect all of
my students to act like responsible, socially-skilled adults or they will be
asked to leave the class and/or drop the course. In addition, please turn off all electronics including cell phones, computers,
tablets, and i-Pods unless given permission.
Since attendance is voluntary, if you would rather be calling,
texting, chatting, or listening to music during class time, please do so—just
not in class. Please see the S.C.C. Student Code of Conduct for more
information. PROPER
ENGLISH AND COURTESY IN COURSE COMMUNICATIONS Whether
we like it or not, others judge us by how well we use the language. In
addition, the use of Standard Written English demonstrates respect for
ourselves, our language, our readers, and our message. Because of these
facts, part of your grade this quarter will be determined by the quality of
English you use in e-mails to me as well as online postings. Please be aware that I will
not respond to emails nor will I accept or grade assignments written
in substandard English. In addition, I will not read nor will I
respond to e-mails written in Textlish (“texting
English”). Finally, I
will not read nor will I respond to communications that are impolite or
discourteous. GETTING BACK TO
YOU I will do my best to respond within 24 hours to emails
that I receive between 7:30 to 2:30 on school days. If you have a question over the weekends or
holidays, please allow 48 hours. The
best thing to do is preview the new CANVAS module early in the course week
and ask questions as soon as possible. THE JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT The Writing Journal is for informal course assignments and practice. Regarding the journal and other non-graded assignments, please remember that practicing on your own is the most important key to improving your writing. Please go to this link to read more about the Journal Assignment.
THE WRITING I READ I
will read only student writing that clearly demonstrates an honest attempt to
apply the principles presented in the course (organization, thoughtfulness,
mechanics, etc.). In addition, to be acceptable, writing must reflect careful
revision and editing. Student writing that appears quickly assembled or
lacks evidence of revision and editing will be returned with a grade of
“zero" with no rewrite opportunity. PLAGIARISM
AND CHEATING Plagiarism
and Cheating: Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally using someone
else's words or ideas as your own. The temptation to plagiarize is great
because writing is difficult. Remember that plagiarism is stealing and will
NOT be tolerated. Cheating covers a variety of different methods, but
generally turning in work that is not your own. Don't cheat; you are only
hurting yourself. Please read the Arts and Sciences Dean’s
Letter before continuing. OTHERS Registered
sex offenders (RSO’s) may be enrolled in SCC classes. Persons interested in
seeking the identity of these person(s) may obtain further information from
the Campus Security Office. At
all times, whether on campus or taking online courses, be cautious of your
personal safety and be very careful of any relationships or attachments you
form with others you meet through college courses and activities. Students
in online courses must be particularly careful since there is no opportunity
to screen others in person. Community
Colleges of Spokane is committed to the safety and well-being of students,
faculty, and staff. The entire community is responsible for maintaining a
healthy and safe learning environment. Please report any suspicious
activities to the Campus Security Office immediately. Please read the Campus Safety Update.
PLEASE READ In an adult learning environment, such as
Spokane Community College, it is to be expected that controversial and
sometimes potentially upsetting subject matter may be covered and discussed
in the classroom setting pursuant to the learning objectives of the
class. It is also to be expected that the discussion and exchange of
ideas regarding such subject matter may be robust and spirited, but it should
never cross over into speech acts or other acts that are overtly threatening
or harassing of a student or faculty member, disruptive to the classroom
environment, or otherwise inconsistent with the level of civil discourse that
is the norm in higher education circles. The instructors of this
college have a moral and legal obligation to maintain a safe and welcoming
learning environment for all students, and thus expect and require that all
students will comport themselves in accordance with the mandates of the student
code of conduct, and with the norms of civil, learned discourse appropriate
to a collegiate setting. In addition, please
remember that SCC is not a continuation of high school (the 13th grade), but rather
a college that offers courses and activities designed to benefit adults who
choose to be here. Because of this, I expect all of my students, regardless
of their age and/or academic background, to interact with others as adults.
Also, I do not disclose any information about my students without their
permission nor do I, as a rule, discuss a student's progress with parents. I
ask that students contact me directly if they have concerns about anything
regarding the course. Any student who has
difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day,
or any student who lacks a safe and stable place to live and believes this
may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the
Associated Student Government (ASG) or the Associate Dean of Student
Development for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor (if you are
comfortable in doing so). This will enable him or her to put you in touch
with any other resources that may be available here at Spokane Community
College. YOUR FINAL GRADE—Please
read carefully Your
average of the CANVAS gradebook categories (please see the chart below) is not the only measure that will
determine your final grade. Please note: in addition, to be eligible to receive a final course grade of 2.0
or higher, the body of your writing throughout the quarter must demonstrate
to the instructor that it consistently meets or exceeds college
transfer-level English 102 exit writing standards, regardless of your CANVAS
gradebook average. To have a sense for the minimum level of
end-of-the-quarter competency, please read the exit-level English 102 student essay. MORE
ABOUT YOUR GRADE
All
major assignments (those worth 50 or more points) must be submitted in order
to qualify for a course grade of 2.0 or higher. Several
categories will determine your CANVAS grade point average, each category
being worth a certain percent of your total. Please remember that receiving a
final course grade of 2.0 or higher also depends upon meeting
or exceeding college transfer-level English 102 exit writing standards,
as determined by the instructor, regardless
of your course average at the quarter’s end. COURSE CATEGORY WEIGHTS THAT DETERMINE PART OF YOUR FINAL GRADE
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