Course Requirements

Grossmont College English 98
Spring 2008
Section: 4751
Class Time: T Th 7:30-9:20 a.m.
Class Room: CTC2
Instructor: Swan Ashby
Instructor email: sashby@swccd.edu
Instructor mailbox:
Campus Business Services 100 Bldg

Required Text: Langan, John. English Skills with Readings. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006.

Required Materials:
Stapler
Collegiate dictionary and thesaurus
Writing journal college ruled minimum size 8X11
Floppy disk or flash drive
Access to a computer or word processor

Course Description: English 98 is an introduction to the writing process. You will study grammar, punctuation, and standard written English usage. You will learn basic sentence patterns to compose paragraphs and one multi-paragraph essay.

In this class, you will:

· Learn, recognize and practice the parts of speech
· Recognize and spell basic and challenging words
· Recognize and correct sentences containing errors in basic English grammar
· Write coherent (logical) simple, compound and complex sentences
· Recognize and correct fragments, fused sentences (run-on) and comma splices
· Recognize and correct errors in basic punctuation
· Relate the elements of grammar and punctuation review to the editing of written work
· Write simple paragraphs which include a topic sentence, organization, support, and conclusion.
· Learn and demonstrate the phases in the writing process
· Learn skills to write in an in-class setting
· Discuss and analyze selected reading assignments

Course Requirements:

Six 200-word paragraphs
One 750 word, multi-paragraph essay
One writing journal
Various homework assignments based on reading or writing exercises
Various quizzes on readings, grammar, writing process, etc.
One Mid Term exam
One Final Exam
Class Participation
Grade Break Down:

Paragraphs……………….30% (5% each)
Final Essay………………15%
Writing Journal………….10%
Homework……………….10%
Quizzes…………………..10%
Mid Term………………….5%
Final Exam………………..5%
Essay Exam………………10%
Class Participation…………5%
Course Policies:
Attendance:
Attendance and participation are mandatory and create an optimum learning environment. If you accumulate more than three unexcused absences, or if your absences are so excessive that I think you won’t be able to pass the course with a ‘C’ or better, I have the option to drop you from the class. If you arrive significantly late or leave early, you disrupt the class, and you will receive partial or full absences. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered the missed class meeting. Often, class meeting topics are on the class schedule, but you should exchange contact information with at least two classmates in order to ensure that you do not miss any work or pertinent material. If you know ahead of time that you will not be in class, notify me by phone or email—the notification does not mean that you will be allowed to make up work; it simply means that you are a conscientious student.

Late/Make up work:
Homework and essays are collected at the BEGINNING of each class session. Assignments turned in at the end of a class session will not be accepted. NO late work will be accepted without a documented emergency excuse. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, you must turn in the assignment to my mailbox the SAME day by the time the F Building closes. If you have a documented medical or other emergency excuse, I will accept the assignment when you return.

Journals:
Journals are your responsibility to keep up with. Each journal assignment can be found on the class schedule. Each journal assignment should be minimum ONE FULL page. If you do not fill the ENTIRE page of the journal, or if your writing is very large, you will not get full credit for the journal entry. Journals will be collected TWICE per semester.

Paragraph Revision
You will have the opportunity to revise each essay/paragraph handed in. I will return the essay to you with a grade and comments that show where improvements could be made. If you are unsatisfied with your grade, you can revise the essay to try to improve your grade. Revisions will be due one week from the date the essay/paragraph is returned to you. Revision does not guarantee that your grade will improve. If you simply make changes where my comments are, you have not gone through the revision process, which involves making significant improvements, not simple editing. If your essay/paragraph does not meet the minimum page/length requirements, you will not be allowed to revise your essay, and you must accept the first grade given.

Class Policies:

No cell phone use or ringing. This includes text messaging. If I see you text messaging or looking at your phone or any other electronic device during class, I will confiscate the device until the end of class. If you do not surrender the device, I will ask you to leave. If I repeatedly have to ask you to leave electronic devices alone during class, I will suspend you from a class meeting.
Come to class prepared. Preparation means that you have completely read the reading assignment and are ready to participate in a discussion of the reading.
Work cooperatively with other students. You will be asked to read classmates’ writing. Your comments should be productive and relevant. Blatantly attacking a classmate’s essay is not productive and is not allowed.
Be an active student, and take responsibility for your own learning.
During discussion and group work, one person may speak at a time. You are expected to listen attentively and refrain from conversation while another person is speaking. Treat classmates and instructor with respect. If I repeatedly have to ask you to stop having side conversations during class time, I will ask you to leave for one or more class meetings.
You are expected to refrain from behavior that interferes with other students’ learning and to respect and obey standards of student conduct while in class. Offensive, homophobic, sexist, racist, or anti-religious language will not be tolerated.

Academic Integrity:
Cheating and plagiarism (using as one’s own ideas, writings or materials of someone else without acknowledgement or permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. At minimum, if I think that you have intentionally plagiarized, you will receive a zero on the assignment in which the offense occurs. At maximum, you will get an ‘F’ in the course. Depending on the assignment, I may ask you to complete a similar assignment in my presence or ask to review your notes and/or sources of your information. I may also suspend you from the class meeting when the infraction occurs, as well as the next class meeting. For further clarification and information on these issues, please consult with me or contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify me and contact Disabled Student Services and Programs (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 (voice) or (619) 644-7119 (TTY for deaf).

Supervised Tutoring Referral

Students are referred to enroll in the following supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this course:
IDS 198, Supervised Tutoring to receive general computer applications in the Tech Mall;

English 198W, Supervised Tutoring for assistance in the English Writing Center (Room 70-119); and/or

IDS 198T, Supervised Tutoring to receive one-on-one tutoring in academic subjects in the Tutoring Cener (Room 70-229, 644-7387).

To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add Codes at the Information/Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.

All Supervised Tutoring courses are non-credit, non-fee. However, when a student registers for a supervised tutoring course, and has no other classes, the student will be charged the usual health fee.