ACDV B80: Foundations of College Composition and Reading

ACDV B80: Foundations of College Composition and Reading

Bakersfield College, Fall 2016

Instructor: Jessica Wojtysiak

Office: SS 123

Office Hours: T 9:30-11:00 am, W 7:40-8:10 pm, R 10:30 am-1:30 pm, & by appointment

Phone: 661 395-4464

Text: 661 619-8242

Email:

Course Website:

CRN 72099: MW 10:30 – 12:35 pm in SS 122 CRN 72100: MW 3:15 - 5:20 pm in SS 122

(Note: All B80 classes will periodically meet in the assigned computer lab - see course schedule)

Welcome to ACDV B80- Foundations of College Composition and Reading. This integrated course is designed to prepare you for success in your future English and reading courses. Reading and writing are skills requiring considerable practice, and my job is to guide you in the development of these abilities. This will be a busy and productive semester, so please ask lots of questions and feel free to share your concerns with me! I am here to support your academic career at BC and beyond.

Catalog Description

Prerequisites: Writing - three levels prior to transfer or Reading - three levels prior to transfer.

This course is designed to prepare students for success in English and reading courses 2 levels prior to transfer. Students will learn basic multi-paragraph writing skills in response to thematic, mostly non-fiction, reading passages. The course curriculum emphasizes critical reading skills, writing and revision processes, and basic MLA formatting and English writing conventions. Due to the integrated curriculum, students can progress in both English and reading levels in one semester.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)

Compose a variety of thesis-centered essays that demonstrate a logical progression and organization of ideas using appropriate MLA format and guidelines.

Read, analyze, and critically evaluate a variety of primarily non-fiction texts for content and context.

Utilize appropriate pre- and post- reading strategies to analyze patterns of organization within a variety of texts.

Paraphrase and summarize text citing original source.

Revise essay drafts to improve, focus, and strengthen ideas.

Required Texts & Materials

The Great Grammar Book by Sramek (2nd Ed.) ISBN: 9780984115747 ($19.95-26.60)
Enrique’s Journey by Nazario ISBN: 9780812971781
B80 Handout Packet by Cason (Available free online through course website)
Notebook
Folder
Pens & Highlighters
USB Drive (Strongly Recommended)

Attendance and Drop Policy

Because mastering skills in writing and reading requires regular, sustained effort, you must attend classes regularly and punctually. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class every day. You cannot make up in-class activities or quizzes, but you are responsible for what you missed.

Students who miss the equivalent of 2 weeks of class for any reason may be dropped. Contact me regarding extenuating circumstances.

Students who are on the waitlist may not miss any class meetings. Being on the wait list does not guarantee you a place in the class. It simply means you are welcome to wait for an opening in the class if you so desire. If no one drops out of the course, then no students can add. As a result, you should be aware of the last day to add and have a back-up choice if you need another class.

Important Dates for Fall 2016:

Aug. 22: Instruction begins (Monday Classes)

Sept. 5: Last day for refunds for semester-length classes

Sept.5: Last day to drop from semester-length classes without receiving a "W"

Sept. 5: Labor Day Holiday – BC Campus is closed

Oct. 21: Last day to withdraw from semester-length classes and receive "W" grade

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day Holiday – BC Campus is closed

Nov. 24 & 25: Thanksgiving Holidays – BC Campus is closed

Dec. 3-9: Final Examinations

Dec. 10: End of Fall Semester

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities needing accommodation should make requests to Disabled Students Programs and Services, SS 40 (661 395 4334). All requests for accommodations require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. Please discuss approved accommodations with me as soon as possible so we can work together to enable your success.

Classroom Policies

Please silence cell phones during class. Step out of class before answering any calls.
Academic honesty is a critical requirement for success. All work turned in must be your own. Do not plagiarize. Cheating automatically results in the grade of zero for the assignment and likely referral to the Dean of Students.
No food or drink (except water bottles) in class.

Turnitin.com Requirement

Turnitin.com is a tool to help you avoid plagiarism. To use turnitin.com, you will need to register on the site and set up a password. Once this is done, you will need to create a user profile specifically for this class and any others that may use the site. You will need the following information to set up your user profile:

For CRN 72099 (MW 10:30):

Class ID: 13183445

Class Enrollment Password: 72099

For CRN 72100 (MW 3:15):

Class ID: 13187657

Class Enrollment Password: 72100

Note: In this course, you are required to submit your research papers to Turnitin.com for grading. I will not accept or grade hard copy alternatives. I will also not grade papers submitted via email.

Revision Policy

Revision is a critical part of the writing process. In this course, I will ask you to complete a rough draft and then improve that rough draft through revision. In order for a grade to improve, you need to do more than simply correct the marks on the first draft. In other words, revised drafts should show extensive thought as well as editing.

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is offered for this course. SI sessions are group study opportunities, scheduled two times per week. These sessions are facilitated by your SI Leader, who is attending class and preparing SI sessions based on the class content. Students should attend SI sessions to ask questions about course content and to develop learning/study strategies. Students who participate in SI sessions typically earn higher final course grades and exam grades than students who do not participate in SI. SI attendance is voluntary, and it is not a substitute for class attendance.

Grading Policy

A / B / C / D / F
90% -100% / 80%-89.9% / 70%-79.9% / 60%-69.9% / Below 60%

Participation - 10%

Complete assigned in-class activities and homework
Engage collaboratively in pairs and groups (ask and answer questions)

Quizzes 10%

short answer grammar quizzes
the lowest quiz score will be dropped

Plato Lab Modules - 10%

Complete 10 online computer modules via Plato (ple.platoweb.com)
A minimum score of 80% on each mastery test is required to receive credit

Journal - 20%

Short writing reflections
Reading notes and activities
Cornell notes for selected class lectures

In Class Writing Assignments - 10%

3 in-class writing assignments
the lowest grade will be dropped

Out of Class Writing Projects - 30%

Rough draft and final draft graded separately
Graded on content, organization, mechanics, and grammar

Final Exam - 10%

Missed Assignments, Quizzes, and/or Exams Policy

Assignments are due at the beginning of class. You should have your assignment in hand and ready to turn in when class begins (or uploaded to Turnitin.com by the deadline).

If homework is not ready by the deadline, it will be considered late and 50% of the points possible will be deducted from your grade. However, I will provide you with two "No Questions Asked" coupons which you may use once each for any out of class assignment. These coupons will allow you to turn in up to two assignments one class period late at no penalty.

Extra Help

Come see me during office hours -I want to help!
Make an appointment at the Writing Center (SS 133, 395-4735) or the Tutoring Center (SS 203, 395-4430).
Attend workshops. Library, Writing Center, and Critical Academic Skills (CAS) all offer focused workshops.
Develop Habits of Mind.

This is what the good guys do.

They keep trying.

They don't give up.

---Cormac McCarthy's The Road

Habits of Mind

How will you succeed at BC this semester? What determines success is not circumstance, but habit. Habits of Mind, It’s POSSIBLE at BC has many free tools intended to help you accomplish your goals in school. Only you can overcome the challenges you face this semester and in life. Start out successfully with these steps:

• Visit the Habits of Mind website: www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/habits-of-mind .

• Download the app for Habits of Mind at Bakersfield College for power in your palm.

• Ask for help, do the work, and refuse to quit.

Success takes energy, planning, and strategies for both the expected challenges in school as well as the unexpected twists life can take. Now is the time to develop new habits that will lead to success.

This coupon entitles you to turn in one assignment one class day late

NO QUESTIONS ASKED

Your Name: ______

Date: ______

Class Name and Section:______

Name of the Assignment:______