Great Basin College

English 95 –Basic Writing II– Fall 2012

Section 1005 – Web Enhanced


Instructor:Lora Minter

Phone: Academic Success Center – 753-2149. Webcampus or Gmail:

Office Hours:By appointment at Academic Success Center

Email: Please contact me through WEBCAMPUS email-I will check it regularly

Days & Times: T-TH 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Location: MCML 219 and a campus/library computer lab

Text:My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Supplies:* A three-ring binder for keeping reference materials and taking notes and for use as a Portfolio

* A composition book for use as a Response/Writing Journal

* WEBCAMPUS login-KNOW IT! – Problems? Help Desk # 753-2167

* ACCUPLACER OR ACT/SAT scores

* MLA packet (will be provided to you by instructor)

* Recommended: Jump Drive

Prerequisite: Scores: ACCUPLACER (85 or below), ACT (17 or below), SAT (339 or below).

Credits: 3

Course Objectives/Description: English 95 is considered a refresher course. We will work on writing skills so that you may confidently advance to college transferable courses. This course provides you with an intensive writing experience. We will work on grammar and mechanics, as well as sentence structure, paragraph structure and essay development with the goal of preparing you for college-level writing. The course is supported by tutoring sessions at the GBC Academic Success Center (ASC). At the ASC you will receive individual attention in the areas of grammar, mechanics, content, and organization. My hope is that you will leave this class with a new confidence about your writing.

Methods of Instruction: This course will include: class discussions, instructor and tutor feedback, writing workshops, lectures, presentations, and group work.

WEBCAMPUS Enhancement: ENG. 95 is a web-enhanced (or hybrid) course. Materials for the course can be found on WEBCAMPUS. Each student will receive a user name and password for WEBCAMPUS early in the semester. (It is YOUR responsibility to learn your username and login!) You will access course information via WEBCAMPUS. You can also email your instructor or other classmates via WEBCAMPUS. In addition, you will be asked to submit certain assignments into the Assignment Drop Box or by attaching them to an email in WEBCAMPUS. (Detailed information about using WEBCAMPUS can be found on the site.) The web-enhanced feature is designed to help you keep class materials more organized, communicate more effectively, and learn some of the basic features of electronic classes. You do not need a home computer to participate. WEBCAMPUS is available on any computer in the Academic Success Center and on most campus computers.

NO HARD COPIES OF ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTOR’S APPROVAL.

To find WEBCAMPUS: go to <http://www.gbcnv.edu>. Find the WEBCAMPUS icon on the home page. Click on it. Enter your user name and password.

Remember: Writing is a process. All writers are constantly in the process of improving. In this class we need to trust each other and ourselves. You need to trust your own ideas and that you have something worthwhile to say. You also need to trust that I will do all I can to help you learn the skills of writing; and, finally, I need to trust that you are putting your best efforts into your writing because learning to write well requires considerable time and energy from all of us.

Learner Outcomes and Measurements:

Learner Outcomes / Measurements
Identify main ideas and differentiate those from supporting details. / Student discussion of readings; evidence in written essays.
Recognize and correct faulty mechanics. / Error Analysis Assignments; Academic Success Center (ASC) tutor requirement.
Use appropriate language and tone based on purpose, audience, and topic. / Quality of written essays; rubric evaluation; evidence of improvement through revision.
Construct coherent, well-developed paragraphs. / Quality of written essays; rubric evaluation.
Revise written assignments using the writing process. / Evidence of revision in student portfolio.
Construct a basic essay demonstrating techniques of solid organization. / Quality of written essays; rubric evaluation; evidence of improvement through revision.
Write clear, defined thesis statements. / Instructor observation of skill development in practice sessions; evidence in written essays; rubric evaluation.
Utilize the GBC library services to find appropriate articles and information. / Instructor observation of skill; appropriate choice of articles for written essays.
Apply the basics of MLA format and documentation to all written work. / Evidence in written work; rubric evaluation.
Show readiness for ENG. 101 / Successful completion of final department read; successful completion of Academic Success Center (ASC) requirement.

Evaluation: The following will play a role in determining your final grade:

  • Final Read: Your final essay (Essay 3) will be submitted to an English Department Final Read Committee. GBC English instructors (NOT your instructor) will read your work to help determine if you are ready for ENG 101. If your essay does not receive a passing score at the Final Read, you may fail ENG 95. It is your job to show the faculty that you have mastered the essential skills of ENG 95 and are ready to advance.
  • Essays 1 and 2: Students are required to complete an additional two essays through the writing process. Work must be neat, carefully proofread, and formatted in MLA style. Students must practice proper paragraph structure: indent the first sentence; use complete sentences, etc. We will always discuss major writing assignments in detail. You will receive assignment sheets detailing criteria and due dates for proposals, peer editing, and essays.
  • Peer Editing: Peer evaluation is an important part of your growth as a writer. You are expected to participate in classroom peer editing sessions where you will exchange papers with peer reviewers in order to get constructive feedback on your work. You must have a completed draft ready to exchange on designated peer editing days. You will only receive credit for peer review assignments if you have a complete draft for exchange AND you review other students’ papers.
  • Response/Writing Journal: Most class sessions will begin with writing in your journal. Sometimes there will be a specific prompt that I will want you to respond to in your writing, and other times you will be asked to free-write. The journal will be part of your portfolio and will be evaluated by the number of entries, the length of the entry (at least half the page, handwritten), and the quality of thought expressed in the writing. You are encouraged to be personal in your writing journal, but keep in mind that I will be reading your entries. You may also be sharing some of your journal writing in class.
  • Portfolio: You will be required to keep a portfolio of your writing in this class. The portfolio needs to contain each assigned paragraph, proposals, rough drafts, and final papers. This will show the process you went through to attain a final paper. You will receive extensive revision suggestions from your peers, your tutors, and from me while working on writing assignment. You will be given time to revise your writing before turning in a final draft for evaluation. Once the final draft is evaluated, it should be included in your portfolio. Be sure to revise and improve upon ALL of your required writing assignments, as this is part of the writing process.

If you are asked to download papers on specific topics as part of an assignment, you will also be asked to keep these papers in your portfolio. I will collect the portfolios at the end of the semester; however, you should build your portfolio throughout the semester. Your portfolio should be a representation of your best work.

  • Paragraph Assignments: Completion of all paragraph assignments.
  • Satisfactory in-class participation including discussions, presentations, class work, peer editing, assignments and quizzes.
  • Completion of a minimum of four (4) ASC tutoring sessions.
  • Three or fewer absences.

Grades: The grading format of this class will be Pass/Withdraw. Students will receive a P or W designation, not a letter grade. A passing designation means that you have successfully passed at least 70% of all of the work assigned for the semester. If you receive a W for the course, you will not be able to enroll in English 101 the next semester. You will, however, be able to retake English 95 for an additional 3 credits or retake the ACCUPLACER exam. If you do not complete all writing assignments and required tutor reviews, you will not pass the class.

Assignment/Activity Points Possible

Proposals 3 (1 each)

Essays 12 (4 each)

Rough Drafts 3 (1 each)

Error Analysis 3 (1 each)

Peer Reviews 3 (1 each)*

Paragraphs 2 (1 each)

Journal 2 (1 per turn in)

Web campus OWL Checklist 1

Portfolio 1

Participation in class 2

Quiz 1

Presentations/My Sister’s Keeper 2

Total Possible 35**

Attendance 3***

*Students MUST be in class on peer review days in order to earn each of the peer review points.

**Students must earn a total of 26 points, submit all three essays, and receive a passing grade on the final essay in order to pass the class.

***Students will lose one attendance point for each day they are not in class. The three attendance points are not included in the total points possible. However, if a student misses more than three classes, points will be taken (one per day absent) from the total points possible. Students must also be aware that if they miss more than three classes, the instructor may withdraw them from the class. This is according to GBC’s attendance policy.

Expectations of Attendance: Attendance is extremely important to your success. I expect:

  • You to be present for class every day we meet, on time, and prepared.
  • Assignments to be turned in on time, in class and on line.
  • Genuine and sincere effort toward improving your writing skills.

We will follow the stated GBC attendance policy (see catalog), which is one absence per credit hour. This means you may have three absences during the semester. For ENG. 95: Four absences = no credit (withdrawal). Two tardies = 1 absence. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up on that work before the next class period. You must ask, inform yourself, and be aware of course details even if you are absent.

Withdrawal: If you miss more than three classes, confer with your instructor about your status. It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course by week 13 of the semester in order to get a “W” issued on your transcript.

Classroom Policies: In order to create a quality learning environment, students will:

  • Treat each other with respect and dignity
  • Encourage each other to actively participate
  • Listen while others are speaking
  • Come to class prepared to share ideas
  • Be on time to all classes and attend the entire class session
  • Participate appropriately. Side conversations not related to the class topic, working on other class assignments during class, sleeping, or distracting others are unacceptable
  • Communicate with me as soon as possible if you have problems or concerns about class
  • Turn assignments in on time. No late assignments will be accepted. If there are extenuating AND documented circumstances, please talk to the instructor.

NOTE: Please have cell phones turned off in class as they cause unnecessary disruptions. Please refrain from text messaging during class. If you must be contacted during class, please have family/friends call the GBC switchboard and they will deliver a message. The number is 738-8493.

Academic Success Center (ASC) Requirement:

As a developmental English student at GBC, you will be asked to visit the Academic Success Center (ASC) in the Electrical and Industrial Technology (EIT) Center. Students must complete four (4) visits for ENG 95, but are welcome as go to the ASC for tutoring as often as they like. Make an appointment with a tutor several days in advance as your tutor session must be completed by the deadline. Each time you arrive for your visit at the ASC, you will log in on the Tutor Trac software. A record of your visits will be kept in the Tutor Trac system, so do not forget to sign in. You will also be asked to have your tutor sign off on a written sheet at the end of your visit.

Students can call the ASC at 753-2149 to make appointments. Please cancel with the ASC if you cannot attend your appointment.

Confidentiality: The English Department respects the policy that your grades are you and your instructor’s business only. However, during the semester, student writing will be shared with peers and/or Academic Success Center tutors for revision purposes and may be publicly displayed. This is an integral part of the college writing program. If you have comments concerning this policy, please make them known to me during the first week of the course.

Accommodations: GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the Student Services Office in Elko at 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations.

Policy of Academic Integrity: You are expected to be honest. Cheating and plagiarism are violations of the University of Nevada System’s Code of Conduct as well as violations of the standards of intellectual honesty. Students who violate these standards are subject to consequences ranging from dismissal from a class to dismissal from the academic institution.

This is your class. If you have any concerns, academic problems, or if you need special assistance, please discuss all matters with me as soon as you can. If you have further concerns, see the current GBC catalog on the procedure you must follow to protect your rights.

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