EL CENTROCOLLEGE

DWRI OO91

COURSE SYLLABUS AND OUTLINE

Spring2007

Instructor: Deva Arumugam

Division Office: A341 (Leave written work or messages for my mailbox here.)

Telephone:214-860-2239 (for emergency messages only please)

Email:

Text: The Writer’s Workplace with Readings, 5thedition, Scarry and Scarry;

any recent dictionary

Materials: a ring binder, a folder, a spiral notebook, note cards and index card box.

Course Description:

This course focuses on the writing process. Course topics include drafting, revising, and editing multi-paragraph papers. Building reading skills, using resources, developing critical thinking skills, and improving attitudes towards writing comprise other course topics.

Course Rationale:

Appropriate writing and speaking skills are necessary communication tools for achieving academic and career goals.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the semester, the successful student will be able to:

  • write with greater confidence
  • recognize that writing is a process involving inventing, drafting, revising, and editing
  • use the elements of the writing process appropriately
  • value writing as a way to learn, record, communicate, and understand
  • formulate a thesis for a paper
  • generate support for a thesis statement
  • organize ideas into separate paragraphs which are arranged in logical sequence
  • write for a variety of audiences and purposes which may include narration, description, exemplification, process, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, classification and division, and definition
  • produce at least five effective multi-paragraph papers of 400 to 600 words each
  • read and identify main ideas and supporting details in a variety of reading selections
  • develop a greater understanding of cultural diversity through cross-cultural reading selections and class discussions
  • use different kinds of resources, including newspaper and magazine articles, textbook essays, etc., for ideas in the writing process
  • use a dictionary and/or other tools designed to assist writers
  • distinguish fact from opinion in his/her own writing and in the writing of others
  • distinguish between general and specific ideas and details
  • recognize different points of view and evaluate certain ideas as to their logical consistency and truthfulness

CLASS GRADING:

Essays (6)60%

Homework20%

Reading Journals10%

Quizzes10%

TSI Information:

If you are enrolled in a developmental or ESOL class because you failed a section of an approved assessment test, you are expected to attend and participate in the course. If you do not attend, you will be solely responsible for any financial aid obligations that you may have incurred.

Attendance:

Regular attendance is essential to student success. You may not miss more than six class hours, whether those absences are excused or unexcused. Additional absences will affect your final grade. Three tardies of 14 or fewer minutes constitute one absence, while any tardy of 15 or more minutes counts as an absence.

Religious Holy Day:

If you wish to observe a religious holy day which will result in a class absence, notify me in writing by the 15th calendar day after the first class meeting of the semester. I will make arrangements for you to make up any work missed as a result of a religious holiday.

Drop Policy:

To drop this course, you must obtain a drop form from Admissions or Counseling and follow the prescribed procedure. If you stop attending and fail to drop by Thursday, April 12th, you will receive a performance grade of F. But please talk with me before you drop; perhaps we can work out your problems together.

Intermediate Competency Exam (ICE):

The ICE will be given on Monday, April16th and Tuesday, Nov. 17th. For those who are not successful the first time, retakes will be given on Monday and Tuesday,April 30thth and May 1st. This essay exam is taken by all DWRI 0091 students and graded by ECC writing and English faculty. To pass DWRI 0091, you must pass the ICE. Simply passing the ICE, however, will not insure your passing the course; you must also complete all course requirements and assignments.

Course Requirements and Evaluation Policies:

  • For this course you are required to complete five out-of-class multi-paragraph essays of at least 400 words each; these are in addition to in-class writings.
  • Other components in your grade may include a final exam and may also include any grammar exercises/mastery tests which I deem necessary for the entire class or for individuals. I also reserve the right to give unannounced quizzes or other written work as the need arises.
  • In order to develop the habit of thinking on paper, you will keep a reading journal. For each assigned reading, you will write a 100 word response or commentary on the essay.

Classroom Format:

This is a course in writing and thinking, so participation in class discussion is vital. There is no such thing as a dumb question or a dumb comment (unless, of course, you’ve been snoozing while the rest of us have been working). El Centro is a place for learning, and you cannot learn without questioning, so please ask away. Nor can you learn unless you try out your ideas in our discussions. Don’t be afraid of being wrong; making mistakes is fundamental to learning. This class will value all comments as representations of speakers’ efforts to use and improve their minds.

In this class, all of us will treat each other as colleagues, demonstrating respect in all discourse. We will also refrain from talking when someone else is attempting to make a point. Anything which annoys classmates or disrupts the learning process is taboo. This includes any and all electronic devices; turn off all players, phones, and pagers. If you answer a phone in class or leave to answer your phone, you will be asked to leave, and you will be considered absent for the day.

Essay Format:

All drafts and essays must be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Paragraphs should be indented five spaces (do not skip extra lines between paragraphs), and you must double-space.

Drafts and essays that are submitted late will be subject to grade reduction.

Academic Ethics Statement:

“Any violation of the Student Code of Conduct (as printed in the El Centro College Catalog and available at will be penalized accordingly. All matters of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, cheating, etc) will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question. All violations will be forwarded to the proper college authorities for review. The college may, at its discretion, impose additional penalties on the student including academic probation, suspension, or expulsion. ANY form of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

Financial Aid Statement:

Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes. Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester. Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy.

Children in Class and Unaccompanied Children Statement:

The institution strives to protect an environment most conducive to teaching and learning for all enrolled students. Children who are taking part in organized scheduled activities or who are enrolled in specific classes are welcomed. Minor children, however, should not be brought to the college. This practice is disruptive to the learning process. In the case of an emergency where the student-parent has no alternative but to bring the child to campus, classroom faculty or the administrative heads of other units have full discretion as to whether a child may be allowed to quietly stay in the location. These individuals may require that children be removed by the student-parent from the setting if, in their opinion, the presence of the child is deemed to be disruptive to the learning process. For reasons of security and child welfare, the institution will not permit unattended children to be left anywhere on the premises. Parents who have problems with childcare should visit the advisement/counseling center to receive referrals to childcare services in the area.

Course Calendar:

To allow us to adjust our schedule to the pace of the class, I will give you course schedules in multi-week increments. These calendars will include reading assignments, any written assignments, and reminders of deadlines.

Conferences:

You will have a good deal of access to me during class, but if you need additional conference time, we will arrange a meeting at a time which is mutually convenient.

Disability Accommodations:

Any student who may need accommodations due to a disability should contact the Disability Services Office, Room A110, phone (214) 860-2411.

DISCLAIMER:

The instructor reserves the right to modify dates, class presentations, testing and assignment due dates if unforeseen circumstances cause such an adjustment. Students will be notified of changes in writing.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Week 1 (Jan15-19)

  • Intro to the course
  • Reading and responding to text
  • Diagnostic writing sample

Week 2(Jan 22-26)

  • Chapter 1: Gathering Ideas for Writing
  • In-class collaborative activity: Working together on interviewing a figure of authority in campus
  • Homework: Journaling Assignment and Assignment 1