ELIUP 074 - Exploring Contemporary Issues
Instructor: / Sue Clary / Room: / R 305E-mail / / Time: / M-F 3:30-4:20pm
Office: / C227 / Office Hours: / 11:30-12:20 or by appointment (please e-mail me)
TEXTBOOKS(Available at the BC bookstore):
Contemporary Topics 3: Academic Listening and Note-Taking Skills (Third Edition
by David Beglar and Neil Murray
Materials
· A dictionary (not your phone or any device connected to the Internet)
· A 3-ring binder or folder for organizing class materials and handouts
· 8 ½” x 11” lined paper for all written homework a pen or pencil
· A memory storage device such as a USB memory stick
NOTE: No used or translated textbooks will be allowed.
You will also need:
· A Bellevue College computer account/email address. You must use you BC email for all communication related to this course. The Bellevue College email policy can be viewed online at http://bellevuecollege.edu/students/email/
COURSE OVERVIEW:
Exploring Contemporary Issues integrates instruction inspeaking and listening skills through the exploration ofcontemporary topics. High-interest topics are selected and current articles, videos and/or guest speakers are used for introducing new language and improving the students’ skills. Students work in teams to “present” their topics to the class.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to…
Discussion Skills
· Analyze and explain current events in conversation
· Paraphrase and summarize ideas
· Clearly express an opinion
· Support views with reasons and evidence
· Expand on content or ideas expressed in a conversation, debate, reading, video, etc.
· Synthesize information from a variety of sources (newspaper and magazine articles, reference materials, video, audio).
· Cooperate in a team setting to organize and divide tasks.
· Work effectively in a small group structure to promote the sharing of ideas and accomplish a set task.
Oral Presentation Skills
· Analyze audience expectations and level of knowledge
· Prepare, describe and follow the structure (organization) of a presentation
· Use effective transitions between ideas
· Clearly define new terms
· Use examples to clarify information
· Prepare visual and/or audio aids to enhance a presentation
· Clearly articulate a point of view and support it with reasons and evidence
· Summarize main points and draw a conclusion
· Hold the interest of the audience
· Use appropriate language, gestures and body language
Listening Skills
· Identify main ideas and supporting details from a lecture or other audio source
· Answer main idea and factual questions based on notes
· Paraphrase and summarize aural information
· Evaluate effectiveness of an oral presentation (self and others)
Attendance
It is important for you to come to every class session, come to class on time, and stay for the entire class period.Attendance will affect your final grade.
▪Students who miss class 15 times or more will receive a grade of “F” and will be dismissed from the program at the end of the quarter.
▪Students who miss class 12 times will receive a grade of “F.”
▪Students who miss class 10 or 11 times will receive a grade of no higher than a “D.”
▪Three tardies (arriving late) of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.
Class Format:
This class will consist of listening to lectures, researching and discussing several topics, and giving both individual and group presentations.
Time Management and Workload:
This course will be a fair amount of work. You should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours everyday outside of class studying and working on homework or class projects. That means that you have to schedule and manage your time carefully every week so that you will have time to get everything done on time. Do not wait until the night before to do your assignments. Do them early so that you can do a good job and increase your learning potential.
Vacation Days
There will be no class on October 22nd, November 11th, November 27th, and November 27-28th.
Grading
In order to pass this class, your class grade average must be 75% (C-) or higher. Your final grade in this class will be based on the following:
Your final grade is based on the following:
Quizzes 30%
Homework 25%
Participation 20%
Presentations and Group Projects 30%
*Participation includes regular attendance to class. To obtain a high participation grade, you will need to come to class prepared to discuss homework, ask questions when you don’t understand something, volunteer answers and work actively with your classmates in pair and group work, and listening politely when others are speaking.
Final Class Grade:
96 – 100% A (Excellent)
93 – 95% A-
90 – 92% B + (Above Average)
87 – 89% B
84 – 86% B-
81 – 83% C+ (At Class Level)
78 – 82% C
75 – 77% C-
0 – 74% D (Weak Skills, Repeat Class Level)
0 – 74% F (Unsatisfactory Effort, Repeat Class Level)
Additional Course Policies and Tips for Success
· Get your books and set up your Bellevue College computer account as soon as possible.
· Come to class prepared every day. This means:bring a pen or pencil, paper for taking notes, your books, and your dictionary to every class.
· Finish your homeworkbeforeclass.
· Email me if you miss class for any reasonANDcontact your homework buddy to find out what you have missed.
· Be an active learner. You are responsible for asking questions and making sure that you understand all class materials.
· Full credit will not be given to late assignments.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones are not allowed at any time during class. Turn off your cell phone before you enter class and do not use your cell phone at all during class. Your cell phone will be taken away until the end of class if it is used. You will receive an F on a test, if you use your cell phone during the test.
Statement on Plagiarism and Cheating
Students are in ELI classes to learn English and ELI teachers are here to help them. Cheating makes that harder for both the students and the teachers. There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, “borrowing” a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly), using an essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using “cheat notes,” copying answers from classmates’ papers or giving answers to classmates during tests.
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own in both writing and oral presentations. It is cheating and is not acceptable in American classes.
Examples of plagiarism are:
· Copying from a Web page, book or article
· Buying papers
· Copying from another student
· Using a friend’s paper from a previous quarter
If you plagiarize:
First time: Your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do.
Second time: You will fail the assignment.
Third time: You will fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services. You will possibly be asked to leave the school.
Student Code of Conduct
Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College.
Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.
The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services. The Student Code, Policy 2050, can also be viewed on-line at:http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp.
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.
We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect. For more information, go to:http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp.
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to you. Contact or 425.564.2764. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D125. www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/
The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. Please visit our website for application information into our program and other helpful links atwww.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
Religious Observance—
The Arts & Humanities Division of Bellevue College, committed to advancing pluralism, recognizes its students’ diverse religious beliefs. Those students who wish to observe a religious holy day should not be penalized for doing so. Whenever feasible, students should be allowed to make up academic assignments that are missed due to such absences. However, the student must personally hand the instructor a written notification of the projected absence within two weeks of the start of the quarter. Because religious holidays are scheduled in advance, instructors have the right to insist that course work be completed prior to an anticipated absence for religious observances.
Student Concerns
Should you have concerns about any part of the class, please come to me with them. If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable coming to me, the usual next step would be to speak with the program chair, Ivan Breen (). You can refer concerns about this class to the Arts and Humanities Division Dean, Maggie Harada () or the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho () in the Arts and Humanities division office (R230). An additional resource for concerns you find aren’t being addressed by faculty or administration is the Ombuds Office (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ombuds/)
Complaint Policy--
As a student in the ELI, you have the right to understand grading policies, rules, and requirements and to know that you are treated fairly. You also have the responsibility to comply with those policies, rules, and requirements.
BC prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.
Sometimes problems arise and the college encourages the parties involved to resolve the conflict informally whenever possible. If resolution cannot be reached, a formal process can be followed.
Informal Complaint Process
A. Make an appointment to talk directly with the teacher/staff member to attempt to reach a mutual agreement. If you would be more comfortable, you can make an appointment to speak with the Director of the ELI (for issues with classes/teachers) or the Interim Director of International Student Programs (for issues with advisors, activities etc.)
B. Be courteous, flexible, and respectful.
C. Be open to alternative solutions or suggestions.
If the problem cannot be solved together, the following formal complaint procedures may be used:
Formal Complaint Process
All formal complaints must be made in writing. Consult your ELI student handbook for complete information.
Arts and Humanities Student Policies and Procedures
Please refer to “Student Procedures and Expectations”on the Arts and Humanities website for all other information:(http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/ )
Public Safety and Emergencies
Public Safety is located in the K building and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember because it’s the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center. Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by registering at (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/alerts/?ref=footer)
If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort.
Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the event of an evacuation. Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you do anything else. Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for.
If a major emergency occurs, please follow these two rules:
1) Take directions from those in charge of the response -We all need to be working together.
2) Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from those in charge.
Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you feel safety questions or concerns at any time.
HOMEWORK BUDDIES:
Ask 2 classmates for their phone numbers and email addresses so you can contact them if you are absent.
1. Name: ___Phone: ____ E-mail:______
2.Name: ___Phone:____ E-mail:______
MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAYWEEK 1 / 9/22
Get to know you activity / 9/23 / 9/24
Late Placement & Challenge Test / 9/25
Section Changes / 9/26
Syllabus quiz
Introduce Yourself
WEEK 2 / 9/29
Contemporary Topics Text book / 9/30
Contemporary Topics Text book / 10/1
Contemporary Topics Text book / 10/2 / 10/3