Rivera 1

English R-150: Reading and Study Skills (ESL)

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00-10:50 LA 136

Spring 2015

Instructor: Adrian J RiveraEmail:

Office Hours:Monday/Wednesday/Friday Office:LA 143

11:00-12:00and by appointment

Contacting Me

If you need to contact me, please email me using IPFW email. I will get back to you within 48 hours unless you email me on Friday, in which case, I may not get back to you until Monday.

Mission

In this Reading and Study Skills course, our goal is to help you develop your English proficiency, especially in reading, and help you acquire and refine collegiate academic skills by identifying and applying learning and studyingstrategies.

In this class, you must be an active learner;you must engage your prior knowledge, be motivated, employ successful study strategies, and interact with your classmates.

Course Outcomes

Course outcomes are the knowledge and skills that you need to master before the end of this term. The outcomes in this class facilitate the development of English proficiency and the acquisition of collegiate academic skills by identifying and applying strategies for learning and studying. At the end of the semester, after successfully completing R-150, you should be able to:

1. Apply several methods to find main ideas and major supporting details in college textbook material.

2. Demonstrate ability to use contextual clues and word parts in determining meaning of textbook terms.

3. Recognize valid inferences drawn from college lectures and textbooks.

5. Demonstrate ability to actively and critically react to information contained in college textbooks.

Required Materials

  1. Reading Across the Disciplines by Kathleen T. McWhorter. 5thed. (Printed or Digital edition).You need only the text, not “My Reading Lab.”
  2. English language dictionary (available in paperback from the bookstore or other stores). You may use an electronic dictionary except during tests. During tests you may use only a printed dictionary.
  3. IPFW Handbook and Planner (free at various locations on campus)
  4. Some way to organize and keep papers such as a 3-ring binder.

Course Policies

You must earn a C or better in R-150 (a C is 70-79%) in order to pass it and fulfill your placement requirement.

Attendance Policy for this Course

Your success in this class depends on your attendance at every class meeting and your timely participation in the exchange of ideas and information which occurs primarily in class. You will most likely learn more and your grades will prosper if you 1) consistently come to class well prepared; 2) keep up with the readings and writings (you should find them challenging); and 3) take the initiative for your contribution to class. The classwork you miss if you are absent cannot be made up.

Being tardy (late) or absent will have a negative effect upon grades. A pattern of tardiness will result in counting each late appearance (more than 10 minutes tardy) as an absence. Four absences may lower your final course grade. Five or more absences may result in your receiving an F for the course. If you miss three classes in a row, you could be subject to failing the course.

If you must be absent, you are responsible for all information and assignments given during the class you missed. Plan ahead. If you must be absent when an assignment is due, hand it in early or arrange for someone to hand it in for you.

Do not call or e-mail or ask me in person whether you missed anything or if anything is due for the next class while you were absent. It is your responsibility to find out these things out from your classmates.

Blackboard and IPFW Email

Copies of the syllabus, the schedule, and other materials will be posted on Blackboard (also called eLearning). I will also post announcements on Blackboard, especially about changes to class locations, assignments, etc. I regularly send emails to the class using IPFW email. You should activate your IPFW email and check both it and Blackboard regularly so that you don’t miss any important information or announcements.

Changes to the Syllabus, Schedule, Due Dates, Activities, etc.

Students are expected to keep up with changes to the syllabus, schedule, due dates, activities, etc. Usually such changes will be announced in class.

Format of Written Work

Unless otherwise instructed, all work done outside of class must be typed and submitted in the modified MLA format.

Late Work/Missed Work

All work is due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated orally or in writing. If you are late to class and I have already collected the work, your work is late and I will not accept it. Being late to class because you were printing out the assignment is not acceptable.Except for a one-time exception for certain categories of work (reflections and work assigned to be done outside of class), I do not accept late work for any reason, nor do I allow students to make up missed work. Computer and printer problems are not an excuse, nor is forgetting or losing your book or work. If you cannot be here to turn in work, it is your responsibility to turn in work to me early or have someone else bring your work to me when it is due. Unless otherwise arranged with me, the work must be handed to me directly.

Most of the work assigned will be reflections, exercises from the book, and other activities. There will also be in-class work that is not assigned. There may also be announced or unannounced quizzes. I will collect and grade work and quizzes randomly, but usually sometime once during the week.

If you are absent and have not arranged to turn in assigned work early or have someone bring it for you, or if you forget to do an assignment or forget to bring it, you have a one-time opportunity to make up the work. This applies only to reflections and work assigned to be done outside of class. After that one time, you may not make up work missed.

If you are absent when we have a quiz or do an activity in class, you will not be able to make up that particular quiz or activity. Thus, it is to your advantage to always come to class.

All major assignments as designated by the instructor (e.g., tests, final) must be completed and submitted when they are due in order to pass the course

Participation

Students are expected to participate in class discussions and group activities. Some classes may be held in locations different from the regular classroom. These locations will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard (eLearning). You are responsible for being aware of the changed locations and attending. When we meet in these locations, the purpose is to give you opportunities to get to know IPFW and to enhance your college experience.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, the IPFW campus may close (classes will be canceled); however, it is rare that the campus will close and classesbe canceled. The university notifies students of weather closings via public media (radio and TV) and on its Website. Individual professors may decide to cancel their classes even though the university has not closed. Sometimes, for example, it is difficult for the professor to get to campus. If I have to cancel this class, I will post a notice on Blackboard. If the weather is bad, you should check Blackboard to be sure I have not cancelled class.

Tests and Final Exam

There are 4 tests and one final exam. You may make-up one missed test, and must do so within a timely manner. You must contact me within one week or sooner regarding the missed test and your desire to make it up. After that time, it is too late. The make-up test will be different from the one the class took. You may not make up a missed final exam. You must arrange with me ahead of time if there is a problem regarding taking the final exam.

Grades and Grading

Grades are based on the categories listed below. The first category, “Graded Activities,” is a flexible category. These may be exercises assigned to do outside of class or in class, quizzes (announced or unannounced), or some other activity. The other activities and categories will be explained in class and you will receive instructions for doing them.

Grades are posted on Blackboard. You should check regularly to be sure I have recorded your grades correctly and to monitor you own progress. Percentages translate into letter grades as indicated below:

A=90% and above B=80%to 89% C=70% to 79% D=60% to 69%

Graded activities / Percentage
Weekly reflections (Reflection #13 is ungraded but you will receive extra points for doing it) / 10%
Weekly Words: 5 vocabulary words/week / 15%
In-Class Work/Participation / 15%
4 Tests / 10% each
Final Exam / 20%
TOTAL / 100%

Summary of Policies

Grade

  • You must earn a C or better to pass the course.

Absences

  • If you are consistently tardy, you will be counted as absent.
  • Work missed due to an absence cannot be made up except as explained above.
  • Four absences may lower your final course grade.
  • Five absences may result in a grade of F for the course.
  • Three absences in a row may result in a grade of F for the course.
  • If you are going to be absent, hand in material to me early or have someone hand it in to me for you.
  • If you are absent, do not ask me what you missed; ask a classmate. You are responsible for knowing what you missed.

Other Policies

  • Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities.
  • Late or missed work will not be accepted except as explained above.
  • If you have to miss class, turn in the work to me ahead of time or have someone bring it to me when it is due. The work must be handed directly to me.
  • You may turn in one late reflection or one late activity/exercise assigned to be done outside of class. You may not make up a missed quiz or in-class activity.
  • You may make up one of the 4 tests provided you follow the criteria for doing so.
  • You are responsible for keeping up with changes to the syllabus, schedule, etc.
  • Outside work must be typed using the modified MLA Format.
  • You must have completed and submitted all major assigned work when it was due to pass the course.

Other Important Policies/Information

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism and cheating will result in an “F” or zero points for that particular assignment and may possibly result in disciplinary action being taken by the university. See the IPFW Handbook or talk with me if you have questions about what is or is not permissible or the definition of intellectual dishonesty or plagiarism.

Disabilities Statement

If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb, Room 113, telephone number 481-6657), as soon as possible to work out the details. Once the Director has provided you with a letter attesting to your needs for modification, bring the letter to me. For more information, please visit the web site for SSD at

Military Service

Are you active-duty military, or a member of the reserves? Are you a veteran of military service? All of us value your service, and will work with you to allow you to meet your military obligations, while fulfilling the course requirements. If you have special needs in this area, let me know. A great resource for current and former members of the military is the Military Student Service, KT 104. 481-0517.

Support

I encourage you to take advantage of the special services here at IPFW. These special services include but are not limited to the following: Writing Center, Child Care Center, Career Services, Information Technology Services, Center for Women and Returning Adults, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, International Student Services, Helmke Library, Dean of Students, and the SPOT (tutoring).

Personal Counseling

The IPFW/Parkview Student Assistance Program (SAP) provides confidential, short-term personal counseling services to all students currently enrolled at IPFW, free of charge. This includes individual, group and couples counseling. IPFW recognizes that university students are faced with many challenges inside and outside the classroom. Circumstances may demand more than everyday abilities and resources.

In challenging times, working with a qualified counseling professional can help students return to their normal levels of functioning and aid in the prevention of more serious problems. SAP is located in WU 113. Phone is 266-8060. See more about their services at:

Student Conduct

At IPFW, we expect all students (and instructors) to treat one another with respect. The guidelines for civility are outlined in Section 9 of the Student Conduct section of the IPFW Statement of Policies: That includes no distracting or disorderly behavior, language, or attitude that interferes with your classmates’ learning and your instructor’s teaching.

Electronic Device Statement

No class member will be allowed to disrupt the learning of others. Appropriate classroom behavior is expected. All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off when you enter the classroom. There will be a zero tolerance policy for these interruptions. If you interfere with learning, you may be asked to leave the classroom and expect to be counted as absent. If you need to use an electronic device during class for notetaking or due to extenuating circumstances, please take the time to explain this to me before class.

ENG R150-01 Course Calendar
(subject to change as needed)

Week 1

Monday January 11:

  • Syllabus
  • Icebreaker Activity
  • Homework for 1/13: Read the syllabus. There will be a quiz. Activate your MyIPFW account and send me an email using your IPFW email ().

Wednesday January 13:

  • Syllabus Quiz
  • In-Class Reading
  • Homework for 1/15: Read R.I.D ch. 1.

Friday January 15:

  • In-Class Ch. 1 Exercises and Discussion
  • Homework for 1/20: Bring an English dictionary to class.
  • Homework for 1/20: Read R.I.D. ch. 2.

Week 2

Monday January 18:

  • NO CLASS – MLK Day

Wednesday January 20:

  • Introduce Weekly Words
  • In-Class Weekly Words
  • Homework for 1/25: Weekly Words 1 Due

Friday January 22:

  • In-Class Reading
  • Introduction to Reflections
  • Homework for 1/25: Read “When Theodore Roosevelt Saved Football” by Watson (p. 349-352 in R.I.D.)
  • Homework for 1/29: Complete Reflection 1

Week 3

Monday January 25:

  • “When Theodore Roosevelt Saved Football”
  • Reading Aloud – Practice in Class
  • Homework for 2/1:Read R.I.D. ch. 3

Wednesday January 27:

  • Main Ideas and Supporting Details
  • Homework for 1/29: Weekly Words 2 Due

Friday January 29:

  • In-Class Practice: Main Ideas and Supporting Details
  • Homework for 2/1: Reflection 2 Due
  • Homework for 2/1: Read R.I.D. ch. 4 p. 114-125

Week 4

Monday February 1:

  • Organization: Definition, Classification, Chronology, Process, and Importance
  • Homework for 2/3: Read R.I.D. ch. 4 p. 126-146

Wednesday February 3:

  • Organization: Spatial, Cause and Effect, Compare/Contrast, Listing, Mixed and Other Patterns
  • Homework for 2/5: Weekly Words 3 Due

Friday February 5:

  • Organization Review – In Class Activity
  • Homework for 2/8: Reflection 3 Due

Week 5

Monday February 8:

  • Review for Test 1
  • Taking Tests
  • Homework for 2/10: Review ch. 1 to 4 in R.I.D.

Wednesday February 10:

  • Test 1
  • Homework for 2/12: Weekly Words 4 Due

Friday February 12:

  • Review Test 1
  • In-Class Writing Activity
  • Homework for 2/15: Reflection 4 Due
  • Homework for 2/15: Skim Chapter 5 (ignore “What is Crime?”). Select 3 learning strategies you plan to try. Write a brief, two paragraph essay in which you state which strategies you chose, why you chose them, and how you will apply them. Type this and bring to class.