English 50                    Introduction to College Composition

spring 2012

Instructor – Ms. Parks, professor English department
 

Monday and Wednesday 1:00 to 3:05 p.m.

contact info

Office – Learning Center room 124

Office phone – 395-4767
e-mail – pparks@bakersfieldcollege.edu   (best way to reach me)
website - www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/pparks

Office hours – Mon. - Thurs. 9:45 to 10:15, Monday and Wednesday 3:10 - 4:00  , Tuesday and Thursday 1:15 - 2:15, and by appointment
After hours fax – 589-1664
Required texts and supplies:
 

Qualifications to take course:
Completing English 60 or ENSL 60 with a minimum grade of C or better or CR English level 5 placement
Course goals and description:
This is an introductory non transferrable course in written composition focusing on the writing and analysis of both expository and argumentative essays. Passing English 50 prepares students for English 1A.
 

Course Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of English 50, the student will be able to perform the following:

1. Read and think critically about at least one book-length work in addition to selected readings

2. Evaluate and establish the credibility of an author's work

3. Demonstrate the legitimate use of credible sources by

4. Write papers that

 

The readings and essays will be the following themed units:

 

The project is on Unbowed and consists of short-essay questions, research in groups, research individually, a reflection essay, a short essay response to a movie, and an oral presentation.



Attendance:
According to BC policy, a student may not miss more than the equivalent of two weeks of instruction. This means you are only allowed four absences. After that, I will drop you from this class. After the drop date, absences will count against your participation grade. Don’t schedule appointments during class time. While I am sympathetic about family emergencies, there are no excused absences, except documented jury duty or court appearances. Your work is still due on time unless other arrangements are made.

If you arrive 1 to 15 minutes late or leave 1 to 15 minutes early, you will receive a tardy. Also, if you return late from break, you will receive a tardy. A tardy equals one-third of an absence. If you arrive late, check with me after class so that you are not marked absent.

Sometimes there are quizzes at the beginning of class.  If you are late and miss the quiz, you may not make it up.
If you miss half of the class, you receive half an absence.

If you miss more than half of the class, you are marked absent.

Letting me know ahead of time about an absence or tardy is polite and helps you to keep up with your work. But, DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF CLASS, YOU MUST CONTACT ME BEFORE AN ABSENCE, OR YOU WILL BE DROPPED to make room for students on the wait list.

If you are absent, contact a fellow student for notes or any assignment changes. You can call, drop by my office, or e-mail me as well, but I can’t reproduce the day’s class for you.

Policy on late work:
Turning work in on time is turning it in when I collect it or as soon as you walk in the door. Work can be emailed in case of emergency, but I must be able to open any attachments for your work to be on time. If in doubt, cut and paste the document in an email.

 The following will not be accepted late: grammar homework and reading responses.

  OCEs will be accepted the next class day with a 5% penalty. I only accept work in class. Or you may leave work with the English department assistant, who will put a time stamp on it. The time stamp allows me to know when the work was turned in.  Don't turn in work under my door unless we have made those arrangements. I don't accept work in class or through the department assistant after one class day late.
 Class exercises and unannounced quizzes cannot be made up.
 Grammar and citing tests can only be made up in my office before I pass them back.
 If you are absent the day of an ICE , you must make it up as soon as possible and hopefully before I discuss the topic in class, which may be the next class day.

Exceptions to the stated policy are handled in my office. Do not ask me in class.

Grading policy:
I use the basic grading scale of 90% A, 80% B, 70% C, and 60% D.

Students will also be graded on participation. I expect you to ask questions, make comments, and be prepared to answer questions when called on. You will lose points for not paying attention, not being prepared, not talking, or not letting others participate in class discussions.

Your assignments are weighted approximately as follows:

Conduct and other class rules: (Also, refer to the Student Handbook.)
 Please be respectful of others’ opinions during class and small group discussions and encouraging of others’ writing during peer editing.
 To maintain order during class discussions, raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking. If there is a pattern of disruptive behavior, you may be asked to leave class, which will count as a partial or full absence. To return you would be required to see me in my office. You could also be dropped from the class and be required to meet with the dean of students. 
 You may eat and drink only those items that are not noisy, messy, or smelly.
 Put cell phones on silent mode and away.
 I expect your complete and undivided attention during class. Don’t do homework or engage in other matters during class.
 Your participation is integral to your success. Please ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand. Please contribute your thoughts to discussions so that we can all benefit from your thinking.

Academic honesty:
Any work copied or purchased from another source will receive a fail. If you are caught cheating during a quiz or exam, the test will receive a fail.

Places to get help besides your instructor: Student Success Lab on the second floor of the Learning Center, the Writing Center on the second floor of the Learning Center, and the Tutoring Center on the third floor of the Learning Center.

Supportive Services: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion In addition, please let me know during the first week of class.

Assignment formats:
 ICEs are written one side of the page in black ink.
 Responses to readings are typed double spaced.
 Other homework is typed double spaced.

 OCEs must be typed, double spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font.
 All homework must follow the following format:

Student's name

Professor Parks

English 50

date                 


Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. I want you to have a successful semester.
 

I will

 

Suggestions of ways to be successful: