Department of English, Reading, Foreign Languages

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE Department of English, Reading, Foreign Languages, and the American English Language Program Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus

EN 101/101A - Techniques of Reading and Writing

CRN 20555 TR 1:00- 2:15 AM Health Sciences 322

I. Instructor Information Joseph Couch, Ph.D. Office: 207 Pavilion of Fine Arts E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (240) 567-1352 Office Hours: T , W , R , or by appointment

II. General Course Information EN 101 emphasizes the processes of critical thinking, reading, and writing. Students move from writing about personal experiences to writing for an outside, academic audience. Students write for different audiences and purposes using a variety of rhetorical strategies. Students will write in response to outside readings and will be introduced to appropriate documentation procedures. EN 101A teaches the same skills as EN 101 but with additional time for grammar and skills review.

All sections of EN 101 and EN 101A will participate in the portfolio pilot in fall 2007. To pass the course, students are required to submit a final portfolio that meets the departmental requirements. Instructors will provide further information. The portfolio is separate from and in addition to the English Composition Folder required for this course.

EN 101: Studies in exposition. PREREQUISITE: Placement through assessment testing, successful completion of Basic English (EN 001 or EN 002 with a grade of A), or completion of EL 104 with a grade of C or better. Assessment level: RD 110. Three hours lecture each week. 3 semester hours.

EN101A: Content and requirements equivalent to EN 101. Additional class time for review of sentence structure, usage, and punctuation, and individual and group instruction to assist students in organizing and completing specific writing assignments. PREREQUISITE: Placement through assessment testing, successful completion of Basic English (EN 001 or EN 002 with a grade of B or better), or completion of EL 104 with a grade of C or better. Assessment level: RD 110. For computation of tuition, this course is equivalent to five semester hours. Five hours lecture each week. 3 semester hours.

III. Specific Outcomes Students will learn to write unified, coherent, and well-developed essays in language that observes the conventions of Standard American English. Students will read and critically

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc analyze essays that serve as models for written discourse. Students will learn the rudiments of using the ideas and words of others in their own writing. Students will demonstrate proficiency in

 organizing ideas and information;  adapting content and style to their audience and purpose;  formulating thesis statements and topic sentences;  supporting multi-paragraph essays consisting of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusions in both out-of-class and in-class writing situations;  writing unified and coherent essays;  using appropriate word choice and sentence structure to achieve good style and employing correct mechanics and standard usage and spelling;  reading analytically and thinking critically;  incorporating others’ words and ideas in their own writing; and  employing a writing process that includes prewriting, drafting, and revising.

We will pursue four specific objectives:  To reemphasize the English 101 goals of organization, clear presentation, and effective reasoning  To emphasize the principles of reasoning as one means of determining reality  To present a method of critical reasoning by which sound judgments are made  To present the methods and materials of research as an intelligent approach to problems, the solutions of which may lie outside your immediate knowledge.

IV. Texts [and Supplies]

1) The Bedford Reader, ninth edition. 2) The Little, Brown Compact Handbook with Exercises, 6th ed. 3) 2 Montgomery College Composition Folders 4) looseleaf notebook paper 5) binder for handouts (optional) 6) blue or black ballpoint pen NO SILLY INK COLORS OR FELT TIP PENS! 7) college-level dictionary 8) college thesaurus, such as Roget’s (highly recommended) 9) computer disks NOTE: All supplies are available in the campus bookstore.

V. Grading

A. Requirements:

Earning Grades/Being Successful For the development of any skill, an individual must do specific practices, exercises, and tests. Depending on many factors, a person may learn skills at one level and be ready to progress to the

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc next level in a short amount of time or a longer time. To be successful and pass the course, all students must complete course papers and assignments, and these must be handed in at the end of the semester in an official Montgomery College Composition Folder.

Class Participation Every student has uniqueness that is an important part of the community of learning that is a class. When students do not involve themselves in the class, they are not only cheating themselves, but they are also cheating the rest of the class.

Participation by everyone is necessary for the individual to develop and for everyone else to progress. Participation involves asking questions, answering questions, and involving oneself in discussions.

Class participation is always guided by the following: Assignments completed with effort and on time Focused discussion and questions Respect for other people and their opinions Courtesy at all times Punctuality

B. Course Grade

Determining Final Grades: Personal Narrative Essay: 10% (due Sept 27) Extended Definition Essay: 15% (due Oct 25) Comparison or Contrast Essay: 20% (due Nov 20) In-Class Self-Evaluation Essay: 5% (date TBD) Portfolio: 15% (date TBD) Cause or Effect Essay: 25% (due Dec 20 @ 12:30 PM) Homework, quizzes & class participation: 10%

C. Standards

Grading scale: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = Below 60%

D. Make-up Policy Missed Exams or Assignments

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc Except for incredible extenuating circumstances, the instructor does not give credit for late assignments or missed exams. It is important, however, in EN 101/A that students take every opportunity to keep up with course work. If absent, seek out another student to see what was covered in the class notes. Additionally, see me for any handouts that were distributed.

Having more unexcused absences than a week’s worth of classes will result in an automatic F in the student’s class participation grade (10% of the final grade for the course).

A student is usually not allowed to make up mid-term exams, final exams, or any essays. The only exception to this is for a student who presents legal documentation that the absence was involuntary and unavoidable. (Note: letters from parents or other family members do not count)

Papers are not handed in until I hold them in my hands, and electronic submissions as well as late papers are unacceptable and receive a zero (0).

E. Late Policy

Punctuality Any student who enters late interferes with the learning progress of the students in the classroom. However, the instructor recognizes that occasionally there are times when something happens beyond a student’s control.

A student who is late should enter the room quietly and wait at the door for the Instructor’s attention. If it is a convenient time, the instructor will allow the student to enter at that time. If it is not convenient, the Instructor will motion the student to wait in the hallway. As soon as there is a break in the routine, the instructor will bring the student in. Before entering the room, the student should have taken out his homework. When he/she enters the room, he/she is to place the homework on the small table in the classroom.

This policy will continue only as long as: 1. Students enter quietly without disturbing anyone 2. A pattern of lateness does not develop for any one student or for a number of students

A lateness of more than half an hour will be counted as an absence.

VI. Classroom Policies

A. Attendance [and Withdrawal from Class] -

Audit/Drop-Add Policies: Students may choose to audit a class at the time of their initial registration, or they may change to audit at any point prior to completion of 20% of the class. Faculty permission is not required to register for audit. Permission is required, however, to change to audit after classes begin. The last day to drop a class with a W for a final grade is November 20th.

Academic Honesty –

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc Academic Dishonesty (Cheating or Plagiarism) Regarding academic honesty, the Montgomery College Student Handbook states the following information: Students who engage in any act [judged] by the classroom instructor to constitute academic dishonesty or misconduct are subject to any and all sanctions deemed appropriate by the classroom instructor, [including] grade sanctions for violations of academic ethics.

Any papers with evidence of academic dishonesty or misconduct receive a grade of zero (0).

Academic dishonesty happens when any individual student turns in work that was written or developed by someone else and the student copies that work. The instructor of this class will follow the procedures for Academic Dishonesty as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

It is important to note that very often there are two people involved in a cheating situation. There is the person who does the copying. There is also the person who allows his/her work to be copied. Both people will be held responsible for the situation and both will be treated accordingly.

Student Code of Conduct

Regarding classroom behavior, the Montgomery College Student Handbook states the following information (see www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/academiicevp/Student_PandPhtm.) : If a student behaves disruptively in the classroom after the instructor has explained the unacceptability of such conduct and the consequences that will result, the student may be asked to leave the room for the remainder of the class time. If the student does not leave, the faculty member [will] request the assistance of Security. The faculty member and the student are expected to meet to resolve the issue before the next class session. If, after a review of the situation and a restatement of the expected behaviors, the student refuses to comply with the stated standards of conduct required, then the faculty member should refer the issue in writing to the dean of student development for action under the Student Code of Conduct. Additional Codes of Conduct:

The following behaviors count the same as a missed class and a zero in class participation for one day: 1 Arriving late to class two times 2 Leaving class early two times

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc 3 Taking unscheduled breaks during class two times 4 Not making an effort at class participation 5 Any disruption of the positive learning environment 6 Any disrespectful or impolite behavior 7 Any use of profanity or offensive language 8 Any cell phone or pager activity 9 Any disruptive talking 10 Any use of electronic entertainment devices Professors reserve the right to amend this list at any time. Students will be notified about any amendments.

Support Services – See SOS Handout

The Reading/Writing/Language Center provides print materials and one-on-one tutoring for Montgomery College students on a walk-in basis to support reading, writing and language learning. You can sign in at the front desk for tutoring or using the language software. The Center’s contact information is (240) 567-1556 or [email protected].

Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours. A letter from Disability Support Services (R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.

B. Cancellation of Classes

Inclement Weather Policy: Occasionally it becomes necessary to delay the opening of school, send students home early, or close the College entirely because of bad weather. Most area radio stations broadcast information about school closings or delayed openings beginning around 6 am. If the College plans to close early, the radio stations will broadcast that message. Please listen to the radio rather than call the College.

Classroom Evacuation: While I am the facilitator of any emergency classroom evacuation, please familiarize yourself with the campus evacuation plan found in every building’s hallway.

VII. Student E-Mail

Student e-mail (montgomerycollege.edu) is an official means of communication for the College. It is expected that you check your student e-mail regularly and frequently, as you are responsible for information and announcements that will be sent to you from the College. For this class, student e-mail will be used only for situations where timing is

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc essential. Most information is discussed in class and all assignments will be turned in as hard copy during regular class times. If you send an e-mail to me, you must use your student e-mail account (rather than a yahoo or other account) so that I can recognize you as a student. Please be professional in your e-mail correspondence by not using text- messaging abbreviations (use “are” and “you,” not “r” and “u”) and by writing in complete sentences.

VIII. Continued enrollment in the course means that a student understands and accepts the course policies and procedures.

IX. Course Schedule

ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BEFORE THE START OF CLASS UNLESS LISTED AS IN-CLASS WORK

Thur Sept 6 Introductions, course requirements and expectations.

Tu Sept 11 Read: Little, Brown p. 75-89 (end of section 10a) In-Class Diagnostic Essay

Thur Sept 13 Read: Bedford Reader, p. 31-40 Writing/Reading Center Orientation

Tu Sept 18 Personal Narrative Topic Due in Writing Read: The Bedford Reader, p. 73-98. Due: Questions on Writing Strategy, p. 91 & p. 96. In-class prewriting

Thur Sept 20 Draft Workshop Day Due: Typed or word-processed draft of your personal narrative essay

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is only the beginning of our work in EN 101, and this outline will be updated in writing for the remainder of the semester.

D:\Docs\2017-07-19\02bf01f54a9ad7a10ff28093ca11f9c4.doc