ESL 51 001W Course Syllabus Northern Virginia Community College, WO Fall 2014
Instructor: Ms. Harm Email: [email protected] Office location: WC 348 Office telephone: 703-878-5799 Office Hours: On campus: MW, 2-4; T, 3-6; R, 9:30-11:30 Online: M-Th., 10 p.m.-11 p.m.
Class Hours: Tuesdays, 6-9:10 pm Classroom: W-Arts & Science Bldg/WAS-0336
ESL 51 Prerequisite: Successful completion of ESL 41 or a satisfactory score on appropriate English Placement Test
Catalog Description: ESL 51 prepares students for college-level writing by providing practice in the writing process, emphasizing development of thought in essays of greater length and complexity, and emphasizing use of appropriate syntax and diction. Also, ESL 51-001W is a HYBRID COURSE. Students will meet every Tuesday in the classroom as well as complete work online. Students must have access to a computer and the Internet on a regular basis to successfully complete the course.
Course Objectives: Goal 1 - Students will be able to produce clear, logically developed essays using idiomatic English. Objectives: Given a topic, students will be able to: A. generate ideas B. make an outline C. write and revise a draft D. proofread and edit their own writing
Goal 2 - Students will be able to use strategies for approaching a variety of writing tasks Objectives: Given a writing task, students will be able to: A. locate and use supporting material B. document sources C. paraphrase
Goal 3 - Students will be able to formulate a thesis and develop it. Objectives: Given a topic, students will be able to: A. narrow the topic B. sustain an idea C. write thesis for different types of essays such as argumentative, summary/response, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect
In ESL 51, you will complete the following types of writing: In-class writing to include prewriting, journals and essay exams In-class peer review and editing Take home essays which will require revisions based on instructor feedback Journal writing through Blackboard Research paper 2
The writing that you complete in this course will help you meet the above learning outcomes/objectives.
Required Texts and Material: 1. Bridges to Better Writing (2nd ed.) 2. Regular access to the Internet 3. Some way to save your information (USB) 4. Standard lined writing paper, writing tools, and a folder
An English/English dictionary is highly recommended, and I strongly urge you to bring it with you to class.
Grades: You must receive an average of 78% for the course work (listed below) AND you must receive a passing score on the Level 5 Writing Exam in order to pass ESL 51.
1. Assignments 15% 2. Essays 50% 3. Research Paper—final 15% 4. Mid-term essay exam 20%
Your final grade will either be Satisfactory (78% or higher) or Retake (77% or lower).
Level 5 Writing Exam: You must pass the Level 5 Writing Exam (graded by two or more faculty members) as part of your requirement to pass ESL 51. Your instructor will not be permitted to grade your exam. For this exam, you must write an essay that includes an introduction, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion. There is no choice of topic nor will you know the topic in advance. Content, development, organization, focus, grammar, and vocabulary must be strong in order for the essay to qualify for a passing grade. You may use an English- English hardcopy dictionary; students will not be permitted to share dictionaries.
There are two dates for the exam from which you will choose: Room: WC 355 Friday, 11/21, 12-3 p.m. Saturday, 11/22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Students may enter the exam room no earlier than 20 minutes before the start of the exam. There are no makeup exams for students who fail to show up for the exam. Therefore, if you have something else planned, such as work, you must talk to your supervisor about taking time off NOW. Your instructor will let you know if you have passed the course or not by the deadline for grade submission.
Missed or Late Work: 1. Late work will not be accepted. 2. Exams may not be made up or retaken. 3. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check Blackboard, email me, or call me or a classmate for the homework assignment(s). This way you will be able to turn in all work on time. I suggest that you exchange telephone numbers with a classmate so that you can call someone about the homework if the need arises. 4. At the beginning of almost every class, you will write for ten or fifteen minutes. If you are late and miss this writing, you will not be able to make it up later in class or another day. You must be present in class at the time of the writing to complete it.
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Attendance: You will be allowed no more than two absences from class. If you have more than two absences, you will fail the class.
You will not be allowed to enter class after the first ten minutes. If you arrive to class after the first ten minutes, you will not be allowed to attend and you will be counted as absent.
If you leave class early without permission, you will also be counted as absent.
Academic Honesty: When College officials award credit, degrees, and certificates, they must assume the absolute integrity of the work done by the student; therefore, it is important that students maintain the highest standard of honor in their scholastic work.
Academic dishonesty, as a general rule, involves one of the following acts: Cheating on an examination or quiz, including the giving, receiving, or soliciting of information and the unauthorized use of notes or other materials during the examination or quiz. Buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting any material purported to be the unreleased contents of a forthcoming examination, or the use of such material. Substituting for another person during an examination or allowing such substitution for one's self. Plagiarizing. This is the act of appropriating passages from the work of another individual, either word for word or in substance, and representing them as one's own work. This includes any submission of written work other than one's own. Colluding with another person in the preparation or editing of assignments submitted for credit, unless such collaboration has been approved in advance by the instructor. Knowingly furnishing false information to the College; forgery and alteration or use of College documents or instruments of identification with the intent to defraud.
Academic dishonesty in ESL 51 shall not be condoned. When such misconduct is established as having occurred, the following process will occur: 1. First offense: The student will receive a 0 on the assignment. 2. Second offense: The student will receive a 0 on the assignment AND the student must speak with the Dean of Arts, Communications & Humanities before being allowed to return to class. 3. Third offense: The student will receive a 0 on the assignment and the student must speak to the Dean of Students before being allowed to return to class. At this point, the academic dishonesty will become part of the student's college file. 4. Continued offenses: If the student continues to act in a dishonest way academically, the student could face expulsion from the course without tuition refund. Student Conduct: For college policies on student conduct, refer to Section II, pp. 66+ of the 2009—2011 Student Handbook: http://www.nvcc.edu/resources/stuhandbook/studenthb2009-11.pdf
In ESL 51, you will meet students of various ages from a wide variety of cultures, and their religions, beliefs, preferences, and personal opinions will differ. You should show respect for all of your classmates. Disrespect will not be tolerated.
Netiquette Policy: This policy describes proper demeanor in Internet communications. It is important that you are familiar with and adhere to the class netiquette policy posted on Blackboard and below.
The following is the netiquette statement for this course: As a member of the academic community, conduct yourself in person, in print, and online in a responsible way and in the spirit of courteous educational inquiry. Be courteous, even when you disagree, and always provide clear, logical support for your views. 3 4
Clear communication of meaning depends entirely on your word choice and visuals, so choose your words and visuals carefully to communicate effectively with your audience. Avoid typing in all capitals because it is difficult to read and is considered the electronic version of "shouting." Abide by the policies of the College which are listed in the NVCC Student Handbook.
Accommodations: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), disability services are available to all currently enrolled students who have a documented disability that substantially limits them in one or more of life's major activities and who are otherwise academically qualified.
Northern Virginia Community College makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you have accommodation needs, please call your campus Disability Support Service within 14 working days prior to attending a scheduled event. ASL interpreter requests may be made by emailing [email protected] at least four weeks prior to attending a scheduled event.
Woodbridge campus Disability Support Service, room 202-E Pamela Manuel (703) 878-5760 [email protected]
Email Policy NVCC has instituted a policy that requires all professors and students to communicate via VCCS (Virginia Community College System) e-mail accounts and NOT private accounts, i.e., yahoo.com, hotmail.com, etc. If I receive an e-mail from you that does not originate from a VCCS account, I will not be able to respond to you. Make sure that when you e-mail me, you only correspond with me using your VCCS account.
Academic Advising: Academic advising is the process in which you, the student, and advisors work together to set goals for your academic life. It is a collaborative process, and ultimately, you – the student –are responsible for your educational experience. Are you a recent high school graduate? If you have not meet with an Advising Specialist you should make an appoint today in the Student Services Center Room 202.
Here’s how to get started: 1. If you need to declare your major, have a faculty advisor assigned, set an academic goal, or need assistance with financial aid, learning disabilities, transfer or career exploration, please visit the Student Services office in Room 202. 2. Review your Degree Progress Report using MyNOVA. Meet with your Faculty Advisor to discuss your continued degree progress and academic performance, discuss or change academic and career goals, and select courses.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures: Please take note of the closest fire exit to the classroom. You will find a framed emergency evacuation plan on one of the walls in each of the classrooms. This describes the procedures that must be followed, and diagrams the evacuation routes that are to be used in case of emergency. All occupants must immediately evacuate the building when the fire alarm bells/lights are activated unless the Building Warden has advised that the system is undergoing a scheduled test. Occupants will exit the building using posted evacuation routes or the nearest safe exit. Elevators will not be used during emergency evacuation. Upon exiting, occupants are to continue 4 Fall 2014 moving until they are at least 300 feet from the building. You should take all your personal belongings with you, as there is no assurance that you will be allowed to return.
Woodbridge Campus Emergency Preparedness: http://www.nvcc.edu/woodbridge/emergency/ No matter the reason for leaving the room in an emergency, take your coat, keys, and identification with you.
Important Semester Dates:
September 2: First class meeting of ESL 51 September 9: Parking enforcement begins in “B” lots. September 15: Last day to drop ESL 51 with tuition refund October 13-14: Fall Break/ no classes/ college offices open weekdays November 21 or 22: Level 5 Writing Exam options November 24: Final class meeting of ESL 51
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