English 1A, Reading and Composition (#4604 and #4608), Spring 2020, 4 Units

Instructor: Professor Elayne Rodriguez Kelley

Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-9 a.m. (Contact me through Canvas Inbox or Pronto); and Fridays 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. on Zoom https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/2084093156).

Phone:  310-532-3670 ext. 3167

Email:  ekelley@elcamino.edu

Note: To reach me, use the Inbox/Conversations function in Canvas instead of ECC email.

1A Adjusted Semester Schedule (Revised 4/5/20)

Week 8 Week of 4/6	-Midterm -Outliers Ch. 2 (Quiz & Discussion) -Sign Peer Revision Partnership & Submit Paper 2 to Peer
Spring Break Week of 4/13	Spring Break!
Week 9 Week of 4/20	-Outliers Ch. 8 (Quiz & Discussion) -Paper 2 Peer Review due by Tuesday by 11:59 p.m. -Paper 2 Final Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 10 Week of 4/27	-Outliers Ch. 9 (Quiz & Discussion) -Current Event Project (Paper 3)
Week 11 Week of 5/4	-Outliers Epilogue (Quiz & Discussion) -Begin Research Paper (Paper 4) -Research Paper Proposals
Week 12 Week of 5/11	A Raisin in the Sun Acts I (Quiz & Discussion) -Research Project
Week 13 Week of 5/18	-A Raisin in the Sun Acts II & III (Quiz & Discussion) -Research Project (Paper 4) Annotated Bibliography and Outline due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.  -Research Presentations
Week 14 Week of 5/25	-Research Project (Paper 4) Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 15 Week of 6/1	-Research Presentations -Research Project (Paper 4) Revision Checklist and Peer Review  -Research Project (Paper 4) Final due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 16 Week of 6/8	-Final Exam

 

The Books You Need…

Boyle, Gregory. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Free Press: 2011. ISBN #9781439153154

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Penguin: 1988. ISBN # 9780679755333

Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers: The Story of Success.

The Tech You Need and Important Tech Info You Need...

-Access to an up-to-date computer with internet access

-A Chrome or Firefox browser on your computer (Canvas IS NOT compatible with Safari, nor is it compatible with Mac's Pages word processing program; you will need to use Microsoft Word or a Google Doc for all of your papers.)

-Optional, the Canvas app on your cell phone or tablet. Note: the app has its limitations.

-Make sure to complete the assignments in the modules in order. The modules are organized by week. When you log in to Canvas, click on "Modules" instead of "Assignments." The modules include all the assignments, and they include pages with a lot of information you need about each assignment.

This Class Is About…

Course Catalog Description

This course is designed to strengthen the students' ability to read with understanding and discernment, to discuss assigned readings intelligently, and to write clearly. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to write an essay in which each paragraph relates to a controlling idea, has an introduction and conclusion, and contains primary and secondary support. College-level reading material will be assigned to provide the stimulus for class discussion and writing assignments, including a required research paper.

Course Objectives

1. Recognize and revise sentence-level grammar and usage errors.
2. Read and apply critical-thinking skills to numerous published articles and to college-level, book-length works for the purpose of writing and discussion.
3. Apply appropriate strategies in the writing process including dissecting and understanding prompts, prewriting, composing, revising, and editing techniques.
4. Compose coherent, multi-paragraph, thesis-driven essays with logical and appropriate supporting ideas, including in-text citations.
5. Demonstrate the ability to locate and utilize a variety of academic databases, peer-reviewed journals, and scholarly websites.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write coherent, text-driven, timed in-class essays.
7. Utilize MLA guidelines to format essays, cite sources in the texts of essays, and compile Works Cited lists.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of this course, students will:

1. Complete a research-based essay that has been written out of class and undergone revision. It should demonstrate the student’s ability to thoughtfully support a single thesis using analysis and synthesis.
2. Integrate multiple sources, including a book-length work and a variety of academic databases, peer-reviewed journals, and scholarly websites. Citations must be in MLA format and include a Works Cited page.
3. Demonstrate logical paragraph composition and sentence structure. The essay should have correct grammar, spelling, and word use.

Important Information and Policy About our Class and our Campus…

Students with Disabilities: It is the policy of the El Camino Community College District to encourage full inclusion of people with disabilities in all programs and services.  Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class should contact the campus Special Resource Center (310) 660-3295, as soon as possible.  This will ensure that students are able to fully participate.  

Instructor Note: If you have a disability, I urge and encourage you to visit our Special Resource Center. Moreover, while you are within your right not to tell me about your disability, I am here to support you how I can so that you can be successful in this course. Keep in mind, because of privacy laws, the Special Resource Center does not alert me if one of my students has an IEP and/or special accommodations. The student must reach out to the professor. Finally, if you have any accessibility issues with our class, please reach out to me right away.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: El Camino College places a high value on the integrity of its student scholars.  When an instructor determines that there is evidence of dishonesty in any academic work (including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or theft of exam materials), disciplinary action appropriate to the misconduct as defined in BP 5500 may be taken.  A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and suspension from class are among the disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty (AP 5520).  Students with any questions about the Academic Honesty or discipline policies are encouraged to speak with their instructor in advance.

Instructor Note: Online classes carry a unique type of risk. Because we do not meet regularly face-to-face, I must rely on our virtual communication to get to know you. This means that I look to emails, discussion posts, discussion replies, and essays to get a sense of your authentic writing ability. If there is a dramatic discrepancy between the samples of your authentic writing and your final draft essays, I will question their integrity. Keep in mind, if someone else writes any of your writing for this class (this includes essays, quizzes, and discussion posts), it is considered plagiarism. If you hire an online “bot” service to help you (even if it is just for topic and paragraph starters), it falls under the realm of plagiarism even if the website claims it is not. All writing for this class must be done by you, or I will report you to the college for plagiarism, as stated in the college’s message above. Understand that the objective of your college writing courses is to help you build an important skill that will undoubtedly help you be a more successful college student and graduate. In my experience, most students turn to plagiarism when they are on a time crunch and/or do not seek help from their instructor when they need it. Give yourself enough time and ask for help when you need it!

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend their classes regularly. Students who miss the first class meeting or who are not in regular attendance during the add period for the class may be dropped by the instructor. Students whose absences from a class exceed 10% of the scheduled class meeting times may be dropped by the instructor. However, students are responsible for dropping a class within the deadlines published in the class schedule. Students who stop attending but do not drop may receive a failing grade.

Instructor Note: Because this is an online class, you have the convenience of building your own weekly schedule. Do keep in mind that there are hard due dates each week. I do take attendance, and I expect you to sign-in to our Canvas course weekly and complete assignments. A new unit (referred to as a module) is published weekly every Monday morning by 8 a.m. Every module contains assignments that are due by Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. This class requires you to log in weekly and complete assignments. If I see no activity and engagement--including turning in assignments--from you for two weeks (roughly 10% of the class meetings), I will assume you no longer want to be in this class, and I will drop you.

Recording in the Classroom: The use of any recording device during class without the prior consent of the instructor is prohibited, except as necessary to provide reasonable auxiliary aids and academic adjustments to disabled students who present official documentation from the Special Resource Center to the instructor prior to recording. This is to protect privacy and to create a safe classroom environment where all participants can discuss potentially controversial or sensitive subjects freely. If you want to take a photograph or make an audio or video recording, you must get the prior written permission of the instructor. The instructor also may require the verbal and/or written permission of everyone present. Even if a student gets permission to record, the recordings are only for personal use and may not be distributed, posted, published, or shared in any manner. A student who records without instructor permission or distributes any recordings is subject to disciplinary action in accordance with El Camino College District Administrative Procedure 5500 Standards of Student Conduct.

Title IX: You should know that if you reveal gender-based or sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking or intimate partner violence to any instructor, we are required by law to report the problem to the Office of Staff and Student Diversity. However, psychologists are not required to report to the Office of Staff and Student Diversity. You can call the Student Health Center at 310.660.3643 or visit their website: http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/health.

Classroom Policies:  Keep in mind that even though this is a virtual environment, it is still an academic setting. I expect you to post appropriate content that aligns with the requirements of the course. Please respond to your peers’ posts with professionalism and respect.

Grading: The class will follow a traditional grade breakdown:

100-90: A, 89-80: B, 79-70: C, 69-60: D, 59-0: F

Major Assignments:

• Four out-of-class formal papers that have undergone revision
• Discussion posts
• A Research project

Helpful Resources for You…

• Campus Police (310) 660-3100 (It is wise to program this number into your cell phone.)
• Textbooks on Reserve—The main floor of the library has all of your textbooks on reserve!
• Reading Success Center (East Library Basement E-36) Software and tutors are available for vocabulary development & reading comprehension.
• Library Media Technology Center - LMTC (East Library Basement) Computers are available for free use. Bring your student ID. There’s a charge for printing.
• Writing Center (H122) Computers are available for free use. Free tutoring is available for writing assignments, grammar, and vocabulary. Bring your student ID.  Printing is NOT available.
• Learning Resource Center - LRC (West Wing of the Library, 2^nd floor) The LRC Tutorial Program offers free drop-in tutoring. For the tutoring schedule, go to elcamino.edu/library/lrc/tutoring.The LRC also offers individualized computer adaptive programs to help build your reading comprehension skills. 
• Student Health Center (Next to the Pool) The Health Center offers free medical and psychological services as well as free workshops on topics like “test anxiety.” Low cost medical testing is also available.
• Special Resource Center – SRC (Southwest Wing of Student Services Building) The SRC provides free disability services, including interpreters, testing accommodations, counseling, and adaptive computer technology.
• NIXILE— Receive community information instantly! Sign up at Nixle.com today!

1. Compose a text message to: 888777
2. Text the message: ECCPD to receive alerts from El Camino College

Important Dates~Spring 2020:

Spring Semester Classes Begin	Saturday, February 15, 2020
Add Codes Needed to Add Full-Semester and First Eight-Week Classes	Saturday, February 15, 2020
Washington’s Day Holiday (Campus Closed)	Monday, February 17, 2020
Weekday Classes Begin	Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Last Day to Challenge Residency Status for Current Semester	Friday, February 28, 2020
Last Day to Apply for Spring Degrees and Certificates	Friday, February 28, 2020
Last Day to Add (Full-Semester Courses*)	Sunday, March 1, 2020
Last Day to Drop Without Notation on Record (Full-Semester Classes*)	Sunday, March 1, 2020
Last Day to Drop for an Enrollment Fee Refund (Full-Semester Classes*)	Sunday, March 1, 2020
Spring Recess (No Classes)	Saturday-Friday, April 11-17, 2020
Mid-Term Classes Begin (Second Eight-Week Classes)	Saturday, April 18, 2020
Last Day to Drop with a “W”	Friday, May 15, 2020
Memorial Day (Campus Closed)	Monday, May 25 2020
Commencement	Friday, June 12, 2020
Spring Semester Ends	Friday, June 12, 2020

* Class sections that meet fewer than 16 weeks have a different deadline schedule.

Semester Schedule

 

“Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.”

― Daniel H. Pink

 

Below is a schedule of this class’s major paper due dates and the reading schedule. There are weekly discussions, quizzes, and assignments based on the readings. The following schedule is fluid, and due dates can change if the instructor feels it will benefit the class. If there are changes, you will be notified ahead of time. You will have ample time to complete all assignments.

 

 

Below is the original semester schedule you received at the beginning of the semester. While it's changed, I'll keep it up in case you need to reference it. Make note, our campus's COVID-19 response began on 3/13/20.

Week 1 Week of 2/17	-Introductions -Syllabus review -Talk to the Text
Week 2 Week of 2/24 Last day to add/drop with refund is Sunday 3/1	-Begin Paper #1 -MLA Document Formatting -Tattoos Intro-Ch. 2 Paper #1 Rough Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 3 Week of 3/3	-Build Paper #1 Revision Checklist -Transitions -Understanding a rubric -Peer Reviews -Tattoos Ch. 3-Ch. 5 Paper #1 Final Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 4 Week of 3/9	-Begin Paper #2 -Tattoos Ch. 6-9
Week 5 Week of 3/16	-Thesis building -OER Text/Topic Selection -OER Text/Grammar: Sent. Structure -Outliers Ch. 1 Paper #2 Rough Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 6 Week of 3/23	-Source and Quote Integration -Outliers Ch. 2 Paper #2 Final draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 7 Week of 3/30	-Begin Paper #3 -Outliers Ch. 3
Week 8 Week of 4/6 Midterms	-Midterm -Outliers Ch. 8 Paper #3 Rough Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week of 4/13	Spring Break!
Week 9 Week of 4/20	-Outliers Ch. 9 and Epilogue  Paper #3 Final Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 10 Week of 4/27	-Begin Research Paper -Research Paper Proposals -Research -A Raisin in the Sun Act I
Week 11 Week of 5/4	-A Raisin in the Sun Acts II & III
Week 12 Week of 5/11 Last day to drop with a “W” is Fri. 5/15	-Research Project
Week 13 Week of 5/18	Paper #4 Annotated Bibliography and outline due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 14 Week of 5/25 Memorial Day Mon. 5/25—No Classes!	-Research Presentations Research Project Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 15 Week of 6/1	-Research Presentations -Paper #4 Revision Checklist and Peer Review  Research Project Final due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 16 Week of 6/8	-Final Exam