Course Syllabus

ENGLISH 1A Fall 2020

Section 6144

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Professor. Rose Ann Cerofeci

  rcerofeci@elcamino.edu

This class is linked with English 1AS section 6204. All students must be enrolled in BOTH sections. English 1A & 1AS work together. English 1AS is a support class. The work in that class will provide an opportunity to get more practice and feedback in order to support your final grade in 1A. Your work in this class will result in a letter grade, but the support class is Pass/No Pass. 

This class is also a part of the First Year Experience program. Students are required to participate in all mandatory FYE activities as part of their enrollment.  This class is linked with Contemporary Health 1, section 8016, taught by Professor Traci Granger. The curriculum in these classes will work together to enhance your college experience.

Our class is considered “hybrid” because we will meet for one hour each week on zoom. Your attendance at our zoom meetings is mandatory. If you are struggling to get on zoom, please send me an email immediately (so the time & date are documented) and then contact the  ITS Help Desk. In addition to our one hour virtual meeting, you will be required to check canvas daily and complete the assignments posted in each module. The modules are easy to follow and posted weekly. You will complete one module each week. Please pay attention to submission deadlines. 

 

Weekly Wednesday Zoom 2:00 - 3:00

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Zoom Link

 

Contact & Office Visits

Please feel free to contact me at any time. You can send me a message through Canvas or email me at the address listed above. I will return emails within 48 hours (or sooner). 

Office hours will be scheduled as needed. You are welcome to contact me for one-on-one conferencing at any time; I will send you a personal zoom link for our agreed upon meeting time. In addition, I will add “drop-in” office hours during the semester to provide additional support for assignments.

I strongly encourage you to  reach out and connect through office hours.  It is during this time that we can work one-on-one to achieve success!  

 

Texts & Materials

  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks  by Rebecca Skloot (required). You can order this book from the ECC Bookstore  

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The book can also be found online or can be checked out of the library. It is also available as an ebook. 

 

  • You will be working in this handbook which is a free online resource. It will also be linked in your Canvas modules  
  • You will read many articles during the semester. All articles and additional readings will be available on Canvas
  • You must have access to a computer & wifi. If this is a problem, please contact me. ECC has several support resources that might help you.

Course 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 on writing essays in which each paragraph relates to a controlling idea, has an introduction and a 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

Students who successfully complete this course will:

  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

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. 

 

Attendance

Class participation is extremely important to your success in this class.   

Students are expected to attend class regularly. That means checking Canvas daily and participating in our weekly zoom meetings. Students who miss class meetings,  do not participate in Canvas discussions, or fail to turn in assignments 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. 

I realize that you may run into challenges during these difficult times. Therefore, in order to serve you equitably during these times, communication will be more important than ever. You must remain in constant communication so that I can work with you on a case-by-case basis should a need arise. Check your ECC email, Canvas inbox, and Canvas announcements often, and write to me whenever you have a question or concern. You also must remain vigilant in utilizing any of our numerous ECC campus resources, which are designed to help you succeed. I will do my best to help put you in touch with those services. A list of resources is below:

 

Assignments

  • Essay assignments  -   25 points each
  • Formal Essays (2) -  200 points each
  • Grammar projects -  10 - 20 points each
  • Discussion boards - 10 - 20 points each
  • Reading quizzes -  10 points each
  • Research Presentation - 50 points
  • Journals & Reading Responses - 10 - 20 points each
  • Timed Essay (1) - 200 points
  • Research preparation assignments - 200 points
  • Research essay - 200 points

 

 

Grading Scale

A  90-100% B  80-89.9% C  70-79.9% D  60-69.9% F  59.9% or lower

You will have access to your grades throughout the semester and are encouraged to check your scores regularly to ensure success in the class.

All out-of-class writing assignments must be in MLA format (12 pt Times New Roman font, double spaced with 1” margins)

 

Late Assignments and Make-up Tests

Late assignments and make-up exams will be granted on a case-by-case basis. That means, you must discuss it with me and get approval. You will be given a reasonable time to complete work (based on the individual circumstance). The most critical component is communication. If you are struggling to complete an assignment, you must discuss it with me in a timely manner and together we will create a workable solution. 

 

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.  

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.

Recording in the Class

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.

Child Abuse / Gender-Based or Sexual Misconduct

You should know that if you reveal child abuse, child neglect, or gender-based or sexual misconduct (including 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 your incident. To speak confidentially with a psychologist, contact the Student Health Center for an appointment: 310.660.3643. For more information, visit http://www.elcamino.edu/about/depts/diversity/misconduct.aspx

Important Dates - Fall 2020

  • Fall Online Registration Appointments Available to View Monday, May 18, 2020
  • Fall Online Priority Registration Begins Tuesday, May 26, 2020
  • Last Day to Pay for Fall Semester In Person Thursday, August 6, 2020
  • Last Day to Pay for Fall Semester Online Sunday, August 9, 2020
  • Drop Date for Non-Payment for Fall Semester Monday, August 10, 2020
  • Registration Ends (Full-Semester and First 8-Week Classes) Friday, August 21, 2020
  • Fall Semester Classes Begin Saturday, August 22, 2020
  • Add Codes Needed to Add Full-Semester and First 8-Week Classes Saturday, August 22, 2020
  • Weekday Classes Begin Monday, August 24, 2020
  • First Day to Apply for Fall Degrees and Certificates Tuesday, September 1, 2020
  • Last Day to Add Classes (Full-Semester Classes*) Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Last Day to Drop Without Notation (Full-Semester Classes*) Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Last Day to Drop for Enrollment Fee Refund (Full-Semester Classes*) Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Labor Day Holiday (Campus Closed) Monday, September 7, 2020
  • Last Day to Challenge Residency Status for Current Semester Friday, September 18, 2020
  • Last Day to Apply for Fall Degrees and Certificates Thursday, October 15, 2020
  • Midterm Classes Begin Saturday, October 17, 2020
  • Veterans Day Holiday Wednesday, November 11, 2020
  • Last Day to Drop with a “W” Friday, November 13, 2020
  • Thanksgiving Holiday (Campus Closed) Thursday, November 26 -
    Sunday, November 29, 2020
  • Last Day of Semester Friday, December 11, 2020
  • Winter Holiday Break (Campus Closed) Thursday, December 24, 2020 -
    Friday, January 1, 2021

 

*Monday-Thursday 16-week classes only; please see your syllabus for all other deadlines. Some deadlines fall on the weekend; please come to Admissions & Records the Thursday before if you need assistance.

COVID-19:

I welcome you to the class; our class will be a great haven during these unprecedented times. The pandemic has brought changes to our lives, including the way we teach and learn. For many, it has also brought new levels of stress and, likely, added responsibility. I understand. By taking this class, you will be adding more responsibilities. I will do my best to work with you. Your demonstration of learning the standards and meeting deadlines is still an important part of this class and of the college experience. Standards such as these are an integral part of a college education. A quality, equity-infused education remains El Camino College’s primary goal. However, in order to serve you equitably during these times, communication will be more important than ever. You must remain in constant communication so that I can work with you on a case-by-case basis should a need arise. Check your ECC email, Canvas inbox, and Canvas announcements often, and write to me whenever you have a question or concern. You also must remain vigilant in utilizing any of our numerous ECC campus resources, which are designed to help you succeed. I will do my best to help put you in touch with those services. A list of resources is below:

 

Student Resources:

Please click the links below to access detailed and current information about each service.

  • Reading Success Center Tutors are available to assist with reading assignments (no cost).
  • Writing Center Free tutoring is available for writing assignments, grammar, and vocabulary.
  •  Learning Resource Center – LRC The LRC Tutorial Program offers free drop-in tutoring in a variety of subjects.
  •  Student Health Center The Health Center offers free and low cost medical and psychological services as well as free workshops on topics like “test anxiety.”
  •  Special Resource Center – SRC The SRC provides free disability services, including interpreters, testing accommodations, counseling, and adaptive computer technology.
  • Counseling Counselors are available for online chat, telephone calls, and virtual appointments. Also, chat with a front desk staff member is available to help navigate the scheduling process and address quick questions.
  •   Warrior Emergency Fund This is for emergency needs resulting from COVID-19
  •   Free and Low-Cost Internet The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has provided this list of services.  Please note that the provider needs 
  • ITS Help or Distance Ed to help with any technical issues related to Canvas


Your schedule is linked below. We will begin with module 1 & work through a module each week. You can begin as soon as the module is published and work through it at your own pace, while adhering to all the posted due dates.

Please email me with any questions. I look forward to working with you!