English 1A, Reading and Composition

Sections #6339 & #6392

Fall 2020, 4 Units

Professor Elayne Rodriguez Kelley

 

How To Reach Me...

Office Hours: MW 10:30-12:00 p.m. & TTH 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. (To reach me, call, text, or email me through Canvas. At that point, we can open up a Zoom should we need to confer about something visual.)

Phone:  (424) 488-3114 (Call or text)

Email:  Please communicate with me through our Canvas Inbox. For reference, my campus email is ekelley@elcamino.edu

Canvas: http://elcamino.instructure.com (There is also a Canvas Student app.)

The Books You Need…

Boyle, Gregory. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. 

Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers: The Story of Success.

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. 

The Tech 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 Google Docs for all of your papers.)

-(Optional) The Canvas app on your cell phone or tablet. While the app has its limitations, it's a nice way to stay connected (You can set your notifications to alert you about announcement I sent or grades I post.).

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: I am here to support you so that you can be successful in this course! I welcome ALL learners and believe a classroom with neuro diversity is an asset to the higher ed classroom . If you have a special need and/or an IEP, I urge and encourage you to contact the Special Resource Center. 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 can receive special accommodations. The student must reach out to the professor. The following is our college’s statement for students with special needs…

 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.  

Attendance Policy: Because this is an online class, you have the convenience of building your own weekly schedule. 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. Furthermore, it is imperative that you submit/post at least one assignment the first week of the semester to secure your spot in this class. If not, I am obligated by the college to  include your name in a “no show” report and drop you from this course. The following is our college’s statement about attendance…

The El Camino College policy on attendance states, “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.

 Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: Because we do not meet face-to-face, I 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 you as a writer. As a student in higher education, it is now your duty to value academic integrity. I expect that all writing and ideas shared this semester will be authentically yours. 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 be obligated to report you to the college for plagiarism, as stated in the college’s message. Understand that the objective of your college writing courses is to help you build an important skill that will undoubtedly help you become 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! The following is our college’s statement about 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 Classroom: 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.

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.

Classroom Courtesy: 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 content and 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

How to Receive Support During Our Campus’s Closure…

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 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).

· The 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 to be available in your area.

 Important Dates you Need to Know…

This Semester's Schedule...

Below is a schedule of our class’s major paper due dates and the reading schedule. There are weekly Discussions, Quizzes, and Assignments published in our course. The following schedule is fluid, and due dates can change if I feel it will benefit the class. However, if any changes are made, you will be alerted ahead of time. You will have ample time to complete all assignments. The major assignments are the following:

• Four formal papers (long-term papers that have undergone The Writing Process
• Two formal one-draft essays (Midterm and Final)
• Online Discussions

Week 1	-Introductions -Syllabus review -Talk to the Text
Week 2	-Begin Paper #1 -MLA Document Formatting -Tattoos Intro-Ch. 2  Paper #1 Rough Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 3	-Build Paper #1 Revision Checklist -Transitions -Understanding a rubric -Peer Reviews -Tattoos Ch. 3-Ch. 5
Week 4	-Begin Paper #2 -Tattoos Ch. 6-9 -Paper #1 Final Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 5	-Thesis building -OER Text/Topic Selection -OER Text/Grammar: Sent. Structure -Outliers Intro  Paper #2 Intro due by Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 6	-Source and Quote Integration -Outliers Ch. 1 Paper #2 Rough draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 7	-Begin Paper #3 -Outliers Ch. 2 Paper #2 Final draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 8	-Midterm
Week 9	-Outliers Ch. 8    Paper #3 Research and Intro due by Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 10	Paper #3 Rough Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m. -Outliers Chapter 9 & Epilogue
Week 11	Paper #3 Final Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.   -A Raisin in the Sun Act I
Week 12	-Begin Research Paper -Research Paper Proposals -Research Project A Raisin in the Sun Acts II & III
Week 13	Paper #4 Annotated Bibliography and outline due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 14	-Research Presentations  Research Project Draft due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 15	-Research Presentations -Paper #4 Revision Checklist and Peer Review  Research Project Final due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
Week 16	-Final Exam