Course Syllabus

Spring 2023 | ENG-0120-VO01S - Foundations of Reading & Writing: the Self

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Elizabeth McHale
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Cindy Swanson

Course Description

Using a thematic approach, students will gain critical reading and writing skills that are essential to the successful completion of college courses. Students will learn effective strategies for completing reading and writing assignments and will refine language skills to promote clarity and comprehension. Credits earned in this course do not apply to the associate degree.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify and employ appropriate strategies for reading different types of material.
2. Identify and apply the writing process in a variety of assignments.
3. Recognize and produce written work that reflects effective handling of purpose, audience, and main ideas/details.
4. Recognize and demonstrate the consistent use of standard English conventions, including grammar, usage, and mechanics.
5. Utilize library and other resources to access topical information.
6. Explore the concept of critical thinking and demonstrate interpretation and analysis skills.
7. Discuss issues of self, ask meaningful questions relating to the issues, and develop strategies and resources to address them.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

• Student-generated class discussions

• Outside sustained reading

• Close readings

• Self & group reflections

• In-class reader response/reactions

• Critical reading and thinking activities

• Outside writing/response activities

NOTE: We will be readingThe Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, one or two chapters per week.

Standards for Written Work:

• All written assignments must be formatted in MLA Style (Modern Language Association).

Evaluation Criteria

• Writing Assignments

• Reading Assignments / Short Answers

• Attendance

• Participation in Discussions and Activities

• Grammar and Usage Exercises

Course Completion Requirements:

• Regular attendance. More than 2 absences may result in a grade of Not Passing.

• Completion of ALL reading, writing, revision, and other assignments.

• Satisfactory make-up of class activities when possible.

• Active and appropriate participation in class and workshop discussions and activities.

• Satisfactory completion of all course objectives.

Evaluation

Participation and Attendance 15%

Grammar Practice and Assignments 15%

Portfolio Writing 70%

Grades will be entered into Canvas and you can check your average at any time.

Final grades for Foundations of Reading and Writing are P (Proficient) and NP (Not Proficient). You do not receive a letter grade (A,B,C, etc.) in this class.

Policy on Late Papers

Essays and all written work are due at start of class the day. Submit them before each class meeting. If you are absent, your work is still due. Late papers will be accepted up to one week from due date with discussion and will receive a lower grade.

Participation

4 points possible

4 Fully prepared and engaged; took leadership role; contributed significantly

3 Participated but did not take a leadership role

2 Minimal preparation and minimal participation

1 Not prepared, not engaged, did not contribute

0 Absent

Portfolio

Your success in this class will be measured in large part by your formal writing. As you complete each Portfolio product, you will save it in your Master Notebook under “Portfolio.” You will be required to revise some items in the Portfolio. When that happens, save the early draft as well as the revised draft. Your Portfolio will be collected toward the end of the semester.

TO PASS THIS COURSE, you must complete all the pieces of the Portfolio.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

You are expected to attend every Zoom session and participate, with your camera on at all times. If I can't see you, I don't know that you are there.

In addition, your participation in weekly online discussions is required.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Revising and improving your drafts is how you will improve your writing. Pay attention to submission feedback and let me know when you have questions. Missing and late work could compromise your success in this class. You have to practice writing to improve.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity