Course Syllabus: EBS 014/015-603

Bergen Community College

Division of Arts and Humanities, English Department

Fall 2009 (9/3/09-12/21/09): English Basic Skills

Instructor: Jacqueline DiChiara

Email: jdichiara@bergen.edu, Phone: 551-427-6250

Course Website: http://edfolio.fdu.edu/DiChiaraJ/

Online Grade Book: http://www.engrade.com/

Class Meetings:

Mon 7:40-10:30PM, Pitkin Education Center, Room B-107 (3 credits)

Wed 8:20-10:20 PM, Pitkin Education Center, Room L-158 (2 credits)

A. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLIES:

1. 3-ring binder or spiral notebook/folders to store handouts; writing utensils; electronic notebook (optional)

2. sans disc/flash drive (optional)

3. dictionary/thesaurus (optional)

4. textbook: Langan, John. English Skills with Readings. 7th Edition. NY: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

(ISBN: 978-0-07-335014-1)

B. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Welcome! Developmental Skills I is a two-course basic skills sequence designed to improve fundamental academic skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking. Class instruction emphasizes the development of paragraph writing, literal and interpretive comprehension of text, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. A final exam provides students with a potent opportunity to directly demonstrate a semester's worth of learned and practiced writing skills.

C. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Students who successfully meet this course's requirements will be able to:

1. Read selected passages and identify main ideas, topic sentences, transitions, and supporting details.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of study and college survival skills, such as: time management, planning, memory strategies, note taking, and test taking.

3. Effectively and successfully summarize a reading passage.

4. Name and demonstrate knowledge of the various writing process steps

5. Write clear, varied sentences that confirm to acceptable standards of grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and word use.

6. Write a coherent and developed paragraph around a single, controlling idea.

7. Demonstrate knowledge of the various components of the library and use these components effectively.

8. Use MLA style documentation for in-text citations and a Works Cited page.

9. Complete a writing research project successfully.

10. Successful completion of the Mastery Test; successfully identify and incorporate the six Mastery Test criteria into their writing.

D. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Daily attendance (please see policy below); attending class on time; permission needed to use personal electronic gadgets, hand-held devices, or anything that beeps, during instruction time.

2. Active class participation.

3. All assignments must be completed according to their corresponding holistic rubrics, and/or the instructor's specific directions, and submitted on scheduled days. Plagiarized work receives grade of 0.

4. Extensions may be granted only with instructor's permission. Students will lose points for late work.

5. Students should bring required texts and notebooks to class, unless the instructor specifies otherwise.

E. MASTERY TEST

Upon successful completion of Developmental Skills I, students will be required to take a final exam˘a Mastery Test. This test has two parts. The first part requires students to write a summary and reaction about 1 of 2 given reading passages of their choosing. The second part requires students to answer an essay question based on any 1 of 3 given topics of their choosing. Upon completion, the Mastery Test is read and scored by 2 different instructors; each grades the student's writing via a 1-6 point scale (6 being the highest score possible). A combined score from both instructors of at least 7 points merits passing the Mastery Exam. To move on to Developmental Skills II, a student must pass the course (but needs not pass the Mastery Test). Students who receive a course grade of A and a passing Mastery Test score will move directly to Composition I. A student will pass the Mastery Test if he or she successfully demonstrates the following 6 aspects of writing (1 point is awarded for each successfully mastered skill; the course schedule included in this syllabus addresses all six of these graded criteria very thoroughly and completely throughout the semester):

1. Organization: strong topic sentences, thesis statement demonstrating point of view; 2 or more supporting ideas; conclusion

2. Support: significant number of concrete details supports primary viewpoint and convinces the reader of the thesis statement's validity

3. Coherence: sequences ideas; transitional words/phrases; maintains continuity in writing in relation to thesis and topic sentences

4. Sentence Skills: sentence variety; basic grammar; basic punctuation

5. Appropriateness: responds in a relevant, logical manner to the given question/task; responds completely to all parts of the question/task

6. Content: uses reason and logic regarding supporting ideas, details, and examples to support thesis

F. GRADING:

How is all of the coursework weighted?

Class participation...5%; Attendance...5%, 5 Tasks...25%; Essay 1: 15%...Essay 2: 15%; Research Project: 20%; Final Exam (Mastery Test): 15%

1. Students will be evaluated based upon successful completion of all activities and assignments.

2. If a student's grade is "borderline," (ie 89.9/B+), the instructor takes into consideration subjective elements when grading. These elements may include: demonstrated enthusiasm for the subject matter and material; exemplifying extra effort towards assignments; positive interaction with peers, etc.

3. Emailed work is always accepted. (jdichiara@bergen.edu).

4. Lecture notes/outlines may be provided for students preceding a lesson (or upon request).

5. Letter grades are based on the following scale: 93+ = A, 90 √ 93 = A-, 85 √ 89 = B+, 80 √ 84 = B, 75 √ 79 = C+, 70 √ 74 = C, 65 √ 69 = D, 0 √ 64 = F; INC = incomplete

6. A student's final grade is determined by how successfully he or she meets the course's requirements. Students receiving an E or F are generally required to repeat EBS 014/015.

7. FYI: A student's Mastery Test score will be weighted as 15% of his or her course average.

G. WRITING RESOURCES:

Students will be graded on 2 essays, journaling, and a writing research project. Students may utilize the following writing resources outside of class:

1. BCC Writing Center: http://www.bergen.cc.nj.us/pages/1795.asp (individualized tutorial instruction and personalized assistance writing papers)

2. BCC Online Writing Lab: http://www.bergen.edu/owl (email your paper; professionals reply with feedback within 48 hours!)

3. BCC English Language Resource Center: http://www.bergen.cc.nj.us/pages/2184.asp (ESL help)

4. BBC Online Tutoring: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/2195.asp (live online writing tutorials)

5. Smarthinking: http://www.smarthinking.com (register, submit your paper, receive feedback)

H. LATE AND ABSENT POLICIES:

1. Absence due to medical, religious, or court reason is excused (if possible, provide verification note).

2. If a student contacts the instructor in advance by email (jdichiara@bergen.edu), cell, or in person about being late or absent, 1 absence (or 2 tardies) will be automatically excused.

3. 1 tardy or 1 early departure from class = 1/2 half absence.

4. Attendance counts as 5% of your grade. Each unexcused absence and tardy will lower your grade.

3. 5+ total absences may result in a failing grade, according to the instructor's discretion.

4. Students hold personal responsibility for material covered in class when tardy or absent. Students will exchange contact information with a Homework Buddy. When absent, a student's Homework Buddy provides him or her with missed lecture notes, handouts, makeup work, new assignments due, etc.

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This schedule is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. Students will always be notified of such modifications and updates. Lecture notes/outlines may be provided for students preceding each lesson.

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I have thoroughly read and understood what the contents and implications of this syllabus. I have talked about its contents with my classmates and my professor; I believe it is fair and advantageous towards my personal academic growth and development this semester. I agree to abide by the syllabus guidelines and rules, in accordance with both the instructor's and Bergen Community College's academic guidelines.

Signed: ______________________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________________________