Introduction to Composition B (Enc 0021)

Course Reference Numbers: 

277214 Monday 5:30-10:20 p.m.

282093 Wednesday 5:30-10:20 p.m.

Summer Term (B12) 2008

June 2 through August 22

Room D 206

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full with the overcoming of it.”

                   Helen Keller

          Work like you don’t need the money.

          Love like you’ve never been hurt.

          Dance like nobody is watching.

                             The person who wins may have been counted out several times, but

                             he didn’t hear the referee.

What lasts is what you start with.  Everything we will ever have is present in each day’s life.  There is no more.

Professor:              Nancy Bullard

Office/Hours:         D263/ MW 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Phone:                  (904)766-6615 (may leave message)

Required      Odyssey:  From Paragraph to Essay, Kelly & Lawton, Fifth Edition

Text:

Course Description: This in an introductory composition course designed to help you master basic writing skills.  It assesses the level at which you are writing to discover areas of deficiency and provides the necessary instruction to help you overcome them. At the end of this class, you should be able to write clear, adequately developed, logically organized, effective paragraphs which conform to the rules of standard American English.

Simply put, in this class you will learn to write clear, effective paragraphs, which will enable you to write successful essays in other courses.  We will discuss how to come up with writing ideas, how to form interesting body paragraphs, and we’ll explore various kinds of special purpose paragraphs.  We will also look at the essay (which is just an expanded version of the paragraph) and learn how to put all of the parts together.  Grammar (the building block of all writing) will be a major focus throughout the class as well.

Attendance:  All students are expected to attend all classes.  You have to be present, both mentally and physically, to improve your skills.  There is a mandatory attendance policy for college preparatory students, which states you may miss no more than nine contact hours during the course.  That is approximately 15%.  Students who miss more than nine hours will receive a grade of F or FN.  Being late three times equals one absence.  It is the responsibility of the student to complete all assignments, whether s/he is in class or not.

Atmosphere:  To learn successfully, we must respect each other.  You should never feel demeaned or intimidated by me, and I must be responsible for creating an environment in which you can flourish and improve your skills.  There is no place for disruptive conduct, which is grounds for failure and dismissal.  Please note:  Cell phones and pagers must be turned off; a half letter grade will be deducted from your most recent paragraph after one initial “friendly reminder”.

Repeating Classes: According to State of Florida guidelines, all students may enroll in a specific college preparatory course only twice at a regular tuition rate.  If the first two attempts are unsuccessful (all grades count as an attempt, including audit, IW, AW, W, D, FN, and F), the next time a student enrolls in the course s/he must pay the full cost of instruction.  This cost is equivalent to the out-of-state tuition rate, approximately four times the cost of regular tuition. 

Exit Requirements: In order to successfully complete the class, you must pass a department grammar exam and exit paragraph exam.  If you receive a “no pass” on either part, you have the opportunity to retake it.  If you receive a “no pass” on the second attempt, you must retake the course.  Note:  You may pass the final exam and fail the course if you have not adequately completed the class work.

Security Needs: The phone number for North Campus Security is 766-6608. Note:  If you are on campus using an IT phone and dial security’s number, they may not hear the ring tone if officers are out of the office and using their cell phones.

Grades:        40%     In class writing (outlines and typed paragraphs - eight total)

                             and journal responses

                   40%     Homework paragraphs (typed – eight total)        

                   20%     Grammar:  homework assigned from text, and completion

                             of the “Language” portion of My Skills Tutor

                   Reading, attendance, and participation are all necessary to complete the

                   above requirements, and so are not counted separately.

Note:  There are no make ups for in class writing.  Late work loses one letter grade for each class period it is late.  If you miss class, you must call a classmate and complete the day’s assignments.  I will distribute a class calling/email list at the start of the semester.  Note that Incompletes (I grade) are for emergency cases in which approximately 90% of the work has been successfully completed.  A grade of “F” reflects a failing attempt at coursework and “FN” reflects a failing grade for non-attendance.  The withdrawal deadline for this class is July 28, 2008.

Each typed paragraph submitted will have, in the upper left hand corner, the following information:

Your name                        Example:       Jacko Vassilev

Date submitted                                    January 8, 2008

Type of assignment                               Narrative paragraph

A = 4.0; B = 3.0; C = 2.0; D = 1.0

Plagiarism:  Borrowing, stealing, or “adapting” the products of someone else’s mind without giving credit is not acceptable, ever.  Doing so will earn a failing grade on assignments and may result in failure of the course at my discretion. Also, please go to:  http://www.fccj.edu and, in the search box, type “Academic Dishonesty”.  This will take you to a link that provides “Explanation of Student Conduct”; you are responsible for being familiar with these policies.

And a Sincere Suggestion:  It is very important that you share responsibility for your success and seek additional help if necessary from the Learning Assistance Center. I strongly urge you to come see me if you are the least bit confused or concerned.  If you come to class and pay attention, there is no such thing as a stupid question.  I care about my students and want you to succeed – you are my purpose for being here!

To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.

          Robert Louis Stevenson

Enc 0021:  Tentative Nightly Schedule (Subject to change as needed):

6-2 M Introductions / Personal Information page / @ North Campus / Discuss syllabus and text/

            Success in college (attendance, Artemis, library, counselors, disabled services, child care,

            Tutors, Career Development Center, study habits, time management) / Discuss situation

            With used books and visit book store (time allowing)/ In class writing:  “My Experiences

            With English Thus Far (What Got in the Way) / LAC:  log on to My Skills Tutor and discuss

            My Writing Lab

6-9 M What is a paragraph? (topic sentence, outline, support, arrangement, purpose & audience,

            Revision) / discuss the major grammatical errors / Discuss chpts. 1, 2, 3, & 6 / Sample grammar

            Test / Work in groups to spice up a bland paragraph / LAC:  My Skills Tutor / HW:  paragraph

6-16M In class writing based on reading from text / Review errors from last writings / Grammar  /

            LAC: My Skills Tutor / HW:  journal response and paragraph due next week

6-23M            In class paragraph based on reading from text / Review last week’s errors / Grammar /

            LAC: My Skills Tutor / HW:  journal response and paragraph due next week

6-30M            In class paragraph / Review last week’s errors / Grammar / LAC: My Skills Tutor /

            HW: journal response and paragraph due next week

7-7M  In class paragraph / Review last week’s errors / Grammar / LAC: My Skills  Tutor /

            HW: journal response and paragraph

7-14M            Sample grammar exit exam / In class paragraph / Review last week’s writings /Grammar /

            LAC: My Skills Tutor / HW: journal response and paragraph

7-21M            In class paragraph (practice for exit exam) / Review last week’s writings / Grammar /

            LAC: My Skills Tutor / HW: journal response and paragraph

7-28M            In class paragraph (practice for exit exam) / Review last week’s writings / Grammar /

            LAC: My Skills Tutor / HW: journal response and paragraph

8-4M  Exit Testing (paragraph will count for in class writing as well)  / last week’s homework

            due / Time to finish My Skills Tutor (for grade)

8-11M Exit Testing – retakes?