1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

Writing Fundamentals

PREFIX/NUMBER:

ENG 060

CREDIT HOURS:

3

2.

PREREQUISITE:

50 or better on the Accuplacer Sentence Skills Test or completion of ENG 030 with a "C" or higher

3.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

TEXT:

• Click Here for Current Book(s)
• A Dictionary
• Pocket folder for PCC Writing Portfolio

SUPPLIES:

See instructor

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will focus on paragraph structure and development and will introduce the formal essay.  Students will review and improve grammar, usage, and punctuation skills while employing critical thinking strategies and the writing process to respond to a wide variety of writing situations. 

5.

COURSE GOAL:

Students will develop their writing skills through a review of basic language and writing techniques.

6.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

(A)

Students will employ the writing process (pre-writing; analyzing purpose, audience, and point of view; revising; and editing) in order to write well organized paragraphs and essays.

(B)

Students will demonstrate their ability to write well-developed, formal paragraphs with clear topic sentences using the following patterns of development: description, narration, and exposition.

(C)

Students will edit their writing for the following grammatical concepts:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement
2. Sentence Fragments
3. Coordination and Subordination
4. Run-on Sentences
5. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
6. Parallel Structure

7. Adjective and adverb forms
8. Verb form
9. Shift in Tense
10. Capitalization and Punctuation
11. Pronoun Usage
12. Spelling and word usage

(D)

Students will read and react to selections to practice reading and writing skills, improve vocabulary, strengthen paraphrasing and summarizing skills, and generate ideas.

7.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Evaluation is an ongoing process, including the following: quizzes, a final exam, and writing assignments. Seventy percent of the final grade is based on writing (assigned compositions, journals, responses to readings, and/or summary and paraphrasing exercises). Thirty percent of the final grade is based on grammar and punctuation, quizzes, and exercises. A grade of "I" may be given at the close of a semester only because of illness or an equally valid reason if a minimum of 75% of the course work has been completed.

Average of Grammar Tests/Exercises

30%

Average of Writing assignments

70%

Grading Scale

Raw Score Range

Letter Grade

90 to 100
80 to 89
70 to 79
60 to 69
0 to 59

A
B
C
D
F

Special Remarks:

a.

To receive full credit, all work must be submitted on time. Late work will receive one grade cut for each day beyond the due date of the assignment and will not be accepted during final exam week.

b.

Attendance: College policy states that students may be withdrawn from a course when absent 20% (9 hours) of the scheduled class meetings. In addition, after missing the fourth instructional hour of a class, students may have points or a percentage deducted from their final grade for further absences. The specific number of points or percentage will be left to the instructor's discretion.

c.

Tardy Policy: Students are to be ready to begin classes at the scheduled start of the classes. It is considered unprofessional and disruptive behavior for students to arrive late and/or leave early. Three tardies or early exits may be counted as one absence.

d.

Assignments/Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup of tests may be allowed. Late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. Makeup of quizzes is to be at the instructor's discretion.

e.

Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class.  

f.

Respect for others and for the teaching-learning situation is the key to successful interaction in the class. Therefore, to promote a positive learning experience for all students, instructors reserve the right to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom.

g.

Use of Electronics in the Classroom

Computers and other electronic devices may be used in the classroom only for academic purposes as directed by the instructor.  Texting and/or accessing personal e-mail and social networking sites such as Facebook are not allowed.  All cell phones must be turned off during class. If a student uses an unapproved electronic device during a test or class activity, the student will receive no credit for the activity or test, may be asked to leave the classroom, and/or may fail the course for cheating.

Professionalism Rubric

Criteria

Excellent

Good

Weak

Unacceptable

Attendance

Student is present every class meeting and does not leave early.

Student has missed two classes and/or left early.

Student has missed 3-4 classes or left early more than once.

Student misses class continually or leaves early frequently.

Punctuality

Arrives to class on time; turns in assignments on due date.

Arrives late once or misses one assignment deadline.

Arrives late twice or misses 2 deadlines.

Is continually late to class; misses deadlines frequently.

Attitude

Communicates with a positive attitude; never displays rudeness.

Almost always communicates with a positive attitude showing courtesy towards others.

Occasionally communicates negatively bordering on rudeness.

Often communicates with a negative attitude without regard for others' points of view.

Commitment

Demonstrates eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Usually demonstrates an eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Is indifferent to or uninvolved in the course information and the learning process.

Expresses negativity towards information presented for courses or for the learning process.

Classroom Interaction

Politely accepts feedback and uses it constructively. Remains on task and follows the class rules.

Is usually open to positive feedback and follows class policies. Occasionally gets off-task.

Is sometimes unwilling to accept feedback, follow directions, or remain on task.

Is resistant to positive feedback, directions, or class policies. Is frequently off-task.

Modified from CSU Monterey Bay-1 Oct. 2009

8.

COURSE OUTLINE

Tentative Schedule (Instructor may vary and/or supplement)

In addition to the formal writing assignments, informal writing will be a part of all grammar lessons.

I.

Introduction & Writing Diagnostic

II.

The Writing Process

III.

Subjects and Verbs

IV.

Purpose and Audience

V.

Brainstorming Techniques

VI.

Sentence Fragments

VII.

Topic Sentences

VIII.

Run-on Sentences

IX.

Supporting Details

X.

Verb Forms

XI.

Paragraph Coherence

XII.

Subject-Verb Agreement

XIII.

The Narrative Paragraph

XIV.

Consistent Verb Tense

XV.

Descriptive Paragraphs

XVI.

Pronoun Reference, Agreement, Point-of-View, and Case

XVII

Expository Paragraphs

XVIII.

Adjective and Adverb Forms

XIX.

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

XX.

Parallel Structures

XXI.

Capitalization and End Marks

XXII.

The Apostrophe

XXIII.

Revising and Proofreading

XXIV.

The Essay

XXV.

Other Uses of the Comma

XXVI.

Spelling Rules and Frequently Confused Words

XXVII.

Writing & Grammar Final Exams

9. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, conferences, and/or peer review activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.

10.    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

The English Department supports and adheres to the following policy on academic integrity. Students should refer to their PCC Student Handbook for the complete policy statement.

"Pueblo Community College is committed to providing a superior educational experience for all students who attend the college. Academic integrity and honesty in all educational classrooms and programs are critical in providing this high level of education. . . . . Academic Dishonesty is any form of cheating and plagiarism which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own. . . . Plagiarism is the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas or words or statements of another person as one's own without acknowledgement."

The penalty for violating the standards of academic integrity is failure of the course.

11.    ADA NOTICE:

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.