1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

Basic Composition

PREFIX/NUMBER:

ENG 090

CREDIT HOURS:

3

2.

PREREQUISITE:

Students must have taken the English placement exam (CPTE) and scored at the ENG 090 level (70 or above) or completed ENG 060 at a "C" or better level.

3.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

TEXT:

• Click Here for Current Book(s)
• Nazario, Luis, Debbie Borchers, and William Lewis.  Bridges to Better Writing.  Boston: Wadsworth, 2010.
• Hacker, Diana. The Bedford Handbook for Writers, 8th Ed. Boston: St. Martin's Press, 2010.
• Pocket folder for PCC Writing Portfolio

SUPPLIES:

Dictionary

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will emphasize critical thinking as students explore writing for specific purposes and audiences.  Students will develop skills required for college-level writing while reviewing paragraph structure and focusing on essay development.

5.

COURSE GOAL:

Students will review formal paragraphs and learn essay structure. They will also master basic grammar and writing skills to be able to write clearly and coherently.

6.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, students will--

(A)

Develop writing as a process by prewriting; analyzing purpose, audience, and point of view; drafting; reading/reviewing drafts; revising; and editing for correctness.

(B)

Demonstrate an understanding of basic grammatical concepts to

1. construct grammatical sentences
2. write effective sentences
3. use effective words
4. use correct punctuation and mechanics

(C)

Demonstrate their ability to write a well developed essay (a minimum of 500 words) containing paragraphs with topic sentences and specific supporting details, and a conclusion. These goals will be accomplished as students learns to

1. develop levels of generality
2. choose and narrow a topic
3. structure an essay by developing an outline
4. construct thesis statements and topic sentences
5. collect ideas and support the topic sentence

(D)

Develop paragraphs and essays based on specific modes: example, process, comparison/contrast, division/classification and cause/effect.

(E)

Develop their critical thinking and reading skills through careful analysis of professional and student essays and other reading selections. 

(F)

Demonstrate the ability to achieve coherence in paragraphs and essays by

1. using connectors and transitions
2. using parallel structure
3. avoiding wordiness
4. choosing effective words

7.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Students will be evaluated on written assignments and grammar tests. All essays must be submitted in order to receive a passing grade in the course.

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.  Grammar, punctuation, and usage will be included as appropriate.)

I.

Introduction to the Writing Process

II.

 The Expository Paragraph

III.

Developing an Essay through Illustration

IV.

Developing an Essay through Process Analysis

V.

Developing an Essay through Cause and Effect

VI.

Developing an Essay through Comparison and Contrast

VII.

Developing an Essay through Division and Classification

VIII.

Writing Final Exam:  Departmental Exam

9.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, conferences, and 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.

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