ENGLISH 0098—LEARNING SUPPORT ENGLISH II 4-0-4

 

Instructor: Dr. Monte Salyer Office phone: (706) 272-2564
Mid-term drop date: Office: 210 LIA; Days: M-TH
Class schedule  msalyer@daltonstate.edu

 

 

 

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Fall Semester:

Long, Elizabeth. College Writing Resources with Readings. 1st ed. Pearson Longman. 032117223X.

Spring Semester:

Langan, John. College Writing Skills with Readings. 7th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.

ISBN: 0-07-338408-9

Summer Semester:

Kelly, William and Deborah Lawton. Odyssey: From Paragraph to Essay. 4th ed. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2006.

Student edition ISBN: 0-321-29081-x

Annotated Instructor’s edition ISBN: 0-321-33057-9

Freshman theme folder.

Freshman theme paper.

Blue or black ink pens, possibly a green ink pen.

Number 2 lead pencil.

 

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:

A college dictionary, The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed., hardbound or paperbound. The hardbound is particularly recommended. Hardbound: ISBN: 0-618-09848-8; Paperbound: ISBN: 0-385-33576-8

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prerequisite: COMPASS English scores of 60-69 or successful completion of ENGL 0096 or ENGL 0090.

As explained in the College catalog, the Learning Support (LS) program is designed to give students the opportunity to master fundamental principles before moving on to the more complex freshman composition sequence. The emphasis on the program is placed both on grammar competence and the fundamentals of written formal composition.

Students enter the course by placement on basis of (1) SAT or ACT scores and COMPASS scores; (2) by the English 1101 "drop back" policy which allows students having difficulty in English 1101 to drop that course and pick up English 0098 any time until the end of the fourth week of the semester. (3) Some students do audit.

A student is allowed a maximum of twelve semester hours or three semesters in LS before suspension. Enrollment in a course does not count as an attempt, however, if the student withdraws prior to mid-semester. Attempts are cumulative within the University System; during the third semester in a LS class, students are notified that they must exit or face suspension from school.

Students who have not exited a DS area after three semesters are suspended for one academic year (two semesters exclusive of summer). There is no appeal.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

The LS program as represented by English 0098 provides up to three semesters of intensive instruction in grammar and writing from the most basic level to English 1101 entry-level competence. The primary goals of this study are the following:

  • to reach a minimum competency of 70% (as specified by the instructor in the individual course syllabus) on in-class exercises, five essays (which should be 300 words or longer), revisions, corrections, and tests;

  • to prepare for passing the Exit Essay Test (as determined by Divisional evaluation–and the essay is required to be a minimum of 300 words);

  • to pass the Learning Support Exit Examination in order to exit from the program and be eligible to enter English 1101. The COMPASS passing score is 70.

    • STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

    Note: Dalton State College’s General Education Outcomes are in italics.

    Students completing English 0098 should be able to:

    1. demonstrate an understanding of basic English grammar and mechanics;

    2. produce a critical essay that demonstrates a grasp of thesis and the ordered, logical support of a thesis;

    3. demonstrate the ability to write a timed, single-draft essay that meets Division criteria for coherence, organization, development, and mechanical correctness;

    4. demonstrate an understanding of standard English usage, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and essay structure in their writings;

    5. demonstrate the critical ability to read, to decipher the imbedded questions in, and respond appropriately in writing to various writing prompts;

    6. apply different strategies to adjust their writing skills to a given writing assignment;

    7. gather data for basic research from various sources, including the computer and other forms of electronic media;

    8. demonstrate an awareness of effective writing through close analysis of various models and application of this awareness to their own writings;

    9. demonstrate rudimentary computer use skills.

    ASSESSMENT GOALS:

    4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of standard English usage, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and essay structure in their writings.

    5. Students will demonstrate the critical ability to read, to decipher the imbedded questions in, and respond appropriately in writing to various writing prompts.

    6. Students will apply different strategies to adjust their writing skills to a given writing assignment.

    CLASS ACTIVITIES:

    The student will participate in such learning activities as the following:

    Grammar instruction by a variety of methods;

    Grammar exercises in the text workbook;

    Grammar drill work provided by the instructor;

    Grammar quizzes or tests;

    Fundamental sentence structure and paragraph exercises;

    Basic essay writing skill exercises, including reading and interpreting essay topics; construction of thesis sentences; outlining; introduction, body paragraph structure, and conclusion; and five-paragraph essay composition.

    EVALUATION:

    Once a student is placed in the English LS program, the student must meet three criteria to exit.

    1. First, the student must satisfy the instructor’s stated course content requirements with a minimum competency of 70% as defined by the professor in the course syllabus. Sixty percent of a student’s average comes from the five in-class essays; the final 40% will be specified by the instructor in the individual syllabus. Most teachers will use an average of graded materials from class activities.

    2. Second, the student must receive S ratings (passing) from two of the three raters of the Divisional Exit Essay Exam given during the last week of the semester in order to pass the course and be eligible to attempt the COMPASS. If the student fails the essay, he/she may be permitted a retest if the student’s average is 80 or above; notice that the score to permit a retest is higher than the score that allows the student to take the essay the first time. It is the individual instructor’s responsibility to read all exam essays and explain to students why the essays passed or failed.

    3. Third, the student must pass the Learning Support Exit Examination, which is administered by the head of LS and/or the instructor at the end of the semester. Students who fail the COMPASS may be allowed a retest with a class average of 80. Notice that the score to permit a retest is higher than the score that allows the student to write the COMPASS the first time. Teachers will write on the grade sheet next to the student’s name the student’s average; this average lets the LS head know about retests; a photocopy of the grade sheet must be sent to LS head after the grade sheet is completed.

    The student who fails to meet the course requirement (an average of 70 or above) will receive a grade of U for the semester and will continue in the LS program the next semester of enrollment. The student who has a class average of 70 or better but who fails either the Exit Essay Exam on COMPASS or both receives a grade of IP. He/she must continue in the LS program the next semester of enrollment. The student who has a 70 or better in class and passes both the Exit Essay and the COMPASS receives an S grade and is ready to take English 1101.

    It should be noted that in order to receive a grade for the course, each student must have all graded exercises, tests and papers–originals and revisions–placed in the permanent folder which will be retained by the Division for six months and then shredded. The professor’s grade book is kept indefinitely and is the property of the College. Part-time teachers who are not teaching the following semester should give the grade book to the chairperson at the end of the semester and file theme folders with the Division’s secretary.

     

    Summary of the evaluation process:

    S class grade of 70 or better, passed Exit Essay and COMPASS,

    IP class average of 70 or better, failed either Exit Essay or COMPASS or both

    U class grade below 70

    A student must have a class average of 70 or better to attempt the exit essay.

    A student must have a class average of 80 or better to qualify for a retest.

    WF based on attendance, counts as an attempt in LS.

    W does not count as an attempt in LS.

    GRADING CRITERIA FOR END-OF-TERM ESSAYS:

    A Passing Essay:

    Includes a thesis sentence that relates directly to one of the assigned topics;

    Clearly names the subtopics to be discussed in the introduction;

    Is organized to include paragraphs of development which relate clearly to the above-mentioned subtopics:

    Has each developmental paragraph made up of specific examples or details supporting that subtopic;

    Includes everyday words used clearly; however, the sentence structure may not be as varied as in an English 1101 essay;

    Displays an appropriate, consistent point of view.

    May contain as many as two Type I errors, some Type II and Type III errors if the reader deems content and organization of the essay to be good enough for the student to function at the function at the beginning of an English 1101 class;

    Contains a minimum of three hundred (300) words.

    A Failing Essay:

    Lacks a clear thesis or fails to relate to an assigned topic;

    Lacks a list of subtopics in the introduction;

    Has developmental paragraphs that are not related to the subtopics named in the introduction so that the reader cannot discern the writer’s plan;

    Contains three Type I errors;

    Contains numerous Type II and Type III errors;

    Uses ordinary, everyday words inaccurately;

    Uses all simple, brief, or rambling sentences;

    Shifts its point of view often;

    Contains an abundance of misspelled words;

    Has developmental paragraphs that are not finished, or the developmental paragraphs are so brief that the reader cannot make a judgment of the writer’s ability.

    LATE WORK AND/OR MAKE-UP POLICY:

    In general, all make-up work must be completed within a week’s time with approval of the individual instructor. Penalties and conditions for such work are determined by each instructor and written in the course syllabus.

     

    CHEATING AND /OR POOR CONDUCT:

    The Catalog and Student Handbook both address the topics of dishonest and disruptive behavior; more specific penalties may be specified by the individual instructor.

     

    COURSE CALENDAR:

    Individual instructors will provide assignments for each course. Additional policies may be set by the individual instructor, and additional information may be provided.

     

    OFFICE HOURS:

    Each instructor will provide his or her own schedule of office hours.

     

    ATTENDANCE POLICY:

    Each instructor will set his/her own attendance policy and state it in the course syllabus. Some instructors count tardies and early departures as one-third of an absence; their specific policies will be stated in their syllabi.

     

    Disability Support Services

    Students with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services in Academic Resources.  In order to make an appointment to obtain information on the process for qualifying for accommodations, the student must contact the Disability Support Specialist.  Contact information: Andrea Roberson, Pope Student Center, lower level, 706/272-2524 aroberson@daltonstate.edu

    Workforce Development Statement

    "If a student receiving aid administered by the DSC Workforce Development Department drops this class or completely withdraws from the College, the Add-Drop/Withdrawal form must be taken to the Workforce Development Office first. The office is located in the Technical Education Building, Room 140, and the hours are 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon on Friday. The phone number is 272-2635."

    Drop/Withdrawal Statement

    Students wishing to withdraw from the course may do so without penalty until the mid-point of the semester, and a grade of W will be assigned.  After that point, withdrawal without penalty is permitted only in cases of extreme hardship as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs; otherwise a grade of WF will be issued.  (Please note: At Dalton State College, the Hardship Withdrawal process requires students to withdraw from all classes at the college.)  The proper form for dropping a course is the Schedule Adjustment Form, which can be obtained at the Enrollment Services Office in Westcott Hall.  The Schedule Adjustment Form must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Office.  Students who disappear, completing neither the official withdrawal procedure nor the course work, will receive the grade of F.  This instructor will not withdraw students from the class.  Withdrawal from any Dalton State College classes is a student responsibility.  The last day to drop classes without penalty is            . 

     Complete Course Withdrawal

    The proper form for withdrawing from all classes at the college after the official drop/add period but before the published withdrawal date is the Schedule Adjustment Form.  Students who are assigned to the Academic Advising Center for advisement must meet with an advisor or staff member at the Academic Advising Center (107 Liberal Arts Building) to initiate the withdrawal process.  All other students must meet with a staff member or advisor at the Office of Academic Resources in the Pope Student Center to initiate the withdrawal process.  After meeting with the staff member or advisor, all students will then finalize the withdrawal process in the Financial Aid Office.

    Workforce Development

    Contact: Mr. Scott McNabb, Workforce Investment Act. If a student receiving aid administered by the DSC Workforce Development Department drops this class or completely withdraws from the College, the schedule adjustment form must be taken to the Workforce Development Office first.  The office is located in the Technical Education Building, Room 214, and students can contact Mr. McNabb at 706-272-2635 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.  He is in the Georgia Department of Labor office on Wednesdays and Thursdays and can be reached at 706-272-4412.

     

    Optional Sign-Off Sheet

     

    Name:

    English 0098

    Semester, Year

    Professor

    I have received, read, had explained this syllabus, and have had chances to ask questions about anything I did not understand. I do understand the syllabus and agree to abide by its provisions.

    I particularly understand that I must have a 70 average to take the end-of-term-essay, that only when I have passed the essay (300 words minimum) will I be allowed to take the end-of-term grammar test (Developmental Studies Exit Examination), that an essay or grammar retest requires an 80 average.

     

    Signature:

    Date: