SYLLABUS
English 1A (ENGL 1A) Introduction to Composition at Sierra College
Course #
Meeting Times
Location
xxxxx
Online
https://sierra.instructure.com
Instructor:
Email:
Voicemail:
Office Hours:
Shannon Mendez
[email protected] (preferred method of contact)
916-660-8288 x3662
In person: Library 116 time tba | Online: method and time tba
Course Catalog Description
Writing, reading, and critical thinking skills necessary for successful completion of a four-year college
program. Includes reading, discussion, and analysis of selected non-fiction texts. Writing assignments
(6,500 words of formal writing) teach students to summarize, explain, analyze, synthesize, and organize
information logically and to propose and defend original ideas. Instruction in research, MLA
documentation and completion of a fully-documented paper using multiple sources.
Student Performance Objectives
Students will:
I.
Write a minimum of 6,500 words of clear and effective college-level expository prose through both inclass and out-ofclass assignments
II.
Choose and narrow a topic appropriate for college level expository writing
III.
Organize a full-length essay with appropriate attention to audience
IV. Develop ideas in a full-length essay with a clear sense of purpose and audience
V.
Apply combinations of basic cognitive and rhetorical modes
VI. Use researched material to incorporate and synthesize ideas and information from multiple sources
in at least one essay
VII. Integrate and document quotations and paraphrases in essays
VIII. Revise and edit full length papers
IX. Evaluate hard copy and on-line sources for credibility and legitimacy of authority
X.
Identify and apply appropriate MLA documentation style to format essays and cite source material
from both electronic and traditional sources
XI. In appropriate essay-length work or class discussion, analyze purpose, style, organization and
rhetorical structure in the writing of others
XII. In appropriate essay-length work or class discussion, analyze logical structures and identify common
logical errors in the writing of others.
Prerequisite
Placement by matriculation assessment process OR
completion of ENGL A, ENGL N or ESL 30W with grade of
"C" or better.
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Course Goal:
To help you improve your
writing skills.
Course Materials
You will need the following skills and materials for this online course.
Recommended Skills
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Basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail, file management).
Basic Internet skills (use of browser, searches, uploading/downloading files).
Familiarity with discussion boards.
Ability to resolve technical issues.
An open mind and patience for learning new tools.
Technical Requirements
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Frequent access to a computer with an Internet connection and web browser.
For the latest information about technical requirements, visit:
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4214/l/41056-which-browsers-doescanvas-support.
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The following textbook by the end of Week One:
Books
Hacker, Diane. Rules for Writers (7th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
2011, Print.
(ISBN: 978-0312647360)
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The following book by the end of Week Six:
Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers: The Story of Success. New York: Little, Brown
and Co, 2008. Print.
(ISBN: 978-0316017930)
Software
Learning
Management
System (LMS)
Supplemental
Website
Word Processing
Program
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In case of emergencies: (such as if the college network goes down for a
prolonged period), go to my website that will have instructions for you:
http://www.shannonmendez.com/Classes.
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A word processing program that will create .doc. .docx, .rtf, or .pdf files.
If you do not have a program, you can use a free application
from www.openoffice.org or Google Docs.
You can also purchase MS Office with a student discount at
http://www.foundationccc.org/CollegeBuys/.
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Google Apps
You will use the Canvas LMS to take the course.
To access Canvas, go to: https://sierra.instructure.com. If you have trouble
logging in, click the Help button at the bottom of the Canvas Login page.
We will use apps within Canvas, such as VoiceThread and Google Docs.
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You will be using Google Hangout and Google Docs, so you will need to
setup a free Google account.
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Course Organization
Each "work week" begins on Monday and ends on Friday. You will have activities due on Wednesdays
and Fridays. Be sure to check the weekly announcement each Monday morning, so you can plan for your
activities during the week. I often make the information available during the weekend for students who like
to get ahead.
Time Expectations
You should plan to spend 9 hours of coursework each week. (The formula for most college courses is 2
hours of outside assignments per lecture hour). Outside assignments for this course typically include
research, reading, and writing. Lecture hours typically include viewing written or video lectures, viewing
supplemental content, discussions, exercises (individual and collaborative), and essays. You will have
two deadlines to meet each week: some activities will be due on Wednesdays and some on Fridays.
Coursework
Coursework includes the following activities:
Readings
Readings include the course textbook, any other assigned non-fiction books, and online articles.
Readings typically need to be completed by Wednesdays.
Lectures
Lectures may be .pdf documents, video lectures, or web-based tutorials developed by me. You will
typically need to view these by Wednesdays.
Supplemental Content
I may direct you to learning materials outside of our course. They may be other videos, web-based
tutorials, and other content. Viewing these materials are also typically completed by Wednesdays.
Discussions
You should plan to check in to the Discussion board several times a week, if not daily, to post and
respond to new postings. Each week, you will need to submit an original post by Wednesday and then
respond to at least two other people by Friday.
Exercises
Exercises include quizzes, collaborative projects, grammar practice, short papers, and other activities.
Exercises are usually due on Fridays.
Essays
You will work on phases of your essays each week. Rough and final drafts are due on Fridays.
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Course Navigation
When you login to our course, you will see the home page. The home page provides links to the Getting
Started module, Syllabus, Welcome Video, and Course Navigation information page. The home page
also provides links to each week's overview page.
The navigation menu on the left side of the screen provides links to everything in the course.
Home
The main page of the course, it provides access to the weekly overviews and Getting
Started module.
Discussions
The discussion forums are where we'll keep in touch as a class during the week. You'll
participate in discussions at least twice a week--maybe more often some weeks.
Modules
Modules are like folders that organize activities. They contain web pages, videos,
assignments, and other components. You may have one or several modules to
complete each week.
Files
The essay assignment sheets are provided in .pdf printable formats for you here.
Announcements
Check here for any announcements that I need to make throughout the course.
Collaborations
You'll be able to access Google Docs through our Canvas course to collaborate on
projects with fellow students.
Grades
You'll find your grades here. Note that I grade discussions and exercises within 24
hours after the deadline. I may take up to a week to grade essays. If you do not have
an essay grade after a week, assume I did not receive your essay and submit it again.
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Course Ground Rules
This class is a community. My vision is for this class to be an encouraging environment that
provides everyone with the opportunity to learn, practice, and achieve the Student Performance
Objectives. Online students often feel isolated but it’s important to know you are not in this alone.
I need each of you to approach our online class with a great attitude and a willingness to help
each other. Many questions can be resolved by asking a fellow student. I am always here to help
you, but I truly believe your experience will be better if you communicate with your fellow students
throughout the semester. Let’s work together to make this semester great for everyone!
Communication Policy
Email is the best way to contact me. I check email several times a day, less often on weekends. I typically
respond to email within 24 hours, possibly longer on weekends. If you don't hear back from me within 24
hours during the weekdays, assume I did not receive your email and resend it.
When you send an email, identify yourself with your name and the course you are in. Also be sure to use
complete sentences and proper grammar. Remember that your reader is an English instructor who
appreciates these things.
Drop Policy
You must complete the coursework in order to achieve the learning outcomes and objectives. If you miss
3 weeks of assignments, you will be considered absent and may be dropped from the course.
Late Work Policy
You must submit all assignments by the due date to receive full credit. Each assignment will have a
grading rubric. In general, an assignment submission will receive a penalty each day it is late.
Netiquette
More information about netiquette is provided in our Getting Started module. The following list highlights
some key points:
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Remember the human.
Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.
Lurk before you leap.
Respect other people's time and bandwidth.
Make yourself look good online.
Share expert knowledge.
Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.
Please note that if your communication or behavior is intended for ill will or distracts anyone from learning
or teaching, you may lose Discussion points and/or be referred to the college Student Discipline Officer.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is representing another’s work as your own. Any time you cut and paste, you must cite the
source. Any time you communicate an idea that was not yours, you must cite the source. Nobody should
ever fix your paper. You can receive suggestions and instruction, but you must always have control of
your paper--you make the edits.
I use TurnItIn.com for plagiarism detection. Depending on the plagiarism severity, your paper may receive
a zero and may also be sent to the college Student Discipline Officer.
Accommodations
If you have a health problem, a learning disability, or a physical need of some kind, contact the Disabled
Students’ Programs and Services to discuss your needs and obtain documentation for me:
http://www.sierracollege.edu/student-services/specialized-programs/disabled-students/index.php. Be sure
to get this done at the beginning of the semester.
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Assignments and Grading
Points
You will earn points for the following categories of assignments.
Item
Description
Points
Discussions
Adequate and cordial contribution to class discussions.
200
Exercises
Grammar practice, quizzes, writing responses, and other activities.
350
Essays
Three academic essays, 4-6 pages in length.
450
Total: 1000
Your final course grade is based on the following points:
Points
Final Grade
900-1000
A
800-899
B
700-799
C
600-699
D
0-599
F
I do not offer extra credit or give Incompletes as a final grade.
Rubrics
Each assignment will include instructions and a grading rubric. Exercise and essay rubrics will
vary depending on the assignment. All discussions will involve the following rubric.
Discussion Rubric
Post
Replies
Excellent
Good
Poor
6 pts
3 pts
0 pts
A post is made prior to the
due date that fulfills all of
the prompt criteria.
A post is made prior to the
due date that fulfills some
of the prompt criteria.
No post is made prior to
the due date.
4 pts
2 pts
0 pts
Two replies are made prior
to the due date. Both
replies demonstrate
thoughtful feedback.
Only one reply is made
before the due date that
provides thoughtful
feedback. Or two replies
are made prior to the due
date that reflect little to no
effort to provide thoughtful
feedback.
No replies are made prior
to the due date.
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Schedule
So that you can plan ahead, the following outline provides the due dates for the essays, textbook
chapters, and modules. Remember to also plan for discussions and exercises that are involved with each
module.
Week 1: Monday, Jan 20 - Friday, Jan 24
Modules:
Getting Started
Week 2: Monday, Jan 27 - Friday, Jan 31
Modules:
Comparing and Contrasting
Week 3: Monday, Feb 3 - Friday, Feb 7
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapters 1-2
Modules:
Essay Writing
Week 4: Monday, Feb 10 - Friday, Feb 14
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapters 3-4
Modules:
Revision
Week 5: Monday, Feb 17 - Friday, Feb 21
Readings: Rules for Writers, (assigned editing chapters)
Modules:
Editing Part 1
Essay: Comparison and Contrast Essay
Week 6: Monday, Feb 24 - Friday, Feb 28
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapters 5-7
Modules:
Analysis
Week 7: Monday, Mar 3 - Friday, Mar 7
Readings: Outliers, Introduction, chapters 1-3
Modules:
Outliers Part 1
Week 8: Monday, Mar 10 - Friday, Mar 14
Readings: Outliers, chapters 4-6
Modules:
Outliers Part 2
Week 9: Monday, Mar 17 - Friday, Mar 21
Readings: Outliers, chapters 7-9, Epilogue
Modules:
Outliers Part 3
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Week 10: Monday, Mar 24 - Friday, Mar 28
Readings: Rules for Writers, (assigned editing chapters)
Modules:
Editing Part 2
Essay: Analysis Essay
Week 11: Monday, Mar 31 - Friday, Apr 4
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapter 53
Modules:
Research
Week 12: Monday, Apr 7 - Friday, Apr 11
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapter 54
Modules:
Evaluating Sources
Week 13: Monday, Apr 14 - Friday, Apr 18
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapter 55-58
Modules:
Synthesis
Week 14: Monday, Apr 21 - Friday, Apr 25
Readings: Rules for Writers, chapters 59-60
Modules:
MLA Format
Week 15: Monday, Apr 28 - Friday, May 2
Readings: Rules for Writers, (assigned editing chapters)
Modules:
Editing Part 3
Essay: Argument Essay
Week 16: Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9
Modules:
Review
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