User Name and Password:  

You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these words you will not be able to access the course materials. The format of your username and password are clearly posted on the main page of your course. If you still need assistance with your username and password, please go to this page and read the instructions: http://www.bcconline.com/orient/password.htm .

In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:

Course Information:

Course Name: ENGL 1C

Course Title: Critical Thinking and Composition

Associate Degree applicable

Not certificate applicable

Course hours per week: 3 lecture hours

Course hours total: 54 lecture hours

Method of instruction: online

Repeat code: take again only with a grade of "D" or lower for the course

Course is not a basic skills course

Prerequisites: English 1A

Instructor: Dr. Melanie Ann Hanson

Email: mhanson@bcconline.com

In the box below type, I know how to contact my instructor.

Required Materials:

Cultural Conversations: The Presence of the Past by Stephen Dilks, Regina Hansen, and Matthew Parfitt, NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001

I have the textbook for this course or I will have it by the end of the first week of class.

Reading and evaluation of English prose in a critical and logical way. The emphasis will be on critical analysis and upon the student’s development of effective written arguments.

The course title for English 1C makes clear the general nature of its content: Critical Thinking and Composition. These 2 concepts, along with reading, a central activity in the catalogue description, in fact, are the content.

As a composition course with an emphasis on critical thinking, the major course activity is essay writing. Probably no other activity is so explicitly a critical thinking one. Almost every assignment and/or activity is chosen in order for the student to become better critical thinkers, readers, and writers.

Another objective of the course is to enable students to read, think, and write about significant social issues, college level text materials, and other public materials competently – i.e., to succeed in other college level work and to have confidence in their ability to do so.　

Material to be Covered:

The course midterm essay exam applies the critical thinking lecture to a reading in the textbook and the course will end with a writing of synthesis that will include at least 3 of the above writing types. Inductive and deductive skills will be taught as part of the 9 lessons.

All essay writing will be graded using the following rubric:

All of the expository paragraphs/compositions will be grade using the following key:

P – Purpose

T – Original Thesis

U – Unity of Composition

O – Organization (deductive or inductive)

Com – Completeness (specific details and examples used as proof of the thesis)

Coh – Coherence (use of transitions)

SS – Sentence structure (fragments, run-ons)

SV – Sentence pattern variety

D – Diction (interesting use of vocabulary variety, including figurative language)

M – Mechanics (spelling, grammar, capitals)

Dev – Development of argument

L – Page length

E – Ethos (ethics, morality, authority)

Pa – Pathos (feeling and emotions)

Lo – Logos (logic and reason)

K – Kairos (timing and organization)

All other exercises will be graded on a pass/fail basis. If your exercise does not fit the parameters listed in the lesson instructions for quality and quantity, the assignment will be returned to you with comments on how to improve the assignment and re-submit it for full credit.

The concepts of the main idea, supporting points, argument, objective and subjective content, bias, assumptions, analysis/deconstruction of literary forms, and types of figurative language like metaphor and anaphora will be addressed.

In the box below type, I understand the essay writing, grading rubric and reading requirements listed above and agree to accomplish all required assignments within the allotted timeframe.

1. Students will submit　6 essays　between 1000-1200 words plus the midterm and final exam essay (our articulation agreement with California colleges requires a minimum of 6000 words for the course); using a variety of organization strategies and modes.

2. Students will read between 300 to 500 pages of text: from the textbook, sample and model essays, and other supplemental materials; discuss issues and ideas concerning texts and critical thinking issues; and integrate textual material into writing assignments.

3. Students will hone critical thinking skills by completing exercises and activities, by interpreting texts, and by writing essays.

1. By considering alternative points of view in discussions, in interpreting texts, and in constructing essays, students will develop a richer sense of diversity and a greater sense of appreciation for others.

2. Students will develop self-confidence.

3. Students will be more successful in other college classes and in life.

ENGL 1C does not have a body of knowledge to be studied; it is a skills-based course. The content of this course is intended to improve the student’s reading, writing, and thinking abilities.

To successfully complete this course, you should complete all of the assignments in Lessons 1 through 6 and follow directions on all assignments. The assignments consist of:

*All class work is considered part of this syllabus. You should complete assignments the professor gives you or that you devise that are approved by the professor.

Attendance: You are expected to log on to the Barstow College online course system each week, pull up each lesson, read the lecture and instructions carefully, do the assignments thoroughly, and email the assignments to Dr. Hanson. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to email me.

Late Assignments: All assignments in this class should be handed in on time. Every week, log in to the Barstow College online course system and pick up your lecture, instructions and assignment for that week under the lessons number 1 through 8. The assignments give to the students in each lesson must be mailed to Dr. Hanson no later than midnight on the Monday following that lesson.  If you have a problem meeting a deadline for assignments, email Dr. Hanson.

It is a good idea to keep track of your grade; average it yourself so that you know what your grade is. Keep an assignment and grade log. Make a list of all the assignments that have been give to you, check off each assignment after it has been emailed to Dr. Hanson, and when you get the grade back (it will be emailed to you), write the grade next to the assignment on your log sheet.

To average your grade, use the following point system: A = 4.0, B = 3.0. C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. Then divide the total number of points by 10. For example, if for your text commentary/discussions, you received an "A" average, give yourself 4 points total (10% of semester grade). If for all of your textbook exercises, you received a grade average of "B," then give yourself 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 points total (30% of the semester grade). If all of your essays average to a "B" (for example, 2 essays received an "A," 2 essays received a "B," and 2 essays received a "C"), give yourself 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 points = 12 points total (40 %). If your online midterm exam grade is an "A," give yourself 4 points (10% of final grade). If your proctored final exam received the grade of B, give yourself 3 points total (10 %). Add these points together (total: 32 points). Divide by 10 and you get 3.2 = your semester grade is a B-. Note:  The college does not use + or - in the final grade you earn.

Semester grade:

3.5 to 4.0 = A

3.0 to 3.4 = B

2.0 to 2.9 = C

1.0 to 1.9 = D

1.8 or lower = F

There will be one grade update that Dr. Hanson will email to you at week four. This grade update tell you what your summer session course overall grade average is for the first 4 weeks of the course. After week 4, if you need a grade update, you must email Dr. Hanson with what grade you believe you have accrued so far and she will verify if that is the grade you have in the gradebook.

At the conclusion of the class, students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades after the course has concluded.

Quality and quantity are important when handing in major assignments; these are considered when your final essay and other assignments are graded. You should think about all assignments in terms of competence, thoroughness, and thoughtfulness. Incomplete work in any sense will be given back to the student with no grade until the assignment is re-submitted with corrections.

To assure that your assignments will receive the highest grade possible, follow directions and ask questions if you are uncertain how to proceed.

Rubrics for all assignments will be included with the lesson.

I understand the above grading policies and will abide by their terms.

When addressing the professor in email messages, courtesy is expected. Students are to treat faculty and classmates with respect. Phrase your comments and problems in a considerate and mature manner.

Being rude, abrupt, and obnoxious will get you nowhere with me. In fact, if I get a rude email from you, I might not email you back. If you feel like whining, please try to keep it to yourself.

The English department at Barstow College realizes that you will not always agree with everything you read in your textbook or in my lecture or instructions. That’s OK. We don’t expect you to. What we do expect you to do is be open-minded, flexible, considerate, mature, and patient while being a member of this class.

Writing Center: The Writing Center is located at 760-252-2411 x7261. It is open starting June 16-July 23, 2008, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Writing Center is a place where the student can go for help with writing assignments in all classes, including developing ideas and then structuring them in a paper. The student may also visit the Writing Center online: http://www.bcconline.com/tutor/default.htm.  There is no additional charge for using the Writing Center, and the student is encouraged to do so. The professor is also available and willing to tutor students concerning their writing. In addition, there are reading and math centers on the BARSTOW COLLEGE campus.

Drop Date: June 7 is final date to drop to get a refund of enrollment fees. July 13 is the final date to drop or withdraw from a class without a grade being recorded, in other words, receiving a "W." No withdrawals will be permitted after this date for any reason.

In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the rules of conduct listed above.

Copyright Laws: The student is individually and solely responsible for violation of copyright and fair use laws. BARSTOW COLLEGE will neither protect nor defend students nor assume any responsibility for student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject the student to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under BARSTOW COLLEGE policies.

I understand the policy on plagiarism and agree to abide by it.

It is your responsibility to make sure the instructor has your contact information. It is your responsibility to email the instructor if you have any problems or do not understand this syllabus.

It is your responsibility to confirm your enrollment either via the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/  or by calling (760)252-2411 x7700 if you are having problems accessing the course material. After you have confirmed your enrollment go to http://www.bcconline.com/orient/  and read the password link. Following this procedure will ensure you are helped in the fastest manner possible.

By enrolling for this class, the assumption is that you possess the necessary skills to read at the college level, to enter and perform research on the internet, to email using proper email etiquette and to post to the discussions.

When emailing your instructor, Dr. Hanson, include your full name in the subject line so that I know that this email is not SPAM. Sign all email with your name as registered at school; otherwise, I may become confused about the email and who is emailing me. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email, you can understand why I automatically delete all email without subject lines that I recognize as friendly.

I answer email every day so you will get an answer to your email within 24 hours. However, if you are asking me to read a draft of your paper before you hand it in to be graded or some other task that requires time for me to complete it, I will email you and tell you that I will send an answer back to you within 1 or 2 days.

Email assignments will have a one week turnaround time, and you should not expect an answer to a successfully submitted and completed assignment before the end of the one week turnaround time period.

Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you a SEVEN day period to complete your work, I am to be given SEVEN days to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns.

In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the online instructions written above.

You will not officially start this course until after you have completed the orientation sessions at http://www.bcconline.com/orient/. No work should be completed until AFTER you have reviewed the orientation area. The orientation area will answer many frequently asked questions about online instruction and also provides tutorials on common problems students encounter while doing online courses. If you are experiencing technical difficulties and/or need to learn how to use our courseware you should first check the orientation area to see if it answers your technical question. If your technical question is not answered on the website you may then email the techhelp@bcconline.com  with your question.

If your question pertains to class materials, you should email the instructor. The Instructional Technology Center cannot answer course related questions, and in turn, I do not answer technical questions.

In the box below type, I understand I must fill out the syllabus in order to complete this course and that completing the online orientation before beginning my course work is mandatory. I realize that I should email the instructor with any class related questions. I also understand that I should first check the orientation area for answers to my technical questions and can email the techhelp@bcconline.com  my technical questions ONLY after checking the orientation area for the answer to my question first.

You must take the final exam at an official site. The final exam is given on the Barstow College campus and at Fr. Irwin in computer labs. The labs close early on Thursday so submit your final by noon to be safe.

You cannot be your own proctor.　A proctor for this class must be unrelated to you and be approved by the instructor.　 Any costs related to proctoring are to be born by the student.　The college is not responsible for proctoring fees.

Syllabus Disclaimer:

A syllabus is not a contract between instructor and student but rather a guide to course procedures on attendance, requirements, grading, and objectives. The instructor circumstances dictate. Students will be duly notified. The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when emergency.

A syllabus is an informative document about classroom management matters and grading accountability.

This syllabus should be consulted on a regular basis by the students in the class. Assignments and information will be posted on the Barstow College online course system.

Please retype the following in the box below:

I understand that the syllabus is not a contract between instructor and student but rather a guide to course procedures on attendance, requirements, grading, and objectives. The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when emergency circumstances dictate. Students will be duly notified.