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ENGL 064/SDCC1: Writing Essays

Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
Instructor:
Email:
Office Hours:
Website:

Amanda Fuller
afuller@sdccd.edu
By Appointment Only
profamandafuller.weebly.com

Course Information
#/Section:
Day(s):
Time:
Location:

833338 - ID#1
M/W
8am to 10:20am
Mandeville B-146

Required Materials

They Say / I Say. Graff, Gerald and Birkenstein, Cathy. 2nd Edition. Published by Norton.
A computer with Internet access to check the course Blackboard regularly.
Reliable access to a printer that works and ample paper.

Suggested Materials
Flash drive (thumb drive) for effectively saving and transporting electronic work.

Course Description
English 064 (SDCC1) is designed to prepare students to write successfully at the transfer level. In this course
students practice the writing process in the production and editing of essays and paragraphs. Students also review
grammatical and mechanical structures to support the successful expression of meaning. In addition, students read
and think critically using a variety of texts that are the basis for writing and class discussion.
English 064 (SDCC1) culminates in the Basic Writing Exit Exam. This exam is given each quarter on the
Saturday immediately following the end of instruction. This quarter the exam will be held on Saturday,
June 6th. You must pass this course with a C or better AND pass the Basic Writing Exit Exam to meet
the requirement.
The course readings, writing prompts, and grading rubrics will help you organize your ideas into multi-paragraph
essays, use logical reasoning and development strategies in support of a thesis, and express ideas clearly through
appropriate language choices with an emphasis on multiple drafting and revision.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Read, analyze, and summarize argumentative prose as a basis for writing argumentative essays
class discussion;
2. Prepare for writing by selecting and narrowing a topic and formulating a thesis;
3. Organize an essay with a clear thesis and sufficient proof to support it;
4. Use essential qualities of effective writing, such as unity, coherence, adequate development,
grammar, and editing techniques in writing argumentative essays;

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of essay development using an introduction, a

body, and a conclusion by writing clear theses statements, supported with sufficient proof to
form acceptable, university-level essays;
6. Read and comprehend university-level texts as demonstrated in analytical response papers and
summaries;
7. Apply critical thinking in such assignments and activities as written and oral analysis and
evaluation of reading, in-class discussions of readings and student papers, defending and
supporting thesis statements, and evaluating supporting evidence in argumentation.
Assignments & Grading
In-Class Essays
Basic Writing Exit Exam*
Attendance/Participation

60%
30%
10%
TOTAL 100%

* In order to pass this class, you must pass the Basic Writing Exit Exam.
If you do not pass this exam, you do not pass this class, regardless of
your overall grade in the class.
Students are encouraged to make an appointment with me in order to
review their grade in the class at any time.

Grading Breakdown
A
B
C
D
F

90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and below

A grade of C or better is
passing

In-Class Essays: We will learn strategies to help you master the skill of developing strong essays for
timed, in-class college level exams. Implementing the strategies you learn in class, you will be required
to complete six in-class timed essays.

Attendance: It is very difficult to learn when you are not here! When you miss a class, you miss
valuable classroom time that cannot be made up. Please make every effort to attend each class meeting.
Keep in mind the following:
There are times when we cannot attend class due to emergencies, but in cases such as these,
students must e-mail me before class, and should tell me what is going on as a courtesy. Students
are responsible for any activities/ assignments missed in class and for knowing material covered in
class on the day(s) they missed.
Absent students receive a 0 for attendance and participation regardless of the reason for the
absence. In-class work that is missed cannot be made up, including quizzes. (I do not
differentiate between excused and unexcused absences; you are either here, or you are not.)
Be on time for class and stay the whole class meeting. Arriving and/or leaving early will affect
your attendance and participation grade.
If you miss two consecutive class meetings, without communicating to the professor, you may
be dropped from this course. Missing four or more meetings for any reason, with or without
communicating to the professor, you will be dropped from this course.
Students who miss one or more classes earn lower grades than students who attend every class.
Students often get behind after missing just one class; think of it like a puzzle. If you lose a piece of
the puzzle here and there, you will not be full able to get the big picture.
Dont just disappear! If something happens to you, please let me know. It is important to
communicate with your professor even if you miss just one class. If you do have to stop coming, it is
YOUR responsibility to drop any classes you are no longer attending. You must drop officially
through the Admissions Office or through the online registration system.

Participation: Participation is most often the work you do inside the classroom. It includes
working in pairs and groups, helping each other, volunteering to answer questions and making helpful
comments, and, in general, being a positive contributor to class each day. (To be able to do this, you
will need to have the homework done before class.) It is impossible to contribute to class discussions and
activities if you are not in class! Also, participation means more than just being physically present. It
means being engaged. Hence, texting, sleeping, side conversations, etc. are not permitted because
they negatively impact your level of engagement and distract your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.
Any additional work assigned (in-class writing and other assignments, annotations, homework, etc.) influence
your participation grade.
Important Note on Due Dates: Almost all work will be done by hand in class, so this should not be an
issue. Readings must be completed on time. In the event that any assignment is taken home, know that I
do not accept late work. Incomplete work will not be graded. If, for whatever reason, you cannot
attend class on a day when an assignment is due, it is YOUR responsibility to contact me through e-mail
prior to the class meeting to notify me that you will not be in class. In addition, it is your responsibility
to get the assignment to me before the deadline either through e-mail attachment or having another
classmate turn the assignment in on your behalf.
Important Note on Work Returned to Students: Please keep all work in this class until after
grades are posted at the end of the semester. It might be important to show proof of a
grade/completion of an assignment.

Other Course Guidelines & Policies

Course Website: Students are required to check the course website regularly. Students are responsible for
their awareness of the course schedule posted on the website, as well as any adjustments made to the
schedule. Students will access their reading and homework assignments from the course website in order
to complete the work and prepare prior to the day are assigned for class discussion / activity.
Classroom Decorum: At times, you may be asked to look something up on your smart phone, tablet,
or laptop in reference to classwork. However, if you have not been asked to utilize your
electronic devices, please put them out of sight to avoid distracting you, your classmates, or
me. Other disruptive activities including sleeping, reading for other classes, side conversations, listening
to headphones or MP3 players, playing games, and Internet surfing are not permitted during our
meetings. Disruptions such as these waste valuable class time and are disrespectful in general; they will
not be tolerated.
Respect: In this class (and really, in life), maintain what author Jon Kabat-Zinn refers to as a dont know
mind. Everyone has his or her own beliefs and values, and they are right in his or her mind. Enter
every discussion in this class accepting the notion that you may not be right. Respect the views of
others, even if you disagree with them. This is the first step toward intelligence and a necessary
prerequisite for wisdom, so begin cultivating that in my classroom (if you havent begun already).
The best classroom experience comes from all participant respecting one another. Students must respect
each other and the instructor. The instructor must respect students. It is vital that we listen and speak
respectfully in class, particularly since the reading will spark discussion on controversial and personal
issues. Here are some good ground rules on maintaining classroom respect.

Speakers should aim to:

o Keep disagreements focused on the issues (dont get personal)
o Speak up so everyone can hear
o Address the group, not just the teacher or another individual
o Avoiding interrupting or talking over others
Listeners should aim to:

o
o

Respect the speaker (dont interrupt or carry on other conversations)

Use positive body language

Academic Honesty: In order to improve reading and writing abilities, a serious commitment is
required in this class, and students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism and cheating,
whether knowingly or unknowingly, is unacceptable. It includes, for example, copying words and/or
ideas from the Internet or other sources without citing, downloading a paper from the Internet,
submitting a paper you wrote in another class for a grade in this class, and/or having a friend or family
member do an assignment for you. It also includes having someone fix your grammar for you.
Cheating includes copying another students homework and exams. If you cheat or plagiarize, you
will receive a 0 for that assignment, and the Department Chair and Dean will be notified about the
plagiarism. If you do it again, you will receive an F in the course and referred to school administrators
for further academic disciplinary actions.

Useful Tips and Resources

Disability Support Programs and Services: Students seeking accommodations and/or services for

a learning and/or physical disability must notify the instructor and register with the campus
Disabled Support Programs and Services (DSP&S) during the first two weeks of the quarter so
that reasonable accommodations can be made as soon as possible.
Student Athletes: If you are a student-athlete, please make arrangements early for sessions you must

miss. However, this does not entitle you to miss workit may entail turning in assignments early.
Office Hours: Though I will not hold weekly office hours for this course, I encourage you to discuss
your writing with me. Please find time before/after/during class to discuss any questions, concerns, or
problems you may be having with me. If necessary, set up an appointment to meet me. I try to
accommodate student needs to the best of my ability so do not be shy.
YOUR Classmates! It is important that if you miss a class, or if you simply werent paying
attention, that you contact your peers for information about homework assignments and deadlines
RATHER THAN emailing me. Class buddy list/classmates to contact:
Name

Phone/E-mail

Name

Phone/E-mail

Name

Phone/E-mail

Name

Phone/E-mail