SYLLABUS Fundamentals of Composition I -WR20 Summer 2001 MW 6:00 - 8:20 pm RVC-G Building Room 5 Rogue Community College

Instructor: Viola Olsen

Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00 p.m. Bldg G Room 115

Phone: 245-7500 Ext.3111

E-Mail: volsen@rogue.cc.or.us

Web Page: www.oocities.org/violsen/writing.html

COURSE CREDIT: 4 Hours (Pass - No Pass)

REQUIRED TEXT: English Skills with Readings, 4th Edition. McGraw Hill. John Langan.

PREREQUISITES:

Writing 10, placement test, or instructor approval.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

WR20 is the second in a series of three writing courses designed to help you acquire the basic skills for effective written communication. In this course, you will practice sentence skills, paragraph structures, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar.

INTENDED OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE:

Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared for for the next course in this series: Writing 30. This means you will be able to:

1. Write a well-written paragraph in various modes.
2. Use the rules of Standard Written English and apply them to everyday writing.
3. Participate in "peer reading" and provide constructive feedback.
4. Proofread and edit your own writing, recognizing strengths and weakness and making revisions in subsequent drafts.
5. Take responsibility in your own learning by self-managing your time, accessing outside resources, and organizing your materials.
6. Demonstrate the skill and confidence to complete a piece of writing at the level required for advancement to Writing 30 or equivalent course.
7. Use critical and creative thinking to improve the content of any piece of writing.
8. Understand "the essay" and apply to it what you learned about paragraph structures.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

In my teaching, I use a "learning-in-community" approach. This means (1) we do most classroom activities in a collaborative manner and (2) the context for the course revolves around the needs of the class. You may expect some of the following strategies (in addition to those we create together):

• Process-oriented Writing. This means keeping a portfolio with all drafts for editing and revising continuously.
• Student Presentations. Each student will be responsible for teaching at least one writing concept or tool to the rest of the class.
• Peer Mentoring. Each student will be responsible for planning and facilitating a small group activity on a rotating basis.
• Continuous Assessment. I will provide frequent evaluation and feedback, but you are responsible for tracking your own progress.
• Informal Writing. Each student will keep a "Dialogue Journal" for reflection writing and informal communication with me. This is how I help track your progress in this course.
• Word Usage. Do not expect grammar lectures, but I will explain grammatical concepts as the need arises. I am mostly concerned with using Standard Written English in your formal writing activities. This means you have to learn the proper usage and grammatical structures that are necessary for effective communication.

YOUR REQUIREMENTS:

• Be present in mind and body.Class attendance is required. Missing class distances you from your writing community and may seriously jeopardize your learning. While in class, we practice "mindful" learning.
• Do your homework before coming to class.You will be responsible for all assigned workbook exercises and readings. See Course Calendar. We will review and evaluate all homework activities in class. In addition, you are required to visit the Tutoring Center and library on your own at least twice during the term.
• Maintain Portfolios and Dialogue Journals in an orderly and consistent manner. I encourage self-direction, initiative and creativity, but I also expect a certain amount of order and neatness (so that I can read your material easily).
• Participate in group activities, peer readings, mentoring, teaching, and facilitating.Writing, critical reflection, and communication emerge best within a social context. This is why I call our class a learning community. To be part of a learning community, you need to participate fully in all activities.
• Use the technology available. Get an e-mail account at RCC.If you do not yet have an e-mail account, I encourage you to get one. We have a computer in the classroom and will use our class web page on a regular basis.
• Take two Final Exams.

  (1) A holistic writing paper to test your in-class, on-demand writing skills.

  (2) A multiple choice grammar/word usage exam of fifty questions

GRADING: PASS OR NO PASS

A minimum TOTAL SCORE of 70% is required to pass this course. The breakdown is as follows:

10% - Presence: No credit here if you miss more than two classes.

10% - Book readings and homework assignments.

20% - Organized Portfolio. See Portfolio Requirements.

30% - Usage/Grammar Final (Acceptable score is 70% or higher.)

30% - In-Class Timed Writing (Acceptable score is 7 on the holistic scoring system.).

MATERIALS

Besides the required text: Langan's English Skills with Readings, I recommend the following items:

_____ Pens (black or blue), pencils, and ruled paper

_____ Notebook or binder for assignments and notes

_____ Two-pocket folder for portfolio

_____ Spiral notebook for Dialogue Journal (optional but highly recommended)

_____ Highlighters, colored pens, crayons, or other markers

_____ Dictionary

CONTACTS:

If you cannot attend a class period, call me at 245-7500 Ext. 3111 or e-mail volsen@rogue.cc.or.us.

My mailbox is in the Tutoring Center office, Building A, and can be used to communicate messages or drop work into if necessary.

Drop-in tutorial help is available at no cost to you. The Tutoring Center is located in Building A. Computers and many other resources are available there and at the adjoining library.

Find a class buddy immediately, someone to call for assignments if an emergency keeps you from class.

CLASSROOM POLICY:

Remember that mutual honor and respect for all is required at all times during class. A safe learning atmosphere is important in taking the risks necessary to acquire new skills. Any infringement on the rights of others will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the room or dismissed from class.

Students shall practice educational honesty.

It is each student's responsibility to be aware of all college procedures, such as, how to add, drop, or withdraw from a class; and to be familiar with the available student resources.

For more information, refer to the Student Handbook, Schedule of Classes, and the Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities Statement.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

If you feel that you need assistance from Student Support Services or need more information regarding these services, please see me after class.

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