Developmental English 032

                                                         DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT      

_____________Semester

Catalog Course Description:  Developmental English is an intensive review of grammar and usage: mechanics of punctuation, spelling, and capitalization: sentence structure: and the writing process.  Evidence of planning, organizing, drafting, editing, and revising are emphasized in this course; as well as, the study of different modes of writing for a variety of rhetorical situations.

Prerequisite:  None 

Corequisite:  None                 

Credit Hours:  3credit hours, 3.0 contact hours                    

Departmental Website:  http://www.midlandstech.edu/dvs/

Instructor:                 

Office:                                                                       

Telephone:

Fax:                                       

E-mail:                       

Campus Mailbox:     

Departmental Assistant:  Sandra Smith@ 822-3539 smiths@midlandstech.edu

Department Chair:  Dr. Tom Davis @ 822-3239 davist@midlandstech.edu

Program Coordinator:  Dr. Lyne Bunch @738-7781 bunchl@midlandstech.edu

Class Schedule:         

Office Hours:                        

Textbook(s):

Writing First, 3^rd ed.   by Kirszner & Mandell

Exercise Central To Go

3 ring binder & dividers Dictionary & thesaurus

Hole punch & stapler

SanDisk or 3 1/2 floppy or CD

Student Textbook purchase and absences if not purchased:

Required textbooks are on reserve in the library and Academic Success Center of all campuses for students’ use.  There are two copies in each library and the Academic Success Center.  These books may be used only in the library or Academic Center.  The instructor may dismiss or withdraw students who do not have the required materials in a timely manner.

Special Procedures: It is up to the individual instructor to determine whether or not work should be word processed or handwritten. Some assignments will require word processing. If you do not have access to a word processor, allow time to use those available in the Academic Success Centers which are made available free of charge. There is a fee for printing.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

 Writing:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the writing process.
2. Identify and use prewriting techniques.
3. Show evidence of how to organize writing.
4. Compose writings that reflect the development of controlling ideas, introduction, body, and conclusion.
5. Recognize and use the different modes or strategies of development to include audience and purpose.
6. Demonstrate the use of editing and revising processes.
7. To respond to a reading using summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, and basics of documentation.

Grammar and Usage

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the parts of speech by using Standard English grammar.
2. Identify and use subject/verb and pronoun/antecedent agreement.
3. Use verb sequence and tense in a variety of situations.
4. Use word choice to achieve the intended purpose and level of formality.

Mechanics

1. Demonstrate the use of commas, semicolons, quotation marks, apostrophes, and end punctuation.
2. Use capitalization where appropriate in various applications.
3. Apply the rules of English spelling.

Sentence Structure

1. Identify and correct sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences.
2. Identify and use the different types of sentences in original writings.
3. Demonstrate the use of sentence variety.
4. Use conciseness and logic in original writings.
5. Identify and use phrases and clauses

Course Outcomes and Competencies:

            Intended Course Outcome: 

            Students will exhibit knowledge of the controlling ideas in writing.

            Course Competency:

            Students will write essays with thesis sentences and topic sentences.

            Performance Measurement Instrument and Success criteria:

                Students will submit a portfolio of essays.  Success criteria is that students will score .67 or higher on a          standardized assessment rubric with scores of 0, .33, .67, and 1.      

Course Attendance: 

The quality of your learning experience in this class is determined in large by your active participation in the learning process. Therefore, it is important that you make every effort to attend every class. Students are expected to attend all classes and are responsible for class work, homework, lecture notes, reading assignments, etc., whether or not you are present.

There is no such thing as an "excused absence". On certain occasions, circumstances may arise, such as illness, personal issues or transportation problems that prevent you from attending class. In light of that, the maximum number of absences (no matter what the reason is -such as illness, out of town, etc.) allowed is twice the number of meeting times per week.

 

For classes that meet twice a week, you are allowed no more than 4 absences. For classes that meet 3 times a week, you are allowed no more than 6 absences. In ten week classes, you are only allowed the number of class absences that the class meets in a week. The student is responsible for keeping up with the number of classes missed. Absences will be counted beginning with the first day of class. If the number of classes missed exceeds the allowed absences, the student will be dropped from the class and will receive a "W” or "WF" as their final grade depending upon their grade status as of the last day the student attended class. Use your “cuts” wisely!

Students should not be late to class. Students who come in late interfere with the class presentation and disturb the other students in the class. Likewise, students should not leave in the middle of class or before class is dismissed. If you arrive after the roll has been taken, you will be marked absent. It is YOUR responsibility to see the instructor after class on THAT DAY so your absence can be changed to a tardy. Three tardies will be counted as one absence.

Withdrawal: 

Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript.  Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing the course at the time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal.

DVS does not offer a letter grade of “D”

Incompletes are awarded only under extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization, and require the permission of the instructor. All requests must be properly documented. Normally, the course work must be completed not later than the end of the following term.

The instructor is not required to permit makeup work after the fact and may assign a grade of “0”. Submitting makeup work for grades may be permitted at the discretion of the instructor provided you make arrangements with your instructor prior to the due date of the assignment in question.

You are responsible for making sure all work reaches the instructor. All assignments should be submitted directly to the instructor; if assignments are submitted in any other way, they must be clearly labeled with the instructor’s name.

Grading Scale:  94-100               A                             Superior Work

                                     86 -93               B                             Good Work

                                     75 – 85             C                             Average Work

                                    70 or below       F                              Unsatisfactory Work

                                    W        withdrew passing before midterm

                                    WF      withdrew failing after midterm

Classroom Rules/Other:      

Mastering  developmental writing requires regular attendance in class, consistent study of text material and class notes, and preparation of homework assignments. Students are expected to BE PREPARED FOR and PARTICIPATE in every class meeting. Students are expected to have all assignments completed by the due date.

You are in college. You will be treated and respected as an adult. It is a violation of the MTC Student Code to interfere with the learning process in the classroom. Courteous, attentive behavior is expected at all times. Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. Students engaged in such behavior will be dismissed from class and subject to disciplinary procedures.

It is expected that all beepers and cellular telephones will be turned off or “set” to the silent mode during class. You may not receive or place telephone calls during class.

No I-pods, MP3 players, etc will be permitted in class. A Laptop computer is allowed only if the student uses it to take notes during class.

Be on time! It is inconsiderate to your classmates and disruptive to the class to arrive late. Students are expected to be in their seats ready to start class at the beginning of the class. Leaving during class should only be in case of an emergency. If you know you must leave early, please let the instructor know ahead of time.

Course Topic Outline/Course Calendar with Assignments:

 PLEASE NOTE:

Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course.  Any change will be announced in class before it becomes effective.

College Policies

Students are expected to read the student handbook and abide   its policies. Copies of the hand book may be obtained at various locations on campus and is located on the web: by http://www.midlandstech.edu/planner/

Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code addresses what constitutes academic dishonesty. All forms of dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification, will call for discipline.

                CHEATING ON TESTS includes:

§         Copying from another student’s paper.

§         Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.

§         Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.

§         Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of any un-administered test.

§         Bribing any other person to obtain information about tests.

§         Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.

                PLAGIARISM is the appropriation of any other person’s work and unacknowledged

                incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus) or 738-7199 (cell phone or off campus). In the event of an emergency, student and employee protocol is to immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, campus loud speakers, MTC Alerts! (http://www.midlandstech.edu/Phone_Alert.htm ),voice mail, email, college Intranet, and the MTC website homepage.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event weather conditions or other emergencies cause the closing or a delayed start of Midlands Technical College, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations, on the MTC Web site, and on the college’s information line (803.738.8234).  Notices will be sent to student Campus Cruiser Mail when applicable.  Separate announcements may be made for day and evening classes as weather conditions change during the day.

If the college closing or reopening means that there is at least 30 minutes of a class remaining, plan to attend that class. For example, if the college opens at 10:00 a.m. in TTH, classes that normally meet at 8:00 a.m. will not meet. If the college closed at 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. classes would meet for their regular time, but 7:35 p.m. classes would not meet since there are fewer than 30 minutes remaining in class.

Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college.  This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.”  Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices.  Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits.  In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC On-Line using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.

Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.