Monterey Peninsula College

COURSES:  To produce college-level writing

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:     This is a regular English 1A class designed for students who are not native speakers of English.  It satisfies the transfer requirements for freshman composition.  If you have successfully completed ENSL 10 and ENSL 55, you have the required understanding of English grammar and essay organization and the ability to read and understand academic English.  If you have problems in the areas of spelling, grammar and punctuation, I suggest you enroll immediately in English 326 in the English Center or see about an independent study in the ESL Center in the library.

 ENSL 1A is the most rigorous ESL course you will take at MPC.  Its focus is to help you develop the critical thinking, reading and writing skills needed to generate, organize and logically support your ideas.  There is an 8,000-word requirement for this course.  There will be extensive readings from the text and supplemental materials.  Please reserve two hours of time for homework for each hour of coursework.  We meet three hours a week, so please schedule six hours a week for homework.  All papers must be typed.  If you do not feel comfortable with your typing ability, please enroll in English 50 in the English Center or sign up for a typing tutorial in the ESL Center.

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

 There are five major papers and other, shorter writing assignments.

2.      Writing Format and Requirements:

1. All papers to be typed and double-spaced and turned in must be stapled and have in the upper right corner: your name, ESL 1A, the date and the name of the assignment.
2. Drafts.  First drafts are due for all papers and must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day they are due.  They must also be turned in with the final draft.
3. Research paper.  This six-page essay is a major paper for the course.  It will count as two essays.

3.      Weekly writing assignments:

1. This includes: homework, journal writing, free writing, and summary-response assignments.
2. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class.  Please do not do homework in class.
3. Late homework will not be accepted and will be considered “missing”

 4.      In-class work:  We will discuss readings, work on group projects, take quizzes, review drafts and complete other work. 

 Grading:  Your grade will be based on:

1.  Attendance:   Regular attendance is required.  If you miss three consecutive classes, or more than four for the semester, I may drop you from the course unless it occurs after the final drop date, at which time, I will give you a letter grade.  I do not differentiate between an “excused” absence and an unexcused absence; either way, you have

missed in-class work.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to check with a classmate about missed work.  Tardiness will not be accepted.  It is inconsiderate of those who managed to get to class by 1:10 pm.  If you cannot be punctual, take the course at another time.  I consider three tardies and absence. (I take my direction on this matter from the Monterey Peninsula College Catalog 2002-2003, page 19)

2.  Papers:    70% papers and assignments

                        20% in-class exams

                        10% attendance and participation

 LATE PAPERS:  I have no tolerance for late papers.  Papers are due at the beginning of class.  Please do not give me any excuses:  the dog/printer ate my paper, the disk is at home… .  Do not come to class late because you were printing your paper in the computer lab.  Such a paper will be considered "late" .  Late papers will automatically receive at least a one-grade deduction.  Papers more than 3 days late will receive a zero score.

PLAGIARISM:  I have zero tolerance for plagiarism.  If I even suspect it, MPC policy authorizes me to give you and "F" on the paper and refer you to the vice President of Student Services for disciplinary action.  I will take all the time necessary to help you develop clarity on what constitutes plagiarism.  You are are responsible for your own writing.  You are responsible for asking me for help if you are not clear on the concept.  (Please see the Monterey Peninsula College Catalog 2002-2003, page 20).