ENSL 110 Course Outline

Monterey Peninsula College

Spring 2012

INSTRUCTOR:                                Molly May                                                                                            

HOURS/ROOM:                              Tuesday/Thursday, 1-3:00; 3-4:00    HU 201; LTC 119

OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS:              BH-103C              MWF 9-10:00; M 1-2:00; F 11-12:00

PHONE/EMAIL/WEBPAGE:         646-3008, mmay@mpc.edu        www.mpcfaculty.net/molly_may

GRADING SOFTWARE:                https://secure.gradebookwizard.com/login.aspx

REQUIRED TEXTS:                       Writing Academic English, 4th ed. (Oshima & Hogue); In the Time of the Butterflies (Alvarez, Julia)                                          

MATERIALS:                                  one 8.5”x11” notebook which you will bring each day;

                                                            A three-ring binder, subject dividers

PREREQUISITES:                          Successful completion of level 4 or qualifying score on ENSL Placement Test 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This is an advanced course for the non-native speaker, preparing students for ENGL 1A.  This course enables students to master the basic principles of exposition and syntax; it helps students to achieve the following: develop ideas, organize them, and express them in clear, correct English. Students will also  write and revise on a computer, and use the Internet for research.  Most importantly, students will have the opportunity to examine complex issues and develop valuable critical thinking skills.  This course may be taken for a grade or P/NP.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Compose coherent essays with clear thesis statements, which exhibit sentence variety and clarity, accurate word choice, and engaging style. Use complex grammatical structures accurately, and edit own writing for correctness.  Compose effective essays, with clear thesis statements, adequately developed and supported paragraphs, and coherent transition.  Do college-level research; effectively summarize and paraphrase relevant information; document sources in the MLA format.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  There will be homework for every class: grammar, writing, or reading.  There will be many short writing assignments, to be done either at home or in class.  There will also be seven longer, more formal essays. 

LAB:  Every time we meet, we will spend two hours in the classroom and one hour in the computer lab.  In the lab you will work on your essays, use grammar software to improve your writing style, or do Internet research.  Attendance is mandatory.

 Writing Format and Requirements:

  1. All papers to be turned in must be stapled and have in the upper right corner: your name, ESL 110, the date and the name of the assignment.
  2. All papers must be typed and double-spaced.
  3. If you attend class on a peer-review day without a prepared draft, you will automatically receive an absence and a grade deduction for that assignment.
  4. Assignments.  All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day they are due.  Any first drafts (including tutoring sessions) must also be turned in with the final draft.

*Please check my webpage for weekly assignments and sample essays

Classroom Behavior:  One goal of the classroom environment is to enhance and support learning.  To help foster this, please: remove hats/hoodies; turn off cell phones and put away; no texting!  Come to class prepared and ready to participate.  Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Refer to MPC Handbook for Student Responsibilities. 

Grading:  Your grade will be based on:

1.  Attendance:  You are required to attend class every day; the emphasis of this class on the process of writing makes daily attendance essential. If you miss three consecutive classes, or more than four for the semester, I will 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.  Excessive tardies will count as an absence. It is inconsiderate of those who managed to get to class on time.  If you cannot be punctual, take the course at another time.  I consider three tardies an absence.  On borderline grades, attendance will affect final grade.  Missing or Leaving the lab early (without permission) will result in an absence.

2.  Papers:      65% papers, assignments and homework

                        35% in-class exams (midterm/final)

LATE PAPERS:  Late papers are not accepted.  Papers are due at the beginning of class.  Electronic submissions will not be accepted unless permission has been granted by me in advance.  Do not come to class late because you were printing your paper in the computer lab--such a paper will be considered late and will receive a grade deduction automatically.  Therefore, please plan carefully and contact me before class if there is a question or personal issue.

PLAGIARISM:  I have zero tolerance for plagiarism.  If I even suspect it, MPC policy dictates an “F” on the paper and a visit with the department chair.  We have the entire semester to work on your writing and to get it to the level you will be proud of.  Please don't sabotage your efforts by using someone else’s work.