Course Syllabus

Avila University

Intensive language and culture program

 

 

1. 1.    Basic Information

Course Number & Title:                  EL 091 Writing Level 1

Semester:                                         Spring 2015

Credit Hours:                                    3 credit hours

Time:                                   1:00-1:50                     

Location:                                           Conf B

Instructor:                                         Ella Lychnikova                   

E-mail Address:                              Ella.Lychnikova@avila.edu

Appointments/Office Hours:           by appointment

           

 

1. 2.    TEXTBOOK INFORMATION

 

Longman Academic Writing Series 1: Sentences to Paragraphs, Second Edition by Linda Butler, 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc.

 

 

1. 3.    Course Description

This three credit course provides students with a basic foundation in English writing. 

Students apply the writing process first in sentence form and then progress to

paragraph writing.  Appropriate content, organization, and grammatical structure are

emphasized within various rhetorical modes.  

 

1. 4.    Course Objectives

At the end of this course, students will meet the following objectives:

1. Define the parts of the writing process when creating paragraphs.  (Assessment Measure: Unit Examinations)

 

2. Apply the writing process (brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising and editing)

    when creating paragraphs.  (Assessment Measure: Student brainstorming examples.     

    Student editing and rewriting of paragraphs.)

 

3. Create organized paragraphs, which include a title, topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.  (Assessment Measure:  Paragraphs which contain proper written structure)

 

4. Demonstrate basic punctuation, spelling and capitalization rules in written assignments.  (Assessment Measure: Written assignments)

 

 

Specific Course Content:

1. Review of parts of speech including nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

2. Sentence practice starting with simple sentences and progressing to compound  

    sentences using coordinating conjunctions. 

3. Basic transition practice to show connections between ideas in a paragraph. 

4. Practice with identification and correction of run-on sentences.

5. Topic sentence (controlling ideas) practice.

6. Emphasize supporting details and their connection to topic sentences.

7. Write unified and coherent paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting details and  

    a concluding sentence.

8. Learn the writing process including brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising and

    editing.

 

1. 5.    UNIVERSITY WIDE OUTCOMES

Communication Intended Learning Outcomes

C4       Write a clear, well-organized paper using documentation and quantitative tools, when appropriate

 

Higher Level Thinking Intended Learning Outcomes

T1        Identify a problem and using the steps involved in problem-solving processes, develop viable solutions

T2        Employ skeptical, evaluative, and logical approaches in processing information and drawing conclusions

 

1. 6.    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class attendance and participation:

Attendance and participation in all classes is required.  English is learned through continual practice and assistance.  A major requirement of this class is participation which can only occur when students are in class.  (T1)

 

Unit Examinations:

Students will be tested on each writing unit studied.  Writing examinations will cover

both sentence usage as well as paragraph creation.  Examinations will focus on several

points including an understanding of appropriate titles, topic sentences, supporting

sentences, and concluding sentences.  (C4, T1, T2)

 

Daily Assignments:

Writing improvement requires continual practice.  Students will be given daily homework in order to reinforce knowledge of writing rules and usage.

(C4, T1, T2)

 

1. 7.    Teaching Methods

• Whole class practice and explanations of writing rules and usage.
• Pair-work focusing on proper grammar usage and writing methods.
• In-class individualized instruction as needed by students.
• Assignments focusing on stylistically and grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs.

 

1. 8.    COURSE POLICIES

Attendance

Attendance and participation in all classes is required.  English is learned through continual practice and assistance.  A major requirement of this class is participation which can only occur when students are in class.  A failure to attend class will result in a lowered grade.  If a student misses 5 classes, the final grade will go down by 10%, if a student misses 6 classes, the final grade will go down by 20%.  Eight (8) absences will result in an F. Excused absences are rare and must be supported by appropriate documentation such as a letter from a doctor or a police report if you had a car accident. Furthermore, students will lose 1 point per day that they are tardy. Tardy is defined as 5 minutes past the start of class and goes until halfway through class. After class is half finished, students coming in will be considered absent.

 

If students are absent, they are still responsible for the information and work that they missed.

 

Participation is defined as coming to class prepared; having the necessary materials; participating in class discussions, pair and group work, and asking questions. Points will be deducted for a failure to participate.

 

If students are absent, the instructor should be notified in a timely manner. This should be done via email.

 

Preparedness

Students are expected to bring all course materials to all class meetings.

 

Late Assignments

All assignments should be completed by the required date.  Assignments turned in late will

be reduced by 10% for each class period the assignment is late. 

 

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to follow the Avila University Student Code of Conduct. Students are expected to respect the instructor and peers, interact appropriately with classmates, participate fully in activities, refrain from chit chatting and off-task behaviors, display a positive attitude, and come to class alert and prepared. The professor reserves the right to ask students who are not following the behavior policy to leave the classroom.

 

Personal Technology

As a courtesy to other students and the instructor, no cell phones, iPods, laptops, or other electronic devices other than dictionaries will be used in class.  There will be no text messaging permitted during class.   

 

Academic Honesty

The policy of Avila University concerning cheating and plagiarism will be followed in this class. 

 

Class Accommodations

If students have a disability and require accommodations, they may contact the office of Disability Services early in the semester so that their learning needs may be appropriately met.  Students will need to provide documentation of their disability to the Disability Services before any accommodations are arranged.  For more information, contact the Learning Center in Hodes by calling 816-501-3670.

 

1. 9.    GRADING

Class attendance, class assignments and participation:                   20%

Final Exam                                                                                        20%

Tests and paragraphs                                                                       60%

Total:                                                                                                 100%

 

Grading Scale

90-100%        A

80-89%          B

70-79%          C

60-69%          D

Below 59%    F

 

10. PROPOSED SEMESTER SCHEDULE

This schedule is only tentative and may change.  Tests/writing assignments will follow the completion of a chapter.  Dates will be announced in class.

 

Week	Sentences to   Paragraphs	Extra   Activities/Assignments
1	Chapter   1
2	Chapter   1, Chapter 2	January 19 – University closed, MLK Day
3	Chapter   2
4	Chapter   3
5	Chapter   3
6	Chapter   4
7	Chapter   4
8	Chapter   5
9	Chapter   5
10	Chapter   6
11	Spring   Break	No   classes on March 16-20
12	Chapter   6
13	Chapter   7	April 2-3, Easter Break
14	Chapter   7
15	Chapter   8
16	Chapter   8, Chapter 9
17	Chapter   9	May 1 – TOEFL testing; May 4-7 – finals week

 

 

You can look at the Academic Calendar here:  http://www.avila.edu/academics/academic-calendar.asp

*Students may NOT reschedule final exam.  It is very important that every student be at the final exam!!!

**Any student who receives two F’s will be on probation next semester, and may be asked to leave Avila the following semester if his or her grades do not improve.