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AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENTAL COURSE DESCRIPTION AND SYLLABUS
FALL 2010
ESOL 0384: ADVANCED WRITING AND GRAMMAR
Synonym: 17473 ; Time and Location: PIN 303 , MW 8:45-10:30 a.m.
Professor: Beata Backo-Wukasch
Office Hours: PIN MW 8:15-8:45 am; SAC MW 6:30-7:30p.m.
Office: SAC 1224
Phone Number (s):223-9243 (SAC Lab);home 223-5362
Email:bwukasch@austincc.edu
TEXTS:
Understanding and Using English Grammar, 4th edition, Betty Azar
Great Essays, 2nd edition, Folse, Muchmor-Vokoun, Solomon
Course Description/Rationale:
ESOL 0384: Advanced Writing and Grammar is an exit level course which prepares students for regular English courses, other writing assignments, and writing in the work place. The course focuses on the following grammar components: verb tenses, gerunds and infinitives, conditional forms and complex structures, reduced clauses, noun clauses, and indirect speech. You will practice writing more sophisticated formal essays in different academic modes including the persuasive mode. You will also revise and edit your work; as part of this process, you will learn more about word choice and sentence variety.
Because this is an exit level course, if you are not ready for the writing assignments required in mainstream classes, you will be asked to repeat this course. You may repeat this course for up to six hours of credit.
Minimum entrance requirements/prerequisites:
Grade of C or better in ESOL 0383 or placement in the course by the ESOL assessment Test.
Instructional Objectives:
When you complete this course, you will be able to:
-write longer, more complex sentences incorporating grammatical structures which you studied in this course and in previous ESOL courses
-write an essay persuading someone about your point of view
-write essays in a variety of academic modes, essays which are more sophisticated than those which you wrote in previous courses
-revise and edit your own writing and the writing of others interrelationship of ideas by using a variety of conjunctions and transition devices
-write essays which are free of comma splices, run-on sentences and sentences fragments
-write essays from a prompt which exhibit the structural and contextual characteristics required by the TSI
Instructional Methodology:
Lecture, small group activities
Evaluation:
Because this is an upper – level composition course designed to prepare you for regular college writing assignments, you may expect to write. In order for me to give you feedback and for you to revise what you’ve written, you will need to hand in your assignments on time.
Be aware that it is not uncommon for students to have to repeat this course.
In order to pass this course you must:
-pass the final essay with a score of 87 on the composition profile. Please note: both other instructors and I will grade your final essay.
-if your final essay receives a passing score, you must also have an average of 70% or better in your class work and you must pass the grammar final with a score of 70% or better.
For those students who meet these exit criteria, the following categories and percentages represent how your final grade will be determined:
-preparation/homework/class participation 15%
-compositions 30%
-grammar quizzes 10%
-midterms 15%
Attendance:
ACC policy states:
A student at Austin Community College is expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives. . . . A student who is not meeting course objectives may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor (ACC Catalog)
In order for you to develop your language skills, it is essential that you be in class. In accordance with departmental policy, I reserve the right to drop you in case of excessive absenteeism, defined as more than 4 absences.
I can’t stress enough the importance of being on time for class and remaining in class for the entire period; I’ll take roll and note absences and tardiness. If you are consistently 5 or 10 minutes (or more) late, you will lower your grade.
If you are not going to be in class, please call my ACC voice mail before class and let me know that you are going to be absent. It is your responsibility to find out from one of your classmates what class-work you missed, any homework assignments, and any announcements of upcoming tests.
If you are taking this course to comply with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, Texas law requires the following:
1. If you are not “continually in attendance” and “making progress” in this course, you should be withdrawn from the course by your instructor;
2. If you withdraw yourself or are withdrawn by your instructor, you will be automatically withdrawn from all of your other college courses if this is the only TSI –mandated course you are taking.
If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.
Exams:
You need to be present for all exams. Check your syllabus for exam dates. Generally, no make up exams will be given: however, I am aware that emergencies do happen and we will deal with these on an individual basis.
Essays:
Writing assignments are an important part of your grade. Your work must be your own. If you turn in a plagiarized essay or an essay which someone else has written for you, I will not correct that essay and I will give you an F on that assignment.
Scholastic dishonesty:
Please be aware of the following statement from the Student Handbook: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on a exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.”
Again, the penalty for plagiarism is a grade of F, with no exceptions.
As we proceed through the semester, I’ll set up situations in which you will work with other students either as study partners or in study groups: we’ll develop these as we go along and you will have clear information about the grading of such assignments.
Class participation and Freedom of Expression:
We must be aware that in situations, which involve expression of opinion and critical thinking, we are sure to have differences and may at times have strongly held opinions or views. Such differences make for interesting and challenging discussions. They provide us also with the opportunity to practice listening skills and respect for views which may not match our own. I urge you to participate in class so that you do not miss this learning experiences.
Students with disabilities:
“Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester: (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14).
Course Schedule
(Please note: this schedule is subject to change at my discretion; also, we may adjust it as we go along to fit specific needs of the class.)
The following is a general schedule of assignments. I’ll make specific homework assignments on a daily basis; I’ll write those on the chalk board. Please prepare your daily assignments before you come to class.
· Azar refers to Understanding and Using English Grammar
· GE refers to Great Essays
WEEK#
1.
Introduction to the course, Syllabus , Writing and Grammar Diagnostic Exams,
Lab Visit.
Writing: GE: Unit 1- Exploring the Essay (pp.1-36)
Grammar: AZAR: Review of Verb Tenses (pp.2-7) &Ch. 5 (pp.65-82)
2.
Writing: GE: The Writing Process, Model Essays, Narrative Essays
Unit 2 (pp.37-62)
Grammar: AZAR: Review of Verb Tenses (finish)
3.
Writing: GE: Unit 3 Comparison and Contrast Essay (pp.63-85)
Assignment #1 – Comparison and Contrast Essay
Grammar: Revision Test 1 – Verb Tenses
4.
Writing: GE: Unit 4 Cause and Effect Essay ( pp.86-108)
Grammar: AZAR: Review of Article Usage Ch.7 (pp.117-118)
Comparison and Contrast Essay #1 due.
5.
Writing: GE: Cause and Effect Essay (finish) & Essay Assignment #2
Grammar: AZAR: Reduction of Adjective Clauses Ch.13 p.290)
6.
Writing: Summarizing and Paraphrasing
Grammar: AZAR : Reduction of Adverb Clauses Ch. 18 (pp.374-380)
Cause and Effect Essay #2 due.
Grammar Test 2 (selected topics)
7.
Writing: Summarizing and Paraphrasing and Assignment #3
Grammar: AZAR: Reduction of Adverb Clauses finish Ch. 18
Essay #2 due
8.
MIDTERM WRITI NG EXAM (Essay written in class)
MIDTERM GRAMMAR EXAM (Selected topics)
Assignment #3 due (Summary)
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9.
Writing: GE: Unit 5: Argumentative Essays (p.105) Introduction
Grammar: AZAR : Gerunds and Infinitives (Ch.15 pp.326-339)
10.
Writing: GE: Unit 5 finish, Model Essays and Essay Outline
Grammar: AZAR: Gerunds and Infinitives (ch.15 finish)
11.
Writing: GE: Argumentative Essays: handouts, brainstorming, outlining, first draft.
Argumentative Essay Assignment #1
Grammar: Test 3 (Gerunds and Infinitives)
12.
Essay Assignment #2
Writing: GE: Model essays analysis, discussion, peer grading, presentation etc.
Grammar: AZAR: Conditional Sentences (I&II)
Argumentative Essay Assignment #1 due
13.
Writing: Argumentative Essay polishing: titles, introductions, conclusions, examples etc.
Grammar: AZAR : Conditional Sentences (III)
Grammar Test 4 (selected topics)
Argumentative Essay Assignment #2
14.
Writing: Argumentative essay #3 written in class, outlining, peer grading, presentation and discussion. Brainstorming other argumentative topics.
Grammar: Conditional Sentences and Wishes (Ch.20 pp.423-434)
15.
Revision of writing and grammar for Final Exams.
Argumentative Essay #3 (optional) revision and discussion.
16
FINAL WRITING EXAM (Argumentative Essay written in class)
FINAL GRAMMAR EXAM (selected topics)
Recommendations and Good-byes
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