Exploring Contemporary Issues Bellevue College ELI -- Winter 2015

Transcription

1 Exploring Contemporary Issues Bellevue College ELI -- Winter 2015 Instructor: Ethan Anderson (C235 office) Class meeting times: Mon-Fri from 3:30-4:20 in A228 Office hours: 11am-12pm or by appointment No textbook for this class COURSE DESCRIPTION: We will start out with traditional in-class lessons focusing on techniques for good notetaking and making effective presentations. Much of the class, however, will be focused on team projects worked on both in and outside of class. In one project, students will explore the themes of films which focus on the challenges and triumphs of different groups within American society. These themes will be researched in depth and culminate in group presentations. COURSE OUTCOMES: At the end of this course, you should be able to: Discussion Outcomes Analyze and explain current events in conversation Paraphrase and summarize ideas Clearly express an opinion Support views with reasons and evidence Expand on content or ideas expressed in a conversation, debate, reading, video, etc. Synthesize information from a variety of sources (newspaper and magazine articles, reference materials, video, audio). Cooperate in a team setting to organize and divide tasks. Work effectively in a small group structure to promote the sharing of ideas and accomplish a set task. Oral Presentation Outcomes Analyze audience expectations and level of knowledge Prepare, describe and follow the structure (organization) of a presentation

2 Use effective transitions between ideas Clearly define new terms Use examples to clarify information Prepare visual and/or audio aids to enhance a presentation Clearly articulate a point of view and support it with reasons and evidence Summarize main points and draw a conclusion Hold the interest of the audience Use appropriate language, gestures and body language Listening Outcomes Identify main ideas and supporting details from a lecture or other audio or audiovisual source Take accurate notes in accessible system that captures main ideas and supporting details. Answer main idea and factual questions based on notes Paraphrase and summarize aural information Evaluate effectiveness of an oral presentation (self and others) GRADES: Your grade in this class will be based on: Presentations (individual and team) Preparation of projects Ability to work well in a team Note-taking and lecture tests Service Project (Summary, Response) Homework Attendance, and participation* *Your participation grade will be based on your attendance, your active participation in classroom discussions and activities and your willingness to listen politely while others are talking. You must have a class average of 75% or above in order to pass this class. GRADING SCALE % A (Excellent) % B (Good) 75 83% C (Satisfactory) 0 74% D (Weak Skills, Repeat class) 0 74% F (Unsatisfactory Effort, Repeat class) Classroom Requirements IN-CLASS EXPECTATIONS Participate! Complete all the exams, homework, and writings. Complete the

3 homework assignments on time. Late assignments may not be accepted for credit. Exams cannot be taken late. Speak only English when you are in class. Don t worry about making mistakes; that s one of the best ways to learn! We are here to learn together! Be sure to keep academic honesty and integrity. All cellphones must be turned off, out of sight, and out of mind. Keys To Success In This Class o Participate in class discussions and group work. o Take individual responsibility for your education and actions. o Seek additional help if needed through the Writing Lab, tutoring, or me. o Complete all assignments and homework. o Be on time and come to all class meetings. o Have respect for yourself and others, a positive attitude, and be ready to learn. Classroom Atmosphere/ Student Conduct Responsibilities Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services. The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety: Affirmation of Inclusion Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect. For more information, go to:

4 Cell Phones and Cell Phone Dictionaries Cell phones and cell phone dictionaries are not allowed in the classroom. Place cell phones in your bag upon arrival. If you have a cell phone, please use it before class, after class, or during break time outside the classroom. Please use a paper or electronic dictionary during class time. Attendance Policy Attend class every day. 15 absences = F and can be dismissed from the program at the end of the quarter 12 absences = F (not passing) 10 or 11 absences = no higher than a D (not passing) 3 tardies of 5 minutes or more (per hour) = 1 absence Missing 10 minutes or more of any hour of class = 1 absence (in a 2 hr. class = ½ absence) Although not recommended, students are allowed to miss up to three classes per quarter without any penalty. After that, students who miss 4-7 classes may have their grade lowered. Please Note: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out from another student what was covered in class on the day you were absent and to make copies of any material that was handed out in class on the day you were absent. The instructor will not be responsible for helping you. I recommend exchanging addresses and phone numbers with at least one other student in class. If you are sick, you can contact this student to take lecture notes for you and collect any handouts. I will allow time for you to do this in the first week of class. Religious Observance The Arts & Humanities Division of Bellevue College, committed to advancing pluralism, recognizes its students diverse religious beliefs. Those students who wish to observe a religious holy day should not be penalized for doing so. Whenever feasible, students should be allowed to make up academic assignments that are missed due to such absences. However, the student must personally hand the instructor a written notification of the projected absence within two weeks of the start of the quarter. Because religious holidays are scheduled in advance, instructors have the right to insist that course work be completed prior to an anticipated absence for religious observances.

5 ASSIGNMENT/ OUT-OF-CLASS EXPECTATIONS Time Management and Workload This course will have a lot of reading, speaking, listening, and especially writing. You should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours everyday outside of class studying and working on homework or class papers. That means that you have to schedule and manage your time carefully every week so that you will have time to get everything done on time. Do not wait until the night before to do your assignments. Do them early so that you can do a good job and increase your learning potential. If you are having trouble managing your time, please see me so that I can help you. Assignments The assignments in this course are fast-paced and sometimes impact future assignments (in the case of drafts). For this reason, all assignments and homework are due at the beginning of the class period on the date assigned. Late Work Policy For reasons of equity and exam security, there are NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. In addition, because of the fast-paced nature of the integrated skills courses, I very rarely accept late homework for credit. In the case of a multi-draft essay, missing the due date negatively impacts your total final assignment grade, so try your best to get your assignments to me on time! *Under very special circumstances, students are allowed to make up one in-class assignment (not test, not homework) due to absence if students follow the make-up work procedure. The procedure is students must the instructor before class starts on the day of their absence stating why they are absent and requesting an appointment to make up the in-class work. If the instructor believes the reason/proof is sufficient, the student will then have 24 hours to make up the work upon their return to class. Students who fail to follow the make-up policy correctly will not be allowed to make-up missed in class work. The make-up procedure for in-class assignments is only for extreme circumstances and is contingent upon the student s efforts towards communicating about the absence in a timely manner.

6 Plagiarism and Cheating Students are in ELI classes to learn English and ELI teachers are here to help them. Cheating makes that harder for both the students and the teachers. There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, borrowing a classmate s homework (partially or wholly), using an essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using cheat notes, and copying answers from classmates papers during tests. Plagiarism is using someone else s words or ideas as your own in both writing and oral presentations. It is cheating and is not acceptable in American classes. Examples of plagiarism are: o Copying from a Web page, book or article o Buying papers o Copying from another student o Using a friend s paper from a previous quarter If you plagiarize: o First time: Your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do o Second time: Fail the assignment o Third time: Fail the class and be reported to the Associate Dean of Student Services. Possibly be asked to leave the school A good resource for Plagiarism is the Writing Lab: Cheating in any form is unacceptable. COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS Bellevue College and Access to MyBC All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and account. Your student network account can be used to access your student , log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To create your account, go to: BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for student labs by visiting

7 Office Hours My office hours are M-F 11:00-12:00. I prefer that you make an appointment with me ahead of time so that I can better serve you and manage other student appointments. Please send me an ahead of time requesting an appointment during office hours. I am also happy to meet with you at other times of the day. To request a time outside my normal office hours, please me so that we can agree on a mutually suitable time. Student Concerns If you are having a problem that is affecting your ability to do well in class or you don t understand something, please communicate with me about what is going on so that I can help you! For example, if you are having a personal problem that is affecting your attendance, I want to know about it so I can suggest ways to solve your problem. If you received a low grade on an assignment and don t understand why your grade is low, I want you to ask me about it. I m happy to talk to you in person, by , or over the phone. I want to help you be successful! If for any reason you don t feel comfortable raising your concerns with me, the next step would be to speak with the program chair, Ivan Breen (ibreen@bellevuecollege.edu). You can also refer concerns to the Arts and Humanities Division Dean, Maggie Harada (maggie.harada@bellevuecollege.edu) or the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho (scott.bessho@bellevuecollege.edu) in the Arts and Humanities division office (R230). An additional resource for concerns you find aren t being addressed by faculty or administration is the Ombuds Office ( Complaint Policy As a student in the ELI, you have the right to understand grading policies, rules, and requirements and to know that you are treated fairly. You also have the responsibility to comply with those policies, rules, and requirements. BC prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. Sometimes problems arise and the college encourages the parties involved to resolve the conflict informally whenever possible. If resolution cannot be reached, a formal process can be followed. Informal Complaint Process Make an appointment to talk directly with the teacher/staff member to attempt to reach a mutual agreement. If you would be more comfortable, you can make an appointment to speak with the Chair of the ELI, Ivan Breen, (for issues with classes/teachers) or the Interim Director of International Student Programs (for issues with advisors, activities etc.)

8 Be courteous, flexible, and respectful. Be open to alternative solutions or suggestions. If the problem cannot be solved together, the following formal complaint procedures may be used: Formal Complaint Process All formal complaints must be made in writing. Consult your ELI student handbook for complete information. Disability Resource Center (DRC) The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible. If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to you. Contact asn@bellevuecollege.edu or ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call our reception desk at Deaf students can reach us by video phone at or by TTY at Please visit our website for application information into our program and other helpful links at Other Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations for all other information. Winter Quarter 2015 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

9 1 Jan 5 Testing First Day NO SCHOOL MLK Day Feb NO SCHOOL Prof. Dev Midqtr. Evals NO SCHOOL BC TOEFL

10 Mar NO SCHOOL Coll. Issues 11 Elective Sign Up Final Exams Writing Speak/Listen Final Exams Electives Reading