TSI 0304 NCBO Developmental Literacy II Sections 001 and 002 Instructor: Osariemen Osaghae, M.Ed Office : Holden Hall 78 Office Hours: TR 10AM -12PM Class: (SEC 001 ) W 3:30 PM- 4:20 PM or (SEC 002) M 3:30PM-4:20PM Phone: 806-742-3242 e-mail: Blackboard Mail Course Syllabus and Expectations I. Textbooks And Other Materials: A. REQUIRED: Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing Book 2 by Kemper/Meyer/Van Rys/Sebranek (ISBN: 9781133803973) B. REQUIRED: Writing Utensil (i.e. pencil, pen) II. Course Goals: A. Students will read critically to form opinions, exchange insights with others in conversation, ask and answer questions, and develop ideas that can be further explored in writing. B. Students will react to visual text (a photograph, advertisement, diagram, graph, chart, or art) to gain further understanding of the text and to aid with visualization of words and ideas. C. Students will demonstrate their use of critical reasoning to interpret and integrate new concepts with prior learning/knowledge. D. Students will interpret charts, tables, and graphs to condense, interpret, and/or summarize written information at the college level. E. Students will take notes using Marking and Annotating Skills for college students, or the Cornell University Note Taking method and demonstrate listening, learning, and reviewing related to the active processes of reading. F. Students will apply study skills, content area reading strategies and test taking skills to improve test-taking abilities. G. Students will analyze and critically discuss writing contexts rhetorically identifying audience, purpose, and situation. H. Students will recognize and demonstrate writing as a step-by-step process that improves with practice. I. Students will write as a way of discovering, processing, and refining ideas. J. Students will obtain skill and confidence in using writing conventions of standard and written English, including grammar and punctuation by correcting fragments, colloquialisms, and sentence complexities. K. Students will write for varied tasks and audiences through construction of an argumentative essay. L. Students will not only understand the basic structure of a sentence, the basic structure of a paragraph and how it fits into an essay, but also be able to explain and demonstrate corrective actions/editing for improper writing. *Please Note: These course goals are aligned with the College Readiness Standards of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. For More information See: www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=eae69736-b39d-f3ff-ea777519f1f0348b
III. IV. Learning Outcomes: A. Construct a 4-5 page Argumentative Research Paper using MLA format and formal writing constructs. B. Identify and properly use the signal words that indicate directionality in Argumentative Writing the purpose of understanding reading and for the purpose of constructing Arguments. C. Demonstrate vocabulary understanding by completing Aplia assignments with an average of 70% or above. D. Demonstrate reading comprehension by completing examinations and quizzes with an average of 70% or above. E. Demonstrate Revising Skills by completing editing assignments and activities with an average of 70% or above. F. Use, Define, and Apply at least three Content area reading strategies such as Exit Slips, Mnemonic Devices, Reader Response, and Cornell University Methods of Notetaking on a weekly basis for the purpose of tracking and improving reading comprehension and critical literacy skills. Grading Procedures: A. Homework (via Aplia) is worth 33% of your final grade. No late homework is accepted. If homework is not completed by the deadline then you cannot advance to the rough draft. B. Major Exams and the completion of the Post Diagnostic assessments all together are worth 33% of the overall grade. Major Exams cannot be made up without doctor s documentation. C. Argumentative paper completion will be worth 34% of your final grade. As a note, students will be required to submit a rough draft. If this is not completed by the deadline the student may not take the final exam. D. Extra credit: No extra credit will be given. Come to class ready to work. E. Grading Scale: You must complete the course with a C or better to progress to the next TSI Course or be declared College Ready. 90-100 = DA 80-89 = DB 70-79 = DC 60-69 = DD 0 59 = DF V. Class Assignments: A. General Note: Each assignment is a tool to reinforce skills and material taught in the classroom. The amount of homework is carefully considered. Homework is not assigned busy work, but rather it is assigned because of its vital importance to the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to complete all assignments by the due date. Handouts and extra information, as well as web assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Please note assignments are subject to change if the instructor deems it necessary. B. All assignments must be typed. I will consider punctuation, spelling, and grammar in the grading process. The exercises and assignments will be graded for both style and for content. You must also bring them to class with you on the date assigned (if you are
VI. VII. asked to). That means you will need to be responsible and make sure you can print something before you come to class. C. Due Dates and Late Penalties: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Any late assignment will receive a grade of a zero. D. End of the Semester: There will be no curve at the end of the semester. You must earn your grade by submitting high quality work on time, attending all class meetings, and participating in class discussions and exercises. Students who come to class prepared are consistently the most successful students. Absences: A. There are no excused absences. I will track your attendance and progress daily. Your presence in class is tracked using an attendance sheet provided at the beginning of each class session for you to sign. B. You are also responsible for signing the class roster at the beginning of each class period. Signing this roster is your responsibility, and absences will not be removed if you attended class but neglected to sign the roster. Absences are reported to the TSI office. C. Additionally, part of being in attendance means being focused and prepared; if you are texting, sleeping, or have not read, expect to be counted absent. D. Tardies and Leaving Class Early: If you are more than 10 minutes late for class, you will be marked absent for the class. Leaving class early, without prior approval, will result in an absence. E. TSI Developmental program attendance is MANDATORY. Non-compliance with the rules of attendance will result in a student being withdrawn from Texas Tech University. Withdrawals are subject to University policies as set forth in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students may appeal withdrawals when unusual extenuating circumstances exist by picking up the Appeal of Withdrawal form and be returned to Holden Hall 78 before the five (5) days have expired. Students are ONLY allowed one appeal per semester. Office Hours A. I encourage you to come see me in my office during these hours. These hours are reserved for you and your concerns, so please make use of this time. If you cannot meet during these times because of work or another class, contact me to set up an individual appointment at a different time. VIII. Email IX. Supplies: A. I check my e-mail regularly. Please allow at least 24 hours for a response. Typically, I do not check email between Friday and Sunday. I will respond to any emails that I receive over the weekend on Monday afternoon. Remember that all emails should be sent via Blackboard, TTU emails will not receive a reply. B. I expect students to use professional language and tone in all communication with me, including email correspondence. My office hours or appointments are the best way for us to address more complex questions and concerns about the course. A. BE PREPARED FOR CLASS. Always bring the following to class: 1. Text books 2. Paper 3. Pen or Pencil
X. Classroom Rules and Procedures: A. You are to always exhibit integrity. Any action should reflect this idea. B. Having integrity includes adhering to the following standards: 1. Be prompt. Class begins precisely on time, therefore a student is considered tardy if he or she is more than 10 minutes late. 2. Be prepared with all supplies and textbooks. 3. Be kind and respectful. All actions and words should reflect kindness and respect for both the instructor and all other students. I will not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior directed at any member of this class. We are all adults and should act as such. Anyone exhibiting disrespectful or vulgar language and/or behavior will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. 4. Be honest. Honesty is an important part of integrity. Cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating includes sharing homework answers, looking at another student s test or quiz, and talking (even whispering) during a test or quiz. Plagiarism is another form of cheating and will be addressed in more detail in the next section of the syllabus. If the student has a doubt as to what constitutes cheating, the instructor will gladly answer any questions. 5. Be mentally present. Use of electronic devices during class will not be tolerated. If your phone rings or if I see you using a cell phone, blackberry, ipod, or other electronic device (nonmedical) during class, you will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. Laptop computers will only be allowed if necessary for completing the activities scheduled for that day. 6. Be on task. There are times in class when it is appropriate to speak to your peers (i.e., during group work). However, a general rule of thumb- if I am speaking, you are not, you are listening. 7. NO CELL PHONES, PAGERS, ipods (i-anything), or NET SURFING in class, unless otherwise directed by your instructor. If you are experiencing an emergency and need your cell phone on please notify me BEFORE class begins! Failure to follow this directive may result in your dismissal and one marked absence for the affected class period. *****NOTE: Students are expected to conduct themselves in manner conducive to learning and are prohibited from engaging in distracting behavior, inappropriate behavior will result minimally, in a request to leave class. Comments or actions promoting discrimination of any sort will result in serious disciplinary action, and or possible loss of credit for the course. XI. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism a. Texas Tech University aims "to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension" (Undergraduate Handbook 49). b. Although the university broadly defines the types of "dishonesty" that compromise academic integrity, the most common offense for this course is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, "the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression and media, and presenting that material as one's own academic work being offered for credit" (Onsite Politics xxviii). c. Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will receive a 0 for the assignment, as well as further consequences at the discretion of the instructor. For more information on Academic Integrity visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/academicintegrity.htm.
**NOTE-For example, this means NO you can NOT turn in that paper you wrote about Holes in the 5 th grade to me, and expect to get a good grade. XII. Disabilities a. Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405. b. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university process" (TTU OP 34.22, p.2). For more information call Student Disability Services at 742-2405 or visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentsaffairs/sds/. XIII. Observance of a Religious Holy Day a. Religious holy day means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code 11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, documentation may be required. XIV. If Your Grade Drops Below a C If at any time a TSI student falls below a C in ANY TSI course, he or she will be required to meet with the TSI Advisors/Assistant Director twice a month and attend an hour of tutoring per week. Determination of required tutoring will begin after the first assignment/first paper or at the discretion of the TSI Instructor. Required tutoring will be factored into a student s grade. CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS AND COURSE SCHEDULE: I reserve the right to change the dates on this syllabus. All changes will be made accessible to students via classroom announcements, e-mail, and also through Blackboard.
Covered Topics Syllabus and Introductions Aplia Introduction Turnitin.com Reading Content Area Objectives, Discussion, Thoughts, and Assignments What are your educational goals? What is your learning style? Aplia Pre-Assessment The Reading-Writing Connection (Chapter 1) Understand reading and writing assignments Use the traits for reading and writing Use graphic organizers for reading and writing Review the reading-writing connection Academic Reading and Learning (Chapter 2) Read to learn Understand the reading process Use basic reading strategies Read critically Improve vocabulary Read graphics Summarizing (Chapter 16) Review reading and learning Understand Summarizing Learn about reading strategies Read and react to a summary Write a summary Practice additional summary writing Argumentation (Chapter 14) Comparison (Chapter 13) Understanding Research (Chapter 15) Understand Argumentation Learn about reading strategies Read and react to a professional essay Read and react to a student essay Plan an argument essay Understand comparison-contrast What is Compare and Contrast? Recognizing Common Comparison-Contrast Patterns Why do we need to research? Reviewing Responsible Research Primary vs. Secondary Sources Understand sources of information Evaluate sources of information Cite sources of information Avoid plagiarism Review responsible research