ESL 21B, Intermediate Composition

Santa Monica College, Fall 2007

Tuesdays/Thursdays  |  2:15-3:35 pm

Room: ESL 104

 

Section #:      2151

Instructor:     John Evenhuis

E-Mail:         

Website:         www.johnevenhuis.com

 

Course Description:  Completion of ESL 21A with a C grade or credit equivalency.  The emphasis of the course is on refining composition and editing skills and on eliminating gross grammar errors.

 

Course Objectives: ESL 21B is an intermediate composition course and the completion of ESL 21A designed to help students organize, compose, and edit effectively in English.  In many cases, this course is a critical bridge to English 1; therefore, the curriculum will emphasize a careful reading of texts and a more self-demanding approach to the content of essays and journal writing.  Students will also be expected to use various sources to support personal ideas, opinions, and generalizations.  Outside sources will be referenced in MLA style. 

 

Texts/Supplies:

 

Requirements:

Protocol:

Pagers, cell phones and other electronic devices should be shut off during class.
Aim to speak English in class.

Come to class and come on time:

Regular attendance is crucial. Students who miss more than 6 hours of class can be dropped. If you know in advance that you will be absent, please contact me by email . In addition, please arrange for a classmate to pick up any material handed out during the session.  Also, you should check the course website and eCompanion for more information.  If you need to drop the course for some reason, you can do this yourself through the SMC Student Self-Service System

Please be courteous to your fellow students and instructor. Students who arrive late for class or leave early consistently disrupt the class and may be dropped. Arriving late 2 times is equivalent to one absence.

Writing:

There will be five (5) graded essays in this class: three in-class essays based on assigned readings, the common essay (standardized by the ESL and English Departments.), and the final essay.  You must write each essay in a separate blue book.  There will be no make-up essays.  All in-class essays will be revised.   Rewrites must be typed.   Late papers without a valid excuse for lateness will not be accepted for grading and may be graded down one full grade.


Online Discussion:  

An important part of the course will be the discussion that takes place online through eCompanion.  You will need access to a computer with internet in order to complete these out-of-class homework assignments.

Quizzes:

 There will be quizzes on vocabulary, reading comprehension, editing and grammar given throughout the semester.  Some quizzes will be announced and some won’t (i.e., “pop quizzes”).   Quizzes may not be made up.

Exams:

 It is not possible to pass the class without taking the Common Essay (Week 12) and the final.  The final exam will be on Thursday, December 13, from 12-3 p.m. There will be no make-up exams. 

Group Work:

Students will be expected to participate in study groups both in and out of class.

Honor Policy:

Students must adhere to the SMC Code of Academic Conduct regarding plagiarism and cheating.

Communication:

The best way to communicate with me is via email. I will generally reply within 24 hours. 

Please get the phone number or email of at least two classmates to ask about course assignments when you miss class.  I will not respond to emails from absent students asking what we did in a particular class.

 

 

Some Advice:

1.      In addition to your textbooks, the Internet will provide many excellent resources for you to improve your command of written English and to ensure your success in this class.  It is therefore imperative that you schedule access to a computer with a (preferably high-speed) internet connection and a printer.

2.      Success on the Common Essay Exam will practically assure your success in the course.  Because the Common Essay is usually based on a current news article, being aware of current events and trends can help you tremendously. 

3.      American university education generally requires and assumes that you participate orally during class time.  Consider raising your hand to express an opinion or to ask a question.  You will also have opportunities to speak in small groups; plan to be an active participant in your group by coming prepared to class with ideas to share.

 

Method of Evaluation/Grading Criteria:

                Essays 70%

Online Discussion 15%

Quizzes 15%

 

Grading

Your grades for quizzes, exams, and final grade will be based on the following percentages:

90-100%          A (English 1 Recommended)

80-89%            B (English 1 Recommended)

70-79%            C (English 22 Recommended)

60-69%            D (Repeat of ESL 21B Recommended)

59% and below                        F  (Repeat of ESL 21B Recommended)

 

 

Important Dates

September 3                            NO CLASS, Labor Day Observed

November 12                          NO CLASS, Veteran’s Day Observed

November 22-23        NO CLASS, Thanksgiving Break

December 10                          Last Day of Class

December 13 (12-3 pm)            Final Exam (you MUST take the final exam to pass the class, so plan accordingly)

Concurrent Enrollment:

ESL 20A or 20B (Advanced Grammar Workshop), 3 units.  Highly recommended for all 21b students.
ESL 23 (Advanced Reading), 3 units.  Highly recommended for all 21b students.
ESL 28 (Academic Vocabulary), 3 units.  Highly recommended for all 21b students.
OIS 1A, B, C, 1 unit each.  Recommended for students who wish to increase their typing speed. While students are not required to produce computer-generated writing for ESL 21A, it is strongly recommended that they improve their keyboarding skills BEFORE taking ESL 21B and Eng 1.
LIBR 3(Electronic Information Resources), 3 units.  Recommended for students who wish to increase their knowledge of online sources.
See ESL courses, for a complete list of the classes the ESL Dept.  offers. 

Note that some of these courses are also offered online or in hybrid form (1/2 in class, 1/2 online).  Also, you may still enroll in support courses until the 4th week of the semester!

 

Additional Support Courses:

ESL 14A Pronunciation and Spelling

ESL 14B Accent Correction

ESL 15 Oral Communication

ESL 16A Articles

ESL 16B Verbs

 

Tutoring & Support Services

1.      The ESL Department offers free tutoring to students.  Students should work with ESL tutors to review errors on returned essays.  Please sign up on-line at: www.smc.edu/esl/tutoringcalendar

2.      Students may use computers in the Cayton Center, the Library, the Science Building, Drescher Hall 203 & 204.

3.      Academic counselors can be reached in the ISC (434-4217) and in Counseling (434-4210 or 434-4589).

4.      Psychological counselors can be reached at 434-4262 or through Student Health.

5.      If you have any special needs or concerns, please contact your instructor.  If you have any disabilities, you may receive support services through the Center for Students with Disabilities:     PE 160, 434-4265.

 

Please Note:

Specific readings and assignments on the syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Students are responsible for keeping a copy of all material handed in for grading until the end of the semester.

 

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.