English A

Course Description

English A is designed to develop the reading and writing skills necessary for college level work. As a prerequisite for English 1A (El Camino College's transfer-level composition class), English A is an instrumental class in your college education. There are few classes that you will take which do not contain a significant writing requirement. Since this course will provide you with the skills to succeed on other college level writing assignments, the importance that this class holds for you should be proportionate to how well you succeed in the college environment.

Student Learning Outcomes

· Write a multi-paragraph expository composition with an introduction and conclusion that responds to a text already covered in class.

· A clear position reflecting other points of view should be developed and sustained through the entire essay.

· The writer's ideas should be insightful, focused, and organized.

· Sources must be attributed and incorporated into the writer's argument.

· Word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling should not hinder readability.

Course Materials

Arlov, Pamela. Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2010.

Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1984.

Course Requirements/Grading

Four Essays, each worth two letter grades

Midterm Exam, worth one letter grade

Reading Journal, worth one two letter grades

Final Exam, worth one letter grade

Grading Scale: "C" grade or better = CREDIT

"C-" grade or below = NO CREDIT

The Writing Process and Formal Essays

Essays shall be considered as part of a writing process, rather than a final writing product. You are expected to keep all work associated with your essays—brainstorming, invention, and revisions—and to turn it in with your final draft.

Attendance

In order for students to maximize their understanding and appreciation of composition, they must attend class faithfully. According the El Camino College Catalog, an instructor has recourse to drop a student after one hour of (1) absence for each unit in the class. Keeping this in mind, a total of two (2) absences—excused or otherwise—are allowable without penalty. Any absence past the second MUST be excused or the student shall be dropped from the class.

Code of Conduct

We shall adhere to the following rules in order to maintain a positive and productive classroom environment:

	Basic Classroom decorum—no disturbances, no interruptions, no speaking out of turn.
	No cursing. It is neither professional nor mature to utter expletives in a classroom.
	Allow people the opportunity to express their opinions without the fear of censure.
	Treat everyone in the classroom as you would want them to treat you.

The first time students break the class code of conduct they will receive a warning regarding their behavior. Upon the second offense, students will be asked to leave the classroom. Please keep in mind that college is also a place to develop professional skills as well as learn.

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