Introduction to College Reading

Course Details

Course Number: 1013 Section Number: 103

Fall 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: PY 202

Days & Times:

MW 12-1:20

Course Attachments

ENGL 1013 lesson plans Fall 2012 MW-20120822-132407.docx

Textbooks

Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills
John Langan, 5 th edition, Townsend Press, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59194-200-9

MSU Faculty Member

Susan Button
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Course Objectives

Acquire vocabulary skills necessary for college-level coursework.
Identify the structural elements of written materials.
Practice Strategies for note-taking and test preparation
Demonstrate ability to think critically.

Additional information about course objectives can be found on the department webpage, http://libarts.mwsu.edu/english/.

Course Expectations

10 Skill Building Tests (50%)

5 Reading Mastery Tests (30%)

Final Exam (10%)

Homework (10%)

Grading Standards

You must earn a final grade of C or better to pass this course. This class will not use the plus/minus grading system. In this class, the following numerical equivalents for grades are used: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59-0%. According to MSU Catalog 2012-2014 page 77, an A indicates excellent work, a B indicates good work, a C indicates satisfactory work, a D indicates passing work, and an F indicates failing work.

Final Exam12/12/2012 3:30-5:30

Submission Format Policy

All in-class work must be written on standard white lined paper in pen. All outside class work must be typed, printed, and submitted according to current MLA requirements.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

All assigned work will be due on dates assigned at the beginning of the class. I do not accept late work.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Regular class attendance will be expected. Roll will be taken at every class. After the first cut, each additional two will lower your final grade one letter mark. Two late arrivals equal one cut. “Authorized Absences” (see Bulletin) will not be counted in this total. Such absences, though, DO NOT excuse students from turning in required work on TIME. Please be aware that instructors may drop students from class rolls for lack of appropriate participation (See Bulletin and student handbook).

If you miss work for whatever reason, it will be your responsibility to find out what you have missed and how or if it can be made up. Missing work will be averaged as a zero. “I wasn’t here for this” will not be considered sufficient reason to excuse an individual student from completing required work.

Dropping this course can only be done the week preceding the university’s official drop date. You may drop the course with a grade of W if at that time you have not exceeded the number of absences allowed in the course and if reducing your course load does not affect your enrollment at MSU. If you are enrolled in this course on the basis of required remediation, you will not be permitted to drop the course unless you are enrolled in another developmental course. A student in need of developmental education must be enrolled in development education each semester.

The MSU Undergraduate Catalog states, “an instructor may drop a student anytime during the semester for excessive absences, for consistently failing to meet class assignments, for an indifferent attitude, or for disruptive conduct.” MSU’s policy for developmental education requires an instructor to drop you with an F.

Students who withdraw themselves from the course or who are dropped by the instructor or who do not pass the course with a grade of C or better must repeat the course.

Other Policies

Cell phones must be turned off. Vibrating cell phones are a disturbance and will not be tolerated. If a student is caught using an electronic device during a test, that student will receive a 0 on that test. Any behavior that disturbs the learning environment will not be tolerated. I will give a warning once that a particular behavior is disruptive to the class. If that conduct continues, an instructor drop will be initiated.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.