Course Syllabus
SPRING 2024 ESL 371 Section #4884 781 Section #5735
Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
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Instructor: Gino Muzzatti |
Office Location: online |
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Email:
Canvas Login: https://canvas.santarosa.edu/
Or through your Student Portal by clicking on “My Canvas Account” |
Office Hours: T and TH 11:30-12noon directly after class on zoom. Other times by appointment via zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking: https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/87181590624
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Course Information
ESL 371/781: ESL Intermediate Reading/Writing/Grammar
Class Times and Locations:
TWTH 9am to 11:30 am, Join our Zoom Meeting starting Tuesday 1/16/24.
Join Our Zoom Meeting. Click here”
https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/87181590624
Course description
This is an intermediate reading, writing, and grammar course focusing on the development of pre-academic reading skills with particular focus on comprehension, critical thinking, vocabulary and rate. Paragraph structure and introduction to essays, including writing, revising, and editing. Emphasis on tenses and the development of varied sentence structure. Review of high beginning grammar and punctuation. Designed for non-native speakers of English.
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking skills to respond to adapted selections of fiction and nonfiction
- Apply the writing process to produce paragraphs and short essays that demonstrate level-appropriate organization and content, critical thinking, vocabulary and fluency, and grammatical accuracy
- Comprehend intermediate reading passages by identifying organizational strategies, paraphrasing and summarizing, and using main ideas and details to support writing assignments.
- Word-process essays and access information on the Internet
- Utilize meta-cognitive thinking skills in learning and studying processes
Required Textbooks/Materials
You will buy 2 books for this class:
- Pathways 2 (Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking) 2nd Edition student book and ISBN: ISBN: 9781337407779
- . A Long Walk to Water by Park ISBN: 9780547577319
On the first day of class, 781 students will be given instructions on how to buy Pathways 2 at a $20 discount through an SRJC Bookstore. Make sure to ask for the discount. You may need to show your class schedule to the bookstore employee.
To purchase your textbook from SRJC, you can go to the Roseland Center at 950 S. Wright Road in Santa Rosa during the textbook sales hours below.
Week of January (second week of classes)
Roseland Center
Morning and evening book sales:
Dates: January 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
You can also buy your textbooks at the Santa Rosa main campus bookstore: 1501 Mendocino Avenue or at the Petaluma Bookstore 680 Sonoma Mtn. Parkway during the following operating hours:
Santa Rosa Bookstore : Jan. 16th - 20th
Tue
8:30am - 6:00pm
Wed
8:30am - 6:00pm
Thu
8:30am - 6:00pm
Fri
8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat
10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun
CLOSED
First week of Spring Semester.
Petaluma Bookstore: Jan 16th - 20th
Tue
8:30am - 6:30pm
Wed
8:30am - 6:30pm
Thu
8:30am - 6:30pm
Fri
8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat
9:00am - 3:00pm
Sun
CLOSED
If you wish to purchase your textbooks online through Amazon or another source, please make sure you have the correct ISBN number by checking the course textbook list above. Also always have you book shipped quickly (two-day or express)
Recommended Text: an intermediate/advanced English-only dictionary such as Longman, Oxford or Merriam-Webster
Below are links to two free web-based dictionaries and thesauruses also available from GooglePlay or your AppStore for your cellphone, but there are advertisements unless you purchase a paid version
https://www.merriam-webster.com/
https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary
Classroom Materials/Technology
- . A PC or laptop and Internet Connection. Using a cellphone or I-Pad/Tablet to follow
this course is not permitted.
- If you need a loaner laptop or WIFI hotspot, call the Roseland Center at
(707) 527-4229 to get on the list. You can also email the libraries for a
laptop or WIFI loaner at librariessrjc@santarosa.edu or text 1-707-527-
4550.
- 3-ring binder with dividers for vocabulary, reading, writing, and grammar, and ruled 8 1/2 X 11inch white paper
- A package of colored highlighter pens (pink/orange/blue/green/yellow)
- A gmail account or Google Account with access to Google Drive. Always use your own personal gmail or other email account. Once you log into your Google account, you will have access to Google Drive, which you will use to store and share (upload) your writing assignments
Before the end of the first week, you will need a Gmail or Google account to take this class. If you do not have either , please follow these instructions to create one.
Instructions for creating a Gmail account (with access to Google Drive)
https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/setting-up-a-gmail-account/1/
Or you can keep your current email address and should create a Google account for access to Google Drive.
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en
Once you have your Google or Gmail account, make sure that you Update your SRJC Student Portal Account (top right of your portal page) if you have created your new gmail address. Any changes to your mailing address or phone number can be made here.
Attendance and Participation
Learning a language requires steady attendance and hard work. Therefore, it is important to attend classes and to be on time since the curriculum is developed to provide continuity. What this means is that the techniques learned in one class will be incorporated and practiced in later classes.
You are expected to attend the class the entire time with your video on and audio accessible when needed. Class will begin at 9am, you will have a 10 minute break around 10:30 and then we will end at 11:30.
Per SRJC policy, students who are absent more than 10% of class time—15 hours or 5 class meetings may be dropped from this course. No excused absences, so plan to be at every class unless you are ill.
Also, tardiness (lateness) will affect your grade. When you are tardy, you miss important information, you disrupt your classmates and your professor, and you lose the chance to hear the agenda for the class. Leaving class early counts as a tardy.
You have a total of 150 attendance points, receiving 3 points for being present, losing 3 points for being absent. If you arrive late or leave early, you will lose 1.5 points.
Finally, when you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment is and complete it before returning to class. Check the CANVAS homework module page and if needed contact a classmate via email
Homework and Other Assignments
There will be homework for every class session as well as other written and lab assignments. Your work must be turned in when it is due. Late work is not acceptable. I will return your work to you within one week (7 days), per college policy.
Tests/Exams
We will have several writing, reading/vocabulary, and grammar tests on all the material we cover in class. There will also be a final exam on May 16 You must be present on the day that tests are given and complete them according to the instructions on Zoom. I expect you to keep you video on at all times during a test and not speak to others during the duration of the test.
Grading
Your final grade will be based on your paragraphs/essays reading and grammar assignments (60%), quizzes and exams (30%) and attendance/participation (10%). This is a letter grade or Pass/NoPass class. Grades will be based on the following percentage total you have earned at the end of the semester.
- A grade = 90-100%. PASS
- B grade = 80-89%
- C grade = 70-79%
- D grade = 60-69% SP or NO PASS
- F grade = 59% and below
371 students are automatically enrolled in the class on a letter-grade basis. If you are a 371 student and wish the PASS/NO PASS option, please complete the form linked below before the deadline date found in the following link.
https://admissions.santarosa.edu/petition-passno-pass-pnp
781students will be grade as a PASS for a final score of over 70% and NP PASS for scores below 70% However, if you do good work, but have issues with attendance and tests and score below 70%, I may assign an SP grade-Sufficient Progress
Dropping the Class
If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (707) 527-4278).
Student Conduct
You must follow the SRJC standards of conduct. If you disrupt the classroom, you will be instructed to leave class for two classes and will be subject to further disciplinary action. Since this is an English class, you must speak English at all times while in the classroom because it is the best way to learn English. Attend class only if you wish to learn and contribute to this class and your own educational goals. If you cannot arrive on time, stay the full meeting and conduct yourself in a way that is respectful of other students and their desire to learn, please do not attend.
Here is the link to your contractual Student Conduct obligations:
https://rightsresponsibilities.santarosa.edu/
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism means passing off the work of others as your own work, including the work of other students and published material. Having someone else extensively edit or revise your writing is also a form of plagiarism. Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and may result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. I hope no one feels the need to plagiarize. If you need assistance or support or if the work is too difficult, please speak with me. Remember, you can also go to tutoring if you are having problems with reading, writing, and study skills.
Avoid Plagiarism
Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q0NlWcTq1Y
Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?
Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:
Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
Cite all quotations (Use "quotation" marks), references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
Use complete sentences and your best English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.
Watch this video on Zoom netiquette;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0426_RezWI
Please watch this video from the ASL (American Sign Language) for more Netiquette Rules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9DSw451Fw
Final Exam
Your final exam is during the week of Thursday May 16 from 9-11:30am You must be present at the final exam to pass the class. Please do not plan vacations before May 16.
Tips for Success
- For each hour in class per week, students are expected to spend 2 hours on homework each week. ESL 371 Intermediate Reading and Writing is a nine unit class (9 class hours per week). That means you should expect to spend a total of 18 HOURS on homework per week. 781 students have the same number of class hours and homework expectations. Depending on your level of English proficiency, you may find that you need to spend even more time. If you can’t commit this much time to ESL 371 or 781, consider dropping the class and taking it during a semester when you have fewer outside obligations.
- Keep your binder up-to-date and organized. Put new handouts in the correct section of your binder when you receive them in class.
- Take advantage of office hours. Each paragraph/essay will require 2 drafts. As writing deadlines approach, we will use Wednesday’s class time to meet with you individually. These sessions are required.
- Allow plenty of time to read the novel and textbook articles. There is a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary. You will need to read each assigned reading more than one time. You will also need to write notes as you read. We will be learning how to do this. You will use the highlighter pens to do help you do this.
- Do your homework. All homework assignments are designed to help you with your reading and writing. If you miss homework assignments, writing your summaries, journals, paragraphs or essays will be much more difficult. Late homework will not be accepted without my permission.
- Don’t be absent. If you are absent, be sure to call a classmate to get the homework assignment. During the first week of class, introduce yourself to two classmates and get their phone numbers. Don’t be late.
- Be sure to use your own words in your writing. Teachers can always tell when you copy the words of others. The only way you will learn to write is to do your own work.
- Be an active participant in all group work. Group work prepares you to write your summaries, paragraphs, and essays because you get new ideas from your classmates, which can stimulate your thinking and help you generate and clarify ideas in your writing.
- Be tolerant and accepting of others’ ideas or values that you do not share.
- Tutoring is the Key to your success. We are fortunate to have a great Tutorial Center especially for ESL Students called the ESL Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC), You may access both in-person and online tutoring) by enrolling in a 770 tutorial session.
11. Always remember your user names and passwords for your Google account, your email account (like Gmail) and your SRJC Student Portal. Memorize them and also write them down and put them in a safe place.
- Finding out what is new with the ESL programs, including new COVID-19 recommendations, immigration and food/housing support, make use of the following websites.
ESL Web Page: https://esl.santarosa.edu/
Find current ESL information here.
ESL Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/srjcesl
You and your students can like our Facebook page to connect with each other and find ESL and other community information.
Southwest Center Web Page: https://roseland.santarosa.edu/
Information about all noncredit classes, student services and other resources can be found here.
SRJC Students Resources
Lots of very useful resources for you as an SRJC student. https://resources.santarosa.edu/
With a little help from your friends:
Name of classmates. Cellphone number e-mail address
_________________ _______________ _______________________
_________________ _______________ ________________________
_________________ _______________ _______________________
We will use Pronto. See welcome letter for instructions on how to add your name to this convenient messaging service.
Learn about deadlines and holidays.
Except under unusual circumstances, the guidelines in the above syllabus will not change. However, if any changes are necessary, all changes will be communicated in writing as an addendum to the syllabus.
Welcome to ESL 371 and 781! We are going to have a great semester of learning.