English 60 Course Syllabus*

Required Texts and Supplies

• The Least You Should Know about English, Form A/ Tenth Edition by Paige Wilson and Teresa Ferster Glazier
• Celebrity Writing in America by William Vesterman (ISBN 0-321-32890-6)
• Any Collegiate Dictionary
• Stapler (I will not accept non-stapled assignments)
• 8.5 x 11 Blue Books (available in the bookstore)
• 2 Scantrons (Form No. 882-E)

Course Description
English 60 is an introductory writing course designed to prepare students for English 50, Introductory Composition. The course will review and apply the fundamentals of standard English. Emphasizes sentence, paragraph, and short essay writing. Prerequisite: ACDV B68 or ENSL 70 with a minimum grade of "C" or 'CR' or English Level 4. (catalog description)
Passing the English 60 Final Essay Exam (FEE), given at the end of the semester, is a prerequisite to getting a "C" grade in the course. Students who get a "C" or better in English 60 are eligible for English 50.

English 60 Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of English 60, the student will be able to perform the following:
• Write a non-formulaic, timed final 250 word essay that is:

o organized around a thesis statement, uses transitions, is coherent, and contains a conclusion.
o assembled into paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting detail.
o composed of mostly error-free sentences.
o written illustrating control of mechanics, usage, and diction.
o demonstrative of a variety of sentence patterns that avoid primer prose.
o clear in thought and writing in response to a specific topic.

• Show proficiency in reading and comprehension of basic college level material assigned in class, including:

o textbooks,
o essays, and
o news articles.

Final Essay Examination (FEE)
The FEE is a 250 word essay that will be scored Pass, Borderline, or Fail by a panel of English Instructors. A Borderline result allows me to determine whether your class performance dictates that you should receive a Pass or Fail on the FEE. The FEE is an essential component to the English 60 course. The FEE may not be made up.

Attendance
Good attendance is essential for success in this class. BC policy states that students may be dropped when absences number the equivalent of two weeks of class. Arriving late or leaving early three times equals one absence. Do not be late to class. It is rude and disruptive to your classmates as well as to the instructor. If you do arrive late, it is your responsibility to establish attendance with me.
If you are absent on a day that I give back an assignment, I will place your work in a tray labeled "English 60" (on my desk in office H-33). You can pick up the assignment anytime the office is open. I will not carry the assignment around with me, so be sure to pick it up at your convenience. After the semester term, I will discard all assignments left in the tray.

Late Work
In order for work to be considered "on time," you must turn it in on the day it is due and at the beginning of class. Late homework assignments will not be accepted. Good class attendance is crucial, and therefore quizzes and tests may not be made up. I will, however, drop two of your lowest homework scores. Essays turned in late will not be accepted. If an emergency arises, please notify me as soon as possible. Exceptions to these guidelines may be made at my discretion.

Grading Policy
Grades will be determined on a percentage basis:

90-100%=A
80-89%=B
70-79%=C
60-69%=D
0-59%=F

You will receive a score for all assignments, quizzes, tests, and practice FEEs. Any work not turned in will receive a zero. The percentage points earned over the course of the semester will determine the semester grade.

Assignment Format
All assignments should be labeled at the top, left-hand side of your paper. Headings should include your name, instructor's name, course, and the date. All papers written outside of class must be typed and double spaced with one-inch margins. All work done in class should be written in ink and skip lines.

Class Conduct and Participation
You are expected to behave in a collegiate manner. Active participation is a requirement for this class. You are expected to come to class having thoroughly read the assigned pages and completed any homework; be ready to contribute to class discussions: ask questions, listen carefully, treat others respectfully. Other participation consists of group work, conferences, and in-class writing. You are the essential element in these activities. Your comments, ideas, insights, and questions are expected and welcome.

Disruptions
Sometimes, a student will have trouble with disruptive behavior. Disruptive behavior includes (but is not limited to) talking at inappropriate times, leaving cellphones on to ring during class, text messaging during class, leaving class to answer cell phones, chronic lateness, attempting to take class time to discuss personal matters, making the class wait while you get your work organized, and making fun of other students. These actions interfere with the learning of others, and they will not be tolerated in an adult, collegiate setting. If this kind of behavior should occur, I will speak to that person privately. If after our discussion the disruptive behavior continues, I will drop the student.

Academic Dishonesty
Cheating or plagiarism of any sort will not be tolerated in this class. Please review the policy on plagiarism in the B.C. handbook. Plagiarism will result in an "F" on the assignment. The plagiarism policy will be strictly enforced.

Proper Paper Format

Grade Breakdown

Supportive Services (Disabled Students and Services) 395-4334
Supportive Services assists the campus in providing equal access for students with disabilities to the educational activities of Bakersfield College. Supportive Services provides services to identify and address appropriate individualized accommodations and services which may include special parking, liaison with the California State Department of Rehabilitation and other community resources, test taking assistance, special equipment, mobility assistance, note taking assistance, assistive computer technology, special classes, interpreters, written materials in alternate format and learning disability assessment. These services are intended to prepare and support students in order to enable them to participate on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Supportive Services (661-395-4334), FACE 16, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

*This syllabus is tentative and may be changed at my discretion.