ENGL-101 - English Composition - Jennifer Brezina
| Course: | English Composition |
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| Professor: | Jennifer Brezina |
| Email: | jennifer.brezina@canyons.edu |
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Introduction
Welcome to English 101 online! My name is Jennifer Brezina, and I’ll be your instructor. I’m looking forward to working with you!
I grew up in Southern California and studied English at three wonderful schools - UCLA (BA), San Diego State (MA), and UC Riverside (PhD). I began working at College of the Canyons in 2001 as a full-time faculty member in the English department. I started teaching online in 2002 and completed a graduate certificate in Online Teaching and Learning in 2009. I became Dean of Humanities in 2012 and served in that position until Fall 2015.
I moved to Nashville, TN in 2015 and am now Vice President for Academic Affairs at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, TN. I also still teach online for College of the Canyons part-time and very much enjoy keeping up the connection with students and with College of the Canyons.
This course is meant to give you a solid foundation in college reading and writing that will help you in your other classes as well as in your career. You’ll be reading a variety of texts and completing structured writing assignments that will help you improve your skills as you work through the writing process.
Course Description
This course builds critical reading and expository writing skills through the analysis and evaluation of college-level texts and the composition of well-organized, full-length essays containing properly documented evidence.
What to Expect in this Course
This course will be conducted 100% online through Canvas. Regular participation (several times per week) is expected, though the course is asynchronous, meaning that you can choose the time of day that best works for you as you are planning to meet the assignment deadlines.
There will be several formal essays to complete as well as smaller weekly assignments (quizzes, discussions, reflections, and other activities) to help you to understand the class readings, strengthen your writing skills, and feel prepared for the essay assignments. Essay assignments will use a writing process approach, meaning you will write the essay in stages with feedback along the way that is designed to help you improve your work.
This is not a class where you can complete work far ahead of your classmates or make up work during the last few days of the term, and some of the work will involve engaging in discussions and other group activities with your classmates. My goal in doing so is to build community in the online classroom in order to enhance your learning experience while keeping you on track to meet the learning outcomes of the class.
Types of Assessments
Essays
Quizzes
Discussion Boards
Other Short Written Assignments
Textbook Information
The majority of the class readings will come from English Composition, a free OER textbook.
There is one inexpensive book you will need to purchase: Robot-Proof by Joseph Aoun (ISBN 978-0-262-53597-7).
Other Relevant Course Information
This course will be available in Canvas at 8am on the first day of the term. To confirm your place in this class, you must complete the mandatory online orientation by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on the first day of class for the term. If you do not, you will be considered a “no show” and will be dropped from the course in accordance with college policy.
If this course is full and has gone to a wait list, the best way to add the course is to be on the waitlist, as the college will automatically add you before the class begins if a seat opens up. The college will notify you by email when you are enrolled so that you can pay your fees and remain enrolled in the course. Students who are dropped for non-payment may not be able to be re-added.
If there is room for additional students to add the class, I will know on the second day of the term (after the “no show” students are dropped). Please contact me by email near the beginning of the term so that I know you are still interested in adding, even if you are already on the waitlist. Students will be added in the order of their waitlist position.
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 07/26/2023 Sub#: 639